STRAY CATS COLLECTOR'S BLOG

STRAY CATS COLLECTOR's WEBSITE LAUNCHED!

2012-01-25T01:06:00.002+01:00

My good friends,
for the last month I've been working on the Stray Cats Collector's website.

The idea is to have in a more organised and professional way what I've been doing here for the past 2 years (next week's Monday is the 2nd annivesary of this blog!). This doesn't mean the blog is over, on the contrary. I'd like to keep both working and that's what I am going to do.

So far, have a look at the main page:

Due to limit constrains, not the whole site is operating but I hope it soon will. So far you can check the Tour and Discography sections (but for the Stray Cats). I'll be posting all the updates as soon as the come.

Hope you enjoy it and thanks for your support,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatsocllectors@gmail.com

LEE ROCKER - Vintage live in Heilderberg, Germany (Summer 1996)

2012-01-23T09:12:00.002+01:00

Hey folks,

watch this very unique and rare Lee Rocker video of 1996, performing "Can't Say No" in Heilderberg, Germany:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEP37AueOyA

Hope you like it!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGZINES History (13)

2012-01-22T21:36:00.008+01:00

Hello everybody,
it's Sunday and the week is almost gone... another wonderful week ahead.

Thanks to all the people who are asking for Marcu's book. I am forwarding all your email addresses to him, so, you should get a reply anytime soon.

Anyway, here's today's post with some more magazines of 1986:

(Aquarian Weekly, USA / 1986)

(The Island Ear, USA / 15 February 1986)

(Music Weekly, USA / 20 March 1986)

(Guitare & Claviers, France / #63, June 1986)

Enjoy!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

Update, IMPORTANT!

2012-01-19T09:47:00.002+01:00

Hello everybody,

just in case you come across this problem:

Some entries, though they can be seen in the main page, when clicking to enter each individual post, might not be working properly without uploading the page/post properly.

What to do?
With Internet Explorer refresh the page and click on the Compatibility View in the navigation bar a few times until it uploads...

Or change the navigator by installing Mozilla Firefox.

Best wishes
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (12)

2012-01-19T00:10:00.009+01:00

Hello, hello!!

Geez, I can't believe it's been a week since my last post. Time flies!! And I am getting busier and busier!! More working hours (for the ones who don't know it, I teach English for a living... at the moment), more courses that I am taking on different subjects too... and the Stray Cats Collector's website. A website??? YES, YES, YES!!! I am working on a website, which is going to be called Stray Cats Collector's and I hope to launch it next week... and you'll see it when the time comes!

In the meantime, enjoy with the 1984 and 1985 magazines, not many though.

(Teenage, USA / 1984 ??)

(Low Rider, USA / January 1984)

(New Sounds, USA / January 1984)

(Trouser Press, USA / #94, February 1984)

(Zap Mag, USA / #3, 1984)

(Guitar Wolrd, USA / May 1985)

(The Island Ear, USA / 10 December 1985 - this is possibly the only cover featured by Phantom Rocker & Slick!)

Night, everybody!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Euro Tour 2011, by Marcus Günther

2012-01-12T23:34:00.009+01:00

Pay attention everybody:

Here you have the FIRST BOOK EVER (unofficial though) about BRIAN SETZER, so you'd better sit back and see the pics here posted.

This book was enterely made by my good friend MARCUS GÜNTHER of Germany - you've already seen him a few entries ago.

Marcus attended a bunch of shows during the Rockabilly Riot Tour of Europe last summer, so he decided to put up his chronicles of the shows together with some 600 pictures of the whole tour in a book together with the set lists and some other surprises. Besides, Marcus asked me for a personal favour which was to do the Foreword of this book.

I'll leave you with it:

If you want to have a copy of this book, please, do email me to straycatscollectors@gmail.com and I will forward your request to Marcus.

So far, so good!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

FANS - Alex "Scatman" (Los Angeles, USA)

2012-01-11T23:38:00.009+01:00

Hello, hello, hello!!!

Boys, girls, lad, lassies, gentlemen, ladies... EVERYBODY!!! You won't believe what your eyes are about to witness, not only a wonderful story by a true fan since the very beginning of the Cats but by a very close friend of mine for the past 10 years.

He would like to share with us how he met Brian back in 1987, by pure chance, at the Palace in Hollywood, CA.

Scatman says:

The first time I met Brian Setzer was quite a lucky moment for me. Having first heard the Cats during the summer of '81, I immediately became a huge fan, never imagining that I would someday meet one of my guitar heroes. Fast forward 6 years and my soon-to-be wife and I are at a Dave Edmunds show, 27 Feb 1987 at the historic Palace Theater in Hollywood, CA.

(Remember that at this point the Stray Cats had broken up, and frankly I didn’t think we’d hear from Setzer again after The Knife feels like Justice. How naïve I was!) So back to the show…

I go to the back bar during Edmunds' set and overhear a drunk guy yelling over the music at these girls “Brian Seltzer is in the restaurant having dinner” trying to impress them (Yes, he said "Seltzer"). I told my girl "follow me", and had her wait outside the doorway of the small café (which was located inside the theater) while I poked my head in the door and sure enought, there he was! I didn’t recognize anybody else in his party and waited for him to finish, my heart pounding. After several minutes Brian got up to leave so I made my move and he couldn’t be more polite and friendly. We got one picture taken together and I asked him if he might be joining Edmunds onstage and he said “we’ll see, yeah maybe” or something like that, and frankly I don’t know how I was able to carry on a conversation as I was shaking so much. He signed another fan’s drivers license and then his party left the restaurant to go backstage.

(Scatman & Brian)

So we moved up to the edge of the stage, and sure enough Brian came out for the encores. I don’t remember the songs but they might’ve been The Race is On, 20 Flight Rock and Jeanie Jeanie Jeanie. I did get some good pix though, and I’ll never forget his blue suede boots.

I had the fortune of meeting Brian several more times later that year and the following when he was playing local shows with the Paine Brothers. Great memories...

Several years later I found a promo 8x10 foto of Dave Edmunds, taken backstage that same night of the show. And who was in the picture besides Setzer and Slim Jim? George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Duane Eddy and Jeff Lynne. The other scan is from a rock magazine showing more color pictures taken backstage that same night. I could only imagine if they had all come out for the encores that night at The Palace! Enjoy the photos...

THANK YOU ALEX, GRACIAS AMIGO!!!

Honestly guys, you couldn't have been any luckier than today with these fantastic pictures and story.

Best wishes,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (11)

2012-01-09T22:45:00.012+01:00

Good evening you hungry Cats & Kittens!

After almost a week off (... off from the blog) and all the Christmas holidays finished here in Spain, it's time to continue with more magazines so as to finish 1983:

(Guitar Player, USA / September 1983)

(OK, Finland / September 1983)

(Joepie, Belgium / 11 September 1983)

(Tip, Germany / 10 October 1983)

(Bop, USA / November 1983)

(Music News, Germany / Nov-Dec 1983)

(Creem, USA / December 1983)

(Music Number One, France / December 1983)

Shout out to all the Fans... I am waiting anxiously for your stories with the Cats... what are you waiting for?? I don't meaow, I don't scratch, I don't purr... but shhh, I got cat class and I got cat style. And you??

Night night,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

FANS - Marcus (Germany)

2012-01-03T15:48:00.004+01:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

Hope you've had a nice exit and a better entrance to this new year and I really wish you all the best. I am getting something ready for you within the next few weeks... just be a bit patient, but sure it's going to be something very very cool.

This first post of 2012 has a fan on it, Marcus from Germany, whom I had the pleasure to do many trades for the past 5 years, as well as to meet him last summer in Amsterdam... here we are at the Paradiso:

Marcus has been a Stray Cats fan for many years and he's seen them quite a few times together and also, as solo artists all around Germany and in some other European countries, and he would like to share with us his story about meeting Slim Jim Phantom just a few months ago in Frakfurt:

Marcus says:

After Slim Jim had toured Europe in summer and Japan in autumn 2011, he thought, it would be a good idea, to tour Europe on his own in late October. Because of many problems, the tour became a little “German affair”, consisting on 8 gigs across the country. Marburg, the first stop is around 120 Km away from here (Frankfurt), so after finishing work I hopped into my car and drove to this little venue called “Knubbel (cannot translate this)”. It was a dark and rainy autumn evening when I reached the destination 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Slim Jim and his lads played with Lemmy the night before in Berlin and they had not arrived at that time. When I was sitting on a table in front of the ballroom door with about another 30 people, they arrived, entered the stage with their luggage and played some tune’s to check the sound. The opening act was the “Tres Iguanas”, a local band. They played fine and were followed by Slim Jim. A rumor said, that he was touring with the D’Rozario Brothers, one of them known from the Riot Tour, but in fact, it was Tim Polecat on guitar and his former Bassman, who played that night. I think they tried out their whole set-list that night to do some kind of rehearsals for the next day’s. They weren’t actually a band that evening, just a start and about 60 or 70 people to witness that. After the show, I tried to approach an evident bad tempered and maybe tired Slim Jim to have 2 pictures signed (I worked on a tourbook that time and wanted to use them for it). The only thing he wanted me to do, was to buy a T-Shirt. I replied, that I wanna buy one the next day, he looked behind his glasses and I’m sure, he didn’t believe me at all. But anyway, he signed the pictures in a dispising way. The very next day, I saw him again at the “Nachtleben” in Frankfurt. The gig he played was pretty much shorter that the one before, but they were much better than the day before and sounded more like a band. After the show, I bought the T-Shirt. He was in a pretty better mood that evening, as anybody could see. I don’t know, if he remembered me. I asked him about the day in Marburg, he just answered, that he’s always a happy guy. Believe it or not, but that was the story to the picture we took as you can see at the “Nachtleben”.

OOBY DOOBY!!!

More stuff to come soon!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (10)

2011-12-29T22:29:00.009+01:00

Hello boys & girls!!

As usual at this time of the year, tied up with time, getting all the Xmas things done and... finding some time to update the blog ;)

I'd like to keep up with the magazines... there it goes!!

(Rock & Folk, France / #191, May 1983)

(Mucchio Selvaglio, Italy / #64, May 1983)

(Quebec Rock, Quebec, Canada / #69, May 1983

(Tiger Beat Rock, USA / Summer 1983)

(Ma Guitare, Belgium /#47, June 1983)

(FM, Japan / August 1983)

That's been all for today!

I don't think I can make any more updates until next year... so, just in case...
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (9)

2011-12-26T21:23:00.009+01:00

Happy Boxing Day (for those of you having it, not here though ;-) !!

So, Santa's got some magazines for you, including one from... (drum roll) ... CHINA!!!!

(Record, USA / February 1983)

(Best, France / #176, March 1983)

(Rolling Stone, USA / #390, March 1983)

(New Musical Express, UK / 12 March 1983)

(Music Week, China / #415, 18 March 1983)

(Rock, France / #63, April 1983)

More to come soon,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

MERRY XMAS!!!

2011-12-25T17:00:00.003+01:00

My friends,
I would like to wish you all...

Your server,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

FANS - Ari (Finland)

2011-12-21T23:23:00.004+01:00

Hello everyone,
sorry I haven't updated the blog in a while but I've been ill for a few days and geez, I feel as I had been beaten or struck by lightning... twice!

Today, we have a new fan wanting to share his story when he met the Cats in Helsinki back in 1989.

"When the Cats played at the Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, Finland on 4 June 1989, I met them before the show in their dressing room.

I remember talking to Lee, who was polite and nice. I had with me Cats’ “Rock Therapy” LP and I asked him who played guitar on “I Wanna Cry”, the song Lee sang on that record. To me lead guitarist sounded too blues influenced to be Brian. Lee told me I was right, it was Earl Slick who played lead. Lee explained that the band didn’t exist at the time they recorded “Rock Therapy”, so that’s why Brian didn’t play on all the tracks.

Most of the time I talked to Brian. I already played guitar at that point and Brian was my
hero, so most of the time we talked about playing.

I said to him that my 3 favourite pickers were Chuck Berry, Brian Setzer and Micky Gee, he kind of smiled and said "that's a good collection of guitar players".

Brian has played same kind of solos on “Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie”, “Nervous Breakdown” and “Gene & Eddie”. Originally it was Eddie Cochran who played these licks on his version of “Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie”. Brian commented me that that he had used these ideas a few times because “you can’t beat those Cochran licks”.

At one point of our discussion I asked Brian about guitar player who plays on Carl Mann's "Mona Lisa". Carl recorded in the 1950's for the Sun records. Brian shaked his head and said that he hadn't heard that record. He also sang to me one line of "Mona Lisa". The guitarist who played great solo on "Mona Lisa" is called Eddie Bush.

When I mentioned Carl Mann and “Mona Lisa” I didn’t want to impress Brian with my knowledge. I still think Eddie Bush is one of the unsung heroes of rock’n’roll guitar. Just listen his playing on Mann’s “Walkin’ The Dog”, “Kansas City”, “Ugambi Stomp”, “Pretend” etc.

Next day after the concert Cats did interview for big Finnish rock magazine ("Soundi"). In the end of the interview Cats moaned that nowadays people who work in the record companies don't know anything about the music. Interview ended when Brian said "these people that we meet on the road they should be working in the record companies. They know everything. Like this guy that we met yesterday. I know quite a lot about rockabilly, but this guy asked me about Carl Mann's "Mona Lisa" he wanted to know if I know who played guitar on that one. Oh my God! "Mona Lisa"!".

I was 19 years old at the time. As you can imagine that totally blew my mind. It was great, great moment when I saw that interview first time.

Fast forward to 2005: Brian recorded CD full of Sun covers. It made me smile when I heard Brian's version of "Mona Lisa". He copied Eddie Bush's great solo when he recorded "Rockabilly Riot" CD."

THANKS A LOT, ARI!!

Since I don't have any pics from that show, I post a couple of them from their show in Hamburg, a few days later.

You can also watch part of the Helsinki show on YouTube, as it was TV/FM broadcast:

"Rumble In Brighton" + "Blast Off"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo0yyYjjefM

"Bring It Back Again" + "Runaway Boys"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IauQnT83igE

"Nine Lives"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA305420u5w

"Stray Cat Strut" + "Something's Wrong With My Radio"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6ZgJeTBZd0

"Gina" + "Rockabilly Rules"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ymy9i-6SX4

Once again, KITTOS ARI!!!

Off to bed,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com
PS - have you noticed the new favicon??

FANS - Robby (Miami, USA)

2011-12-16T18:44:00.004+01:00

Good evening from rainy Oviedo...

Today, I have the pleasue of posting this interesting story, that happen to my good friend Robby from Miami when he had the pleasure to meet the Stray Cats and even have lunch with them!

(Slim Jim, Robby & Brian in Miami)

Robby recalls:

Memorial Day, May 25th - "Penrod's Bash" on the beach in South Beach, Miami 1992. A week earlier a rock station announced that the band Kings X are dropping of the bill and the Stray Cats would replace them. When I heard that I had to make my move!!! So finally the day came and I headed to the beach early in the morning. Arriving there I started talking to people about going backstage, my luck, nobody even looked at me. So I went to the bar close to the stage disappointed as hell.

This big guy (roadie) sat next to me. He looked friendly so I asked him:
- "Are you working backstage?"
- He says: "yeeeep, why?"
- "cause I really wanna go back there" - I replied.
- He says: "OK, let's see what I can do".

I had $300 in my pocket I was willing to spend. So Ax comes back with a smile on his face, and tells me follow him, we went in the restaurant and tells me:

- "OK, I got this backstage pass, it will get you every where, anywhere all the tour busses etc..."
- "OK, how much?

He says $20.- DEAL I say!!!!!!

Now I'm back there waiting for the Cats. finally, they arrive and run into the building. I saw Lee, but he didn't want to talk. He was pissed for a personal reason. I was waiting outside the building like a kid in a candy store. The security outside told me:

- "You have an all access pass, why don't you go inside and enjoy yourself?"

So I walk inside the building, security let's me in this huge room, there I saw Jim and Brian at the buffet. I went there and introduced myself to both of them. Immediately we clicked and had lunch together. We talked about "Choo Choo Hot Fish" and more. Man, it was a dream come true!!! I also told them that I knew the French fan club president; Jim told Brian that and now Brian was excited.

Jim says to me:
"Why won't you come on stage with us and shoot some pictures for the club?"

I got dizzy, I though I didn't hear right, Moi on stage with the Cats????? Sure I said!!! So the time came and we all went on stage, it was an extremely hot day that day and the Cats Rocked My Town that day. After the show I thanked Brian, Jim and Lee for the amazing afternoon. They went in their limo and drove off! I had the pleasure to meet Brian in Paris that same year again with my best friend Jean-Louis!

(Brian & Robby, at the restaurant La Coupule in Paris)

That's all folks!

Whoooaaaahhh Robby, you lucky man!!!! Sure this is going to be one of the most interesting stories that you are going to read.

Thank you Robby for your time and for your wonderful story.

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (8)

2011-12-15T22:29:00.008+01:00

Hello my friends,
it's good post today!!

(Acústica, Mexico / #17, November 1982)

(Aquarian, USA / 29 December 1982)

(The History Of Rock, UK / #6, 1983)

(Il Rock, Italy / #21, 1983)

(Poster Hard Rock, France / 1983)

(Kwik, Holland / 3 January 1983)

BTW, I am still waiting for your stories with the Cats... and I have another proposal for you (thanks Jean Louis for the idea!): you can also send me a pic of yours with an item that had belonged to a Stray Cat (drumsticks, setlists, guitar picks...) and of course, how you managed to get it, where and when.

Night,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

FANS - Jean Louis (France)

2011-12-13T23:35:00.005+01:00

Good evening folks,
more fans: today it's Jean Louis's turn, our good fellow from France (top left).

(29 September 1992 - restaurant La Coupule, Paris)

Jean Louis tells us how he got to meet Brian at a Parisien restaurant -see pic above- right after the Stray Cats had played at Le Grand Rex:

"I was with a friend and after the show, we got into our cars and literally, we pursued the car where the Cats where in; they headed for the restaurant La Coupule and we waited at an opposite café. When they stood up ready to leave, we rushed to meet them; it was very comical because I wanted to show Brian my car and the initial plan had failed... we also followed them after this meeting but we lost track of them; I had already been lucky a few days earlier as I had the chance to meet the band at a small radio station near the famous cabaret Moulin Rouge. I got my Grestch guitar signed."

(29 September 1992 - Grand Rex, Paris, France)

This wouldn't be the only time Jean Louis had the pleasure to meet his life-long hero. He had another encounter with him in 1995, when the BSO first toured Europe (briefly, though) at a festival in Amiens (France too).

He continues:

"I found out that the BSO would be playing at the Amiens Festival in France on 25 May 1995. I called a friend and we decided to go. When in Amiens, we discovered that Brian would be giving an interview for FR3 not long before the BSO show. We looked for the TV team through the city and finally, we got a lady who told us everything in detail; the interview was to happen in a few minutes and we had little time to make it to Brian's hotel. We rushed in and asked the receptionist whether the FR3 journalist had arrived; good news, he hadn't!! So we waited until he came and then, we introduced ourselves. After a while talking, he acepted us to go with him to interview Brian.

The TV team started to mount all the stuff, we remain there silently and suddenly, a person informs the journalists that Brian would soon be there. Whoaahhw!! Next, we see a mass of blonde hair coming to us, we wave hello and he shakes hands with our beloved journalist. He is wearing a green bright dress that he also wears at the show, and a black tee, replaced by a white one with the Harley Indian logo printed on.

The interview lasted for about half and hour and some excerpts of it were broadcasted the following day. It all went alright with the typical questions about the Stray Cats, why the BSO, etc. When he is heading off for the concert, my friend and I addressed to him for the tribute and talked with him for an instant. We were on clound nine!! Finally, he leaves and we thank our "new friend" for being so kind to us. I didn't cry, but I was really excited inside."

(25 May 1995 - Cirque D'Hiver, Amiens, France)

"At 21.30 we were at the venue to witness the BSO's first ever show in France and in Europe; there would be another French date in 1999, but that's a different story..."

MERCI BEAUCOUP, MON AMI!!!

Night night
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (7)

2011-12-13T00:22:00.008+01:00

Night everyone, how are you??

After a few days without anything for you, there it goes!

(Suosikki, Finland / February 1982)

(Ciao 2001, Italy / #14, April 1982)

(Salut, France / #177, July 1982)

(Cashbox, ?? / 18 September 1982)

(Music, Florida USA / 7 October 1982)

(Riot, Japan / November 1982)

I am looking forward to hearing your stories with the Cats... so don't be shy and drop me a few lines.

Cheers,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

FANS - Noah Levy (Minneapolis, USA)

2011-12-08T15:22:00.003+01:00

Afternoon everyone!

Today, we have a very special fan, Noah Levy, who is Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot current drummer and due to this, he has recently toured Europe and Japan, and it's touring the US this month to eventually rock the land down-under next spring.

I contacted Noah a few days ago, when I decided to start this Fans section and very kindly, he replied. Note for navigators: Noah Levy is a Minneapolis local, and is nowadays best known for his work with Brian Setzer in "Songs From Lonely Avenue" and his last album "Setzer Goes Instru-mental", but he has also worked with many other Minneapolis bands of the category of BoDeans (Brian has even played with them on a couple of occassions as a guest), Trailer Trash, Honeydogs or Golden Smog.

(17.7.11 - BRPF, Peer, Belgium)

Here's what Noah says:

"My first concert was the Stray Cats in 1984 (?) at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis (* I've checked the date guys, 16 March 1983). I was 12 and my brother had brought home "Built For Speed" and I listened to that record all the time. The show was fantastic, with the Busboys as the opening act. I remember the balcony shaking so badly that we thought it would collapse.

Fast Forward: 25 years later I received a phone call to record with... Brian Setzer, TONIGHT (* 2009, some demos for what would be BSO's last album so far, "Lonely Avenue"). The session went really well and two years and two records later I am touring with him. Some moments on stage I think back on that night and smile."

NOAH, THANKS A MILLION FOR YOUR TIME!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

FANS - Paco (Oviedo, Spain)

2011-12-07T15:36:00.004+01:00

Good afternoon everyone, how are you all??

Today, I begin a new section, called "Fans"; I'd like to alternate the upcoming magazine posts with your experiences with the Stray Cats (as a band and as solo artists). So, if you want to participate, you only have to send me a picture of yours with any of the Cats and the story behind that shot: when and where it was taken, what that magical moment meant for you, how you got into the Stray Cats and an anecdote; this anecdote doesn't have to be related to that particular moment of the concert or of the meeting, it can also be something that you remember funny or interesting from that day.

Said this, there I go with Paco from Oviedo, Spain - He is a good friend of mine and we go to concerts together as well as we sometimes go binge-beer-drinking ;-)

(Paco & Brian)

Paco says:

"This picture was taken in Oviedo, on Saturday 24 July 2004, when the Stray Cats were touring Europe and they were to play in Gijón at the "Crossroads Festival" (* Gijón is a coastal city in the north of Spain, some 30km north from Oviedo). I knew that the Stray Cats had to be lodged in the city as a friend of mine told me he had seen Brian Setzer having his hair cut at a nearby saloon, so this only could meant that they were at the Silken Hotel. I went home and took the first thing I had, with the hope of getting it signed. I spotted a guy wearing a Stray Cats shirt and I asked him whether Brian was there and if he was going to come downstairs; the guy said he wouldn't as he was sleeping. I stayed outisde the hotel for a while and then, I looked again and to my surprise, there was Brian with Julie, sitting in the hall. I approached to them and we talked for a while. He was very kind. I remember asking him to play "Storm The Embassy", and he looked very surprised, he even asked me: "oh, you like that one?" - and I also asked for "Summertime Blues". I took a copy of the Spanish magazine "Popular 1" on whose cover the Stray Cats had been featured the month before, so I gave it to him; Brian also mentioned that Oviedo was a beautiful city."

(the mag that Paco gave to Brian)

Paco also says that he could have spent much longer with Brian, but due to language constrains, he decided to leave, not without getting his copy of BSO's "Live In Japan" signed:

Besides, Paco admits to be very lucky that day as some other fans had already heard about the possibility of Brian being at that particular hotel and they entered the hotel but Brian left the lobby and went up to his room.

The anecdote: Paco phoned my house to let me know that Brian was there... unfortunatelly I was working in England that summer; good thing was that I had already seen the Cats the week before.

GRACIAS, PACO!!

So, are you ready to tell me and the blog followers your experience with the Cats??

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (6)

2011-12-06T15:51:00.008+01:00

There I go, with the magazines of 1982!

(Heartbeat, Australia / 1982 or 1983 ?)

(Music Number One, France / 1982 ?)

(Good Times, USA / 1982 ?)

(Hep Cat, USA / 1982)

(Progressive Media, USA / # 9, 1982)

(LA Weekly, Los Angeles USA / Vol. 4, # 9, 29 January 1982)

Sorry that in some magazines I cannot provide more specific information but this is all I have so far.

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGZINES History (5)

2011-12-04T23:36:00.010+01:00

Happy Sunday my cats & kittens!
Hope you've had a nice weekend; here in Spain we have a couple of bank holiday days so this week is going to be slightly shorter than the normal ones, which is great.

Today, I'd like to finish with the magazines of 1981. As you have seen, there's been plenty of them and if I am correct, this is the year in which the Cats have been featured in more magazines that in any other year.

So, sit back and enjoy yourselves:

(Music Life, Japan / September 1981)

(Chatterbox, Germany / #18, November 1981)

(Joepie, Belgium / 11 November 1981)

(Disco, France / #20, 1981)

(Best, France / # 161, December 1981)

(Rock, France / #47, December 1981)

(Melody Maker, UK / 3 December 1981)

(Record Mirror, USA / 12 December 1981)

Sleep well, guys!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (4)

2011-12-03T17:56:00.008+01:00

Hey everyone, how are you??

Have you noticed the new logo we have?? Yeah, not too bad, heheh.

Right, we continue with more magazines of 1981!

(Change, Switzerland / May 1981)

(Salut, France / #177, May-June 1981)

(Sounds, Germany / June 1981)

(L'Ultimo Buscadero, Italy / #7, June 1981)

(Joepie, Belgium / 28 June 1981)

(Player, Japan / #186, June 1981)

Happy weekend,

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINE History (3)

2011-12-02T22:47:00.008+01:00

After a couple of days off, more stuff:

(Muziek Express, Holland / April 1981)

(Rockerilla, Italy / #13, April 1981)

(Hitkrant, Holland / April 1981)

(Muziek Parade, Holland / April 1981)

(Smash Hits, UK / May 1981)

(Suosikki, Finland / Mary 1981)

Night,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (2)

2011-11-29T21:04:00.008+01:00

We continue with the second delivery to this Magazine History... 1981 begins here for a series of posts, as the Cats were featured (at least in my archives) on 26 different mags, holly molly!!!

On a different note... PHANTOM, ROCKER & SLICK self-titled debut album is... FINALLY GOING TO BE RELEASED (according to Lee Rocker's official Facebook).

There we go!

(Music Number One, France / #12, 1981)

(PopBiz, Holland / #2, 1981)

(Trax, London UK / February 1981)

(Gig, France / 13 March 1981)

(Schlager, Sweden / 27 March 1981)

(Joepie, Belgium / 21 March 1981)

Enjoy,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

The MAGAZINES History (1)

2011-11-28T23:26:00.005+01:00

Hello my loyal followers, how are you??
Como stai?? Wie geht's?? Genki?? Miten menee?? Ca va??

Today, I'd like to begin a new section on this blog called "Magazines", in which you will find all the covers the Stray Cats have featured as a band and as solo artists, so you will find not only Stray Cats but Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker & Slim Jim Phantom.

The archive I am going to be posting is quite huge, some 200 magazine covers, from 1980 to 2011; this not means that I have them all nor these are all the covers they have featured.

I'd also like to take this post to thank all the people from the US, UK, Germany, Japan, Finland, France, Spain, Sweden and Italy who have helped me to get this vast archive. THANKS, DANKE, ARIGATOU, KITTOS, MERCI, GRACIAS, TAKK, GRAZIE!!

And one final thing:
in order not to make you search for Stray Cats, Lee Rocker, etc, you will find all the magazines under the "Magazines" tag on the right hand side of the screen, together with the rest of tags. This way, it's much easier than having to search in the other sections.

Right, are you ready???

This first picture is THE FIRST COVER EVER FEATURED BY STRAY CATS!

(New Musical Express, UK /23 August 1980)

And this one seems to be the second cover ever:

(Record Mirror, UK / 20 December 1980)

Get ready for some very very cool stuff anytime!

Your Stray Cat
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Guild advert

2011-11-27T13:18:00.003+01:00

Happy Sunday, everyone!!!

I've got this advert and I thought it would be interesting to post it. I guess this is the only non-Grestch advert Brian Setzer has ever done. Quite curious. If you realize, the guitar in the picture is the same as the one on the "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" 7" cover. It is also nice to see Brian with a few more guitars around and the gold and platinum records hanging on the walls.

(1986)

Bye for now!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Grestch adverts (6, finale)

2011-11-25T19:09:00.004+01:00

Final post about the Gretsch adverts but, there is still one more guitar advert to upload ;-)

(2009)

(2011)

Happy weekend!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Grestch adverts (5)

2011-11-24T22:18:00.002+01:00

More adverts keep coming!

(2006)

(2007)

Night,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Grestch adverts (4)

2011-11-23T23:13:00.004+01:00

There's one for the money... and here are two for the show!

(2002)

(2003)

Happy night,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Grestch adverts (3)

2011-11-21T23:08:00.004+01:00

Today's adverts:

(2000)

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Grestch adverts (2)

2011-11-20T22:39:00.004+01:00

As promised, more adverts!

(1996)

(1998)

(1998)

Have a nice Sunday!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Gretstch adverts (1)

2011-11-19T02:59:00.005+01:00

Hey,

back home from the cinema's last session with my missus... and a couple of Gretsch adverts for you:

(1993)

(1994)

Night night!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

THE HEAD CAT - Setlist & Guitar Pick

2011-11-16T23:29:00.003+01:00

Hey everyone,

today I received this:

As you can see, it's a Head Cat set list, apparently used in Europe, but I think it's pretty much a fresh-print by somebody close to the band and got it signed by guitarist Danny B Harvey. However, what is really cool is the guitar pick - click on the picture to enlarge - with HC logo on it.

Sure it made my day!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - D'Addario guitar strings adverts

2011-11-16T00:15:00.002+01:00

Hello, hello!!

Whoah, it's been a few days without posting anything, sorry guys!! I've been a bit lazy... and scanning takes a while but, I have a couple of wonderful D'Addario guitar strings featured by Brian Setzer:

(1983)

(1989)

Bye, bye!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Lonely Summer Nights (US 7", test pressing)

2011-11-09T23:02:00.002+01:00

My good pal Robby from Florida send us this US 7" test pressing to "Lonely Summer Nights":

THANKS MY FRIEND!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - You Don't Believe Me (rare UK 7" cover)

2011-11-08T22:36:00.005+01:00

Hello everyone,

our friend Fausto from Italy sends us this rare cover to Stray Cats UK 7" "You Don't Believe Me" - check the difference with the regular version HERE.

See that in the top right corner there is no "...It's the Stray Cats 45"

And here, the colour is different. How cool!!

GRAZIE, AMICCI!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

SLIM JIM PHANTOM - 14 September 2006 Vigo, Spain (coverage)

2011-11-04T20:24:00.016+01:00

Good evening my faithful followers! How are you?

Right, I've decided to make a hiatus with the lyrics so as to show you some pictures of my second Slim Jim's show (and last up to date) in a city called Vigo, in the very west coast of the north of Spain, very close to the Portuguese border.

I remember Slim Jim announcing this tour pretty much like 5 or 6 weeks prior its start. I was in Germany at that time and when I saw it, I decided to go but I had a problem: I don't like driving (though I have a driving license) and the journey by coach would take me 8 hours each way, just to cover 400km... Aye, I know, but the roads between my area and this one are not particulary the best ones... however, I remember seeing Iván (one of my best mates now) on the Slim Jim's Fan Section and there I went, I wrote him a note saying that I would like to go and since he is from the same place as I am, if we wanted to go, we could share the ride ;-) Said and done! A few days later I got his reply and that very same week (1 September 2006!) we met for a drink, which eventually led to some beers and sandwiches.

Riiiiight, the Day-D had come and we set off our journey at about 9am and as usual, we made a couple of pit-stops for a wee, coffee and strech our legs. Some 6 hours later, we got to our destination, led by a shitty tom-tom that would break down on our way back!! Checked-in and off to grab a bite. Then, Iván showed me around a bit, had some beers and oh, just before the show started, at a pub, we came across Slim Jim's entourage and the support band having dinner.

We entered the venue at 21.30 and...

VOILA!!! First line, as always ;-) The support band did a fairly good show and all of a sudden we see Darrel Higham and bassist Nick Drugstore going through the audience to get into their dressing room. Yes, this venue is one of those many in which the dressing room is entered right through the stage... and to our surprise, we had Slim Jim getting through Iván and me!!

This was the intended setlist and though they sticked very much to it, they dropped "Big Hunk O'Love" and "Domino". This one was also pretty much like the Madrid set list some months before, just with a couple of different songs and a different order.

The show started slightly delayed, but it didn't matter. I tried to recorded it in my mp3 player, but it was unaudible when I got to listen to it, and I deleted it.

Oh, we also bought the CD, which we already had, but this one had a different cover, and then, we bought the tee shirt too.

The band had had like 2 or 3 days off, so they were fresh and ready to rock, and so they did!!

I am not going to comment a lot on this show, since it was more or less the same (as I have already said) but the 3 different songs they got us to hear, were a nice surprise. "Rockabilly Boogie" was great, but it lacked a bit of punch. Johnny Burnette's version is untoppable in my opinion. However, nice!!

Then, "Burning Love" was introduced by Darrel asking the house if there were any Elvis's fans, and some people shouted a shy-ish "yeeeeessss"; Darrel recorded this song with his former Enforcers (remember that he now plays for his wife, Imelda May) - the tune got the venue rocking and Slim Jim trying to make some decent backing vocals... Slim, I do really admire you but please, stop singing... ;-)

"Halellujah I Love Her So" is one of my favourite 50s songs and since Darrel is a great Eddie Cochran fan, he usually plays different covers by Eddie. I still remember seeing Darrel in England 3 years ago and due to Eddie's birthday he performed two sets: one with his own songs, and a second one pretty much dedicated to Eddie by including "Summertime Blues", "Twenty Flight Rock", "Something Else" and some others.

And the last surprise was "Who Slapped John", originally written by (or maybe for) Gene Vincent. This is one of my favourite tunes by Gene, but "Jezebel" beats any other!! They seemed to be having a good time together, and for sure we did.

Before the encores -and maybe half way through the show- one of Darrel's guitar strings broke so that in between the next song, he took the "emergency" guitar, sent the other to have the string changed and while he was tuning it and saying something I asked Slim for a drumstick and he told me whether I wanted it then or at the end; I replied I didn't mind.

During the enconres, we (and the band) suffered one of those moments in which you wish you could hide... one of this "twaties" asked me to let him through to take a few pictures and dammit, I got him in front of me for the rest of the encores!! You bastard!! Then, Slim got angry at him and he hit the ride cymbal so hard and with the drumstick pointing out at him so as to make him withdraw a bit and also, to make him stop shooting pictures endlessly.... Even Darrel noticed and posed in a very funny way pulling faces.

And after "Tearing It Up", the show was over... ohhhh, pity!! Good thing: Slim Jim was about to go off stage and he looked at me, approached to me and gave me his stick. I was the lucky one as then they sold it for 10 Euro each... for sure they vanished in less than 10 minutes!

Back again to the merch booth...

Geez, at least the other pic I had taken in Madrid I was better... should I photoshop myself??? Hmmm...

Darrel "Sweaty" Higham & Slim Jon.

Iván and I after the show, having some beers afterwards. Damn, we look so different now...

Back to our "dwelling" and the next day we got back. LOL, the way back was one of those good memories one will always have stored in mind for ages. The thing is that we nearly run out of money and when we realised, it was about lunch time and we said... "ok, shall we eat and not pay the toll by going up and down the mountain?" and this is what we did. We stopped at a gloomy bar, at a place whose name I'll never forget, Mombuey... what a great sandwich we had!!!! We should go back to this place, just to remember it, hahah.

Right folks, I'm off to Valladolid this weekend to visit a friend...

Enjoy yourselves and BTW, congrats to the people in the US and Canada on Brian's getting the Rockabilly Riot Tour to you!!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatcollectors@gmail.com

KAT MEN - Lyrics

2011-11-03T01:17:00.004+01:00

Night everyone,
it's time bed here in Spain, but practising with Photoshop takes a lot of time!!

More Slim Jim's lyrics, this time from "Kat Men" with Darrel Higham.

Download Lyrics

Bye!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

COL PARKER - Lyrics

2011-11-01T22:32:00.003+01:00

Today it's time for Slim Jim's Col Parker lyrics!

Download Lyrics

Night night,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

PHANTOM, ROCKER & SLICK - Lyrics

2011-10-31T22:26:00.004+01:00

Hey!

More lyrics today. I think that tomorrow or so I will post the Stray Cats ones in two or three different posts. In the meantime, Phantom Rocker & Slick:

Download Lyrics

Download Lyrics

Take care,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

LEE ROCKER - Lyrics

2011-10-31T02:31:00.020+01:00

Hello everyone,

it looks like I am finally back!! I am trying to get this thing updated with Lee Rocker lyrics, so here they go!! (heck, I got this new laptop and things work somehow differently...)

Download Lyrics

Donwload Lyrics

Download Lyrics

Download Lyrics (* I have only added the unreleased tracks)

Download Lyrics

Download Lyrics

Download Lyrics

Have a nice day,

Slim "Jon" Phantom

straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER & THE NASHVILLAINS - Posters (68 CBS too!)

2011-10-19T23:49:00.009+02:00

Hey,
just a quick note to say that tonight is the "Posters Farewell", hahaha - no more posters...

Here's the rest of the vault:

(2011 - German dates; Hamburg show moved to Grosse Freiheit)

(2005 - European Tour promo)

(26 July 2005 - Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg, Germany - originally scheduled for Stadtpark)

(29 September 2001 - E-Werk, Cologne, Germany)

(26 June 2001 - Showbox, Seattle, WA)

(31 December 2005 - House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA)

Sleep well, sleep tight...

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Posters

2011-10-19T00:33:00.003+02:00

A couple of posters today:

(1988 - "Live Nude Guitars" promo)

(1986 - "The Knife Feels Like Justice" promo)

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA - Posters (2)

2011-10-16T22:28:00.010+02:00

More BSO posters. Get ready!!

(1999 - German poster to promote "The Dirty Boogie")

(8 October 1999 - Estrel Convention Center, Stuttgart, Germany - the European Tour in October 1999 was cancelled 2 weeks before the beginning of the tour due to poor ticket sales)

(2002 - "Boogie Woogie Christmas")

(1999 - "Let's Live It Up" US Tour)

(16 March 1999 - Elysee Montmartre, Paris, France)

(2000 - "Vavoom!")

(1994 - "The Brian Setzer Orchestra")

(1996 - "Guitar Slinger)

Happy Sunday!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA - Posters (1)

2011-10-15T13:36:00.010+02:00

Honey don't!! I say you will when you won't but oh oh, honey don't!

LOL, I've just been listening to this song ;-) Right, straight to business, some BSO posters:

(15 July 2009 - HMH, Amsterdam, Holland)

(3 August 1997 - Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO)

(30 November 2009 - Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City)

(4 August 2000 - Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA)

(20 December 2003 - Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA)

(15 December 2005 - Gibson Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA)

(31 October 1996 - Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR)

(11 May 1994 - Filmore, San Francisco, CA)

Some decent stuff, isn't it?? The one I like best is this of 1994 but the one to promote the BSO gig in Amsterdam two years ago is impressive, it's one of those big street posters, measuring like 1m long!!

Lunch time buddies!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Posters (4)

2011-10-14T18:49:00.007+02:00

Evening everyone!!

Geez, I am shattered!! Anyhoo, time for the last delivery of the Stray Cats posters:

(6 December 1982 - The Vogue Theatre, Indianapolis, IN)

(4 July 1989 - Volksbindungsheim, Frakfurt a.M, Germany)

(1990 - German dates)

(4 October 1992 - Metropol, Berlin, Germany)

(12 July 2004 - Columbiahalle, Berlin, Germany)

(2008 - German dates)

That's been all concerning the Stray Cats posters. Remember that some other adverts/posters have already been added with former entries, mainly in relation to the singles they are promoting.

I'll start soon with BSO or Brian Setzer posters... stay tuned!
In the meantime, stay cool, enjoy the weekend!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

LEE ROCKER - Posters (4) & Press Photo

2011-10-13T14:16:00.003+02:00

Good afternoon, my friends!

Just a parenthesis to post a couple of new Lee Rocker items in my collection:

(1995 - "Atomic Boogie Hour" promotional poster)

(2008 - "Black Cat Bone" press photo)

Lunch time!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Posters (3)

2011-10-12T20:36:00.009+02:00

A few more posters from my vault:

(1982 - Built For Speed)

(1983 - Rant N Rave)

(1983 - US Tour)

(2004 - Rumble In Brixton)

(1983 - Sexy + 17)

(1989 - Blast Off)

(1992 - Choo Choo Hot Fish)

(1981 - Stray Cats)

Enjoy,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Posters (2)

2011-10-11T17:13:00.006+02:00

A few more posters today!!

(French poster used for the "Gonna Ball" French-Spanish Tour 1982)

(French poster used for the 1981 dates)

(5 July 2003 - "Hootenanny Festival", Fullerton, CA)

(Japanese poster of 1981 to promote the single "Runaway Boys")

Take care,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Posters (1)

2011-10-09T22:21:00.006+02:00

Hey hey hey!!

I was meant to post this posters yesterday, but I had some glitches with the server, so... I preferred to wait until today. Here are some nice gems from the past...

(12 October 1983 - Musikhalle, Hamburg, Germany)

(Built For Speed promotional poster, 1982)

(18 February 1982 - Sala Bony, Torrente-Valencia, Spain)

(19 August 2008 - San Pedro del Pinatar-Murcia, Spain)

Night Night!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

13 CATS - Posters

2011-10-06T23:25:00.010+02:00

Night everyone,
just some 13 CATS posters.

All pictures: courtesy of 13 CATS Facebook site.

(6 February 1999 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA)

(4 & 24 March 1997 - Opium Diem, Hollywood, CA)

(31 October 1998 - Martini Lounge, Hollywood, CA)

(26 June 1997 - The Garage, Hollywood, CA)

(4 July 1997 - The Garage, Hollywood, CA)

(12 June 1997 - The Garage, Hollywood, CA)

(14 February 1997 - Alligator Lounge, Santa Monica, CA)

(2 May 1998 - The Joint, Los Angeles, CA)

(18 April 1998 - The Garage, Hollywood, CA)

(13 Cats debut show: 13 December 1996, Club Foothill, Long Beach, CA)

Night night,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

THE HEAD CAT - Posters

2011-10-05T22:52:00.004+02:00

Here are a couple of Head Cat posters, quite hard to find!

(16 January 2008 - Dante's, Portland, OR)

(17 September 2010 - Dan'te's, Portland, OR)

Bye!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

LEE ROCKER - Posters (3)

2011-10-04T16:06:00.003+02:00

Aloha!!

Today, I think it's time for some Lee Rocker posters, part 3 to be specific!

DANKE SCHÖN, MARCUS FROM GERMANY for sending over these nice gems!!

(14 January 2006 - Druckerei, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany)

This was filmed for an intended commercial DVD, but after 5 years, it hasn't seen the light...

(European Tour 2008)

(original set list used at Bad Oeynhausen, 22.3.08)

Bye!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - 16 July 2004 Manchester, England (coverage)

2011-10-03T15:07:00.012+02:00

Hello, diddley-oh!!

I was thinking about what to post today (I'm running out of ideas ;-) and I remembered that I haven't posted anything about this Stray Cats show in Manchester back in 2004, when they reunite for the European Tour.

Lots of memories, another dream come true!! I never thought I would see the Stray Cats and in late 2003-early 2004, a tour was announced. I happened to be working in Sheffield (England) at that time, as a children leader, so the Manchester show was perfect for me. Besides, I had an extra copy of the "Rockin' By Myself" release, so that I swapped this one witha UK friend who got the ticket for me. Fair trade I guess.

It was Friday, 16th July 2004, I was 19 at that time and I took the train to Manchester at 14.30h, and an hour later I was in "Madchester" (as it is sometimes called); 16h: already at the venue. There, I met a former friend, David from Leeds (it's been ages since I last got any news from him despite my writing him a few times), we queued together and we got a wonderful spot at the front row. Also, Terance showed up to give me the ticket and I gave him that Brian Setzer CD.

Nice shot of mine, eh?? This was actually taken by a Japanese guy who happened to appear at the "Rumble In Brixton" DVD. I always like having my picture taken at the venue, it's a nice souvenir.

19h: doors open and I rushed to the front. What a big venue!!! Pity that the stage was a bit away from the dancefloor, but I understood why: the British audience is really wild, and not in a particulary nice way. They push way too much, and I am really slim, so I couldn't breath properly until the fourth song or so, when they settled down a little bit. I even dropped my disposable camera and a security guy gave it back to me. I also remember being pushed -well, pushed is not the correct word: an enormous bloke was literally leaning on me!! I told him to back away but he wouldn't until I looked at him again. I never understood why people do this stuff... it's like when you go to a concert and you have lots of people bouncing around and punching each other, and you happen to be there (unfortunately), just wanting to see the show but you can't because those twats are disturbing you without any sign of respect.

Anyway, Corthouse Creepers were the support band and they did a nice opening but heck, I wasn't there for them but for the Cats!!!

21.30h: "Rockabilly Boogie" in the background, lights diming down... and THE STRAY CATS THEMSELVES APPEAR ON STAGE!!! I say to myself: this is a dream!! The Three Cats back together again!!! And there goes Brian: "Manchester, I got one question: are you ready to rock?? One, two, three, four!" and "Rumble In Brighton" began!!! What a wonderful way to get it started. Then, followed by "Double Talkin' Baby" and "Something's Wrong With My Radio"

(this is the best picture I could take, given the circumstances).

After this nerve-wracking start, the audience relaxed a bit and I could (finally!) breathe!!

Then, Slim Jim had a floor tom-tom set up and he started to play a crazy beat so as to begin "Ubangi Stomp". Whoah!! This was one of the tracks I wanted to hear live, and so they did please me. Then, the band would go through a couple of classics like "Stray Cat Strut" and "Gene & Eddie", having the audience in their pockets.

"Too Hip, Gotta Go" would follow after. I never liked this song very much and this wouldn't be an exception. To me, the band sounded as if they hadn't rehearsed properly and they seemed to be rushing into the songs as if they wanted to finish quite soon. Also, the sound of Slim Jim's kit wasn't really good, the snare really pang a lot, and the cymbals he was using (Zildjan A Custom) are not cut out for the Stray Cats. Something more classical, like Zildjian A would have been much better.

For those who don't have a clue about drum kits and cymbals, no worries, I'll explain to you this briefly: the Custom series are hand-made, so every cymbal is different, and besides, they are way too bright in sound, which doesn't fit with the Stray Cats. With a "normal" cymbal you can have brightness too, but much more within the music, without standing out too much.

Next up, "Sleepwalk": this is a nice song to calm things down a little bit, and also to enjoy Brian's magical guitar playing. After this one, my fav song ever: "I Won't Stand In Your Way", with Brian using a White Falcon tuned in a lower key... imagine Brian singing in E... ufff, way too high I guess. However, this was for me, the best song of the concert.

Another surprise was that Lee sang "My Baby Left Me". I was expecting for "Drink That Bottle Down" but the change to "My Baby..." was good! It's a pity that Lee didn't enjoy more singing during the tour; he sure has a wonderful voice!!

"Rev It Up & Go" was for sure another highlight. The Cats have never included a song from "Gonna Ball" since 1983 (apart from "Baby Blue Eyes", which is a classical start), so it was really good to hear this one. Pity that Brian skipped the second verse ;-)

"Blast Off" and "18 Miles To Memphis" continued the show!! I wasn't expecting "18 Miles" either, but it was a good choice, nothing from the "usual" set lists of the past years. Wonderful guitar solo, good speed and Slim Jim at his finest!! Lee, as usual, ripping those doghouse bass strings!!

Now, right after "18 Miles" I got voiceless as I shouted "Brian, you're the best!!" - If you have the CD of this show (released by Surfdog), Brian asked: "Manchester, can you buy me a beer??" and if you turn up the volume, you can listen to me saying that! Hah! I couldn't really speak properly until the following day... and "Bring It Back Again" would start, with Brian slightly changing the lyrics... I think he didn't do his homework very well...

And to wrap up the first part, three more classics: "Fishnet Stockings", "Runaway Boys" and "Rock This Town". Nothing really to comment on these ones, but the audience went really wild with these ones!!! I am a bit tired of these songs, so I didn't pay that much attention.

The Cats would eventually come back again for 2 encores:

The first one started with "That's All Right" and "Brand New Cadillac"; this was the first and only time the Cats have ever played this cut... and it was really nice to hear. Pity they hadn't rehearse this one. Actually, Slim Jim didn't know where to finish it... very clasical mistake by him!! And finally, "Sexy + 17", which many people was shouting for!! So their prayers were listened!!

After another great ovation, the Cats would re-appear on the stage for the third time for a 2 song second encore. Brian said something about Eddie Cochran and they played "Twenty Flight Rock", before Slim Jim turned completely crazy for a heart-pounding "Please Don't Touch". Quite funny, they used to play this song as the opening of their shows for the "Choo Choo Hot Fish Tour" in 1992 and now... it was the other way round!!

The audience were clapping and shouting just in case we got a third encore but the lights went up and the security urged us outside due to the curfew due to 23h... David and me went outside, he gave me a poster of the show, which I no longer have as I traded it for a BSO one, after previously getting a better poster of a German show, and I took a taxi back to Sheffield... Sure I didn't pay for it!! The company I was working for at that time paid it for me ;) Nice!!

Back home in Sheffield and had to get up early to go to London... unfortunatelly, it wasn't to attend the Stray Cats show at Brixton Academy but to work. Anyway, it was nice to see the Stray Cats; however, I enjoyed much more the 2008 gig in Spain!!

Hope you have enjoyed this report as much as I did seeing the Cats that time. I know this doesn't show a lot of emotions but it's been 7 years since then!!

Happy Monday!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Works & Guest Appearances

2011-10-02T23:07:00.007+02:00

Hi everyone!!

I nearly forgot about posting the Stray Cats Works & Guest Apperances... so, here they go:

Year: 1981
Artist: Dave Edmunds
Album: Twangin'
Song: The Race Is On
STRAY CATS: backing band; they also appear on the track clip

Donwload Info & Lyrics

Year: 1984
Artist: Johnny Hallyday
Album: Nashville 1984
Songs: That's All Right / Johnny B Goode (feat. Carl Perkins)
STRAY CATS: backing band, with Brian singing some lines.

Watch "That's All Right" here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XflcucuF0Tk

And listen to "Johnny B Goode" too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkjKWRdTXG0

Download Info & Lyrics

Year: 1984
Work: OST Sixteen Candles
STRAY CATS: perform the song "Sixteen Candles"

You can listen to this nice track here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkkAf3Gc5Oo

Download Info & Lyrics

Year: 1989
Work: Rock N Rhymeland
STRAY CATS: film apperance performing "Nine Lives"

See this nice clip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtqhj0TEj6g

Download Info & Lyrics

Happy end of the week and happy start of the new one!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - T-shirts (5)

2011-09-30T16:28:00.009+02:00

As I promised yesterday...

(US Tour 1988 - front)

(US Tour 1988 - back)

(US Tour Jul/Aug 1989 - front)

(US Tour Jul/Aug 1989 - back)

(European Tour Jun/Jul 1989 - front)

(European Tour Jun/Jul 1989 - back.
You can also find this one in black)

(1989 - front)

(1989 - back; Slim Jim wore this model in a few shows)

Friday!! Time for a beer!!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - T-shirts (4)

2011-09-29T14:30:00.009+02:00

The Aussie tees:

(Australia & New Zealand - Nov/Dec 1990)

(Australia & New Zealand - Nov/Dec 1990)

(Australia, Feb/Mar 1991 - front)

(Australia Feb/Mar 1991 - back in white)

(Australia Feb/Mar 1991 - back in black)

"Blast Off" t-shirts coming tomorrow!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - T-shirts (3)

2011-09-28T14:56:00.009+02:00

I could actually wear have an audience with all these tees ;-)

(Blood Drive Tour, Europe 1992, front)

(Blood Drive Tour, Europe 1992, back)

(Japan Tour November 1992, front)

(Japan Tour November 1992, back)

(Japan Tour March 1992, front)

(Japan Tour March 1992, back)

More tomorrow!!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - T-shirts (2)

2011-09-27T14:19:00.010+02:00

More tees for you!

(Choo Choo Hot Fish Japan Tour, November 1992, front9

(Choo Choo Hot Fish Japan Tour, November 1992, back)

(Let's Go Faster Tour 1990-91, front)

(Let's Go Faster Tour 1990-91, back)

(US Tour 1992, front)

(US Tour 1992, back)

(1989 - no back printings)

(Euro Tour 2004, front)

(Euro Tour 2004, back)

Enjoy!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - T-shirts (1)

2011-09-26T19:00:00.008+02:00

Hello, hello!! How are you??

Sorry, yes, I know... It's been a few days without a word from me, but I wasn't up to posting anything... but it was about time, wasn't it??

Now that all the LPs, singles and so on are over.... yeah, I've been with this blog for 1 year and 10 months... it's time for more things (how come!?) like Tees or posters.... then, I think I'll start posting photos from different periods or like the old www.briansetzer.com used to have, "The Tour Archive", with dates of past tours, some setlist (for that I will basically send you to the Setzer Archive") and pictures.

In the meantime, enjoy the tees!!

(US 2007, front)

(US 2007, back)

(Europe 2008, front - I bought it in Bilbao)

(Europe 2008, back)

(US 2009, front - especially made for Brian Setzer's 50th B'day Bash)

(US 2009, back)

More to come soon!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER 68 CBS - 21 September 2001, Madrid, Spain (coverage)

2011-09-21T18:18:00.013+02:00

Good evening everyone, how are you doing??

Yesterday, I told you I would have something special... and yes, I gave you a clue with the word "special" - Today, it's been 10 years since I first saw Brian Setzer. It was on Friday, 21 September 2001 at La Riviera in Madrid. Heck, I was still a todler, hah! I was 16 at that time and I remember knowing that Brian was about to tour Europe since February that year... I told my eldest brother and he said: "Oh, we are going, aren't we?" - I even had to ask my parents for permission to attend that gig. They knew I really liked him and that my brother was coming with me, so there was no objection at all.

I got my tickets like 2 months prior to the show, and when the 9.11 bombings occurred (sorry for what I am going to say) and the news said that the US air space was closed... I thought I wouldn't see my hero. Fortunatelly, three days after, the air space was open again, so I couldn't help but grin!

Right, the Day-D had come, and the communications with Madrid were not as good as they are nowadays (they are not good enough in comparison with other cities, but it's acceptable). So, my brother and I took the Madrid-bound train on Thrusday night, 20 September. It took us like 9 hours to get to Madrid, we arrived in at 8am.... we took advantage of the amount of time we had to go sightseeing a bit. We met a few friends of his and like at 5pm-ish we were already at the queue... not the first ones, but the second ones!!! Then, it began to drizzle... but finally at 8pm the doors were open!! We had a small backpack with a few sandwiches that we had to leave out due to security reasons....

Anyway, 9pm and the support band "Lobos Negros" (Black Wolves) started to play. Geez, what a horrible performance. I don't know who hires the support acts but this one was really bad. They even played "Bran New Cadillac" and we all knew it because he said that... so, imagine the quality of this group.

9.45pm: Guitar and drum techs came onto the stage and so did drummer Bernie Dresel and bassist Mark Winchester, just to check everything was OK.

10pm: lights down, Elvis's "Burning Love" starts to sound, Bernie and Mark back onto the stage and without realizing....

(PHOTOS: Slim "Jon", Paco Vigil, Ruben Stray Cat)

"Please Don't Touch" opened the show!! The song started and Brian said: "Hola Madrid, como están?" (Hello Madrid, how are you?). It had been like 10 years without Brian stopping over in Spain... so when he started to play some solos on both sides of the stage, people were yelling and screaming!!

"This Cat's On A Hot Tin Roof" followed right after, being more like a warming up, and getting the audience ever more ready for what he had in store for us. Bernie and Mark were at their finest, kicking and hitting the drumkit and ripping those double bass strings!!

"Ignition" was the third song that night, and "Hot Rod Girl" came after.

Next, Brian showed off his guitar arsenal and he took the Dan Electro double necked guitar to play "5 Years, 4 Months, 3 Days". I really enjoyed this song, I would say this was a highlight for many people. Pity that there was a minor sound glitch when Brian was about to play his solo.

After these songs, "Stray Cat Strut" and "Rumble In Brighton" - people went crazy when Brian started "SCS" solo.... and what a way to start "Rumble": UNO, DOS, TRES, CUATRO!! (One, Two, Three, Four!). Then, "Sleepwalk" to calm down things a little bit, before getting into 3 songs from "Ignition": "59", which is my fav from that album; "8 Track" served to introduce Bernie Dresel and to boost things... it was curious that on this song, Brian did a stop to do the yodelling thing. It was pretty amazing!!! And to put up and end to this first part, bassist Mark W sang "Rooster Rock".

What came next?? Oh yes, Brian performing two songs on the banjo, "Gentle On My Mind" and "Old Joe Clark" (more or less like "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"). It was nice to have these cuts in here. Sorry I have no pictures of Brian with the banjo. Thing is that the ticket said "no cameras" and being 16 attending such a major concert, I was scared of the security taking my camera out or even being expelled... it wasn't the case, but I could take a few pictures with a friend's camera, who was a couple of rows behind me.

Later, the band went away leaving Brian alone. He started the riff to "Runaway Boys", driving all the people mad, and for the second verse, the band joined in. I think it was the only 68 CBS show in which this has happened. What came after "RBoys"?? I think that Brian somehow altered the initial order of "Rock This Town" and "Gene & Eddie", because he played the former first... and then, he said: "Una más? Dos más? Tres más?" (One more? Two more? Three more?). And then, "Gene & Eddie". What a frenetic version!!! I remember losing my voice after that song with all this shouting... "we're gonna rock with Gene & Eddie!!!!" - and the band disappeared....

After 4 minutes screaming like crazy, clapping and doing this Spanish thing "ooeeee oeeeee oeeeee, oeeeee, oeeeee!" (kind of like a football/soccer match when your team is winning), Brian decided to cheer us up with 4 more songs. He came to play "I Won't Stan In Your Way", but before, he said: "Gracias, mis amigos" (Thank you, my friends) - I cried on this one... you know, I was 16, making a fair decent trip to Madrid (450 km) just to see my hero. I love this song, Brian even stopped get an applause before going onto the solo... PURE MAGIC!!

Once he finished this one, he came up with "Mystery Train" - Bernie and Mark joined in and folks... this was superb!! If you have seen BSO's DVD "Live In Japan", it was more or less like this one, slightly faster, but with both bass and drum solos.... superb!!!

Finally, I was expecting for "Hell Bent" or even "Who Would Love This Car But Me" but I wasn't that lucky. However, we still got "Malagueña" (slightly shorter than on the album) and "Brand New Cadillac". Since the BSO used to finish the shows with this tune I knew this was the end of the show.

It's been 10 years and I have a recording of that show that I listen to from time to time. I cannot express what this first time seeing Brian meant for me. Meeting Brian last July was something very very special and touchy for me, but there won't be anything like seeing your idol for the very first time.

My brother and I spent the night having a few beers and sleeping at a friend's house to take the morning train the day after. Back in Oviedo at 2pm, I went home by bus and I met my friends in the evening to tell them my experience. I think that my eyes are sparkling now by remembering this.

I do really hope you have enjoyed this experience as much as I did, not only in person but remembering it and sharing my emotions with you all.

Happy evening!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Runaway Hits (EMI - compilation)

2011-09-20T17:39:00.003+02:00

Final compilation to post... I am missing this one in my collection. Right, this one was released in 2004 just to take advantage of the Stray Cats touring Europe... I remember that there was a notice on Brian Setzer's website about this album, something like "if you want to support the Stray Cats, do not buy this album" - I bet this got a wider promotion and the fortunate ones, got hold of a copy. At that time, I wasn't collecting compilations, so I missed this one... Heck!!

Anyway, "Runaway Hits" is the last official compilation up to date... remember that I call official compilations to those that are released exclusively by EMI or Arista (BMG). You can find many others by other companies, but they are pretty much the same, with a poorer design and less songs in most of occassions. By buying an official compilation, one is not directly supporting the artist but the record company instead. In any case, as a collector, I do look for both support the artists and my own interest... and my own interest goes first!!

This 2 CD set compilation comes with all the greatest hits from 1981 to 1983, and then it comes with some unreleased live tracks (some of them are from Toronto in 1983 and I pressume that others seem to be from Tokyo 1981, but I cannot confirm you this), and besides, it includes some enhanced video-clips, which is rather a great idea!! At least, we have some live songs and some clips, this is always a bonus!!

This is the tracking list:

CD 1
1- Runaway Boys
2- Rock This Town
3- Stray Cat Strut
4- You Don't Believe Me
5- Little Miss Prissy
6- Sexy + 17
7- Rebels Rule
8- I Won't Stand In Your Way
9- Cruisin'
10- Look At That Cadillac
11- My One Desire
12- Can't Hurry Love
13- Drink That Bottle Down (live)
14- Cross That Bridge
15- Sweet Love On My Mind (live)
16- Lookin' Better Every Beer
17- Lookin' Out My Backdoor
18- Lucky Charm
19- Double Talkin' Baby
20- Rumble In Brighton
21- Wicked Whiskey
22- Rev It Up & Go
23- Buit For Speed
24- Too Hip, Gotta Go
25- Built For Speed

CD 2
1- I Won't Stand In Your Way (a cappella)
2- Maybe Baby (live)
3- Rock Therapy (live)
4- Important Words (live)
5- Fishnet Stockings (live)
6- Oh Boy (live)
7- Something Else (live)
8- C'mon Everybody (live)

ENHANCED VIDEOS:
- Runaway Boys
- Stray Cat Strut
- Rock This Town
- You Don't Believe Me
- Little Miss Prissy
- Sexy + 17
- Rebels Rule
- I Won't Stand In Your Way

Tomorrow, I'll try to make something special for you ;-) Surprise!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Music History (Russian compilation)

2011-09-19T18:18:00.002+02:00

Oh yeah!! How are you lads and lassies??

Right, there is one more compilation left to post but before doing that, I'd like to show you this one. It's a Russian compilation called "Music History" (The BSO has one!) and though it's not official, this is a top-notch CD for you to have as collectors. It includes songs from the three first albums and then... some cuts from "Choo Choo Hot Fish". Good thing too is that the 80 running minutes that a CD allows have been filled up entirely, which means a lot of songs.

Last compilation tomorrow!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Very Best Of (Arista - compilation)

2011-09-19T00:41:00.003+02:00

Another compilation by Arista; this one has a European and a Japanese version. The latter comes with 2 or 3 bonus tracks. Good thing is that the Japs added a booklet with lyrics.

Night night!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Greatest Hits (EMI - compilation)

2011-09-17T17:34:00.003+02:00

And another one...

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - The Best Of (Arista - compilation)

2011-09-16T14:54:00.003+02:00

Hey,
just another "For Japan Only" compilation. Nothing new, but just another official compilation.

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Runaway Boys: A Retrospective 81-92 (EMI - compilation)

2011-09-15T15:42:00.004+02:00

Hey!

More stuff, this one "Runaway Boys - Retrospective" is a nice one, specially for the US market, since a few songs had not been included in the US LPs, and also, this one comes with a few tracks from the last period of the Cats, which in many compilations, this hasn't been done. If I had to recommend a compilation, this would be my choice.

Cheerios!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS & BRIAN SETZER - Stray Cats & Brian Setzer (EMI - compilation)

2011-09-14T11:27:00.005+02:00

More "for Japan only" stuff coming in!! This one, "Stray Cats... & Brian Setzer" was released in 1994; What I like about this compilation is that it comes with songs from the last Stray Cats period (1989-1993) with a couple of songs by Brian Setzer solo. It also comes with the lyrics, which is always great.

(front, with OBI)

(back)

(press advert)

Have a nice day!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Otherwise (Arista - compilation)

2011-09-13T14:22:00.005+02:00

Here's the Japanese version to yesterday's post, "20/20". Same set list, but as usual, the Japanese edition comes with booklet with lyrics and pictures as well as slipcase.

(front, with OBI)

(back)

(slipcase, front)

(slipcase, back)

Thanks to Tomodachi Kimi from Japan for giving me this CD. ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - 20/20 (Arista - compilation)

2011-09-12T16:01:00.003+02:00

Buenas tardes, amigos!!

Yeah, finally, something different in a compilation. This "for France only" CD was released in 1993, and apart from containing the usual stuff, for the very first time all the Stray Cats B-sides from 1981 to 1983, are included. This means that "Can't Hurry Love" or "Cruisin'" are there as well as 3 live tracks, which were also B-sides. This CD would have its Japanese version, called "Otherwise" and I'll post it tomorrow, I guess.

Bye!!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - The Story Of... (Arista - compilation)

2011-09-11T16:48:00.002+02:00

Another one by Arista, a 2CD set which is: CD 1, "Back To The Alley" and CD 2, the remaining songs to complete the three first albums.

Happy Sunday!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Ultimate Selection (Arista - compilation)

2011-09-10T18:30:00.002+02:00

Howdy!!

Yeah, here I come, with the first Japanese compilation ever. As for the tracking list, more of the same... songs from the Cats first three releases, but what I like about this one is the booklet. The Japanese are always very keen on including booklets with lyrics (though some mistakes from time to time and very funny indeed!) and also because of the vintage pictures included in it.

Have a nice Saturday! I'm off for a few beers (well... when I say "a few beers" I mean until the bars close at 5.30am ;-)

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Rock This Town (EMI - compilation)

2011-09-09T06:09:00.003+02:00

Hah, "Rock This Town"... what an original name for a Stray Cats compilation ;-) Just another (but official) US ompilation... nothing to comment.

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Back To The Alley (Arista - compilation)

2011-09-06T16:14:00.006+02:00

Afternoon, everyone!!

Today, I would like to begin to post the Stray Cats compilations. There have been many compilations on the market, but I will only consider what I call "official" compilations, or in other words, the ones released by Arista or EMI (or EMI-Capitol). I will consequently leave out many others which have a poorer design as well as nothing new to the ones I am going to post these days.

"Back To The Alley" is the Stray Cats first official compilation ever and it's the only one that has an LP version. It comes with tracks of the three first releases, and the UK CD includes 2 bonus tracks. There's also an Australian version that comes with 2 songs from "Blast Off!". This is quite surprising since Arista did not release that album but EMI. Apart from this, nothing really to highlight... so, I'll leave you with the pictures here:

(German only LP, front)

(German only LP, back)

(UK CD, front)

(UK CD, back - includes 2 bonus tracks)

(Australian CD, front)

(Australian CD, back - 15 songs only, but 2 from "Blast Off!")

Have a nice day,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - LP Bootlegs

2011-09-05T16:48:00.013+02:00

Hello my felines!

Though I do not collect LP bootlegs, I think it's worth mentioning them, at least these ones. Why these ones and not any others?? Right, I'll explain this to you: The reason for this is that there have always been many bootlegs that containg a partial recording of a show, and I don't like this. However, these ones included in this post, are complete shows. In fact, I used to have them but I sent them to a friend in France.

BTW, thanks Sidelake Bob for sending me all these pictures!! TAKK!!

"King Biscuit's Show '84"
(Massey Hall, Toronto, ONT - 20 March 1983)

You can find this 2LP set as "Jennie, Jennie, Jennie" CD, posted HERE too.

"Live At The Grand Ole Opry"
(Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN - 18 December 1983)

Another wonderful gig, featuring Carl Perkins on a couple of songs, as well as the Cats playing "Looking Better Every Beer", "Jailhouse Rock" or "18 Miles To Memphis".

"Live In Japan 1990"
(Club Citta, Kawasaki, Japan - 8 May 1990 / includes two bonus of 1988)

This is "Runaway Boys" bootleg CD too, so, click HERE for more info.

"Stompin' At The Town & Country"
(Town & Country Club, London, UK - March 1989)

I never had this one, so I cannot tell you anything about it but it's just one of those audience shows transferred to LP; same set as in 1989... so if you get any other show at that time....

Hope you have enjoyed it,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Rockabilly Kings (bootleg CD)

2011-09-02T23:36:00.002+02:00

Another version to the "Hootenanny" bootleg CD. This one has just 18 songs, no encores and it's an audience recording... not recommended!! You'd better go for the 2 CD edition ;)

Happy weekend everyone!!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Hootenanny Hellride (bootleg CD)

2011-08-31T19:55:00.002+02:00

Penultimate bootleg, "Hootenanny Hellride", which captures the one-off show of the Stray Cats in California back in 2003. Not much to comment, apart from the wonderful sound and the fact that Brian sang the US National Anthem as well as they included "18 Miles To Memphis". As for the rest, it's a classical set list that compiles their greatest hits and some other nice songs.

I have just updated the Brian Setzer's guest apperances part 4, by adding the 2011 releases (Jeff Beck, Glen Campbell) - you can check the newest collaborations HERE.

Happy day!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Live At The Paradiso (bootleg CD)

2011-08-30T19:42:00.003+02:00

More good shows!!!

This one, "Live At The Paradiso", was recorded in September 1992 - not sure about the exact, either the 14th or 15th.... as the Cats did two shows there... but in any case, this is another wonderful FM recording, almost complete!!! Just the opening song "Please Don't Touch" and possibly the last one... not sure whether they played more after "Oh Boy", which it could have been "Something Else", but not really concerned at all.

Here the Cats played some new songs from their album at that time, "Choo Choo Hot Fish", which is the most remarkable of this bootleg, together with the medley "Rock This Town / Train Kept A Rollin'" as well as the fact that they brought "Sexy +17" and "My One Desire" back. During this period, it was very very unusual.

As you can see, my copy says #477 but the one I have now is #250 or something like that. The reason is that I used to have 2 copies, and this 477 was the first one. Then, I got another one, and the condition was slightly better than this one, so I sold this one here to a guy in Canada for the same price that I bought the cheapest copy (20 Euro).

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Shake, Shake, Shake (bootleg CD)

2011-08-29T18:43:00.004+02:00

Hello my Felines!!

We are getting closer to the end of the bootlegs posts... ohhh, pity!! Yes, I know but soon I'll start with the compilations, which is great. No worries, I am not going to leave you stuffless in a while.

"Shake Shake Shake" was recorded live in Asbury Park, NJ, the day after "Choo Choo Hot Fish" got released, 23 May 1992. FM recording, wonderful show... the only drawback is that is not a full show... dammit!! But we got "Please Don't Touch", "Mystery Train", "Elvis On Velvet" or "Cry Baby". These last two, whoever the bootleg manufacturer it was, they had the courtesy of adding the perfect backing vocals from the album, kind of funny, but it sounds great!!

Not really as a warning, but as a personal comment: many songs from this bootleg are included in many live compilations ("Runaway Boys" 2CD set, "Rock This Town" 2CD set, "Tear It Up", "Rockabilly Rules" and some others), so do not waste your hard-earned money on those and get this bootleg. It takes a while to get, but it's much better than having 10 live compilations with the same songs over and over again.

Enjoy it,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Runaway Boys (bootleg CD)

2011-08-28T15:45:00.003+02:00

Hey,

another bootleg to add to your collection, "Live-Runaway Boys". Though the cover mentions this one to have been recorded during the US Tour 1992, it's not true. It is in fact, the "Rock Tokyo" show, but with some songs not in the correct order.

Find all the information about this bootleg on the "Rock Tokyo" VHS & LD post, HERE.

Happy Sunday,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Rockabilly Reigns This Town (bootleg CD)

2011-08-27T00:08:00.002+02:00

Last bootleg from this period (as far as I know!!)

Great FM recording, pity it's just 10 songs... yes, 10 and not 9 as listed on the tracking list. They just missed "Gina" in between "Stray Cat Strut" & "Rockabilly Rules". Besides, it's shame that "Little Queenie" hasn't been included in this broadcats... it's just one of the very few times in which the Cats have played this cut. However, if you have other bootlegs like "Rockabilly Roundhouse Punch" or "Rock Paris", it's more than enough. In fact, I sold this bootleg to a German friend not long a go. No worries, I just asked him for 15 Euro, what I paid for it. Fair, I think.

Happy weekend!!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

BRIAN SETZER - Cheers, Europe!

2011-08-24T19:06:00.004+02:00

Oi!!!

This post goes specially dedicated to mon bon ami, Frenchy Cat! A toast on you!!

Both pictures, courtesy of Brian's official website.

Checking in from Amsterdam last July... See the pictures from the first night HERE and also, from the second night too HERE.

Do you remember the picture that Brian took in Helsinki?? This one above is the result. See the pictures of that show HERE.

Next up... The Riot Squad in Japan in late September and early October. The Head Cat in London and Berlin in mid-October plus... SLIM JIM PHANTOM with THE FIREBIRD BROTHERS touring Europe in October and November... no official confirmation has been made on his website so far, but many dates have already been announced by some German & French promotors through their websites.

More bootlegs, tomorrow!!

Your cat, Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Rock Paris (bootleg CD)

2011-08-23T15:29:00.005+02:00

Rumble On The Seine Tonight!!

All the information about this bootleg can be found HERE, the entry of the "Rock Paris" VHS & LD. The only thing is that this bootleg does not contain "Rock This Town" (thanks God!) or "Drink That Bottle Down", which is a pity since there are edits between tracks, so in an 80 minute CD, this could have been included.

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Rockabilly Roundhouse Punch (bootleg CD)

2011-08-22T21:56:00.003+02:00

Howdy!!

Have you had a nice weekend?? Mine was terribly good, my batteries are fully charged, life is wonderful!!

Right, another nice bootleg despite its poor design. "Rockabilly Roundhouse Punch" is said to be recorded somewhere in Europe back in 1989, but as far as I have been able to find, this recording is the "Hot Point Festival" in Lausanne, Switzerland (June 16). There is a partial broadcast of this concert by the Italian TV, so sometimes you can find the video of it as "Live In Italy". It is true that the Cats played in Milan on that tour, but when watching the show on video, Brian says "Merci Beaucoup".

This is a good quality recording, but "Runaway Boys" is missing and there are fades in and out between tracks, but very highly recommended. In my opinion, the Cats were at their best in 1989; they sounded lound, with a lot of punch and energy and their looks couldn't have been any better!!

Have a nice week!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Platinum Pussy (bootleg CD)

2011-08-19T16:08:00.003+02:00

Just a brief post to mention this bootleg, "Platinum Pussy", which contains three different performances!

And a few clips from each and every show included on this CD:

"MTV's New Year's Eve 1983"

"Tear It Up"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxUK0MkjgXs
"Say Mama"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bwcm2WwcAc
"Looking Out My Backdoor"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYo-5ZLuhhk
"18 Miles To Memphis"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuQFa2uwu0k

"Fridays" 16 October 1981

"Baby Blue Eyes"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-zbXGHc4AQ

"Farm Aid" 22 September 1985

"Radiation Ranch"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXgz83IyPkM
"Maria"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyB-yhTiyQs

Happy weekend!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

SLIM JIM PHANTOM - 26 March 2006, Madrid, Spain (coverage)

2011-08-18T19:35:00.014+02:00

Hello my friends, how are you??

I would like to continue with more coverages of the times I saw any of the Stray Cats live in action (* STILL MISSING LEE ROCKER, DAMMIT!!). Today, it's time for the first time I saw a Stray Cat, Slim Jim Phantom with Darrel Higham in Madrid, 5 years ago!!

I was very much excited when Slim Jim announced this tour, and the dates were perfect for me, specially this one in Madrid. I went to see it with a friend who lived there. I remember this show was on a Sunday and that I used to work at a pub on Saturdays, so I got home like 6am or so, had a 2h nap, had a shower and off to the Madrid-bound train at 10.30am; I arrived in Madrid at 4pm ish... yeh, the high tech has yet to arrive here in Spain... almost 6 hours to do the 450km that separate Oviedo from Madrid. I have to say that were I live, is quite a mountainous area, so this takes longer...

Anyway, got there, saw my friend, had a few beers and off to the show. WE HAD TICKETS #1 AND #2!!! There wasn't a support band, something that I appreciate very much.

10pm - Slim Jim hits the stage, accompained by Rockabilly guitar man Darrel Higham (Imelda May's husband) and Dutch bassist Huey Moore (he plays for Mary Ann & The Ragtime Wrangles, band that supported Brian Setzer for the shows in Amsterdam last month).

Slim Jim looked very elegant, and so did Darrel and Huey. They opened the show with "Rumble In Brighton", sung by Jim. Heck, I love him as a background vocalist but not as a lead singer!! In any case, that song really got the audience in!!

Next up were some new songs from their release "Kat Men": "Jumpin' With Gene", "A Heartache I Can't Bear" or "You Shouldn't Have Said That".

Some other versions followed after: "Twenty Flight Rock", "Everybody's Movin'" or the frenetic Roy Orbison's "Domino".

Then, some other cool songs like Elvis's "Burning Love" or more originals like "Dark Haired Woman".

The show wrapped up with "Rock This Town", which was OK. However, it was a great show, very much excitement despite the small audience on a Sunday night! We really screamed and clapped for an encore.

The band came back after a couple of minutes, to delight the audience with "Stray Cat Strut", "Tear It Up" and "C'mon Everybody".

I really had a good time there, and wanting to catch Jim jumping on the stage... this wonderful show was taken instead:

(Stick Jim Phantom??? ;-)

Sorry I am not being as enthusiastic as I was in the other coverages, but I don't really have many memories from the show. I was very much in awe, and to me, the best part came after. I bought the CD, a couple of buttons and a poster of the tour, which unfortunatelly, I lost not long ago!!! Dammit!!

I remember running out of my camera's battery, but I managed to get my picture with Slim Jim taken. A friendly guy took me one shot and sent it via email. GRACIAS!!

Sorry that I look very much as if I were on drugs, but I wasn't really eexpecting to meet Jim!! He even gave me a drumstick !!!!

And from the show, I got this:

"Kat Men", the buttons, the ticket #2, the drumstick and a signed Grestch drums advert!! Cool!!

The day after, Monday, I got up at 6am, took the train at 8 and back in Oviedo at 2pm ish and straight to University!!

Right folks, off to watch the TV series "The Tudors"!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - 16 August 2008, Bilbao, Spain (coverage)

2011-08-15T23:09:00.014+02:00

Howdy!!

Just on the eve of the third anniversary of the Stray Cats European Farewell, I would like to write my chronicle of their opening night in Barakaldo (a city near Bilbao).

(PHOTOS BY SLIM JIM & IVÁN)

Oviedo - 16 August 2008, 10am: Once again, Iván and I decided to attend another show together, and what a better way to enjoy a few days off work than seeing the opening night of the Stray Cats Farewell Tour. I have always thought (and I still do), that the opening night of a tour is the best one, the most energetic show, though maybe the one in which the machine is not that well oiled. Maybe more mistakes, but more fun at the same time.

We set off to Barakaldo about 10 in the morning, as I have already mentioned, and we stopped for breakfast some 140km later, in a small village called Unquera. Coffee, pastry and a stroll before continuing our journey to Barakaldo. At about 2pm, we had already checked in. Grabbed a bite, saw where the venue exactly was (inside a shopping centre!) and back to the hotel for a shower and a nap. All the way from Oviedo to Barakaldo, we were listening to the Stray Cats.

5.30pm: we walked again to the venue, which took us just a few minutes. We were the first ones and a few minutes later, a couple of girls came to queue too. The doors opening was set at 8.30, so the waiting was shy of three hours. We were slightly tired but it was worth the waiting. In the meantime and already inside, we took this wonderful shot of Slim Jim's bass drum:

10pm: THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO START!!! Lights turned down and "Mystery Train" comes in from the background. A voice in Spanish says: "Buenas noches, Bilbao! Desde Nueva York, Estados Unidos, en su gira de despedida... STRAY CATS!!" (Good evening, Bilbao! From New York City, USA, on their Farewell Tour, STRAY CATS!!")

"Rumble In Brighton" was the first song!! What a blast!! Slim Jim was banging that drum as he had taken esteroids, Lee rocker was plucking those bass strings and Brian was singing and playing at his best!! In fact, Jim and Lee had their fingers taped after just a few songs. As usual, "Rumble" ended this way:

"Seven Nights To Rock" followed right after. I knew they could play this song as the month before, they had played a very similar set in California to the one they performed in Europe. It was a nice second song. "Double Talkin' Baby" and "Something's Wrong With My Radio" couldn't be skipped either!!

In that sole US show, they played "Cry Baby", so it was very much likely they would play this one too. As soon as Brian started the riff, Iván and I went crazy!!! Besides, it got Lee Rocker singing one of the verses and doing some wonderful backing vocals too.

What was a real surprise was "Lust N Love". We were listening to that song in the car and we said: "Wouldn't it be great if they played this track???" - My prayers were answered at 10.20 more or less... without any introduction, Brian got that riff coming out of his guitar.... we couldn't believe it!!! "Ohhhh, she left me on the corner of lust n love".... I think we were the only ones singing to that song!!

Then, it was time for some more classics: "Stray Cat Strut", "Runaway Boys", "Sexy + 17" and "Gene & Eddie". I was taping the show in an old cassette recorder and it was at this time when I had to flip the tape. I don't know what really happened with the flip, but it didn't work properly... so I just taped half the show... I didn't want to miss a single second of the concert, and after the show I remember throwing that tape away!! I think I couldn't have stood the feeling of just having taped the show partially.

Bobby Gilken set up a floor tom for Slim Jim, so I though this one had to be either "Gina" or maybe "Ubangi Stomp". It was the former!!! Whoah!! This gig couldn't have been going on this good!! The audience really appreciated this track... As a curiosity, I can tell you that this song was written by The Paine Brothers, not for the Stray Cats in 1988, but for a female artist whose name I can't remember... but there is a recording of this song in 1984!!!! However, this version has nothing to do with the Cats version, which is infinetely better!!

Another novelty to the show was the inclusion of Ian Dury's "Sweet Gene Vincent". This song wasn't my favourite, but it was nice to hear something new. There's a version by Robbie Williams too, which, whether you like him or not, is a wonderful one too. "Blast Off" got the audience even wilder and, guess what! Yes, "Bring It Back Again" entirely sung by LEE ROCKER!! What a fabulous choice!! I have always thought that Lee should have song a few more songs with the Cats. People were really amazed to see him singing.

"Fishnet Stockings" got Brian soloing for a while and then... what happened?? "Bilbao, are you ready to "Rock This Town"??? Sure we were!!! Sure we were!!! The packed-to-the-ceilings venue couldn't have screamed and yelled more that they did until that moment!!

The Cats rocked Bilbao till they dropped and they rolled!! And waving goodbye after introducing themselves... they went away..... ohhh, shame!!

After some screaming, the Cats re-appeared on stage for a 2 song (first) encore: "I Fought The Law" and "Something Else". I was happy to hear these two songs despite being tired of having listened to these ones on many different bootlegs, but in 2004, they didn't play these songs, so, it was good!! "Something Else" got Brian on Slim Jim's bass drum playing the "Bonanza" guitar lick as he used to do in the old times.... and again, after the song, they went away, a man next to Iván and I said: "The show is over, I'm going now". And he went away. Lights turned up again and background music was on.

We thought that it was over, and somehow we were slightly disappointed for a first night of a tour... no second encore?? The technicians switched the amps off, and they were about to dismount all the stage. 5 minutes later approximately (and I am not exagerating), they Cats would come onto the stage for a second and final encore, that included "Baby Blue Eyes" and "Please Don't Touch". What I don't know is whether the man who told us "the show is over" managed to see this second encore or whether he had already made his way out.

I really think this second encore wasn't planned, as Brian told Slim and Lee what they would play. I enjoyed "Baby Blue Eyes" a lot, as this was one of the songs I wanted to hear live and then, when "Please Don't Touch", I shouted that much that I was voiceless after the show. Quite interesting is that the Cats used to start the 1992 shows with this one... and in 2004 and 2008 this was the final song... how amazing how things change in a few years time!!

This photo below shows a premotion of what would eventually happend in London 3 weeks later, when Slim Jim fell off the stage and broke his arm. Here in Bilbao, when he jumped at the end of "Please Don't Touch", he miscalculated the space of the stage and he fell down (without breaking any bone!) and he nearly hit his head agains Brian's floor speaker/monitor. Brian gave him a "good" black look, meaning: "Jim, if you break any of your bones, we'll be broke..." (* for some of you who might not get the pun on words: In English, the expression "to be (flat) broke" means not to have any money. See for instance on "Stray Cat Strut").

The show was over 90 minutes later, having me speechless and voices, with a grin in my face and my eyes sparkling!! It was time to have a well-deserved beer and go back to the hotel.

These are the best (and full) clips that are available from that night:

"Gina"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPi97GUWLqA
"Baby Blue Eyes" (THERE WASN'T A BEST WAY TO ASK FOR A SECOND ENCORE!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wPQmTCpnyA

The day after (17.7) we went back to Oviedo in a very relaxed way. We woke up late, had a coffee and a pastry for breakfast at a local bar, started the car and we stopped in Laredo, which is a city near the Basque Country, for a drink and a walk. Then, we drove to Santoña, a small fishing village famous for its anchoives. We also took advantage to watch the tennis men's single final at the Beijing Olympics: the Spaniard Rafa Nadal against the Chilean Fernando Gonzalez... the Spaniard won in straight sets!! I am not a patriot nor have that feeling of Spanishness but I very much enjoy Rafa Nadal. I think he represents the value of perseverance, effort and courage, just that.

We had lunch, and later on we stopped at another small village called Comillas. This village is famous for being one of the very few places where the architect Antonio Gaudi did something outside Barcelona. Then, we wouldn't stop until we got back to Oviedo at 8 in the evening or so.... and the following day we had to work!!

I cannot believe that 3 years have gone by this fast!! Well, I've just been in Amsterdam about a month ago!!

Anyway, hope you have had the whale of time reading this and that somehow, this review have taken you back to that Tour, if you were there.

Night, night!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - The Fumble (bootleg CD)

2011-08-14T13:41:00.003+02:00

Another wonderful bootleg of the Stray Cats reunion in 1988!!

This one, "The Fumble", can also be found as "Rock This Town" or "Rumble In Town" but I think "The Fumble" is the one that has the best design. This show was recorded live at The Ritz in NYC on October 18th, 1988. It was broadcast for the KBFH show in April 1989 and consequently, this bootleg, which contains the songs that were fully aired. Nonetheless, there is another bootleg (well... a CD-R bootleg) containing the full show.

The show includes Stray Cats old classics as well as some new songs from, the upcoming album at that time, "Blast Off".

Enjoy it my friends!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Whiskey A Go Go (bootleg CD)

2011-08-12T14:49:00.004+02:00

Yay!!

Another nice bootleg, "Live At The Whiskey A Go Go" (25 December 1986, The Whiskey, Los Angeles CA). Interesting bootleg, not only because of the set, but also because this was the only Stray Cats show after 1984 and before their reunion in 1988. The set includes "Lookin' For Someone To Love", "Rock Therapy", "Matchbox", "Little Queenie" and "Santa Claus Is Back In Town", among other Stray Cats classics. Besides, Bruce Willis (aye, you heard me well - Bruce Willis the actor) joins on a couple of tracks. This would eventually lead to his appearance on Brian's album "Live Nude Guitars", where he would play the harmonica on "Temper Sure Is Rising". Besides, there is a good quality video tape! Sound is excellent too.

Enjoy your day,
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

STRAY CATS - Jammin' With Cats (bootleg CD)

2011-08-09T20:37:00.002+02:00

"Jammin' With Cats" is one of those bootlegs that should have never been released due to being incomplete. I hate when bootlegs are released and the shows are incomplete... I don't have this one, nor I want it either, but I know I should mention it.

It comes with 12 tracks of the "Rockpalast Festival 1983" in Germany and an extra, which is great: "Blue Suede Shoes" at the "Les Paul Tribute" in 1988 with many other guitar players on stage.

More good bootlegs to come soon!

Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com

THE HEAD CAT - Walk The Walk, Talk The Talk

2011-08-08T13:40:00.004+02:00

Howdy Cats & Kittens!

Just before delaying it for I don't know how long until I remember to post this again... The Head Cat has just released a new studio album (possibly recorded like 2 or 3 years ago!!) called "Walk The Walk, Talk The Talk" - simple but clear message: do what you want, what you like!

This one contains a couple of original cuts: "American Beat" and "Eagles Fly On Friday", and the rest are versions such as Gene Vincent's "Say Mama" or The Beatles' "You Can't Do That".

The Head Cat has never been my cup of tea at all, despite Slim Jim being there, but I must admit they have some nice tracks and it must be great to see them live.

Listen to the "American Beat":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrZPuG7CsRE

Good news is that, yes, it's going to be just 2 or 3 shows, but The Head Cat is going to play in Europe!!!! Not mentioned on their Facebook, MySpace or their Website, but on those websites to get tickets, 2 shows have been announced so far...

Sunday, 16 October - The Garage, London, England
Tuesday, 18 October - C-Club, Berlin, Germany

Hope they manage a stopover here in Spain!!

Happy week!
Slim "Jon" Phantom
straycatscollectors@gmail.com