Formed Long Island, New York, 1979; disbanded, 1984; reformed several times since. If Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and Carl Perkins engaged in a drunken mènage à trois and produced a musical offspring, the Stray Cats would be it. Formed in Long Island, New York during the late 70s, the band consisted of three high school friends. With Brian Setzer on guitar, Slim Jim Phantom (born James McDonnell) on drums and Lee Rocker (born Lee Drucher) on standup bass, the Stray Cats plowed some of the same fertile ground as their influences. The unit's sound was not some reanimated zombie from the '50s, though. There was a punk/new wave insurrection happening in New York at the time.
The Stray Cats threw this into the mix and the resultant voodoo stew of neo-rockabilly was distilled into pure pop. The trio soon relocated to the United Kingdom, where pre-Buddy Holly rock n roll has never quite gone out of style. Some well received gigs brought them quick notoriety. Soon they were taken under Dave Edmund's wing. Roots rocker Edmunds would produce much of their subsequent work. In 1981 they released their debut album Stray Cats in Britian. Dusting off some rockabilly chestnuts and brewing up a batch of strong originals, the Stray Cats served notice that they delivered the real McCoy. Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker were an adequate rhythm section, but Brian Setzer's crackling guitar was defenitely the focus. Further, Setzer was capable of conjuring every rockabilly vocal trick in the book, from hiccups to growls.
The Stray Cats soon issued another LP of classy songs and they returned to their homeland to crack the all-important American market, gaining exposure by opening for the Rolling Stones on their "Tattoo You" tour. The trio also appeared on the American television show, Fridays.
Finally in 1982, the trio released their first album in the States, Built For Speed. Taking the best tracks off their two British LPs, the album sold well. It garnered additional attention from its two hit singles, "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut." Both songs were made into videos for airtime on the fledgling MTV video station. This ploy helped the album make a solid dent in the American charts. Built For Speed was rounded out by a dead-on Eddie Cochran cover, "Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie" and the menacing "Rumble In Brighton."
In 1983, the Stray Cats delivered another strong original "(She's) Sexy And 17" as a single. Hot on the heels of the 45's success, they released Rant N' Rave. The album contained the trio's best song "How Long You Wanna Live, Anyway?" Another album cut, "I Won't Stand In Your Way" was subsequently released as a single. The novelty of '50s rock n roll was wearing thin, however and by the end of 1984, the Stray Cats were no more. Setzer went on to a lukewarm solo career while Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker trudged onwards with their own band. The Stray Cats have reformed several times since. None of their subsequent albums have captured the enthusiasm of the early recordings, though. In the 90s, Setzer has achieved some success by fronting a big band, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, which has cashed in on the swing craze.
RUNAWAY BOYS: A RETROSPECTIVE '81-92 (1997; EMI) This is the one and only pit stop a hot rod rockabilly fan need make. Containing their hit singles, strong albums cuts and a few rarities, this compilation is essential. The only quibble is the failure to include their best song, the ferocious "How Long You Wanna Live, Anyway?"
