Stray Cats at the Rooftop at Pier 17 (photograph by Ryan Muir) |
Stray Cats formed in 1979 in Massapequa, New York, a hamlet
on the south shore of Long Island. Setzer was 20 years old, his buddies were 18,
and together they would trek to New York City from the suburbs to catch the new
wave of punk rock bands that were pioneering a new music scene. From the
beginning, the trio sought to revive an early rock and roll sound by injecting
punk rock energy. Even the band’s wardrobe combined vintage rockabilly fashion
with tight black zipper trousers and modernized versions of 1950s hair styles,
complete with pompadours. MTV, which was just starting, embraced the visual
appeal and became a major factor in making Stray Cats famous.
Thanks in large part to MTV, Stray Cats achieved commercial
mainstream success in the early 1980s with “Rock This Town”, “Stray Cat Strut”
and “(She’s) Sexy + 17.” The hit songs ended there, yet the band continued to
record albums and tour until 1993. In 2019, the trio reunited to celebrate its
40th anniversary, releasing new songs for its first studio album in
26 years. In 2024, celebrating its 45th anniversary, Stray Cats
embarked on another tour, but this time with no new album in tow. The tour came
to the Rooftop at Pier 17.
Stray Cats at the Rooftop at Pier 17 (photograph by Ryan Muir) |
Stray Cats at the Rooftop at Pier 17 (photograph by Ryan Muir) |
Setzer has retained his smooth vocals and still stung when
he played lead guitar. While the evening’s repertoire included no songs from
the Brian Setzer Orchestra catalog, Rocker sang lead on “Miracle in Memphis”
from his solo output. Spinning his upright bass from stage left, Rocker also
sang on “When Nothing’s Going Right” and “Bring it Back Again.” Standing at
stage right, a lively Phantom likewise entertained from his post, where he drew
a driving percussive sound from a small drum kit. In the end, Stray Cats
demonstrated that the core of the band’s appeal is that the three musicians
have stuck to one sound and continue to do it well.
Stray Cats at the Rooftop at Pier 17 (photograph by Ryan Muir) |
Stray Cats at the Rooftop at Pier 17 (photograph by Ryan Muir) |
- Too Hip, Gotta Go
- Runaway Boys
- Double Talkin' Baby (Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps cover)
- Three Time's a Charm
- Stray Cat Strut
- Gene and Eddie
- Sweet Love on My Mind (Johnny Burnette cover)
- Miracle in Memphis (Lee Rocker song)
- Twenty Flight Rock (Eddie Cochran cover)
- Cry Baby
- The Train Kept A-Rollin' (Tiny Bradshaw cover)
- When Nothing's Going Right
- (She's) Sexy + 17
- Bring It Back Again
- Blast Off
- Summertime Blues (Eddie Cochran cover)
- Rockabilly Rules
- Fishnet Stockings
- Rock This Town
Encore
- Built for Speed
- Rumble in Brighton
Stray Cats at the Rooftop at Pier 17 (photograph by Ryan Muir) |
Stray Cats at the Rooftop at Pier 17 (photograph by Ryan Muir) |
***
The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's
live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All
photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted
otherwise.
For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."
For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's August calendar.
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