The Cramps’ Lost 1977 Sessions Announced as Gravest Gravy

There hasn’t been a new Cramps release since the band ended after Lux Interior’s death in 2009. Reissues and archival projects never materialized, even when a “Wednesday” sync sent “Goo Goo Muck” back through TikTok last year. That silence breaks this August with Gravest Gravy, a collection of songs the band recorded in October 1977 with Big Star’s Alex Chilton producing.

Those sessions originally yielded two singles and the Gravest Hits EP, but additional tracks were tracked and shelved. A planned release in the late ’80s was abandoned for reasons no one can now recall. The tapes sat until Brian Kehew transferred the reels, which were in pristine condition. Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye, both longtime friends, listened through multiple mixes and agreed on final versions. MacKaye handled EQ and level adjustments on two tracks with Don Zientara at Inner Ear. Pete Lyman mastered everything, and guitarist Poison Ivy signed off.

The release is only one part of a larger shift. Poison Ivy has formed the Cramps, Inc. with In the Red’s Larry Hardy and former producer Jimmy Maslon. Together they’re restarting the Vengeance label and will reissue past records and offer official merchandise, a move that finally tackles the flood of bootlegs. Rollins called the opportunity to bring this music to fellow fans “an absolute honor” that he and MacKaye, who saw their first Cramps show together in 1979, feel fortunate to be part of. Gravest Gravy is out August 21.