the HOOK (left to right)
Steve Cook - Voice / Guitar
Dave Gaskell - Drum
Bob Stephenson - Bass
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At the end of 1999, after ten years of giging, supporting and sharing stages with many name bands like The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dr. Feelgood, Nine Below Zero, Peter Green, Paul Young, Luther Allison etc, Steve Cook called it quits with his then band The Motel Kings, disillusioned with the direction of the band and the general state of the british music scene "too many copycat bands" he just “Didn’t want to play any more”, instead he concentrated on song writing, with a vision of one day fronting his own band.
The seed was sown one hot Austin Texas night in 1999, “at a jam I got up with my friend Dan Frezak (from the Bobby Mac Band) on drums, expecting just to play guitar with the host of the jam on vocals and harp, I was shocked when he disappeared of stage! I was left there on my own with this packed Austin club expecting great things, the first thing that came into my mind (apart from panic) was the song Te-Ni-Nee-Ni-Nu, the opening song for the Motel Kings as I some time sang it at sound checks, I knew I could sing it in the key of “B” without hesitation of we went, to my surprise EVERYBODY got up and was dancing! I couldn't believe it I had the audience in the palm of my hand, (can anyone-else claim to have sung one of Lou Ann Barton's songs in Austin Texas and got away with it???), there was no looking back".
Early line up of the HOOK included an old friend, Paul Sarjantson on harmonica from Roma Pierre & Her Back Door Men and (pre-Motel Kings band) The Impossibles (who were also finalists of "The Best of British Blues 1990 competition), The core of the band now is Steve Cook on guitar and vocals, Bob Stephenson on bass guitar and Dave Gaskell on drums (not to forget some guest players drifting in and out from time to time).
With influences from artists like Muddy Waters, Brenda Lee, AC/DC, The Blasters, Led Zeppelin, & The Red Devils - the HOOK play an exciting and refreshing blend of original songs and authentic Rock Rhythm & Blues.
"The Hook are the band the circuit has been waiting for!" - Pete Feenstra - Real Music Live