Cramps Frontman Dies

The Cramps performing in Belgium in 2006; original members Lux Interior and Poison Ivy pictured.


According to the group’s publicist, Lux Interior (real name Erick Lee Purkhiser), the co-founder and lead singer of the seminal horror-punk band, the Cramps, passed away on February 4. The cause of death was from a pre-existing heart condition. He was 60 years old.

The Cramps were part of the now legendary New York punk scene in the late 70’s and were formed in 1976. Although their lineup changed over the years, it always included Lux and his wife Kristy Wallace, whose stage name is "Poison Ivy."

Playing alongside punk rock acts like the Ramones and Patti Smith, the Cramps unmistakable sound was a blend of lo-fi rockabilly and surf guitars, which some have termed as ‘psychobilly.’

Their stage antics are legendary- part zombie, part intense punk- but always theatrical and often horror-themed. Songs like “I Was A Teenage Werewolf” and “Bikini Girls With Machine Guns” were punk staples and the band’s breakthrough debut EP was 1979’s “Gravest Hits.”

Their sound has been credited as an influence by popular bands such as Pearl Jam, the White Stripes and the Black Lips, to name a few. The Cramps have released fourteen albums over the course of their career, including their latest, 2004’s “How To Make A Monster,” which sold more than 11,000 copies. The group’s best selling album was 1984’s “Bad Music for Bad people,” which has sold over 95,000 copies according to Nielson SoundScan.

The band was touring as recently as last November and rock and roll, specifically the punk movement, has lost a valuable and iconic member.