The Stray Cats played their first L.A. area shows in two years at Yaamava Casino in July. This tour had been postponed from last year as Brian Setzer had serious illness and autoimmune disorder, naturally affecting his playing. Previously, they had played the Pacific Amphitheater at the O.C. Fair in 2024, and that was part of their first tour post COVID. In 2019, the Stray Cats embarked on their first U.S. tour since 2007, and played the Greek Theater. They also played Europe for the first time since 2008 for their 40th anniversary. In 2018, the Stray Cats reunited for the first time since 2009, playing four shows.
The trio formed in 1979 with Brian Setzer (guitar, vocals), Lee Rocker (bass), and Slim Jim Phantom (drums), and they became the Stray Cats in '83. Some say they revived rockabilly. At this show, the Stray Cats played a set of 22 songs including covers of artists that influenced them such as Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Johnny Kidd, Dorsey Burnette, Santo & Johnny, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, and Elvis Presley. The show kicked off with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates’ “Please Don’t Touch” and included hits like “Stray Cat Strut,” “Bring It Back Again,” “Fishnet Stockings” “Rock This Town,” and a three song encore of Elvis’s “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Hound Dog” (original Big Mama Thornton), and the title track of their biggest album Built for Speed.
As always, the stage was very simple with their neon sign behind with their name and cat logo, two trash cans, and amps. Rocker played three upright basses, Setzer played several of his signature Gretsch guitars, and Phantom played a simple drum set of bass, snare, and two cymbals plus a floor to and addition cymbal this tour. The Stray Cats are all about the music, and they always put on a rocking show.
This part of the tour concludes August 16th in Atlantic City, NJ then starts again November 9th in Grand Prairie, TX and ends December 6th in Mashantucket, CT.
