Phil
ready to rock with DMW in Bradford 2003
Photos : Copyright Phil Banks
Blast from the past: Phil in the 80s
I grew up in Workington, a small town in the far northwest of England. It was tough being a Stray Cats fan! Most people were into heavy metal or (worse) Duran Duran. Also, it was real hard getting hold of news about what the Cats were up to. It seemed like a thousand years passed after Gonna Ball was released until we heard that Rant 'n' Rave was on it's way. If you were in London: no problem. But not in Cumbria. It was like a Rock 'n' Roll desert! This all changed though the day Rant 'n' Rave landed at the local record store, Blue Lagoon Records. Every fan in the area must have bought that album from the same shop because the next week Rant 'n' Rave entered at number seven in the local newspaper's music charts - compiled by Blue Lagoon!! So Stray Cats made the top 10 again!!!
Anyway I finally got to see the greatest live band ever in 1989 at Manchester, Leeds & London. I've kept all my Stray Cats stuff. I've seen the Brian Setzer Orchestra, 68CBS and most recently Slim Jim Phantom in Dead Men Walking: where I got Jim's autograph! Now that's cool. After all these years I am so pleased that they are back in 2004. Can't wait for Manchester & London. Now where's that grease............ Banksy