Cramps - The Zombie Dance

Ever since, back in the '70s, I steeped myself in the sick sounds of landmark albums like “Songs The Lord Taught Us” and “Psychedelic Jungle”, the Cramps have always been my heroes in the negative sense but, above all, they're the band that comes closer than any other to the concept of physicality and perversion in rock'n'roll. When I had the pleasure of interviewing them, their answers and their diabolical aesthetic (how much of it real, and how much part of a meticulous script?!) didn't disappoint me: exactly what I expected from their militant rock orthodoxy, including a venomous dose of sarcasm bordering on mockery aimed at some of my probable naivety... this too was an honor, if not a small life lesson. The interview that follows, given in 2003, is now being republished for Onda Rock's readers: besides ranging across the band's history and discography, it's based above all on “Fiends Of Dope Island”, the Cramps' latest effort, prepared in the wake of the excitement surrounding it at the time.

Why did we wait so long for a new Cramps record?

We were lost on Dope Island…   

“Fiends Of Dope Island” is a splendid, powerful rock'n'roll record, a return to the raw, dirty psychobilly/garage of “Songs The Lord Taught Us” and “Psychedelic Jungle”… especially on tracks like “Dopefiend Boogie”, “Hang Up”, “Oowee Baby”. Don't you think?

It's not really a return to anything! We've been producing raw, dirty material for all of the past 25 years. Maybe you were interested in something else back then. Go back and listen closely again.

What is the meaning of “Fiends Of Dope Island”?

“Fiends Of Dope Island” is a metaphor for the Cramps: we live on an island, in a parallel universe of our own making.

What can you tell me about the figure of the devil in songs like “Big Black Witchcraft Rock”, “Papa Satan Sang Louie”… but also in the artwork photos, with Lux's werewolf- and vampire-like look?

The Devil is everywhere, he follows us wherever we go. Lux doesn't avoid his diabolical appearance; it's a natural behavior for him. It's a natural transformation for him.

There are some great covers on “Fiends”: “Hang Up” is a garage cover of the Wailers, right? And what about “Oowee Baby” and “Taboo”?

Yes, “Hang Up” is by the great sixties Pacific Northwest band The Wailers, who preceded and influenced the Sonics. “Oowee Baby” was a fifties rockabilly tune by Ric Carty, “Taboo” is a tiki exotica standard performed by many artists, best known thanks to Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter, Martin Denny.

I think Poison Ivy's guitar work (distortion, fuzz…) on “Fiends Of Dope Island” is incredible, really varied and visionary (on “Wrong Way Ticket”). It seems to me that 'Color Me Black' contains a heavy guitar riff worthy of Link Wray.

Ivy's arm has always gone its own way. “Color Me Black” includes, among other things, a nod to Link Wray.

Lux, your vocal style has never changed over the years… fortunately! Maybe just a few variations… is that a deliberate choice?

My vocal style changes on every track. I don't know what you're getting at. Someone kicked me in the balls once, maybe that caused some variations of some kind!

The rhythm section of Chopper Franklin and Harry Drumdini also works really well! It's sometimes jazzier than on previous albums!

We Cramps consider the whole band to be the rhythm section. We're not sure what you mean by the term “jazzy”. Jazz is definitely not one of our influences. Maybe you mean “bluesy”. We all love the blues.

Lux, Ivy, you're the inventors of Psychobilly, but I also know you're huge fans and connoisseurs of old-school rockabilly, aren't you… who are your favorite artists?

The rockabilly pioneers really were psychobilly. Charlie Feathers would go from childlike babbling to sinister moans all the way to animal howls. That's psychotic! We're madly in love with all the Sun artists (Sonny Burgess, Billy Lee Riley, Ray Harris, Junior Parker, etc.), the Starday artists (Sonny Fisher, Andy Starr) and many others… too many to list.

Can you tell me about your beginnings in New York City: how did your distinctive sound come about, so cryptic and minimal?

We (Lux and Ivy, ed.) moved to New York with a precise plan to give birth to the Cramps. We brought with us from Ohio a love for rockabilly, garage, rhythm and blues, T-Rex, Stooges, New York Dolls. When we moved to New York, we saw the Ramones, who really got us fired up. At first, in New York we were misunderstood because some of our influences, especially rockabilly, weren't familiar there, but rather alien.

What do you remember about Bryan Gregory, his quirks, his guitar style?

Bryan's obsession was heroin, and he was completely out of it even when we were recording, so Ivy had to cover for him. There's no way to actually hear a guitar sound on his final band's record, Beast, even though he's holding one while posing for a photo. His passion for playing guitar was next to zero.

Kid Congo Powers told me in an interview that he spent years of madness and black humor with you.

He was telling the truth.

Can you tell me about the Vengeance reissues of the Cramps albums?

The six reissues that Vengeance put out in October 2001 were all remastered, the sound quality is better than the original releases and some have bonus tracks. Now we've also put them out on Lp, on dazzling colored vinyl.

Lux, Ivy… what do you think of the current rock'n'roll scene?

The rock'n'roll scene today isn't as dangerous as it should be, it's so safe and reassuring… The most dangerous and talented outsider artists don't get the recognition they deserve (Dexter Romweber, Hank Williams III). The Flat Duo Jets go harder and better than any other duo we've ever heard, and nobody seems to notice. The Lords Of Altamont are one tough biker band.

Lux, what does a live show mean to you and the Cramps… back then as today?

It's a chance to let off steam, get the crap out of your system and have fun, like always.

The Cramps are today one of the oldest and greatest rock'n'roll bands in the world: did you make a pact with the devil (or is it just mutual affection)?

We ARE the Devil.

Ride the wave of great music

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