The Cramps
The Cramps were an American punk rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. They were part of the early CBGB punk rock movement that had emerged in New York. The Cramps are widely recognized as one of the prime innovators of psychobilly, and they inspired many of the early gothic rock bands.
The Cramps | |
|---|---|
 The Cramps in 1982 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, United States |
| Genres | Garage punk, psychobilly, punk blues, new wave, gothabilly, rockabilly |
| Years active | 1976–2009 |
| Website | thecramps.com |
| Past members | See: former members |
Members
Final line-up
- Lux Interior (Erick Purkhiser) – vocals, March 1973 to February 2009
- Poison Ivy (Kristy Wallace) – lead guitar, March 1973 to February 2009
- Harry Drumdini – drums, February 1993 – July 2003 and August 2006 to February 2009
Former members
- Bryan Gregory (Greg Beckerleg) – guitar, April 1976 – May 1980
- Julien Grindsnatch – guitar, July 1980 – September 1980
- Kid Congo Powers (Brian Tristan) – guitar, December 1980 – September 1983
- Mike Metoff (as Ike Knox) – guitar, October 1983 – November 1983; January 1984 – July 1984
- Click Mort – guitar, December 1983
- Scott "Chopper" Franklin – bass & guitar, January 2002 – September 2006
- Sean Yseult (Shauna Reynolds, of White Zombie) – bass, October/November 2006
- Touch Hazard (Tim Maag of The Mechanics & D.I.) – bass, 1985
- Fur (Jennifer Dixon) – bass, March 1986 – May 1986
- Candy del Mar – bass, July 1986 – January 1991
- Slim Chance – bass, March 1991-August 1998
- Doran Shelley – bass, 1998–1999
- SugarPie Jones (aka Tim Ferris) – bass, 2000
- Pam Ballam (Pam Beckerleg) – drums, April 1976 – September 1976
- Miriam Linna – drums, October 1976 – June 1977
- Nick Knox – drums, July 1977 – January 1991
- Jim Sclavunos – drums, 1991
- Nickey Alexander – drums, June 1991 – January 1993
- Bill "Buster" Bateman – drums, June 2004 – August 2006
- Jen Hanrahan – castanets June 2000 – August 2000.
- "Jungle" Jim Chandler – "Laid down the primal beat" for the European tour 2004
Discography
Studio albums
- Songs the Lord Taught Us (1980, Illegal)
- Psychedelic Jungle (1981, I.R.S.)
- Smell of Female – (live at the Peppermint Lounge) 6-track mini album (1983, Big Beat)
- A Date with Elvis (1986, Big Beat)
- Stay Sick (1990, Enigma)
- Look Mom No Head! (1991, Enigma)
- Flamejob (1994, The Medicine Label)
- Big Beat from Badsville (1997, Epitaph)
- Fiends of Dope Island (2002, Vengeance)
Compilations
- Off the Bone (1983, Illegal)
- Bad Music for Bad People (1984, I.R.S.)
- How to Make a Monster (2004, Vengeance)
- The Secret Life of the Cramps (2006)[source?]