Hokus Pick was a Christian pop/rock

Rock Band

Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...

 band that was together from 1988 to 1999. The four members of Hokus Pick met in Vancouver, British Columbia

British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...

. Hokus Pick was well known for their quirky sense of humor, using sarcasm

Sarcasm

Sarcasm is “a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt.” Though irony and understatement is usually the immediate context, most authorities distinguish sarcasm from irony; however, others argue that sarcasm may or often does involve irony or employs...

, satire

Satire

Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...

, and general silliness to convey a deeper message.

Hokus Pick toured extensively in Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 and the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. The band opened for Steve Taylor

Steve Taylor

Roland Stephen Taylor , is an American Christian singer, songwriter, record producer and film director.-Early life:Taylor, the eldest of three children, was born in Brawley, California. Taylor's father, Roland Taylor, was a Baptist minister. When Taylor was six years old, the family relocated to...

's Squinternational tour in 1994 and played in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....

 in May 1998. The group released their final album in 1999, opting to spend more time with their families after more than a decade of recording and touring together. They have remained active in music ministry and the industry.

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music cites their song "I'm So Happy" as possibly the Greatest CCM

Contemporary Christian music

Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...

 song of all time. The song is a satire of simplistic lyrics often heard on Christian radio. It received heavy rotation on Christian stations.

In October 2007 Hokus Pick received a Lifetime Achievement Award

GMA Canada Lifetime Achievement Award

The GMA Canada Lifetime Achievement Award is handed out annually by GMA Canada . This annual award recognizes the achievements of artists and industry experts who have made the greatest contribution to further the Canadian Christian music scene. It is presented during GMA Canada Week, during which...

 from the Canadian Gospel Music Association

GMA Canada

GMA Canada is the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the organization is a not for profit association whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...

 at the 29th Annual Covenant Awards

Covenant Awards

The Covenant Awards are handed out annually by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...

 in Calgary, Alberta. Hokus Pick then performed live and hosted the 30th Annual Covenant Awards on October 24, 2008.

Rumours abounded that Hokus Pick was planning a comeback into music, after having been spotted in a secluded warehouse jamming together. Filmmaking company Transposition Films, composed of legendary members itself, avoided questions regarding their involvement in filming a documentary about the process.

Members

• Russ Smith (lead vocals, guitar)
• Matt Pierrot (guitar, vocals)
• Dave Strilchuk (bass guitar, vocals)
• Rick Colhoun (drums, vocals)

Discography

• Hokus Pick Manouver (independent) (1988)
• Hey Man! (independent) (1989)
• Pick It Up (1992, review)
• The Independents (1993)
• Brothers From Different Mothers (1994, review)
• Brothers From Different Mothers (video) (1994)
• Bookaboom (1995)
• The B-Sides (1996)
• Snappy (1997, reviews)
• Greatest Picks (1998)
• Super Duper (1999, reviews)

Songs in other projects

• "We Are The People" on Believe It, Various Artists (Revival, 1999)
• GMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary Collection
  GMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary Collection
  GMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary Collection is a three-CD collection commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Gospel Music Association of Canada. It showcases the history of Christian music in Canada...
  
  , "I'm So Happy" (CMC, 2008)

External links

• Hokus Pick discography at Jesus Freak Hideout
  Jesus Freak Hideout
  Jesus Freak Hideout is a Christian music website. The website specializes in reviewing, previewing, and selling Christian albums. The website is known for its album reviews, independent music, artist interviews, concert dates and ministry through devotionals and prayer...