Lee Rocker celebrates legacy with memorable set at The Coach House

Lee Rocker with his
iconic double bass.

Who: Lee Rocker, Buzz Campbell & The Heartaches, Moonshine

Where: The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA

When: Friday, Feb. 11, 2022

Learn More: Lee Rocker's website HERE; Buzz Campbell's website HERE; Moonshine's website HERE.

Next: Lee Rocker will begin performing a string of shows in March 2022. Visit his official website HERE to see all of his forthcoming tour dates.

Singer-bassist Lee Rocker and his terrific band headlining at The Coach House in
San Juan Capistrano on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Performing with Rocker are 
keyboardist Matthew Jordan, drummer Larry Mitchell and guitarist Buzz Campbell.

 

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Lee Rocker at The Coach House.

Music lovers who came to the legendary Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Friday night (Feb. 11, 2022) were treated to an outstanding set from headliner Lee Rocker, as well as two strong openers (Buzz Campbell & The Heartaches, Moonshine).

Rocker achieved international fame as a founding member of The Stray Cats at the dawn of the 1980s, and has since continued to champion rockabilly and roots rock performing on stage or in the studio alongside a wide range of legendary artists including Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Keith Richards, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty and Carl Perkins.

Guitar great Buzz Campbell in 
action at The Coach House.

At The Coach House, Rocker was backed by his terrific trio featuring Buzz Campbell (guitar, banjo), Larry Mitchell (drums) and Matthew Jordan (keyboards) for an exhilarating 85-minute set. The troupe delivered a stellar showcase featuring plenty of Stray Cats favorites and energetic covers as well as highlights from Rocker's rich solo career and a gem from his stint from Phantom, Rocker & Slick (a project that featured Rocker, Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom and guitar virtuoso Earl Slick).

The quartet opened with an extended version of "Stray Cat Strut," reworked from the oft-heard Stray Cats hit into a stylish romp where Rocker, Jordan and Campbell were each able to display their masterful chops. The fiery "Runaway Boys" followed, fully rekindling the rockabilly revival that Rocker, Phantom and Brian Setzer championed more than four decades ago.

From left, Matthew Jordan, Justin Drucker, drummer Larry Mitchell, Lee Rocker
and guitarist Buzz Campbell in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

There was a joyful spirit throughout Rocker's 20-song set. After performing a spirited version of the title tracks from the Stray Cats' 1982 Built For Speed and his new album Gather Round, he brought his son Justin Drucker to the stage and turned back the clock to deliver more stripped down material including a buoyant medley of Elvis Presley's "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky," an animated take on Perkins' "Honey Don't" and tender reading of Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans" – the latter bolstered by Jordan's accordion playing. He also performed an acoustic version of "The Last Offline Lovers," a song written for his wife Deborah Drucker (they celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on the day of the concert).

Rocker then picked up the tempo for the speedy number "When Nothing's Going Right" (a song from the Stray Cats' recent reunion disc 40) and retro-styled "Men Without Shame"; other late set highlights included the Louisiana-mining "Graceland Auctions" and '50s sounding ballad "I Won't Stand In Your Way." 

The night ended with four standouts. The blistering "Bulletproof" (the title track off his 2003 album), soaring "Rumble in Brighton," aptly-pegged "Rock This Town" and zestful closer "Rockabilly Boogie" made for the perfect parade of cuts to close out a wonderful night.

Buzz Campbell & The Heartaches performing at The Coach House.

The aforementioned Buzz Campbell opened the bill backed by his honky tonk outfit The Heartaches, performing 30 minutes of material recalling the celebrated likes of Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens and Johnny Cash. A super talented guitarist, Campbell's vocals are also first rate. The outfit navigated a mix of solid originals and covers from a diverse field of artists including The Beach Boys and Faron Young.

Moonshine performing at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Feb. 11.

In addition to bassist Justin Drucker, Moonshine features the brother-and-sister team of singer Selena Marie and guitar master Dylan DelPizzo-Howell along with harmonica pro Travis Muniz and drummer Nick Crays. 

From left, Travis Muniz, Dylan DelPizzo-Howell
and Selena Marie of Moonshine.

The quintet's 40-minute set demonstrated an ensemble able to blend blues, rock, jazz and country styles into something that is uniquely their own. Highlights included a reworked version of Wanda Jackson's "Funnel of Love" and their own jazzy ballad "Darlin' You Blow My Mind." The breezy "The One Who Got Away" allowed DelPizzo-Howell to showcase his impressive and nuanced guitar work.