SHOCK THERAPY CELEBRATES NEW EP WITH SOLD OUT SHOW
March 19, 2023, Review by Sophia Fascenelli
Shock Therapy (Photo: Sophia Fascenelli)
Orange County-based new-wave synth-punk band, Shock Therapy, celebrated the release of their new EP, Paranoid Flats, with a full-house at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana, CA on March 18, 2023.
Starting the show were Evil Peopl, The Provos, and Creative Differences as supporting acts. Synth punk duo Evil Peopl started the show with The Provos to follow. Celtic punk band, The Provos, started their set in long, brown trench coats and put on an energetic performance for the Orange County punk kids in the crowd. The seven-person band put on a spirited performance, while the audience proved that you can mosh to just about anything, even Celtic punk. As the band went through their forty-minute set, the crowd jumped, sang, and danced as the band filled the room with positive energy. A high-energy crowd is a key factor in making concerts fun, and tonight’s audience knew exactly what to do.
The Provos (top) and Evil Peopl (bottom) (Photos: Sophia Fascenelli)
The third and final openers, Creative Differences, were one of the best openers I’ve seen in a while. The band lives up to its band name with their stage presence. The band entered the stage with white custom-made “blood” dripped outfits; with lead singer, Ryan Petersen, having knives “stabbed” into his back. Every single member of the band had high energy during the entire show. Their drummer, Larson McDonald, ended up jumping into the crowd about halfway through their set to dance with the crowd. Along with their production was a screen playing a storyline to match their performance. The band performed their songs such as “Breathaway” and “Redlight” as well as a cover of Joy Division’s “Disorder.” Creative Differences released their new EP, Kidboy, earlier this month.
Creative Differences (Photo: Sophia Fascenelli)
Orange County, CA’s very best new wave synth punk band, Shock Therapy rocked the stage on a perfect Saturday night. The venue was full of friends and fans of the band for the exciting release of their new EP, Paranoid Flats. Shock Therapy appeared on stage in suits, with their electronic organist, Holden, in flashing red lipstick. The band started their 19-song set with their new song “Avoidance”. Despite some of the band members performing earlier in the opening acts, every single one of them put on an energized show. As the band made their way through their set, the packed house danced, moshed, and sang along. As the night came to an unwanted end, they ended their set with “Clam Boy.” Shock Therapy knows how to get a crowd going with their funky synth tunes and knows how to put on a show no one will ever forget.
Shock Therapy (Photos: Sophia Fascenelli)
SETLIST
Avoidance
Blowhole
Dream Gorilla of the Funk
Twitchy Hands
Paranoid Flats
Hand of My Own
Tar Me Up
Computer Cowboy
Life on Uranus
Lagoon Squad
Software into Hardware
Bioluminescent
The Urchin
Fishy Feeling
Plant Brain
New Wave Party
Planet Pink
Light My Fire
Clam Boy
To keep up with new music and shows from: Shock Therapy, Creative Differences, The Provos, or Evil Peopl, click their name