Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

7. The CrampsGravest Hits

The Cramps have been following me forever. When I started to make music myself it was in local punk groups in UmeĆ„. Punk and garage bands. And then simultaneously working with a band trying to make a King Crimson/Mahavishnu Orchestra mix! So those were some interesting years when I was 13, 14, 15. The Cramps, Stooges, all that shit was around the corner. I started to collect when I was 18,19 and the first record I bought was Gravest Hits. I still think that’s the strongest. I mean there are so many great records and bootlegs, but this is the one for me. ‘Surfin’ Bird’, ‘Human Fly’… it’s classic. There’s some really interesting vocal improv stuff that even Phil Minton would be happy with.

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