Album review: Spiritual Cramp – RUDE

In between almost every song at Reading & Leeds 2024, Michael Bingham took the opportunity to remind the crowd: “We’re Spiritual Cramp, from San Francisco, California!” Now, our gracious host has booked us a direct flight to his hometown, in the form of the six-piece’s second album RUDE. Soundtracking our journey is DJ Crash on the imaginary Wild 87 Radio, channelling the spirit of QOTSA’s Songs For The Deaf.

Setting up the hometown scene where we find these ‘infamous’ rudeboys, Go Back Home finds our resident anarchist, Mr. Bingham (who now lives in LA) voicing his love affair with the Golden City, where ‘everyone knows this town is mine’. Somewhat of a lone wolf in this muddled world – other than his six friends, as he once told K! – he shrugs that ‘nobody came’ on At My Funeral, teeing up the British irony that defines much of RUDE.

Elastic indie-punk is the other common denominator, captured by producer John Congleton (Mannequin Pussy, The Mysterines), making for a slick, tight successor that coasts things forward from their 2023 self-titled debut. The dub-tinged Violence In The Supermarket and whistled sways of New Religion both seamlessly incorporate the broad palette of influences that fuels Michael, his founding partner in crime Mike Fenton (bass) and the Cramp’s four other members, welcomed into the songwriting process for the first time on RUDE.

Much like The Hives, who they’ll be supporting on next month’s European arena run, RUDE is a record of bright party-punk. Look no further than the San Franciscan simplicity of ‘good times, friends and cold beers’ on Young Offenders, or the self-deprecating sprint race I Hate The Way That I Look, where pace and concision are the name of the game.

RUDE might be the follow-up you expected from Spiritual Cramp, but they can take that consistency as a compliment. Here, we find a steadfast Michael developing the clarity of his trademark delivery, and a band at their most efficient. If you’re floored by RUDE, feel free to call an ambulance – but not for the Cramp.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Militarie Gun, The Futureheads, The Hives

RUDE is released on October 24 via Blue Grape