Choke (music collective)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Choke was the name of a music collective in Bristol, formed in 2001. It aimed to promote the health of the live music scene in the city through non-profit events and unsolicited criticism. It was also the name of a related magazine, DIY live music promoter, club night and online music forum.
Choke published a free, badly photocopied fanzine from 2001 - 2004 which upset some people and made others happy. It championed bands such as Pricktaster Chikinki, Madnomad, Gravenhurst, Mooz, Big Joan, Ivory Springer, Bronnt Industries Kapital, SJ Esau, Team Brick, Rose Kemp and Geisha as well as supporting rock, electronic and acoustic acts from the Bristol area and further afield. It was relaunched in April 2006 in a new, glossier format though the members of the collective quickly remembered that they didn't have the time or patience to do it on a regular basis.
Club Choke was the name of the Choke Collective's live music events which put the best local bands and artists on alongside underground acts from other music scenes in the UK and beyond. It happened at various venues in Bristol from 2002 - 2006. At one point it ran every month for two and a half years at a venue called The Croft though it later reverted to its original occasional occurrence and is currently very quiet indeed.
The Choke Forum is a web-based message board which has become something of a hub for the Bristol music scene. It is completely uncensored and has a reputation for obscenity and strong opinions.
Choke (both the collective itself and the public forum) has often been accused of being elitist and exclusive, something the collective unwittingly encouraged by zealously promoting the music that they find exciting and vehemently denouncing that which they see as insipid, lazy and uninspiring.
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[edit] The Hive Mind
Individuals who frequently post messages on the Choke forum are referred to as Chokers. A consensus reached through recurring opinions and themes in discussions on the forum are often attributed to "The Hive Mind", which was a term coined by original Choker Milo as a reaction to the repeated suggestions that there was some kind of Choke party line.
[edit] Common forum phrases and 'in-jokes'
- This Thread has AIDS.
- (something) has peaked.
- Bricky check your PMs
- Does anyone know where to get cheap quality earplugs?
- Saftetynice
- Kosheen (vulg)
- Blackbud (vulg)
- Wanking and crying / crying and wanking / crying myself blind and wanking myself invisible
[edit] Forum style
Although the Choke forum (and now defunct zine) is a vehicle for a wide variety of opinions and personalities, the writing styles of many forum members have certain elements in common. Obscenity is rife as are tenuous metaphors, braggadocio and absurdist or needlessly obscure references. A good example of the 'house style' is the following assertion from Mr Thomas: "I've had sex in Delia Derbyshire's bathroom. It was an electronica rave. Has anyone else ejaculated in the home of a Music Concrete pioneer? "
