Los Gusanos may sound like the name of a Latin group, but it's actually the New York-based foursome that C.J. Ward of Ramones fame founded when he was still with the pioneering Queens punk outfit in 1992. Ward had joined The Ramones in 1989, when he replaced founding member and bassist Dee Dee Ramone. Ward started Los Gusanos as a side project three years later, and at first, he had no idea that his band would evolve into his main gig. Not very Ramones-sounding, Los Gusanos isn't actually a punk band but does have a punk-influenced energy and attitude. While Ward was strictly a bassist in The Ramones, Los Gusanos has found him singing lead and playing rhythm guitar.

When The Ramones officially called it quits after being together for around 20 years, Los Gusanos became a full-time pursuit for Ward. With Ward joined by Dirty Ed Lynch on lead guitar, Big John Chadwick on bass and Bo Lefty Matheson on drums, the band put out a few singles (including a cover of Ten Years After's "I'd Love To Change The World") before recording its self-titled debut album in 1997. Los Gusanos came out in Europe that year, and was released in the U.S. by Mayhem in 1998. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi