In a relatively short time period, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Tommy Castro has gone from playing local venues to international fame. For at least two years, he has even been a part of the B.B. King Festival Tour, which this year played thirty-nine different domestic venues. He has also been the house band on NBC-TV’s Comedy Showcase, for three seasons. Working as the house band on NBC’s Comedy Showcase, airing after Saturday Night Live, only boosted his visibility and name value. Castro’s music has also been featured in network television programs such as “Nash Bridges” and “The Young and the Restless.” He has won regional awards and has been featured on the cover of a national blues magazine, “Blues Revue.”
Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Castro started playing guitar at the tender age of ten. Initially inspired by Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and Elvin Bishop, he started the inevitable journey into the roots of his heroes and discovered and quickly became enamored of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Freddie King. His vocal styling came from constant listening to Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Otis Redding.
Castro spent many years playing with bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. Castro joined Warner Brothers artists The Dynatones in the late 1980s. The much-loved rocking soul band had a huge fan base and toured the U.S. constantly. He honed his chops with the band on the road for two years, performing live all across the country and backing major artists like Carla Thomas and Albert King.
Returning to San Francisco, he formed the Tommy Castro Band in 1991, which was named Club Band Of The Year for the Bay Area in 1993, and again in 1994. Regular band members have included Randy MacDonald (bass/vocals), Keith Crossan (saxophone/vocals), Billy Lee Lewis (drums/vocals), and Chris Sandoval (drums/percussion).
In 1997, he won Bammies for Outstanding Blues Musician and for Outstanding Blues Album for his debut release on Blind Pig Records, Exception to the Rule. The band continued to record with Blind Pig over several albums. Can’t Keep A Good Man Down received continuous airplay and regular fan requests on well over 400 radio stations nationwide.
Live at the Fillmore was released in early 2000, and with everyone from industry insiders to B.B. King singing his praises, Castro appeared to be headed for bigger and better things. Blind Pig closed the books on their association with Castro in 2002 by releasing the career retrospective The Essential Tommy Castro.
In 2001 the Tommy Castro Band moved over to 33rd Street Records for Guilty Of Love and then to Heart And Soul for 2003’s Gratitude, a cover album of Castro’s greatest heroes, followed by Triple Trouble (with Jimmy Hall and Lloyd Jones) later that same year from Telarc.
The eclectic flavour of 2005’s Soul Shaker, marking his return to Blind Pig, featured more original compositions from Castro, who wrote or co-wrote all the tracks. Although horns and guitars still dominated, the fusion was more varied. Notable tracks included the wistful “Anytime Soon” and “The Crossanova”, characterised by Crossan’s funky flute.
Tommy Castro and his brilliant band have captured a hold of legions of fans and critics alike around the world with their mesmerizing blend of rock, blues and Memphis soul. On the next release – Painkiller – they continued to explore the boundaries of American roots music.
On this CD, Castro teamed up with producer John Porter, renowned for his work with a Who’s Who list of artists such as Los Lonely Boys, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Santana, B.B. King, Elvis Costello, adn Buddy Guy. Said Castro, “When I started looking for a producer, I realized that John had produced some of my favorite records of the last ten years. After working with him in the studio, I understand now why that is. With John, everything just seems to be right; all the parts work and flow together.” With the Tommy Castro Band anchoring the sessions, Porter fashioned a most tasteful album from the many talented parts of Castro’s patented rock ‘n’ soul music. Special guests Coco Montoya, Angela Strehli, David Maxwell, and Teresa James join the fun.
In 2009, Alligator Records has set an August 11 street date for Hard Believer, the label debut from Tommy Castro.
Nasty Habits
Tommy Castro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything I do everything I do is bad for me (alright)
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
I like to drink and I like to smoke
They say it's going to kill me that ain't no joke
I said hey hey hey everything I do is bad for me
(I can't help myself)
(They won't let me alone)
I like the girls I said I like them a lot
But if I mess up my old lady's gonna have me shot
I said hey hey hey everything I do is bad for me
(Could get me killed one of these days)
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
(They won't let me be)
I like to gamble a card table's hard to pass
But everytime I do it I always lose my
Hey hey hey yeah
Everything I do is bad for me
(You know what I'm talking about)
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
They won't leave me alone)
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
They won't let me be)
All my nasty habits I believe they're killing me
Hmmmm
The lyrics to Tommy Castro's song Nasty Habits explores the singer's acknowledgement of his bad habits and addictions that are detrimental to his health and relationships. The repetition of the phrase "Everything I do is bad for me" emphasizes the self-destructive nature of the habits that he struggles to break free from. Despite the awareness of the negative consequences, the habits won't let him be, indicating the grip they have on him.
The mention of drinking and smoking that "they say it's going to kill me that ain't no joke" highlights the potential harm he's causing to his body. However, he can't help himself and continues to indulge. The addition of liking girls and gambling portrays his lack of control over his actions and the dangerous territory that they lead him into. The prospect of getting killed alludes to the potential danger that the habits pose, indicating the severity of his situation. Overall, the lyrics showcase the singer's struggle to overcome his addictions and the impact they have on his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything I do everything I do is bad for me
All of my actions are detrimental to my well-being
Everything I do everything I do is bad for me (alright)
I am aware that my behavior is self-destructive
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
My vices are constantly present and difficult to shake
I like to drink and I like to smoke
I enjoy consuming alcohol and tobacco
They say it's going to kill me that ain't no joke
Others have warned me that my habits are dangerous
I said hey hey hey everything I do is bad for me
(I can't help myself)
I acknowledge that my actions have consequences, but I struggle to control myself
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
(They won't let me alone)
My addictions constantly haunt me
I like the girls I said I like them a lot
I am attracted to women
But if I mess up my old lady's gonna have me shot
If I cheat on my partner, she will be furious
I said hey hey hey everything I do is bad for me
(Could get me killed one of these days)
My risky behavior could have fatal consequences
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
(They won't let me be)
My addictions are persistent and unrelenting
I like to gamble a card table's hard to pass
But everytime I do it I always lose my
Hey hey hey yeah
I enjoy gambling despite its negative impact on my finances
Everything I do is bad for me
(You know what I'm talking about)
My friends and family recognize that my behavior is problematic
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
(They won't leave me alone)
My vices continue to plague me
All my nasty habits just won't let me be
(They won't let me be)
My addictions are persistent and inescapable
All my nasty habits I believe they're killing me
I am convinced that my habits are slowly destroying me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Thomas Eugene Castro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rock-A-Billy-Fazz
I cover this song with my band
And it goes over really well,
people are always asking, who
does that tune it's so cool.
Thanks Tommy!
Lawrence of arabia
Tommy castro is
Always goin raw,
Home Team goes straight to the point
as soon as the song starts, he simply doesn't waste any time.
William Lundbergh
I love Tommy Castro's sweet, smooth, easy tone and rhythm.
Fake Drummer
On the bottom end, this song is all about the backbeats. I love it. Spent a couple decades working with a guy that would have fronted this song really well ... while I was enjoying those backbeats.
Haven't gotten the opportunity and may not, but would love to play it.
David Bennett
Rock-A-Billy-Fazz I cover a bunch of Tommy's material. Great blues tunes. Fits in well between Clapton and Walter Trout.
Brutisbear21345 heinz
Tommy Castro is amazing
D H
Saw you and the band at Lou's Blues Bar in SF back in the early 90's... FELL. IN LOVE.. Went back to see you all again. Local restaurant advertised a Blues Band lineup. Well well well.. ain't no comparison Tommy.... You set the bar for a fun and true good time blues band. When I play your CD's for friends, well, it still kills... so there ya go.. Now you are due thanks for many decades of fun.. You and the band have rocked my bluesy heart. :)
Christy Ellison
This is a great song. A great album. WTG! Love them Tommy Blues
Mary
Bad ass beat....great lyrics, tune &blues!
Mary
Just heard on Sirius XM Bluesville! Love it!