Ian MacKaye and Henry Rollins to revive The Cramps’ formerly defunct label

This year’s best piece of punk Madlibs just dropped. 

Observant fans of surf-goth heroes The Cramps may have already noticed an Instagram account by the name of @thecrampsofficialvengeancerecords. Today, Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band) and Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi) announced that they’re teaming up to revive The Cramps’ formerly defunct label, Vengeance Records. Earlier this year, Rollins and MacKaye released a rediscovered 1977 Adverts single previously thought to be lost. Before that, they partnered with In The Red Records to release the U.K. Subs’ 12-inch Demo Tape. Their latest endeavor is a collaboration with The Cramps’ Poison Ivy Rorschach, the band’s former producer Jimmy Maslon, and In The Red Records founder Larry Hardy.

The relaunch includes the first formal release of The Cramps’ shelved 1977 record, Gravest Gravy, produced by the band’s longtime collaborator Alex Chilton. The Big Star frontman previously produced a string of early Cramps singles, their Gravest Hits EP, and their 1981 debut album, Songs The Lord Taught Us. According to an official statement from Rollins, the archival tracks that make up Gravest Gravy were found in “pristine condition.” Many came in multiple mixes, and Rollins says he was able to discern which were the final versions. He  continued:

“Gravest Gravy is an absolute treasure. You get a performance of “Hungry” by Paul Revere and the Raiders, released in 1966, which found itself in the band’s early set lists, but soon dropped out. To make it even more interesting, Alex Chilton jumps in on organ. Another early Cramps cover, “Problem Child,” written by Sam Phillips, is on the record. The band used to do an absolutely rippin’ version of the 1958 Jimmy Lloyd track “Rocket In My Pocket” at some of their early shows. There’s a great version of it on Gravest Gravy. Also really cool are the songs that found official release on the band’s second album, Psychedelic Jungle, with Kid Congo Powers taking over the spot vacated by Bryan. These tracks would be “Jungle Hop” (also with Alex Chilton on organ) by Kip Tyler, released in 1958, “The Natives Are Restless” (with different lyrics), “Can’t Find My Mind,” and “Rockin’ Bones” released in 1959 by the Blond Bomber himself, Ronnie Dawson. The approach to these versions is much different than on Psychedelic, and it’s never a bad thing to have more Bryan Gregory to listen to. We were able to locate the exact photo of Stephanie’s that Lux and Ivy had envisioned for the cover. The back cover photo was taken by David Godlis at CBGB, and is easily one of the coolest Cramps photos ever.”

Vengeance Records has also shared the tracklist for Gravest Gravy, which drops August 21st. Its lead single “TV Set” and an accompanying Jason Willis-directed music video are both out now. Watch below.

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