Artist page · 05/07/2026

Stray Cats

MassapequaFormed in 1979Rock7 vinyl albums
Stray Cats formed in 1979 in the US, delivering a rockabilly blend with Brian Setzer on guitar, Slim Jim Phantom on drums, and Lee Rocker on double bass.
7Albums on Vinyles.com
1105Discogs releases
540kLast.fm listeners

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.

Rocked This Town: From LA To LondonSurfdog Records · 2020
2020
Rocked This Town: From LA To London
CD, Album
Studio
40Surfdog Records · 2019
2019
40
CD, Album, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition
Studio
Something Else (Live)Receiver Records Limited · 1994
1994
Something Else (Live)
CD, Album
Live
Original CoolEssential! Records · 1993
1993
Original Cool
CD, Album
Studio
Live - Tear It UpReceiver Records Limited · 1993
1993
Live - Tear It Up
CD, Album
Studio
Choo Choo Hot FishPump Records · 1992
1992
Choo Choo Hot Fish
Vinyl, 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Numbered, Special Edition
Studio
Let's Go FasterToshiba EMI Ltd · 1990
1990
Let's Go Faster
CD, Album
Studio
Blast OffEMI USA · 1989
1989
Blast Off
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Rock TherapyEMI America · 1986
1986
Rock Therapy
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Rant N' Rave With The Stray CatsEMI America · 1983
1983
Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Gonna BallArista · 1981
1981
Gonna Ball
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Stray CatsArista · 1981
1981
Stray Cats
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Stray Cats's career.

01
Stray Cat Strut
Stray Cat Strut
Live - Tear It Up · 1993
02
Rock This Town
Rock This Town
Live - Tear It Up · 1993
03
Runaway Boys
Runaway Boys
Live - Tear It Up · 1993
04
Rumble in Brighton
Rumble in Brighton
Rocked This Town: From LA To London · 2020
05
Fishnet Stockings
Fishnet Stockings
Rocked This Town: From LA To London · 2020
06
Ubangi Stomp
·
07
Baby Blue Eyes
·
08
I Won't Stand in Your Way
I Won't Stand in Your Way
Rocked This Town: From LA To London · 2020

The essentials

The 3 Stray Cats albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2019
LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
40

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.

15 tracksStereo soundLimited edition LPReleased on Surfdog Records
#2 · 2020
LP, Album, Limited Edition
Rocked This Town: From LA To London

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.

22 tracksLimited edition LPSurfdog Records label
#3 · 1992
10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Numbered, Special Edition
Choo Choo Hot Fish

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.

11 tracks10-inch vinylNumbered special editionReleased on Pump Records

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.

40
Master release · LP · 2019
Market position i
17,75 €
Min price 16 €Max price 25 €
Average price 17,75 €
Only 42 copies for sale on Discogs
26 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Rocked This Town: From LA To London
Master release · LP · 2020
Market position i
35,00 €
Min price 20 €Max price 44 €
Average price 35,00 €
Only 25 copies for sale on Discogs
16 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Choo Choo Hot Fish
Master release · 10" · 1992
Market position i
46,40 €
Min price 46 €Max price 46 €
Average price 46,40 €
Only 4 copies for sale on Discogs
349 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
Rocked This Town: From LA To LondonLP, Album
Surfdog Records USA & Europe · 2020 85970-1 🔥 Standard edition
16 want · 133 have · ratio 0,1
20,00 €
Rocked This Town: From LA To LondonLP, Album, Limited Edition
Surfdog Records USA & Europe · 2020 85970-1 Original pressing
16 want · 133 have · ratio 0,1
44,00 €
40 LP, Album, Stereo
Surfdog Records Europe · 2019 M75891 🔥 Standard edition
26 want · 421 have · ratio 0,1
17,50 €
40 LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
Surfdog Records Europe · 2019 M75891 Original pressing
26 want · 421 have · ratio 0,1
18,00 €
Choo Choo Hot Fish10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Numbered, Special Edition
Pump Records UK & US · 1992 9070145 Original pressing
349 want · 600 have · ratio 0,6
46,40 €
Original CoolLP, Unofficial Release
Not On Label (Stray Cats) 93526 Original pressing
55 want · 417 have · ratio 0,1

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
01Formation

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).

1979Massapequa, US
02Debut Album

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.

1981London, UK
03Live Show

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.

Early 1980sLondon, UK
04Vinyl Pressing

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.

2019Europe

FAQ

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

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026