Alan Dearling witnessed the ultimate in what Starcat call: ‘Maximum Rockabilly’! It’s wild, exuberant fun. These characters are larger than life. Really rather like their cartoon caricatures on the poster. A kind of rock ‘n’ roll version of the Damon Albarn band, Gorillaz!
The gig was full and buzzing. Plenty of ladies ready to hit the dance floor. High energy, loud, and exuding a faintly naughty ambience.
Neal X, best known for his time in Sigue Sigue Sputnik, did the stage announcements, proclaiming: “Why are you lot not in church?”
The band burst into, ‘Rip it up’. The set was full of fast, furious rockabilly. “We’re never going to change our style! – ‘Born to rock ‘n’ roll’,” they sang. It was a mix of old and new songs. Lots of familiar tracks including ‘Tiger Feet’ and ‘Jeepster’. Even the instrumentals were well-known paeans to the legendary late 1950s/early ‘60s. The time, the fashions and the music which were epitomised in the film, ‘That’ll be the day’. Starcat totally capture the vibe. They performed exactly what it said on the promotional pre-gig tin: “They play a mix of Stray Cats’ hits, Polecats’ tunes, Sigue Sigue Sputnik tracks, and classic rock and roll covers.”
It was frenetic fun. Especially so for a Sunday afternoon. Neal X told the audience: “It’s absolutely great…great audience and show in Hebden…we can finish here and get home for tea!” I have to say as photographer and journo, I was especially impressed with the Starcat roadie. I think he might be called Robbie. Doesn’t much matter. He was charged with the task of loosening the tops on the Starcats’ water bottles and going in search of additional items for the stage. Fabulous!
This is what the band say of themselves:
“Slim Jim Phantom has secured his place as a true rock-n-roll icon. As the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats, Phantom, alongside band mates Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker, spearheaded the neo-rockabilly movement of the early ‘80s. Over 30 years and millions of record sales later and Slim Jim Phantom continues to inspire and excite audiences worldwide. With a sound, style and image that remain as fresh today as they ever were, Phantom has cemented his place among rock royalty.
Phil Polecat is the bass player of The Polecats. In 1981 they released their debut LP, ‘Polecats Are Go’ produced by Dave Edmunds – a jewel which every fan of the band should have. They hit the Top 40 alongside the Stray Cats with their take on Bowie’s ‘John I’m only Dancing’.
Neal X is the former guitarist with Electro Glam potentates Sigue Sigue Sputnik. They had a No. 3 UK hit single with ‘Love Missile F1-11’ in 1986. He has worked as a sideman for Marc Almond since the ’90s, more recently he’s been Glen Matlock‘s go to guitarist as well as forming ‘nearly all-girl’ rockabilly outfit, The Montecristos, who released their debut album, ‘Born to Rock ‘N’ Roll’ in 2015.”
Capturing a little of the sing-along quality of the band, here’s a recent mash-up clip from Starcat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk4Gc8tyFms&list=RDMk4Gc8tyFms&start_radio=1