Tomahawk are a four piece rock and roll supergroup. Unlike other supergroups like, say, Audioslave, they don't have anyone REALLY famous in them. In order of celebrity, the band is composed of:
Mike Patton - vocals (Faith No More, Fantomas, Mr Bungle)
John Stainer - drums (Helmet)
Duane Dennison - guitars and Mike Nesmith-like leadership
(Jesus Lizard, Hank Williams III)
Kevin Rutmanis - bass (Melvins, The Cows)
Tomahawk was founded by Denison and Patton in early 2000. After 10 years of touring and recording with The Jesus Lizard, Denison was living in Nashville, Tennessee where his skill and versatility had landed him a job as lead guitarist with Hank Williams III. After witnessing a Mr Bungle show in Nashville, Denison was introduced to Patton, whose list of lead vocal jobs includes bands from Mr Bungle to the late Faith No More and an estimated kabillion others inbetween. The two professed an interest in each other's work and soon tapes were being exchanged in the mail.....
The dynamic duo soon realized that in order to achieve their rock vision, others were needed. Denison enlisted John Stanier, an old friend whose swing and power on the drums he'd long admired. Stanier, aka DJ Big Bad John, quickly accepted the offer and soon tapes were exchanged in the mail...
Not to be outdone, Patton enlisted bassist (and former halfway house employee) Kevin Rutmanis, whose low frequency rumblings had powered the Cows and Melvins across vast stretches of space and time. With the lineup now complete, rehearsals were expeditiously carried out.
Tomahawk released their self-titled debut album in Autumn 2001 on Ipecac, the label part owned by Mike. The kids loved it, so did journalists. Cool! Buoyed by success, the band headed out on the road, firstly in the States where they toured with the likes of Tool. Then to Europe, where they played a number of continental festivals followed by a tour of the UK. The UK tour was memorable for the appearance of a little chap at Tomahawk's London Astoria show.
Not ones to rest on their laurels, Tomahawk wrote a new set of songs and went into the studio again. This time they were aided and abeted by the Roman warrior, Joe Barresi. Centurion Barresi has worked with lesser "artistes" such as Pennywise, Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zeppelin and the Melvins. The work is entitled "Mit Gas" and it will be released, again through Ipecac, in May 2003.
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