Bill's band, Hard Rain features
Tom Breiding,
Scott "Scooter' Tamulinas,
Bernie Herr,
Phil Brontz,
'Sudden' Steve Binsberger...
Bill plays quite a bit as a solo performer as well.
Influences
The Band, Chuck Berry, The Clash, Hank Williams, The Replacements, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Woody Guthrie, T. Bone Walker, James Brown, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, Bruce Springsteen, Ramblin Jack Elliott, Leadbelly, Howlin' Wolf.
Sounds Like
Harry Funk ~ Washington Pa Observer-Reporter:
Though he can rock with the best of them, Bill has another musical side, exploring the folk tradition of Americana with an introspective pen.
Pittsburgh native Bill Toms is the reincarnate troubadour. His songs are stories he paints about the human condition, in all its frailty and triumph. He touches the listener’s soul, speaking the language of rhythm, blues, soul, and country, while offering a peek at the light. His gifts of music and storytelling, paired with his creative compulsion for songs that burrow deep into the soul, have his dedicated fans continually coming back for more.
Bill Toms' guitar skills were recognized early on.
He joined Pittsburgh”s legendary band, The Houserockers, as lead guitarist in 1987. The band’s meteoric rise into the professional music scene enabled Bill to tour the United States and Europe repeatedly. The Houserockers opened for and played with a long and impressive list of notables, such as The Band, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
During his 19 years of playing guitar and singing back-up vocals for the Houserockers, Toms’ recorded six studio albums and one live concert album. In 1995, the acclaimed CD, “American Babylon,” was recorded and produced by Bruce Springsteen.
Even though playing with the Houserockers was a full time gig, Toms continued to pursue his own musical career. He formed his own band, Hard Rain, in 1997. His engaging style and gift for songwriting, combined with his consummate musicianship, evoke the deepest emotions from his listeners. His songs pay homage to the little guy, the dreamer in us all. He weaves tales about lovers, boxers and working stiffs, saints and sinners - the soul who sees the light but can't quite bask in its glow.
Bill Toms’ solo performances have taken him all over the United States and Europe. Some of the headline artists Bill has opened for include Marshall Crenshaw, The Kennedys, Steve Forbert, and Ellis Paul.
In addition to his four studio CD's and one EP, he has a new CD/DVD scheduled for release in April 2008.
Upcoming projects also include:
Bill Toms’ Annual Thanksgiving Benefit Concert (2007- Darfur) (2006-ALS),
December 2007 solo European concert tour
Summer 2008 US/European tour with his band, Hard Rain.
DISCOGRAPHY
With Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers:
“Rock and Real” - Rounder Records, 1989
“Swimming with the Sharks” - Rounder Records, 1991
“End of the Century” - Razor and Tie, 1992
“American Babylon”- Razor and Tie, 1995
“Coming Home” - Big Star, 1997
“Down the Road Apiece, Live” - Schoolhouse Records, 1999
“True Companion” – Schoolhouse Records, 2003
With Bill Toms and Hard Rain:
“Paradise Avenue” - Schoolhouse Records, 1997
“My Own Eyes” - Moondog Records, 1999
“This Old World” - Moondog/Schoolhouse Records, 2001
“The West End Kid” – Moondog Records, 2005
Bill Toms Solo:
“One Lonesome Moment” - Out of the Rain Records, 2002
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Thanks Bill for the request. yer tunes are right up my alley -- liked them and liked the Fisherman's Blues cover alot too. I'll miss you at the Rainbow regrettably, but have a great tour...
Went to see Bill perform at Joseph Beth Bookseller’s Friday night. It has been way too long since I’ve seen Bill play live and even though I listen to his recordings all of the time, I had forgotten. . .
. . .I had forgotten how Bill’s acoustic guitar and harmonica can give me the chills. . . .I had forgotten how Bill speaks truth to power. . . .I had forgotten how “4th of July” makes me cry and how “City of Fear” fills me with hope! . . .I had forgotten how Bill’s warm hospitality is one of the perks of his live performances. . . .I had forgotten that in a world full of players and posers, Bill Toms is the real deal. . . .I had forgotten that even amidst the turmoil and uncertainty of our times, Bill’s music has the power to dispel the darkness of despair.
