Hokus Pick

Alternative Rock
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Hokus Pick (or Hokus Pick Manouver) was a Christian rock band that was together from 1989 to 1999. The four members of Hokus Pick met in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Hokus Pick was well known for their quirky sense of humor, using sarcasm, satire, and general silliness to convey a deeper message.

Hokus Pick toured extensively in Canada and the United States. The band opened for Steve Taylor's Squinternational tour in 1994 and played in Costa Rica 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 worst CCM song of all time. The song is a satire of simplistic lyrics often heard on Christian radio. Ironically, it received heavy rotation on Christian stations.

In October 2007, Hokus Pick received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Gospel Music Association at the 29th Annual Covenant Awards in Calgary, Alberta. Hokus Pick then performed live and hosted the 30th Annual Covenant Awards on October 24, 2008.

Rumors 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.

1988 Independent

Russell Smith - Lead vocals, guitar
Matthew Pierrot - Lead guitar, vocals
Dave Strilchuk - Bass guitar, vocals
Ricky T. Colhoun - Drums, vocals

1. I.B.I.J.I.T.O.F.W.
2. City Streets / Wind of the Spirit
3. Nancy's Song
4. Changing World
5. Society Says
6. Turn Around in Circles
7. Love & Co.
8. Stand
9. I Can't Force You to Believe
10. November
11. Gone

“I.B.I.J.I.T.O.F.W.,” “Turn Around in Circles,” and “Love and Co” were re-recorded for Pick It Up. The rest of the tracks were re-released on The Independents in 1993.

1990 Independent

Russell Smith - Vocals, background vocals, rhythm guitars, horns
Matt Pierrot - Guitar, harmonica, background vocals
Dave Strilchuk - Bass, background vocals
Rick Colhoun - Drums, percussion, background vocals

Travis “James” Brown - Everything else

1. All in Time
2. Time
3. Second Look
4. I.G.Y.F.T.C.H.
5. Secret of My Tears
6. She Knows The Way
7. Take My Heart
8. Comin Out Fighting
9. Turn Back Home
10. I Couldn't See
11. For Life

“I.G.Y.F.T.C.H.” was re-recorded for Pick It Up. The rest of the tracks were re-released on The Independents in 1993.

1992 Word Canada (7017500504) / Word Records (347896)
1995 VIA Records (D6008)
1997 Freedom Records (FRD 3410)

Russ Smith - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Matt Pierrot - Guitar, vocals
Dave Strilchuk - Bass guitar, vocals
Rick Colhoun - Ayotte drums, percussion, vocals

1. Test Record (:18)
2. Sky Starts Falling (3:08)
3. I.B.I.J.I.T.O.F.W. (2:27)
4. Two Answers (4:15)
5. Face in the Rain (3:13)
6. Until the Time (6:19)
7. Turn Around in Circles (2:26)
8. Sofa Logic (4:19)
9. Love and Co. (2:37)
10. Will She Ever See (4:16)
11. Simple Song (2:03)
12. I.G.Y.F.T.C.H. (3:34)
13. Sofa Logic [extended remix] (5:11)

1. Society Says
2. Time
3. November

1993 Word Canada (HPMCD3)

1. All in Time
2. She Knows the Way
3. Nancy's Song
4. City Streets / Wind of the Spirit
5. Changing World
6. Society Says
7. Stand
8. Time
9. Second Look
10. I Can't Force You to Believe
11. Take My Heart
12. Turn Back Home
13. Comin Out Fighting
14. I Couldn't See
15. Secret of My Tears
16. November Rain
17. Gone
18. For Life
19. Christmas Song

1993 release on Word Canada is a compilation of the songs recorded for the band's independent releases Hokus Pick Manouver and Hey Man! that were not rerecorded for their 1992 album “Pick It Up”. The song “November” is retitled “November Rain.” Also includes the bonus track “Christmas Song,” which later appears on their greatest hits album, Greatest Picks in 1998.

1994 VIA Records (VA 60002)

Shirley's Son Russ (Russ Smith) - Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Sharon's Child Matt (Matt Pierrot) - Lead guitar, vocals
Alice's Boy Dave (Dave Strilchuk) - Bass guitar, vocals
Zory's Kid Rick (Rick Colhoun) - Ayotte drums, percussion, vocals

Rich Mullins - Lap & hammer dulcimers, duet on “I Believe”
George Cocchini - Electric guitar
Chris Rodriguez - Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Jerry McPherson - Electric guitar, twelve-string guitar
Terry McMillian - Percussion, harmonica
Todd Collins - Programming
John Hammond - Additional programming
Mark Heimermann - Backing vocals
P.J. Heimermann - Backing vocals

1. I Won't Forget (3:54)
2. Brothers (3:52)
3. On My Own (4:30)
4. The Finer Side (2:57)
5. Safe Assumption (3:54)
6. No Conversation (4:04)
7. All He Wants (2:48)
8. I Believe (3:24)
9. Love Stuff (4:20)
10. Bye Bye Bye (4:26)

1995 VIA Records (D6015)

Russ Smith - Lead vocals, guitar
Matt Pierrot - Guitar, vocals
Dave Strilchuk - Bass, vocals
Rick Colhoun - Ayotte drums, vocals

1. The Screen
2. Gelatin
3. Fading Away
4. Nine Worlds Away
5. Hey Girl
6. Disguise
7. I, I (Take It Back)
8. Chase the Wind
9. Monsters Under the Bed
10. Velour Shirt
11. Dig It Up
12. Better Man

1997 Freedom Records (FRD3408)

Russ Smith - Vocals
Matt Pierrot - Guitar
Dave Strilchuk - Bass
Rick Colhoun - Drums

1. There I Go Again (4:26)
2. Nine Worlds Away (3:24)
3. Learn to Laugh (live) (4:01)
4. Bird Song of Freedom (3:36)
5. Train in Vain (Stand by Me)
6. Mary Antoinette (4:04)
7. Felize Navidad (4:25)
8. Super Hero (3:35)
9. Sadness of These Times (4:51)
10. Adonai (4:33)
11. If the Speechless Could Sing (3:40)
12. Waiting (4:15)

Track #5 is a cover of The Clash. Track #10 is cover of Petra.

1997 Freedom Records (FRD 3411)

Russ Smith - Vocals, guitar
Matt Pierrot - Lead guitar
Dave Strilchuk - Bass guitar
Rick Colhoun - Ayotte drums

1. Faith, Hope and Love (3:59)
2. I'm So Happy (2:51)
3. Naturally (2:52)
4. Nothing More (4:58)
5. We Are the People (3:15)
6. This Time (4:16)
7. Our God (3:18)
8. True Believer (4:18)
9. God for One Day (3:27)
10. Comfort Song (2:44)
11. Let Go, Let God (4:20)
12. Our God (reprise) (1:01)
13. Sliver (4:42)
14. [silence] (10:20)
15. Hidden Track (14:47)

The Hokus Pick Horns wish to remain anonymous.

The hidden track is a satirical “Behind the Music”-esque radio drama.

1998 Freedom Records (FDR 3422)

1. I'm So Happy (2:53)
2. Love and Co. (2:39)
3. Disguise (2:54)
4. Safe Assumption (3:55)
5. Sofa Logic (4:20)
6. Naturally (2:53)
7. God is Always There (3:50)
8. I Believe (3:25)
9. Simple Song (2:05)
10. I,I (Take It Back) (3:44)
11. Best of (3:26)
12. Bye Bye Bye (4:27)
13. True Believer (4:19)
14. Gelatin (3:23)
15. Circus Song (3:57)
16. I.B.I.J.I.T.O.F.W. (2:29)
17. Nothing More (4:56)
18. Christmas Song (2:42)

1999 Freedom Records (FRD 3424)

1. Smile
2. Love (The Flavor of)
3. I Know Better
4. Learning as I Go
5. Forgiveness in You
6. Welcome to the Happy Club
7. This is Me
8. Christianese
9. Anybody Else But Me
10. Rest