Spiritual Cramp played Hardcore Stadium – 4/22

San Francisco punks Spiritual Cramp hit the Cambridge Elks Lodge last month on a co-headlining tour with Angel Du$t and support from Webbed Wing and C4.

I first caught wind of Spiritual Cramp back in 2018, when they were first of four on a bill opening for Boston hardcore legends American Nightmare (who always seem to have their finger on the pulse of worthy up-and-comers). Their irreverent energy and singular sound – a catchy, streetwise fusion of punk and post- that dares to not take itself too seriously – immediately had me hooked and hoping to catch them again.

Great as that set at Brighton Music Hall was, the grimy, poorly-lit basement of the Bishop Allen Drive Elks Lodge really felt like the proper environment for the band. Add a set from Baltimore’s power-pop-punk hellraisers Angel Du$t and you’ve got a can’t-miss bill.

Alas, punk time caught up with me on this Friday night and I had to take off for another assignment (hometown hip-hop hero Cousin Stizz headlining a huge show at Roadrunner) before AD hit the stage (or lack thereof). Spiritual Cramp’s short, high-flying set delivered as I’d hoped though, settling right into wood-paneled confines of the room for a satisfyingly rowdy time that, once again, left me wanting more.

Earlier in the night, the grunge-y, melodic stylings of Superheaven offshoot Webbed Wing proved an inspired pick for tour support. And just to make sure the evening wasn’t too sonically palatable, Triple B Records’ C4 roughed things up with a set of particularly brutish Boston hardcore to kick things off.

Check out some captures from the evening below.