Steve Grantley & The Zed Hedz pens a love letter to a dearly missed punkabilly icon with their new single and video Poison Ivy Where Did You Go? — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The title track from the Stiff Little Fingers drummer’s upcoming solo EP of the same name, Poison Ivy Where Did You Go? pays tribute to beloved Cramps guitarist Poison Ivy Rorschach (born Kristy Wallace). The groundbreaking musician and feminist icon, who released more than a dozen studio albums, live releases and EPs with the band over nearly three decades, retired from music after the shocking and premature 2009 death of Lux Interior, her bandmate and husband of 37 years.
Naturally, the song is a slow-burning rockabilly boogie fashioned from thumping drums, twanging low-neck guitars and lyrics that celebrate the dynamic and distinctive artist:
“Poison Ivy, where did you go?
Poison Ivy baby, we miss you so
Poison Ivy, lips burning red
She’s so glamorous and primitive
With the volume way up high
She’s so pagan, she don’t smile
She ripped it up, she revved it up
She’s so wild, so wild, so wild.”
Says Grantley: “We consider Poison Ivy to be a true feminist rock ’n’ roll icon who has been criminally overlooked. She co-founded the band, co-wrote their original material, played all the guitars and on numerous occasions, the bass as well. Ivy produced many of the band’s records and it was all achieved whilst looking like a rock ’n’ roll goddess both on and off the stage.
“This EP is a shout-out to Poison Ivy, just to let her know we miss her and wish her well.” The band emphasize they don’t want to disrupt or disrespect the 70-year-old musician’s wishes to be left alone — “This is just a note to say thank you for the inspiration and Poison Ivy, we miss you.”
Along with Grantley on drums and vocals, The Zed Hedz feature John Magner on guitar and Jamie Alleyne on bass. In addition to Stiff Little Fingers, Grantley has worked with Billy Duffy (The Cult), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Kirk Brandon (Theatre of Hate / Spear of Destiny), Craig Adams (The Mission, Sisters Of Mercy), Julian Lennon and soul singer Oleta Adams.
Watch the video for Poison Ivy Where Did You Go? above, look for the EP on Dec. 1, and find Steve Grantley & The Zed Heds on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
