As we heard of the untimely death of singer Lux Interior, legendary leader of The Cramps, let’s also pay respect to his surviving partner, guitarist Poison Ivy Rorschach.

I have been a Cramps for more than 25 years (!) and can quite clearly remember the only time I saw them perform right here in Montreal, where my sister almost passed out during the show! I guess Lux’s microphone swallowing antics were too much for her? Candy del Mar and Nick Knox were members at that point. An unbelievable night. The enclosed photograph is from around that time.

“Unique” is one of many words that can describe them and their musical material, sometimes referred to as “psychobilly”. Many members gravitated around the group’s lineup since 1973, but the core duo of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy was of course the main driving force. To say that The Cramps influence me and the creation of the Cult Sirens universe is pure evidence. For some reason the Smell of Female live album will remain a personal favorite.
(Photo by Steve Double)