1980-
1996 One reviewer described their sound as "
tribal,
psychobilly blues" and I guess that'll do. Played
tough,
gritty roots rock-style
punk with lyrics to match. The lineup changed several times over the years (Kid Congo Powers of the
Cramps was a member at one time) but always centered on deeply unstable lead singer Jeffrey Lee Pierce. Pierce eventually cleaned up his act but passed away of a
brain hemorrhage in 1996, ending the band for good.
My personal favorite album, for perhaps obvious reasons, is The Las Vegas Story. After all these years "Walkin' With The Beast" still has the power to make the earth tremble and darken the moon.