Revival of the Pub Rock Scene made popular by Dire Straits and Elvis Costello. The Revolution is currently being led by Adonis Cross and The Mods. Dire Straits performing live Dire Straits were a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals), David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums), and managed by Ed Bicknell. ... Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus, aka Elvis Costello. ... The Mods was a Norwegian rock band formed in Stavanger. ...