The Stray Cats are one of those bands that a few people remember despite them having, during a decade of synth and electropop, a very unique sound.
Sounding like a 50s Rockabilly outfit but formed in 1979, the Stray Cats struggled to find fame in their native USA but did see success in the UK with their songs “Runaway Boys” and “Rock This Town” both charting at #9 in 1980 , however it’s the song Stray Cat Strut for which they’re possibly most remembered (sorry about the hideous video) despite it failing to hit the Top 10.
Eventually they did see success in the USA, reaching number 2 in the album charts and only being kept off the top spot by a certain Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. Finally “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut” made it as singles in the USA, both getting in the top 10. As usual it just took the US a little while longer to recognise good music 
They split in 1982 (apparently some members were unhappy with their ‘novelty’ status) but reformed again in 1988, getting straight back into the charts with their album “Blast Off”.
Kicking off what I aim to make a regular feature, the “Forgotten gems of the 80s” post, is Matthew Wilder’s “Break My Stride”. Right at the start of the song it seems like you’ve joined in halfway and the whole thing has an almost eerie feel to it. Perhaps it’s the faux-reggae pop feel to the song or perhaps it’s the moustache, but either way there’s something about this song that I really like.
See the video here apologies for the interruption halfway through. This appears to be the only video for the song.
I don’t recall another big hit for Wilder, and I don’t know many other people who remember this one particularly, making it perfect fodder for a forgotten gem.
Break My Stride hit the #5 position in the US in 1983 and was the pinacle of Wilder’s success as a solo artist, though he did get an Academy Award nomination for his vocalisation of Ling from Disney’s Mulan. He also wrote songs for acts such as No Doubt, 702 and Christina Aguilera and has worked with Miley Cyrus. He produced No Doubt’s classic album “Tragic Kingdom” and if you listen carefully, I’m sure the influence of Break My Stride’s reggae rhythms is there…
