“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.” - DON CAMPBELL OREGONIAN'S OREGONLIVE
We love our home town of Portland, Oregon! From the strong coffee to the hoppy beer! Here is our tribute to another Portland institution. The mighty Portland Trailblazers. Please note that 1977 championship sound and spirit. Enjoy
"Many people find it hard to show something new within’ electric blues format and they should ask The Strange Tones for some private lessons as you have found your own niche and truly shine. “We’re On Our Way” is a party record from start to finish! "
THE VOICE OF THE BLUES RADIO PROGRAM, POLAND - PRZEMEK DRAHEIM
“With the exception of the grunge movement, some people don’t realize what a fertile breeding ground the northwest was and still is for great talent, sprouting such artists as Heart, The Wailers, The Sonics and Paul Revere and the Raiders, not to mention Jimi Hendrix. Well, you can count on The Strange Tones to keep the northwest’s rep solid.”
ELMORE MAGAZINE
".there is much to enjoy on this slab of raucous roots rock [We're On Our Way]. If you're looking for fun, look to the Strange Tones."BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE
“Since their debut back in 2003, the Strange Tones have gone from strength to strength, garnering deserved plaudits for 2005’s “Crime-A-Billy” and bagging a bunch of awards along the way. This culminated in this year’s induction into the Muddy Hall of Fame as Best Contemporary Blues Act (after winning the category for three straight years).”
BLUES IN BRITIAN
“When Tarantino goes back to making movies about quirky outsiders on the run, the soundtrack to that howling film should consist of tracks from this release. With a perfect sense of humor, a healthy dose of self awareness, and the swagger of bands like the Cramps and alt country legends; X, The Strange Tones take music from the past and make it sound like it belongs, right here and now.”
NEXT BIG THING
"Always entertaining, the Strange Tones are favorites wherever they perform and their eclectic CD's belong in every CD collection."WASHINGTON BLUES SOCIETY BLUESLETTER
"Definitely, these Portland, Oregon musicians, lead by singer and guitar player Guitar Julie, confirm themselves as one of the best and most original pop-blues, garage rock-blues or alternative blues bands around. MUY BUENO"
LA HORA DEL BLUES
THIS JUST IN.THE STRANGE TONES AND THE VOLCANO VIXENS CAPTURED LIVE AND IN PERSON BY FAR AWAY FILMS. BE SURE TO MUTE OR PAUSE THE SONG PLAYER ABOVE BEFORE STARTING.
WE'RE BACK!!!! AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH OUR ARCH NEMISIS."THE MAN". WHO HIJACKED OUR AND DELETED OUR ACCOUNT.THE FORCES OF GOOD HAVE TRIUMPHED. WE HAVE WON THIS ROUND.BUT THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
AS YOU KNOW THE STRANGE TONES SHARE THEIR VOLCANO HIDEOUT AS WELL AS THEIR LARGER MISSION WITH THEIR PARTNERS THE VOLCANO VIXENS.VERONICA AND VIVIAN! WHAT THE STRANGE TONES DO WITH THEIR ONE OF A KIND SOUND THESE LADIES DO WITH THEIR ORIGINAL DANCES.
LATE NIGHTS AFTER MUSICAL PERFORMANCES OR OTHER SONIC CRIME FIGHTING DUTIES JULIE, SLIM, ANDY, VERONICA AND VIVIAN RETURN TO THEIR UNDISCLOSED SECURE LOCATION.THEIR "HOME SWEET VOLCANO HOME"
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IS A MATTER OF SPECULATION AND RUMOR.
BUT WE KNOW IT CONSISTS OF ORIGINAL DANCING, CRIME-A-BILLY MUSIC AND EXTREME FUN.
DON'T MISS THE NEXT ONE!
This just in. Click here to listen to The Oregonian's OregonLive Podcast about The Strange Tones brand new CD "We're On Our Way" by Don Campbell
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 partner guitarist Suburban Slim, form “one of Portland’s most original and accomplished bands.” - Oregonian. It may be Andy’s deep groove or the 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 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 individualsthis 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”.
THANK YOU DI OF "THE RAZOR & DI SHOW" FOR PLAYING THE STRANGE TONES ON WLUW 88.7 CHICAGO! HER SHOW HAS A VERY COOL FORMAT.GOOD MUSIC! SHE PLAYS A GREAT VARIETY OF DIVERSE MATERIAL.SO BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT!
HUGE THANKS TO YANNICK!!! HE IS THE HOST OF THE GREAT RADIO SHOW "A DATE WITH ELVIS" AND HE'S BEEN PLAYING MATERIAL FROM CRIME-A-BILLY ON JET FM 91.2 NANTES FRANCE. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT HIS SHOW!
Want your very own copy of a Strange Tones CD? Click here to get it now from CDBABY.COM!
"Crime-A-Billy" charts at NUMBER 11 in "TOP BLUES EN LA FM NATIONAL DE ESPANA" (SPAINS FM BLUES CHART)Huge thanks to VICENTE of LA HORA DEL BLUES!
STRANGE TONES ARE 2005 and 2006 MUDDY AWARD WINNERS
FROM THE CASCADE BLUES ASSOCIATION FOR
BEST CONTEMPORARY BAND! and
ELECTRIC GUITAR!WE EXTEND THANKS TO ALL OF THE CBA MEMBERS FOR VOTING FOR US TWO YEARS IN A ROW.WE NEVER THOUGHT IT COULD HAPPEN.THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
FEEL FREE TO USE ANY OF THESE SONGS ON YOUR MYSPACE PROFILE.
Check Out "Crime-A-Billy".
the low budget web video from the title track of
The Strange Tones new CD
(clicking on this will open a new window)
FIRST PAUSE THE SONG IF ONE IS PLAYING!!!
"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 Host of Bone Conduction Music Show WAAM 1600 Ann Arbor, MI
NEWS UPDATE -STRANGE TONES FEATURED ON MASSIVE ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN RADIO STATION WAAM 1600AM - "THE BONE CONDUCTION MUSIC SHOW" HOSTED BY THE LEGENDARY CRAZY MAN THAYRONE -X.
Hop on over to Thayrone's crazy site and click check out the playlist.
"Crime A Billy" may be their latest CD but this music will live on to become classic Americana. Superbly Sinful! PORTLAND ROOTS MUSIC PROJECT
"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".
John Foyston, THE OREGONIAN
The Strange Tones turn in a rip roaring, label defying bunch of great tunes
PORTLAND BLUES.COM
"Best bass man I know."
SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS
Members of The Strange Tones have performed with or shared the bill with Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Rogers, Jeff Healy, Long John Baldry, Guitar Shorty, J.J. Malone, Troyce Key, Johnny Shines, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Robben Ford, Otis Clay, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Joe Louis Walker, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Little Charlie and the Nightcats
Crime-A-Billy has erupted from the great Pacific Northwest! Spawned like a crazed salmon in a river of whiskey and microbrew this CD swims against the currents of mainstream music. Your iPod may try but The Strange Tones and this new CD defy a quick and easy classification. Well schooled and respected in the blues scene, the band has created its own sound by blending blues, rock-a-billy, surf, swamp, R&B, and even a sonic tip of the hat to the likes of the hardboiled Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe. The result is a combustible one-of-a-kind album.
