The STRAY CATS--all revved up and red hot--have released "Rock It Off," a new song and video from their upcoming album 40, out May 24 via Surfdog Records and distributed by BMG (CD, vinyl, digital). The blazing feel-good song, now available as an instant grat track, is spinning at Spotify and other platforms (listen here at Spotify), and the video can be viewed here. The behind-the-scenes video, capturing the band in the Nashville studio where they recorded the album, was premiered yesterday (April 25) at Billboard with a feature story. Noted the publication: "Four decades later, Stray Cats are ready to 'Rock It Off' with the same three basic ingredients they've always used: Setzer's twangy Gretsch guitar, drummer Slim Jim Phantom's elemental thumping and Lee Rocker's expertly slapped upright bass."
Brian Setzer (guitar, vocals), Lee Rocker (bass, vocals) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums, vocals)--original founding members of the iconic and acclaimed American rock and roll trio--are celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2019 with 40, their first new album in 26 years, and a tour that's hitting the U.S. and Europe (*see tour dates below).
The album's song titles alone--including "Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)," "Rock It Off," "Mean Pickin' Mama" and "Devil Train"--instantly let listeners know they're in for a non-stop rocking time. Watch the band and album producer Peter Collins in the studio discussing the making of the album here.
Like "Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)," the album's first instant grat track, "Rock It Off" is available now with a pre-order of the album: http://smarturl.it/StrayCats. "'Rock It Off' may be my favorite track on 40," Slim Jam Phantom says. "When the guitar riff comes in, I stand up a little straighter and imagine a peacock strutting. It's got a shuffle groove that's tailor-made for me to do the bop-bop-a-bop. The video captures the fun and good vibes we all shared while making the whole album." In addition, an exclusive indie-store edition of the album--colored vinyl, with a double-sided 24x12 poster--will arrive on May 24.
The STRAY CATS begin their select U.S. dates presented by SiriusXM on August 3 on the heels of June and July overseas shows. Tickets for the shows are on sale now.
The STRAY CATS recorded 40 at Blackbird Studios in Nashville in late 2018 following their first North American shows in 10 years, with four concerts including sold-out headlining shows in Las Vegas and the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA before wildly enthusiastic audiences. Still buzzing from the thrill of playing together again and the crowd response, they went into the studio with producer Peter Collins (Rush, Bon Jovi, The Brian Setzer Orchestra) and engineer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, Arctic Monkeys). There are a dozen original songs that comprise the album. Read the first press release about the album here, which includes quotes from the band and the track listing.
DAY |
DATE |
CITY/STATE |
VENUE |
Friday |
6/21 |
Vitoria, Spain |
Azkena Rock Festival |
Sunday |
6/23 |
Birmingham, United Kingdom |
Birmingham O2Academy |
Tuesday |
6/25 |
Manchester, United Kingdom |
Manchester O2 Apollo |
Wednesday |
6/26 |
London, United Kingdom |
London Eventim Apollo |
Thursday |
6/27 |
London, United Kingdom |
London Eventim Apollo |
Saturday |
6/29 |
Tilloloy, France |
Retro C Trop |
Monday |
7/1 |
Amsterdam, Netherlands |
AFAS Live |
Wednesday |
7/3 |
Berlin, Germany |
Columbiahalle |
Thursday |
7/4 |
Cologne, Germany |
Palladium |
Saturday |
7/6 |
Tours, France |
American Tours Festival |
Sunday |
7/7 |
Belfort, France |
Les Eurockeennes |
Tuesday |
7/9 |
Stuttgart, Germany |
Killesberg |
Thursday |
7/11 |
Munich, Germany |
Zenith |
Saturday |
7/13 |
Aix-Les-Bains, France |
Musilac Festival |
Thursday |
7/18 |
Pori, Finland |
Pori Jazz Festival |
Saturday |
7/20 |
Falun, Sweden |
Summer Jamboree-Falun |
Saturday |
8/3 |
Atlantic City, NJ |
Ocean Resort Casino-Ovation Hall |
Tuesday |
8/6 |
New York, NY |
Pier 17 at South Street Seaport |
Tuesday |
8/13 |
Vienna, VA |
Wolf Trap |
Wednesday |
8/14 |
Huber Heights, OH |
Rose Music Center |
Thursday |
8/15 |
Grand Rapids, MI |
Meijer Garden |
Sunday |
8/18 |
Welch, MN |
Treasure Island Casino |
Monday |
8/26 |
Salt Lake City, UT |
Red Butte Garden |
Wednesday |
8/28 |
Los Angeles, CA |
Greek Theatre |
Saturday |
8/31 |
San Diego, CA |
Humphrey's |
Sunday |
9/1 |
San Diego, CA |
Humphrey's |