Tommy Castro and The Painkillers

Multiple award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Tommy Castro is a California-based blues and rock powerhouse. For over four decades he’s captivated audiences with soul-drenched vocals, searing guitar work, and high-energy live shows.

As frontman of Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, he’s released 17 albums that span a wide stylistic range—from horn-driven R&B and hot-blooded soul to gritty, stripped-down rock and electric blues.

His latest and eighth Alligator Records release, Closer To The Bone, returns to his roots. Castro calls it "a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day." Produced by guitar master Christoffer "Kid" Andersen at San Jose’s Greaseland Studio, the album is described as his rawest and most direct blues effort to date.

Standouts on the album include:
- Ain’t Worth The Heartache
- Can’t Catch A Break
- Crazy Woman Blues

Guest appearances on the album include:
- Rick Estrin
- Billy Branch
- Deanna Bogart
- Chris Cain
- Jim Pugh
- The Sons Of The Soul Revivers (gospel harmonies)

Born in San Jose in 1955, Castro picked up the guitar at age 10 and was inspired by artists such as Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, and Mike Bloomfield. He absorbed everything from Ike & Tina Turner to John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy, developing a soulful style rooted in blues, R&B, and funk. After early stints with Bay Area bands including NiteCry and The Dynatones, he formed the first Tommy Castro Band in 1992.

Castro’s career grew when his band became the house band on NBC’s Comedy Showcase, airing after Saturday Night Live. He built a reputation as a must-see live act, touring relentlessly and releasing acclaimed albums with Blind Pig, Telarc, 33rd Street, and Alligator Records; his 2009 Alligator debut Hard Believer marked a new chapter of critical and commercial success.

Notable releases include The Devil You Know (2014), Stompin’ Ground (2017), Killin’ It – Live (2019), and A Bluesman Came To Town (2021), which AllMusic called "a towering achievement."

Castro has won 10 Blues Music Awards, including four B. B. King Entertainer of the Year honors, the genre’s highest accolade. His no-frills, 150-shows-a-year approach has earned him a fiercely loyal fanbase and praise from peers like Joe Bonamassa, who says, "Tommy has always been top of the heap among blues guitar players. He always puts on a great show."

With Closer To The Bone, Castro strips it all back to deliver an album brimming with grit, fire, and authenticity. "This is the deeper blues side of me," he says.