Brian And The Tomcats Play The Stray Cats

The latest Homemade Record from Stinky is a set of live and demo recordings by The Tomcats, a rockabilly trio comprised of brothers Brian and Gary Setzer, with Bob Beecher on bass. The three were also members of a new wave band called the Bloodless Pharaohs.

The Pharaohs played CBGB's and the Hot Club in Philadelphia back in 1977-78. During those same years, the Tomcats played smaller venues such as T.K.'s Place in Long Island and J.C. Dobbs in Philly. 

By 1979, Brian had begun playing with drummer Jim McDonnell and bassist Lee Drucker. The new trio made a gamble in 1980 by selling their equipment to fly to London, where they achieved fame as the Stray Cats. A few of the songs on their 1981 debut album date back to the Tomcats' days, including "Stray Cat Strut" and "Rock This Town".

The Stray Cats reunited and released a new studio album in 2019 called "40" -- forty years after they started playing together. Let's go back before the beginning, to the swinging sounds of the Tomcats. And if you love rockabilly, check out the series Songs The Panther Burns Taught Us and the siren sounds of Pearl Harbour right on this here blog. Thanks again as always, Stinky!