Brian Setzer of Stray Cats reflects on the struggles behind his return to the stage

Ahead of an unlikely summer tour with Stray Cats, Brian Setzer is sharing unsettling new information regarding his health problems, as per UCR. He disclosed last year that he had been fighting a crippling autoimmune condition and had previously been receiving treatment from medical professionals at the esteemed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Setzer claims he also developed an addiction to Kratom, an over-the-counter herbal wellness tonic, while he was frozen in agony. According to Setzer, he reached a stage when he was unable to complete routine duties.

It’s frustrating when you sit down and your hands do nothing, you really can’t take it for granted. Playing guitar is certainly on top, but so is holding a toothbrush, y’know?

Later, Setzer received comfort and a correct diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic.

The best way I can describe it is, your nerves are like wires, and wires have sheathing on them. Well, that’s coating has kind of eroded, so the wires malfunction. Basically, they lock up my hands and feet. I can’t move them. I can’t button my pants, let alone play guitar.

It was a long trek back for him.

I was able to hold a guitar pick – that came first. It was, ‘All right, I’m more than halfway there.’ And then when I was able to fingerpick, when my fingers came back, then I had the whole package.

The Stray Cats quickly canceled their 2025 tour after announcing it. Setzer eventually kicked Kratom at the Hazelden Betty Ford center in Minnesota.

They advertise it as a safe tonic to give you energy, and it’s not, so, that just aggravated the whole thing. I just stopped everything and went away and cleaned out and came back fresh and clean.

Late July marks the start of Setzer’s new Stray Cats tour with drummer Slim Jim Phantom and bassist Lee Rocker. Through August, they will perform in 16 gigs together.

• Friday, July 24, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV, USA – The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
• Saturday, July 25, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ, USA – Celebrity Theatre
• Sunday, July 26, 2026 – Del Mar, CA, USA – The Sound
• Tuesday, July 28, 2026 – Highland, CA, USA – Yaamava’ Theater
• Wednesday, July 29, 2026 – Highland, CA, USA – Yaamava’ Theater
• Friday, July 31, 2026 – Santa Rosa, CA, USA – Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
• Sunday, August 2, 2026 – Wheatland, CA, USA – Hard Rock Live Sacramento
• Tuesday, August 4, 2026 – Sandy, UT, USA – Sandy Amphitheater
• Wednesday, August 5, 2026 – Colorado Springs, CO, USA – Pikes Peak Center
• Friday, August 7, 2026 – Tulsa, OK, USA – River Spirit Casino Resort
• Saturday, August 8, 2026 – Kansas City, MO, USA – Uptown Theater
• Monday, August 10, 2026 – Huber Heights, OH, USA – Rose Music Center at The Heights
• Tuesday, August 11, 2026 – Interlochen, MI, USA – Interlochen Center for the Arts
• Wednesday, August 12, 2026 – Northfield, OH, USA – MGM Northfield Park Center Stage
• Friday, August 14, 2026 – Westbury, NY, USA – Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 – Atlantic City, NJ, USA – Ocean Casino Resort
• Sunday, August 16, 2026 – Morristown, NJ, USA – Mayo Performing Arts Center