Stray Cats: rockabilly reviews, highlights and essential works

Stray Cats

Musical Group

Forfans of rockabilly, roots rock, vintage rock ’n’ roll, and guitar-driven music.
3 Reviews 2 Definitions 1 Charts

The Profile

Stray Cats are an American rockabilly trio formed in 1979 in Long Island, New York by Brian Setzer (guitar, vocals), Lee Rocker (double bass) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums). They broke out in the UK with their 1981 debut and hits like Runaway Boys, Rock This Town and Stray Cat Strut, becoming flag-bearers of the early-’80s rockabilly revival.

Formed 1979 in Long Island by Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom; found success in England, signed to Arista, released Stray Cats (1981); signature songs include Runaway Boys, Rock This Town and Stray Cat Strut.

The reviews hail Stray Cats as standard-bearers of the rockabilly revival, bursting from the London club circuit with 1981’s debut. Their sound blends 1950s roots with punk-era bite, led by Brian Setzer’s virtuoso guitar, Lee Rocker’s slapping bass and Slim Jim Phantom’s stripped-down drums. Gonna Ball is praised as underrated yet vibrant; Rock Therapy as lean, no-frills rock’n’roll. Signature cuts like Runaway Boys, Rock This Town and Stray Cat Strut loom large.

Notable Quotes

❝ Success came almost immediately, thanks to the first single, “Runaway Boys,” a true anthem to burned youth.

❝ Setzer manages to give a new color, a breath of originality to every track on the album, thanks to a crystal-clear technique, dizzying and engaging solos, along with an extremely versatile and clean shouter voice, especially on high notes.

❝ This 1986 album, “Rock Therapy”, is truly what the title suggests, a therapy of simple, straightforward rock’n’roll without unnecessary frills or sophistication.