Brian Setzer’s Comeback: From Health Struggles to Rocking the stage Again
Brian Setzer has faced important challenges over the past few years. After having to cancel a Stray Cats tour last year due to health issues,he is now gearing up to perform in 18 cities with his bandmates,drummer Slim Jim phantom and bassist Lee Rocker,starting at the end of July.
“I’m feeling fantastic, honestly,” Setzer shares with Guitar Player from his Minnesota home. “I wouldn’t commit to a tour unless I was fully ready. If I needed more time, I would have taken it.”
“The most exhilarating part for me is hearing that guitar sound and seeing Slim Jim rocking out on one side and Lee on the other,” he adds.
“We’re pretty much the only ones playing this genre of music, aside from some local bands,” he continues. “And there are quite a few of them.”
“It’s incredibly frustrating when you sit down and your hands just won’t cooperate. You can’t take playing for granted.Sure, playing guitar is paramount, but so is something as simple as brushing your teeth,”
– Brian Setzer
Setzer faced a significant health crisis last year, battling a severe autoimmune disorder that required extensive treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“The best analogy I can give is that your nerves are like wires, and the protective coating on those wires has worn away,” Setzer explains. “This causes the wires to malfunction, essentially locking up my hands and feet. I couldn’t even button my pants, let alone play guitar.”
“It’s a real struggle when you sit down and your hands don’t respond. You can’t take it for granted. playing guitar is crucial, but so is holding a toothbrush,” he adds.
His time at Mayo Clinic provided him with a new perspective. “I was lying there, and the guy next to me was battling cancer,” he reflects. After nearly a year of treatment, he began to regain his abilities.
“The frist sign of progress was being able to hold a guitar pick. That was a huge milestone for me,” he recalls. “Then, when I could fingerpick again, I knew I was almost back to normal.”
Though, Setzer’s recovery was intricate by an unexpected reliance on Kratom, an herbal supplement marketed as a wellness tonic but criticized by the Mayo Clinic as “unsafe and ineffective,” and classified as a controlled substance in several states.
“It started off innocently,” Setzer admits, explaining that he sought help at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation clinic in minnesota. “They promote it as a safe energy booster, but it only made things worse. I decided to quit everything, go away for a while, and come back rejuvenated.”
“I had to cleanse my system completely. There’s no shame in seeking help. If anyone is struggling, they should reach out; they will support you,”
– Brian setzer
“I had to cleanse my system completely. There’s no shame in seeking help. If anyone is struggling, they should reach out; they will support you,” he emphasizes.
While there’s no certainty that his autoimmune condition won’t resurface, Setzer is optimistic about his current health and the band’s future, with plans for more tours ahead. He’s ready to hit the road with his Gretsch G6120s.
he continues to utilize his vintage ’60s fender Bassman amp,which features original Oxford speakers that he swapped out for the reissue series speakers.
“The only change I’ve made is turning the cabinet around because the amp is incredibly loud,” Setzer explains. “Along with my fellow Stray Cats, I use in-ear monitors mainly to hear my vocals. I want the band to maintain a balanced volume. I don’t want to overpower the standup bass, which is naturally an acoustic instrument. Turning it around solves that issue.”
“I thought to myself,’This is a fantastic piece. If I could turn this into a song,it would be a blast with the Stray Cats.’”
– Brian Setzer
The stray Cats are also set to release two new tracks from last fall – a version of “Stampede,” a surf instrumental from around 1959 by the Scarlets, for which Setzer penned lyrics and a more elaborate arrangement, and a cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Teenage Heaven.”
“‘Stampede’ features an unbelievable guitar riff – that’s the key, finding an original guitar riff,” Setzer elaborates. “I thought to myself, ‘This is a fantastic piece. If I could turn this into a song, it would be a blast with the Stray Cats.’”
Setzer, who recorded his parts at Terrarium studio in Minneapolis, emphasizes, “When I create songs like this, I always ensure I can perform them live. I don’t layer on a bunch of guitars that would make it impractical to replicate on stage.”
Regarding future projects, whether with the Stray Cats or solo, Setzer mentions, “I don’t have anything new written at the moment. But when inspiration strikes, it’s great; I can just head down the block to Terrarium with my buddy Jason[[[[Orris]and get to work. It’s a lot of fun making records that way.”
“Right now, my focus is on performing. I’m just grateful I can play, and so many venues are eager to host us - something I truly appreciate.”
Upcoming Tour Dates for The Stray cats
- Friday,July 24,Las Vegas,NV,The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
- Saturday,July 25,Phoenix,AZ,Celebrity Theatre
- Sunday,July 26,Del Mar,CA,The Sound
- Tuesday and Wednesday,July 28-29,highland,CA,Yaamava’ Theater
- Friday,July 31,Santa Rosa,CA,Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
- Saturday,August 1,Saratoga,CA,the Mountain Winery
- Sunday,August 2,Wheatland,CA,Hard Rock Live
- Tuesday,August 4,Sandy,UT,Sandy Amphitheater
- Wednesday,August 5,Colorado Springs,CO,Pikes Peak Center
- Friday,August 7,Tulsa,OK,River Spirit Casino Resort
- Saturday,August 8,Kansas City,MO,Uptown Theater
- monday,August 10,Huber Heights,OH,Rose Music Center at The Heights
- Tuesday,August 11,Interlochen,MI,Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Wednesday,August 12,Northfield,OH,MGM Northfield Park
- Friday,August 14,Westbury,NY,Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair
- Saturday,August 15,Atlantic City,NJ,Ocean Casino Resort
- Sunday,August 16,Morristown,NJ,Mayo Performing Arts center
