Tomas Squip

Tomas Squip is best known as the lead vocalist and occasional second guitarist for Beefeater, a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C. that came to prominence, along with Rites Of Spring and Embrace, during the Revolution Summer movement in the mid-1980’s.

He made his recorded debut as a drummer with the short-lived hardcore punk band Red C, whose lone demo was immortalized as part of the Flex Your Head compilation album, Dischord Records' first-ever album-length release.

Squip’s lyrics featured a lot of political and religious/spiritual imagery, and he was one of the first prominent musicians to incorporate vegetarianism into the straight edge movement.

After Beefeater disbanded, Squip and Dug Birdzell formed Fidelity Jones, who recorded a single and EP for Dischord before disbanding.

In addition to music, Squip also contributed to several Dischord releases as a photographer. His camera work has appeared on releases for Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Scream, Egg Hunt, and Rites of Spring, as well as the front cover of the 1985 re-release of Flex Your Head.

Squip, who converted to the Sikh religion later on in life and took the name Omar Emmet, is now a professional artist.