Psychobilly and the Cramps by John Rodat

The neologism “psychobilly” did not originate with the Cramps, though it might not ever have made its way into the vernacular of music criticism without them. After relocating to New York City from Sacramento (via Akron, Ohio), the band, led by the husband-and-wife team (and only permanent members) Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, began promoting their shows with flyers promising an experience both “psychobilly” and “rock & roll voodoo” in nature. [1]

The former adjective appears to have been appropriated from a Wayne Kemp-penned song, “One Piece at a Time [2],” which was a 1975 hit for Johnny Cash. The humorous single relates the story of a Kentucky-born transplant to the assembly lines of Detroit, who despairs of ever earning enough to buy for himself one of the elegant Cadillacs he helps manufacture. Inspired, perhaps, by his insider’s perspective that the most luxurious of vehicles is just a collection of discrete parts, he hits upon the idea to smuggle a car out of the plant – one piece at a time…

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