|
|||
|
|||
 |
|||
|
MP3 Exclusives |
|||
|
New Arrivals |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
|
Alt-Country Alternative Blues Electronic Jambands Jazz Metal Pop Punk R&B Rap/Hip Hop Reggae Rock |
|||
|
|||
 |
|||
|
Top Downloads Features Archive Contests Control Panel MUSICBLITZ Alert! |
|||
|
|||
 |
|||
| METALBLITZ REGGAEBLITZ BLUESBLITZ Musician's Friend |
|||
|
|||
 |
|||
| Alt-Country Alternative Blues Electronic Jambands Jazz Hip Hop Metal Pop Punk R&B Reggae Rock |
|||
|
|||
 |
|||
|
Getting Started Free Players |
|||
|
|||
|
Welcome ! |
|
 |
 |
Stray Cats Back in the early '80s during the roots rock revivalism of bands like the Blasters and Rockpile, the Stray Cats rode the wave of nostalgia to its most profitable end with the band's homage to the feel-good rock & roll of the '50s. Indeed, it's been argued much of what we now consider rockabilly stems more from the Stray Cats than, say, Eddie Cochran or Gene Vincent. The stand-up bass slapping, the mile-high pompadour hair-dos, the fun-loving lyrics concerning girls, cars and rock & roll … they all may be cliches by now, but they're cliches owned by the Stray Cats. Formed in 1979 by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer, drummer Slim Jim Phantom (born James MacDonnell) and bassist Lee Rocker (born Lee Drucher), the Cats turned back to the past and played up-tempo, high-spirited retro rock that served as a slap in the face to the dour punk and faceless disco scenes. The band found their initial success in Europe, releasing a pair of albums in England -- their 1981 self-titled debut, and 1982's Gonna Ball, both produced Rockpile's Dave Edmunds. The best tracks from these two records were released in the States as Built for Speed in 1983 on EMI America. The album, which featured the mega hit "Rock This Town," made the Stray Cats an instant success with young listeners, both for the band's infectious energy and their MTV-ready, retro-greaser look (ducktails, tattoos, rolled-up jeans). The Cats record a couple more albums and scored a few more hits, notably "Stray Cat Strut" and "(She's) Sexy and 17," but by 1984 the gimmick had worn thin with listeners and the band members went their separate ways. Seltzer, Phantom and Rocker all tried solo projects but were never able to catch that original fire. The Cats got back together for 1994's poorly received Choo Choo Hot Fish, but the spark -- and their time in the sun -- was gone. The group split up again soon after. All three members were involved in the ‘90s retro-lounge craze, with Seltzer finding the most success with his swing-oriented Brian Setzer Orchestra. He collaborated with Clash co-founded Joe Strummer for 1996's Guitar Slinger, combining jazz and jump blues, and released a pair of solo albums, 1998's Dirty Boogie and Vavoom! earlier this year. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
| Stray Cats |
|
Rock This Town | WinMedia |  |
Rock | |||
| Rockabilly revivalists the Stray Cats get the cats and kittens a-swingin' and, indeed, this town's a-rockin'. |
||||||||
| Privacy Policy | Company | Contact | Press | Jobs |
©1999-2001 MUSICBLITZ. All right reserved.