In the 1980s, Setzer fronted the popular rockabilly band, The Stray Cats. The Stray Cats caught America's attention with the album Built for Speed, which included the three Top Ten hits, "Stray Cat Strut," "Rumble in Brighton," and "Rock This Town."
In the 1990s, Setzer led a comeback of sorts for swing music and big band music, when he formed The Brian Setzer Orchestra.