Michelle Shocked biography
Michelle Shocked (born Michelle Karen Johnston, February 24, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter.
History
In 1984, she starting using the name "Michelle Shocked", a contraction of "Miss Shell Shocked". She told
Green Left Weekly: "The term 'Miss Shell Shocked' is a direct reference to the 1000 yard-stare which was a term that they first used to describe the victims of shell-shock in World War One. These people from outward appearances had survived the war quite well when in fact inside their minds were blown. I first used that name in 1984 at the Democratic Convention in San Francisco where I was arrested for protesting and demonstrating against corporations who contribute money to both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party campaigns."
Shocked received her first international exposure in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, with her debut album The Texas Campfire Tapes (1986).
Her first US success came with the release of her 1988 album Short Sharp Shocked on college radio rotations around the country, which was met with strong acclaim from listeners. On the crest of this independent momentum, her 1989 album Captain Swing on Mercury Records was released.
In 1995, she contributed an original song to the soundtrack for the film Dead Man Walking called "Quality of Mercy". In 1996, she released a studio version of an underground release Kind Hearted Woman (black cover) on the short-lived Private Music label.
Starting in 2002 with the release of Deep Natural, Shocked established her own label, Mighty Sound. She reissued expanded versions of her entire catalog, made possible by having retained complete ownership of her work when she signed with Mercury in 1987.
An acoustic version of her song "How You Play the Game" was featured as the opening and credits soundtrack in the DVD of the 2004 documentary film Bush's Brain.
Shocked continues to make music as an independent artist. In June 2005 she released a trilogy of albums called Threesome (Don't Ask Don't Tell, Mexican Standoff and Got No Strings). In September 2007 she released the album ToHeavenURide.
On May 12, 2009, her album Soul of My Soul was released on Mighty Sound (distributed by Megaforce/MRI through RED Distribution).
Personal life
In 1992, Shocked married journalist Bart Bull. They divorced in 2004. Her half-brother is musician Max Johnston. She attends West Angeles Church of God.
Shocked was arrested during the November 29, 2011, eviction of the Occupy Los Angeles movement.
Discography
Albums
Selected recordings:
- The Texas Campfire Tapes (1986)
- Short Sharp Shocked (1988) #73 US, #33 UK
- Captain Swing (1989) #95 US, #31 UK
- Arkansas Traveler (1992) #46 UK
- Kind Hearted Woman (1994, with label release (on Private Music) in 1996)
- Artists Make Lousy Slaves (with Fiachna O'Braonain, 1996) sold only at performances, now issued as CDRs and MP3s at michelleshocked.com
- Good News (1998) sold only at performances, now issued as CDRs and MP3s at michelleshocked.com
- Deep Natural (2001)
- Dub Natural (2001) sold only at performances, later issued as a bonus disc with "Deep Natural"
- These three are included on a triple album packaged as "Threesome.":
Don't Ask Don't Tell (2005)
Mexican Standoff (2005)
Got No Strings (2005)
*
ToHeavenURide (2007) Live Gospel cd
Re-releases
Mighty Sound has re-released her Mercury releases, each having a second CD of bonus tracks:
- The Texas Campfire Tapes as Texas Campfire Takes (April 22, 2003)
- Short Sharp Shocked (September 23, 2003)
- Captain Swing (March 16, 2004)
- Arkansas Traveler (September 14, 2004)
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