Kultur Shock was formed in 1996. It was at first an acoustic band. It started as a joke, on the party, during the jam session where the future members (in somewhat rather over-excited, party mood) made fun of their own tradition and culture (folk music from the Balkans). People liked it (!!). In summer 1997, Kultur Shock joined a long time friend, Joan Baez, on Lodo Music festival in Denver CO, as well as on some other shows on her tour.

Kultur Shock plugged in and started playing punk rock clubs in Seattle. The music changed a bit. Band’s attitude problem wasn’t a problem any more. New in the area, Kultur Shock did it the old fashion way (at first Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and finally weekends). Kultur Shock self-released the first album Live In Amerika. Album is recorded live at The Crocodile in 1999.

Old friend (from the old country), Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) came in one night with his old friend (of his new country) Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), who liked Kultur Shock. Jello then called his other old friend (still from the same country) Billy Gould (Faith No More), who signed the band for his record label (Koolarrow Records) and produced the new album Fucc The I.N.S. This album (with the name like that) came out in September 2001 (talking about coincidence!!!!) and got trashed by newly aware US patriots. Some went as far as breaking the disks in half and sending it back to the label. The others actually liked it. Kultur Shock’s music on this album really changed. Whatever was in their sick minds they actually did it. This album gave Kultur Shock international recognition. Kultur Shock got invited, first to Spain then Germany and then the rest of Europe.

In 2004 Kultur Shock released Kultura Dictatura This album was also produced by Billy Gould and released on Koolarrow Records. The unique music style is at the same time a reason for numerous of reviews and media recognition as well as an obstacle when in stores. Compared by many with the Pogues and Frank Zappa to the System Of A Down, this album is once again moved from the shelve to the shelve and at the same time excepted and rejected from both “Rock” and “World” sections.

After ten years Kultur Shock have had two major revelations that are somehow captured on this record. First is about the artistic integrity; somehow succeeding to be more truthful and honest now to themselves then ever in the past, including the very beginning. This is something Kultur Shock is proud of. Things usually do not go this way. The second revelation, the thing that bleeds through out the whole album, is that we are a live band of blue-collar immigrants. It’s not that sexy (doesn’t get you laid), but it was important for Kultur Shock to realize that and start enjoying being themselves, belonging nowhere, got ripped from their old worlds and never became a part of the new one.

Line up
Gino Srdjan Yevdjevic: vocals
Mario Butkovic: guitar, buzuki
Masa Kobayashi: bass guitar
Val Kiossovski: guitar, vocals
Chris Stromquist: drums
Matty Noble: violin

Albums
Live in Amerika, 1999
Fucc the INS, 2001
Kultura-Diktatura, 2004
We Came to Take Your Jobs Away, 2006