Steve Grantley &The Zed Hedz
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
I got the chance to speak with Steve about the band’s new release ‘Poison Ivy Where Did You Go ?’ dedicated to Poison Ivy Rorshach (Kristy Wallace) lead guitarist for The Cramps…
It is very obvious that Steve and the band are dedicated to her. Please enjoy my interview with Steve.
Punk Globe: Thank you for the interview, Steve. I knew Jimmy Reilly who played drums with Stiff Little Fingers. He left the band to join The Red Rockers. Did you play with Stiff Little Fingers before or after Jimmy?
It was after Jim. I worked with Jake Burns (lead singer and guitar player) the first time around in 1983 when he’d split up with Stiff Little Fingers and got his new band together Jake Burns and the Big Wheel. I played drums with the band for 4 years, I didn’t join Stiff Little Fingers until 1997.
Punk Globe: Please tell the readers about your love for Poison Ivy?
I’m a huge fan of The Cramps and I believe they’re a genuine rock n roll band in the truest sense and Ivy was at the centre of it all. She’s a fine rock n roll guitar player who’s been tragically overlooked. She’s a bonafide feminist icon, she co-wrote all their original material, often played the bass, and produced the records too. To me, THAT’S “girlpower”. And she always looked amazing on and off the stage as well. As far as I’m concerned, if Elvis is the King of rock n roll, Poison Ivy is the Queen.
Punk Globe: Are you a fan of former Cramps bassist Candy Delmar?
Yes, I thought she was a fine addition to the band. She fitted the band’s musical style and image seamlessly.
Punk Globe: Did your devotion to Poison Ivy start when The Cramps arrived on the scene with Kid Congo,Bryan Gregory, and Nick Knox in the band?
Yes, I loved the early albums, that savage sound I found unlike anything I’d ever heard before. They were truly different. I found them intriguing in much the same way as I did the NYC band Suicide.
Punk Globe: Is there any mention of the late Lux Interior on your new release ‘Where Did You Go Poison Ivy’?
No, the EP is dedicated solely to Poison Ivy in her 70th year. As much as I rated Lux Interior as a writer, singer, and performer, these songs are for Ivy as a thank-you for all the great music she gave us.
Punk Globe: I am close with Candy Delmar. I got to know both Lux and Ivy during her time in the band. Lux was always so fun while Ivy was nice but a very astute businesswoman she managed the band well. Hired guns could not play in any other bands or even appear on stage with another band. Lux and Ivy had a great huge I believe it was in Glendale. I was lucky enough to go to their home.
Oh wow, that’s amazing. I would’ve loved to meet them. How lucky you are.
Punk Globe: What was your favorite Cramps album?
It’s a tough one but I think it would be ‘A Date With Elvis’.
Punk Globe: Are you covering any Cramps songs on the ‘Where Did You Go Poison Ivy’ ?
No, it’s 4 original songs in honour of and all about Poison Ivy. We do cover ‘Can Your Pussy Do The Dog’ in the Steve Grantley and the Zed Hedz live set.
Punk Globe: Tell us about your new band Steve Grantly and The Zed Hedz. How long has the band been together?
We have worked together before but we’ve only recorded these four songs so far as a trio. We do have plans to record an album in February of 2024 all being well. The reaction to the EP has been overwhelming and we can’t wait to record more and play as a 3-piece. I’ll be standing up playing drums and singing at the front in true rock n roll style with John Magner on guitar and Jamie Alleyne on bass. It’s a very back-to-basics approach, traditional rock n roll with a modern twist, Rockabilly Voodoo.
Punk Globe Is ‘Where Are You Poison Ivy’ on a label?
My own label Hypermania but we’ve already had offers from a couple of labels who want to help release it in The States. We’ll wait and see what happens.
Punk Globe: Any tours or video’s planned for the release?
There’s two lyric videos up on YouTube already for ‘Poison Ivy Where Did You Go?’ And ‘My Bombshell Baby From The USA’. We have yet to shoot videos for the remaining two songs ‘Rock n Roll Fever’ and ‘The Queen Of Rock n Roll’. We will be playing shows in the new year after we’ve released the album.
Punk Globe: Do you have any Internet Addresses you would like to share with the readers?
For all information go to stevegrantleyandthezedhedz.com
I’m on Facebook and so are Steve Grantley and the Zed Hedz.
Punk Globe: I live in Hollywood and have not heard of any sightings of your Queen Poison Ivy. Do you feel she has become a recluse?
Yes, I believe she has. It seems that since the tragic and untimely death of Lux she has retreated from the public eye.
Yes, if you haven’t already checked out The Cramps already – then you must. For anyone interested in buying the Poison Ivy Where Did You Go? EP go to stevegrantleyandthezedhedz.com
Many thanks to Punk Globe Magazine !
