I have this screen-saver device on my crappy desktop computer (yes, I still use one of those) that selects images at random from a folder that I routinely stuff with nonsense I find on the web. Not too long back, I had to prune some images from it that were arguably unsuitable for children for when the kids were in the room (and, given the diminutive size of the apartment, they’re basically always “in the room”). I’m not talking about porny images, but violent Cop Shoot Cop flyers, a picture of Michael Gira of SWANS with a noose, a shot of Raven from Killing Joke wearing a “FUCK THA POLICE” shirt, etc.
By this point, the folder in question is stuffed with countless images. I’ve largely forgotten what’s in there, so I’m frequently surprised by what comes up in the rotation. This morning, one appeared that I hadn’t seen in a while, and I ended up looking at it in a whole new way, and noticed a curious detail. Here’s the shot in question now…
This is, of course, the mighty Cramps — featuring the classic line-up of Lux and Ivy flanked by drummer Nick Knox and the endearingly Boris Karloffy Bryan Gregory on second guitar.
The thing that caught my eye this time around that I’d never noticed before is the room they appear playing in. Stop me if I’m wrong, but are they playing in front of the United Nations emblem?
I know the Cramps enjoyed playing unconventional venues (witness their celebrated performance at the Napa State Mental Facility as a prime example), but I cannot imagine the unlikely circumstances of the potty-minded Cramps unleashing their signature blend of barbed psychobilly on the august body of U.N. dignitaries.
Anyone know the scoop?
ADDENDUM: A reader named Arem helped out. The venue is Georgetown's Hall of Nations, and it was a pivotal show from 1979 that acted a crucial catalyst for the Washington D.C. punk scene as told here by Henry Rollins.
Recent Comments