Cool Cats
For all of the funny fads that the eighties hosted, one of the coolest has to be the rockabilly revival. And situated right at the top of that back alley of rock and roll, had to be The Stray Cats.
Tattooed Teddy-Boys with quiffs coiffed to perfection, The Stray Cats achieved success in the UK before going back across the pond and kicking up a storm home in the States.
After something of a break, (some 12 years), 2004 saw The Stray Cats turn up their jeans, slick back their hair and return to stage. After playing to packed houses across Europe, The Stray Cats culminated the tour with the recording of a live DVD and CD at the Brixton Academy.
Apart from newly recorded "The Mystery Train Kept a Rollin'", the double CD sees those crazy cats strut their stuff in front of a live audience which appears to be as young in 2004 as it ever was! The great thing about rockabilly, is because it pays homage to American pop-culture of the 50s, it manages to paint a picture of days of yore without ever sounding dated. In fact "Rumble in Brixton" goes to show that The Stray Cats' music still appeals to the youth as well as having some fans who were there the first time round. Filmed as they leave the Brixton Academy, half of the audience wouldn't have even been born when the Stray Cats first burst onto the scene. Yet arm after arm is thrust in front of the camera adorned with the quiffed-cat logo tattoo.
Watching the behind the scenes footage on the DVD, it is pleasing to see that the image that so defined the Cats in their early years, has remained. They are so true to the scene you realise as you watch Brian Setzer customise one of his many guitars with Triumph stickers and Vegas casino dice.
There's even some early footage on here. The shots from the video to "Stray Cat Strut" show just how well these guys have aged. Interestingly, the viewers are also invited behind the scenes to observe the goings on behind the scenes as they return to the studio to record "The Midnight Train Kept a Rollin'" in LA. It's amazing seeing Slim Jim Phantom dancing as he stands up to play the drums and Lee Rocker's double-bass playing is just phenomenal.
Truly a pleasure to watch and listen to, The Stray Cats make you wanna dance like you wouldn't believe! Perhaps this DVD and CD marks the start of a new chapter in the Cat's career. Even if it doesn't, both serve as a testament to a great band who sound as good now as they ever did. I'm hoping that this isn't the last we've heard from The Stray Cats. But for the time being...."Sit right back you rockin' cats and just enjoy the show!"