About

 

Romantic Torture originally formed in 1989, playing covers of The Cure and Joy Division at back yard parties. Robert and Ruben started writing original material in 1991, influenced by Human Drama.

After rehearsals at Musicians Only in Hollywood, Marco joined the band on keyboards but took over guitar duties shortly thereafter. With his face melting solos he soon became the driving force and he invited his cousin Fernie to join and replace him at the keys. Soon thereafter, Romantic Torture started hitting the Hollywood club scene playing with the likes of Human Drama, Bleed, and Mike Peters of The Alarm.

hen their music evolved, Tracy came on as the new singer and bigger shows were played drawing even bigger crowds.

In 1995, Esmeralda joined on acoustic guitar and Pirco took over the drums, and the band changed their name to Empty Empyre. They regularly played the Troubadour, the Whisky, Roxy and other clubs in Los Angeles. In 1997, they recorded a 6-song EP and shot the video for Tethered.

It took 12 years until they re-united and January 15, 2010, marks the first show at the Whisky A-Go-Go in Hollywood and a new chapter for Romantic Torture.