Unlike the mind-numbing Muzak piped into the mall, true Christmas music conjures soothing mental images of hearth, home, hot toddies and holiday cheer.

For Brian Setzer, that isn't quite enough.

Backed by the 15-piece orchestra Brian Setzer Orchestra, the former Stray Cats frontman augmented the traditional elements with a mix of hot rods, hepcats and hellacious playing that delighted a sellout crowd Tuesday on the opening night of a two-show stint at Northern Lights Theater.

Billed as a "Christmas Extravaganza," the show featured a mix of seasonal songs alongside swing and rockabilly numbers and some classical chestnuts from Setzer's latest CD "Wolfgang's Night Out."

Setzer, who first tapped into the holiday music market with the release of "Boogie Woogie Christmas" in 2002 and followed that three years later with "Dig That Crazy Christmas," wore a gray three-piece suit with cranberry accents as he played the role of the grinning, Gretsch guitar-wielding gunslinger.

His fiery fretwork featured "Flight of the Bumblebee" runs during "Honey Man" from "Wolfgang's Night Out." Members of the orchestra, decked out in red and black zebra-striped jackets with black and red bowling shirts, matched his virtuosity with blistering sax, trombone and trumpet solos throughout the evening.

The BSO Vixens, Leslie and Julie, provided backup vocals while dancing in black sequined gowns.

Highlights of the evening included: a version of the Stray Cats' hit "Stray Cat Strut," which featured a version of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," along with a solo played by the Grinch himself, wearing a Santa coat; a rockabilly mini-set that opened with "This Cat's on a Hot Tin Roof" and closed with "Route 66," augmented by the orchestra (which switched to leopard-spotted jackets for the finales.

Snow fell from the ceiling during the final number, "Jingle Bells" from "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus." As the respectful and somewhat reserved crowd were smiling as they headed out to face the real snow outside.