More than three decades after their original run, Holy Rollers have returned.
The band reunited in June 2025 for Positive Force’s 40th Anniversary celebration, marking their first performance together in decades. What began as a one-off reunion led to a limited run of shows in Washington, DC, and New York City.
Formed in 1989 by Joey Aronstamn, Marc Lambiotte, and Max Jones, Holy Rollers emerged from Washington’s punk underground with a sound that combined melody, complexity, and unconventional songwriting with the energy of hardcore. The band is often credited as the first DC punk band to incorporate three-part harmonies. Flipside described Holy Rollers as “progressive punk,” while Options magazine wrote that “the Rollers excel at finding new directions for punk.” Alternative Press compared their sound to “Fugazi filtered through the Soft Boys.”
During their original run, Holy Rollers toured throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, shared stages with artists including Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Red Kross, Jawbox, and NoMeansNo, and released three albums on Dischord Records.
The current lineup features original members Joey Aronstamn and Marc Lambiotte alongside Ed Trask (Avail, Kepone) and Graham McCulloch (Negative Approach).
The band’s return includes a July 25 appearance at the Black Cat in Washington, DC, with fellow DC bands Hammered Hulls and The Owners, and a July 30 show at Union Pool in Brooklyn with The Owners.