Tarantism
Studio album by Tito & Tarantula
Released	1997
Recorded	NRG, Coney Island, Jackson Browne's, Tito's, Sonora, One On One
Genre	Chicano rock, Blues rock, Latin rock, Latin alternative, stoner rock
Length	45:36
Label	Cockroach Records
Producer	Tito Larriva Robert Rodriguez
Tito & Tarantula chronology
Tarantism (1997) Hungry Sally & Other Killer Lullabies (1999)

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 (Cucarachas Enojadas)", and "Opening Boxes" on the From Dusk Till Dawn soundtrack as well as the songs "Back to the House (That Love Built)", "Strange Face (of Love)", and "White Train" to the Desperado soundtrack, both of those films by Robert Rodriguez, who co-produced the album. Several members of the band were also featured in From Dusk Till Dawn, playing as the band in the "Titty Twister" bar, performing "After Dark" and "Angry Cockroaches (Cucarachas Enojadas)", and are well-remembered for the scene. Music videos were made for "After Dark" and "Back to the House (That Love Built)", using clips from the films mixed with footage of the band performing them.

"After Dark" and "Back to the House (That Love Built)" were co-written by rhythm guitarist/lead vocalist Tito Larriva's former bandmates in the Cruzados. "Back to the House (That Love Built)" was written by Larriva with former bassist Tony Marsico, along with Charlie Midnight and Marsico's wife, Valerie Marsico. "After Dark" was written by Larriva and former lead guitarist Steven Hufsteter while they were still in the Cruzados. Hufsteter later joined Tito & Tarantula as a second lead guitarist in 2002, and is currently still in the band. The album also features guest appearances by Marsico and former Cruzados drummer Chalo Quintana.

Track listing

1. "After Dark" (Steven Hufsteter, Tito Larriva) − 3:44
2. "Smiling Karen" (Peter Atanasoff, Larriva) − 3:58
3. "Slippin' and Slidin'" (Larriva, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel) − 3:43
4. "Strange Face (of Love)" (Larriva) − 5:38
5. "Angry Cockroaches (Cucarachas Enojadas)" (Atanasoff, Larriva) − 4:39
6. "Back to the House (That Love Built)" (Larriva, Tony Marsico, Valerie Marsico, Charlie Midnight) − 4:32
7. "Jupiter" (Atanasoff, Larriva) − 6:08
8. "Sweet Cycle (of Life)" (Atanasoff, Larriva) − 4:58
9. "Flying in My Sleep" (Atanasoff, Larriva) − 3:58
10. "Killing Just for Fun" (Atanasoff, Larriva) − 4:38

Personnel

• Peter Atanasoff – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Tito Larriva – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
• Jennifer Condos – bass, backing vocals
• Lyn Bertles – violin, mandolin, recorder, harmonica, backing vocals
• Nick Vincent – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Sales

References