Whilst in college, Stokes was a member of a band called Eyeless, alongside Neil Jordan.
He was also a freelance writer for outlets such as The Irish Times before founding Hot Press.
[4] In January 2008, he attended the recording sessions of "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" in Windmill Lane Studios.
[11] In 2007, he pursued a High Court action against high-profile MCD promoter Denis Desmond and Riverdance's Moya Doherty and John McColgan in the aftermath of the Hot Press Music Hall of Fame Museum's failure.
[14] Tributes were paid by Niall Breslin, Tom Dunne, Snow Patrol, Bono and The Edge.