Photo by Russ Harrington
Rockabilly favorites Stray Cats — who achieved unlikely pop success in the New Wave era — this week announced 40th anniversary festivities that will include the trio’s first new studio album in 26 years and tours of the U.S. and Europe later this year.
Singer/guitarist Brian Setzer, double bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom reunited last year for their first performances in nearly a decade. Now they’ve recorded a a 12-song studio album, aptly titled 40, that will be released May 24 via Surfdog Records on CD, vinyl and digital formats.
The album also will be released in a limited-edition box set with two bonus tracks, a postcard, two stickers and two Stray Cats-themed coasters.
You can hear the first single off the album, “Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me),” below.
Setzer, in a press statement announcing the album, says:
“You have to understand how unique the Stray Cats are. It’s me playing an old hollow body guitar, Slim Jim playing two or three drums, and Lee Rocker slapping a stand-up acoustic bass. I get to write new songs and then play them with my buddies. Somehow we created a new and exciting sound with this simple idea. And you know what? A lot of people agree!”
The band will head out on tour this summer, playing concerts and festivals in the U.K. and Europe through June and July, with a nine-date U.S. run following that in August.
It’s not clear whether there will be more dates added.
Below, check out the tour dates, the album’s tracklist and hear the first single.
Stray Cats, 40
1. “Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)”
2. “Rock It Off”
3. “I’ve Got Love If You Want It”
4. “Cry Danger”
5. “I Attract Trouble”
6. “Three Time’s A Charm”
7. “That’s Messed Up”
8. “When Nothing’s Going Right”
9. “Desperado”
10. “Mean Pickin’ Mama”
11. “I’ll Be Looking Out For You”
12. “Devil Train”
13. “Cry Baby” (Live in Orange County, CA 2018) *
14. “Double Talkin’ Baby” (Live in Orange County, CA 2018) *
* Bonus tracks on box set only
Stray Cats tour dates
EUROPE
June 21: Azkena Rock Festival, Vitoria, Spain
June 23: 02 Academy, Birmingham, UK
June 25: 02 Apollo, Manchester, UK
June 26: Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK
June 27: Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK
June 29: Retro C Festival, Tilloly, France
July 1: AFAS Live, Amsterdam, Netherlands
July 3: Columbiahalle, Berlin, Germany
July 4: Palladium, Koln, Germany
July 6: American Tours Festival, Tours, France
July 7: Les Eurockeennes, Belfort, France
July 9: Killesberg, Suttgart, Germany
July 11: Zenith, Munich, Germany
July 12: X-Tra, Zurich, Switzerland
July 13: Musilac Festival, Aix Les Banes, France
July 18: Pori Jazz Festival, Pori, Finland
July 20: Summer Jamboree Festival, Falun, Sweden
UNITED STATES
Aug. 3: Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
Aug. 6: Pier 17, New York, NY
Aug. 13: Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA
Aug. 14: Rose Music Center, Huber Heights, OH
Aug. 15: Meijier Garden, Grand Rapids, MI
Aug. 18: Treasure Island Casino, Welch, MN
Aug. 26: Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City, UT
Aug. 28: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Aug. 31: Humphrey’s By the Bay, San Diego, CA
We love you here in Scotland as well you know Cats c’mon at least one Scottish date ?????
Atlanta, GA USA too loves ya!!! We don’t smell!!’
How about Indianapolis????
Come to Tampa, FL we have love for you here as well!
No Canada? fuck off.
Loving Stray Cats in Houston w/fellow Aries Brian Setzer. Y’all Rock
No gig in Chicago? Rats.
Hoping for more US dates! Come to Dallas/Fort Worth!
Nobody wants to go to Canada, Mick. Too cold and your Whitney’s blended so well, you know….
Marfa, Texas. The best place, come on down!
C’mon if you are coming to the U.K. it’s oniy a quick hop over to Ireland
Please add Seattle!