In 1979 mime artists extraordinaire Tim Dry and Barbie Wilde united with disco champion dancers Robert Pereno, LA Richards and Karen Sparks to produce Shock: a rock/mime/burlesque/music troupe. In April 1980, they recruited another mime Sean Crawford, who had a unique robotic act called Plastic Joe. The line-up changed with the departure of Karen and the quick introduction and departure of Penny Dunlop who was finally replaced with long legged Carole Caplin.
Shock performed in clubs like The Hacienda (Manchester) The Warehouse (Leeds) and The Blitz and The Venue (London). With costumes from designers Kahn and Bell they found themselves in the vanguard of the New Romantic cult of the early '80's, alongside Boy George, Duran Duran, Adam Ant and Spandau Ballet.
Their first record 'Angel Face', with production by Rusty Egan (Visage) and Richard Burgess (Landscape) was a modest dance floor hit. In 1981, Shock costarred with Ultravox at the legendary 'People's Palace Valentine's Ball' at the Rainbow Theatre. This was the moment when the New Romantic scene exploded and went from being an obscure cult to a global trend.
Shock then took New York City by storm in March 1981 when they performed at The Ritz in downtown Manhattan. The list of who they have worked with goes on but Shock did catch the eye of one superstar which led onto their biggest live concert in April 1981 with Gary Numan at Wembley Arena.
Shock did numerous tours of Europe and the Far East as well as countless television shows in the UK. They eventually broke up and reformed as a foursome with Barbie, Tim, Sean and Carole and released the single, Dynamo Beat, on RCA Records. However, soon Tim and Sean as Tik and Tok broke away to form their own successful double act. Barbie went back to her first loves of acting and TV presenting. Carole went on to become a lifestyle advisor to Cherie Blair. (Photograph by Andy Earl.)
With Tok in the Shock video of 'Dynamo Beat'.
With Tik supporting Gary Numan at Wembley.
Tik and Tok.
Some Shock Videos on Youtube:
Shock supporting Gary Numan at Wembley Arena:
Shock Mark II performing Metal Man (Burgess, Wilde) on TV:
