Earlier this year, the Stray Cats announced the upcoming release of a new 40th anniversary album, appropriately titled 40, and tour. Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom—the original founding members of the American band—recorded the album, their first in 25 years, in Nashville.
The album, produced by Peter Collins (Rush, Bon Jovi, the Brian Setzer Orchestra) was released on Surfdog Records on May 24. Order it here.
The group, known for hits such as “Stray Cat Strut,” “(She’s) Sexy + 17” and “Rock This Town,” have also announced a summer tour. (See dates below).
Watch “Rock it Off”
The trio last year played their first North American shows in 10 years, with four concerts including sold-out headlining shows at Viva Las Vegas and the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Related: A look back at the Stray Cats’ debut album
Said Setzer, “You have to understand how unique the Stray Cats are. It’s me playing an old hollow body guitar, Slim Jim playing two or three drums, and Lee Rocker slapping a stand-up acoustic bass. I get to write new songs and then play them with my buddies. Somehow we created a new and exciting sound with this simple idea. And you know what? A lot of people agree!”
The Stray Cats (from L-R): Lee Rocker, Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom (Photo: Russ Harrington; used with permission)
Phantom added, “We’re very, very focused when we get into the studio, it didn’t feel like a long time had passed since we had done this, it felt very natural and familiar. We were all in a row with everyone watching each other, so it felt like a gig in the set-up. We really embraced that a little bit for the album, it’s like an old way of making records. The modern is meeting the vintage, which has always been our inspiration.”
Listen to “Three Time’s a Charm”
40 Track Listing
Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)
Rock It Off
I’ve Got Love If You Want It
Cry Danger
I Attract Trouble
Three Time’s a Charm
That’s Messed Up
When Nothing’s Going Right
Desperado
Mean Pickin’ Mama
I’ll Be Looking Out For You
Devil Train
Watch the band and album producer Peter Collins in the studio discussing the making of the album.
And Rocker said, “This new album really feels like the first record we did, it’s really natural and comfortable. For the recording, we went live–like doing a gig, we recorded in a real, organic way. We were all in one room standing next to each other recording live, with the amps turned up to 10, it captured the undefinable things that happen when a band is great, it captured the magic that takes place and an undefined spark.”
Listen to “Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)”
Stray Cats 2019 Tour (Tickets are available here and here)
6/21 Vitoria, Spain – Azkena Rock Festival
6/23 Birmingham, UK – Birmingham O2Academy
6/25 Manchester, UK – Manchester O2 Apollo
6/26 London, UK – London Eventim Apollo
6/27 London, UK – London Eventim Apollo
6/29 Tilloloy, France – Retro C Trop
7/01 Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
7/03 Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
7/04 Cologne, Germany – Palladium
7/06 Tours, France – American Tours Festival
7/07 Belfort, France – Les Eurockeennes
7/09 Stuttgart, Germany – Killesberg
7/11 Munich, Germany – Zenith
7/13 Aix-Les-Bains, France – Musilac Festival
7/18 Pori, Finland Pori – Jazz Festival
7/20 Falun, Sweden – Summer Jamboree-Falun
8/03 Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Resort Casino-Ovation Hall
8/06 New York, NY – Pier 17 at South Street Seaport
8/13 Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap
8/14 Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center
8/15 Grand Rapids, MI – Meijer Garden
8/18 Welch, MN Treasure – Island Casino
8/26 Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden
8/28 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
8/31 San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
Watch the Stray Cats perform in Vegas in April 2018
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationFinally. Yes!!! Been aching to see them for ages. Great news!!
another Mike L …HELL YES!!!