ShockHound
{{Infobox online service
| name =
| title =ShockHound
| logo =
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| generation =
| type =MP3 (.mp3)
| launched ={{Start date|2008|11}}
| discontinued ={{End date|2011|05|15}}
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| platform =Any
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| status =defunct
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|pricing=Non Subscription: Per Use
| website =[http://www.shockhound.com www.ShockHound.com]
}}
{{main|Hot Topic}}
ShockHound was an online music download site, retail store and social networking platform launched by Hot Topic in 2008.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/technology/30topic.html | work=The New York Times | first=Robert | last=Levine | title=A Digital Music Store That Sells More Than Just MP3s | date=June 30, 2008}} ShockHound music files were available for download in the MP3 format, making them compatible with most digital music players, and free from digital rights management (DRM) software restrictions.[https://www.cnbc.com/id/27785254/]{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Randy Bookasta (Ray Gun magazine) and Dan Epstein (Revolver magazine) were contributing content editors.[http://www.gulfcoastbands.com/news/hot-topic-launches-shockhound-allinone-music-site/ Hot Topic, Inc. Launches Shockhound, New All-In-One Music Site], Gulf Coast Bands, October 30, 2008
On March 28, 2011, ShockHound posted an announcement stating they would be shutting down for good on May 15, 2011.{{cite web | work= Shockhound| title=A Very Important Announcement from Shockhound| url=http://www.shockhound.com/features/1739-a-very-important-announcement-from-shockhound|accessdate=2011-03-28|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402054221/http://www.shockhound.com/features/1739-a-very-important-announcement-from-shockhound|archivedate=April 2, 2011}}{{cite news |title=Hot Topic (HOTT) to Discontinue Shockhound.com Operations; Sees Qtr. Charge of 21c/Share, Updates Q1, FY12 Outlook; Stock Halted |url=https://www.streetinsider.com/Guidance/Hot+Topic+%28HOTT%29+to+Discontinue+Shockhound.com+Operations%3B+Sees+Qtr.+Charge+of+21cShare%2C+Updates+Q1%2C+FY12+Outlook%3B+Stock+Halted/6391913.html |work=StreetInsider.com|date=March 28, 2011}}
Content
ShockHound had an online social networking platform which allowed users to create and share content. Additional website content included music reviews, rock concerts, interviews, music videos, streaming audio, and original programming called Shock Shows, including Taco Tuesday and Stella Can't Cook.{{cite press release| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS167975+18-Nov-2008+PRN20081118 | work=Reuters | title=ShockHound Takes West Coast By Storm With Free Snow Patrol Shows | date=November 18, 2008| url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111164152/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS167975+18-Nov-2008+PRN20081118|archivedate=January 11, 2009}} ShockHound opened its first retail store in Torrance, California in the Del Amo Fashion Center.
Cross merchandising
In addition to music downloads, music-related merchandise was also available on the website, including band T-shirts, accessories, posters, concert tickets, and Vinyl records. This type of cross merchandising was unique in the digital audio market.[https://www.cnet.com/news/a-digital-music-store-that-sells-more-than-mp3s/ A digital music store that sells more than MP3s], June 30, 2008 ShockHound utilized a proprietary shopping cart functionality which combined music downloads and merchandise purchases into a single transaction.[http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Hot+Topic,+Inc.+Launches+ShockHound,+New+All-In-One+Music+Site/4101168.html] {{dead link|date=April 2020|fix-attempted=yes}}
Concert sponsorships
As part of their opening launch in 2008, ShockHound offered free concerts by No Age, Titus Andronicus and Snow Patrol, to users in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and San Diego.[https://archive.today/20120721160317/http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1369303?trk=ssp Shockhound Presents: Snow Patrol][http://www.relix.com/Features/Daily_News/No_Age_to_Kickoff_Shockhound_Launch_with_Special_NYC_Show__200811073348.html]{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}