Anthony D. Estrada (aka Ant)- guitar and vocals Curtis Smith- guitar "Little Nick" Santos-Carter- bass Todd G. Searles- drums
Influences
We wear them proudly on our sleeves-
The Meters, Magic Sam, L.C. Roby, Byther Smith, The four Kings (B.B., Freddie, Albert and Earl), Thee Midniters, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Booker T. and The MG's, Link Wray, TSU Toronadoes, Dyke and the Blazers, Davie Allan and the Arrows, Left Hand Frank, The Fabulous Counts, Earl Hooker, Lee "Shot" Williams, Syl Johnson, Booba Barnes.... Our influences consist of all the musicians, singers, and songwriters who never had a hit or had minor hits and went under or unrecognized in spite of their tremendous talents. Any band can play "Sweet Home Chicago" or "Mustang Sally" and get over, but we strive to find lesser-known to extremely obscure material combined with our own originals to simultaneously intrigue the people's mind and at the same time move their behinds!
Sounds Like
a booty-shakin' money-makin' situation guaranteed to rock the nation!
We started back in 2001 in Tacoma, WA, when I (Anthony Estrada, vocals/gtr) convinced and subsequently taught my cousin Nick Santos-Carter to play bass. We found we had similar tastes in music all across the board and decided to team up with Chazz Bessette, an extremely gifted musician who was kind enough to drum for us. Unfortunately, Chazz got involved in other musical endeavors and parted with us amicably, which left Nick and I to develop even more material for our band. In 2007, our drummer and longtime friend Todd Searles stepped into the fold and acquainted himself with the music we were playing (he previously was a timekeeper for various experimental rock bands and also fills the drum chair for post-rock band Mercy Pirates) and brought a new drive to the band. We gigged around the South Sound's plentiful dive bars as a 3-piece band until early 2009, when guitarist Curtis Smith came into the fold. Curtis hails from Southern California and brings his experience as a sideman to many blues luminaries to the band, among them King Ernest Baker, Johnny Dyer, Lester Butler, Janiva Magness, Junior Watson and a host of others. These four guys crank out the funkiest, toughest, raw and heartfelt music one could have only hoped to hear at points further south in all the hole-in-the-wall jukes, or for that matter the Midwest (Chicago and Detroit, namely, where they draw a lot of influence and material from) until now. The Northwest is ready for some of that greasy gritty back-alley music that moves and grooves.... You can say our music is "Urban Americana"- an amalgamation of Electric Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, and Funk. Idea Soldier Sounds International is proud to present THE TOUGHTIMES! For booking info call Anthony @ (253) 228-3683. We are available for parties, weddings, quinceneras, funerals, ragers, gigs, functions, clandestine meetings, and car shows. We have a PA, so no need to fret if you don't have one. Call now!
Due to the high quality of the acts on tonight's bill the door cover will actually be $7, sorry for the typo in the flyer...it will totally be worth it!!!
REAL NEWS UPDATE: thank you for connecting with our creative home of song, words, art and free expression. We feature new friends with new music and art every time you visit RNN. Stop by and display your creative freedom. Peace and harmony from Seattle, The Real News Band
Yeah, I know! Took me forever to add you guys. The recording king is really nice, I'll have to get you to show me a thing or two. I'm gonna try to get some more people at some of your gigs. I need me some BLUES!!!
It's killer blues with The Toughtimes! It's garage surf with Si Si Si, and it's getting down to some Motown and hip hop with DJ Infinity.
Your ticket price includes food! Great food!
There will be several tasty beverages to imbibe and get your drink on!
Music, dancing, food, drinking, friendship and a great cause too!
Get your date or go stag! It's the fancy dress party of the year! The theme for the Third Annual Prom is COPACABANA - and it will be the hottest spot north of Havana! Remember to shop Local for your Prom outfit - GO TO Orange on Broadway, ReFine Clothier on Commerce, Vanity Fashion Boutique, Sonja's on North 21st, and don't forget that we now have ample supply of clothes for all occasions here at Sanford and Son & The Middle Floor Merchants! Woop Woop!!
I must admit... with you sitting there right in front of me and my amp I kinda felt nervous.... like the old days. I know I haven't known you long, but I really look up to you and your ability.
I was like "Oh, shit! I have to play in front of a GENIUS!!"
And, yes... I LOVE LOVE LOVE that disc you made me. Put it in on the way home... got to about song #4. Freaking great NON RADIO songs... well, at least stuff that I have never heard on the radio in the NW over the past 20 years..
Thanks for the compliments. Means a lot. And we would love to hang sometime... you two ought to come over and watch a movie at our place... or bring that cartoon you were talkin' about!
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