Stray Cats

Released in 1981 and produced by Dave Edmunds, the Stray Cats' self-titled debut is a landmark of the rockabilly revival. Although the band hailed from Long Island, New York, they found their initial success in the UK, where this album was first released. The record is characterized by Brian Setzer’s virtuosic Gretsch guitar work, Lee Rocker’s percussive 'slap' upright bass technique, and Slim Jim Phantom’s standing drum kit. Sonically, it captures a raw, live energy that pays homage to Sun Records while incorporating the aggressive tempos of the post-punk era. Notable for its hits like 'Rock This Town' and 'Stray Cat Strut,' the album also features the uncharacteristically political 'Storm the Embassy.' It remains a definitive statement of 80s subculture, proving that the aesthetics of the 1950s could be successfully weaponized for a new generation of youth rebellion.