Shockabilly – Heaven on vinyl LP. 1985 avant-rock final album, wild Beatles and Bolan covers. Ships from Germany.
About Heaven
A vinyl pressing of Shockabilly's fourth and final album, a wild fusion of avant-garde rock and warped classic rock covers from a genuinely unique trio.
Heaven is the fourth and final studio album from Shockabilly, released in 1985 via Fundamental Records. Formed from the ashes of guitarist Eugene Chadbourne’s free improvisation projects, the trio of Chadbourne, Kramer and David Licht built a sound often described as an unholy combination of the Electric Prunes and Karlheinz Stockhausen, closing their brief but influential run with this record. This listing is a vinyl LP pressing from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who were Shockabilly
- About Heaven
- The band's distinctive sound
- Pressing details and buying advice
The Short Version
- Artist Shockabilly were an American avant-rock trio active from 1982 to 1985, formed from the remnants of Eugene Chadbourne’s free improvisation projects.
- Lineup Eugene Chadbourne on guitar and vocals, Kramer (later of Bongwater and Shimmy-Disc Records) on bass and organ, and David Licht on drums.
- Release Heaven came out in 1985 via Fundamental Records, the band’s fourth and final studio album before splitting.
- Sound Avant-garde reworkings of rock and roll standards, likened to a fusion of the Electric Prunes and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
- Covers Includes warped versions of John Lennon’s Instant Karma, the Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and Marc Bolan-associated material.
Shockabilly – Heaven (LP, Album)
Vinyl LP, Fundamental Records
Vinyl LP pressing of Heaven, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Were Shockabilly?
Shockabilly formed in New York City in 1982 out of the ashes of avant-garde guitarist Eugene Chadbourne's free improvisation quintet, after collaborators John Zorn and Tom Cora departed, leaving Chadbourne alongside bassist and keyboardist Mark Kramer and drummer David Licht to carry on under a new name. Chadbourne's background spanning rock, blues and late 60s free jazz gave the band's chaotic, energetic sound its distinctive edge. Following Shockabilly's split shortly after Heaven's release, Kramer went on to form Bongwater with performance artist Ann Magnuson and became a prominent producer and founder of the influential Shimmy-Disc label, while Licht went on to join The Klezmatics.
About Heaven
Recorded at Noise New York and produced by Kramer, Heaven is split across two sides billed as First Heaven and Second Heaven, moving through a mix of Chadbourne originals and warped, avant-garde covers of classic rock staples. The record opens with a rendition of John Lennon's Instant Karma before working through tracks including Red Headed Stranger, When You Dream About Bleeding and Chadbourne's own How Can You Kill Me, I'm Already Dead, alongside further covers touching on the Beatles and Marc Bolan-associated material. Shockabilly specialised throughout their brief existence in exactly this kind of outrageous, unpredictable reinterpretation of familiar songs, drawing comparisons to The Residents, Henry Cow and, in retrospect, later acts including the Butthole Surfers and Sun City Girls.
- A genuinely distinctive, hard to categorise avant-rock sound
- The band’s final album, capturing them at a defining creative peak
- Includes wildly reimagined covers of Beatles and Lennon classics
- From members who went on to significant further careers, including Kramer of Bongwater and Shimmy-Disc
- Deliberately chaotic, unpredictable arrangements won’t suit every listener
- Niche appeal outside avant-rock and experimental music collectors
- A used, vintage pressing; condition should be checked in the listing
What is Heaven by Shockabilly?
It is the band’s fourth and final studio album, released in 1985, an avant-rock record featuring warped reworkings of classic rock covers alongside originals.
Who were Shockabilly?
An American avant-rock trio of Eugene Chadbourne, Kramer and David Licht, active from 1982 to 1985.
What songs are covered on this album?
Includes reworked versions of John Lennon’s Instant Karma, the Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, among others.
What happened to the band members after Shockabilly split?
Kramer went on to form Bongwater and found the influential Shimmy-Disc label; David Licht joined The Klezmatics; Chadbourne continued a prolific solo career.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Final Spin
- A genuinely wild, unpredictable final statement from a short-lived avant-rock trio
- Features wildly reimagined covers alongside original material
- Best suited to fans of avant-garde rock and experimental reinterpretation
Heaven closes out Shockabilly’s brief but influential run on a genuinely chaotic high, and this listing offers a vinyl pressing from a highly rated German seller.