"A Date with Elvis" is the third studio album by American punk rock band The Cramps. Released in 1986, the album marks a departure from the band's previous two albums, incorporating more of a mix of rock and roll and rockabilly. The band is famous for their distinct musical style, merging punk rock with vintage rockabilly, and this album was no different. The album includes some of their catchiest, most feverish works, thickened by the distinctive, distorted guitar tone.
The band at this time consisted of Lux Interior (vocals), Poison Ivy Rorschach (guitar), Nick Knox (drums), and a new joining member, bassist, Candy Del Mar. The album was released during the band's extensive performing period and was named after an Elvis Presley album of the same name.
Notably, "A Date with Elvis" was partly responsible for bringing Psychobilly to the UK and was instrumental in establishing the Cramps as one of the genre's leading figures. The album boasts noteworthy songs like "How Far Can Too Far Go" and "The Hot Pearl Snatch." These two, along with several other songs, have become fan favorites over the years.
However, this album was not as commercially successful as their previous works, despite its artistic achievements. Regardless, "A Date with Elvis" is often cited as influential and critical to the development of punk and rockabilly genres, creating a legacy with its unique rock-and-roll sound.
