Slim Jim Phantom says he’s always loved the drums and that the instrument chose him. He grew up on Long Island and after taking up the drums took lessons from jazz great Mousie Alexander, who had played with Benny Goodman. He met Lee Rocker in high school and later they formed the Stray Cats with Brian Setzer, leading the rockabilly revival of the 1980’s.
The Stray Cats first emerged in New York during the late 70’s and quickly scored regular slots at notable Manhattan venues like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. They weren’t quite punk per se, but as rockabilly was loaded with attitude and was the punk music of its day they certainly weren’t out of place on that scene either.
It wasn’t until the band relocated to London and won over fans like the Stones and the Who that they really kicked into gear. Rockpile guitarist Dave Edmunds was also a fan and offered to produce their (self titled) debut album. Stray Cats was a phenomenal breakthrough featuring what would become some of the finest songs of the band’s career with Stray Cat Strut, Runaway Boys and Rock This Town – the latter of which would eventually be named by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
It wasn’t until the band released their second album that their record company was prepared to launch them in the US and by that time the band had already racked up hit singles in the UK and Australia.
Within a few short years the band would implode, although numerous reunions (and records) have emerged since.
After the initial breakup of the Stray Cats Lee Rocker and Slim Jim formed Phantom, Rocker and Slick with gun session guitarist Earl Slick. They made 2 albums together, including their self-titled debut, which featured the ripping track Men Without Shame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDKewcYs4gM
Slim Jim Phantom has featured in many other bands over the years including Head Cat with Lemmy from Motorhead and Dead Men Walking with Captain Sensible (The Damned), Chris Cheney (The Living End) and Mike Peters (The Alarm).
Jim is currently touring Australia’s east coast with the Slim Jim Phantom Trio. I spoke to him in his hotel just before going on stage at Blues on Broadbeach where I had the chance to ask him about everything from living the rockabilly life to his barber who used to cut the hair of the King of Romania!
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I adore the style of Slim Jim Phantom. He looks as boldly as he did in his youth.
Hey Darren, he hasn’t lost his chops either. It’s mesmerising watching him play – makes it look so simple!