Latin rockers Tito and Tarantula are headlined by singer/guitarist Tito Larriva, previously best known for founding the seminal Los Angeles punk band the Plugz. Larriva was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico but spent his early years living outside Fairbanks, AK; his family later relocated to El Paso, TX, 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 L.A. during the mid-1970s; there Larriva formed the Plugz, which in 1979 released their debut LP Electrify Me, the first album to emerge from the city's thriving punk scene. Shortly after scoring Alex Cox's 1984 cult classic Repo Man, the Plugz were rechristened the Cruzados, signing to Arista to release a self-titled 1985 LP; After Dark followed two years later, and the group disbanded in 1990. From there Larriva continued writing film music, also turning to acting; with guitarist Peter Atanasoff and a host of other L.A. session vets he eventually formed Tito and Tarantula, which quickly emerged as a major favorite on the local club scene. Among their most vocal supporters was filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who not only enlisted the group to contribute material to his movies Desperado and From Dusk till Dawn but also found small roles for Larriva in both; Rodriguez additionally helped produce 1997's Tarantism, released on the band's own Cockroach label.
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 Gayol took over on drums. The only members from the previous line-up were Larriva and Hufsteter. 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 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.
Discography:
*Tarantism (1997)
*Hungry Sally and other Killer Lullabies (1999)
*Little Bitch (2000)
*Andalucia (2002)
*Back Into The Darkness (2008)
Killing Just for Fun
Tito & Tarantula Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Killed Seven People For Luck
He Murdered For A Reason
One He Knew Nothing Of
He Was Killing,
Killing Just For Fun
Looking For A Place To Eat
He Pulled Into A Denny's
Had A Denny's Deluxe
Spotted His Next Victim's Teeth
He Was Killing,
Killing Just For Fun
He Had A Finger And A Toe
In The Pocket Of His Coat
The Rest Lay In The Trunk
He'd Burn All Their Belongings
Under The Moonlight
And Then Danced In Their Rot
He Was Killing,
Killing Just For Fun
He Was Killing Just For Fun
On Your Cross You Shall Bleed
That's Was Mommy Said
She Loves Me She Loves Me Not
Johnny Stood There
Hackin' Her Apart...
On Your Cross You Shall See
That's Was Mommy Said
On Your Cross You Shall Bleed
That's Was Mommy Said
On Your Cross You Shall See
That's Was Mommy Said
On Your Cross You Shall Bleed
That's Was Mommy Said
The lyrics to Tito & Tarantula's "Killing Just for Fun" tells the story of Johnny, a serial killer who kills for no apparent reason other than fun. He has no sympathy for his victims and murders with cold-blooded detachment. The opening verse establishes Johnny's character, with the line "Johnny came from Santa Cruz, killed seven people for luck." The lyrics then delve into Johnny's mindset, detailing how he finds pleasure in hunting down and killing his victims. The line, "He was killing, killing just for fun," reinforces the idea that there is no motive behind his actions other than the joy he gets from it.
The second verse describes Johnny's routine while on the road. He stops at a Denny's for food and spots his next victim's teeth. The lyrics hint that he has killed the person and taken their body parts as trophies. Johnny revels in the destruction he causes, as the lyrics state that he "burn[s] all their belongings under the moonlight, and then dance[s] in their rot." The following verses depict Johnny killing a woman and hearing the voice of his abusive mother in his head, telling him that he must cause pain to himself and others.
Overall, the lyrics paint a disturbing picture of a psychopath who takes pleasure in murder. The use of detailed imagery and dark descriptions create a macabre tone, which is enhanced by the eerie melody of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny Came From Santa Cruz
Johnny hailed from Santa Cruz
Killed Seven People For Luck
Johnny murdered seven individuals for good fortune
He Murdered For A Reason
Johnny obtained a purpose for each of his killings
One He Knew Nothing Of
One killing he carried out with no knowledge or motive
He Was Killing, Killing Just For Fun
Johnny derived pleasure from murdering for the sake of it
He Drove Down The Highway
Johnny journeyed along the highway
Looking For A Place To Eat
He searched for a location to dine
He Pulled Into A Denny's
Johnny drove into a Denny's restaurant
Had A Denny's Deluxe
He ordered a meal named Denny's Deluxe
Spotted His Next Victim's Teeth
He spotted the teeth of his next victim
He Had A Finger And A Toe
Johnny saved a finger and a toe of a victim in his coat pocket
In The Pocket Of His Coat
The saved remains were in his coat's pocket
The Rest Lay In The Trunk
The remaining pieces of the victim were in the car's trunk
He'd Burn All Their Belongings Under The Moonlight
Johnny set fire to all belongings of the victims under the moonlight
And Then Danced In Their Rot
He performed a dance amidst their burning remains
On Your Cross You Shall Bleed That's Was Mommy Said
Johnny's mother said he'd suffer and bleed if he continues his heinous actions
She Loves Me She Loves Me Not
Johnny's mother had unstable emotions toward him
Johnny Stood There Hackin' Her Apart...
Johnny stood and brutally murdered someone, presumably his mother
On Your Cross You Shall See That's Was Mommy Said
Johnny's mother said he'll face consequences for his actions
On Your Cross You Shall Bleed That's Was Mommy Said
Johnny's mother warned that he'll face physical pain and suffering as retribution
On Your Cross You Shall See That's Was Mommy Said
Johnny was assured that he'll face justice
On Your Cross You Shall Bleed That's Was Mommy Said
Johnny was cautioned that he'll suffer greatly in the process of facing his consequences
Contributed by Grace W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.