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Shock Treatment
Their first LP came out in 1993 in No Tomorrow, a new label then, having no other band in their (our) catalogue. The record gathered all their early songs, and covers of Misfits, spanish band Vegetales, and '60s girl group Victorians, showing off the bands' mixture of sounds: punk rock with drops of '60s surf and pop, with fresh melodies and a fast beat. The record was well acclaimed everywhere. Despite of this, the band was not too satisfied with the production, finding it to sound "too clean". During 1994 the band released a single (the great "Adios, tú"), and played as backing band for Los Brujos, one of Spain's best pop acts, on a single for No Tomorrow.
Early 1995 saw the release of their second album, "Punk Party", a great collection of songs in the same spirit of their first record, but much much better (this time the band was satisfied with the production, by Jorge Reboredo of NCC's and Why Not?'s fame). Covers include Black Flag, their pals Depressing Claim (also on No Tomorrow) and Dictators (only on vinyl). The CD edition included as a bonus their first LP (with one song missing from each). This record got TERRIFIC reviews everywhere, established Shock Treatment as one of Europe's main melodic punk rock acts, and to this day still sells great!
Soon after their 2nd LP, the Shocks began to spew a plethora of split singles. First came one with Fifi & The Mach III from Japan, followed by another with their american pals Beatnik Termites (released in Reggie Termite's own label, Insubordination Records). Then they met their label mates Nuevo Catecismo Católico in yet another split for No Tomorrow, and last but not least they featured two songs in a double 7" spanish-italian co-production, also for NT. In the american single they cover a song by new wave girl singer Jossie Cotton ("She Could Be The One", recorded before the best-known takes from Screeching Weasel and Pansy Division); in the in the NCC-shared one, they attack GG Allin's "No Rules"; and in the italian job they play a song composed for them by English surf kings Surfin' Lungs. This should give you an idea of the different music styles that the Shocks' sound is made of: surf, punk, HC, pop, all played fast and loose! They also put songs in compilations for Wolverine Records (Germany), Demolition Derby (Belgium), Subterfuge (Spain), Lollipop (France), Roto (Spain)...
During the summer of 1996 they recorded their third album, the recently released "Operación Dragón", the title paying their little homage to the great Bruce Lee. According to both fans and critics, this is their best work to date: a little slower, more rock than punk, but always fresh. Sure, it features at least five of their best songs ever and the sound and production, again by Jorge, is top. Their immediate projects are featuring songs in compilations by 1+2 Records (Japan) and Ultraunder Records (USA).
About S/T:
"An explosive but fresh cocktail, the result of adding pop harmony to punk rock crust." (Igor Cubillo, RUTA 66)
"The best record I've listened to this
year." (Ben Weasel, PANIC BUTTON 'ZINE)
About Punk Party!:
"...it suppurates bad mood and, at the same time, teen energy, rabid melodies, spree appetite and acne... a sample of what the words "punk rock" should mean." (Kike Turmix, ZONA DE OBRAS)
"Saying that this LP is grandiose underrates it. They have made the perfect record again, a capital punk rock work." (Goofy, N.O.T. 'Zine)
"Like Saints bred with The Ramones. Truly religious melodies and energy." (Jeff Dahl)
About Operación Dragón:
"...without losing a single bit of freshness or punk attitude, it introduces pure pop components and much more ellaborate constructions. A most commendable record." (Eduardo Ranedo, RUTA 66)
