| Rollo Tomasi | |
| Origin: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genre: | Post-hardcore |
| Years Active: | 1999-present |
| Label: | Divot Underground Communique Shakefork |
| Associated Acts: | Gauge Planes Mistaken for Stars Brokeback The Sky Corvair Yakuza Hanalei Treaty of Paris Supporting Actress Traluma Red Villain Mt. St. Helens First Grade Crush |
| Current Members: | Neil Sandler Jeff Larsen James Staffel Brad Bischoff |
| Past Members: | Neil Keener Craig Olson Joe Partyka Pete Croke Matt Fast Chris Insidioso Chris LaFrombois |
Rollo Tomasi is an American post-hardcore band from Chicago, Illinois.
Rollo Tomasi formed in October 1999 by Neil Sandler, Craig Olson, and Neil Keener after Olson and Sandler's previous band Traluma had disbanded. Sometimes compared to bands like Helmet and The Jesus Lizard,[1] [2] as well as Sandler's previous bands, Traluma and Gauge, Rollo Tomasi blend tight rhythms and aggression with a healthy nod to the early, post hardcore bands of the mid-90s DC scene.[3] [4]
Their name was taken from the film L.A. Confidential, in which a police officer creates a fictional character, Rollo Tomasi, to personify all the bad guys who think “they can get away with it".[5]
In November 2011, James Staffel of Yakuza replaced original drummer Craig Olson. In October 2013, bass player Jeff Larsen took over second guitar duties from the departing guitarist Matt Fast, and Chris LaFrombois (formerly of the Reptoids) joined the band on bass. Since the fall of 2016, Brad Bischoff has been the bass player.
Members of Rollo Tomasi have been in other notable bands, including The Sky Corvair, Gauge, Yakuza, Planes Mistaken for Stars, Brokeback, Hanalei, and Treaty of Paris.
Current Members