The Cramps

Bad Music For Bad People

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/12794668-The-Cramps-Bad-Music-For-Bad-People

Year Of Release: 1984

Review

I was given a taped copy of this compilation in 1995/96 by the little sister of one of my flatmates. It was the first time I’d had a chance to listen to The Cramps, although not the first time I’d heard of them, thanks mainly to exposure via t-shirt ads in Thrasher Magazine. I hadn’t had much exposure to “psychobilly”, but when I heard this album I knew I wanted to hear more.

It’s a compilation that was apparently somewhat controversial at the time, given that The Cramps had finished up with I.R.S. and it seemed like the label was milking the sacred cow for all it could. Regardless, I thought it was a great compilation, and it certainly sparked a fascination and enjoyment of The Cramps and their music that persists to this day.

Standout tracks on this one are New Kind of Kick, Garbageman, She Said, and Human Fly. But they’re really all great. Additionally, if you’re into random stuff, there’s a terrific version of Garbageman done by William Shatner that’s out in the wild too and definitely worth checking out.

Rating: 9/10