If there’s one thing that makes every defiant teen sneer with cock-eyed delight, it’s knowing that his or her choice of music makes their parental units squirm with horror. And few musical genres make parents squirm more reliably than shock rock.
From Alice Cooper to KISS, Slipknot to Marilyn Manson, so-called shock rock represent a certain pinnacle in teenage rebellion so of course, it’s a hugely popular. But where exactly did shock rock come from, and how did it end up where it is today?
Those are some of the questions viewers of tonight’s episode of Metal Evolution: The Series, can expect to have answered when episode 9 (of a total of 11) rolls out at 10 pm on MuchMore. Below is the official blurb for the segment, followed by a trailer.
As one pundit quoted in tonight’s episode puts it, “There will always be people willing to scare the old to entertain the young.” Be prepared to be very entertained.
“In September of 1969, at a rock ‘n’ roll festival in Toronto, a live chicken made an unscheduled appearance during an Alice Cooper set. The unfortunate creature was reportedly torn limb from limb, the blood drained from its carcass, and the remains scattered throughout the front rows of the stadium, giving birth to one of the most extraordinary descendants of heavy metal: ‘shock rock.’
“In Episode 9 of Metal Evolution: The Series, two central questions are raised: ‘Historically, where did the urge to shock an audience come from?’ and ‘What are the antecedents of shock in rock music?’ Starting with the ringmaster of mayhem himself, Alice Cooper - an artist who drew heavily on such diverse influences as Expressionist horror film and circus sideshows - we’ll revisit a world of guillotines and gallows, electrocutions and sorcery.
“We’ll then learn how New York City’s KISS dethroned Cooper by taking spectacle one giant leap forward, incorporating a fiendish cocktail of explosive pyrotechnics, Kabuki make-up, and leather and studs, spawning a ‘KISS Army’ of fans and a legion of terrified and infuriated parents. By the ‘80s, shock rockers Mötley Crüe and W.A.S.P., resembling androgynous soldiers of Satan, pushed violent sexual imagery to the forefront, prompting Tipper Gore’s Parents Music Resource Center’s (PMRC) infamous attack on song titles, album covers and lyrics.
“As we enter the ‘90s, shock rock had morphed once again with artists like Marilyn Manson, introducing a far more serious tone of underground intellectual disaffection that made the grandstanding and braggadocio of the ‘80s artists seem positively quaint. Today, in conversations with bands like Slipknot, we’ll discover how kids are plugging into a new kind of shock rock, steeped in a language of nihilism, abandonment, and troubling homogeniality, with a relentless soundtrack best described as a rapid descent into death. Fascinating and essential viewing.”
A few teenage "weekend hippies" tore the chicken apart. John and Yoko appeared later on at the same festival. The above clip makes it sound like killing animals is what it was about. It was someone from Cooper's entourage who tossed the chicken to the audience. Alice seemed to regret it at the time. He seemed horrified. Later, the same crowd sang along with John and Yoko, "All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace A Chance". But they never gave the chicken a chance.
a great show about rock n roll or metal as they call it. Lemmy says its just rock n roll to him. The series is produced and directed by SAM DUNN of Vancouver, Canada. Sam also did the awesome documentary of FLIGHT 666, a most wicked experience with one the most famous rock n rollers, IRON MAIDEN or MAIDEN to their loyal fans ( UP THE IRONS )
This is a must see show if you like this type of genre, with me personally, I just love bands like Zeppelin, Crue, Anvil, Maiden, Rush, ACDC, Stones, V.Halen, Priest, UFO, Motorhead, Lizzy, Metalica, Guns, Aerosmith.
I could rant and rave all night about this stuff. Check it out if this is your cup of tea.
UP THE IRONS !!!
I saw a pic of King Diamond in the Shock Rock com. about upcoming episode. I pray Power Metal and progressive metal are last two episodes after shock. QueensRyche, Helloween and Blind Guardian. Best show ever. Metal Evolution Rules. Up the Irons!!!!
hello sir great show about rock n roll or metal as they call it. Lemmy says its just rock n roll to him. The series is produced and directed by SAM DUNN of Vancouver, Canada. Sam also did the awesome documentary of FLIGHT 666, a most wicked experience with one the most famous rock
A few teenage "weekend hippies" tore the chicken apart. John and Yoko appeared later on at the same festival. The above clip makes it sound like killing animals is what it was about. It was someone from Cooper's entourage who tossed the chicken to the audience. Alice seemed to regret it at the time. He seemed horrified. Later, the same crowd sang along with John and Yoko, "All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace A Chance". But they never gave the chicken a chance.
A few teenage "weekend hippies" tore the chicken apart. John and Yoko appeared later on at the same festival. The above clip makes it sound like killing animals is what it was about. It was someone from Cooper's entourage who tossed the chicken to the audience. Alice seemed to regret it at the time. He seemed horrified. Later, the same crowd sang along with John and Yoko, "All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace A Chance". But they never gave the chicken a chance.
Posted by: Don | 01/13/2012 at 06:00 PM
a great show about rock n roll or metal as they call it. Lemmy says its just rock n roll to him. The series is produced and directed by SAM DUNN of Vancouver, Canada. Sam also did the awesome documentary of FLIGHT 666, a most wicked experience with one the most famous rock n rollers, IRON MAIDEN or MAIDEN to their loyal fans ( UP THE IRONS )
This is a must see show if you like this type of genre, with me personally, I just love bands like Zeppelin, Crue, Anvil, Maiden, Rush, ACDC, Stones, V.Halen, Priest, UFO, Motorhead, Lizzy, Metalica, Guns, Aerosmith.
I could rant and rave all night about this stuff. Check it out if this is your cup of tea.
UP THE IRONS !!!
Posted by: Tom Sainthill | 01/13/2012 at 06:41 PM
I saw a pic of King Diamond in the Shock Rock com. about upcoming episode. I pray Power Metal and progressive metal are last two episodes after shock. QueensRyche, Helloween and Blind Guardian. Best show ever. Metal Evolution Rules. Up the Irons!!!!
Posted by: Eric Scott Fairchild | 01/15/2012 at 09:59 AM
Yup, hail to Zeppelin, Crue, ACDC, Stones, Priest, Motorhead, Metalica, Guns, Aerosmith.
Posted by: Mark | 01/17/2012 at 04:54 AM
hello sir great show about rock n roll or metal as they call it. Lemmy says its just rock n roll to him. The series is produced and directed by SAM DUNN of Vancouver, Canada. Sam also did the awesome documentary of FLIGHT 666, a most wicked experience with one the most famous rock
Posted by: Usnam | 04/14/2012 at 03:29 AM
A few teenage "weekend hippies" tore the chicken apart. John and Yoko appeared later on at the same festival. The above clip makes it sound like killing animals is what it was about. It was someone from Cooper's entourage who tossed the chicken to the audience. Alice seemed to regret it at the time. He seemed horrified. Later, the same crowd sang along with John and Yoko, "All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace A Chance". But they never gave the chicken a chance.
Posted by: Trampoline Enclosures | 04/26/2012 at 03:01 PM