The Toy Box: Stray Cats

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Retro Spins: Stray Cats - Blast Off!

Unlike their previous album, 1986's Rock Therapy, recorded solely to fulfill their contractual obligation with EMI, Blast Off! was a true reunion effort for Stray Cats. They wanted to recapture that spark and moment in time where they were relevant, and further revive the rockability scene. Sadly, that ship had long sailed, and the album was met with minimal fanfare.

It's the last album on my journey with them through the 80's, and I suppose there's no reason to really delay getting into it. So, let's go!

I think I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder when firing this one up. A sense of, "Why do I have to listen to this?" Like as if somehow it was the band's fault.

I got over this relatively quickly as I was kicked in the face with a hard guitar riff and the band shouting, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast off!" The title track was in full delivery mode, and this was followed by the equally good, Gina.

From there, the momentum stayed high, but the songs fell into mediocre familiar sounds of the band. I will say that the track, Gene And Eddie was rather creative for its mix of various classic hits, combined to create the Stray Cats own tribute song.

What seemed odd, almost annoying, was the lyrics to many of the songs needing to shoehorn the word "rockability" into them. It's as is the band wanted to make the point that their music was a tribute to the style of the 50's, but then even when this was obvious, and you got it, they needed to then repeatedly hammer you over the head with it, as if you'd forget the moment they stopped reminding you.

Overall, it was just okay at the end of the day. Nothing to really write home about, but nothing the pan and complain about either. Am I a fan of Stray Cats at the end of my journey? Nah, not really.

The band released a handful of albums in the 90's, Let's Go Faster (1990), Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992), and Original Cool (1993), but then went on hiatus again. They'd reunite again in 2013 for their last studio album to date, 40. They do remain active to this day, periodically putting on shows.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 17, 1983

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 17, 1988

Retro Spins: Stray Cats - Rock Therapy

Stray Cats disbanded in 1983, something which founding member Brian Setzer tried repeatedly to justify, but would come back together in 1986 to record their fourth (overall) studio album, Rock Therapy. Despite receiving relatively good reviews, the album wouldn't be very successful outside of the USA, nor would i push enough units to obtain any sales certifications. Additionally, neither single, I'm A Rocker, and Reckless, would chart.

It's not uncommon for bands to break up, reunite, break up again, reunite, and so on. So, while it wasn't that odd that the Stray Cats would do it, before you get excited and say, "They missed each other," know that the only reason Rock Therapy was recorded was to fulfill the band's record contract with EMI. Perhaps this explains the album being overloaded with cover tracks, vs. original material from the boys. Minimal effort. Get in, get out, get back to our solo efforts.

Well...this is a bit of a downer note to start on. It certainly doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies. Thank goodness it's only around thirty-five minutes long.

Honestly, this can be a relatively short and sweet one. Rock Therapy offered me nothing. The whole effort felt phoned in. It was obvious the band didn't care, so frankly, why should I?

I didn't.

By track five I found myself saying in my head, "Why is this thing still on?" Candidly, it was boring. Beyond that, I don't have anything else to say about this one.

Upon the release of Rock Therapy, the band would once again take a hiatus, not reuniting again until 1989's Blast Off! Though it would be their last album of the decade, it would also set the stage for three (fairly) consecutive albums in the 90s, Let's Go Faster (1990), Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992), and Original Cool (1993). It would be another twenty-six years before they would reform, and release 2013's 40.

We're way ahead of the game at this point though. First and foremost (tomorrow), we need to get through 1989's Blast Off! See you then.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 16, 1989

Retro Spins: Stray Cats - Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats

Things were on a rapid uphill climb for those kooky 50's crooners known as Stray Cats. Though their first and second albums were limited to where they were released, based on their sales, the compilation Built For Speed was put together, creating their first official US release.

Built For Speed went multi platinum, boosting the Cats popularity across the globe, and launching them into stardom. Looking to capitalize, the boys returned to the studio to record and release their third studio album, but only second in the US, Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats (1983).

Despite going platinum, Rant failed to perform to the level expected, underperforming Built For Speed. It did, however, spawn the top ten hit, (She's) Sexy + 17, and the top forty hit, I Won't Stand In Your Way.

The problem with playing back to back albums from a band is that fatigue starts to set in. The ears can only take so much. It's because of this that my review of the album may be a bit biased.

Overall, it's just more of the same. There doesn't appear to be any "growth" from the band in their three years of working together. Though, I may not be the only one to feel this way.

Upon hearing it, Robert Christgau of The Village Voice stated that despite his improved guitar playing, Brian Setzer was a poor songwriter and "A preening panderer, mythologizing his rockin' '50s with all the ignorant cynicism of a punk poser". Well, that's not very friendly.

Overall, I take (She's) Sexy + 17 with a grain of salt. It's not among my favorites, but rather falls more so in the category of, "Yeah, I know that song." As for the rest of it, it's passable for me. In fact, at this point, I'm also going to take a bit of a break before diving into the groups remaining albums from the 80's. Of course, for you, the reader, that means nothing. Despite the time I take away from them, tomorrow will still see me diving into the next album.

As for Stray Cats, success started to take its toll on the band, resulting in conflict amongst the individual members. Slim Jim Phantom would get married around this time, while Brian Setzer went on to work with other notable acts, such as Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, and Robert Plant. They'd come back together in 1984, adding new member, Tommy Byrnes on guitar and harmony vocals.

However, after completing a tour of the US and Europe, Setzer would make the decision to disband the group, resulting in animosity from the other members. Setzer would frequently attempt to justify his decision in the interviews which followed, stating that while he had enjoyed the five years with the Cats, he, "Got bored with it. In the last year I stopped getting that feeling, that great kick that twisted in my gut."

Setzer would embark on a solo career, forming a new band, Brian Setzer & the Radiation Ranch. Meanwhile, Phantom and Lee Rocker would join up with David Bowie Guitarist, Earl Slick to form Phantom, Rocker & Slick. Despite this, things weren't done and over for Stray Cats. They would reunite in 1986 to record the album, Rock Therapy, which as noted above, we'll talk about tomorrow, despite my taking my own hiatus from the band.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 15, 1984

Retro Spins: Stray Cats - Gonna Ball

Hot on the heels of their 1981 self-titled debut, the Stray Cats released their follow up, Gonna Ball. Whereas their debut saw massive success, and spawned multiple chart singles in the UK, their second album didn't fare as well. While the single, You Don't Believe Me would chart in the UK, it would peak at fifty-seven, a far cry from the top ten hits their debut spawned.

Playing through it, Gonna Ball essentially offers a carbon copy of their self-titled debut. In fact, it could have easily been a double LP album released as part of it. This, however, is not necessarily a bad thing.

Amongst the various songs, I found some new tunes to tap my toes to, and ultimately add to my shuffle list. These included, Baby Blue Eyes, Wasn't That Good, Cryin' Shame, You Don't Believe Me, Gonna Ball, and the awesome instrumental, Wicked Whisky.

The same "problem" I had with their debut is what I found myself experiencing here. While the songs are good, they start to all mesh together, sounding the same from track to track. It was so bad that at one point I didn't even know what song I was listening to.

But again, I did enjoy listening to the album. It was another nice entry into the rockability 50's style. Additionally, unlike their prior release, it also avoided the pitfalls of combining elements of punk. Basically, it was straight up malt shop rock and roll.

Despite its lackluster release, combined sales of both their first and second album were sufficient for EMI America to compile a selection of tracks from both, six from their debut, and five from Gonna Ball, to create the compilation, Built For Speed. This would serve as the band's debut album in the USA.

This was followed up in 1983 with their third album, second in the US, Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats. You'll catch me there next time...you know, tomorrow. So far, so good.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 14, 1985

Retro Spins: Stray Cats - Stray Cats

A little bit of trickery helped keep the Stray Cats on the scene, and it's quite comical the way they went about it.

The band was formed in 1979 by New Yorker's Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker (AKA Leon Drucker), and Slim Jim Phantom (AKA James McDonnell). Engrossed in the end of disco, the rise of punk, and synth pop on the horizon, the Stray Cats took a different approach, ignoring them all. They would focus their sound on the roackbility style of 50's rock, keeping the spirit of rock alive, while also continuing to shape the genre, specifically through their massive hit, Rock This Town.

Though they were building a steady following around their local area, the boys found themselves facing a challenge with club owners who didn't want to promote repeat acts. To get around this, the three would change their name from show to show to trick owners into booking them for consecutive nights. These included names like The Tomcats, The Teds, Bryan And The Tom Cats, and so on. The would continue to use a cats moniker in their names, a somewhat inside way of allowing fans to know it was them, while duping various owners around town to keep hiring them.

When the boys heard of the teddy boy revival building in England, they did the unimaginable. They packed up, and moved to the UK. Perhaps as a result of that scene, or from their own doing, the Stray Cats contributed heavily to the scene, even going so far as to base their looks on the era their music mimicked, dawning drape jackets, brothel creepers, and western shirts, while mixing in elements of punk to keep them heavily rooted in the late 70's / early 80's.

It was during this time that they garnered the attention of labels, Virgin, Stiff, and Arista, the latter which they would ultimately sign with. However, it was when word spread and groups such as Rolling Stones, Who, and Led Zeppelin began attending their shows that it attracted the attention of producer Dave Edmunds. Edmunds would offer the Cats an opportunity to work with him, and record their first studio album.

The self-titled debut was released in February, 1981, peaking at number six on the UK charts. Additionally, it produced two top ten hits, Runaway Boys, and Rock This Town, both peaking at number nine, and the number eleven hit, Stray Cat Strut. Rock This Town would also go on to be noted by The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as one of the five hundred songs that shaped rock and roll.

Despite its success, Stray Cats (the album), would not see a US release until after the 1982 compilation, Built For Speed was released. However, we'll dive into that one a bit further down the road. First, we pause here to fire up their debut, and have a listen.

Firing it up, I'm immediately greeted to the sounds of my childhood. Mind you, not the 80's pop music that filled my cassettes. Instead, I'm talking about that jukebox malt shop memories that my mom used to play while we all cleaned the house on the weekend.

It's perhaps with this appreciation that I found myself bobbing my head to both the first and second tracks, Runaway Boys, and Fishnet Stockings. To say I was fully all in would be an understatement. Further, I found myself excited to hear more.

Things kind of settled down, and even shifted into punk elements with songs like, Storm The Embassy. Admittedly, these weren't my favorite songs among the bunch. Instead, I gravitated more to the likes of Rock This Town, Rumble In Brighton, and Stray Cat Strut, as well as the first two album openers noted above. There were a handful of other decent tracks scattered in there, but the one thing I noticed was that a lot of it sounded the same. So really, it came down to picking the better of the lot.

Overall, I enjoyed playing through it, and it poised me to want to hear more. That's a good thing, considering I already own their entire discography.

As for the Cats, they immediately released their sophomore album, Gonna Ball, also in 1981. Though you'll see that post tomorrow, I'll be diving right into it.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 13, 1980

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 13, 1986