Melding alternative rock, punk, and metal influences (mostly Melvins and early Nirvana), enigmatic Oakland, California-based trio Totimoshi were formed in 1997 by vocalist/guitarist Tony Aguilar and bassist Meg Castellanos. Numerous drummers have worked with the duo since, and Totimoshi's LPs include 1999's eponymous debut, 2001's ¿Mysterioso? (featuring drummer Johann Zamora), and 2003's Monolí (with drummer Don Newenhouse). As the band's sound evolved, Totimoshi enlisted drummer Luke Herbst for 2007's enigmatic Ladrón, which was produced by Page Hamilton of Helmet. Milagrosa, which Aguilar described as "an imaginary fight between love/compassion and hate/violence," arrived on Volcom in 2008. Totimoshi began recording a follow-up in 2009, but were dropped by their label and were forced to go it alone, slowing down the recording progress. The album Avenger arrived in the summer of 2011 on their own At a Loss Recordings imprint. Friends of Totimoshi, namely Dale Crover of the Melvins, Brent Hinds of Mastodon, and Scott Kelly of Neurosis, guested on the album. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia