(c’95-’96) Geoff Hawkes (guitar / vocals); Richie Sime (bass / vocals); Ian Beauchamp (drums); Paul Humphrey (guitar / vocals) and Fran Beauchamp (vocals / keyboards).

After the demise of The Innocent, the quartet of Hawkes, Sime and the Beauchamp’s teamed up with Humphrey to form the quintet that was Choker. This Guildford band were not signed and self-released the “Crawl” LP in ’96, with help from Holier Than Thou Records. This carried 15 songs recorded at The Outhouse, Reading.

The next year, Choker’s ‘Conspiracy’ was remastered by Ade Lunn at Lunar Recording Studios, Cranleigh for Pete Cole’s Farnborough Groove Vol.7 (Geography Sucks)’, as they joined 18 ‘new’ bands / artists to the compilation. The West End Centre, Aldershot was the venue for Vol. 7’s Launch Night on 20 September 1997 which featured Kilter, but we do not know if Choker performed.

Choker are known to have played at The White Hart, Frimley.

Hawkes had previously been in Giant Arc and X13, after which he co-formed Industrial dance band Splinter Faction; then Clam, a rather melodic and tuneful combo, and helped reignite Buzzwagon for a while. Ian Beauchamp had spent time in Horsell based punk band The Contaminated. Fran Beauchamp is currently active in punk, new wave & ska covers band England’s Dreaming.

Gallery:

Cover of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Back cover of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Printed side of Choker’s “Crawl” CD LP, released in 1996.
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996.