Stray Cats Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock New Wave Alternative rock Jazz fusion Rockabilly Psychobilly rock-and-roll instrumental surf

Members

Select a Stray Cats band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Brian Setzer

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

The Brian Setzer Orchestra The Honeydrippers Brian Setzer '68 Comeback Special Brian Setzer & The Nashvillains Brian Setzer & Friends Brian Setzer and the Tomcats The Brian Setzer Trio Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot! Levi Dexter & The Ripchords Bloodless Pharaohs

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Lee Rocker

Roles:

Bassist

No gear added

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Tommy Byrnes

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Billy Joel Band

No gear added

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James McDonnell

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Jack Tars The Head Cat Col. Parker The Cheap Dates The Barnestormers

No gear added

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Bob Beecher

Groups:

Brian Setzer and the Tomcats

No gear added

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Gary Setzer

Groups:

Brian Setzer and the Tomcats Bloodless Pharaohs

No gear added

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About

Stray Cats is an American rockabilly band that revitalized the genre in the early 1980s with their energetic blend of rock-and-roll and punk attitudes. Originating from Massapequa, New York, the group was formed in 1979 by Brian Setzer (vocals, guitar), Lee Rocker (upright bass), and Slim Jim Phantom (drums). Their music, characterized by a modern take on the 1950s rockabilly sound, incorporates elements of rock, new wave, and jazz fusion. Known for their vibrant stage presence and retro style, Stray Cats became icons with hits like "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut," cementing their place in rock history.

How to Sound Like Stray Cats

Stray Cats capture a raw and lively sound that blends the punchy rhythm of rockabilly with the edge of punk rock. The sonic character of their music is both vibrant and rhythmic, driven by Setzer's distinctive guitar work, which often utilizes the Gretsch 6120 for its twangy, resonant tones. The Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B amp adds a warm, vintage tube-driven quality, crucial to their dynamic sound. Setzer's use of effects like the Roland RE-301 Chorus Echo contributes to their music's energetic depth, while Lee Rocker's slap bass and Slim Jim Phantom's minimalist drumming provide a tight, infectious groove. The Stray Cats' music thrives on a vintage yet modern vibe, making creative use of gear and techniques to deliver their unmistakable rockabilly flair.

Discography

Runaway Boys

1981

Built For Speed

1982

Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats

1983

Rock Therapy

1986

Blast Off

1989

Back To The Alley

1990

Choo Choo Hot Fish

1992

Runaway Boys: A Retrospective '81 To '92

1997

Hollywood Strut: The Unreleased Cuts

2000

Rumble in Brixton (Live)

2004

2019

Rocked This Town: From LA to London

2020

Get the Stray Cats Sound

Want to sound like Stray Cats? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.