The Plugz

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Plugz


Img_capt = The Plugz
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Los Angeles, California
Genre = Rock, Chicano rock
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Associated_acts = Los Cruzados, Tito & Tarantula, Izzy Stradlin and the JuJu Hounds
Past_members =

The Plugz were a Mexican-American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1978. They, along with The Zeros, were the first Chicano punk bands. (There were, however, several Latino garage rock bands that predated the Plugz, notably Thee Midniters and Question Mark & the Mysterians). The Plugz melded the spirit of punk and Mexican music.

Line up

The band was initially composed of:

*Tito Larriva (Lead vocals/guitar)
*Charlie Quintana (drums)
*Barry McBride (Bass/Backing vocals)

This lineup recorded the band's first album, "Electrify Me" (1979).

After McBride left (sometime in 1979-80), John Curry from The Flyboys joined, but left to form Choir Invisible less than a year later. Although he did write the music for the title track to the second album Better Luck. The musicians on the band's second album, "Better Luck" (1981), were:

*Tito Larriva (Lead vocals/guitar)
*Charlie Quintana (drums) (credited as "Chalo Quintana")Guests:
*Gustavo Santaolalla (Bass/guitars/Charango/Backing vocals)
*Anibal Kerpel (keyboards)
*Steve Berlin (Saxophone)
*Bruce Fowler (Trombone)
*Steve Fowler (Saxophone)
*Brian Qualls (Piano)

Tony Marsico joined the band in late 1980 as permanent bassist.

The band was formed in 1978 and was a contemporary of the bands featured in The Decline of Western Civilization. Their songs reflected the anger and angst of growing up Chicano, and this was reflected in their sardonic hi-speed version of Richie Valens' "La Bamba". They were contemporaries of other Latino punk bands The Brat and Los Illegals. The Plugz are generally acknowledged as being the first D.I.Y. punk band in L.A., having started their own Fatima label to release their records.

The Plugz also feature prominently on the soundtrack to the movie Repo Man. They composed original instrumental music for the film, and performed "Hombre Secreto," a Spanish version of Johnny Rivers' "Secret Agent Man." Steven Hufsteter played lead guitar on both "Reel Ten" and "Hombre Secreto".

The Plugz accompanied Bob Dylan on his appearance on "Late Night With David Letterman" on 22 March 1984 for three songs: "Don't Start Me Talkin'" (by Sonny Boy Williamson), "Jokerman", and "Licence to Kill".

In 1984, The Plugz name was retired and the three members formed the Cruzados with Steven Hufsteter.

The Plugz reunited the three founding members for The Masque 30th Anniversary Party and Book Release show on November 11, 2007 at The Echoplex in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles, California.

Discography

*"Move // Mindless Contentment / Let Go" single on Slash Records (1978)
*"Electrify Me" (1979)
*"Achin' / La Bamba" single on Fatima Records (1981)
*"Better Luck" (1981)
*"Los Angelinos - the eastside renaissance" (compilation)(1983)
*"Repo Man" soundtrack (1984)
*"Bob Dylan & The Plugz" (1984)
*"New Wave Hookers soundtrack" - Electrify Me (1985)

Track listing - "Electrify Me" (1979)

#"A Gain - A Loss" (Tito Larriva)
#"The Cause" (Tito Larriva)
#"Electrify Me" (Tito Larriva)
#"Satisfied Die" (Tito Larriva/Barry McBride)
#"La Bamba" (public domain)
#"Adolescent" (Tito Larriva)
#"Braintime" (Tito Larriva)
#"Wordless" (Tito Larriva)
#"Let Go" (Tito Larriva/Barry McBride)
#"Infection" (Tito Larriva)
#"Berserktown" (Tito Larriva)

Track listing - "Better Luck" (1981)

#"Better Luck" (Tito Larriva/Curry)
#"Red Eye #9" (Tito Larriva)
#"Achin'" (Tito Larriva)
#"American" (Tito Larriva)
#"In The Wait" (Tito Larriva)
#"El Clavo Y La Cruz" (Tito Larriva)
#"Blue Sofa" (Tito Larriva)
#"Touch For Cash" (Tito Larriva)
#"Gas Line" (Tito Larriva)
#"Cesar's Song" (Tito Larriva)
#"Shifting Heart" (Tito Larriva)
#"No Love" (Tito Larriva)

Trivia

* The Plugz' song "Adolescent" was used in the film "Scarred" (1984).
* The Plugz' songs "Reel Ten", "El Clavo Y La Cruz" and "Hombre Secreto (Secret Agent Man)" were used in the film "Repo Man" "(1984)" and appear on the soundtrack LP.
* The Plugz' song "Electrify Me" was used in the adult film "New Wave Hookers" (1985).

ee also

*Chicano music

External links

*
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* [http://punkmodpop.free.fr/plugz_pic.htm "The Plugz – Biography and pictures"] , "The ModPopPunk Archives" (website), 2006.