The Stray Cats is an American group formed in 1979 in Massapequa by a trio of Brian Setzer, singer, Lee Rocker, bassist and Slim Jim Phantom on drums.
Strongly influenced by Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Bill Haley, among others, this group appeared at the end of the 70s under various names like "The Tomcats", "The Teds", "Bryan and the Tom Cats" before finally taking the name of "Stray cats".
Having little recognition in the USA, the group quickly moved to England in the early 80s.
The first album, from the name of the group, was released in 1981 and it was a phenomenal success, in particular thanks to the now cult "Runaway boys" and "Rock this town".
An unprecedented rockabilly wave sweeps across the planet.
The second album “Gonna ball”, much more oriented Rhythm & Blues, was released in the process. The criticism is good but the public, distraught by this sudden change, does not follow.
In 1982, the group crossed the Atlantic to get a new lease of life with a compilation of the first two albums, but the mayonnaise was medium.
Back to Rockabilly roots in 1983 with the album "Rant n’ rave" but it's too late, the surge "banana/gomina" is over, it's another failure.
The group did not recover and separated in 1984.
This group, unique in its genre, will have made an impression both by the "offbeat" look of its members, as well as by the quality and above all the extraordinary rhythm of certain songs today which have entered the musical legend of the 80s.
To discover or rediscover.
Discography (among others ...) :
• Runaway boys 1980
• Rock this town 1981
• Stray cats strut 1981
• You don't believe me 1981
• Baby blue eyes 1982
• Rebels rule 1983
• Sexy and 17 1983
• I won’t stand in your way 1983
• Look at that Cadillac 1984
• Reckless 1985
• Bring it back again 1989
• Gina 1989
• Elvis on Velvet 1992
• Can't help falling in love 1993
• Mystery train kept a rollin' 2004
• Cat fight 2019
• Rock it off 2019
• Where nothing's going right 2019
• Desperado 2019
Clips :
1980 ... the visual and sound shock ! The breaker Rock'A'Billy 80s version is on and the least we can say is that it pulsates !
1981 ... one would have thought that the group would last only the time of a title ... No no no. They reoffend directly in stride and offer them their first planetary hit !
1981 ... which will remain as their highest ranked title of all. A decidedly unique style, completely against the current trends but that hits the target every time !
1981 ... the 3rd hit of the year. Certainly less prestigious than the first 2 but still hit ! A dynamic of success that does not weaken, it's clear
1982 ... not much to chew on that year. After a totally euphoric year in 1981, we will have to be satisfied with this single single. Rock'A'Billy pure juice guaranteed anyway !
1983 ... after a not very prolific year 1982, we find them in great shape in this year 1983. The proof with this title which spins at the speed of light
1983 ... a sound coming from another time and which, thanks to them, finds a 2nd unexpectedly unexpected youth. New mega hit with a direct ticket for posterity as a bonus. HU-GE !
1983 ... a tender break that smells of the 60s. Versatility worthy of the greatest and above all a Crooners fashion that suits them perfectly !
1984 ... new year with one title. The Straycatsmania is starting to run out of steam but for the moment, the group is holding up rather well in this decade 100 % electronic sounds. Hope it lasts ...
1986 ... after an empty year 1985, the group returns in this year 1986 in a more than average form. Result of the races : this title will pass completely under the radars ...
1989 ... return of the big form at the end of this decade even if the mayonnaise takes less and less. Rock'A'Billy fashion is back again and the group can no longer create the event as it did at the start ...
1989 ... the last hit of the decade. But also the very last hit. The group will not survive the passage of the 90s ...
1992 ... a last little title as a farewell, almost 10 years after their breathtaking debut. The circle is complete as we say ...
1993 ... and it is not this luxury cover of the title of Elvis Presley dating from 1961 which will reverse the course of fate. The copy is of quality but cannot match the original, that's clear !
2004 ... they will attempt the transition to the 2000 decade but this will not work again. When it doesn't want anymore, it doesn't want anymore ...
2019... when we thought the case was definitely over, here they are back in an unexpected way 15 years later. It's the basic fans who will be happy...
2019...certainly, we are not going to lie to each other, the best years are behind them. But what they offer today is far from being devoid of internet, that's for sure...
2019...they won't have changed anything since their debut, whether it's style or sound. Too bad because there may be something to do with the modern sounds ...
2019... they will have played it nostalgia until the end. On the other hand, it's a bit late to change them into anything...
Wiki :
Official Website :
Greatest Hits :
Discography :