Songs the Cramps taught us

February 5, 11:03 AMLA Vinyl Records ExaminerJason Gelt

Previous Next

1 comment Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the LA Vinyl Records Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The Cramps sixth 12", released in 1984 on I.R.S. Records

Lux Interior's untimely passing is sad news for admirers of rough, raw, fun-loving music. Playing the first few Cramps LPs in memoriam last night, I got to thinking about Interior and his dark, sleazy, oozy band's impressive legacy.

As much as the Cramps were important in the development of late 70's punk rock and the rockabilly revival that grew concurrently with it, they were also instrumental in introducing several successive generations of music listeners to their musical predecessors. In fact, without the Cramps it would taken me a lot longer to discover the 50s and 60s rockabilly and rock acts that were the inspiration for their horror-ridden sound and image. After experiencing the Cramps cover versions of wild tunes like "She Said," "Green Fuzz," and "Rocking Bones," I eagerly sought out the original crazy, dangerous sounds of people like Hasil Adkins, the Sonics, Charlie Feathers and many more.

"Songs the Cramps Taught Us," a European import series containing these originals can still be found through distributors such as Bomp! Records, but if you'd like to take a little sonic tour without spending a dime click on any of the links below.

Thank you, Lux. May you rest in peace in the black leather lagoon.

1. The Novas, "The Crusher"

2. The Groupies, "Primitive"

3. Elroy Dietzel, "Rocking Bones"

4. Ronnie Cook & the Gaylads, "Goo Goo Muck"

5. Randy Alvey & The Green Fuz, "Green Fuzz"

6. Charlie Feathers, "Can't Hardly Stand It"

7. The Phantom, "Love Me"

8. Johnny Burnette Trio, "Tear it Up"

9. The Sonics, "Strychnine"

10. Jimmy Stewart, "Rock On The Moon"

11. Ricky Nelson, "Lonesome Town"

12. The Trashmen, "Surfin Bird"

13. Roy Orbison, "Domino"

14. Jack Scott, "The Way I Walk"

15. Hasil Adkins, "She Said"