Among HowellDevine's own compositions are longer, fast tempo numbers, as well as one in which the harmonica and rhythm section evoke steam locomotives that brought the early Southern blues musicians north.
[4] HowellDevine performs regularly throughout Northern California, including twice-monthly appearances at Club DeLuxe in San Francisco, and with growing frequency, at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley.
[14] In addition to headlining their own performances, they have opened for other acts including Johnny Winter, Dr. John, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, and Maria Muldaur.
[15] In 2015, “Elwood Blues” (Dan Aykroyd) featured HowellDevine on his nationally syndicated Bluesmobile radio show, interviewing Howell, with a one-hour focus on the band and their influences.
The band played Frank Stoke's "It Won’t Be Long Now" in the studio, Aykroyd also chose a HowellDevine original "Railroad Stomp" as his Blues Breaker Pick Of The Week.
Two years later, Chris Strachwitz, who founded Arhoolie Records in 1960, discovered HowellDevine playing in that city's Mission District, saying the band reminded him of the music he experienced in Mississippi Delta juke joints.
Citing Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton and Francis Clay as major influences,[4] he's appeared on over 32 albums and as part of Bo Grumpus, Lavay Smith's Red Hot Skillet Lickers, the gypsy-jazz combo Gaucho, and his own Devine's Jug Band, among others.