Bill Toms

Rank #1 Pittsburgh, PA Rock / Blues, Soul, Rock and Roll / Folk...

About

Members: Tom Breiding, Phil Brontz, Steve Binsberger, Tom Valentine, Bernie Herr

Label: Terraplane Records, AmeriSon Records

Manager: Ira Planer –management: iplaner@burrissamps.com 919.349.0942

Bio: Bill Toms has evolved to become one of the best orators in the music world today. He is definitely the reincarnate troubadour. With a guitar, a pen, a lot of passion, Bill Toms connects to an audience and embraces the American traditions of rhythm, blues, soul, folk, and country. His gifts of... See Full Bio

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Press

“Memphis is definitely a unique, next step vehicle for Toms. It will get him noticed as a songwriter separating himself from the years he spent as a Houserocker and yet, it still shows certain homage to a band that has allowed him to explore his own musical side and compile a lifetime of songwriting material.”

— John Pfeiffer, The Aquarian

“Toms’ latest album, the soulful, bluesy rock offering “Memphis,’’ is full of rich stories filled with compelling characters.”

— Ed Condran , Asbury Park Press

"Memphis" ( produced by Will Kimbrough) is as much a book about how to write, perform and produce an album as it is a brilliant benchmark for the career of Bill Toms. It is an album that, if there are music Gods, will stand the test of time and become a reference point for future generations that dig through the archaeological archives of American roots music to find the very best from which to reference.

— Danny McCloskey, The Alternate Root Magazine

"Memphis" from Bill Toms is a very powerful release. The words of Toms are very passionate in their meaning at times, while very powerful at others.

— Matheson Kamin, The Rock and Roll Report

“His latest CD "Memphis" is a sonic masterpiece, a gumbo of rhythm and blues, soul, folk, and rock and roll.”

— Jim Clark, The Lee County (Tupelo, Miss.) Courier

“An ecstatically eclectic album that fuses Toms’ R&B and blue-collar rock tastes with Americana, Memphis soul and maybe even a tinge of New Orleans revelry.”

— Lawrence F. Specker, Press-Register

“This is Toms' seventh studio album and probably his best yet.”

— Gary Von Tersch, Big City Rhythm And Blues

“My thesaurus can’t come up with a better word for “eclectic,” so it’s the best one I have to use to describe the music of Bill Toms. Something for everyone here, so jump into the pool and enjoy.”

— Peanuts, Jazz/Blues Report

“Former Houserocker Bill Toms’ Memphis is close to Asbury Park in spirit, but his inspired songs and Will Kimbrough’s attentive production keep him above the wannabe class.”

— Rick Allen, Vintage Guitar Magazine

“You'll hear some of the Boss' influence on Toms' seventh solo studio album. What sets the work apart, though, is the commanding way he charts his own course as a rock-and-soul man. As you'd expect from an album titled Memphis (though it was mostly recorded in West Virginia), deep strains of R&B, and some gospel ones, too, run through Toms' original rock and ballads. And his bear of a voice, growly and gritty but imbued with warmth, is the perfect vehicle for putting them over. ”

— Nick Cristiano, Philadelphia Inquirer

“Toms sounds like Tom Waits backed by the E Street Band — tough, hard rock that mixes Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes with Springsteen and the rough soul of Paul Thorn. Add some blistering blues guitar to the mix, stir well. Enjoy.”

— Grant Britt, Creative Loafing Charlotte

“These songs are delivered with a gruff earnestness, Toms' vocals somewhere between early Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits. ”

— Rege Behe, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

“The former lead guitarist for the Houserockers returns with a seventh album, "Memphis," filled with the kind of bluesy soul and passion we've come to the expect from him.”

— Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“Though he's Pittsburgh based, Tom's gravelly voice sings of rebellion, love, hurt, and the down and out just like he's lived in Memphis all his life. The styles might vary a bit, just as they do on Memphis Beat, but he has commitment in spades and enough energy to power a small city. The singer-songwriter sweeps into your life like a tornado; if he's singing, you'd better pay attention. But, heck, you won't mind doing that at all.”

— Rad Bennett, Soundstage Xperience

"A stunning journey into the style of America’s most famous musical destinations."

— ChuckDauphin, Music News Nashville

“Soul shouter or guitar slinger, it doesn’t matter what you prefer, his most important weapon is his very amazing voice.”

— Alfons Maes, Keys and Chords (Belgium)

“Bill Toms and band come growling out of The Steel City, Pittsburgh, with a sound that is at times sheer raw power, and when not making things so hot on the stage that spontaneous combustion is a distinct possibility there is in his songs the delicate touch of a poet with a yarn to spin.”

— Bob Gottlieb, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange (FAME)

“(Bill) Toms is a refined street poet, mining the waters of rock and rhythm and blues for hope while growling from the heart of human mischance and sorrow.”

— Wildy, Wildy's World (Blog)

“Sometimes I'll listen to a blues/ rock album and wonder why I bothered. Other times I can't wait to hear the album again. Bill Toms album Memphis fits into that second category. I listened to the album and then just had to listen to again. I especially liked Waiting On The Pain and a couple of the other songs.”

— Bruce Von Stiers, Bruce Von Stiers Reviews

“4 STARS: Eleven self-penned tunes and one Earl King cover is what you get when you pick up Toms’ “Memphis” and as said above it are the blues tunes that make the difference for me. Songs like “I won’t Go to Memphis No More”, ”Misery” or “Somebody Help me” are drenched in the blues. Despite the name of the album and the southern touch of Kimbrough there is not so much twang on this album as one should suspect but you’ll be able to find some southern touches in many other aspects. ”

— Mr. Blue Boogie, Billy Bop

“Bill Toms – "Memphis" (www.billtoms.com) - I hear strong influences of Memphis (naturally) and New Orleans on these tracks. A bit like John Hiatt, Toms has a growling, gravelly voice and a loose, shuffling vibe to his arrangements. The feeling that the players were having fun cutting these tracks comes through loud and clear. Will Kimbrough’s sympathetic production is surely responsible for much of that. The music occupies the sweet spot between rock, soul and that catch-all term Americana.”

— Bill Kopp, Musoscribe

“He sings down and out songs for hard times or no times, and everything in between. Rock and roll anthems about the bruised, the battered and the desolate in disguise.He testifies with sweat soaked shout outs from streets of heartache and back alley banquets, all the while tangling with angels of mercy, lost souls in hell and black iron gates with a tombstone glow. Pittsburgh’s favourite rock and roots ringer Bill Toms ― heart permanently affixed to sleeve ― has for nearly three decades spun many a dour and disconsolate tale of Steel City solitary sin, sadness and the search for salvation, with gut-level grandeur.”

— Steve Baylin, The Wig

“Bill Toms has been around the Pittsburgh rock scene for a long time and, if you have to lay handle on his music, I’ll go with roots rock aka a combination of blues, rock, country and just about anything style-wise that this country has cooked up in its history. 'Another Moonlight Mystery' hits all the Americana highlights on Route 66 without having to get a Triptik from the AAA. Peanuts”

— Peanuts, Jazz And Blues Report• Issue 327

“Bill Toms & Hard Rain- "Sweat Stained Shirts" (Live At Moondog's) Solid live album from one of Pittburgh's finest Blue-Collared Soul/Blues musicians. This tracks shows Bill's pride in his Pittsburgh roots through the town's steel mill history. Someone get this song to Bruce Springsteen ASAP. ”

— WYEP Music Review

“Singer/guitarist Toms, of Pgh., and his six-man band Hard Rain often hit the road to the Atlantic’s other side and wind their way on this continent, too. But it was just a short jump for this gig on the far side of the Allegheny at the Blawnox club Moondog’s. This one-nighter live performance was lit up by all kinds of styles in 11 of his songs. Toms doesn’t cotton to being pinned down, and what you hear on this CD comes across as doing well for just about anybody. Outstanding “Chasing A Dream” rolls along with an appealing country feel, and thumping “Together” compellingly rocks as does “Mona Lisa Smile,” featuring guest singer Jill Paone Simmons, of Crafton, and the sturdy pulsing guitar of Rick Witkowski, of Weirton, W.Va. Soul, doo-wop and boogie all get some play too. Toms cites such influences as Leadbelly, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, hence the band’s name from a Dylan song. This is the sixth CD by this group, hanging in there and hanging together since 1997. ”

— Gordon Spencer, Pittsburgh Magazine

“In recent years in Pittsburgh music, certain things were a given around town. One such given is that Toms' strong song writing skills provide him with a comfortable edge, an added gift for song arrangement and a seemingly endless supply of passion for his art and creative, intriguing new material. ”

— Julie Toye, Uniontown Herald Standard

“There's grizzle in Toms' vocals, imparting believability to the blue-collar characters introduced in songs like "Another Round for the West End Kid," and "Smithfield Cafe," a 12-minute cut emblazoned with dashing solos from Toms and ace saxophonist Phil Brontz.”

— Scott Tady, Beaver County Times

“Bill Toms' approach to his art. He grabs his guitars and travels to any club, nightspot or watering hole that will have him. In the past year, he has ranged as far west as Nebraska, and eastward across the Atlantic Ocean to Spain and Italy. All to see where his music fits.”

— Rege Behe, Pittsburgh Tribune -Review

“Attending a Bill Toms and Hard Rain show is like chugging a Red Bull, without the aftertaste: It's all about energy. But although he can rock with the best of them, Toms has another musical side, exploring the folk tradition of Americana with an introspective pen.”

— Harry Funk, Washington Observer- Reporter

“The Pittsburgh native and former guitarist for the legendary Houserockers returns with his sixth and most critically acclaimed solo album. His working class roots, born in the mills of steeltown, are steeped in the tradition of hard work, family, and the music of America.”

— Bill Hurley, The Artist Development Co-Op MEDIA GUIDE Mar-Apr 2008

All Press

Status

: Bill Toms and Marc Reisman perform at The Leaf and Bean in Pgh Strip District Saturday noon-3pm. @LeafBeanStrip @StripDistrict #Pittsburgh

Recent Blogs

Life's Ups and Downs
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This past week, one of my guitar students, and a fine young man, Wil Kondrich an... [more]

When the world breaks in two
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When the world breaks in two Red on one side, blue the other I hope you are safe... [more]

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Songs

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Somebody Help Me

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Colleen, Goodbye

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Misery

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On The Road Of Free…

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I've Made Peace Now

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Videos

BILL TOMS - It's Saturday Night Somewhere - HD VERSION

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Shows

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Sat
May 25

Leaf & Bean
Pittsburgh, PA, US | 12:00pm
Leaf & Bean
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Sat May 25 12:00pm
- Show Details
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Bill Toms and Marc Reisman noon-3pm
Sat
Jun 1

Excuses
Pittsburgh, PA, US | 9:00pm
Excuses
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Sat Jun 01 9:00pm
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Bill Toms and Hard Rain
Sat
Jun 8

Frankie and Georgie's
Pittsburgh, PA, US | 8:00pm
Frankie and Georgie's
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Sat Jun 08 8:00pm
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Dr. Z. Presents Bill Toms and Hard Rain w/ Special guests Tom Breiding and American Son.. This is a free show. Fan Appreciation!
Fri
Jun 14

Obey House
Pittsburgh, PA, US | 9:00pm
Obey House
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Fri Jun 14 9:00pm
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Bill Toms and Hard Rain
Sat
Jun 15

Siba Cucina
Mars, PA, US | 8:00pm
Siba Cucina
Mars, PA, US
Sat Jun 15 8:00pm
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- Tickets
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Bill Toms and Marc Reisman