Harvey Pekar - R.I.P.

Harvey Pekar passed away today.
Begining in 1976, Pekar combined his eloquent, brusque life stories with a series of comics drawn by a revolving crew of artists in American Splendor. Like a lot of America, I first became aware of his work through frequent appearances on Late Night with David Letterman during the 80s and a few are displayed below.

A true individual, Harvey Pekar leaves behind an enormous amount of work that deserves carefully consideration as a voice of a modern American underdog/working man.

The Plugz - early L.A. punk

From Los Angeles, The Plugz were among the first Mexican/American punk bands. Fronted by Tito Lariva, they formed in the late 1970s and brought together traditional Mexican music with the sounds and attitude of punk rock. Their first single, "Mindless Contentment" featured backing vocals by Exene from X. Several of their songs were used in the 1984 film Repo Man. Most notable to myself is the song "Reel Ten" which plays at the film's conclusion. A sonic tribute to the esteemed work of Ennio Morricone, this track brings spaghetti western sounds to the forefront. Another cinematic use of Plugz music came about in 1985 when "Electrify Me" was used in the XXX feature New Wave Hookers, also notable for starring a then underage Traci Lords.




In early 1984 The Plugz hooked up with Bob Dylan and performed for a short time as his backing band, including a March 1984 appearance on Late Night with David Letterman where they performed three songs. Later in 1984 Tito Larriva, Tony Marsico, and Chalo Quintana of The Plugz welcomed guitarist Steven Hufsteter into their fold. They then changed their name to The Cruzados and the music took on a more reflective and blues influenced sound. Hufsteter was replaced by Marshall Rohner after one album and The Cruzados continued until disbanding in 1988. Around this time a slightly altered line-up performed in the knuckle-sploitation 1989 film Roadhouse.

The members all continued in music and Larriva went on to form the band Tito & Tarantula in 1992. Horror film fans should note that it is Tito & Tarantula who are the house band at the Titty Twister cantina in Robert Rodriguez's 1996 film From Dusk Till Dawn.


Mindless Contentment


Achin' / La Bamba


Reel Ten (1984)


El Clavo y La Cruz


The Plugz "Elizabeth" - New Wave Theater


The Plugz "In The Wait" - New Wave Theater


backing Bob Dylan - Jokerman
1984 Late Night with David Letterman

Poolside Ecstasy & The Traveling Poet - Chris Elliott - Letterman show

Chris Elliott's involvement with David Letterman's show produced an array of colorful characters on both NBC and CBS. For me, his crowning achievements on the show were often the short films created to fill time between the guests.

Poolside Ecstasy, from 1994, is hilarious for content and it's uncanny ability to perfectly mimic the washed out vibe of a generic mid 80s porno. 1993's short The Traveling Poet teams Elliott with Paul Dooley and provides insight into a character type that Elliott would nurture further with 1994s Cabin Boy movie.


Poolside Ectasy






The Traveling Poet

Richard Kiel – 1985 – Letterman interview + bonus footage

Here's a favorite David Letterman interview from 1985. Richard Kiel talks briefly about the prosthetic "Jaws" teeth he wore in several James Bond features and his work in the Clint Eastwood film Pale Rider.





Richard Kiel as a panelist on Match Game.




Richard Kiel's appearance in 1968s acid drenched film Skidoo.

Skidoo Trash Can song Harry Nilsson
Uploaded by NilbogLAND.

John Waters – 2 Letterman interviews 1986

Throughout most of the 1980s I was often sleep deprived due to staying up and watching the Late Night with David Letterman program. Thanks to the magic of Joe's videotapes and YouTube postings, I can once again revisit and enjoy clips from choice Letterman bits and guests such as Art Donovan, Crispin Glover, Sandra Bernhard, Tom Savini, Mr. T and many others. Another favorite and frequent Letterman guest during this period was John Waters. Here are two clips from 1986 appearances.