Brian Setzer in Glasgow

Crud World Domination Enterprises give you

Brian Setzer

Glasgow Academy

06/08/05

Reviewed by Guy Salvador

Brian Setzer rocketed into the Rock n roll consciousness of the UK back in late 1979 

early 1980 when invited by Dave Edmunds of Rockpile fame, to come over to tour & 

record with his band “Stray Cats”.

When they arrived the charts were back to the pre - punk predictable along with the 

first soundings of the New Romantics, & the ska bands, the Stray Cats were a breath 

of fresh air to the more R&R inclined.

Their hits included, Stray Cat Strut, Runaway Boys, Rock this Town amongst others & 

in these early days were a fantastic live 3 piece band playing in front of the backdrop 

of the "Top Cat" TV show.

As the years went by the Cats unfortunately turned into a virtual parody of themselves, 

I particularly remember seeing them in Camden Palace some time in the eighties & it 

had turned into dreadful cabaret version of which, shortly afterwards, the band split.

Mr Setzer went off, along with the other members into various successful solo 

projects of which he currently has the hugely successful in the US, Japan & Europe, 

"Brian Setzer Orchestra", along with the "68 comeback special" also, the “Stray Cats”, 

who toured last year & are back to their magnificent selves & as I am reviewing here 

"the Nashvillians".

A four piece band this time, incorporating the traditional, slap bass, guitar, drums (sit 

down) & rockabilly piano.

The group have been put together for a new series of albums Mr Setzer is releasing 

as a tribute to the Sun recording company, called….. Wait for it…… Rockabilly Riot, 

volume 1, (its deep meaningful stuffis rockabilly!)

The album has takes on originals from Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee 

Lewis, & many others, many I haven’t heard of, anyway, this is not turning into an 

album review, mainly because I haven’t played it yet!

Back to the gig.

If there was a support band I missed them, consequences of going for spin out to 

Loch Lomond then, out in a Glasgow pub for the afternoon, which was great but, 

meant we fell asleep (or did we collapse pissed?) back @ our luxury hotel 

(Travelodge), and got to the gig a bit later than planned.

This is the only UK gig Mr Setzer is playing on this European tour, telling the good 

people of Glasgow he was making up for not getting there with the Stray Cats last 

year, hence, the band surprisingly played all the “Stray Cats” hits plus a great final 

(3rd) encore of “Rumble in Brighton” & a blistering version of “Fishnet stockings”.

 The Glasgow audience, it must be said, were great as well.

I have seen Setzer in London only over the last few years & this means you get a 

typically, crusty, pompous lot, (Sorry London, Guy loves you but, your gigs are shit 

compared to the rest of the UK, in my experience, think you get too much of 

them?)……

Brian Setzer is without doubt one of the finest guitarists in the world, with his mastery 

of the Gretsch guitar second to none.

Alongside this he has a great rockabilly band with him who play a great set, combining 

the “Stray Cats” numbers alongside material from the Sun album & also a selection 

from some of his other albums.

The stage set, back – drop etc.  is all rock n roll clichés, Cadillacs, Harley Davidson’s, 

Tattoo’s, Quiffs etc.

But this doesn’t claim to be anything other than a tribute to old style R’n‘R………

Of which sometimes, some people, like me, like to partake 

in……………………………………

Nice one the Brian Setzer & the Nashvillians!

Contact: GuySalvador@southerndownrecords.co.uk

www.southerndownrecords.co.uk

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