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Lee Rocker feeling at home on Alligator label

Enjoying the success of a new album and a new label, former Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker continues to be one of the top- drawing rockabilly acts in the world.
Rocker’s solo career hasn’t been as prolific as Stray Cats co-founder Brian Setzer’s; however, he’s stayed true to the sound that influenced the band, making it a staple on the 1980s music scene.

A solid slice of Americana, Racin' the Devil starts with a bombastic flare on the first track, “The Girl From Hell,” and continues from there, including a snappy cover of The Stray Cats’ “Rock This Town.” Complete with the country twang and the drive of rock ’n’ roll, the album is dominated by the original cuts, nine of which are written by Rocker. Guitarists Brophy Dale and Buzz Campbell intertwine styles nicely while Jimmy Sage’s drumming completes the project, offering the true rockabilly fan a solid listening experience.

Known for his strong command of the upright bass, which includes spinning maneuvers, harnessing the large four-string like an electric guitar, and straddling it like a racehorse, Rocker is not just a showman. The CD does showcase Rocker’s slapback playing style, and mastery of the walking bass line, however, since his days as a Stray Cat, he's been transformed into a natural crooner, flirting with different ranges, evident on the ballad, “Lost On The Highway.”

Racin’ has created perhaps a new era for the band and Chicago’s Alligator Records. Known as one of the most popular blues labels in the world, Alligator and Rocker seem to fit well together. Although Racin’ The Devil is not a blues disc, it seems to blend into what the label has to offer.

“I think it’s a good mix. We have a lot more in common than less. It’s music that, ultimately, comes from the same place. It’s real American music, not made by machines but by people. It’s about passion and realness,” Rocker says.

Alligator is no stranger to the New York native, who has followed the label’s artists most of his life. According to Lee, most of his blues influences were Alligator recording artists.

“I had known about Alligator since I was a teen-ager,” he added. “I have always loved the blues. A few years ago, I ran into Koko (Taylor) in Spain. She was with the folks from Alligator. We talked, and a couple years later, I was on their label.”

Born Leon Drucker in Massapequa, Long Island, in 1961, Rocker is the son of two world-renowned musicians. His father, Stanley, is a clarinetist with the New York Philharmonic. Naomi, Lee’s mother, teaches music at Hofstra University. Urged by his parents, Lee began taking cello lessons at age 8, which widened his appreciation of music to include rock ’n’ roll. Picking up an electric bass followed, and he quickly mastered the instrument.

During grade school, he met two other musicians who eventually would open the eyes of a whole new generation of music fans. Rocker, Jimmy McDonnel (Slim Jim Phantom) and Brian Setzer began playing a variety of rock tunes before discovering what has made Alligator famous: the blues. It was also the work of rockabilly legend Carl Perkins that played an influential role in what became The Stray Cats in 1979, creating a resurgence of the genre, which has become a mainstay around the world.

After headlining famous punk haunts such as New York’s CBGB, the Stray Cats in 1980 moved to London, where they attracted droves of fans to their shows, including the Rolling Stones. A backstage meeting with Mick Jagger and company, which Rocker, Phantom and Setzer initially thought was a prank, resulted in supporting tours and friendships that continue today.

“We did a show in London and, one night, our manager told us that the Stones wanted to meet us. We all said, ‘Yeah, right!’ and thought he was joking. But we did hang out, and they did take us out on some tours. In fact, we’re still friends. Keith (Richards) was kind enough to play on a couple of my early solo records,” remembers Rocker.

A return to America spawned a whirlwind of success for The Stray Cats. Released in 1982, their first album, Built For Speed, became a mega-hit, holding the No. 2 spot on the Billboard chart for 26 weeks, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller. According to Rocker, having a debut album do that well is something he will never forget. “The Stray Cats took off like a rocket. For some reason, we really connected with people.”

In the early 1980s, the music that had been pumping through radio speakers around the world suddenly had faces to go with it, as MTV soon revealed that three of those faces were of The Stray Cats. “We took an old style of music and put our own stamp on it. Nobody was really doing that. And then, around ’81 or ’82, MTV entered, and really helped us push it. Suddenly, everybody knew us.”

After the demise of The 'Cats in 1986, Rocker and Jim Phantom recruited ex-David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick, and formed Phantom, Rocker & Slick, scoring a minor hit, “Men Without Shame.”

In 1994, Lee released Big Blue, followed by 1995’s Atomic Boogie Hour, both on Black Top Records and the first two of his solo career. Four more albums followed, keeping Rocker busy in the U.S. and Europe, touring with ex-Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore in 2002.

Although The Stray Cats reunited in London in 2003 for the band’s 25th anniversary and did 18 European shows and a 2004 DVD, Rocker said he doesn’t feel a Stray Cats reunion will happen any time soon. Sad for some fans, but for Lee, he’s content with that. Noting that he and the other two ’Cats are still friends, Rocker keeps focused on his current projects, as do Phantom and Setzer.

“I don’t keep in contact with Jimmy and Brian all that often at all. I have known them since we were 10, and I because I know them so damn well, that’s kind of all right. I am proud of what I am doing right now.”

Currently touring Canada, Lee Rocker returns to the U.S. in May for a string of shows in Wisconsin and Florida. For additional tour updates and other information, visit http://www.leerocker.com/.

Listen to KEXP. That is all.

Since you're reading our fine music blog, odds are you love music that's off the beaten path. That means that you should listen to KEXP out of Seattle Washington. Every day. I do. In fact I am right now.

I first discovered KEXP about 5 years ago when I was fiddling around with the internet radio features of itunes. They were in the "alternative" category, a badge that I wear with both pride and shame. But what the heck, I was at work and the boss let me wear headphones while driving the computer. It's kind of like NPR where it's listener-supported, meaning they have pledge drives (yes, I've donated and I will again) bu not in a cheesy way.

They've opened my mind to so much great music, and I wish I could just play it 24/7 in the house, car, desk, whereever I am. From the alternative/indie mornings with John Richards, to the shoegazer afternoons with Sheryl Waters,continuing with the great vibe of my former favorite Minneapolis dj Kevin Cole, KEXP has that personal vibe that I always thought that radio should have. Maybe it's too much WKRP in Cincinnati that I had as a child, but people that play music for a living should be passionate about it!!

I wish all radio was this good.

The best variety is in the morning, where the station director John Richards plays anything from Johnny Cash to Johnny Rotten and Elvis Costello to Elvis Perkins (although I've never heard Elvis Presley on KEXP, but I'm sure he's been played sometime.) Then there's the shows such as Roadhouse (blues and rockabilly) and Ambiance (world music) that you'd have a hard time finding more diversity.

1990s Confirm Debut Album Release

NME.com reports: 1990s are set to release their debut album Cookies on May 7 in the UK.

The album was produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, and was recorded at the end of 2006 at West Heath studios in Hampstead.

Tracklist:
"You Made Me Like It"
"See You At The Lights"
"Cult Status"
"Arcade Precinct"
"Switch"
"Enjoying Myself"
"You're Supposed To Be My Friend"
"Pollockshields"
"Risque Pictures"
"Weed"
"Thinking Of Not Going"
"Situation"

The Beatles Download Rumor Denied

The Beatles' record label has moved to deny rumours that the band's music is about to be made available online.

The legends are one of the last acts to license their back catalogue to online stores.

However, UK download site Wippit recently claimed it would be the first to sell the songs, posting a headline on its homepage.


This immediately prompted The Beatles' record company EMI to issue a statement denying the link-up and asked that the download site removed its claims, reports BBC News.

The claim has since been removed, though Wippit have yet to comment.

Rumours that The Beatles' back catalogue would be available for download soon have been rife lately.

A potential deal with iTunes was suggested last month after the band's own label Apple Corps settled a long-running trademark dispute with Apple Inc, leading Apple Corps manager Neil Aspinall to say The Beatles looked forward to "many years of peaceful co- operation with the firm".

This followed more talk in January when Apple boss Steve Jobs used a selection of music from the band's classic 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album to demonstrate the musical properties of the new iPhone.

Source: NME.com

Starbucks, Concord Form Hear Music Label

Starbucks and Concord Music Group have formed a new label, Hear Music, which will sign established and emerging artists directly for distribution inside and outside the coffee chain.

Under the collaborative venture, Starbucks will take primary responsibility for A&R, while Concord will lead marketing, promotion and distribution of Hear Music artists outside the cafes.


Hear Music expects to release its first album by the end of this year. Neither Starbucks nor Concord would confirm a New York Post report that Sir Paul McCartney is close to signing a deal.

Since 1999, the Hear Music brand has been used for compilations and co-releases for sale at Starbucks locations. The name will now be used exclusively for the Los Angeles-based Hear Music label partnership.

Source: Billboard.com