Slim Jim Phantom and his rockabilly trio ushered in 2017 at Chicago's Reggies Rock Club Saturday to a crowd of fans ready to rock this town. Along with rockabilly guitarist-extraordinaire Chris Castello and bassist Jesse Woelfel, they mixed up the set with Stray Cat classics and the music that inspired him to lead a rockabilly revival with the likes of Carl Perkins and Eddie Cochran cuts. The music was high octane, smoking hot and pure vibration.

Headlining the set at midnight, after The Devil Elvis Show and The Krank Daddies opening sets, the evening was one sonic crescendo after another. The room was wild with energy, and dancing fueled by the showmanship and abandon. Phantom's signature stripped-down drum kit along with playing while standing, brings him front of stage and close to the fans. His playing is tight and he is a cool cat on stage. Most of all they were fun to watch and dance to.

His fans have much to celebrate closing out 2016. With the summer release of his memoir book "A Stray Cat Struts: My Life as a Rockabilly Rebel", we can get a peak into the band's rise. Phantom recalls the trio's path from obscurity to being the hit of London with the encouragement of The Stones, Jeff Beck, Ronnie Lane and more. The on to international success. What comes across most is that Phantom is a genuine guy and a dedicated drummer true to his favorite music. A realness that is largely lost in today's music world. Let's all hope he is out touring more in 2017.

http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/hear-slim-jim-phantom-talk-str…

https://www.amazon.com/Stray-Cat-Struts-Rockabilly-Rebel/dp/1250076919/…