JUST ANNOUNCED: Tommy Castro And The Painkillers

21+
Doors at 6:30PM
Show at 7:00PM
Opener TBD

ONSALE starting Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 10:00AM: ONLY 10 Early Bird tickets will be sold at the value price of $20.00. Once they are gone.....the pre-sale price will prevail!

General Admission presale tickets will be available starting on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:00AM

Tommy Castro is a multiple award–winning guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader who has spent more than four decades at the forefront of American blues and rock. Based in California, he’s built a reputation as a powerhouse performer, captivating audiences worldwide with his soul-drenched voice, fiery guitar work, and electrifying live shows.

As the driving force behind his band, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers—a group known for its near-telepathic chemistry and rowdy, high-octane performances—Castro has released 17 albums covering a wide stylistic spectrum. His music moves effortlessly from horn-fueled R&B and passionate soul to raw, stripped-down rock and electric blues.

His newest release, Closer To The Bone—his eighth album for Alligator Records—marks a return to his deepest roots. Produced by guitar virtuoso Christoffer “Kid” Andersen at the famed Greaseland Studio in San Jose, the record is Castro’s most unfiltered and hard-hitting blues statement yet. The collection features standout originals such as Ain’t Worth The Heartache, Can’t Catch A Break, and Crazy Woman Blues, alongside inspired covers of songs by friends and mentors including Johnny Nitro, Magic Slim, Ron Thompson, and Chris Cain. The album also boasts guest appearances from Rick Estrin, Billy Branch, Deanna Bogart, Jim Pugh, Chris Cain, and gospel powerhouses The Sons of the Soul Revivers.

Born in San Jose in 1955, Castro picked up the guitar at age 10 and grew up inspired by artists like Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, and Mike Bloomfield. His influences ranged from Ike & Tina Turner to John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy, shaping a style that is simultaneously uplifting, soulful, and firmly grounded in the blues. After honing his chops in Bay Area outfits like NiteCry and The Dynatones, he launched the first Tommy Castro Band in 1992.

His career gained momentum when the band landed a spot as the house group on NBC’s Comedy Showcase, which aired after Saturday Night Live. That exposure, combined with relentless touring, cemented Castro’s reputation as a must-see act. His acclaimed recordings for Blind Pig, Telarc, 33rd Street, and eventually Alligator Records expanded his reach even further. His 2009 Alligator debut, Hard Believer, ushered in a new era of commercial and critical success, followed by highlights such as The Devil You Know (2014), Stompin’ Ground (2017), Killin’ It – Live (2019), and A Bluesman Came To Town (2021), which AllMusic hailed as “a towering achievement.”

Over the years, Castro has become one of the most decorated artists in modern blues, winning 10 Blues Music Awards—including four B.B. King Entertainer of the Year honors, the highest accolade in the genre. With a relentless tour schedule of roughly 150 shows annually, he’s cultivated a devoted following and earned praise from peers and legends alike. Guitar hero Joe Bonamassa summed it up simply: “Tommy has always been top of the heap among blues guitar players. He always puts on a great show.”

With Closer To The Bone, Tommy Castro delivers his rawest and most authentic work yet. “This is the deeper blues side of me,” he says. “With these songs, I am at my most authentic.”

Come see the authenticty for yourself at Sunday, Nov 09, 2025.

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