Stray Cats - Stray Cats (35th anniversary)

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the self-titled 1981 debut album from the Stray Cats. Released only in the UK, it peaked at number 6 on the charts. Some of the tracks would appear later in the band's 1982 release Built For Speed, a compilation of their first two records.

For more on Stray Cats the album, click here.

For more from the Stray Cats the band, click here.

Stray Cats - Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats

Today (August 22nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Rant N’ Rave with the Stray Cats, the third studio album from rockabilly band from Massapequa, New York. This one from Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom charted at number 51 in the UK and number 14 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart.

Stray Cats - Built For Speed

Released on this day thirty years ago (June 7th, 1982), Built For Speed was the first album by the Stray Cats released in the United States. The group had released two albums prior in the UK in 1981, Stray Cats and Gonna Ball. This release was a compilation album that took tracks from both of those records (six from the first, five from the second) to present to the American audience.

This turned out to be a great move. Built For Speed went to number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 200. It also produced two top-10 hits singles on the US Billboard charts.

Stray Cats - Stray Cats

Happy fifty-third birthday today (April 10th) to American guitarist, singer and songwriter Brian Setzer.

Hailing from Massapequa, NY, Setzer formed a band in 1979 along with Lee Rocker (playing the upright bass) and Slim Jim Phantom (on drums). As the Stray Cats, the trio played in a rockabilly style based upon artists from the 1950’s including Carl Perkins and Bill Haley & His Comets. While performing their act around the New York City area, they attracted attention of both studios and other recording artists. Dave Edmunds worked with the group and got them signed to Arista Records.