The news of the formation of alt. rock supergroup Tomahawk in 2001 came as a fabulous bolt from the blue. Featuring frontman Mike Patton (Faith No More/Mr. Bungle), guitarist Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard), bassist Kevin Rutmanis (Melvins) and drummer John Stanier (Helmet), the quartet's pedigree was undeniable, and their self-titled debut album, released on Patton's own Ipecac Recordings label, more than lived up to expectations.
There was then much excitement when Tomahawk announced their first UK tour in the spring of 2002, with dates booked at The Astoria in London (March 10), The Garage in Glasgow (March 11), and Manchester Academy 2 (March 12). The shows would live long in the memories of all in attendance, with those of us who had tickets for the London show seeing rather more of Mike Patton than anyone had anticipated.
Patton, it's fair to say, was not in the best of moods on the evening of March 10, as is evidenced by bootleg recordings of Tomahawk's London debut. The singer had apparently been involved in an 'altercation' with over-officious security staff when entering the central London venue, and was still seething when the quartet took the stage.
