History Main / ShockRock

In TheEighties, shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as Music/WASPBand, Music/MotleyCrue, Music/TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and Music/GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (Music/DeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (Music/BigBlack, Music/KillingJoke, Music/{{The Cure|Band}}), {{Industrial}} (Music/ThrobbingGristle, Music/SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, Music/{{Slayer}}, Music/CelticFrost, [[Music/KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal (Music/{{Death}}, Music/MorbidAngel, Music/{{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (Music/NapalmDeath, Music/{{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

In TheEighties, shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as Music/{{WASP}}, Music/MotleyCrue, Music/TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and Music/GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (Music/DeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (Music/BigBlack, Music/KillingJoke, Music/{{The Cure|Band}}), {{Industrial}} (Music/ThrobbingGristle, Music/SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, Music/{{Slayer}}, Music/CelticFrost, [[Music/KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal (Music/{{Death}}, Music/MorbidAngel, Music/{{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (Music/NapalmDeath, Music/{{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

Since the goal of shock rock is to amuse and scandalise audiences rather than authentically threaten them, most shock rock uses comedy elements. This keeps the audience aware that they're watching a performance and allows for things like [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain expression of bigoted views and evil behaviour]] to be understood as social commentary rather than the actual values of the artist -- while also making MoralGuardians look even more ridiculous for not being in on the joke. Comedy elements can take the form of VulgarHumor, [[InsultComic Insult Comedy]], or sometimes [[SatireParodyPastiche satirising, parodying or pastiching]] current events or pop culture figures with over-the-top visuals and {{Camp}} elements. Some shock rock acts focus on [[TrollingCreator getting humour out of annoying the audience]] specifically, such as by releasing music in absurd formats or putting out anti-shock SugarBowl material. [[DragQueen Drag]] elements are often incorporated in stagewear and performance styles, both because drag is part of the shock rock lineage, and because subverting gender is a good way to piss off social conservatives.

Since the goal of shock rock is to amuse and scandalise audiences rather than authentically threaten them, most shock rock uses comedy elements. This keeps the audience aware that they're watching a performance and allows for things like [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain expression of bigoted views and evil behaviour]] to be understood as social commentary rather than the actual values of the artist -- while also making MoralGuardians look even more ridiculous for not being in on the joke. Comedy elements can take the form of VulgarHumor, [[InsultComic Insult Comedy]], or sometimes [[SatireParodyPastiche satirising, parodying or pastiching]] current events or pop culture figures with over-the-top visuals and {{Camp}} elements. Some shock rock acts focus on [[TrollingCreator getting humour out of annoying the audience]] specifically, such as by releasing music in absurd formats or putting out anti-shock SugarBowl material. [[Drag queen Drag]] elements are often incorporated, both because drag is part of the shock rock lineage, and because subverting gender is a good way to piss off guardians.

+ GangstaRap, {{Horrorcore}}, {{Pop}}, {{Hyperpop}}, PsychobillyGenre, BlackMetal, and '''''YOUR DEFENSELESS, INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!'''''

In TheEighties, shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as Music/{{WASP}}, Music/MotleyCrue, Music/TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and Music/GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (Music/DeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (Music/BigBlack, Music/KillingJoke, Music/{{The Cure|Band}}), {{Industrial}} (Music/ThrobbingGristle, Music/SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, Music/{{Slayer}}, Music/CelticFrost,[[Music/KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal (Music/{{Death}}, Music/MorbidAngel, Music/{{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (Music/NapalmDeath, Music/{{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

The roots of Shock Rock can be traced back for as long as rock music has been around, with singers such as Music/ElvisPresley, Music/LittleRichard, and [[Music/ScreaminJayHawkins Screamin' Jay Hawkins]] combining sexually explicit (for the time) lyrics with risque/shocking performances that would frequently whip MoralGuardians into a tizzy. Equally macabre, theatrical performers like Music/ArthurBrown and Screaming Lord Sutch would carry the torch well into TheSixties, but the genre itself, however, wouldn't come to prominence until the [[TheSeventies 1970's]] with the rise of GlamRock bands like Music/AliceCooper, Music/{{KISS}}, Music/TheStooges, and Music/DavidBowie, who, in addition to shocking lyrics, would put on elaborate performances and wear dark or effeminate costumes designed to provoke audiences. Later in the same decade, the first wave of PunkRock appeared. As Punk was, at its heart, subversive, it quickly developed its own brand of shock aesthetics (tattered clothes, outlandish hair, violent concerts, and offensive, anti-authoritarian lyrics) that was epitomized by bands such as Music/SexPistols and The Exploited.

The roots of Shock Rock can be traced back for as long as rock music has been around, with singers such as Music/ElvisPresley, Music/LittleRichard, and [[Music/ScreaminJayHawkins Screamin' Jay Hawkins]] combining sexually explicit (for the time) lyrics with risque/shocking performances that would frequently whip MoralGuardians into a tizzy. The genre itself, however, wouldn't come to prominence until the [[TheSeventies 1970's]] with the rise of GlamRock bands like Music/AliceCooper, Music/{{KISS}}, Music/TheStooges, and Music/DavidBowie, who, in addition to shocking lyrics, would put on elaborate performances and wear dark or effeminate costumes designed to provoke audiences. Later in the same decade, the first wave of PunkRock appeared. As Punk was, at its heart, subversive, it quickly developed its own brand of shock aesthetics (tattered clothes, outlandish hair, violent concerts, and offensive, anti-authoritarian lyrics) that was epitomized by bands such as Music/SexPistols and The Exploited.

+ The MurderBallad tradition, GothicCountryMusic, {{Vaudeville}}, {{Blues}}, GospelMusic, {{Rock}}, PsychedelicRock, PunkRock, ProtoPunk, GlamRock, OutsiderMusic, {{Drag Queen}}s and Kings

+ The MurderBallad tradition, GothicCountryMusic, {{Vaudeville}}, {{Blues}}, GospelMusic, {{Rock}}, PunkRock, ProtoPunk, GlamRock, OutsiderMusic, {{Drag Queen}}s and Kings

+ GangstaRap, {{Horrorcore}}, {{Pop}}, {{Hyperpop}}, PsychobillyGenre, and '''''YOUR DEFENSELESS, INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!'''''

+ The MurderBallad tradition, GothicCountryMusic, {{Vaudeville}}, {{Blues}}, GospelMusic, {{Rock}}, PunkRock, ProtoPunk, GlamRock, OutsiderMusic

+ GangstaRap, {{Horrorcore}}, {{Pop}}, {{Hyperpop}}, PsychobillyGenre, Drag, and '''''YOUR DEFENSELESS, INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!'''''

+ GangstaRap, {{Horrorcore}}, {{Pop}}, {{Hyperpop}}, PsychobillyGenre, [[DragQueen Drag]], and '''''[[TheNewRockAndRoll YOUR DEFENSELESS, INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!]]'''''

In TheEighties, shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as Music/{{WASP}}, Music/MotleyCrue, Music/TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and Music/GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (Music/DeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (Music/BigBlack, Music/KillingJoke, Music/TheCure), {{Industrial}} (Music/ThrobbingGristle, Music/SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, Music/{{Slayer}}, Music/CelticFrost,[[Music/KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal (Music/{{Death}}, Music/MorbidAngel, Music/{{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (Music/NapalmDeath, Music/{{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

Shock rock dissipated as a mainstream force starting from TheTurnOfTheMillennium, around the time the panic around Music/MarilynManson (MisBlamed for the Columbine High School massacre) was superseded by a much more racially loaded moral panic around the hip-hop artist Music/{{Eminem}}. However, Eminem has cited the genre as a major influence on his own "[[{{Horrorcore}} shock rap]]" style, and has homaged it in his music, videos and live performances, in turn influencing later shock-rappers like early Music/{{OFWGKTA}}. While a pop artist, Music/LadyGaga's use of shock in her work nodded as much to shock-rock as it did to shock-pop pioneers like Music/{{Madonna}}, with her album ''Born This Way'' taking clear musical influence from HairMetal. While the pure form of shock rock may have faded, its DNA still exists in some of the most mainstream pop and hip-hop artists available, from Music/TaylorSwift and Music/LilNasX to Music/NickiMinaj, 6ix9ine and Music/BillieEilish.

The roots of Shock Rock can be traced back for as long as rock music has been around, with singers such as Music/ElvisPresley, Music/LittleRichard, and Music/ScreamingJayHawkins combining sexually explicit (for the time) lyrics with risque/shocking performances that would frequently whip MoralGuardians into a tizzy. The genre itself, however, wouldn't come to prominence until the [[TheSeventies 1970's]] with the rise of GlamRock bands like Music/AliceCooper, Music/{{KISS}}, Music/TheStooges, and Music/DavidBowie, who, in addition to shocking lyrics, would put on elaborate performances and wear dark or effeminate costumes designed to provoke audiences. Later in the same decade, the first wave of PunkRock appeared. As Punk was, at its heart, subversive, it quickly developed its own brand of shock aesthetics (tattered clothes, outlandish hair, violent concerts, and offensive, anti-authoritarian lyrics) that was epitomized by bands such as Music/SexPistols and The Exploited.

In TheEighties, shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as Music/{{WASP}}, Music/MotleyCrue, Music/TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and Music/GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (Music/TheDeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (Music/BigBlack, Music/KillingJoke, Music/TheCure), {{Industrial}} (Music/ThrobbingGristle, Music/SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, Music/{{Slayer}}, Music/CelticFrost,[[Music/KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal (Music/{{Death}}, Music/MorbidAngel, Music/{{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (Music/NapalmDeath, Music/{{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

In TheEighties, shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as Music/{{WASP}}, Music/MotleyCrue, Music/TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and Music/GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (Music/TheDeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (BigBlack, Music/KillingJoke, Music/TheCure), {{Industrial}} (Music/ThrobbingGristle, Music/SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, Music/{{Slayer}}, Music/CelticFrost,[[Music/KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal (Music/{{Death}}, Music/MorbidAngel, Music/{{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (Music/NapalmDeath, Music/{{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

Shock Rock is, to put it simply, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin rock music designed to shock and offend]]. Musicians often don theatrical costumes, and live show are frequently elaborate affairs, often with the image or performance being as important, if not moreso, than the music itself. As befitting its name, Shock Rock lyrics often consist of taboo subjects such as [[{{Gorn}} violence]], [[SexIsEvil sex]], [[ClusterFBomb obscenity]], [[RockMeAsmodeus blasphemy]], [[NightmareFuel horror]], [[NauseaFuel gross-out]], [[BondageIsBad S&M]], [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]], [[BestialityIsDepraved besitality]], and more recently, [[UnfortunateImplications political incorrectness]]. Despite the name, Shock Rock is less a music genre than it is a performance type, and as such can run the gamut from relatively mundane rock music to brutal extreme metal/punk in sound.

The roots of Shock Rock can be traced back for as long as rock music has been around, with singers such as Music/ElvisPresley, Music/LittleRichard, and Music/ScreamingJayHawkins combining sexually explicit (for the time) lyrics with risque/shocking performances that would frequently whip MoralGuardians into a tizzy. The genre itself, however, wouldn't come to prominence until the [[TheSeventies 1970's]] with the rise of GlamRock bands like AliceCooper, {{KISS}}, TheStooges, and DavidBowie, who, in addition to shocking lyrics, would put on elaborate performances and wear dark or effeminate costumes designed to provoke audiences. Later in the same decade, the first wave of PunkRock appeared. As Punk was, at its heart, subversive, it quickly developed its own brand of shock aesthetics (tattered clothes, outlandish hair, violent concerts, and offensive, anti-authoritarian lyrics) that was epitomized by bands such as TheSexPistols and The Exploited.

In [[TheEighties the next decade]], shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as Music/{{WASP}}, MotleyCrue, TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (TheDeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (BigBlack, KillingJoke, TheCure), {{Industrial}} (ThrobbingGristle, SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, {{Slayer}}, CelticFrost,[[KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal ({{Death}}, MorbidAngel, {{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (NapalmDeath, {{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

In [[TheEighties the next decade]], shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as {{WASP}}, MotleyCrue, TwistedSister, Music/{{Poison}}, and GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (TheDeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (BigBlack, KillingJoke, TheCure), {{Industrial}} (ThrobbingGristle, SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, {{Slayer}}, CelticFrost,[[KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal ({{Death}}, MorbidAngel, {{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (NapalmDeath, {{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

The roots of Shock Rock can be traced back for as long as rock music has been around, with singers such as {{Elvis}}, {{Little Richard}}, and {{Screaming Jay Hawkins}} combining sexually explicit (for the time) lyrics with risque/shocking performances that would frequently whip MoralGuardians into a tizzy. The genre itself, however, wouldn't come to prominence until the [[TheSeventies 1970's]] with the rise of GlamRock bands like AliceCooper, {{KISS}}, TheStooges, and DavidBowie, who, in addition to shocking lyrics, would put on elaborate performances and wear dark or effeminate costumes designed to provoke audiences. Later in the same decade, the first wave of PunkRock appeared. As Punk was, at its heart, subversive, it quickly developed its own brand of shock aesthetics (tattered clothes, outlandish hair, violent concerts, and offensive, anti-authoritarian lyrics) that was epitomized by bands such as TheSexPistols and The Exploited.

In [[TheEighties the next decade]], shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as {{WASP}}, MotleyCrue, TwistedSister, {{Poison}}, and GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (TheDeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (BigBlack, KillingJoke, TheCure), {{Industrial}} (ThrobbingGristle, SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, {{Slayer}}, CelticFrost,[[KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of three genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal ({{Death}}, MorbidAngel, {{Sepultura}}, Possessed), VisualKei (Music/XJapan, Music/BuckTick, Music/SeikimaII), and {{Grindcore}} (NapalmDeath, {{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

In [[TheEighties the next decade]], shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as {{WASP}}, MotleyCrue, TwistedSister, {{Poison}}, and GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (TheDeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk[=/=]AlternativeRock (BigBlack, KillingJoke, TheCure), {{Industrial}} (ThrobbingGristle, SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, {{Slayer}}, CelticFrost,[[KingDiamond Mercyful Fate]]). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of two genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal ({{Death}}, MorbidAngel, {{Sepultura}}, Possessed) and {{Grindcore}} (NapalmDeath, {{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

Shock Rock is, to put it simply, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin rock music designed to shock and offend]]. Musicians often don theatrical costumes, and live show are frequently elaborate affairs, often with the image or performance being as important, if not moreso, than the music itself. As befitting its name, Shock Rock lyrics often consist of taboo subjects such as violence, sex, obscenity, blasphemy, horror, gross-out, [[BondageIsBad S&M]], [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]], [[BestialityIsDepraved besitality]], and more recently, political incorrectness. Despite the name, Shock Rock is less a music genre than it is a performance type, and as such can run the gamut from relatively mundane rock music to brutal extreme metal/punk in sound.

In [[TheEighties the next decade]], shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as {{WASP}}, MotleyCrue, TwistedSister, {{Poison}}, and GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles. Less popular but just as notable were the underground shock rockers, which included bands from HardcorePunk (TheDeadKennedys, Crass), PostPunk/AlternativeRock (BigBlack, KillingJoke, TheCure), {{Industrial}} (ThrobbingGristle, SkinnyPuppy), and the more extreme forms of HeavyMetal (Music/{{Venom}}, {{Slayer}}, CelticFrost, MercyfulFate). The 1980's is also notable for the rise of two genres that would later play a large part in the future of the genre: DeathMetal ({{Death}}, MorbidAngel, Sepultura, Possessed) and {{Grindcore}} (NapalmDeath, {{Carcass}}, Terrorizer, Extreme Noise Terror).

In [[TheEighties the next decade]], shock rock likely reached its zenith. HairMetal bands such as {{WASP}}, MotleyCrue, TwistedSister, {{Poison}}, and GunsNRoses dominated the music scene with their extravagant performances/music videos, [[DudeLooksLikeALady heavily androgynous appearances]], and extreme SexDrugsAndRockNRoll lyrics and lifestyles.

The roots of Shock Rock can be traced back for as long as rock music has been around, with singers such as {{Elvis}}, {{Little Richard}}, and {{Screaming Jay Hawkins}} combining sexually explicit (for the time) lyrics with risque/shocking performances that would frequently whip MoralGuardians into a tizzy. The genre itself, however, wouldn't come to prominence until the [[TheSeventies 1970's]] with the rise of GlamRock bands like AliceCooper, {{KISS}}, TheStooges, and DavidBowie, who, in addition to shocking lyrics, would put on elaborate performances and wear dark or effeminate costumes designed to provoke audiences.