The first time I saw The Cramps play live was in 1996 at The Warfield in San Francisco. It was by far the scariest show I've ever been to.
I wasn't scared for my life, I was scared for hers. My girlfriend and I arrived at the show early so she could be close up to see Poison Ivy
and Lux. We were somewhat front and center when they came onstage. People were going crazy and it was a free-for-all. It was one of
those situations where the crowd on the floor was swaying back and forth like the movement of the ocean and you couldn't do anything
but go with it and try to stay on your feet. Then it happened. Two or three songs into the set someone stage dove and landed on my
girlfriend. Apparently, she didn't see him coming and she took the hit on her head and never had a chance to guard herself. I was beside
her and got hit as well, but not as bad. I looked over to my right and she was completely out—she went limp. The only thing that was
keeping her upright was the sheer number of people and literally no open floor. Without even thinking I grabbed her with one arm and with
the other arm I violently pushed my way through the crowd. While everyone went on with the show I literally plowed a path through anyone
in my way with absolutely no concern for their safety or their leopard print creepers. I got her to safety and laid her down on the floor.
By this time security came over to help. The paramedics took her to the nearest hospital while I followed in a cab. As it turned out, she
suffered minor swelling and bruising in her neck and spine and was released that same evening. 
         It was a surreal feeling plowing through those people. To this day it still amazes me how my reaction to danger got us through that.
Words can't describe the intensity I was feeling at the time of that situation. My instinct took over and it felt like tunnel vision with a high
dose of adrenaline.
         I was fortunate enough to photograph The Cramps in October of 2006. Although I am no longer with that girl, we are still friends and
she was also at that show in 2006. At the end of the evening we both went our separate ways, but this time, not in an ambulance or a cab. 
R.I.P Lux Interior.