Mexican Latin/rock band La Gusana Ciega started playing as a threesome, led by singer/guitarist Daniel Gutiérrez and bassist Manuel Leyva, by the end of the '80s. After participating in Rockotitlán's Batalla de las Bandas ll, a well-known local rock contest, the group began performing at small venues around Mexico City. In addition, La Gusana Ciega participated in a compilation called Uga Buga with "Risas De Colores," and Sin Alternativa with "Canción A Merlina." In 1996, independent label Intolerancia released La Gusana Ciega's debut album, called Merlina, produced by Carlos Walraven and presented live on April 17th. A year later, German Arroyo became the band's new drummer. After guitarist Jorge Vilches joined in, the four-piece act recorded Super Bee, soon after having the opportunity to open for Oasis, while the British group was touring Latin America. In 1999 the band moved to New York to make Correspondencia Interna, produced by Martin Bisi and released in August by Universal. During the year 2000, La Gusana Ciega was successfully touring the U.S. along with Jaguares and Julieta Venegas. That same year the band recorded a live performance at Mexico City's Centro Universitario Cultural, released as La Gusana Ciega, making a video for "Tornasol (Vuelves A Ser)." ~ Drago Bonacich, Rovi
