PureVolume

Rollo was a purse snatcher. My father ran into him off duty. And he shot my father six times and got away clean. No one even knew who he was. I just made the name up to give him some personality... Rollo Tomasi's the reason I became a cop. I wanted to catch the guys who thought they could get away with it.

Rollo Tomasis aim is just that simple. Four dudes from Chicago who collectively saw a void and arent going to stop until it is filled. Even if it is just to hear it for themselves. Living in a major city with so many of its venues being stuffed with flavor of the month rock, Rollo Tomasis time has come. Into this absence they have thrown two fucking loud guitars; a ridiculously over-driven bass; focused, four-on-the-floor drumming; and a guy screaming about those who had done him wrong. The essence of what had gotten these rock fans into music in the first place.

Rollo Tomasi respects the roots from which they have come and arent afraid to show it. Their tightly constructed songs are upbeat but deliberately side-step clich melodies in favor of something they consider much more powerful... making great, honest riff rock. Mixing the sounds of Neil Sandlers past efforts in Gauge and Traluma with the sounds of their favorite bands being blasted from car stereos was a no-brainer. Listening to Work Slow Crush Foes, one can tell that these guys have kept the pulse of the underground post-hardcore scene of the 90's and made these songs their own. From the bombastic opening of Advanced Automation to the melodic blasts of closer My Limbs, you aren't left with a sense of trying to figure out where Rollo Tomasi fits into a rock scene rather how you can fit him into yours.

If you wont take our word for it, here are a couple of reviews for Rollo Tomasis debut -- 'He Who Holds You' released a few years back on Divot Records.

Rollo Tomasi - whose name is derived from the film 'LA Confidential' - concoct dark, pounding soundscapes that make you think there must be something invigorating - yet ultimately sinister - in the air of Illinois' 'Windy City' Taking their rhythmic alliance cues from the late, lamented sluggers The Jesus Lizard, and admirably mixing it with Jawbox's more obtuse moments, 'He Who Holds You' must be the next item on your rock shopping list.
-Simon Young / KERRANG! (4 of 5 K's)

Rollo Tomasi grinds out dark and brooding rock 'n roll. It's what emo sounded like before it was called emo -- chugging guitar riffs, thick bass If Rollo Tomasi develops this sound, he has the potential to leave behind his D.C. roots and move into a new territory.
- Charles Spano / ROCKPILE