The band was formed in 1993, when it derived its name from an incident in Mexican history--it was in front of a bar called las 15 Letras (which is Spanish for the 15 Letters) that Mexican freedom fighter Pancho Villa killed someone who betrayed him. That year, the band started playing around Southern California, and it would soon acquire a small underground following with its forceful yet melodic songs. Las 15 Letras' promising debut album, Golosinas, was released on the independent Sindiskera label in 1997, when its lineup included singer Roberto Negrete (who brings to mind John Lydon, although all of his vocals on Golosinas are in Spanish), guitarist Martin Sanchez, bassist Abel Sanchez, saxophonist Edgar Briones and drummer Jorge Briones. ~ Alex Henderson