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Tomahawk

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Band Timeline

1999

Formation and Early Collaboration

Tomahawk was formed in 1999 in Nashville, Tennessee as a rock supergroup. The band was initiated when Mike Patton, known for his work with Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, met guitarist Duane Denison of The Jesus Lizard. Their mutual musical interests led to exchanging recordings and eventually collaborating. Denison recruited John Stanier from Helmet as drummer, while Patton brought in Kevin Rutmanis from Melvins and Cows on bass, completing the original lineup.
2001

Debut Album Release and Touring

During May and June 2001, Tomahawk recorded their self-titled debut album in Nashville, produced by Joe Funderburk. The album was released on October 30, 2001, marking the band's official entry into the rock scene. Following its release, Tomahawk toured extensively across the United States, Australia, Europe, and Japan. Although they headlined many shows, they also supported major acts like Tool during their 2002 North American tour. The band garnered attention for provocative stage presence, sometimes facing boos when opening for bands like Tool, and appeared at notable festivals including Australia's Big Day Out in 2002.
2003

Second Album 'Mit Gas' and Continued Touring

In 2003, Tomahawk released their second album, 'Mit Gas,' produced by Joe Barresi. This period featured intense touring, including the 2003 'Geek Tour' alongside labelmates Melvins and Fantômas. The band became known for their unique stage attire, often dressing as police officers for promotional shoots and performances. After extensive touring supporting their first two albums, the band entered a short hiatus from late 2003 through 2006 as members pursued other projects.
2007

Third Album 'Anonymous' and Lineup Change

Tomahawk's third album, 'Anonymous,' was released on June 19, 2007 through Ipecac Recordings. This album marked a significant change as bassist Kevin Rutmanis left during the recording sessions, although the reasons remain undisclosed. The recording process involved members Denison and Stanier recording their parts in Nashville, which were later sent to Patton in San Francisco for vocals and samples. Notably, the band did not perform any live shows during this period and subsequently entered a hiatus from 2008 to 2011.
2012-2013

Reformation and Fourth Album 'Oddfellows'

In 2012, Tomahawk announced their return with a new bassist, Trevor Dunn, known for his work with Mr. Bungle and Fantômas. The band prepared and released 'Oddfellows' on January 29, 2013, following the prior announcement in 2011 of upcoming recordings. The release was supported by live performances, marking their first shows since 2003. Prior to the album release, a music video for the lead single 'Stone Letter' was unveiled in December 2012. The band also released a vinyl box set featuring their first three albums in 2012, reaffirming their presence in the rock music landscape.
2014

Additional Releases and Tours

In 2014, Tomahawk planned to expand their live performances, including a scheduled appearance in Mexico, although the band withdrew due to illness. That year, they also released 'M.E.A.T.,' a single containing two previously unreleased tracks from the 'Oddfellows' sessions. This release continued to sustain fan interest and demonstrated the band’s ongoing creative output despite their intermittent public activity.
2020-2021

Return and Fifth Album 'Tonic Immobility'

In 2020, Tomahawk resumed work on new material after a period of relative quiet. In early 2021, they released the single 'Business Casual,' which announced their fifth studio album 'Tonic Immobility,' released on March 26, 2021. The new album was a continuation of their experimental rock style, with members Mike Patton, Duane Denison, John Stanier, and Trevor Dunn contributing. This release marked a resurgence for the band, demonstrating their sustained relevance and creative vitality over two decades.

Albums

tomahawk_1st_album
Tomahawk
13 tracks
2001
tomahawk_2nd_album
Mit Gas
11 tracks
2003
tomahawk_3rd_album
Anonymous
13 tracks
2007
tomahawk_4th_album
Oddfellows
13 tracks
2013
tomahawk_5th_album
Tonic Immobility
12 tracks
2021
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Duane Denison

N/A

John Stanier

N/A

Mike Patton

2000

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Kevin Rutmanis

N/A
2007

Story of Tomahawk

Tomahawk: A Supergroup Built on Collaboration and Sonic Prowess

Tomahawk, the American rock supergroup, emerged from the fertile musical minds of Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) and Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard) in 1999. Their shared passion for pushing sonic boundaries led them to exchange music with the aim of creating something truly unique.

Denison, known for his searing guitar work, brought in drummer John Stanier (Helmet), a powerhouse behind the kit. Patton, the enigmatic vocalist and keyboardist, rounded out the lineup with bass player Kevin Rutmanis (Melvins/ex-Cows).

The group's debut album, recorded in Nashville during the spring of 2001, marked the beginning of their journey. The following years saw extensive touring and the release of two more critically acclaimed albums.

While the band went on an extended hiatus in 2007, their sonic legacy continued to resonate. In 2013, Tomahawk returned, with Trevor Dunn replacing Rutmanis on bass, ready to unleash their intense and experimental rock upon the world once more.

Early Days (1999-2000):

Patton, fresh off the breakup of Faith No More in 1998, had already established the Ipecac Recordings label and returned to the fold with Mr. Bungle. He also formed the experimental metal supergroup Fantômas with Buzz Osborne of the Melvins and Dave Lombardo of Slayer.

It was during a Mr. Bungle concert in Nashville that Patton met Denison. This meeting sparked a creative fire, resulting in a musical exchange and jamming sessions that would ultimately shape the sound of Tomahawk.

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