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”.