A 2019 album marking the band's long-lasting presence, featuring 15 tracks with rockabilly and rock & roll influences, released on Surfdog Records in Europe.
Artist page · 05/07/2026
Stray Cats
About
Stray Cats, American trio reignited rockabilly with bold energy and style.
7 vinyl releases, including 2019's "40" and rare 10" specials; collectors track rising prices and pressings.
Rooted in rock and rockabilly, Stray Cats emerged as a revivalist force with catchy rhythmic flair and vintage charm. Their 1981 self-titled debut and subsequent albums combined energetic musicianship with an embrace of 1950s styles, supported by dynamic live shows, such as Lee Rocker's upright bass climbing and Slim Jim Phantom's minimalist drumming setup.
The band later explored rhythm & blues in 1981's "Gonna Ball" but never slipped far from their rockabilly core. The group paused around 1984, with members pursuing solo and collaborative projects before sporadic reunions. Their discography includes notable releases on vinyl from the early 80s through the 2010s, encompassing official LPs, live recordings, and special edition presses, some gaining collector value.
Discography
Stray Cats — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Surfdog Records · 2020
Surfdog Records · 2019
Receiver Records Limited · 1994
Essential! Records · 1993
Receiver Records Limited · 1993
Pump Records · 1992
Toshiba EMI Ltd · 1990
EMI USA · 1989
EMI America · 1986
EMI America · 1983
Arista · 1981
Arista · 1981Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Stray Cats's career.






The essentials
The 3 Stray Cats albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A 2020 compilation album connecting the band's US and UK roots, with 22 tracks including classics and live cuts, notable for its limited edition vinyl pressing.
A special edition 10" numbered release from 1992 with 11 tracks, blending rock & roll and rockabilly, issued by Pump Records in the US and UK.
Go further
Artists similar to Stray Cats
Artists who share part of Stray Cats's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Stray Cats
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"The group’s energetic rockabilly sound revived a musical style and captured audiences across continents."— Music Enthusiast
Stray Cats formed in Massapequa, New York, in 1979.
The American band originated in Massapequa with Brian Setzer (guitar/vocals), Slim Jim Phantom (drums), and Lee Rocker (double bass).
1981 self-titled album produced by Dave Edmunds.
Stray Cats recorded their first album in 1981, launching the rockabilly revival with energetic performances and singles that topped European hit parades.
Lee Rocker's stage antics energized crowds with his upright bass.
Notably, Lee Rocker climbed his double bass and Slim Jim Phantom used a minimalist drum kit, creating a dynamic visual and auditory stage experience.
2019 European limited edition pressing of "40" LP.
Released by Surfdog Records with catalogue number M75891, the LP enjoys collectible interest with prices ranging from €15.57 to €25 among 42 copies for sale in Europe.
Records by Stray Cats
See allFAQ
FAQ: Stray Cats on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who are the members of Stray Cats?
Brian Setzer (guitar and vocals), Slim Jim Phantom (drums), and Lee Rocker (double bass) form the trio known as Stray Cats.
What genre of music do Stray Cats play?
Stray Cats play rockabilly and rock & roll, with influences of psychobilly, maintaining 1950s style energy.
When was the band Stray Cats formed?
Stray Cats was formed in 1979 in Massapequa, New York, USA.
Which Stray Cats album is recommended for vinyl collectors?
The 2019 limited edition LP "40" is notable for vinyl collectors due to its quality pressing and availability.
What is special about the 10-inch vinyl "Choo Choo Hot Fish" release?
"Choo Choo Hot Fish" is a numbered special edition 10-inch vinyl released in 1992, sought after by collectors for its rarity.
Are there any special edition pressings of Stray Cats albums available in Europe?
Yes, the 2019 "40" album has a limited edition LP pressing available in Europe with collectible value.
Where can I find Stray Cats vinyl in France?
Vinyl releases like "40" and "Rocked This Town: From LA To London" are tracked with prices and availability, including European pressings accessible in France.
What are some popular Stray Cats songs to listen to on vinyl?
Popular tracks include "Stray Cat Strut", "Rock This Town", and "Runaway Boys", often featured on their key vinyl albums.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.



