relocated to Los Angeles

The Cramps relocated to Los Angeles in 1980 and hired guitarist Kid Congo Powers of the Gun Club . While recording their second LP, Psychedelic Jungle , the band and Miles Copeland began to dispute royalties and creative rights. The ensuing court case prevented them from releasing anything until 1983, when they recorded Smell of Female live at New York’s Peppermint Lounge ; Kid Congo Powers subsequently departed. Mike Metoff of the Pagans (cousin of Nick Knox) was the final second guitarist – albeit only live – of the Cramps’ pre-bass era. He accompanied them on an extensive European tour in 1984 (that had been canceled twice because they could not find a suitable guitarist) which included four sold out nights at the Hammersmith Palais . They also recorded performances of “Thee Most Exalted Potentate of Love” and “You Got Good Taste” which were broadcast on A Midsummer Night’s Tube (1984). Smell of Female peaked at No. 74 in the UK Albums Chart .