Tommy Castro and The Painkillers
Schedule
Fri, 21 Feb, 2025 at 07:30 pm
UTC-05:00Location
135 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH, United States, New Hampshire 03801 | Portsmouth, NH
Advertisement
TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS CLOSER TO THE BONE Bio written by Marc Lipkin “A great artist...impassioned vocals and pure inventiveness in his stellar guitar solos...He makes playing rough feel easy.”
–Blues Music Magazine
“With a sterling reputation, guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro is one of the foremost practitioners of electric blues. Searing delivery...rousing and teeming with emotion. [He is] a sheer, soaring tour-de-force.”
–Living Blues
“Castro plays gritty, string-bending blues like a runaway train....a glorious blend that rocks the soul and lifts the spirits.”
–No Depression
“Soaring vocals and swirling leads...showcasing Castro’s testifying, confessional vocals [and] resonant emotional power as a singer.”
–AllMusic
Multiple award-winning, California-based blues and rock sensation Tommy Castro is the guitar slinging, soul-singing leader of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers. He’s released 17 previous albums over the course of his four-decade career. Each release features its own individual sound and style, ranging from horn-fueled R&B to piping hot blues and soul to fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll. With his new album, Closer To The Bone, Castro has returned to his roots, delivering what he calls “a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.” Closer To The Bone is the most unvarnished, straight-ahead blues release of Castro’s career, one that bristles with every ounce of his dynamic energy and raw emotion.
On Closer To The Bone (Castro’s 8th Alligator release), Castro and his Painkillers—bassist Randy McDonald, keyboardist Mike Emerson and drummer Bowen Brown—mix new Castro originals (Ain’t Worth The Heartache, Can’t Catch A Break, Crazy Woman Blues) with songs originally performed by many of Castro’s friends and heroes. Artists and their songs include Johnny Nitro (One More Night, on which Castro plays his treasured 1966 black Fender Stratocaster, a guitar once owned by Nitro himself), Magic Slim (Hole In The Wall), Ron Thompson (Freight Train), Mike Duke (Keep Your Dog Inside) and Chris Cain (Woke Up And Smelled The Coffee). Castro additionally chose obscure songs by Wynonie Harris (Bloodshot Eyes), Eddie Taylor (Stroll Out West), Jimmy Nolen (The Way You Do) and Johnny “Guitar” Watson (She Moves Me). According to Castro, “These are not the obvious artists people generally cover, and that was most definitely on purpose.”
Closer To The Bone was produced by master guitarist and studio wizard Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (producer of over 100 albums), at his now-famous Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California. Closer To The Bone finds Castro at the top of his game, bringing his seemingly limitless energy and boundless talent to the studio. Guests on the album include labelmates Andersen, Rick Estrin, Chris Cain and Billy Branch, along with saxophone player/vocalist Deanna Bogart, keyboard wizard Jim Pugh and, on three songs, the voices of The Sons Of The Soul Revivers.
Born in San Jose, California in 1955, Tommy Castro first picked up a guitar at age 10. He fell under the spell of six-string stars like Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal and Mike Bloomfield. Almost every major rock and soul act, from Ike and Tina Turner to Janis Joplin to Tower Of Power, toured through the area, and Castro was at every show. He saw John Lee Hooker, Albert King, and Buddy Guy and Junior Wells at a local club, JJ’s Blues Bar. Castro often jammed at JJ’s, dreaming of busting out and making a name for himself. He created his own personal sound and style by mixing the blues, R&B and funk music he loved into his own, instantly recognizable brand of uplifting, soul-healing music.
As his reputation spread, Tommy played in several Bay Area bands, quickly making a name for himself as a hotter-than-hot live artist bursting at the seams with talent. In 1985, he became lead singer and guitarist for the regionally popular blues band NiteCry before joined popular Warner Brothers’ artists The Dynatones, gigging all over the country. He formed the first Tommy Castro Band in 1992 and has not stopped touring since. In 1995, soon after releasing their first album on Blind Pig Records, The Tommy Castro Band were selected as the house band for three seasons on NBC Television’s Comedy Showcase (airing right after Saturday Night Live). The show brought Tommy in front of millions of viewers every week and cemented his reputation as a not-to-be-missed live performer.
After a series of successful releases on the Blind Pig, Telarc and 33rd Street labels, Tommy Castro joined Alligator Records in 2009. His label debut, Hard Believer, launched to massive popular and critical acclaim. 2011 saw the release of the raucous Tommy Castro Presents The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue—Live!. In 2014, Castro & The Painkillers released The Devil You Know, followed by Method To My Madness in 2015, Stompin’ Ground in 2017, and the irresistible Killin’ It—Live in 2019. With 2021’s A Bluesman Came To Town, Castro told the story of a young musician’s journey through the blues world. AllMusic said the album was “a towering achievement.”
Castro received his fourth prestigious and coveted Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year in 2023. He’s taken home a total of 10 Blues Music Awards and is among the genre’s most decorated artists. Castro’s relentless road-dog approach—gig after gig, 150 nights a year—continues to earn him loyal, lifelong fans everywhere he plays. The Washington Post says Castro is “phenomenal and funky” with “soulful vocals and inspired blues guitar.” Famed guitarist Joe Bonamassa says, “Tommy has always been top of the heap among blues guitar players. He always puts on a great show.”
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers’ deceptively simple approach on Closer To The Bone delivers one thrilling performance after another. Says Castro, “Here, I’m not the contemporary guy, not the rock guy, not the soul guy. This is the deeper blues side of me. I know, with these songs, I am at my most authentic.”
𝐁𝐨𝐱 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 & 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬:
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
In-Person Purchases: Visit us at 135 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH
Phone Purchases: Call 888-603-5299 (ext. 1)
Online Purchases: Visit jimmysoncongress.com
Important Note: If you purchase tickets from any source other than Ticketmaster, please be aware that you are not purchasing directly from Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club.
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦
Stay updated with all things Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club! Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/
𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 & 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
Check out all of our incredible 2025 shows—ON SALE NOW!
Visit our events page here: https://jimmysoncongress.com/events/
𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
Looking for the perfect gift? Jimmy’s gift cards are available for purchase on our website or by calling the box office at 1-888-603-5299.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝!
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming shows, new artist announcements, ticket sales, special performances, Sunday Jazz Brunch, and more!
Sign up here: www.jimmysoncongress.com/subscribe
𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐬
Join Jimmy's Membership Circle and enjoy advanced ticket purchasing and more exclusive benefits!
Find out more and become a member: https://jimmysoncongress.com/jimmys-inner-circle/
A huge thank you to our 800+ members for your continued support!
𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Looking to host a private event, corporate gathering, wedding, or special celebration? Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club offers a stunning venue for any occasion.
For more information or to book an event, email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Event Request Form here: https://jimmysoncongress.com/book-an-event/
Thank you for supporting live music at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club!
#JimmysJazzAndBluesClub #PortsmouthNH #JimmysJazzBlues #JazzMusic #JazzClub #LiveJazz #MusicLovers #Vocalist #SupperClub #EatLocalPortsmouth #DinnerAndMusic #DinnerAndDrinks #SupportLiveMusic #MusicExperience #TheJimmysExperience #LiveBandMusic #PortsmouthEvents #JazzInNewEngland #NHEvents #LiveMusicExperience #MusicInPortsmouth
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
135 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH, United States, New Hampshire 03801Event Location & Nearby Stays:
