Journey to the center of the Cramps

by Dick Porter

Genres: Music

300 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite bands of all time. After hearing their first records, I became fascinated with obscure rockabilly and garage band records. Flea markets and run down disorganized old record stores became my new weekend haunts. I don't think there is another band that so embodied the spirit of true rock n roll.
I enjoyed reading about their early years and how the band viewed their music subtly changing over time. There's too much detail on their record label problems. I know that's a subject of almost every band bio I've read, but after a while, it's tedious. I wish there was more of Lux's humor....he was hilarious when interviewed by the right people. My guess is that Lux had passed on by the time this book was written. Gotta say though that the book is well researched, especially tracing the early punk Cleveland Ohio scene.

[John Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Porter does little original journalism, so misses out on Lux's time in the Navy, first marriage and son. Book is assembled from fanzine interviews with Lux and Ivy, so it gets a bit repetitive. Includes a good discography complete with the many bootleg releases. If you're a fan and never read their many interviews, it's a solid compendium of quotes and stories.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. Well written, humourous but real, so unbelievably thorough and really did capture the spirit of the Cramps

[Douglas Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well researched and written, one of the best music biographies I have read.