Stray Cats

There are some artists who become the personification of their genre. They represent everything good about that type of music to such an extent that most other acts simply sound derivative. When it comes to rockabilly, it's undoubtedly Stray Cats who define the sound.
Formed in 1979 while the rest of the world was lost in an ocean of synthesisers, Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom perfected the rockabilly formula. Over the years they recorded countless classics but, quite simply, if you haven't seen them live you'll never know what truly gifted musicians they are. In a sold out Brixton Academy, the Stray Cats sound as fresh now as they ever did. Setzer's guitar sizzles as he picks out flawless licks and howls to the roof with a passion and rawness that belies his age. The rhythm sections seamlessly slips between the effortless cool 'Stray Cat Strut' and the psychobilly aggression of 'Rumble in Brighton'. (With an obligatory lyric change to 'Rumble in Brixton' on the last chorus) The band blast through old classics like 'Gene & Eddy' and 'Ubangi Stomp' with a swagger and energy reminiscent of glory days of rock n' roll. The slower numbers such as 'Summer Nights' give a chance for Setzer to show off how rich his voice has become with age as 4000 leather jacketed fans sway along.
All this comes before an encore including covers of 'Twenty Flight Rock' and 'That's Alright Mama'. The final number is a wild version of 'Please Don't Touch' where Lee Rocker mounts his double bass like a possessed rock n' roll gargoyle as Setzer leaps across the stage monitors with an enormous grin on his face.

I had the pleasure to see them in '83 at the US Festival in California. It was the '80s Woodstock, they played their 2nd album to 200,000+ before it was released. The 3-day line up was incredible, just google the bands and videos. When the cats started their first song all of the fringes of the crowd went to the stage for the first time making the food vendor area a ghost town. I know, I was the Icce vendor dude... The reviews said that they were the highlight of the event...

Incredible show. Three musicians really showcased their talent instrumentally, vocally, and with lots of energy. I would definitely recommend to any fan of theirs or those who love the rockabilly beat! Well worth the price to herd these cats!

Amazing time. First time I have seen them live, band were brilliant, boyfriend has seen them many times before and still says they have what it takes and would love to follow them around at each live concert.