1988
Summer
Eddie Angel, Jimmy Lester and Danny Amis
form an Instrumental Trio called The Straitjackets.
The band plays local Nashville gigs throughout the summer,
and don't play together again until six years later.
1994
May
The Straitjackets get back together for kicks and add Scott Esbeck.
Los Straitjackets is formed.
The band is happy with the sound and decide to make a tape.
July
Los Straitjackets record a demo tape at Alex the Great Studio in Nashville with
Ben Vaughn producing and Brad Jones engineering. The tape will later become the band's first CD,
"The Utterly Fantastic and Totally Unbelievable Sound of Los Straitjackets".
Later that month, the band plays it's first gig at Lucy's Record Shop in Nashville.
November
Los Straitjackets sign with Upstart Records.
1995
January
Los Straitjackets are nominated for Best Unsigned Band(!) in
the 1st annual Nashville Music Awards (NAMMIES) held at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Jimmy Lester is also nominated as Best Drummer.
They didn't win either one.
February
A 45-rpm single of Gatecrasher b/w Lonely Apache is released on
Sympathy for the Record Industry
March
The band's first CD,
The Utterly Fantastic and Totally Unbelievable sound of Los Straitjackets
is released on Upstart Records
Los Straitjackets play their first out-of-town show at the South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, TX.
July
The band does it's first major tour of the U.S. with a swing through the west coast.
September through November
The band continues touring.
December
The band appears on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on NBC Television.
1996
January
The band records their second CD, Viva Los Straitjackets, in Los Angeles,
with Ben Vaughn as Producer and Mark Linnett as engineer.
February
Los Straitjackets are nominated for three awards at the 2nd annual NAMMIE awards,
Best Group, Best Rock Album, and Best Album Cover.
They didn't win any of them.
April - May
The band continues touring.
June
The band's 2nd CD, Viva Los Straitjackets
is released on Upstart Records
The band makes a second appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on NBC Television,
and continues touring through July.
August
A 45-rpm single of Pacifica b/w Kawanga! is released on Spinout Records.
October
A 45-rpm single of the Christmas classics, Marshmallow World and Sleighride,
are released on Spinout Records.
November
Los Straitjackets make an appearance on the critically acclaimed TV show
Pacific Blue on the USA Network.
December
A 45-rpm single of Los Straitjackets and Big Sandy (of the Fly-Rite Boys)
performing the Mexican Rock & Roll classics, La Plaga and Que Mala,
is released on Spinout Records.
1997
January
Los Straitjackets play dates at The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA
with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
February
Los Straitjackets perform at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
for the 3rd annual NAMMIE Awards, where they're nominated for Best Instrumental Album.
Eddie Angel is also nominated for Best Guitarist.
They didn't win either one.
MTV starts playing Los Straitjackets first video, Outta Gear.
March - April
The band continues touring.
May
The band makes appearances on The X-Games on ESPN and on Oddville, MTV.
June - July
The band continues touring.
October - November
The band tours with the legendary Link Wray. A new friendship is formed.
December
The band makes a third appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on NBC Television,
performing "Sleigh Ride" for the holiday season,
followed by a three week tour of Spain, Los Straitjackets' first overseas tour.
1998
January
Los Straitjackets wrap up a very successful tour of Spain.
March
The band records a track for the Halloween Hootenany compilation CD
to be released on Zombie A Go-Go records.
April
Los Straitjackets tour the Netherlands.
May
Los Straitjackets play for two weeks in Moscow, Russia
amid much publicity and develop a strong following there.
June - July
The band continues touring.
September
The band gets started recording a long awaited 3rd CD,
with Ben Vaughn in the Producer's chair once again!
October
Hallowen Hootenanny is released on Zombie A Go-Go Records,
featuring Los Straitjackets' version of The Munster's Theme.
Scott Esbeck announces his retirement from the band.
November - December
The band finishes recording it's 3rd CD, with Pete Curry of The Halibuts on Bass.
Pete joins the band and the touring begins again.
1999
February
Los Straitjackets enlist the help of European choreographer Kaiser George.
An exciting new stage show is developed.
April - May
Los Straitjackets resume touring with a swing through the Midwest and Northeast US.
June
The Bands 3rd CD, The Velvet Touch of Los Straitjackets
is released on Cavalcade Records.
July
Los Straitjackets kick off a new tour to promote the new CD.
The band makes it's debut in Las Vegas!
August
The Band is asked to open some dates for
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Irvine Meadows in Irvine, CA
September - October
Touring resumes, including opening more shows for The Heartbreakers
November
Los Straitjackets make a 4th appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
performing the beloved song, The Heart will Go On, the Love theme from Titanic,
which receives much praise on the Cowabunga discussion group.
Celine Dion announces her retirement.
December
Los Straitjackets tour the Midwest with Reverend Horton Heat
and close out the Millenium in San Francisco.
No Y2K problems reported.
2000
March
Los Straitjackets embark on a short tour with dates in Texas and the Midwest.
The band spends time recording in Springfield, MO with Lou Whitney of The Skeletons.
April
Los Straitjackets resume touring with Reverend Horton Heat with dates throughout the Western States.
May
Los Straitjackets debut in Mexico for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
The tour is a huge success. Click here for details.
The band resumes touring with Reverend Horton Heat on the East Coast,
wrapping up with a recording session in Nashville with Rev. Heat,
the beginnings of a new recording project featuring collaborations with vocalists.
Los Straitjackets can now claim having played in every state except Alaska, Hawaii and Wyoming!
July
An extensive tour of the Midwest ends up with a Los Straitjackets performance at
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Along the way the band records tracks with The Trashmen,
Nick Lowe and Raul Malo of The Mavericks.
September
The film Psycho Beach Party, featuring an appearance by Los Straitjackets,
makes it's debut along with a soundtrack album.
A limited tour of California includes the filming of a new Los Straitjackets Video of the song Tempest,
the recording of a new Live CD at the famed Foothill Club in Long Beach,
and more recording sessions with collaborations including:
El Vez, Big Sandy, Dave Alvin, Exene and Mike Campbell.
October
An exciting tour takes place that includes a show at the Top of the
World Trade Center in New York City with the world famous Pontani Sisters,
and a battle of the bands with The Trashmen in Minneapolis.
Along the way, the band records more tracks for the upcoming Duets album,
including Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders fame.
Nashville sessions include recordings with Steve Earle, Alison Moorer and Leigh Nash.
December
Los Straitjackets wrap up the year 2000 in Texas.
In Dallas, Reverend Horton Heat joins the band onstage for a performance of Down The Line.
While in Dallas, the band shoots a new Video with the Rev., to be released in 2001.
2001
January
A 45 is released in Spain, Los Straitjackets at The Drive-In.
The single features movie theme classics My Heart Will Go On b/w Theme from The Magnificent Seven.
February
Due to popular demand, Los Straitjackets release the Live CD:
Damas y Caballeros, Los Straitjackets,
recorded in September 2000 at The Foothill Tavern in Long Beach, California.
The band announces plans for an upcoming tour of Spain, and extends the invitation to fans who wish to come along.
Los Straitjackets perform with Instrumental Legends, The Ventures
at The Experience Music Project in Seattle, Washington.
April
Los Straitjackets new Video: Tempest, goes into heavy rotation on MTV-Latino..
The Video is released on the Home Video version of the film Psycho Beach Party.
April
Los Straitjackets new Video: Tempest, goes into heavy rotation on MTV-Latino..
The Video is released on the Home Video version of the film Psycho Beach Party.
May
Los Straitjackets return to Spain, this time taking along
a group of fans who signed up on the internet.
A fun-filled bus tour extravaganza was had by all
as the band played to sold out crowds throughout the country.
July
Another successful tour of the midwest and Canada.
September
Los Straitjackets release their fifth compact disc,
Sing Along with Los Straitjackets,
a collection of collaborations with many of today's most popular vocalists.
Los Straitjackets kick off the first tour of
The Los Straitjackets Rock & Roll Party,
a variety review featuring Big Sandy on vocals, as well as the dancing group,
The World Famous Pontani Sisters.
October
The Los Straitjackets Rock & Roll Party tours throughout the country to many sellout crowds.
November
The Los Straitjackets Rock & Roll Party wraps up it's first tour with
the band's fifth appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
A performance of Chica Alborotada with Big Sandy and
the World Famous Pontani Sisters is a big hit!
December
The band wraps up the year 2001 with a New Year's celebration
at the Oneida Bingo Hall & Casino in Green Bay, WI.
2002
January
The Los Straitjackets Rock & Roll Party continues
it's swing through the U.S., with shows in the Northeast.
The guest vocalist this time is the legendary Peter Zaremba of The Fleshtones!
April/May
The great Deke Dickerson joins the Los Straitjackets Rock & Roll Party
with dates throughout California, the West Coast and Texas.
July
The World Famous Pontani Sisters join Los Straitjackets
on the road once again for the Midwest Summer Festivals.
August
Peter Zaremba joins Los Straitjackets once again for a midwest tour of
The Los Straitjackets Rock & Roll Party.
Los Straitjackets return to the recording studio once again,
this time with San Diego's Mark Neill as Producer.
October
Another successful tour with The World Famous Pontani Sisters
takes the band through the southeast and midwest.
Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets,
a collection of Holiday Favorites,
is released for the Christmas Season.
December
The Los Straitjackets & World Famous Pontani Sisters Christmas Pageant
makes it's debut with a tour throughout the East Coast, wrapping up in New Orleans,
and including another (the sixth) appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
It is the band's most well-received show to date, guaranteeing future holiday tours.
2003
February
Los Straitjackets join legendary instrumental group, The Ventures in hosting
"Surfin' to Baja" on Carnival Cruise Lines.
People from throughout the world join the two groups for a weekend of rockin' fun!
May
Los Straitjackets make a triumphant return to Spain,
performing many concerts and appearing on Television there.
A new cd: "Los Vivos y Los Raros" is released there.
August
Rock & Roll City,a CD collaboration with
Chicago Blues Legend, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater is released
on Rounder Records with Jake Guralnick as Producer.
September
A series of West Coast dates includes a show in Las Vegas at the Rockaround Festival.
Supersonic Guitars in 3-D, the 7th CD by Los Straitjackets, is released.
The CD features a 3-dimensional cover designed by artist Jorge Alderete of Mexico City.
October
Los Straitjackets join Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
for concert dates throughout the U.S.
December
For the second year in a row,
The Los Straitjackets & World Famous Pontani Sisters Christmas Pageant
takes to the road again, this time including dates in the midwest.
While on tour with the Christmas Pageant, the band learns that Rock & Roll City,
the CD featuring Los Straitjackets and Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, has been
nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Traditional Blues Album category.
2004
February
Los Straitjackets attend The Grammy Awards in Los Angeles
along with Eddy "The Cheif" Clearwater.
They do not win, but they looked damn good in tuxedos with those masks!
May
Los Straitjackets are greeted by many new International fans as they tour throughout Europe.
Countries visited include Belgium, Holland, Germany, The UK, and a return to Spain.
June/July
Los Straitjackets and Eddy Clearwater perform concerts at several Blues Festivals.
Los Straitjackets also go on tour with their old friend, Dave Alvin.
August
More touring puts the band on the East Coast and in the Midwest.
November
Los Straitjackets release Los Straitjackets Play Favorites,
a collection of unreleased, favorite Cover Songs.
December
Los Straitjackets and The World Famous Pontani Sisters
take the Christmas Pageant on the road once again.
This time they bring along the incomparable Kaiser George.
Besides serving as the choreographer of Los Straitjackets, Kaiser George
this time delights many as emcee and guest vocalist with several new holiday songs.
2005
January
Once again, Los Straitjackets embark on a concert tour with Dave Alvin,
this time Touring California, as well as many other west coat cities.
March
Los Straitjackets perform at Viva Las Vegas.
April
Jason "Teen Beat" Smay becomes the new drummer for Los Straitjackets, taking the place of Jimmy Lester.
Los Straitjackets make a triumphant return to Mexico City, this time performing in the historic
Zocalo (in front of the cathedral) at the request of the Mexican Government.
The event is televised nationally as the band performed for 70,000 Los Straitjackets fans in attendance.
Los Straitjackets headline the event, performing after several new masked instrumental surf bands based in Mexico.
A documentary about the Mexican Surf Scene names Los Straitjackets The Godfathers of Mexican Surf.
The Sunday paper mistakenly report that 100,000 fans attended the event.
The following day, Los Straitjackets have lunch with the legendary wrestler Blue Demon Jr.
May
Los Straitjackets and The World Famous Pontani Sisters perform a concert
for the Grand Opening of the new Rollercoaster at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida.
July
The Summer Twist Party, starring Los Straitjackets, The World Famous Pontani Sisters,
Kaiser George and a Twist-O-Meter is presented to the public on a nationwide tour.
The show is a huge success, with many people calling it their best show yet.
The band finishes the month with Eddy Clearwater at the Blues Passions Festival in Congac, France.
September
Los Straitjackets go on a two week tour of Spain.
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