Journey to the Center of the Cramps

The definitive work on the Cramps, a uniquely special rock ‘n’roll phenomenon.

More than just a band, the Cramps are a rock‘n’roll phenomenon that has endured for over 35 years. Born from the creative maelstrom of late 1970s New York, Ohio natives Lux Interior (Erick Purkhiser) and Poison Ivy Rorschach (Kirsty Wallace) not only pioneered the psychobilly subgenre but also forged an unsurpassable legacy of
primal, blisteringly good rock‘n’roll.

Notorious for their electrifying live performances, the Cramps’ raw, stripped-down sound—fused with kitsch horror aesthetics—earned them a worldwide cult following. At nearly 6’6” (7’ in heels), Lux was like Frankenstein’s monster reassembled from the spirits of Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran, his malefic vocal style even catching the attention of Dracula director Francis Ford Coppola. Meanwhile, with a 1,000-yard laser-beam stare that could slice titanium, Poison Ivy was one of the most formidable and alluring women in rock.

Dick Porter’s Journey to the Center of the Cramps is the definitive work on the group. Featuring interviews with Ivy, Lux, and former band members, the book traces the Cramps’ story to its poignant conclusion—Lux’s unexpected passing in 2009, the band’s dissolution, and their enduring legacy as one of rock’s most legendary and fascinating acts.