Serious Business

 LUX INTERIOR
Oct. 21st 1948 - Feb. 4th 2009
Lux Interior, wild lead singer for legendary punk/psychobilly band The Cramps died from a pre-existing heart ailment this afternoon.  He will be sorely missed by anyone remotely interested in rock'n'roll, B-movies & the glorious underside of American popular culture.

In 1973 during the start of the punk movement came The Cramps,  an act initially formed out of the lovebird duo of Poison Ivy Rorshach and Lux Interior.  Urban legends still depict the duo meeting as Lux had picked Ivy up as hitchhiker on his way to NYC.  Being one of the key New York bands in the CBGB scene, the act received huge attention by combining blues and surf rock with horrific yet campy lyrics and sleazy sex appeal.  While not as aggressively bombastic as many of the early punk acts, The Cramps continued their own sexual revolution live on stage to every pierced punk’s pleasure.

Lux Interior and Poison Ivy were known for challenging gender barriers, challenging status quo, and all-the-while pushing each stage show even more over-the-top than the last.  It seemed in every show from the bands inception to their most recent tour in November of 2008 that nothing was “going too far” or off-limits for them.  Whether in leopard print Speedos or leather pants, Lux sweated and screamed out blues riffs with horrific themes that would delight even the most staunch horror fan.  The band burned up the stage (often literally) with sexual energy and wicked wit.

The sound of The Cramps could be described as early “pre-psychobilly”.  It combined the best of Chuck Berry and Dick Dale guitar grooves with lyrics that seemed ripped straight from a Hammer horror film.  While the band itself denies having ever been part of the psychobilly scene, there is no doubt that almost every psycho act draws its inspiration from this lusty band.  Indeed a great many early members of the goth movement found inspiration from the gender bending leopard print Speedo stage show that captivated us all. 

Recently however, Lux Interior made his last grand exit on February 4th, 2009.  Passing at the age of 62 from a pre-existing heart condition, Lux leaves behind a legacy as one fantastic showman.  The punk and goth scene mourns his passing as news continues to be reported about his life and his history.  What we do know, is that like the great “man in black” Johnny Cash before him, Lux and Ivy’s legacy as The Cramps will continue to live on well after Lux’s passing.

Damn, why didn't you write this like 2 months ago?

Damn, why didn't you write this like 2 months ago?

i'm ashamed to admit it, but i didn't find out until just last week.  it wasn't really in the news much.

Yeah, I remember when it happened. I was just giving you shit for being behind in the times.

By the way Dave, in other punk/psychobilly info, after your Riverboat Gamblers post and a mention of them you gave at the Nasty St. Patty's bash, I was at the Jiffy Lube and picked up a copy of Rolling Stone while they were working on my truck. I don't remember the date on the issue, it was the "Gossip Girl" photo shoot issue, but they gave what seemed to read as a good review of the latest Riverboat Gamblers album. It seemed odd for a publication that has does relatively little for the underground since Cheech and Chong were making albums to give a punk band praise. I guess you have to take what you can get.