The Cramps

I became a fan of The Ramones, thanks to my nieghbor -
he also played a band, around that time - called The Cramps -
They sounded way further out there than The Ramones -
I have heard the singer refered to as a psychedlic Elvis -
any other fans of this punk band ? Any stories ?

I have no stories, but I dig them as well. If you don't already have the Return of the Living Dead soundtrack, you should get it. Features The Cramps' "Surfin' Dead" along with a bunch of other bands that might appeal to a fan of this band, like mid-80s TSOL, mid-80s The Damned, The Flesheaters, 45 Grave. It's good stuff.

Christian Slater approves:

I used to drink 80 proof outside, as a high schooler, with metal pals -
with this as one of the songs on the cassette player -
that always got us going

I loved them but never got to see them live.

That clip is from the strangest music DVD in my collection. I wonder who's idea it was to hire the Cramps to play at a mental hospital?

Haven't thought about the Cramps in years. The gal who had the locker next to me in high school was an obsessed fan. (She was one 'a them, errr, "arty" types with the long black trench coat and multi-colored hair.) She loaned me a tape of one of their albums (I no longer remember which one) but at that time I was still pretty much stuck in my all-Metallica, all-the-time rut and they were a little too "weird" for me then.

For all you fans of that Creature Feature - movie stuff !

There's a great series (vinyl only as far as I'm aware) called "Songs The Cramps Taught Us." I have all five volumes and they're all worth a listen. Both of the main band members were HUGE obscure vinyl single collectors and they had a thing for putting their own spin on really odd 50s rock singles. The vinyl series compiles originals they covered and songs that influenced other tracks. Really awesome stuff and The Cramps are one of those bands where you can often say the original AND the cover are equally good.

Somebody give me a kick !

I have a couple of their albums. Back when I was in college, the guy that introduced to Danzig, the Misfits, the NY Dolls and the Ramones also enlightened me to the rockabilly weirdness of the Cramps. Wouldn't say I'm a huge fan, but I do enjoys the albums I have. The guitarist, Poison Ivy, was very sexy with her giant guitar and flaming red hair.

The funny thing with The Cramps, for all their weirdness, is that they were a band built around a (married?) couple. Lux Interior and Poison Ivy were the only consistent members from start to finish and they were an item the whole time up until Lux passed.

I remember reading somewhere that he'd said it was her band and he was just fortunate she let him come along for the ride, but if you watch interviews with them, they're definitely cut from the same cloth.

Not really a musical observation, but it is pretty cool and unique to not only have that, but have it last.

I didn't know he had died !!!
"You aint no punk, You Punk!"

Glower wrote:

I didn't know he had died !!!
"You aint no punk, You Punk!"

My introduction to the band and STILL one of my all-time favorite songs.

That and the riff is two notes, so I can feel pretty badass on guitar ripping that one out.

Great tune! The original is also worth checking out if you can find it.

The Cramps were pretty loose with a lot of their ideas -
This must of been a special Valentine's song or something -
Their style stayed the same - for sure -