Album review: Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1984)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1984 By Steve Newton When I first heard this album, two weeks ago, I thought it was good. I mean really good. But after repeated listenings the LP's initial impact deteriorated a little. The main reason is singer/bassist Lee Rocker's vocals. He did backup vocals in his former band, the … Continue reading Album review: Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1984)

Album review: Stray Cats, Rock Therapy (1986)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 14, 1986 By Steve Newton Before Brian Setzer went solo with The Knife Feels Like Justice, one of the most consistently fine rock albums of '86, and before Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker joined up with guitar ace Earl Slick to produce two albums as Phantom, Rocker & … Continue reading Album review: Stray Cats, Rock Therapy (1986)

Stray Cats Live at Rockpalast finds the rockabilly revivalists at their ballsy best

By Steve Newton Maybe, like me, you were lucky enough to catch the Stray Cats when they played the Commodore back in '82. Or perhaps you saw them when they were on that bill at GM Place in 2007 with the Pretenders and ZZ Top. But if you're one of those sad sacks who've never seen the Stray … Continue reading Stray Cats Live at Rockpalast finds the rockabilly revivalists at their ballsy best

Lee Rocker goes solo after Stray Cats and Phantom, Rocker and Slick

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 14, 2007 By Steve Newton As a kid growing up in Long Island, New York, standup bassist Lee Rocker would marvel at Earl Slick's razor-edged guitar work on the 1974 David Bowie concert album, David Live. He never expected that 10 years later he'd be playing with Slick in a band … Continue reading Lee Rocker goes solo after Stray Cats and Phantom, Rocker and Slick