Tito Larriva
Tito Larriva | |
---|---|
Years active | 1977–present |
Labels | JupiterXrecords, BMG |
Website | www |
Humberto "Tito" Larriva (born 1953) is a Mexican-American songwriter, singer, musician, and actor. He came to prominence leading The Plugz, one of the earliest Los Angeles punk rock groups. Since the 1990s, his main musical outlet has been Tito & Tarantula.
Early life
Larriva was born in
Music career
The Plugz
Larriva was the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for punk band The Plugz. He formed The Plugz in Hollywood, California in 1978.[2] Their presence during the birth of West Coast punk has ensured their enduring influence on punk bands. Record label Rhino recognized their role in the Los Angeles music scene by including their version of "La Bamba" on "We're Desperate: The L.A. Scene (1976-79)." The Plugz released two albums, Electrify Me (1978) and Better Luck (1981). The Plugz also scored the cult classic film Repo Man and contributed three songs to the soundtrack.
Fatima Records
In 1979 Larriva formed Fatima Records, a DIY record label, with Chicano printmaker Richard Duardo and music promoter Yolanda Ferrer to release the Plugz' single "Achin'"/"La Bamba." The label would issue a few other releases, including the Plugz' second album Better Luck (1981) and "Attitudes" (1980), the debut EP by
Cruzados
In 1984 The Plugz evolved into the Cruzados. In 1985, they released a self-titled album on Arista Records. The second album After Dark released in 1987 featured new guitarist Marshall Rohner. The band broke up in 1990. Larriva and the Cruzados were both briefly featured in the film Road House, starring Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott.
Tito & Tarantula
Tito & Tarantula began in 1992 when Larriva and lead guitarist Peter Atanasoff would perform in bars and cafes with friends every week. "We've always had an unspoken rule," Larriva said to the
Psychotic Aztecs
Psychotic Aztecs, composed of Larriva on vocals, Oingo Boingo's rhythm section (John Avila on bass, Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez on drums) and Steven Hufsteter on guitar, began as a recording session for Grita! Records in Los Angeles and ended as the album Santa Sangre, released in 1999.[5]
Film career
Larriva's first acting role was "Hammy" on
He also played the character Ramon in the film True Stories (1986).[7] Larriva performed the Talking Heads song "Radio Head," and played the organ in the "Puzzling Evidence" scene. The original soundtrack album, however, only featured Talking Heads' cover of the song; Larriva's version, performed with Esteban "Steve" Jordan, was not released until sometime later.
Apart from acting, Larriva has scored films including
Discography
The Plugz
- Electrify Me (1979)
- Achin/ La Bamba 45rpm (1981)
- Better Luck (1981)
Cruzados
- Cruzados (1985)
- After Dark (1987)
Tito & Tarantula
- Tarantism (1997)
- Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies (1999)
- Little Bitch (2000)
- Andalucia (2002)
- Back into the Darkness(2008)
- 8 Arms To Hold You (2019)
Psychotic Aztecs
- Santa Sangre (1999)
Other
- True Stories: The Complete Soundtrack (2018)
References
- ^ "Lady, don't leave ; Crime & shame ; World at my feet ; Super Vita Jane, Spider man. w & m Robert Wachtel (Waddy Wachtel) & Tito Larriva". Copyrightencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
- ISBN 0609807749.
- ^ Nevarez, Leonard (January 31, 2012). "Tito Larriva: the hombre secreto of L.A.'s culture industry". Musical Urbanism.
- ^ "Music: Do-It-All Dude (Tucson Weekly . 12-15-97)". Weeklywire.com. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
- ^ Latinovision.com Archived September 27, 2003, at the Wayback Machine
- ISBN 978-1550229981.
- ^ "True Stories (1986)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2013-04-01.