We started back in 2001 in Tacoma, WA, when I (Anthony Estrada, vocals/gtr) convinced and subsequently taught my cousin Nick Santos-Carter to play bass. We found we had similar tastes in music all across the board and decided to team up with Chazz Bessette, an extremely gifted musician who was kind enough to drum for us. Unfortunately, Chazz got involved in other musical endeavors and parted with us amicably, which left Nick and I to develop even more material for our band. In 2007, our drummer and longtime friend Todd Searles stepped into the fold and acquainted himself with the music we were playing (he previously was a timekeeper for various experimental rock bands and also fills the drum chair for post-rock band Hunter) and brought a new drive to the band. We gigged around the South Sound's plentiful dive bars as a 3-piece band until early 2009, when guitarist Curtis Smith came into the fold. Curtis hails from Southern California and brings his experience as a sideman to many blues luminaries to the band, among them King Ernest Baker, Johnny Dyer, Lester Butler, Janiva Magness, Junior Watson and a host of others. These four guys crank out the funkiest, toughest, raw and heartfelt music one could have only hoped to hear at points further south in all the hole-in-the-wall jukes, or for that matter the Midwest (Chicago and Detroit, namely, where they draw a lot of influence and material from) until now. The Northwest is ready for some of that greasy gritty back-alley music that moves and grooves.... You can say our music is "Urban Americana"- an amalgamation of Electric Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, and Funk. Idea Soldier Sounds International is proud to present THE TOUGHTIMES! For booking info call Anthony @ (253) 228-3683. We are available for parties, weddings, quinceneras, funerals, ragers, gigs, functions, clandestine meetings, and car shows. We have a PA, so no need to fret if you don't have one. Call now!