Quick menu
  • Posion Ivy of The Cramps in Boston, USA in 1980 photographed by Michael Grecco
  • Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps in Boston, USA in 1980 photographed by Michael Grecco
  • Cramps, The (TC001JF)
    Available To Buy
  • The Cramps giant pin badge designed by Tony Dennis AKA Tape Deck Art
  • Cramps, The (TC002JF)

The Cramps

The Cramps were an American punk band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist and occasional bass guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members. The addition of guitarist Bryan Gregory and drummer Pam Ballam resulted in the first complete lineup in April 1976. They were part of the early CBGB punk rock movement that had emerged in New York. The Cramps are noted as influencing a number of musical styles: not only were they one of the first punk bands, they are also widely recognized as one of the prime innovators of psychobilly.

Their music is mostly in rockabilly form, played at varying tempos, with a minimal drumkit. An integral part of the early Cramps sound was dual guitars, without a bassist. The focus of their songs' lyrical content and their image was camp humor, sexual double-entendre, and retro horror/sci-fi b-movie iconography. Their sound was heavily influenced by early rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll like Link Wray and Hasil Adkins, 1960s surf music acts such as The Ventures and Dick Dale, 1960s garage rock artists like The Standells, The Trashmen, The Green Fuz and The Sonics, as well as the post-glam/early punk scene from which they emerged, as well as citing Ricky Nelson as being an influence during numerous interviews. They also were influenced to a degree by the Ramones and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, who were an influence for their style of theatrical horror-blues.

In turn, The Cramps have influenced countless subsequent bands in the garage, punk and revival rockabilly styles, and helped create the psychobilly genre. "Psychobilly" was a term coined1 by The Cramps, although Lux Interior maintained that the term did not describe their own style.

www.thecramps.com

Browse our unique collection of The Cramps photos and prints below

Posion Ivy of The Cramps in Boston, USA in 1980 photographed by Michael Grecco

The Cramps

Stunning photograph of Poison Ivy of The Cramps taken by Michael Grecco in Boston, USA in 1980.

Prices from £2,800.00
print
Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps in Boston, USA in 1980 photographed by Michael Grecco

The Cramps

Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps lying on the floor playing guitar at The Channel in Boston, USA in 1980.

Prices from £2,800.00
print
Cramps, The (TC001JF)

The Cramps

Poison Ivy and Lux Interior from The Cramps photographed by Jill Furmanovsky in 1981

Prices from £295.00
print
The Cramps giant pin badge designed by Tony Dennis AKA Tape Deck Art

The Cramps

Limited edition giant vintage pin badge for The Cramps designed by artist Tony Dennis AKA Tape Deck Art.

Prices from £380.00
print
Cramps, The (TC002JF)

The Cramps

The Cramps captured by Jill Furmanovsky in New York in February 1980.

Prices from £295.00
print

Featured Prints

Nirvana (NV011WEDD)

Nirvana

Underwater photo of Krist Novoselic in a LA swimming pool whilst on a Nirvana publicty shoot

Prices from £650.00
print
Led Zeppelin (LZ001MPUT)

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.

Prices from £595.00
print
Oasis (OAMR001JF)

Oasis

Noel recalls "Maine Road was where we all used to go as kids. So I was standing there, trying to make sure I never forgot this moment"

Prices from £2,000.00
print
Amy Winehouse sat on a bench in a North London laundrette in 2004 photograpghed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Stunning image of Amy Winehouse taken in a North London launderette during a photo shoot in winter 2004.

Prices from £595.00
print
Screen print of Prince created by artist David Studwell

Prince

Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell

Prices from £300.00
print
Red Hot Chili Peppers (CP001MA)

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991

Prices from £295.00
print

Featured Artists

Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.

artist
Oasis

Oasis

Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.

artist
Bob Marley (and the Wailers)

Bob Marley (and the Wailers)

Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, & guitarist who achieved international fame & acclaim.

artist
David Bowie

David Bowie

David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.

artist
Queen

Queen

Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.

artist
Björk

Björk

Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.

artist

Featured Collections

***New Arrivals***

***New Arrivals***

Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.

collection
Contact Sheets Print Collection

Contact Sheets Print Collection

Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.

collection
Born In The USA

Born In The USA

The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best

collection
Graphic Art Print Collection

Graphic Art Print Collection

Browse our collection of popular graphic art prints including iconic images by Storm Thorgerson and stunning work by contemporary artists.

collection
Jill Furmanovsky Collection

Jill Furmanovsky Collection

Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists

collection
Alternative artwork by Storm Thorgerson for Pink Floyd's Division Bell

Album Covers

Album covers can define a band almost as much as the music itself. Now you can put this great art on your wall as well as your turntable

collection