Last month on May 21st, Spiritual Cramp opened a show for Bad Nerves at The Regent Theater. We here at Janky Smooth have been mildly obsessed with Spiritual Cramp- mostly theorizing on why they aren’t headlining shows like this yet. Because once you see them live, the band leaves no doubt.
Spiritual Cramp released their first full length, self titled studio album in 2023 to go with 4 EP’s and a slue of singles. Every release is solid. But do yourself a favor- if Spiritual Cramp come to your town, do whatever you can to go see them.
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When you first hear the name Spiritual Cramp, you’re not sure if you’re about to get hit with a darkwave sermon or an exorcism of punk rock demons. But once the needle drops—or they hit the stage—you know exactly what you’re in for: a sweaty, soul-drenched blast of refined angst, post-punk groove, and swagger that may not be unique to them but they certainly take it to it’s purest form. Now stationed in Los Angeles, Spiritual Cramp is the band you didn’t know you needed—until you see them and your taint starts to tingle.
Formed in San Francisco before planting roots in LA, Spiritual Cramp have been redefining punk rock for a new generation. They don’t care about categories, clout, or nostalgia. This isn’t a band trying to recreate the past—it’s a band kicking the present in the teeth. With clear nods to The Clash, Public Image Ltd., and even a hint of Elvis Costello, fused with hardcore DNA and street-smart lyricism, they’ve carved out their own lane somewhere between chaos and catharsis. It’s punk with soul. It’s aggressive, but there’s groove. It’s angry, but it dances.
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Frontman Michael Bingham is the eye of this storm. Charismatic, confrontational, and raw as hell, Bingham commands every stage like he’s holding a séance with the ghosts of punk’s past and future. His lyrics hit like poetry scribbled on a bathroom wall—funny, tragic, political, and painfully real. Whether he’s talking about Catholic guilt, late-stage capitalism, or the disillusionment of everyday life, he does it with the kind of honesty that turns a house show into a movement.
Spiritual Cramp’s self-titled debut full-length album, released in 2023 on Blue Grape Music, was a breakout moment. Critics and fans alike recognized it as one of the most exciting punk records in years. Tracks like “Talkin’ on the Internet,” “Herberts on Holiday,” and “City on Fire” are more than just bangers—they’re rallying cries. Their sound is slathered in dub bass lines, jagged guitars, and anthemic choruses that feel tailor-made for crowded basements and festival stages alike.
Los Angeles has given the band a new pulse. Since relocating, they’ve only grown louder, sharper, and more impossible to ignore. Playing shows with bands like Scowl, Militarie Gun, and Ceremony, they’ve become a vital part of California’s new punk renaissance—one that’s as informed by Bad Brains and reggae as it is by modern malaise. Their live shows are fast becoming legendary: sweaty, chaotic, full of love, rage, and that rare kind of joy that only comes from shouting into the void with 300 of your closest strangers.
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In a scene often bogged down by gatekeeping and genre politics, Spiritual Cramp is a breath of fresh air—and a gut punch. They’re punk for people who still believe music can mean something. And in 2025, that’s more radical than ever.
words: Danny Baraz
photos: Taylor Wong
