Brian Setzer Orchestra

Songs Inspire Setzer To Form '68 Comeback Special

12 Mar 2001 08:07:00 EST

Tracks that didn't fit Brian Setzer Orchestra format spur ex-Stray Cats leader to form trio.
By Rob Kemp

Brian Setzer
Photo: Interscope

Before he revived big-band stylings with the Brian Setzer Orchestra, the eponymous bandleader was known to the world as the guitar-slinging frontman of stripped-down rockabilly trio the Stray Cats.

Now Setzer is returning to his roots. During a hiatus for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, the singer/guitarist will front the three-piece '68 Comeback Special for an album and summer tour.

Setzer had written a bunch of songs that did not fit the big-band format of such albums as 1998's Dirty Boogie and 2000's Vavoom!, according to a management spokesperson. Setzer revisited demos of those songs in the fall and decided that he wanted to play them in a trio.

With the Brian Setzer Orchestra's bassist, Mark Winchester, and drummer, Bernie Dressel, in tow, the band was booked in a couple of clubs on the West Coast. Setzer enjoyed it so much he decided to record the songs and tour in the summer, the spokesperson said. But he does not want to make a push for radio play and band promotion commensurate with that of the Setzer Orchestra.

The name '68 Comeback Special refers to the televised spectacle that is viewed as having revitalized Elvis Presley's career in music after a procession of mind-numbing B movies. Preparing for one of those shows in the autumn, Setzer noticed that the black leather trousers and jacket he was wearing evoked Presley. Presto — the band had a name.

The band will begin recording the album, which will be called Ignition, this week. It's expected to be released June 12 on Surfdog Records, according to the spokesperson. A tour, which is expected to feature Setzer playing banjo and pedal-steel guitar, will run from June 15 through August 18.

'68 Comeback Special tour dates, as provided by band's management spokesperson:

6/15 - Saratoga, CA @ Mountain Winery
6/16-17 - Lake Tahoe, CA @ Caesars Casino
6/19 - Del Mar, CA @ Del Mar Fairgrounds (San Diego)
6/20 - Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater
6/22 - Boise, ID @ Big Easy
6/23 - Missoula, MT @ Wilma Theatre
6/24 - Spokane, WA @ Met Theatre
6/26 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox
6/27 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
6/28 - Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Fest
6/29 - Kelseyville, CA @ Konocti Showroom
7/11 - Westbury, NY @ Music Theatre
7/13 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Caesar's Casino (Brian Setzer Orchestra)
7/14-15 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Caesar's Casino (Brian Setzer Orchestra)
7/19 - Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Ballroom
7/20 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Casino
7/21 - Boston, MA @ Avalon Ballroom
7/22 - Hyannis, MA @ Cape Cod Music Theatre
7/24 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Laga
7/25 - Cleveland, OH @ Odeon Club
7/27 - Dayton, OH @ Courthouse Square (free show)
7/28 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
7/29 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
7/31 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
8/1 - Beaver Creek, CO @ Vilar Theatre
8/4 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre (Brian Setzer Orchestra)
8/15 - San Mateo, CA @ San Mateo County Fair
8/16 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst
8/18 - Reno, NV @ Silver Legacy Casino

Related Artists
- Brian Setzer Orchestra

Fastball Taps Brian Setzer For New LP Track

6 Jun 2000 06:15:00 EDT

Fastball

Austin, Texas trio Fastball has completed work on its new album, "The Harsh Light Of Day," and the group has set a September 19 release date for the disc.

Fastball again tapped producer Julian Raymond to helm the boards for the effort, the follow-up to the platinum-selling "All The Pain Money Can Buy" (see "Fastball Sees 'Harsh Light Of Day' For Next LP"), and the album will also feature guest appearances from singer-guitarist Brian Setzer and keyboardist Billy Preston, sometimes referred to as "The Fifth Beatle" for his work on the Fab Four's "Let It Be" album.

Fastball's Miles Zuniga and Tony Scalzo recently spoke to the MTV Radio Network about working with former Stray Cats frontman Setzer on a new song, "Love Is Expensive And Free," for the band's forthcoming third album.

"We had this song, and it's got a mariachi band and Jose Hernandez playing on it," Zuniga said.

"It's a mariachi orchestra," Scalzo interjected.

"It's a full-on orchestra," Zuniga agreed. "After we listened to it, some of us thought that maybe it was a little over-the-top. [Laughs] So we came up with the idea to get Brian to play a little guitar, 'cause he's real schooled in all kinds of music. He agreed to do it, and it was great. He came down, [heard it], and liked the song."

"He had already done a bunch of homework," Scalzo said, "and when he came into the studio, he had like three pages of notes and went, 'I got all kinds of ideas for this song.' You can imagine how that sounds, from a fan's perspective." [RealAudio]

Fastball will introduce material from its next album during a radio festival in Honolulu on July 22.

Track listing for Fastball's "The Harsh Light Of Day:"

"This Is Not My Life"
"You're An Ocean"
"Goodbye"
"Love Is Expensive And Free"
"Vampires"
"Wind Me Up"
"Morning Star"
"Time"
"Dark Street"
"Funny How It Fades Away"
"Don't Give Up On Me"
"Whatever Gets You On"

Related Artists

Brian Setzer '80s Collection To Feature Pre-Orchestra Material

12 Nov 1999 12:00:00 EST

Brian Setzer

Brian Setzer hasn't always been the slick dressing big band leader we know him as today, and a new collection due in stores on November 16 explores his pre-Brian Setzer Orchestra roots, including a few Stray Cats tracks.

"The Brian Setzer Collection 1981-1988" will single edits of the Stray Cats' "(She's) Sexy And 17" and "Rock This Town" as well as an a cappella version of "I Won't Stand In Your Way" and a previously unreleased live version of "Runaway Boys."

Most of the collection, however, concentrates on Setzer's solo work pre-dating the formation of his current group, The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Among those songs are a previously unreleased cover of "Summertime Blues" (a different version than the one on the 1987 "La Bamba" soundtrack), his minor 1984 hit "The Knife Feels Like Justice," and a number of previously unreleased tracks, including "Echo Park," "Thing About You," "Waiting For Desiree," and "Living Souls."

"The Brian Setzer Collection 1981-1988" track list:

The Stray Cats - "(She's) Sexy And 17 (single edit)"
The Stray Cats - "Rock This Town (single edit)"
"Summertime Blues"
"The Knife Feels Like Justice"
"Boulevard Of Broken Dreams"
"Echo Park"
"When The Sky Comes Tumblin' Down (single edit)"
"Cross Of Love"
"Every Tear That Falls"
"Thing About You"
"Waiting For Desiree"
"Bobby's Back"
"Keep Your Lovin' Strong"
"Living Souls"
"The Rain Washes Everything Away"
The Stray Cats - "I Won't Stand In Your Way (a cappella)"
The Stray Cats - "Runaway Boys (live)"
"Chains Around Your Heart"

Related Artists

Brian Setzer Orchestra

Brian Setzer Talks About Teaming With Mike Ness

25 Feb 1999 04:00:00 EST

Brian Setzer

Apparently double-Grammy winner Brian Setzer found a kindred spirit in Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness.

Setzer recently teamed up with Ness on his solo album, "Cheating at Solitaire," lending his guitar work to the track "Crime Don't Pay," and found Ness to be "a great guy."

"We like the same kinda stuff, y'know, old hot rods and hula girls and stuff," the ex-Stray Cat told the MTV Radio Network at Tuesday's Gibson Guitar awards in Los Angeles. "He goes to the same tattoo guy that I go to, so we kinda had been missing each other."

The fruits of their partnership will arrive on April 13 when Ness' "Cheating At Solitaire" arrived in stores.

Meanwhile, Setzer is currently clearing off space on his mantle for the two Grammys he picked up on Wednesday: Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (see "Lauryn Hill, Madonna Rule Over Smooth Grammy Night").

Related Artists

Alanis, Beasties, Lenny Kravitz, Jay-Z, Setzer Take Home Early Grammys

24 Feb 1999 07:45:00 EST

Beastie Boy Ad-Rock

With 80 of the 95 Grammy trophies having been doled out before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Lauryn Hill and Madonna are already cashing in on their multiple nominations as the two lead the pack with three statuettes apiece.

Hill's first Grammy came with a nod for "Best R&B Song" for her "Doo Wop (That Thing)" [RealVideo], and she soon followed with wins for Best R&B Album for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Doo Wop." The freight train will not be an unstoppable one, however, as she lost out on Producer of the Year Non-Classical.

The Beastie Boys also chalked up two early wins as their "Intergalactic" won for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and their album "Hello Nasty" won for Best Alternative Music Performance.

Jay-Z, Alanis Morissette, and Lenny Kravitz also got off to strong Grammy start during the pre-telecast portion of the annual music shindig Wednesday afternoon. Hill wasn't the only hip-hopper to get good news early as reluctant nominee Jay-Z picked up a Grammy for Best Rap Album for his "Hard Knock Life, Vol. 2."

Alanis scored Best Rock Song honors for her "Uninvited," and also saw that track' producer, Rob Cavallo named Producer of the Year Non-Classical, while David Morales was named Remixer of the Year.

Also in the rock field, Lenny Kravitz earned honors early for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for his "Fly Away." Sheryl Crow's "Globe Sessions" also picked up an early Grammy for Best Engineered Album Non-Classical, in what may be a good omen for the singer/songwriter, who is up for six awards.

On harder terrain, Metallica was able to earn Grammy gold in the Best Metal Performance category with "Better Than You," but could not do the same in the Best Hard Rock Performance category, where the Grammy went to Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

They were some of the pre-telecast winners who picked up statuettes at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday afternoon before the live CBS telecast began at 8 p.m. NARAS, the group behind the Grammys, began doling out the awards at the universally unglamorous time of 2:15 in the afternoon Pacific time and planned to hand out 80 of the night's 95 awards before the cameras starting rolling at 8.

We will continue to bring you winners as they are announced throughout the night.

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

Related Artists

Brian Setzer, Courtney Love, John Fogerty, Lisa Loeb Honored At 1999 Gibson Guitar Awards

24 Feb 1999 02:15:00 EST

Brian Setzer

As entertainers began amassing in Los Angeles for tonight's presentation of the Grammys, some of the nominees headed over to the Hard Rock Cafe at the Beverly Center last night for the announcement of this year's Gibson Guitar Awards.

Courtney Love and her Hole band mate Melissa Auf Der Maur, Lisa Loeb, Jim Creeggan of the Barenaked Ladies, and Mike Ward of the Wallflowers were among the winners in attendance for the Gibsons -- which featured Brian Setzer receiving the 1999 Orville H. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award.

But some of the evening's most entertaining moments were courtesy of the acceptance speeches offered up by Love and Auf Der Maur, who were named Best Female Rock Guitarist and Best Female Bassist, respectively.

"This is the last award I ever thought I would get -- a guitar award -- but it means so much to me," Love said. "When I was 14, I got a 1959 Gibson Melody Maker, and it really saved my life, it really helped me to communicate everything that I really feel inside."

"It's a really important thing for young people, and young girls especially, to get a hold of guitars, particularly electric ones. I'm so thankful for people like Nancy Wilson and Joni Mitchell that showed me that you could play guitar and be a girl and get somewhere."

In Auf Der Maur's acceptance speech, the bassist talked about the importance of the Gibson tradition and its importance among her peers.

"When I found out a month ago I was up for this award, I started thinking back about growing up as a rock lover," Auf Der Maur said, "and I think that I knew about Gibson guitars before I even knew the difference between a bass and a guitar, so the aesthetic of that was always there."

"Obviously guitars and basses have been some of the world's greatest heroes' partners," she added. "and the relationship between me and my instrument is one of the most personal things I have in the whole world, and what a better institution to recognize that [than Gibson]."

David Strickland, the co-star of "Suddenly Susan," hosted the event, and all proceeds from the Gibson Awards will benefit the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation. The Foundation helps severely handicapped and autistic children through the use of improvisational music at their clinic based at New York University.

Here's the full list of winners of the 1999 Gibson Awards:

Best Rock Guitarist:

Male: John Fogerty

Female: Courtney Love

Best Acoustic Guitarist:

Male: Steve Earle

Female: Lisa Loeb

Best Blues Guitarist:

Male: Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Female: Melissa Etheridge

Best Jazz Guitarist:

Male: John Scofield

Female: Leni Stern

Best Country Guitaris:

Male: Steve Wariner and Randy Scruggs

Female: Deana Carter

Best Bassist:

Male: Jim Creeggan

Female: Melissa Auf der Maur

Les Paul Horizon Award for Most Promising New Guitarist:

Mike Ward

Orville H. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award:

Brian Setzer

Related Artists

Mike Ness Solo CD To Feature Setzer, Springsteen and Royal Crown Rhythm

11 Feb 1999 06:50:00 EST

Social Distortion

Social Distortion's Mike Ness is set to make his live solo debut at the South By Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas, in March -- and then plans to issue a new solo album, "Cheating At Solitaire," on Time Bomb Records April 13. Ness' solo CD will feature old pal Bruce Springsteen on a track called "Misery Loves Company," an appearance from Brian Setzer on another track, and performances by the Royal Crown Revue's rhythm section throughout the record.

Although Ness is most decidedly a punk rocker, the new record will show a side of the singer that's heavily influenced by vintage rock and roots music, which makes the participation of Springsteen and Setzer more logical. It also explains the need for his temporary departure from Social D. And his departure from the group is temporary, as Ness has made it clear that while he's currently putting his full efforts into the solo project, he's only taking a short break from Social Distortion -- and has no intention of breaking up the band.

Ness intends to tour throughout the summer and fall, but according to a label rep, no musicians are confirmed as yet for his back-up band. A source says it's doubtful he'll be playing with any of his Social D. bandmates.

Related Artists

Setzer Signs On To Shill Scotch

16 Dec 1998 02:00:00 EST

Brian Setzer

Officially cashing in on the swing revival, Stray Cat-turned-band leader Brian Setzer has lined up his first non-music endorsement deal it was announced Wednesday.

Setzer, whose "Dirty Boogie" has gone double platinum since its release six months ago, has signed on with Chivas Regal Scotch in a deal that will see the company sponsor some of Setzer's tour dates while the musician pops up in ads for Chivas.

The ads will feature a cocktail concocted specifically for Setzer, "The Chivas Dirty Boogie," which is Chivas, club soda and a dash of cherry juice (kids, don't try this at home).

For Setzer, the deal sees the musician getting behind a product that he firmly believes in. "I'm excited to be involved with Chivas, something that I've personally enjoyed for years," Setzer said in a statement announcing the deal.

For Chivas, the deal is, well, a marketing move. "The deal marks the first step of a marketing campaign to align its brand with music," the company's press release read.

"We've found that many of Chivas' consumers have embraced a return to the days of glamour and supper clubs. Brian's music reflects this trend," added Bob Dubin, a man who holds the title of Scotch category manager at Seagram Americas.

Setzer is expected to shoot his first print ad for Chivas in New York this week.

Related Artists

Brian Setzer Orchestra

Brian Setzer Files Suit To Halt Sale Of Early Recordings

5 Nov 1998 07:55:00 EST

Brian Setzer circa 1982

While Brian Setzer is enjoying a career resurgence thanks to the rise in popularity of swing music, the former Stray Cats frontman filed a federal suit last week to prevent an old bandmate from cashing in on his new fame.

In the suit, Setzer claims that Ken Kinnally, a member of one of his pre-Stray Cats bands, the Bloodless Pharaohs, illegally licensed early recordings from the band without Setzer's consent, according to "Billboard."

Comprised of both studio and live tracks cut during the late '70s, the material has been collected and released by Collectible Records under the title, "Brian Setzer & the Bloodless Pharaohs."

The suit asks for a permanent injunction against the marketing and sale of the album, in addition to financial compensation to be determined during the trial proceedings.

No word yet on when the case may actually come before a federal court, but we'll keep you posted.

Related Artists

Brian Setzer Orchestra

Liz Phair Swings By "Sessions" As Phish, PJ Harvey, Brian Setzer, Others Wait Their Turn

16 Oct 1998 12:15:00 EDT

Liz Phair

Just one week after playing New York as part of her U.S. tour, Liz Phair returned to that city on Thursday to shoot an upcoming episode of the PBS series "Sessions at West 54th."

Phair now joins a list of performers including Phish, Lyle Lovett, PJ Harvey, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Steve Earle, Lou Reed, Natalie Merchant, Elvis Costello, and others who will soon turn up on the show.

The move seemed an unlikely one for the traditionally stage-shy Phair, who joked between songs about her recent concert-friendly turn, "I used to hate performing, now I love it."

After series host David Byrne praised Phair and her songwriting ability as "an inspiration," the singer/songwriter took the stage and delivered an hour-long set thick with tracks from her 1993 breakthrough album "Exile In Guyville." Phair, of course, also offered a number of tracks from her new album, "whitechocolatespaceegg."

During a technical break late in the filming of Phair's set, the singer broke from her designated setlist, playing the audience request "F*** And Run" before wrapping up with "Perfect World."

Phair's edition of the series, which is presented by New York PBS station WNET, should hit the air early next year. In the coming weeks, "Sessions" will feature John Hiatt and Imani Coppola (weekend of October 17), Medeski, Martin and Wood and Holly Cole (weekend of October 24), Lou Reed (weekend of October 31), Natalie Merchant and Virginia Rodrigues (weekend of November 6), Brian Setzer Orchestra and Jimmy Scott (weekend of Nov. 13), Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach (weekend of November 20), and Cowboy Junkies and Kronos Quartet (weekend of November 27). Air dates and time vary, and potential viewers should check local listings.

The series will also bring in Phish, Joe Henry, Rufus Wainwright, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Lyle Lovett, and PJ Harvey in the coming weeks to shoot episodes that will air next year.

When Phair's half-hour "Sessions" episode rolls out next year, it will feature material culled from the following hour's worth of songs she played on Thursday:

Mesmerizing
Johnny Feelgood
Never Said Nothing
Support System
whitechocolatespaceegg
Uncle Alvarez
6'1"
Dance of the Seven Veils
Polyester Bride
Supernova
Divorce Song
F**k And Run
Perfect World

Related Artists