Stray Cats And The Interview Where Brian Setzer Described Their Sound As “Thunder In A Leather Coat”

April 3, 2025

Brian Setzer sat in a cozy café, the kind where the smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the warm scent of pastries. He was surrounded by music magazines, flinging through the pages filled with colorful images and bold headlines about rock bands making waves in the ‘80s. Yet, it was his own band, Stray Cats, that was creating a storm. As he waited for the interviewer, he couldn’t help but remember the journey that had brought him here, from the empty streets of Massapequa, New York, to the cusp of rock and roll fame.

When the interviewer arrived, they dove right into the questions, eager to capture the essence of the band that had blended rockabilly with punk energy. Brian leaned back, his leather jacket creaking slightly as he thought about how to describe the sound of Stray Cats. “It’s like… thunder in a leather coat,” he finally said, a smile breaking across his face as the words took shape. That phrase seemed to strike a chord; it captured not only the energy of their music but also the rebellious spirit that defined their journey. The sound was bold, like a sonic explosion that refused to be ignored, and it resonated deeply with all the misfits and dreamers out there.

As the conversation flowed, Brian reflected on the struggles they had faced before hitting it big. The late-night gigs in dingy bars, playing to audiences that often didn’t care; those were the moments that tested their passion. He remembered the nights when they played as if the world was watching, even when only a handful of people were there. Those small, intimate shows were where the seeds of their thunderous sound were sown. Every strum of his guitar and every beat of the drums echoed his belief that music had the power to bring people together and to change lives.

The interviewer was captivated. With every answer Brian gave, it was clear that the Stray Cats weren’t just a band; they were a family. They had each other’s backs through thick and thin, and that loyalty fueled their fiery performances. “Every show is like a new beginning,” Brian said, his eyes lighting up with passion. “When the crowd roars, it makes all the hard work worth it.” He knew that every chord they played had the potential to inspire someone in the audience, just as music had inspired him to keep chasing his dreams against all odds.

As the interview wrapped up, Brian felt a renewed sense of purpose. The phrase “thunder in a leather coat” would stick with him, a reminder of the energy that fueled their journey. Stray Cats had become a symbol of defiance and creativity, and their unique sound had paved the way for countless musicians. Brian left the café with a spring in his step, ready to conquer the next stage, knowing that every note they played could resonate with someone’s soul. In the world of rock and roll, where the thunder was loud and proud, Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats had found their voice, and they weren’t going to quiet down anytime soon.