Tag Archives: Rockabilly

70's, Death, Music, Music Video, Psychobilly, Punk, Rockabilly

Death: Frontman of The Cramps Lux Interior – 1946-2009

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I found out about this the other day and finally had a chance to sit down and write something…

Lux Interior & Poison Ivy
Lux Interior & Poison Ivy

The Cramps lead man Lux Interior passed away on 02/04/09 from an existing heart condition.  This is a huge loss in the music world regardless if you know who the Cramps are or not.  This band has influenced many bands from the Horrorpops to the White Stripes and have been credited with staring a new genre of music.

The Cramps were a garage punk band that incorporated heavy doses of rockabilly into their style.  Their music had been credited with kick starting the psychobilly genre as well as garage punk.  Their lyrical content was not for the faint of hear with references revolved around sexy innuendos, horror movies, humor, and white trash America.  The live shows were erratic, raunchy, and mostly unforgettable.

Lux Interior (born in Stow, OH) started the band with his wife Poison Ivy in 1973 and were part of the CBGBs punk movement from the get go.  The two met during their young travels, got hitched, and do what every American married couple does…head to NYC and form a punk band.   Although Lux Interior and Poison Ivy were the only solid standing members, the band put out over a dozen releases in over twenty years.

I am saddened by the loss of one of the great pioneers of the punk rock movement and really feel left out that not once in my life did I have the opportunity to view them live.  Thankfully there are folk out there who have seen The Cramps like and I am sure will be posting their memories throughout the internet.

Here is the official press release from The Cramps’ media, Girlie Action:

Poison Ivy & Lux Interor
Poison Ivy & Lux Interor

For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2009

Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.

The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.

The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Lux Interior many have passed but his memories will last forever.  My heart goes out to his wife and friends during this period of time.

If you have never heard a Cramps song before check out the video:

It reminds me a lot of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and is damn well amazing.

RIP Lux, you will be missed.

Music, Music Video, New Release, Psychobilly, Punk, Review, Rockabilly

Horrorpops – Kiss Kiss, Kill Kill – CD Review

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Horrorpops
Horrorpops

One of the more unique acts out there in the music world, The Horrorpops, released their third studio album Kiss Kiss Kill Kill earlier this year.  The Danish act with original members (who are also married to one another) Patricia Day on stand up bass and Kim Nekroman on lead guitar have been rocking out since 1996, thanks to their unique mixture of rockabilly, surf, psychobilly, and punk rock music.  They were a huge success overseas but it was not until around 2003 that the band got their US break thanks to Tim Armstrong’s (Rancid) label Hellcat Records.

Recently finishing up their mini-set tour on the 2008 Van’s Warped Tour, the band just announced their headlining fall tour in support of Kiss Kiss Kill Kill.  With bombshell Patricia Day’s giant stand-up bass and smoky singing, layered with Kim Neckroman assaulting his guitar, and Niedermeier’s drumming, the band should have no problem entertaining the masses.

The CD seemed to have a rebel theme with the song titles and lyrics, with many in reference to many female films. The CD cover mimics a poster for a B-Movie.  The sound on their third release seems to keep the same as previous without going over any boundaries to make a significant change.

Opening track “Thelma & Louise” of course makes suggestion of driving just like Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis did in their girls gone wild of a film.  Patricia Day sings strongly in this track and the music backing her up is very catchy.   “Heading For The Disco?” already is played a lot over the airwaves, especially on Sirius Radio’s Faction.  The song is a bit poppy but still delivers the pop-rockabilly feel with bass plucking and drumming making you want to boogie down.

“Kiss Kiss Kill Kill” really sounded like the Cure at the beginning, that is until the harmonies began.  The song holds Patricia Day’s cries “Kiss kiss kiss me dantly, kill kill me quietly…” with a “whoa oh oh oh” in the wake.  The song is a little gloomy, but I really dig the guitar playing.  It is a simple riff but is the type that sticks out.

Starting with what sounded like a repeat of a bass line from another Horrorpops release was “Everything’s Everything”.  The track about not wanted to let go of a complicated relationship was a reminder that this band is not about sunshine and rainbows.  Nekroman strums away during “Private Hall Of Shame” with almost a southern rock feel to his playing.

By no means is this a traditional rockabilly/psychobilly band.  They stray away from the rest and incorporate their own style to make for a more unique feel.  On their third release, I say the Horrorpops still have it and I really enjoyed what I heard.  If you want real rockabilly this band may bestow you mixed feelings but if you are looking for something fun to listen to and have a good time, then this is the perfect release for you.