El Destroyo

El Destroyo is the brainchild of Jimmy Friedman, a veteran of the San Francisco alternative scene dating back to his days in the late '70s with the Wolverines. His lead vocals vary in approach, depending on the material; sometimes he sounds like a higher-pitched Lee Hazlewood, at other times a bit like Gary Lewis. The band's songs have a heavy '60s pop influence, with elements of psychedelia and novelty pop. The music has a light-hearted, lightweight feel to it. If you can imagine a cross between the 1910 Fruitgum Company, Love, and the Ramones, you might get an idea of what El Destroyo sounds like.

The band features some well-traveled veterans in its lineup, including Brian Ritchie of the Violent Femmes. Ritchie produced and played bass on El Destroyo's third album, Power of My Mind, as well as ensuring a spot for the group as an opening act for the Femmes. Other notable members of the group include guitarist Roger Rocha (Four Non-Blondes), drummer Shig "33" (Plastic Ono Band, Hot Tuna), and permanent bassist Kurt Wagner (Mushroom). If there is a place for bubblegum pop in the alternative music scene, El Destroyo has the position sewn up.