Their line-up has rotated much over the past couple of decades, with husband and wife Lux Interior and Poison Ivy--the lead singer and lead guitarist, respectively--as the only permanent members.
Lux picked up Ivy when he was driving on the highway. Ivy had raised her hand for an auto stop, Lux stopped his car and ...fate brought them together.
They were part of the early CBGB's punk rock movement that had emerged in New York, although they had formed several years earlier in California. The band is credited as a prominent factor in terms of influence on the gothabilly genre.
Their sound was heavily influenced by early rockabilly and proto-rock'n'roll like Link Wray and Hasil Adkins, 1960s surf music acts such as The Ventures, The Surfaris and Dick Dale, 1960s garage rock artists like The Standells, The Gants, The Trashmen, The Green Fuz and The Sonics, as well as the post-glam/early punk scene from which they emerged. They also were influenced to a degree by The Ramones as well as Screamin' Jay Hawkins, who is often credited for having pioneered their style of theatrical horror-blues.
On February 4, 2009, Lux Interior died of a pre-existing heart condition at the age of 62.
Discography:
Albums & EPs:
Gravest Hits
Songs The Lord Taught Us
Psychedelic Jungle
A Date with Elvis
Stay Sick!
Look Mom No Head!
Blues Fix
Flamejob
Big Beat from Badsville
Fiends of Dope Island
Live albums:
Smell of Female
Rockin n Reelin in Auckland New Zealand
Singles:
"Surfin' Bird" / "The Way I Walk" "Human Fly" / "Domino" "Fever" / "Garbageman" "Garbageman" / "TV Set" "Garbageman" / "Drug Train" "Drug Train" "Goo Goo Muck" "The Crusher" "Faster Pussycat" "I Ain't Nuthin' But a Gorehound" "Can Your Pussy Do the Dog?" "What's Inside a Girl?" "Kizmiaz" "Get Off the Road" "Bikini Girls with Machine Guns" "All Women Are Bad" "Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon" "Eyeball in My Martini" "Let's Get Fucked Up" / "How Come You Do Me?" "Ultra Twist!" "Naked Girl Falling Down the Stairs" "Like a Bad Girl Should" "Big Black Witchcraft Rock"
Compilations
...Off the Bone Bad Music for Bad People How to Make a Monster The Secret Life of the Cramps
Elvis Fucking Christ!
The Cramps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saw what the guy on TV said
The big rock awards
Crowned a brand new king
It shoulda been me instead
Don't they know I'm:
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Chicken pluckin' runamuckin'
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Well I'm the 500 foot woman
I run an evil big black mass
I got two brass globes, you got to admit
My animal aplomb is vast
It's obvious:
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Bronco buckin' jive'n'shuckin'
Elvis fuckin' Christ
I'm the captain of the cavalry
I'm the queen of outer space
I got a she devil orgy in the twilight zone
Sheer panties of the queen Anne's lace
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Bad luck'n'mack truckin'
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Well the devil gave us Elvis
Drugs, sex and rock'n'roll
Greenbacks, fuzz and feedback
Demonseed and banshee hole
Frogs fallin' down from Heaven
Thunder under Hell
Trogglodynamite times seven
Cold titty witchin' spell: yeah
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Chicken pluckin' runamuckin'
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Yeah, you might go to Devry
Beauty school or get a job
Or you might join a devil cult
O' some evil heart throb, like me:
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Elvis fuckin' Christ
Chicken pluckin' goo goo muckin'
Elvis fuckin' Christ
The Cramps's song Elvis Fucking Christ is a satirical parody of the rock n' roll music industry, using Elvis Presley as a symbol of its excesses and absurdity. The song opens with the singer waking up and discovering that a new rock star has been crowned at a big awards show, and laments that it should have been him instead. He then launches into a series of absurd boasts about his own greatness, claiming to be a 500-foot tall woman who runs an evil black mass, the captain of the cavalry, and the queen of outer space. As the song progresses, he rails against the devil who gave us Elvis, and celebrates the wild excesses of rock n'roll, drugs, sex, and demonseed.
The lyrics of Elvis Fucking Christ are full of tongue-in-cheek references to Elvis Presley, as well as other symbols of rock n'roll culture. The singer uses Elvis as a sort of shorthand for everything that is excessive and ridiculous about the music industry, from the chicken plucking and bronco bucking of country music to the sheer panties of the queen Anne's lace. The song also references other classic rock n'roll tropes, like the devil, drugs, and the idea of joining a "devil cult" to become an evil heartthrob.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I fell outta bed this mornin'
I woke up this morning in a state of shock and surprise.
Saw what the guy on TV said
I heard some news on the television that upset me.
The big rock awards
An event where rock artists are recognized and awarded for their achievements.
Crowned a brand new king
A new artist was officially recognized as the leader among the others.
It shoulda been me instead
I believe I have what it takes to be named the top rock artist.
Don't they know I'm:
I feel like I've been overlooked or not given the credit I deserve.
Elvis fuckin' Christ
I am a powerful and influential figure that deserves recognition.
Chicken pluckin' runamuckin'
I am unpredictable and wild, ready to take on anything.
Well I'm the 500 foot woman
I am larger than life and dominate any space I occupy.
I run an evil big black mass
I am associated with dark and mysterious forces.
I got two brass globes, you got to admit
I am confident in my sexuality and my body.
My animal aplomb is vast
I possess a tremendous amount of self-assurance and charisma.
It's obvious:
It cannot be denied or questioned that I am an exceptional individual.
Bronco buckin' jive'n'shuckin'
I am tough, resilient and can handle anything thrown at me.
I'm the captain of the cavalry
I am a leader that inspires and commands respect and attention.
I'm the queen of outer space
I am a powerful and majestic force that is beyond comprehension.
I got a she devil orgy in the twilight zone
I am a participant in taboo and forbidden activities.
Sheer panties of the queen Anne's lace
I am unafraid to reveal my vulnerability and sexuality.
Bad luck'n'mack truckin'
I have experienced hardships and challenges, but I can still overcome them.
Well the devil gave us Elvis
Elvis was a gift from Satan himself.
Drugs, sex and rock'n'roll
These are the three cornerstones of my identity and lifestyle.
Greenbacks, fuzz and feedback
Money, distortion, and harsh sounds are also important to me.
Demonseed and banshee hole
I am associated with supernatural and otherworldly beings.
Frogs fallin' down from Heaven
Strange and inexplicable things happen around me.
Thunder under Hell
I am connected to the dark forces that reside in the underworld.
Trogglodynamite times seven
I am incredibly powerful, and my influence can be felt in every aspect of life.
Cold titty witchin' spell: yeah
I can cast spells and create mystical enchantments.
Yeah, you might go to Devry
You could pursue a traditional path of education and career.
Beauty school or get a job
Or you could choose to work in a job that values conventional appearance.
Or you might join a devil cult
Or you could join like-minded individuals that share a passion for the occult.
O' some evil heart throb, like me:
Or you could become a figure like me, who is revered and feared by all.
Chicken pluckin' goo goo muckin'
I am eccentric and do things in a way that is unique and creative.
Contributed by Ryan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.