It took less than a minute for Lee Rocker to live up to the second half of his stage name.
The bassist and his band kicked off the weekend on Friday night by thumping, plucking and howling their way through a blistering performance at Easton's State Theatre.
Rocker delighted the crowd with a set that leaned heavily on cuts from his work as a founding member of the Stray Cats. He also sprinkled in the Phantom, Rocker & Slick hit "Men Without Shame" and even a few choice covers.
The show opened with a video highlight reel of Rocker's career. Rocker and his band then walked on stage and slunk their way through the Stray Cats' "Stray Cat Strut," with Rocker doubling on upright bass and lead vocals. After the song ended, Rocker loudly exclaimed, "You got one beautiful theater here. Wow!"
Following a one-two punch of the Stray Cat scorchers "Runaway Boys" and "Built for Speed" (the title track of the band's 1982 American debut), Rocker and his bandmates revved up the momentum on "Fishnet Stockings" and "Bring It Back Again." The vintage swing of the music was a refreshing blast of pure, unadulterated rock 'n' roll that crackled with energy.
Rocker's voice stayed strong and steady throughout the night, complemented by the impressive talents of guitarist Buzz Campbell, drummer Larry Mitchell and keyboardist Joey Guevara.
The Long Island native made sure to give nods to his influences and departed musical brethren with spins through Carl Perkins' "Your True Love" and Johnny Cash's "City of New Orleans."
Rocker closed out the show with a return to his Stray Cats roots: a sultry rendition of "(She's) Sexy + 17," followed by the slow-burning "I Won't Stand in Your Way," a feisty version of "Rumble in Brighton" and the Stray Cats' signature song, "Rock This Town."
More than just a concert, Rocker and his band put on a display of musicianship that purred with perfection.