Sings & Plays

JOB STRILES is one of the most dynamic and hard working Old School Bluesmen on the West Coast. For ten years he has graced and haunted the stage at the Blue Cafe in Long Beach. From Celveland to L.A., from Monterey to Mexico, Job has worked the clubs, tonks, and joints. Working with drummer Max Bangwell, boogie woogie piano great Rob Rio, and The Job Striles Band, Job has opened shows for James Harmen, Rod Piazza, the late Jimmy Rogers, R.L. Burnside, the J. Giels Band, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Robert Lockwood Jr...just to name a few. On this, Job Striles debut CD, Job pays tribute to some of his forefathers and influences: Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, and 'Gatemouth' Brown. Job introduces his own brand of West Coast Blues and swinging guitar style on 'She's The Only One For Me','Acting Like A Fool', and his tribute to L.A.'s oldest Blues club, 'Babe and Ricky's Inn'. The themes of his songs are traditional yet timeless. His lyrics are fraught with imagery and self effacing humor: like Uncle John telling a story on the front porch. His guitar playing is always original and creative. His music drips with soul like the grease from Mama's fried chicken. 'JOB STRILES is another in a long line of sharp L.A. based guitarists (Junior Watson, Alex Schultz, Rick Holmstrom)...

Striles' style is distinctive because it's rougher and rowdier than his clean picking counterparts, but still creative and always musical. Four stars.' -BLUES ACCESS 'JOB STRILES' [songs]...successfully tread the fine line between traditional and modern styles...

Striles is one to watch.'- BLUES REVUE '...clean guitar lines and unaffected vocals...

Better known California bands playing in this genre should look in their rear view mirrors'-LIVING BLUES '[JOB STRILES SINGS AND PLAYS] is a disc that would make the people at Chess Records proud. [It] should be handled with care though, as it is so hot it could burn your hands'. -SOUTHLAND BLUES.