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Brian Setzer Trio  

Brian Setzer, the man credited with bringing two forgotten genres of music back to the popular forefront, is shifting gears once again.

Brian Setzer, the man credited with bringing two forgotten genres of music back to the popular forefront, is shifting gears once again.

The new project billed as BRIAN SETZER 68 COMEBACK SPECIAL features Brian along with two members of The Brian Setzer Orchestra, drummer Bernie Dresel, and slap-bassist Mark W. Winchester.

What started out as a fun diversion, has turned into a new album and a full-fledged U.S. tour for the guy who revived rockabilly in the 80s and launched the swing explosion of the late-90s.

Just for kicks, a couple of Southern California shows were set up in November 2000 for the sole purpose of getting out and playing a bunch of new songs that Brian had written. The audience response to the new lineup, however, was so overwhelming that the decision was quickly made to book a world tour.

Brian first came onto the scene as the guitarist/frontman of rockabilly revivalists, The Stray Cats in the early 80s. The Stray Cats made platinum-selling records and toured the world. In 1992, Brian was itching to try something new, and his next project, THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA, was probably one of the most unlikely success stories in modern popular music.

A 16-piece horn-based band backing a rock-and-roll guitar player performing rockin’big band music was a seriously bold move considering that, at the time, Nirvana was number one on the charts.

The BSO’ first two albums, THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA (1994) and GUITAR SLINGER (1996) sold respectably, but it was the live show that continually grew at a rate far beyond what record sales would have indicated. With word-of-mouth spreading wildly, the stage was set for the release of the band’ 1998 breakthrough album, THE DIRTY BOOGIE.

This record, which spawned the chart-topping hit “Jump Jive An Wail,” went on to sell over 3 million copies worldwide, and, once again, Brian had become a permanent fixture on MTV, VH-1, and radio stations across the country.

The commercial success was only the beginning, as THE DIRTY BOOGIE earned two prestigious Grammy Awards, one for Pop Performance of The Year (“Jump Jive An Wail”) and one for Pop Instrumental of The Year (“Sleepwalk”).

The 2000 follow-up, VAVOOM!, continued the band s growth and Setzer was honored with yet another Grammy statue for his mantle. This time for the BSO’ rendition of Duke Ellington’ “Caravan.”

The new three-piece 68 COMEBACK SPECIAL will give Setzer an opportunity to serve up his very unique brand of hot-rodded rockabilly-roots music and, at the same time, demonstrate what a versatile musician he really is, as he will be bringing out his banjo and pedal steel to add even more flavor.

Audiences can expect a lot of great new songs, some revved-up Stray Cats classics, and stripped-down versions of their favorite BSO tunes.

With all of the excitement building around BRIAN SETZER 68 COMEBACK SPECIAL, it seemed natural to properly record all of the new material and release a new record.

The album, entitled IGNITION, released in June 2001 on Encinitas, CA-based independent, Surfdog Records. Brian co-produced the CD with John Holbrook who engineered THE DIRTY BOOGIE and VAVOOM!. The disc featured all-new Setzer original Hot Rod Songs and Make-Out Tunes.

Because of the name, many people ask if this is going to be some kind of Elvis Presley tribute album and tour. Brian’ response: “Isn’ all music an Elvis Presley tribute?” As for why he picked the name: “Because it’ cool.” The same criterion he’ always used.

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