SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE CRAMPS – GRAVEST GRAVY

THE CRAMPS
GRAVEST GRAVY
VENGEANCE RECORDS

Lux Interior met Poison Ivy in Sacramento, California, in 1972. By 1976, they had moved to New York, added Bryan Gregory (guitar) and his sister Pam “Balam” (drums). As The Cramps, they played the famous CBGBs and were part of the early New York City Punk/DIY scene, releasing their debut in 1980 (Songs the Lord Taught Us). Lux Interior and Poison Ivy became the core of the band, with numerous member changes, until Interior’s death in 2009. The Cramps no longer existed. This previously unreleased album, recorded in 1977 and produced by Alex Chilton, is a complete treasure trove for fans. The tapes have not seen the light of day since they were recorded, but they’ve now been assembled into a brand-new album. The Cramps are back.

Thanks to Brian Kehew, the finished tapes were carefully transferred to modern technology, and the result is a pure Cramps album. It is the origin of their trademark spooky garage rock. Recorded three years before their debut album in 1980, it’s not only fascinating but also an important chapter in the band’s history. The album features several fascinating, brilliant covers, including an incredible, explosive version of the 1958 song “Rocket in My Pocket.” The Cramps take this song, full of double entendres, and make it even grittier. And I am pretty sure Paul Revere and The Raiders never imagined their song “Hungry” would sound like this. A fascinating mix of Link Wray, garage rock, and chordal bursts throughout. And of course, Interior’s scorching vocals.

Of course, there are originals as well, such as “The Natives Are Restless,” which would be re-recorded for their second album (Psychedelic Jungle) with different lyrics here in this collection, but the energy and vitality are still there. Perhaps even more so than their second album. But the focus is on covers, such as “Domino” (Sam Phillips), which is a welcome inclusion. Again, the band re-recorded this song in 1983 for their album …Off the Bone. On this album, it has a bit more punch, and the vocals are noticeably different.

Gravest Gravy captures a band developing their style. Calling it raw is funny, because most of The Cramps’ albums were fairly raw, but on this album, producer Alex Chilton adds little reverb and lets the band play. It feels like a live recording in the studio. The creepy, garage-rock sound is alive and well on this album, and you can hear the direction The Cramps were planning to go.

Artist Links