Grok
Grok was a Hamilton "super-group" of sorts, being largely a collaboration between brothers Scott Brodie (bass, vocals) from Inchworm (and later Girlinky) and Grant Brodie (keyboards) from (amongst other bands) Dribbly Cat Attraction. Other members were Chris Fish (guitar) from Love and Violence and Department of Corrections and Max Ward (drums), ex-the Sandbabies.
The band took out the top prize at the Contact 89FM Battle of the Bands competition in 1996. They took their name by reversing "Korg", the brand of Grant's keyboard.
Bubbles and Noises from the Aquarium was Grok's only CD, released in 1997. A track from the album, 8:30 18/02/97, was released on Green Eggs and Hamilton under the name Salad.
Grok reformed in 2006 with a substantially different lineup, with only Scott Brodie remaining from the original. The new Grok are based in London and include three members from Girlinky, who stopped playing in 2005; Scott Brodie (bass and vocals), Rob Talsma (drums) and Chris Ayles (guitar). Two keyboard players from the initially reformed Grok, ex-Hamiltonians Dan Nicholls and Jayne Hartstone, have since been replaced by three new keyboard players. Another ex-Hamiltonian, Paul Fitness, is still a keyboard player for the band. Other members are Peter Ocsenas and Pep Sanchez.
Songs played during Grok's live performances are now impovised (i.e., they are made up on the spot), with subject matter provided by the audience and by using of the "Wheel of Chordal Destiny" to guide the music. During 2007 Grok spent time in a recording studio, which resulted in the release of a single titled Song for Europe in May 2008, and an album titled Ruined Music for Everyone in June 2008. These songs were also one-off improvisations in the studio. Original Grok member Grant Brodie contributed to the single via the internet from New Zealand.
Releases
- Bubbles and Noises from the Aquarium CD, 1996
- Song for Europe Single, 2008
- Ruined Music for Everyone CD, 2008
- 8:30 18/02/97 was released on the 1997 compilation Green Eggs and Hamilton (under the name "Salad")
- Old Grok Two appears on the 1997 promo CD NZ on Air Indie Hit Disc 3
- 10:15 17/2/97 appears on the 1998 promo CD NZ on Air Indie Hit Disc 7
Published Articles
- Winning Contest a Surprise for Grok, City Weekend, 30 August 1996, P9
