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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSTRAY CATSUS rockabilly revival trio: vocalist, songwriter, guitarist Brian Setzer (b 10 April '59, NYC), Lee Rocker (b Lee Drucker) on bass, drummer Slim Jim Phantom (b James McDonnell) teamed '79 NYC, went to UK, where musical climate favoured them; Setzer previously played with Bloodless Pharaohs, who played on New Wave sampler Marty Thau Presents 2]multi[5, prod. by Blondie's Jimmy Destri. Cats' visual approach soon made headlines in scene looking for the next big thing after punk: Setzer's quiff, Rocker's twirling standup bass, Phantom's one-snare/one-cymbal kit played standing up were unusual to say the least. Signed by Arista; Dave Edmunds prod. 'Runaway Boys', 'Stray Cat Strut', 'Rock This Town' for UK hits '80--81: authentic-sounding rockabilly with New Wave edge. They backed Edmunds on 'The Race Is On', single from his Twangin' LP '81; opened for Rolling Stones on US tour; returned with heads held high: Eponymous '81 LP was top ten UK, sold well on import in USA, but self-produced Gonna Ball '82 missed Edmunds's painstaking touch; compilation of these as Built For Speed '82 made no. 2 USA; with MTV help, 'Rock This Town' was top ten there, 'Stray Cat Strut' no. 3. Rant'n'Rave '83 saw Edmunds back in prod. chair, but the novelty had worn off, Setzer unhappy with limitations of gimmick. They split; Rocker and Phantom stayed together, though Phantom's wedding with Britt Eckland made more headlines than link with ex-David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick as Phantom, Rocker and Slick (eponymous LP '85). Setzer's The Knife Feels Like Justice '86 had eleven of his songs, incl. 'Aztec', 'Maria', co-written with Mike Campbell (of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers), Steve Van Zandt respectively; band incl. guitarist Tommy Byrnes, Kenny Aaronson on bass, drummer Kenny Aronoff. The trio released Cover Girl '86; Rocker and Setzer appeared in TV tribute to Carl Perkins with George Harrison. Other albums, compilations etc on CD: Choo Choo Hot Fish on Pyramid/Rhino, Original Cool on Griffin, Rock This Town: Best Of on EMI; Setzer's Guitar Slinger on Interscope, The Brian Setzer Orchestra on Hollywood. |