The Plugz

Early history

The band was formed in 1977 and was a contemporary of the bands featured in the film 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 Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba". The Plugz are generally acknowledged as being the first D.I.Y. punk band in L.A., having started their own PLUGZ RECORDS and later Fatima records.

Line up

The band was initially composed of:

This lineup recorded the band's first album, Electrify Me (1979). Produced and engineered by Alan Kutner

After McBride left (sometime in 1979-80), he was replaced by John Curry from The Flyboys, who left to form Choir Invisible less than a year later. Larriva and Curry wrote the title track to the second album Better Luck. The musicians on the band's second album, Better Luck (1981), were:

Guests:

Tony Marsico joined the band in late 1980, and Steven Hufsteter began playing lead guitar with the group in 1984.

With the addition of Steven Hufsteter on lead guitar, The Plugz also feature prominently on the soundtrack to the movie Repo Man. The group performed "Hombre Secreto," a Spanish version of Johnny Rivers' "Secret Agent Man", along with original instrumental background music for the film. Both "Hombre Secreto" and "Reel Ten" (the instrumental soundtrack for Repo Man), featured Hufsteter on lead guitar.

Plugz bassist Tony Marsico and drummer Charlie Quintana 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 "License to Kill".

In 1984, The Plugz name was retired and the three members continued as 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

Track listing - Electrify Me (1979)

1. "A Gain - A Loss" (Tito Larriva)
2. "The Cause" (Tito Larriva)
3. "Electrify Me" (Tito Larriva)
4. "Satisfied Die" (Tito Larriva/Barry McBride)
5. "La Bamba" (public domain)
6. "Adolescent" (Tito Larriva)
7. "Braintime" (Tito Larriva)
8. "Wordless" (Tito Larriva)
9. "Let Go" (Tito Larriva/Barry McBride)
10. "Infection" (Tito Larriva)
11. "Berserktown" (Tito Larriva)

Track listing - Better Luck (1981)

1. "Better Luck" (Tito Larriva/Curry)
2. "Red Eye No. 9" (Tito Larriva)
3. "Achin'" (Tito Larriva)
4. "American" (Tito Larriva)
5. "In The Wait" (Tito Larriva)
6. "El Clavo Y La Cruz" (Tito Larriva)
7. "Blue Sofa" (Tito Larriva)
8. "Touch For Cash" (Tito Larriva)
9. "Gas Line" (Tito Larriva)
10. "Cesar's Song" (Tito Larriva)
11. "Shifting Heart" (Tito Larriva)
12. "No Love" (Tito Larriva)

Trivia