The Cramps Inc. Announces Major Reissue Campaign and Unreleased Album Gravest Gravy

The psychobilly legends known as The Cramps are returning to the spotlight through a comprehensive archival and reissue campaign. A new entity, Cramps Inc., has been launched to restore the band’s catalog, vault recordings, and official merchandise operations.

This initiative includes the revival of the band’s original Vengeance Records imprint. Longtime devotees Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye of Fugazi are leading the technical efforts through their RAM Prod. Partnership.

The Return of Gravest Gravy

The first major release of this campaign is titled Gravest Gravy, scheduled for arrival on Aug. 21. This never-before-released 1977 album was produced by the late Big Star principal Alex Chilton.

The material was sourced from October 1977 sessions at Memphis’ Ardent Studios. These sessions also yielded the band’s landmark Gravest Hits EP and featured the original lineup of the late Lux Interior, Poison Ivy, Bryan Gregory, and Nick Knox.

While Lux and Ivy attempted to assemble this archival release in the late ’80s, the project was shelved for “reasons lost to time.” The collection will now be available digitally, on CD, and in multiple vinyl variants.

Did You Know? The surviving tapes for Gravest Gravy were spread across seven quarter-inch reels and were found in “pristine condition” by archivist Brian Kehew.

A Meticulous Restoration Process

The restoration is being handled by Rollins and MacKaye, who are managing tape maintenance, editing, mixing, mastering, and lacquer cutting. They are working alongside Infrasonic Sound in Nashville and Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Va.

THE CRAMPS – 1979 – Gravest Hits (EP)

Rollins noted that he trusted MacKaye’s ears implicitly during the review of multiple mixes to determine the final versions. The resulting album includes covers of “Problem Child,” “Rocket in My Pocket,” and “Hungry,” with Chilton playing organ on the latter.

The project also features early versions of songs that would later be associated with Psychedelic Jungle. Rollins described the work as “sheer brilliance” from a band plugged directly into the rock’n’roll mainline.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by consolidating the official catalog and reviving Vengeance Records, Cramps Inc. Is not just releasing music, but is actively attempting to reclaim the band’s legacy from decades of bootlegs and unofficial merchandise.

Future Objectives and Legacy

Cramps Inc. Is anchored by guitarist Poison Ivy Rorschach, producer Jimmy Maslon, and IntThe Red Records founder Larry Hardy. Maslon also oversees the film catalogues of Doris Wishman and Herschell Gordon Lewis.

A primary goal of the entity is to “right the wrong” of unofficial merchandise and bootlegs flooding the market. This effort seeks to provide fans with authentic, high-quality versions of the band’s work.

Looking ahead, the broader campaign may eventually include reissues of several titles via Revolver Distribution. These could include Smell of Female, A Date With Elvis, Stay Sick!, Look Mom No Head!, Big Beat From Badsville, and Fiends of Dope Island.

The emotional weight of the project is significant for Rollins and MacKaye, who first saw the band together on April 20, 1979, in a small Washington, DC bar. The band stopped performing in 2006 and has remained inactive since the death of Lux Interior in 2009.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Gravest Gravy be released?
The album is set to arrive on Aug. 21.

Who is responsible for the tape restoration and mastering?
Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye are overseeing these duties through their RAM Prod. Partnership.

Which studios are involved in the production process?
The project is working in conjunction with Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Va., and Infrasonic Sound in Nashville.

How do you feel about the restoration of “lost” albums from underground rock history?