Brian Setzer’s Comeback: Stray Cats Set to Hit the road Again!
Brian Setzer has faced significant challenges in recent years, but he’s gearing up for a triumphant return. After having to cancel a Stray Cats tour last year due to health issues, the legendary guitarist is ready to rock across 18 cities with his bandmates, Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker, starting at the end of July.
“I’m feeling fantastic, I must say,” Setzer shared with Guitar Player from his residence in Minnesota. “I wouldn’t commit to a tour unless I was completely confident in my health. 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 on one side and Lee on the other,” he added,expressing his excitement for the upcoming performances.
(Image credit: Steve Thorne/Redferns)
“We’re unique in this genre, aside from local bands,” Setzer noted. “ther are plenty of them out there.”
“It’s incredibly frustrating when you sit down and your hands just won’t cooperate. You can’t take playing for granted. It’s not just about the guitar; even simple tasks like brushing your teeth become a challenge.”
– Brian Setzer
Setzer faced a serious health crisis last year, battling a debilitating autoimmune condition that required extensive treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “Imagine your nerves as wires with protective sheathing. Mine had eroded, causing my hands and feet to lock up. I couldn’t even button my pants, let alone play guitar,” he explained.
“Being at Mayo gave me a new outlook. I was lying there, and the guy next to me was fighting cancer,” he reflected. After nearly a year of treatment,he began to regain his abilities.
“The first sign of progress was being able to hold a guitar pick. That was a huge milestone. Then,when I could fingerpick again,I knew I was back on track,” he recalled.
(Image credit: SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
However, his recovery faced another hurdle when he developed an unexpected reliance on Kratom, an herbal supplement that Mayo Clinic has labeled as “unsafe and ineffective.” “It started innocently,” Setzer admitted, explaining that he sought help at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation clinic for recovery. “They market it as a safe energy booster,but it’s not. it only complicated my situation. I had to detox 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 for support. Thankfully, recovery is possible.”
– Brian Setzer
while there’s no certainty that his autoimmune condition won’t resurface, Setzer is optimistic about the future. He and the Stray Cats are ready to hit the road, with plans for more tours ahead.He’s prepared with his three favorite guitars: two Gretsch G3500 flame-maple models and a G3600, all from the late ’50s or early ’60s.
“All three are my top choices,” he stated. “I’ll likely rotate them during performances.”
(Image credit: Steve Thorne/Redferns)
He continues to use his vintage Fender Bassman amp, equipped with original Oxford speakers, which he prefers over newer models. “the only change is that I turn the cabinet around as it’s too loud,” Setzer explained. “We use in-ear monitors mainly for vocals, ensuring the band maintains a balanced volume.”
“I thought to myself, ‘This is a fantastic idea. 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 reimagined version of “Stampede,” a surf instrumental from 1959 by the Scarlets, for which Setzer penned lyrics and a fuller arrangement, and a cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Teenage Heaven.”
“‘Stampede’ features an incredible guitar riff - that’s the key,finding an original riff,” Setzer explained. “I thought, ‘This is a great one. It would be so much fun to turn it into a song with the Stray Cats.’”
Setzer recorded his parts at Terrarium studio in Minneapolis, emphasizing, “When I create songs like this, I ensure I can perform them live. I avoid layering too many guitars that would make it impossible to replicate on stage.”
As for future projects, Setzer mentioned, “I don’t have anything new written at the moment.But when inspiration strikes, it’s great to just run down the block to Terrarium with my buddy Jason [Orris] and create something fun.”
“Right now,my focus is on performing. I’m thrilled to be able to play again,and so many venues are eager to host us,which 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 Theater
- 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
