Truck was a spinoff of Singapore pop rock band The October Cherries, consisting of three of its members, vocalist/bassist Jeremiah "Jay" Shotam, guitarist Peter Diaz, and drummer Richard Khan. Their only release, Surprise, Surprise, was issued on Jay's brother Balram's label, Baal Records in 1974. Like the October Cherries, it was influenced by The Beatles, but with heavier psychedelic leanings.
Background According to the "Surprise, Surprise - it's all about Truck" Lion City Rock Episode 54 on (Dec 13, 2022) Red Circle, the members of Truck were, Jay Shotam, Benny Siew and Richard Khan.Red Circle, Season 3 | Episode 54, Dec 13, 2022 - Ep54: Surprise, Surprise - it's all about Truck
The "A Trip Around the World" article in Record Collector magazine, 06 August 2011, says that the tracks on the album were previously used backing tracks from past October Cherries recordings. New overdubs of vocals, guitars and synthesizers were added by Richard Khan and Benny Siew. The result was a new album with a somewhat psychedelic feeling.Record Collector, 06 August 2011 - A Trip Around the World, EAST ASIA & SOUTH EAST ASIA, SINGAPORERaven Sings the Blues, 16 June 2022 - Martin Courtney on Truck – Surprise! Surprise! By Andy
Given that this album was released during Singapore's clampdown period of the early-to-mid 70s, which drastically hindered local distribution and media coverage of what was deemed "Yellow Culture" (including hard rock, heavy metal and/or psychedelic-oriented rock music), the album sold poorly and quickly fell into obscurity. According to Jay Shotam, it would subsequently be heavily pirated over the years,Ear Candy, November, 2005 - although exact sales figures, authentic or not, aren't known. Later years Surprise, Surprise was officially re-issued on CDForced Exposure, 11/7/2005 - TRUCK, Surprise, Surprise and LP by Spanish label Guerssen Records in 2004, albeit with scarce, inaccurate information, including that the band is from Malaysia and that the exact names and roles of the band are unknown. According to the February 23rd, 2011 article about the album on The Rising Storm, the vocals were reminiscent of Graham Nash, it was a superbly crafted record, and the most surprising thing was how consistent the songs were.The Rising Storm, February 23rd, 2011 - Truck “Surprise! Surprise!” Written by Frank
Truck was the subject of the Lion City Rock Episode 54, published on Dec 13, 2022.Red Circle, Season 3 | Episode 54, Dec 13, 2022 - Ep54: Surprise, Surprise - it's all about Truck Discography Single Col Truck - "You're All I Need" / "One Fine Day" - Baal BDN 38031 - 197645Cat - Col Truck - DiscographySeventies Sevens - BAAL Truck with Hey Ho - "Mrs. Vanderbilt" / Truck - "Love Song" - Baal BDN 38036 - 197645Cat - Truck With Hey Ho - Discography Album Truck, Surprise! Surprise! - Baal Records BRC 2011, 1974Popsike - TRUCK - SURPRISE SURPRISE LP - BAAL BRC 2011 - ORIGINAL 1974 Col Truck, One Fine Day - Baal BAL 89001 - 1976Popsike - COL TRUCK "ONE FINE DAY" 1st UK *BAAL* RARE 1976 PSYCH PROG LP TRANSLUCENT VINYL Truck, Surprise, Surprise, Guerssen Records GUESS 002CD (CD reissue)Forced Exposure, 11/7/2005 - TRUCK, Surprise, Surprise References
External links Guerssen Records A review of "Surprise, Surprise" Discogs: Truck