STRAY CATS—original members Brian Setzer (guitar, vocals), Lee Rocker (upright bass, vocals) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums, vocals)—will rock their way across America this summer when they return to the road for a three-week tour on July 27. The multi-million selling band’s trek will include stops in Bend, Los Angeles (two shows in Costa Mesa), San Diego, Denver, New York City and more before wrapping up August 17 in Bridgeport, CT. They’ll be joined for these dates by The Midnight Cowgirls as the support act.

As BRIAN SETZER gears up to hit the road this spring, the iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and three-time Grammy Award-winner talked about the five essential songs that served as his inspiration.

Here are BRIAN SETZER’s essential five songs that he listens to before shows.

Elvis Presley, “Mystery Train”

“The song that first got me is ‘Mystery Train’ by Elvis Presley. And when I heard that guitar, a hand came out of the jukebox and said ‘you're going to play this music!’”

Following a busy and successful 2023 with his critically acclaimed THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS album (released this past September) and his first live shows in over four years, iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and three-time Grammy Award-winner BRIAN SETZER will hit the road again in 2024. The new dates kick off February 24 in California, including stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin and more before wrapping March 10 in Nebraska (see full itinerary below).

BRIAN SETZER injects the roots of rock with a contemporary freshness that unites fans of rock, Americana, rockabilly, and punk. He is also the master of songs that celebrate uncomplicated, joyous good times. Today (September 15), the iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and three-time Grammy Award-winner releases his new solo album THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS digitally, on CD and vinyl on Surfdog Records. It features “Rock Boys Rock,” the album’s high-energy opener and fourth single that’s also out today.

BRIAN SETZER hits hard with his new single, the red-hot “The Devil Always Collects,” released today (August 25). Written by SETZER and frequent collaborator Mike Himelstein, it marks the title track of his new album of the same name out September 15 on Surfdog Records digitally, on CD and vinyl.

Creative sparks and killer riffs are flying everywhere on BRIAN SETZER’s new album THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS out September 15 via Surfdog Records digitally, on CD and vinyl. Today (July 21), the iconic 3-time Grammy award-winner has rolled out the album’s first track and video, the blazing “Girl On The Billboard.” Listen to the song and pre-order the album HERE and watch the animated video HERE.

Iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and 3-time Grammy award-winner BRIAN SETZER has confirmed a 12-date fall tour coinciding with a new solo album due in the upcoming months via Surfdog Records--more details coming soon.  Marking his first live shows in over four years, the “ROCKABILLY RIOT” tour will kick off September 27 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ and includes stops in Nashville, TN (at the historic Ryman Auditorium), Foxwoods Casino, Cincinnati, Chicago (Waukegan) and others before wrapping in Minneapolis (

BRIAN SETZER is marking today’s release (August 27) of GOTTA HAVE THE RUMBLE, his first solo album in 7 years, by sharing the album’s third single + video, “Rockabilly Banjo.” The song, written by the iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and 3-time Grammy Award-winner with Stephen “Dibbs" Preston (The Rockats), is a spirited countrified rockabilly song that shines a light on SETZER’s banjo playing, with Paul Franklin on pedal steel guitar.

BRIAN SETZER today (July 23) has shared “Smash Up On Highway One,” the second single from GOTTA HAVE THE RUMBLE, his first solo album in 7 years. The album will be out August 27 on Surfdog Records physically (CD) and digitally, with the vinyl due this fall (TBA).

BRIAN SETZER will release GOTTA HAVE THE RUMBLE, his first solo album in 7 years, August 27 on Surfdog Records physically (CD) and digitally, with the vinyl out this fall (TBA). Today (June 25), the iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and 3-time Grammy award-winner shared the first single/video, “Checkered Flag,” off the 11-track all-original album.