Tito Larriva

Tito Larriva
Larriva in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Humberto Lorenzo Rodriquez Larriva
Born	1953[1][2] Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Genres	Rock, punk rock, alternative rock, Chicano rock
Occupations	Singer, guitarist, songwriter, musician, actor
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, keyboards, recorder
Years active	1977–present
Labels	JupiterXrecords, BMG
Associated acts	Tito & Tarantula, Cruzados, The Plugz, Psychotic Aztecs, The Flesh Eaters, The Impalas
Website	www.titoandtarantula.com

Humberto "Tito" Larriva is a Mexican/American song writer, singer, musician, and actor.

Early life

Larriva was born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, and El Paso, Texas. As a child he played the violin in the school orchestra and sang in the church and school choirs where he met his wife Janet Carroll. In 1972 Larriva snuck into Yale University for a full term without being noticed. After being kicked out of the Ivy League university, he moved to Mexico City and in 1975 moved to Los Angeles, California. He now lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and daughter and continues to work in the music and film industries.

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. 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 Repo Man soundtrack..

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 Elliot.

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 Tucson Weekly in 1997,^[3] "and the rule is that everyone plays pretty much what they want. The band rarely rehearses." Tarantula was featured on the soundtrack of Robert Rodriguez's movie Desperado which Larriva also scored. In 1996, Tito and Tarantula continue their relationship with Rodriguez, appearing in the film, soundtrack, and score, for From Dusk Till Dawn. Larriva, Atanasoff, and Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez are the band performing their song After Dark in the bar for Salma Hayek. In 1997, Tito & Tarantula released its long-awaited and highly-acclaimed debut album Tarantism. They followed up with, Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies in 1999, and Little Bitch in 2000. In 2002, the band was joined by Larriva's former Cruzados bandmate Steven Hufsteter. Later that year, they released Andalucia. Back Into The Darkness is their most recent release(2008).

Psychotic Aztecs

Tito Larriva, September 2007

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.^[4]

Film career

Larriva's first acting role was "Hammy" on The Pee-wee Herman Show in 1981. He has gone on to play notable supporting roles in big-budget films like Born in East L.A., Road House, Boys on the Side, Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. He often works with his friend, director Robert Rodriguez. His latest appearance was a few seconds cameo in Rodríguez' Machete trailer in Grindhouse. He also appears in the actual, released movie.

He also played the character Ramon in the film True Stories (1986).^[5] Larriva covered the Talking Heads song, "Radio Head," and played the organ in the "Puzzling Evidence" scene.

Apart from acting, Larriva has scored films including Dream with the Fishes, Tin Cup, and Mi Vida Loca.

Discography

The Plugz

• Electrify Me (1979)
• 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)

Psychotic Aztecs

• Santa Sangre (1999)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tito Larriva.

• Tito Larriva at the Internet Movie Database
• Tito Larriva on Myspace
• Tito and Tarantula official site
• Tito and Tarantula MySpace page on Myspace