Stray cats

Stray Cats (also known as The Stray Cats) is an American rockabilly band formed in 1979 (formerly The Tomcats) by Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker (Leon Drucker) and Slim Jim Phantom (James McDonnell). They broke up in 1993, although they went on a reunion tour in 2004, and in 2018 they performed in Las Vegas at the famous Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend event.

They are considered one of the most important groups of the rockabilly revival and the birth of psychobilly in the early 1980s.

History

The Tomcats, the band formed by Brian Setzer and his brother, was the beginning of the future "Stray Cats", which would be born in 1979 in New York when the brother of Setzer left the band and was joined by Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phanton, Brian's classmates.

The music performed by this trio was based on the Rock and Roll of the 50s that was released on the record label "Sun Records" by Sam Phillips in Memphis, Tennessee, and was heavily influenced by the style of "Bill Haley and The Comets".

Their beginnings would be difficult, therefore, they traveled to England to be able to succeed under the command of Brian Setzer and his Gretsch G6120, which they achieved after publishing their first album, The Stray Cats, in 1981. One of the reasons that motivated the group to move to England was the revival of a young subculture, that of the "Teddy Boys", who used lacquer to comb their hair, in instead of Vaseline and whose hairstyles were outrageously colorful.

It was on the named album, where the public was able to enjoy three of the group's most emblematic songs: "Runaway Boys", "Rock this town" and his melodic banner, "Stray cat Strut".

They would return to the United States to edit their second album, Gonna Ball (1981) and a compilation entitled Built for Speed (1982). His third official album would be Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats (1983), and it would mean the beginning of the end.

After him, the band would begin a spiral of separations and reunions marked by the release of less popular records compared to their first three albums: Rock Therapy (1986), Blast Off (1989), Let's Go Faster (1990), Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992) and the cover album Original Cool (1993), which would ultimately be their last work together.

In 2004, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the group's formation, the Stray Cats reunited again on a worldwide tour. In Spain it would take them to Barcelona and Gijón.

At the beginning of August 2008 the Stray Cats returned to the stages of Europe, beginning in Spain. This was the group's farewell tour, known as the "Farewell Tour" and in which the Cats said goodbye to their fans, although each one would follow their path as in recent years.

In Spain they have influenced groups such as the trio Los Bucaneros, from Alicante, who faithfully recreated the style and aesthetics of Stray Cats. Without forgetting Los Coronados, a group formed in Asturias but based in Huelva, who recorded a version in Spanish of "Stray Cat Strut". This version would become essential over time in all Spanish rockabilly compilations. In Colombia only Marco T. & the Montañeros cats explored that line during the late eighties and there is a Spanish version of "Rock this town" called "Let's find where to rock" adapted by the same Marco T. precursor of the genre in his country. In Chile, the rock group Los Tres has also recognized the influence of Stray Cats. In Argentina the band "Los Salvajes Rockabilly" includes a repertoire of his own songs and some versions in the Stray Cats style with a formation equal to that of the aforementioned group made up of the talented singer, guitarist and pianist "Bat-Mario" Fernandez.

In 2014 Drake Bell toured Mexico playing some songs by the Stray Cats.

On January 2, 2018, through their official page and on their social networks, they announce their return to the stage after 10 years of absence, they will reunite for their first North American performance on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in edition #21 of “Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend.” The original lineup of Stray Cats Brian Setzer, Lee Rocket and Slim Jim Phantom, expressed their excitement to step back on stage:

"There is something magical about a Stray Cats show, and Viva Las Vegas is the perfect event to experience that. Come and Rock this town! " -Brian Setzer

"Just a string bass, guitar and drum, Stray Cats are back to show you how it's done. 39 years after our first concerts, we are back! I can't wait to rock again with my brothers Brian and Slim".-Lee Rocker

"Happy and excited to be hitting the stage with the Cats at Viva Las Vegas. We're the Rockabilly Kings back to reclaim our throne!" -Slim Jim Phantom

On the occasion of the band's 40th anniversary in 2019, Stray Cats have released a new album entitled 40, the first in the studio after more than a quarter of a century..

Members

• Brian Setzer - Voice and Guitar
• Lee Rocker - Contrary
• Slim Jim Phantom - Battery

Discography

• Stray Cats (1981) (only in UK) - UK No. 6
• Gonna Ball (1981) (only in UK) - UK n.o 48
• Built for Speed (1982) (American debut - 11 themes extracted from the first two albums in UK in addition to the theme that gives it title not previously edited in the UK) - US No. 2
• Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats (1983) - US n° 14 / UK n° 51
• Rock Therapy (1986)- US No. 122
• Blast Off! (1989) - US n.o 111 / UK n.o 58
• Let's Go Faster! (19 December 1990)
• The Best of the Stray Cats: Rock This Town (1990)
• Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992)
• Original Cool (1993)
• Forever Gold (2002), St. Clair Entertainment; re-released 2007, Rock-A-Billy.
• Rumble in Brixton (2004)
• 40 (2019)
• Rocked This Town: From LA to London (2020)