Tito & Tarantula
Encyclopedia
Tito & Tarantula are a chicano rock
band formed in Hollywood California in 1992. The band is best known for its songs, "After Dark", "Back to the House That Love Built", "Strange Face of Love", and "Angry Cockroaches", as well as for its role in Robert Rodriguez
's film From Dusk Till Dawn
as the band performing at the "Titty Twister".
was born in Ciudad Juárez
, Mexico
but spent his early years living outside Fairbanks, Alaska
; his family later relocated to El Paso, Texas
, where he studied violin and flute as a member of his school orchestra. After high school he flirted with attending Yale University
before landing in Los Angeles, California
in the mid-1970s. He began his music career by playing in some of the first Latino punk bands such as The Impalas
, Flesh-Eaters
, and, most notably, The Plugz
. Larriva released several albums with the Plugz before the group disbanded in 1984. Following disbandment, Larriva teamed up with former Plugz bandmates Charlie Quintana
and Tony Marsico to form the Cruzados. With the Cruzados, Larriva's music began to move in a different direction, straying from his typical punk rock to a bluesier 1980s rock sound. The band was critically acclaimed and opened for big acts like INXS
and Fleetwood Mac
. They released a self-titled album
in 1985, followed by After Dark
in 1987, but disbanded in 1988. The Cruzados also performed the song Don't Throw Stones at the beginning of the 1989 movie Roadhouse.
stated that the band needed a name, and suggested Tito & Tarantula. The band agreed and it stuck.
By 1995, officially called Tito & Tarantula, the band had a stable line-up of Larriva (lead vocals, rhythm guitar
), Atanasoff (lead guitar
), Jennifer Condos (bass
), Lyn Bertles (violin
, mandolin
, recorder
, harmonica
), and Nick Vincent
(drums
, percussion
). It was with this line-up that they recorded the songs "Back to the House That Love Built", "Strange Face of Love", and "White Train", which made their debut in Robert Rodriguez
' film Desperado
, which featured Larriva in a fairly minor but important role. The three songs appear on the film's soundtrack. The next year, the band appeared in Rodriguez' From Dusk Till Dawn
as house band of the "Titty Twister" (though this band only consisted of Larriva, Atanasoff, and future drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez). They also recorded three songs for the film: "After Dark", "Angry Cockroaches", and "Opening Boxes" (the latter of which did not appear on the soundtrack album
).
Tito had met Rodriguez when filming Desperado. During the mixing of the film, Tito was playing a previously written song, that happened to be about vampires, which caught the ear of Rodriguez. Rodriguez mentioned that his next film was about vampires, and asked if he could videotape the song acoustically. One week later, Tito was informed that he and the band had now been written into the upcoming film Dusk Before Dawn, primarily to have actress Salma Hayek
dance to the previously heard song in a scene.
Tito himself had scored several films previously, including a couple of films in Germany, and Just a Little Harmless Sex
- in which he, along with Tarantula, also acted in, as "Chuey & His Spatular". With his earlier band, The Plugz
, he scored the cult hit film Repo Man.
and From Dusk Till Dawn
, it was clear that something big was happening with us." So in 1997, Tito & Tarantula made its long-awaited album debut, Tarantism
. The album featured four of their six previously released songs ("After Dark", "Strange Face of Love", "Angry Cockroaches", and "Back to the House that Love Built"), and six new songs. It also featured guest-appearances by Larriva's former Plugz and Cruzados bandmates Charlie Quintana
and Tony Marsico. It was very well received by both fans and critics alike, and many have longed for an album comparable to it ever since. The band spent much of 1997 and 1998 touring behind the record. In late 1997, following the release of Tarantism, the band recruited percussionist Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez, probably best known for his work with Oingo Boingo
.
was recruited to replace Bertles. This new line-up set to work on a new album, writing and recording new songs, but saw the departure of Haden before the album was released. The finished album, Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies
, was released in 1999. It was well-received, but was considered a disappointment in comparison to Tarantism. After the release of Hungry Sally, the band recruited Andrea Figueroa to replace Haden as violinist, mandolinist, flutist, and guitarist.
, but saw the departure of Figueroa from the band before the album's release in 2000. Little Bitch did not sell well, and featured a fair amount of musical experimentation that did not please fans. It did, however, feature co-songwriting credits from Larriva's former Cruzados bandmate Steven Hufsteter.
During this time, the movie, From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter
was released, the third installment of the From Dusk Till Dawn trilogy, the first of which featured musical contributions and guest roles by the band. The third movie featured the band's song "Smiling Karen" in the closing credits.
, which was released in 2002. The album did not sell as well as either of the first two, but got better reception than Little Bitch. The band spent the next few years touring the album. They also filmed a music video for the song "California Girl". However, upon seeing how bad the footage of the video was, Perry threw up, Larriva threatened to quit, and Atanasoff was not seen around for days. So, to compensate, Larriva made his own video for the song using the eight dollars he had in his pocket.
took over on drums. With this new "fab four" incarnation, they toured Europe thoroughly. At some point in mid-2007, Davalos left the band, and was replaced by Caroline "Lucy" Rippy. With her, the band has continued to tour its usual areas in western Europe.
In December 2007, the band's song "Angry Cockroaches (Cucarachas Enojadas)" has been featured in previews for the movie Fred Claus
. Other films Tito & Tarantula have contributed music to include Somebody to Love, Dream with the Fishes
, and Just a Little Harmless Sex
.
, Atanasoff sports a metal-resembling guitar sound on tracks like "Strange Face of Love", "Angry Cockroaches", and "Smiling Karen", which when blended with Nick Vincent's very blues-driven drumming and Lyn Bertles's provision of violin, mandolin and recorder, results in a sound like nothing else. It was also on this album that the majority of the songs started out mysterious sounding, but slowly built up, and by the end sounded extremely intense.
On Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies
, Tarantula continued to play songs that started out light and built up as they progressed, particularly "Hungry Sally" and "Bleeding Roses". This time, however, Atanasoff was trying out with a lighter lead guitar sound, and Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez was playing drums, resulting in a different and more prominent drum sound. Once again, though, instruments uncommon to the rock genre such as violin, mandolin, and recorder were featured, once more blending all these elements into something entirely new.
Little Bitch
is considered to be Tarantula's most experimental album. It was different from the past two albums in many ways: it featured a large amount of synthesizers, numerous female backing vocalists, and several entirely-acoustic tracks. Larriva also experimented with his vocals on this album, as can be heard in the falsetto singing in "Forever Forgotten and Unforgiven" and the screaming in "Crack in the World". Also, surprisingly, the song "Super Vita Jane" featured a rap at the end, unlike anything they had ever done before. Songs like "Everybody Needs" were very reminiscent of the '80s, even though the album was released more than a decade later.
On Andalucia
, the band revisited the sort of music they had played on Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies. A few of the tracks featured keyboards, which weren't too common of an instrument in their music before, but had to be incorporated so that their keyboardist, Marcus Praed, would have a contribution to the songs. Like on Little Bitch, the album featured female backing vocals, but this time they were all contributed by Io Perry. Overall, the album was general rock, but also featured several acoustic power ballads, such as "You're the One I Love", "California Girl", "Bullets from a Gun", "Make Me", and "Mexican Sky".
Chicano rock
Chicano rock is rock music performed by Mexican American groups or music with themes derived from Chicano culture. Chicano Rock, to a great extent, does not refer to any single style or approach. Some of these groups do not sing in Spanish at all, or use many specifically Latin instruments or sounds...
band formed in Hollywood California in 1992. The band is best known for its songs, "After Dark", "Back to the House That Love Built", "Strange Face of Love", and "Angry Cockroaches", as well as for its role in Robert Rodriguez
Robert Rodriguez
Robert Anthony Rodríguez is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and musician. He shoots and produces many of his films in his native Texas and Mexico. He has directed such films as Desperado, From Dusk till Dawn, The Faculty, Spy Kids, Sin City, Planet...
's film From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk till Dawn is a 1996 horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. The movie stars Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino and Juliette Lewis.-Plot:...
as the band performing at the "Titty Twister".
Pre-Tarantula
Tito LarrivaTito Larriva
-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...
was born in Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez , officially known today as Heroica Ciudad Juárez, but abbreviated Juárez and formerly known as El Paso del Norte, is a city and seat of the municipality of Juárez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juárez's estimated population is 1.5 million people. The city lies on the Rio Grande...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
but spent his early years living outside Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a home rule city in and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska.Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage...
; his family later relocated to El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, where he studied violin and flute as a member of his school orchestra. After high school he flirted with attending Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
before landing in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in the mid-1970s. He began his music career by playing in some of the first Latino punk bands such as The Impalas
The Impalas
The Impalas were an American doo-wop group in the late 1950s, best known for their hit, "Sorry ".The group formed in 1958 in Brooklyn, New York, and was composed of lead singer Joe "Speedo" Frazier , Richard Wagner, Lenny Renda, and Tony Carlucci...
, Flesh-Eaters
The Flesh Eaters (band)
The Flesh Eaters are an American punk rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1977. They are the most prominent of the bands which have showcased the compositions and singing of their founder, punk poet Chris Desjardins, known as...
, and, most notably, The Plugz
The Plugz
The Plugz were a Mexican-American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1977. They and The Zeros were among the first Chicano punk bands, although several Latino garage rock bands, such as Thee Midniters and Question Mark & the Mysterians, predated them...
. Larriva released several albums with the Plugz before the group disbanded in 1984. Following disbandment, Larriva teamed up with former Plugz bandmates Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana was born in 1962, in El Paso, TX. Quintana was A drummer for the old school punk band Social Distortion, who joined in 2000 as the replacement of Chuck Biscuits , following the death of the band's former guitarist Dennis Danell...
and Tony Marsico to form the Cruzados. With the Cruzados, Larriva's music began to move in a different direction, straying from his typical punk rock to a bluesier 1980s rock sound. The band was critically acclaimed and opened for big acts like INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
and Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
. They released a self-titled album
Cruzados (album)
Cruzados is the 1985 debut album of Los Angeles rock band the Cruzados. It featured the band's "classic line-up" of Tito Larriva, Steven Hufsteter, Tony Marsico, and Chalo Quintana...
in 1985, followed by After Dark
After Dark (Cruzados album)
After Dark is the second and last album by Los Angeles chicano rock band Cruzados, released in 1987. This album is lesser known to its 1985 preceder, as is the line-up for the band, which features guitarist Marshall Rohner in the place of Steven Hufsteter...
in 1987, but disbanded in 1988. The Cruzados also performed the song Don't Throw Stones at the beginning of the 1989 movie Roadhouse.
Early years: Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn
From there, Larriva continued writing film music, and also turned to acting. Starting in 1992, he and guitarist Peter Atanasoff celebrated with various friends at live weekly jam sessions in the cafes and clubs of Los Angeles, at big, spontaneous parties. The band at that time were simply known as "Tito & Friends." As Tito explained in an interview, their old friend Charlie MidnightCharlie Midnight
Charlie Midnight is an American songwriter and record producer who has been nominated for a Grammy Award , two Golden Globe Awards; and has been a producer and/or writer on several Grammy-winning albums, including:The Bodyguard Soundtrack Album ; Turbulent Indigo Charlie Midnight is an American...
stated that the band needed a name, and suggested Tito & Tarantula. The band agreed and it stuck.
By 1995, officially called Tito & Tarantula, the band had a stable line-up of Larriva (lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
), Atanasoff (lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
), Jennifer Condos (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), Lyn Bertles (violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, recorder
Recorder
The recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
, harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
), and Nick Vincent
Nick Vincent
Nick Vincent is an American rock and roll, jazz, and studio drummer, producer and composer. Artists he has performed and/or recorded with include Frank Black, Donnie and Marie, Art Garfunkel, John Fogerty, Carole King, Jackie DeShannon, Ann-Margret, Hilary Duff, Hanson, Charlotte Hatherley, Ian...
(drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
). It was with this line-up that they recorded the songs "Back to the House That Love Built", "Strange Face of Love", and "White Train", which made their debut in Robert Rodriguez
Robert Rodriguez
Robert Anthony Rodríguez is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and musician. He shoots and produces many of his films in his native Texas and Mexico. He has directed such films as Desperado, From Dusk till Dawn, The Faculty, Spy Kids, Sin City, Planet...
' film Desperado
Desperado (film)
Desperado is a 1995 action thriller film written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film stars Antonio Banderas as the former mariachi who seeks revenge on the drug lord who killed his lover....
, which featured Larriva in a fairly minor but important role. The three songs appear on the film's soundtrack. The next year, the band appeared in Rodriguez' From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk till Dawn is a 1996 horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. The movie stars Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino and Juliette Lewis.-Plot:...
as house band of the "Titty Twister" (though this band only consisted of Larriva, Atanasoff, and future drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez). They also recorded three songs for the film: "After Dark", "Angry Cockroaches", and "Opening Boxes" (the latter of which did not appear on the soundtrack album
From Dusk till Dawn (soundtrack)
From Dusk till Dawn: Music from the Motion Picture is the soundtrack album for the 1996 action-comedy-horror film, From Dusk till Dawn, directed by Robert Rodriguez and screenplay by Quentin Tarantino....
).
Tito had met Rodriguez when filming Desperado. During the mixing of the film, Tito was playing a previously written song, that happened to be about vampires, which caught the ear of Rodriguez. Rodriguez mentioned that his next film was about vampires, and asked if he could videotape the song acoustically. One week later, Tito was informed that he and the band had now been written into the upcoming film Dusk Before Dawn, primarily to have actress Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek
Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez de Pinault is a Mexican film actress, director and producer. She received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role as Frida Kahlo in the film Frida.-Early life:...
dance to the previously heard song in a scene.
Tito himself had scored several films previously, including a couple of films in Germany, and Just a Little Harmless Sex
Just a Little Harmless Sex
Just a Little Harmless Sex is a 1999 romantic comedy film which revolves around the offer of oral sex by a stranded motorist to a monogamous man who stops to help her. Arrested by a passing police officer, the unlikely good Samaritan must telephone his wife to bail him out in the middle of the night...
- in which he, along with Tarantula, also acted in, as "Chuey & His Spatular". With his earlier band, The Plugz
The Plugz
The Plugz were a Mexican-American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1977. They and The Zeros were among the first Chicano punk bands, although several Latino garage rock bands, such as Thee Midniters and Question Mark & the Mysterians, predated them...
, he scored the cult hit film Repo Man.
Tarantism
"At some point, more and more people came to see us", says Larriva, "After we did DesperadoDesperado (film)
Desperado is a 1995 action thriller film written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film stars Antonio Banderas as the former mariachi who seeks revenge on the drug lord who killed his lover....
and From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk till Dawn is a 1996 horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. The movie stars Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino and Juliette Lewis.-Plot:...
, it was clear that something big was happening with us." So in 1997, Tito & Tarantula made its long-awaited album debut, Tarantism
Tarantism (album)
Tarantism is the debut album by Los Angeles rock band Tito & Tarantula, released in 1997.The album was the first full-length CD that the band ever released, after developing a fan base from performing the songs "After Dark", "Angry Cockroaches ", and "Opening Boxes" on the From Dusk Till Dawn...
. The album featured four of their six previously released songs ("After Dark", "Strange Face of Love", "Angry Cockroaches", and "Back to the House that Love Built"), and six new songs. It also featured guest-appearances by Larriva's former Plugz and Cruzados bandmates Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana was born in 1962, in El Paso, TX. Quintana was A drummer for the old school punk band Social Distortion, who joined in 2000 as the replacement of Chuck Biscuits , following the death of the band's former guitarist Dennis Danell...
and Tony Marsico. It was very well received by both fans and critics alike, and many have longed for an album comparable to it ever since. The band spent much of 1997 and 1998 touring behind the record. In late 1997, following the release of Tarantism, the band recruited percussionist Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez, probably best known for his work with Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
.
Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies
In late 1998, Vincent and Bertles, married in 1994, were expecting their second child, and chose to leave the band. Following their departure, Vatos took over on drums, and Petra HadenPetra Haden
Petra Haden is an American violinist and singer. She is or has been a member of several bands, including That Dog, Tito & Tarantula, and The Decemberists; has contributed to recordings by The Twilight Singers, Beck, Mike Watt, Luscious Jackson, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age,...
was recruited to replace Bertles. This new line-up set to work on a new album, writing and recording new songs, but saw the departure of Haden before the album was released. The finished album, Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies
Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies
Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies is the second studio album by Tito & Tarantula, released in 1999. It is less known than their previous album, Tarantism, but is probably their best known work apart from that....
, was released in 1999. It was well-received, but was considered a disappointment in comparison to Tarantism. After the release of Hungry Sally, the band recruited Andrea Figueroa to replace Haden as violinist, mandolinist, flutist, and guitarist.
Little Bitch
Following the release of Hungry Sally, Condos left the band for "private reasons". The four remaining members began to work on another album, Little BitchLittle Bitch
-Personnel:*Peter Atanasoff - lead guitar, backing vocals*Tito Larriva - rhythm guitar, lead vocals*Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez - drums, percussion, backing vocals-Additional personnel:*Dominique Davalos - bass, moog pedals, backing vocals...
, but saw the departure of Figueroa from the band before the album's release in 2000. Little Bitch did not sell well, and featured a fair amount of musical experimentation that did not please fans. It did, however, feature co-songwriting credits from Larriva's former Cruzados bandmate Steven Hufsteter.
During this time, the movie, From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter
From Dusk till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter is a 2000 American horror film, a prequel to the 1996 film From Dusk till Dawn. It was released straight to video and nominated for the Best Home Video Release Saturn Award.-Plot:...
was released, the third installment of the From Dusk Till Dawn trilogy, the first of which featured musical contributions and guest roles by the band. The third movie featured the band's song "Smiling Karen" in the closing credits.
Andalucia
After the release of the album, the band began to hire replacements for their departed bandmates. Firstly, they hired two musicians who had assisted them on Little Bitch: Marcus Praed (who had played bass and additional guitar on the album, but was hired as a pianist) and Steven Hufsteter (who joined as a second lead guitarist). Additionally, they hired bassist Io Perry as a replacement for Condos. This line-up spent 2001 and some of 2002 touring, then went back to the studio to record AndaluciaAndalucia (album)
Andalucia is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles rock band Tito & Tarantula, released in 2002. The album marked several line-up changes in the band, which had previously consisted of lead singer/rhythm guitarist Tito Larriva, lead guitarist Peter Atanasoff, and drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez...
, which was released in 2002. The album did not sell as well as either of the first two, but got better reception than Little Bitch. The band spent the next few years touring the album. They also filmed a music video for the song "California Girl". However, upon seeing how bad the footage of the video was, Perry threw up, Larriva threatened to quit, and Atanasoff was not seen around for days. So, to compensate, Larriva made his own video for the song using the eight dollars he had in his pocket.
Mid-2000s
Since the release of Andalucia, Tito & Tarantula have made numerous personnel changes, starting with the departure of drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez. Achim Farber was hired in his place, but left the band later on as well. One of the most notable changes, however, was the loss of the band's valuable founding member Peter Atanasoff. Little is known about his departure, but on the band's Myspace blog, it says, "...So if ever you find yourself in Switzerland you want to make your way to the Moonwalker and say hello to Peter..." Io Perry quit the band to pursue a solo career, but stayed in business with Larriva by having him produce her first solo album. Along with Atanasoff, Perry, and Hernandez, the band lost multi-instrumentalist Marcus Praed, eventually leaving Larriva and Steven Hufsteter as the only remaining members who had played on the last album. Dominique Davalos (who had played bass on Little Bitch) took over on bass and Rafael GayolRafael Gayol
Rafael Bernardo Gayol is a drummer, percussionist, songwriter, singer and actor.Born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles, California, he has worked as a drummer/percussionist/vocalist recording and touring with such diverse artists as Leonard Cohen, Doll Congress, BoDeans, Sun 60, Charlie...
took over on drums. With this new "fab four" incarnation, they toured Europe thoroughly. At some point in mid-2007, Davalos left the band, and was replaced by Caroline "Lucy" Rippy. With her, the band has continued to tour its usual areas in western Europe.
In December 2007, the band's song "Angry Cockroaches (Cucarachas Enojadas)" has been featured in previews for the movie Fred Claus
Fred Claus
Fred Claus is a 2007 Christmas family-comedy film produced and directed by David Dobkin, written by Dan Fogelman and Jessie Nelson, and starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti.-Plot:...
. Other films Tito & Tarantula have contributed music to include Somebody to Love, Dream with the Fishes
Dream with the Fishes
Dream with the Fishes is a 1997 film directed by Finn Taylor. The film is Taylor's directorial debut.-Plot:The film follows Terry, a suicidal voyeur who doesn't seem to be able to kill himself. While preparing for jumping off a bridge, he meets Nick who ends up saving his life. Terry discovers that...
, and Just a Little Harmless Sex
Just a Little Harmless Sex
Just a Little Harmless Sex is a 1999 romantic comedy film which revolves around the offer of oral sex by a stranded motorist to a monogamous man who stops to help her. Arrested by a passing police officer, the unlikely good Samaritan must telephone his wife to bail him out in the middle of the night...
.
Back into Darkness
In late 2006, the band promised an album out in early 2007 on their Myspace blog. In early 2008, the band finally announced the approaching arrival of their next album, titled Back into the Darkness. The album was released on April 18, 2008.Fame
Though a successful band in their own right, Tito & Tarantula seem to be very poorly known. They are fairly well known across Europe (as that is the continent that they spend most of their time touring) and have up to tens of thousands of people show up at some of their concerts, but overall are not extremely well known. Especially the fans in Germany (called "Deutschlandia" by the band) proved to be very loyal. Little information can be found about them on the internet, and their albums are hard to find outside of certain places in Europe. Regardless of this, the band see themselves as having a decent amount of fame wherever they go.Style
Many critics and fans note Tito & Tarantula for their unusual musical style. Larriva's soft and clear but easily intensified voice appears throughout their career, as does Atanasoff's unique guitar-playing, which is said to "target a certain sound over skill". In addition to this, there are other uncommon elements in each of their albums. On TarantismTarantism (album)
Tarantism is the debut album by Los Angeles rock band Tito & Tarantula, released in 1997.The album was the first full-length CD that the band ever released, after developing a fan base from performing the songs "After Dark", "Angry Cockroaches ", and "Opening Boxes" on the From Dusk Till Dawn...
, Atanasoff sports a metal-resembling guitar sound on tracks like "Strange Face of Love", "Angry Cockroaches", and "Smiling Karen", which when blended with Nick Vincent's very blues-driven drumming and Lyn Bertles's provision of violin, mandolin and recorder, results in a sound like nothing else. It was also on this album that the majority of the songs started out mysterious sounding, but slowly built up, and by the end sounded extremely intense.
On Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies
Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies
Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies is the second studio album by Tito & Tarantula, released in 1999. It is less known than their previous album, Tarantism, but is probably their best known work apart from that....
, Tarantula continued to play songs that started out light and built up as they progressed, particularly "Hungry Sally" and "Bleeding Roses". This time, however, Atanasoff was trying out with a lighter lead guitar sound, and Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez was playing drums, resulting in a different and more prominent drum sound. Once again, though, instruments uncommon to the rock genre such as violin, mandolin, and recorder were featured, once more blending all these elements into something entirely new.
Little Bitch
Little Bitch
-Personnel:*Peter Atanasoff - lead guitar, backing vocals*Tito Larriva - rhythm guitar, lead vocals*Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez - drums, percussion, backing vocals-Additional personnel:*Dominique Davalos - bass, moog pedals, backing vocals...
is considered to be Tarantula's most experimental album. It was different from the past two albums in many ways: it featured a large amount of synthesizers, numerous female backing vocalists, and several entirely-acoustic tracks. Larriva also experimented with his vocals on this album, as can be heard in the falsetto singing in "Forever Forgotten and Unforgiven" and the screaming in "Crack in the World". Also, surprisingly, the song "Super Vita Jane" featured a rap at the end, unlike anything they had ever done before. Songs like "Everybody Needs" were very reminiscent of the '80s, even though the album was released more than a decade later.
On Andalucia
Andalucia (album)
Andalucia is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles rock band Tito & Tarantula, released in 2002. The album marked several line-up changes in the band, which had previously consisted of lead singer/rhythm guitarist Tito Larriva, lead guitarist Peter Atanasoff, and drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez...
, the band revisited the sort of music they had played on Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies. A few of the tracks featured keyboards, which weren't too common of an instrument in their music before, but had to be incorporated so that their keyboardist, Marcus Praed, would have a contribution to the songs. Like on Little Bitch, the album featured female backing vocals, but this time they were all contributed by Io Perry. Overall, the album was general rock, but also featured several acoustic power ballads, such as "You're the One I Love", "California Girl", "Bullets from a Gun", "Make Me", and "Mexican Sky".
Discography
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Tarantism Tarantism (album) Tarantism is the debut album by Los Angeles rock band Tito & Tarantula, released in 1997.The album was the first full-length CD that the band ever released, after developing a fan base from performing the songs "After Dark", "Angry Cockroaches ", and "Opening Boxes" on the From Dusk Till Dawn... |
1997 |
| Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies is the second studio album by Tito & Tarantula, released in 1999. It is less known than their previous album, Tarantism, but is probably their best known work apart from that.... |
1999 |
| Little Bitch Little Bitch -Personnel:*Peter Atanasoff - lead guitar, backing vocals*Tito Larriva - rhythm guitar, lead vocals*Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez - drums, percussion, backing vocals-Additional personnel:*Dominique Davalos - bass, moog pedals, backing vocals... |
2000 |
| Andalucia Andalucia (album) Andalucia is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles rock band Tito & Tarantula, released in 2002. The album marked several line-up changes in the band, which had previously consisted of lead singer/rhythm guitarist Tito Larriva, lead guitarist Peter Atanasoff, and drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez... |
2002 |
| Back into the Darkness | 2008 |
Music videos
- "Back to the House that Love Built" - Tarantism (1995)
- "After Dark" - Tarantism (1996)
- "Slow Dream" - Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies (1999)
- "Forever Forgotten & Unforgiven" - Little Bitch (2000)
- "California Girl" - Andalucia (2002)
- "Texas Roadhouse Live presents Tito and Tarantula live at the Continental Club" (2009)
Current members
- Tito LarrivaTito Larriva-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...
- lead vocals, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1992–present) - Steven Hufsteter - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals (2002–present) - Caroline "Lucy LaLoca" Rippy - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (2007–present) - Alfredo OrtizAlfredo OrtizAlfredo Ortiz is an American drummer, was the former drummer for New York group Morningwood and Los Angeles rockers Red Exiles. Previously Ortiz has toured with the Beastie Boys as a drummer and percussionist, and appeared in their film, Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! In previous years, he has lent...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2005, 2008–present)
Former members
- Peter Atanasoff - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals (1992–2006) - Jennifer Condos - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (1993–1999) - Lyn Bertles - violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, recorderRecorderThe recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals (1993–1998) - Andrea Figueroa - violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals (1999–2000) - Marcus Praed - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, backing vocals, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2000-200?) - Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez - percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, backing vocals (1997–2001) - Nick VincentNick VincentNick Vincent is an American rock and roll, jazz, and studio drummer, producer and composer. Artists he has performed and/or recorded with include Frank Black, Donnie and Marie, Art Garfunkel, John Fogerty, Carole King, Jackie DeShannon, Ann-Margret, Hilary Duff, Hanson, Charlotte Hatherley, Ian...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, backing vocals (1992–1998) - Adrian Esparza - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals (1992) - Richard Edsen - percussion (1992–1994)
- Tony Marsico - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1992) - Debra Dobkin - percussion (1995–1997)
- Petra HadenPetra HadenPetra Haden is an American violinist and singer. She is or has been a member of several bands, including That Dog, Tito & Tarantula, and The Decemberists; has contributed to recordings by The Twilight Singers, Beck, Mike Watt, Luscious Jackson, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age,...
- violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, recorderRecorderThe recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1998) - Io Perry - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (200?-200?) - Abbie Travis - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(200?-200?) - Achim Farber - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(200?-200?) - Dominique Davalos - bass, backing vocals (200?-2007)
- Rafael GayolRafael GayolRafael Bernardo Gayol is a drummer, percussionist, songwriter, singer and actor.Born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles, California, he has worked as a drummer/percussionist/vocalist recording and touring with such diverse artists as Leonard Cohen, Doll Congress, BoDeans, Sun 60, Charlie...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(200?-present)-->