HUBER HEIGHTS, OH- The Kings of Rockabilly returned to the road this summer, and after an unexpected delay, there was a little more meaning behind seeing those three familiar figures standing together onstage again. The Stray Cats’ return had been postponed from last year as guitarist and frontman Brian Setzer dealt with health issues that affected his ability to play. With Setzer healthy enough to perform again, the 2026 tour reunited all three original members: Setzer on guitar and vocals, Lee Rocker on upright bass, and Slim Jim Phantom on drums.
For longtime fans, simply seeing that lineup together carries some weight. Formed in Massapequa, New York, in 1979, the Stray Cats emerged at a time when the music they loved seemed to belong to another generation. Setzer, Rocker, and Phantom took the sounds of 1950s rockabilly and gave it a jolt of punk-era attitude. After leaving New York for London in 1980, they found themselves arriving just as a British rockabilly revival was taking shape. Before long, songs like “Runaway Boys,” “Stray Cat Strut,” and “Rock This Town” helped take a style rooted in the earliest days of rock and roll and put it back onto the pop charts and, eventually, onto MTV.
There is something to be said about longevity and good music, particularly when a band can return to the same basic ingredients that made it distinctive in the first place without sounding like a museum piece. Even Setzer acknowledged that pull when the tour was announced, pointing to the combination of Gretsch guitar, acoustic bass, and stand-up drums as the unique Stray Cats sound that continues to bring him back to the band.
And the Cats aren’t simply revisiting their past. Last year brought “Stampede” and a cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Teenage Heaven,” their first new recordings in six years and further evidence that the musical lineage they have championed throughout their career remains very much alive.
So, when the Stray Cats rolled into the Rose Music Center at The Heights in Huber Heights, Ohio, this wasn’t simply another legacy act making its way through a summer tour. It was a chance to see three musicians who helped introduce a new generation to rockabilly more than 40 years ago still playing together, still drawing from the music that inspired them, and still capable of reminding an audience why it worked in the first place. The Stray Cats have been a firestorm since they broke onto the scene, giving new meaning to the phrase “howling to the moonlight on a hot summer night.”
The Midnight Cowgirls opened the night proper. There’s been a lot of buzz created over the last couple of years about this powerhouse quintet, and deservedly so. They have been burning up stages with their own brand of alt-country and pop rock that’s a little bit cowpunk, a little bit rock and roll, and 100% awesome. From Marlhy Murphy’s opening drum line for “Wedding Bell Blues” to the last note of their single “Born Free,” it was an onslaught of great music and cohesive stage presence.
This was my second time seeing them. The first time was in a little dive bar in Newport, Kentucky, on Father’s Day this year. The venue had shitty lighting and a tiny stage, but these ladies put on a show worthy of a big stage, so I was excited to see what they would do on the Rose Hall stage. Let’s just say they did not disappoint. They are such a dynamic band that incorporates all facets of a great live act: good, well-written music, a commanding stage presence, and a cohesive presentation. I have huge admiration for bands who look like they are genuinely having fun and actually like each other. It comes out in the performance.
The band is the brainchild of bassist and fashion designer Jennie Vee, who not only lays down the low end but also designs and creates the band’s costumes. They are a veritable supergroup of sorts, with vocalist Blaise Dahl, who has the swagger of Jagger, the command of Siouxsie Sioux, and the vocal prowess of Amy Lee as she leads the band. Drummer Marlhy Murphy is a steady powerhouse behind her kit, while guitarist Cassidy Fleeman laid down rhythms and sweet harmonies flawlessly. They were joined by guest lead guitarist Leilani Kilgore this time around.
The Los Angeles-based band delivered a powerful night of original music, rich harmonies, and standout musicianship from start to finish. Their set was all highlights, in my opinion. There was no lull in the song choices. The ones that definitely stood out, though, included the aforementioned “Wedding Bell Blues” and their latest single, “(Ain’t My First) Rodeo,” which was released on August 7 on all streaming platforms along with a coinciding music video. They covered Dave Edmunds’ “Queen of Hearts,” which was subsequently made famous by Juice Newton. The last four songs of the set were an onslaught of rocking goodness: “Keep On Truckin’,” “Bull By the Horns,” “Fuel My Fire,” and their finale, “Born Free,” which was the song that turned me on to them.
The Midnight Cowgirls demonstrated that their greatest strength isn’t any one performer. As a whole, they are a well-oiled machine. Each plays their part excellently. Sometimes, there are nights when you leave convinced you’ve just discovered a band on the verge of something much bigger. The band will be heading to the UK next spring on tour. It’s pretty great considering they crowdfunded these tours. My hope is for a full-length album ASAP. The Midnight Cowgirls are the real deal. Check them out when they come to a town near you. Stay in the loop at TheMidnightCowgirls.com.
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I remember the first time I heard “Stray Cat Strut” on MTV back in the day. I was starting to develop my own musical landscape, and that song was in the mix. It was such a catchy song. I easily picked it up and still sing it often today. I went down to probably Licorice Pizza or The Warehouse to pick up the album soon after hearing “Rock This Town.” Sadly, I never got to see them live back then, and when they broke up, it was heartbreaking. I followed the spinoff projects: Brian’s The Knife Feels Like Justice era and the Phantom, Rocker & Slick era. Of course, there was also the Orchestra, which I’ve seen a multitude of times. I’ve seen the SJP trio twice and even got to meet Slim Jim. He liked my The Damned shirt. But I never had the opportunity to see the original three together until their reunion in 2018 at the Pacific Amphitheatre.
One of the things I love about their live show is that there’s no fuss, no muss. It’s just three guys and their instruments lined up together in a row, with a simple neon sign behind them featuring their name and cat logo, two trash cans, and amps. Their timeless songs, from the hits to the deep cuts to the covers to the newest material, make for a great show. Rocker played three upright basses, Setzer played several of his signature Gretsch guitars and a Flying V, and Phantom played a simple purple drum kit consisting of bass drum, snare, and two cymbals, plus a floor tom and additional cymbal that were moved on and off as needed. The Stray Cats are all about the music, and they always put on a rocking show.
They opened with a cover of Johnny Kidd and the Pirates’ “Please Don’t Touch,” followed by “Too Hip, Gotta Go” and “Runaway Boys.” Sometimes, I can get so caught up in the moment and the songs that I have to remember I’m there to do a job first and enjoy the show second. Needless to say, I enjoyed it a lot. Brian wandered around the stage when he wasn’t singing, masterfully playing his guitar as he did. SJP and Lee held down the rhythm. What struck me most was the youthful energy. Whether it was Lee Rocker twirling and slapping his bass or Slim Jim Phantom standing and slamming his drums, the rockabilly beat was as infectious as it always was.
During “Stray Cat Strut,” Lee Rocker took a bass solo as Brian removed his coat. All three interacted often and genuinely seemed to have affection for each other, which just makes a performance all the better, in my opinion. To say that it was a night of sing-alongs would be an understatement. While not every song was a hit, for fans, these songs are the lifeline to the band. They continued with “Gene and Eddie,” “Rumble in Brighton,” and “Twenty Flight Rock,” keeping the set focused on the roots of the music while still delivering it with plenty of personality.
There were also plenty of covers in their 22-song set. Gene Vincent’s “Double Talkin’ Baby,” Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock,” Big Boy Crudup’s “My Baby Left Me,” and Dorsey Burnette’s “My One Desire” showcased some of their major influences. Santo & Johnny’s “Sleep Walk” was a nice change of pace. The instrumental allowed the evening to breathe for a moment and put the musicianship front and center.
The Cats have such a rich catalog of music to pull from. They filled out their set with songs from across their discography. The energy picked right back up with “Cry Baby,” “Three Time’s a Charm,” and “My Baby Left Me.” From there, “When Nothing’s Going Right,” “Bring It Back Again,” and “Blast Off” continued the party. “I Won’t Stand in Your Way” provided another memorable change in tone before the band headed into “Fishnet Stockings,” which helped bring the show to a fever pitch. One of the Stray Cats’ biggest crowd-pleasers, “Rock This Town,” was the perfect choice to close the main set, and it had exactly the kind of infectious energy needed to send everyone into the night wanting more.
The band returned for their encore, paying homage to the King by playing “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog” before ending the night with the title track from their biggest album, Built for Speed. They came together for their final bow, three lifelong friends who took a chance on creating music rooted in the origins of rock and roll. The show was over, but they definitely left me wanting more. I will forever be a fan of theirs. Though the summer leg of the tour is over, they will head out again in the fall for a few more dates.
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LIVE CLIPS
The Stray Cats Bring Rockabilly Revival to Ohio
