Reversionum is the latest release from Tulsa solo musician Tony Romanello. This time though, our long-time fuzzed our rawker returns with new versions of previously released material through the lenses of acoustic guitar, piano, and string and horn arrangements.
Playing in a number of bands between Tulsa and Norman, OK early in his musical career, Romanello crept onto the indie scene by working with members of Oklahoma alt icons Chainsaw Kittens and Flaming Lips. He dropped solo CD’s: Lo-Fi Dreams in Stereo: Vol. I (2000), The MumbleOdd (2000), and Counting Stars (2003) to consistent rave reviews throughout CMJ Radio (Counting Stars – no. 65 Spring ’03) and international press (CMJ, Uncut, Pop Culture Press). Counting Stars even boasted the drumming of Lips’ maestro Steven Drozd as well as a full horn and string ensemble. The comparisons in the media ranged from the abstract (Jeff Buckley, Jeremy Enigk, Catherine Wheel) to the concrete (Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Queens of the Stone age).
Per requests to hit the regional alternative rock circuit, Romanello diverged from solo work to form TRB as a tangible rock and roll unit. The band released the Shades of Grey EP (2001), Where Are You Tonight? EP (2003), and TRB s/t (2004). The latter releases garnered the band a taste of commercial radio success (“Where Are You Tonight?” and “Better Days” added to KMYZ summer 2003 & Fall 2004) and attracted industry attention. The fans of their hometown of Tulsa, OK responded by voting him and the band multiple awards over this span, including Artist of the Year in 2002.
Solo projects followed with Rock ‘n Roll Fairytales EP (2006) and Lo-Fi Dreams in Stereo: Vol. 2. (2007). In 2009, Romanello formed The Black Jackets which released the Pleased To Meet Us EP (2012) and the sonically lush full-length record, Chasing Airwaves (2016). Reuniting with several past partners-in-crime, The Black Jackets hit the local scene for almost 10 years forging a sound jettisoned by a 3-guitar assault and anchored by a pounding rhythm and bass section. In 2021 he returned to his solo work. Volume for your Restless Heart (2021) and Movements (2023) were released.
