Francois Van Coke
| Francois Van Coke | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Francois Badenhorst |
| Born |
September 18, 1980 Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments |
Vocals Guitar |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Rhythm Records |
| Associated acts | AS180 A Guy Called Gerald New World Inside Fokofpolisiekar Van Coke Kartel Karen Zoid |
| Website | http://www.francoisvancoke.co.za |
Francois Badenhorst (born in Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa), better known by his stage name Francois Van Coke, is the lead vocalist, songwriter and founding member of the South African alternative rock bands Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel.
Van Coke has always had an affinity for music. Moving to Bellville, Western Cape in early childhood where he grew up, he participated in high school in a battle of the bands competition where he performed the vocals for the band. He was later kicked out of the band, which put him off performing vocals for a while. Van Coke's strong Christian upbringing (his father was a pastor) led him to create the Christian band AS180. Van Coke established himself in the Bellville underground music scene by forming the band "A Guy Called Gerald", which later changed its name to "New World Inside". He later gained country-wide notoriety when he founded the band Fokofpolisiekar in 2003. The band was initially started as a joke to shock the widely conservative Afrikaans community. Van Coke recalls that, "My mom cried for a day or two when she heard the name of the band". After initial performances his father asked him to change his surname from "Badenhorst" to "Van Coke", as his father, being a minister, was receiving complaints about his son's performances from the local church-going community.
In 2007 Van Coke formed Van Coke Kartel, alongside Fokofpolisiekar members Wynand Myburgh and Justin Kruger.
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