The Cramps Announce 'Gravest Gravy,' Featuring Unreleased Recordings With Alex Chilton
A collection of previously unreleased recordings by The Cramps, titled 'Gravest Gravy,' is slated for release on August 21st. These tracks, featuring collaborations with Big Star frontman Alex Chilton, were originally captured in 1977 and offer fans new insight into the band's early creative process. This significant announcement follows years of anticipation from enthusiasts, especially after a recent surge in the band's popularity stemming from a viral dance to one of their songs.
The Cramps, a band whose official activities ceased in 2009 after the passing of co-founder Lux Interior, have maintained a dedicated following. Despite the enduring interest in their unique sound, new musical offerings or reissues have been notably absent. However, the unexpected viral sensation of Jenna Ortega's dance to "Goo Goo Muck" in the series 'Wednesday' rekindled widespread interest, setting the stage for this archival release. 'Gravest Gravy' brings to light a period where The Cramps collaborated with Alex Chilton, known for his work with Big Star. These sessions, from October 1977, initially produced their first two 7-inch singles, "Surfin' Bird" and "Human Fly," which were later compiled into the 'Gravest Hits' EP in 1979.
During these prolific 1977 sessions, The Cramps laid down numerous additional tracks that remained unheard for decades. The journey to bring these recordings to the public has been a long one. Nearly ten years after their initial creation, Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy attempted to release them, but for reasons now obscure, the project was put on hold. Fast forward to the present day, music engineer Brian Kehew successfully transferred the audio from the original master reels, which remarkably were found to be in excellent condition. Esteemed musicians Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye, both long-time admirers and friends of The Cramps, played a crucial role in selecting the final mixes. MacKaye further contributed by handling the equalization and level adjustments for two tracks at Inner Ear Studios, with Pete Lyman mastering the entire collection at Infrasonic Sound. The final seal of approval came from Poison Ivy herself, ensuring the release met the band's standards.
In a related development, Poison Ivy has co-founded Cramps, Inc. alongside Larry Hardy of In the Red Records and Jimmy Maslon, who owns the band's film catalog. This new entity aims to relaunch the Vengeance imprint, facilitating future reissues of The Cramps' back catalog and, notably, establishing an official merchandise line. This latter point is particularly significant, as much of the existing Cramps merchandise has been unauthorized. Poison Ivy is the primary beneficiary of these endeavors, with Larry and Jimmy managing the operational aspects.
This release not only offers a treasure trove of music to long-time fans but also serves as an homage to the band's lasting impact and unique legacy in the music world. The tracklist for 'Gravest Gravy' includes: 01 Weekend on Mars, 02 Twist & Shout, 03 Jungle Hop, 04 Can’t Hardly Stand It, 05 Hungry, 06 The Natives Are Restless, 07 Domino, 08 Can’t Find My Mind, 09 Rockin’ Bones, 10 Problem Child, and 11 Rocket in My Pocket. This long-awaited collection promises to be a vital addition to The Cramps' discography, celebrating their enduring influence and unique artistic vision.