EST 1999 - CHICAGO

"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."
-Det. Lt. Edmund Exley / L.A. Confidential (1997 Film)

"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)