The Plugz Do it Themselves

The name Tito Larriva probably isn't the most recognizable in music. It's not for good reason, though, that he remains a rather underground figure. Taking part in bands as far flung as the Cruzados, the Gun Club and the Flesh Eaters should have made him a star. And considering that his guitar playing was on par with anyone from the LA punk scene regardless of what epoch is being discussed makes the case for Larriva that much stronger. But the endeavor that has probably impacted music more than his other projects was the Plugz.

That band can't be mentioned without a brief pause to mention that the Plugz were arguable the first Latino punk group to put a record out. Arguably more important than that, though, was the fact that they band set up its own label - Fatima Records - to release its first full length album Electrify Me. Getting close to a major label deal, Larriva apparently just looked in the phone book to find  a local pressing plan.

"It was a mom and pop organization, with two Latinos in the back pressing records by hand in what looked like a tortilla press. We ordered 500 right off," the guitarist recalls.

Coming a bit after the Germs and gaining notoriety at roughly the same time that Black Flag was accruing momentum, the Plugz worked in a punk vein with more than a passing dash of power pop tossed in. Their first album even included a faux reggae tune that functioned as the title track. "Electrify Me" finds Larriva in an earnest setting - as a crooner. But his voice while more than a bit velvety, when revved up to punk mode has a similar intonation and gruffness to Big Boys front man Randy "Biscuit" Turner.

On those numbers where the Plugz strip its music of guitar solos and actual singing, they come off pretty well. Apart from the intro to "Adolescent," where the band displays its adept timing, the song critiques the in-culture of the LA punk scene and all of its new comers. It's social commentary on a scene that was seemingly all inclusive, although, here it seems that there were as many cliques and political clashes as anywhere else.

Album closer "Beserktown" is probably the fastest tempo here and with its varied approach to each breakdown and its shambolic guitar, the band is able to get into a territory occupied by X - who Larriva also worked with briefly.

But this album might not be the most memorable time for the group as they would reunite for a single evening during the '90s. As a result of the Cruzados gaining a modicum of fame, the band attracted the attention of Bob Dylan. And on an appearance of David Letterman's show, the three members of the Plugz served to back up the songwriting icon. Even if that night never occurred, though, there are enough punk historians to have kept this DIY story alive. Larriva's tale, though, is definitely one of hard work and perseverance.