ALOKE

ALOKE
ALOKE in 2006 Left to right: Paul DeCourcey, Christian Zucconi and Alex Charpentier
Background information
Also known as	The Ram Fam (2009)
Origin	Ossining, New York
Genres	Post-hardcore, alternative rock, indie rock,post-grunge
Years active	2004 (2004)–2009 (2009); 2015
Labels	Past: Pretty Activity, Gatehouse Anchor, Currently: The End Records
Associated acts	The Skizmatics, Awkward Thought, Pagoda, Little Million, Back Off Track, Grouplove, Star Fucking Hipsters, Do Shadows Savage?, Electric Kompany, FORE, Family of the Year, Tutti Mondi, The Patrick Ewing Band, Galaxy of Tar, Good Grief, The Nerve!, Aches and the Pains, Kung-Fu Grip, The New Constituents, Surprise
Members	Christian Zucconi Paul DeCourcey Alex Charpentier Alex Walker
Past members	Anthony Kapfer

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Punknews

ALOKE is an American post-hardcore band that was formed by Christian Zucconi, Paul DeCourcey and Alex Charpentier in Ossining, New York, in 2004. During their career, the band released one live album and three EPs, before disbanding in the summer of 2009. Thereafter, Zucconi formed Grouplove, which gained popularity with ALOKE song, "Colors You Have" (renamed "Colours"). At one time, ALOKE was described as "shoveling out creepy, loud, grueling beauty" and "the fiercest, hardest working, loudest band in NYC".

The founders of the band – Christian Zucconi, Paul DeCourcey and Alex Charpentier – grew up in Westchester County, New York and played together in a school band. Prior to ALOKE, Christian played bass in Pagoda, fronted by his friend and actor Michael Pitt. During his time in Pagoda, Zucconi filmed a music video for their "Happy Song", which captures him as a band member. Zucconi also played additional guitar on "Death to Birth" from Pagoda self-titled debut album. Later on, ALOKE opened several times for Pagoda. Paul DeCourcey played in punk rock band The Skizmatics. Their only record, "No Heroes" EP, was released on Beer City Records in 1996. Alex Charpentier was a drummer for hardcore punk band Awkward Thought. After they were joined by Alex Walker, the future ALOKE guitarist, the band recorded and released "Fear Not" EP. They were soon joined by DeCourcey, and afterwards this line-up recorded the infamous studio album "Ruin a Good Time", which was released on March 25, 2003.

…Pulsating rhythms, catchy guitar and punk influences make ALOKE… The young band members were full of energy and played a thrashing set of screaming vocals on top of a dark and murky rhythm. A voyage into space and beyond, very futuristic, reminding me of a mix of images from The Matrix and Alien. Sci-fi, but thrilling mixed with gothic. What a great show…