The Stray Cats

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!’”

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.

The Rockabilly Artists Alliance has announced the finalists in The Rockabilly Rumble Original Song Contest, a global song competition open to unsigned artists and songwriters worldwide (where not prohibited). Entries came from more than 20 countries for the online competition.

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.

The Rockabilly Artists Alliance has announced the launch of The Rockabilly Rumble Original Song Contest, a global song competition open to unsigned artists and songwriters worldwide. The winning song will be awarded a studio session with Rockabilly icon and Stray Cats drummer, Slim Jim Phantom, [pictured] and more.

The worlds of dance and rockabilly uniquely come together in “Gather Round,” a collaboration between LEE ROCKER of The Stray Cats fame and the award-winning COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet featuring three songs from the Grammy-nominated upright bass player, singer and songwriter’s current solo album

LEE ROCKER of The Stray Cats fame marks today’s (January 22) release of his new solo album GATHER ROUND on Upright Records (his label distributed through Orchard) by sharing the Elvis-themed video for “Graceland Auctions.” Watch the fun-filled video, directed by Justin Drucker and starring ROCKER with his band, here.

LEE ROCKER of The Stray Cats fame today (12/10) announced the January 22 release of his new solo album GATHER ROUND on Upright Records (his label distributed through Orchard). Get ready to “Gather Round,” start “Pickin’ and Grinnin,’” enjoy a “Dirty Martini,” do the “Doghouse Shuffle” and place a bid at the “Graceland Auction.”

The STRAY CATS this week release their live album ROCKED THIS TOWN: FROM LA TO LONDON. Available Friday, September 11 via Surfdog Records and distributed by BMG (CD, vinyl, digital), this collection of 23 tracks recorded during the band's critically acclaimed 40th Anniversary Tour in 2019 combines their unparalleled virtuosity and red-hot rock & roll spirit, all raw and completely live--the way it was played on sweaty stages around the world.