Tomato (born Chris Harfenist August 17, 1969) is an American musician who is best known for being the singer/drummer for the alternative rock band Sound of Urchin, who have been actively recording and touring since 1998. SOU is known for their eclectic songs, energetic, spontaneous live shows, heavy touring schedule, and strong cult following. Tomato is also part of the Ween family of musicians, has played with Ween, and plays in Ween offshoots such as The Moistboyz and Dave Dreiwitz's Crescent Moon. He also drums with electronic musician Moby and comedian Dave Hill in the rock band Diamondsnake. Tomato has also played with vocal legend Ellen Foley (Meatloaf, The Clash) and has recorded drums with Jack Black's Tenacious D.
Tomato was taught and mentored by Gary Chester, author of the widely influential and highly regarded "The New Breed" drum book. Tomato spent ages 8-18 taking drum lessons at Chester's house, up until his death in 1987, and as he used his students to help him craft and develop the book and it's groundbreaking drum 'systems'. Tomato was asked by Chester at age 14 to be a part of the endorsement page of The New Breed, alongside select drum greats/students such as Dave Weckl, Kenny Aronoff, and Danny Gottlieb.
Tomato also has appeared on an episode of the Nickelodeon kids show The Naked Brothers Band (TV series), as guest drummer along with Questlove and Claude Coleman, Jr.
In addition to playing with Sound of Urchin, Tomato opened his own after school music program in New York City entitled "Tomato's House Of Rock" [THOR], after running the NYC Branch of The School of Rock. Tomato also hosted the popular Heavy Metal web series "Louder Education" along with Testament's Alex Skolnick, which featured the THOR students and a different Metal legend each week playing with the students and discussing their musical history and the music business.
