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Band Timeline

1976

Formation of The Cramps

The Cramps formed in 1976 when Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, who had met earlier in the decade, solidified their band lineup including guitarist Bryan Gregory and drummer Pam Balam. Both Lux and Poison Ivy shared a deep interest in artistic expression and record collecting, which fueled their commitment to the band. Initially active in New York's burgeoning punk scene, The Cramps quickly developed their unique style blending punk rock with rockabilly, establishing themselves as pioneers in what would be known as psychobilly.
1977

Early Lineup Changes and Singles

The Cramps underwent early lineup changes with drummer Pam Balam replaced by Miriam Linna, and later by Nick Knox. This period saw the band releasing two independent singles produced by Alex Chilton at Ardent Studios, which helped to build their momentum in the punk scene. They regularly performed at iconic venues such as CBGB and Max's Kansas City in New York, gaining a dedicated following. Their sound and style started to gain recognition beyond local shows, facilitating their signing to I.R.S. Records, a new label headed by Miles Copeland III.
1978

Landmark Napa State Mental Hospital Concert and UK Tour

In June 1978, The Cramps performed a groundbreaking free concert for patients at the California State Mental Hospital in Napa. This unique event was recorded by the San Francisco collective Target Video and became an iconic moment in underground music history. Following this, the band toured the United Kingdom as the supporting act for The Police on their first UK tour, promoting the album Outlandos d'Amour. This exposure helped The Cramps to expand their influence internationally and solidify their cult status.
1980

Debut Album Release and Relocation to Los Angeles

The Cramps released their debut album, 'Songs the Lord Taught Us,' in 1980, recorded with producer Sam Phillips in Memphis. This album captured their distinctive psychobilly sound and raw energy, earning critical acclaim. The band relocated to Los Angeles the same year to further pursue their musical career and hired guitarist Kid Congo Powers to expand their lineup. However, internal disputes over royalties and creative control with their label led to legal complications, which affected their ability to release new material for a period afterward.
1983

Release of 'Smell of Female' Live Album

After a period of legal disputes with their label, The Cramps released 'Smell of Female' in 1983, a live album recorded at the Peppermint Lounge in New York. The album showcased the band's dynamic live performances and helped to maintain their fan base during the hiatus in new studio releases. Following the tour supporting this album, guitarist Kid Congo Powers left the band, marking another significant lineup change. The live album achieved moderate chart success, reaching number 74 on the UK Albums Chart, evidencing their continued international appeal.
1984

European Tour and Media Appearances

The Cramps embarked on an extensive European tour in 1984, supporting their live album with multiple shows, including four sold-out nights at the Hammersmith Palais in London, a testament to their dedicated fan following overseas. They also made television appearances, such as a performance on the show 'A Midsummer Night's Tube,' which helped to bring their music to a wider audience. This period highlighted the band's ability to maintain relevance and excitement despite challenges and frequent lineup changes.
2009

Death of Lux Interior and Band Dissolution

The band's trajectory came to a definitive end in 2009 when Lux Interior, the charismatic lead singer and co-founder, passed away. His death marked the dissolution of The Cramps, as he and Poison Ivy had been the only constant members throughout the band's existence. Their influence on the psychobilly genre and punk rock was significant, and their music continues to be celebrated by fans and musicians alike. The end of The Cramps closed a chapter in underground rock history but cemented their legacy as innovators and iconic figures.
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Nickey “Beat” Alexander

N/A

Bill Bateman

N/A

Drums (drum set)

Lux Interior

N/A

Jim Sclavunos

N/A

Poison Ivy

N/A

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Kid Congo Powers

1981
1983

Bryan Gregory

1976
1980

Harry Drumdini

2006
2009

Harry Drumdini

1993
2003

Miriam Linna

1976
1977

Slim Chance

N/A
N/A

Bass guitar

Julien Hechtlinger

1980
1980

Electric guitar

Mike Metoff

N/A
N/A

Nick Knox

1977
1991

Membranophone

Candy Del Mar

1986
1991

Story of The Cramps

The Cramps, progenitors of psychobilly and purveyors of sleazy, high-octane rockabilly-punk, stormed onto the scene in 1976 and remained a potent force until 2009. The bands core—and only constant members—were the iconic husband-and-wife team of Lux Interior (Erick Lee Purkhiser) and Poison Ivy (Kristy Marlana Wallace). Their initial lineup solidified in April 1976 with the additions of guitarist Bryan Gregory and drummer Pam Balam. While their membership fluctuated wildly over the years, the duos singular vision remained consistent.

Their debut album, Songs the Lord Taught Us, dropped in 1980, marking the beginning of a prolific career. Interior and Wallace, who met in Sacramento in 1972, bonded over a shared passion for record collecting and a darkly comedic aesthetic. Interiors stage name came from a car ad, while Ivys (initially Poison Ivy Rorschach, a nod to the famous test) arrived in a dream. After relocating from Akron, Ohio, to New York City in 1975, they quickly immersed themselves in the burgeoning CBGBs scene, sharing bills with punk luminaries like the Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith, Television, Suicide, Mink DeVille, and fellow Ohio transplants, the Dead Boys. The bands legendary run ultimately ended with Lux Interior`s passing in 2009.

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