"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 TOMASI's aim is just that simple. Four dudes from Chicago who collectively saw a void and aren't 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 Tomasi's 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 aren't afraid to show it. Their tightly constructed songs are upbeat but deliberately sidestep cliche melodies in favor of something they consider much more powerful... making great, honest riff rock. Since its inception in October 1999, Rollo Tomasi has been mixing the sounds of Neil Sandler's past efforts (Gauge, Traluma, The Sky Corvair) with the sounds of their favorite bands being blasted from car stereos. This was collectively seen as a "no-brainer." Listening to 'Work Slow Crush Foes' (Underground Communiqué Records), 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.

"Chicago produced Shellac and The Jesus Lizard (and numerous copycats), so the city's musicians seemingly have a predilection toward noisy, aggressive post-punk. The tradition continues in Rollo Tomasi, a band whose rougher edge gives it a post-hardcore sound, like a more melodic, less repetitious Helmet. On the group's intense new album, Work Slow Crush Foes, huge-sounding guitars grind against a propulsive rhythm section as frontman Neil Sandler's not-quite-yelled, not-quite-sung voice tops it all. The whole thing sounds ominous—i.e., just right—so Rollo Tomasi ably continue the tradition began by its forebears."
-Kyle Ryan / THE ONION - AV CLUB

"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)