The Cramps

Recorded at Ardent Studios in October 1977 as part of the sessions that birthed Gravest Hits, the tracks on Gravest Gravy were contained on seven 1/4 inch reels. The tapes were transferred by Brian Kehew, the tracks were selected for inclusion by Henry Rollins, engineered by Ian MacKaye and Don Zientara at Inner Ear Studios and mastered by Pete Lyman at Infrasonic Sound.

Originators of a mutant and primal, stripped-down sound with its roots in the primordial soup of Rock 'n Roll - The Cramps crafted their art by delving into the past, dredging into the deepest, darkest crevices of pop culture for derelict and abandoned treasures to add to their ever-expanding arsenal of songs and sounds - with Rockabilly, the most primal of all rhythmic impulses - at the spearhead. Gravest Gravy is a revelation: steeped in rockabilly, instrumental rock, soul, surf, psychedelia, and sixties punk with lyrical inspiration drawn from a myriad of cultural influences including late night television, sci-fi reruns, "car culture," exploitation, slasher and horror films.

Gravest Gravy includes never before heard version of covers, Hungry by Paul Revere and the Raiders, Problem Child, originally recorded by Roy Orbison, and the Jimmy Lloyd track, Rocket In My Pocket as well as several early recordings of songs that that found official release on the band’s second album, Psychedelic Jungle, including The Natives Are Restless (with different lyrics), Can’t Find My Mind and Rockin’ Bones. Also included is fan favorite, Weekend on Mars, which was previously only available as a live recording on The Smell of Female. Gravest Gravy front cover photo is by the legendary photographer Stephaine Chernikowski (whose photos also grace the back and front covers of Gravest Hits) and the back cover is a jaw dropping, live photo by GODLIS – captured in-the-moment, live on stage at CBGB.

One of the greatest and most influential bands of the punk and post-punk era, The Cramps were musical and cultural provocateurs with a singular vision of what rock n roll was and should be. Often imitated but never equaled, their impact has spanned almost 50 years and their legend and influence continues to inspire - with a new generation of fans spurred by the popularity of their recording of the cult classic, Goo Goo Muck (Ronnie Cook & The Gaylads), which was included in the Netflix hit series "Wednesday." Groovy gravy….no damn slop!