Zonic Shockum
Encyclopedia
Zonic Shockum is an American alternative rock band
formed in 1988 in Philadelphia.
, under the moniker of Zonic Shockum, recorded a 17-song cassette titled Pleasure which received distribution through Sound Choice mail-order catalog and Tower Records
in Philadelphia and garnered a positive review in the German music magazine Zap. The tape featured girlfriend Debbie Polak singing on one song, and co-worker Marc Sonstein playing drums on another. Anderson's cover of "Chinese Rock" was carted at Drexel University
's 91.7 for regular airplay.
In 1989 Polak and Sonstein joined Anderson as permanent members to form the nucleus of the performing and writing outfit. The trio record the track "Filth Divine" for Black Plastic Record's Powerless Compilation. That same year Larry Feraca came on briefly as bass player until being replaced in 1990 by Mitchell Landsman who contributed as a songwriter and vocalist. Bob Fowler came on in 1990 as lead guitarist. With this line-up, the band recorded its first self-released single "Whores" which received airplay at WKDU
and WPRB
as well as favorable reviews in Flipside
and Philadelphia City Paper
. The band then hit the local Philly bar, college & warehouse circuit for live gigs.
In 1992, after hearing a demo, Bryan Dilworth contacted the band to release a record on his new Compulsiv Records
label. Bryan put Zonic Shockum into the studio with Adam Lasus
at Studio Red to record a 5-song EP for Compusiv and later a Sinatra tune, "Dream Away" for release on a double-CD from Grass Records in 1993. Prior to recording "Dream Away" Marc's brother Ned Sonstein replaced Landsman on Bass.
After a break-in and equipment theft at their North Philadelphia rehearsal studio, Zonic Shockum relocated to a Northern Liberties practice space and recorded their next self-released single "No, You Suck" using a 4-track cassette recorder. Despite low production values, "No, You Suck" was listed as one of WKDU's top ten songs for 1993. A short time later, Bob left the line-up, Debbie and Steve married, and the Andersons and Sonsteins continued on as a four-piece.
In 1994 WKDU invited the band to contribute a track to its upcoming 7" boxed-set titled Scrapple, and so the band recorded "Labor" on an 8-track reel-to-reel recorder on loan from Adam Lasus.
!n 1995, Zonic Shockum entered Art Difuria's Frizz recording studio in Center City Philadelphia and recorded six songs. Five of these tracks would be included in the band's self-titled debut CD. The remaining track, "The Wedding Song" was featured in the Kate McCabe film Go-Go Mama Rama. Later that same year Zonic returned to Studio Red to work with J. Cox and record the remainder of the tracks for their debut album.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
formed in 1988 in Philadelphia.
History
In 1988 Stephen P. AndersonStephen P. Anderson
Stephen P. Anderson is an American musician, songwriter and expressionist painter.-Albums:* Zonic Shockum * Blackbirds Over Lancaster * Noisy Troubadour -EPs:* Testosterone 1992...
, under the moniker of Zonic Shockum, recorded a 17-song cassette titled Pleasure which received distribution through Sound Choice mail-order catalog and Tower Records
Tower Records
Tower Records was a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
in Philadelphia and garnered a positive review in the German music magazine Zap. The tape featured girlfriend Debbie Polak singing on one song, and co-worker Marc Sonstein playing drums on another. Anderson's cover of "Chinese Rock" was carted at Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
's 91.7 for regular airplay.
In 1989 Polak and Sonstein joined Anderson as permanent members to form the nucleus of the performing and writing outfit. The trio record the track "Filth Divine" for Black Plastic Record's Powerless Compilation. That same year Larry Feraca came on briefly as bass player until being replaced in 1990 by Mitchell Landsman who contributed as a songwriter and vocalist. Bob Fowler came on in 1990 as lead guitarist. With this line-up, the band recorded its first self-released single "Whores" which received airplay at WKDU
WKDU
WKDU is an award winning non-commercial college radio station located in Philadelphia, USA, broadcasting on 91.7 FM. It is owned and operated by Drexel University students, with several Drexel alumni among its on-air staff. It is the only free-format non-commercial FM station in Philadelphia...
and WPRB
WPRB
WPRB is a commercial broadcasting, non-profit 14,000 watt college radio station, once part of Princeton University, broadcasting from Princeton, New Jersey. The majority of on-air and management staff consists of Princeton University students, in addition to a board of trustees comprising...
as well as favorable reviews in Flipside
Flipside (fanzine)
Flipside was a punk rock fanzine published in Los Angeles, California from 1977 to 2000.As one of the first and longest running US punk rock fanzines, this publication extensively chronicled the world of independent and underground music during this era. Known for its highly opinionated cast of...
and Philadelphia City Paper
Philadelphia City Paper
Philadelphia City Paper is a free alternative news weekly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established in November 1981 as a spin-off of the now defunct WXPN Express newsletter. New issues are released every Thursday....
. The band then hit the local Philly bar, college & warehouse circuit for live gigs.
In 1992, after hearing a demo, Bryan Dilworth contacted the band to release a record on his new Compulsiv Records
Compulsiv Records
Compulsiv Records was a record label that operated out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.- History :The label was founded by Bryan Dilworth and James Payne.Dilworth found and signed the talent...
label. Bryan put Zonic Shockum into the studio with Adam Lasus
Adam Lasus
Adam Lasus is an American musician and record producer.Adam Lasus credits include albums by Yo La Tengo, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Lilys, Helium, Juliana Hatfield, Mark Mulcahy, , Clem Snide, Amy Ray, Madder Rose, Michael Cerveris, , Chris Harford, Versus, Dumptruck, Varnaline, Saturnine and...
at Studio Red to record a 5-song EP for Compusiv and later a Sinatra tune, "Dream Away" for release on a double-CD from Grass Records in 1993. Prior to recording "Dream Away" Marc's brother Ned Sonstein replaced Landsman on Bass.
After a break-in and equipment theft at their North Philadelphia rehearsal studio, Zonic Shockum relocated to a Northern Liberties practice space and recorded their next self-released single "No, You Suck" using a 4-track cassette recorder. Despite low production values, "No, You Suck" was listed as one of WKDU's top ten songs for 1993. A short time later, Bob left the line-up, Debbie and Steve married, and the Andersons and Sonsteins continued on as a four-piece.
In 1994 WKDU invited the band to contribute a track to its upcoming 7" boxed-set titled Scrapple, and so the band recorded "Labor" on an 8-track reel-to-reel recorder on loan from Adam Lasus.
!n 1995, Zonic Shockum entered Art Difuria's Frizz recording studio in Center City Philadelphia and recorded six songs. Five of these tracks would be included in the band's self-titled debut CD. The remaining track, "The Wedding Song" was featured in the Kate McCabe film Go-Go Mama Rama. Later that same year Zonic returned to Studio Red to work with J. Cox and record the remainder of the tracks for their debut album.
Singles
- Whores b/w Woe Is Me; Tape Worm - 1991
- No, You Suck b/w Lollipop; Bullet (Glenn DanzigGlenn DanzigGlenn Danzig Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig (born Glenn Allen Anzalone; June 23, 1955 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, entrepreneur, and a progenitor of the horror punk subgenre of music. He is a founder of bands the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig...
) - 1993 - Between the 6s b/w Lugy - 1994
- Alley Hunter b/w The Ugly Pear - 1998
Compilations
- Filth Divine from 'The Powerless Compilation' - 1989
- Dream Away (WilliamsPaul Williams (songwriter)Paul Hamilton Williams, Jr. is an Academy Award-winning American composer, musician, songwriter, and actor. He is perhaps best known for popular songs performed by a number of acts in the 1970s including Three Dog Night's "An Old Fashioned Love Song", Helen Reddy's "You and Me Against the World",...
/Williams) from 'Chairman of the Board - Interpretations of Songs Made Famous by Frank Sinatra' - 1993 - Labor from 'Scrapple' - 1994
- Ultraman from Split 7" single with Jacksonville's Gizzard - 1995
- Neima Piwa from Lollipop Magazine #57 MP3 CD - 2002
Films
- The Wedding Song featured in 'Go-Go Mama Rama' (1995 Kate McCabe/Hot Pants Productions)