Formed after the breakup of local band Pitchfork by frontman and lead singer Speedo ( John Reis) in 1990. Other original band members included N.D. (Andy Stamets), guitar; Petey X (Pete Reichert), bass; and Atom (Adam Willard), drums.
Named after 1970s underground punk band Rocket from the Tombs, they were originally conceived as a back-to-basics rock and roll band and produced their debut, Paint as a Fragrance in 1991.
The departure of two founding members soon after nearly led to the band's demise, but instead they reinvented themselves as a punk-inspired rock'n'roll band with a horn section with the arrival of saxophone player Apollo 9 (Paul O'Beirne). The band released many seven inch vinyl singles around this time and began to attract a dedicated underground following. Their second album, Circa: Now! was released in 1992, and RFTC scored the first of many "minor" hits with "Hippy Dippy Do." Circa:Now! was re-released with four extra tracks in 2004.
The band signed to a major label, Interscope, in late 1992 and added a new member to the brass section, JC 2000 (Jason Crane). Following a hiatus while Speedo worked with his other band, Drive Like Jehu, 1995 saw a flurry of activity with the release of several seven-inches, the EP The State of Art is on Fire, and the critically acclaimed album Hot Charity. This album was accompanied by a free tour around the U.S.
They also released the seven-inch vinyl record Tattoo, which was given to any fan with a RFTC tattoo anywhere on their body (RFTC also maintained a policy whereby anyone with a tattoo of the band's logo was admitted free of charge to their shows). Around this time RFTC, engaged in many interesting, and at times, seemingly ludicrous, stage antics and gimmicks. This included hosting "Tiger Feet Tonight" which was a variety show that aired on German national television. Other stage gimmicks/antics included: a raffle during a live performance, a game show wheel, which was spun to select the night's songs, lead singer Speedo breathing fire, and annual Halloween and New Year's shows. Another interesting aspect of RFTC's stage show would feature the band dressing in ornate stage costumes, which grew progressively more ornate with time.
