“Stray Cat Strut” isn’t just a song; it’s an anthem of cool, a rockabilly riff that has resonated for decades. Born from the vibrant streets of Long Island and honed in the rebellious spirit of London’s late 70s music scene, the story of how this iconic track came to be is as captivating as the song itself. Through the voices of Stray Cats’ frontman Brian Setzer and drummer Slim Jim Phantom, we delve into the origins of “Stray Cat Strut” and the journey of a band that brought rockabilly roaring back.
Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Roots and the Birth of Stray Cats
For Brian Setzer, the soundscape of his childhood was far from the dungeons and dragons of prog rock. His father, a Korean War veteran, introduced him to the raw energy of rockabilly pioneers. “Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash,” Setzer recalls, painting a picture of his early influences. “Rockabilly was dead in America by then, but we lived for the music and the whole lifestyle.” This passion ignited a fire in young Setzer, drawing him to the vintage cars, motorcycles, fashion, and above all, the music itself. In a 1979 music scene dominated by other genres, Setzer and his band, initially called the Tomcats, stood apart, ready to revive a forgotten sound.
London Calling: Finding Their Audience and Dave Edmunds
Seeking a scene that resonated with their rockabilly spirit, the Tomcats ventured across the Atlantic to London. Their early days were a testament to their dedication. “Our first show was at the Fulham Greyhound, opening for the Fabulous Poodles,” Setzer recounts. The burgeoning London music scene, however, proved welcoming. Fortuitously, Pete Farndon of The Pretenders was in attendance, forging an immediate bond with the band. Help came from unexpected corners, including Ronnie Lane of the Faces, who offered them shelter. A pivotal moment arrived when Dave Edmunds, a rock and roll luminary, saw their performance. “[Dave Edmunds] grabbed me by the hand at the Venue and said: ‘Let me produce you before someone else ruins you,’” Setzer remembers, marking the beginning of a crucial partnership.
The Genesis of “Stray Cat Strut”
The magic of “Stray Cat Strut” sparked in a familiar, unglamorous setting: Setzer’s garage in Long Island. At just 18, he envisioned a song with a different tempo. “I wanted something slower than our other songs,” he explains. More than just a tune, it was a reflection of their lives. “It’s about us three guys, and the lives we were living.” The band’s name itself underwent a transformation during their London period. “At that point, we were still called the Tomcats, but it became ‘stray’ when we went to London, because we had wandered.”
The lyrics of “Stray Cat Strut” are laced with playful imagery. “I sang ‘Black and orange stray cat sittin’ on a fence’ because I had a black and orange cat sticker on my guitar,” Setzer reveals. The “feline Casanova” line further solidified the song’s cool cat persona, an idea partly inspired by the cartoon series Top Cat. The unforgettable guitar solo, a defining feature of the song, was born spontaneously. “I played the guitar solo out of thin air, on the spot, probably thinking: ‘I wanna to do something that will bend your ear, something unexpected.’” Its lasting impact still surprises him. “It’s crazy that it’s become one of the most famous solos ever. It must have taken me 30 seconds.”
Slim Jim Phantom’s Rockabilly Transformation and London Arrival
Slim Jim Phantom’s introduction to rockabilly was transformative, shaping his image and drumming style. “When I first heard rockabilly, I sprayed my hair with Elnette into a quiff so hard it felt frozen,” Phantom laughs. Thrift store finds completed the look, solidifying their commitment to the rockabilly aesthetic. The band’s visual presentation was as crucial as their sound, drawing inspiration from Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps. Phantom adopted the stand-up drumming style of Dickie Harrell, only to later learn it was a stage prop. “Years later he told me: ‘I only did it for the photos, man.’”
Despite local indifference in Long Island, Stray Cats felt a kinship with the burgeoning British youth culture, fueled by the UK music press. This connection inspired “Rumble in Brighton,” a song written before they even set foot in England. Their arrival in London confirmed their instincts. “We got on a plane wearing all our gear and found this whole counterculture in London.”
Wildfire in London and the Rise to Fame
London embraced Stray Cats with open arms. Their early gigs attracted a who’s who of the punk and new wave scene. “The original group of people that came to see us included Chrissie Hynde, Joe Strummer, Lemmy and Glen Matlock – a gang of all the hipsters in London.” Critical acclaim soon followed, propelling them into the spotlight.
Their meteoric rise included encounters with rock royalty. “The Rolling Stones all came to see us and poured us champagne,” Phantom recalls. Though a deal with Rolling Stones Records was close, they ultimately signed with Arista, reuniting with Dave Edmunds. Edmunds’ production captured their raw energy while giving them a contemporary edge. Their first hit, “Runaway Boys,” mirrored their own journey. “[Runaway Boys] documented what we were going through. It didn’t sound like an old rockabilly record but had the same essence: a song you could crank up on a car radio.” And then there was “Stray Cat Strut,” a song with a “more feline sound,” its name a playful homage to Elvis Presley, the “hillbilly cat,” and the early rock and rollers’ camaraderie. Ironically, despite their feline-inspired anthem, Phantom reveals, “we were all dog people.”
“Stray Cat Strut” became more than just a hit; it became synonymous with Stray Cats and the rockabilly revival they spearheaded. From a Long Island garage to global stages, the song’s journey mirrors the band’s own improbable and exhilarating rise to fame, all sparked by a love for a timeless sound and a black and orange cat sticker.
