Kicking off their Stray Cats 40, 40th anniversary tour, on Friday, Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom gave Long Island a hell of a treat.
Hailing from Long Island’s Massapequa, which is just down the road, this special, SiriusXM, show was billed as a “Hometown Concert” which took place as Amityville New York’s Revolution Bar and Music Hall.
Upon arrival Revolution was decked out as the Stray Cats bar and after checking in, each person was given their Stray Cats event laminate and then, most, headed right to the bar.
A hot, humid evening was posed to get much hotter as the band came on stage kicking off a 90 minute set that spanned their 40 year career.
They included the hits people were wanting to hear like “Stray Cat Strut,” “(She’s) Sexy + 17,” “I Won’t Stand in Your Way” as well as their current single “Cat Fight (over a Dog Like Me)” from their recent album ‘”40″.
Brian Setzer took a couple of breaks to speak to the home town crowd even saying
“Rockabilly music may not be for everyone, but if you like it, we’re the best at it.”
He also mentioned that growing up in Massapequa Long Island they had wanted to play Past Times Pub (now Revolution) and that he and Lee Rocker arrived in a 57 Chevy to audition. He went on to say “We didn’t pass the audition, it’s OK because we’re here now.”
Setzer later joked to the crowd that “We’ll be here every Friday” before wrapping up their set with a few classics like “Fishnet Stockings” and, I believe ending the night with, “Rock This Town”.
The show seemed to be over and given it felt like 1000 degrees inside revolution we were quick to exit. However, given many people lingered it’s possible the boys just kept playing or came out to join the crowd.
I captured some cell phone pictures and video to share of this great evening of great music from three talented gentlemen. A special shout out to SiriusXM and their stations Outlaw County (channel 60), Underground Garage (channel 21) and 1st Wave (channel 33) for bring the cats home.
Being it’s been years since the Stray Cats have toured together it’s obvious they haven’t lost a beat. With a short tour ahead
AUG 03 – Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
AUG 06 – New York, NY Pier 17
AUG 13 – Vienna, VA Filene Center at Wolf Trap
AUG 14 – Huber Heights, OH Rose Music Center at The Heights
AUG 15 – Grand Rapids, MI Meijer Garden
AUG 18 – Welch, MN Treasure Island Casino
AUG 26 – Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
AUG 28 – Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
AUG 31 – San Diego, CA Humphrey’s By the Bay
SEP 01 – San Diego, CA Humphrey’s By The Bay
and no indication of more dates, at the moment, if you get a chance to see them make sure check them out. For more information:
Stray Cats – Official Website, Facebook, Instagram
