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The Strange Tones

Portland, OR  USA
November 21, 2006
493 plays
9,883 views
"If surf guitar god Dick Dale found himself in Bogie’s Maltese Falcon film-noir underworld, and drank beer at the seedy bar with bluesmen Jimmy Reed and Magic Sam, the resulting soundtrack might be exactly what the Strange Tones purvey." - Oregonian Just in the nick of time, one of the Northwest's most notorious live bands has answered the call with their new release "We're On Our Way". The Strange Tones have emerged from their undisclosed secure location with their most entertaining collection of songs yet. 11 originals and a bonus tribute track to the late, great Paul deLay fill out this CD, which also features the legendary Curtis Salgado (harp & vocals), Jim Wallace (harp), and Mike Walker (Hammond Organ). Rather than plundering the shrines of American music and merely imitating their heroes, these sonic crime fighters have concocted their own secret formula, a one of a one-of-a-kind style they call "Crime-A-Billy. The band draws upon the rich traditions of blues, rockabilly, surf, and R & B, and combines these ingredients with fresh, well-crafted song writing and dynamic performances. ”This band has a clear handle on who they are, setting them well apart from pedestrian shuffle bands and three-chord posers.” - Oregonian The magic of this ensemble is fueled by four players who are equally compelled and driven to advance their cause. This fearsome foursome, led by the husband-and-wife team of Guitar Julie and bassist Andy Strange, and fortified by longtime partners guitarist Suburban Slim and drummer J.D. Huge, form “....one of Portland’s most original and accomplished bands.” - Oregonian. It may be Andy’s lessons learned as bassman for legendary wildman and voodoo practitioner Screamin‘ Jay Hawkins, or Guitar Julie’s steady childhood diet of Jimmy Reed and Ike and Tina Turner. It could be J.D.‘s deep groove from his years as a studio musician and live performer, or Slim’s intensity and creativity that consistently earn him awards. As anyone who sees The Strange Tones perform live knows, it’s much more than these four individuals....this is a BAND. The Strange Tones’ fiery, unique sound and outstanding musicianship has earned the band multiple awards as “Best Contemporary Band” and “Best Electric Guitar” by the Cascade Blues Association. Their previous CD “Crime-A-Billy” received much acclaim, including reaching the Top 20 Chart in Spain for FM Blues Radio, and their song “Pinto Squire” was featured on National Public Radio’s Car Talk. The Strange Tones step up to the plate with their new release. Their continued development as a dynamic band with relentless energy and exciting live shows are well captured on “We’re On our Way”.
Band/artist history
“Rockin’ bluesy-rootsy, double-agent tunes on a surfboardone of Oregon’s best rock and blues bands.” Statesman Journal “This band has taken over their hometown of Portland like never before. The radio stations, the club owners and the blues fans all agree that the swing’n vintage sounds f this group will take them along way. EAGLE 106.5 FM “Rarely does the musical industry see an ensemble representing the musical quality, personal integrity & soundness and promise of this group. They evidence many of the qualities for success and staying power typical of blues legends and are sure to find a place in the Blues Pantheon.” Richard Lazere Cascade Blues Association, Blues Notes “This stellar quartet lays it all out on their new CD with 14 killer tracksThe striking vocals of Guitar Julie, who sound a whole bunch like the sultry Austin songstress, Lou Ann Barton, are incredible.” Cascade Blues Association, Blues Notes “Right from the gate the Strange Tones were smokin’ as they rolled and rocked and swayed from one tune into anotherIf I could I would have them back each and every year.” Cholo Wilson, Talent Manager Winthrop Blues Festival “I’m in the cult man, I’m in the cult! Guitar Julie tell me when I drink the Kool-Aid!!! I’ve got eyes as big as pie plates behind this CD!” THAYRONE-X, BONE CONDUCTION MUSIC SHOW WAAM 1600 Ann Arbor, MI “An impressive Strange Tones new albumn performed in the original way they have to combine blues with alternative rock, garage, R&B, or neo-rockabilly music. A compact well teamed band with a hard ‘punch’, so enjoyment is guaranteed for those of you who look for new forms and a different conception of black rooted music. A terrific record! GREAT!” LA HORA DEL BLUES, BARCELONA “Ripping guitars, excellent vocals, catchy songwriting, and killer tone make “Crime-A-Billy” a great original CD and one not to miss!” BLOGGING THE BLUES “...the band exudes an effortless and enviable sense of cool: vintage-suit cool, cheap sunglasses cool, sleep all day and twist all night cool.” PORTLAND TRIBUNE “Crime-a-Billy is a richly entertaining album....great retro feel, whilst still sounding contemporary.” BLUES IN BRITIAN MAGAZINE “...the CD kicks ass...what a recording...great lyrics, sound and most important, attitude!!!” STEVE PRINGLE, HOST OF KMHD FRIDAY FREEWAY BLUES “Every song is a gem...The album is a tasty cohesive collection of tough, ready to romp tunes. Steller performances on all fronts and great song selections all wrapped up as only The Strange Tones can do it.” PORTLANDBLUES.COM “The Strange Tones are a fine funky band that plays rockin’ roots music with the fervor of true believers. Their sound is stripped of gratuitous flash because these guys know Jimmy Reed’s secret, that one note is better than a hundred, especially if it’s the perfect one.” THE OREGONIAN “Each performance is like boarding a runaway train racing you down the tracks, taking you on a wild, energetic ride into the future of the blues.” POSITIVELY ENTERTAINMENT “Bluesy, rockin’, raw, gritty, and oh so cool!” TOM ADDIS, HOST OF KMHD’S BLUES PALACE “This band is on fire with some of the best original hip shakin’ wiggle centric music on the scene today!” THAYRONE-X, BONE CONDUCTION MUSIC SHOW WAAM 1600 Ann Arbor, MI “Wow! This one has a great feel to it - sounds like it just came out of Austin, Texas.” CASCADE BLUES ASSOCIATION BLUES NOTES “...este producto, editado por ellos mismos, nos deje un grato y buen sabor de boca. Su estilo es personal, original y las influencias que se intuyen desde el primer tema, van desde las ‘american-roots’, pasando por el cruce del blues con el surf y el r&b...bueno!” LA HORA DEL BLUES, BARCELONA “Every note, every perfectly understated drum or guitar lick, every harmony, every honk of the harmonica, exists to further the songs.” THE OREGONIAN “This is some great stuff. I’ve been really digging it!” BILL RHOADES, HOST OF KBOO’S BLUE MONDAY “The Strange Tones turn in a rip roaring, label defying bunch of great tunes” PORTLAND BLUES.COM “Fresh and vibrant. . . .‘Stink Bomb!’ is a real blast.“ BLUES ON STAGE, MINNEAPOLIS “There are plenty of highlights as the Strange Tones consistently deliver the groceries on strolls, shuffles and sneaky instrumentals” PORTLAND TRIBUNE “Best bass man I know.” SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS “Crime-A-Billy may be their latest CD, but this music will live on to become classic Americana. This hard rockin’, surf-blues-a-billy ensemble, with their no-holds-barred attitude, takes us as their prisoners and there is no escape.” Portland Roots Music Project “Here they come to save the dayThe band combines the usual blues, country, and rock feel into a tightly controlled, expertly delivered package.” Eugene Weekly “The Strange Tones take traditional blues, which they perform very well, and crank it up to another level with their own unique energetic sound.” Walla Walla Blues Society, Blues News “The tough, sometimes in your face lyrical style of Julie Strange is punctuated by her own and Suburban Slim’s excellent guitar work.” The Washington Blues Society, Bluesletter “From stage show to recordings and even their web presence and entire graphics presentation, this band is the complete package.” THE OREGONIAN
Have you performed in front of an audience?
Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. Portland Art Museum After Hours Series. McMennamins Edgefield Highway 99 Club - Seattle WA. Bluz at the Bend Festival. - Spokane WA. Two Big Nights Out Festival - Everett WA. Anacortes Blues Festival - Anacortes WA. Roseland Bar *& Grill - Portland, OR Cascade Tavern - Vancouver, WA. The Candlelight Room - Portland, OR Duff's Garage - Portland, OR Tupelo Joe's - Portland, OR Mac's at The Vet's Club - Eugene, OR The McDonald Theater - Eugene, OR Club Crow - Cashmir, WA Roadhouse 101 - Lincoln City, OR
Your musical influences
Slim Harpo Link Wray Magic Sam Freddie King Stevie Ray Vaughan Music that is grungy, rockin', swampy, bluesy, high-energy, fun, swingin',
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Blues & Blues Rock Music artist from Portland, OR. New songs free to stream. Add to your playlist now.