Mainly influenced by American hard rock and British progressive rock, singer/songwriter Luis Alvarez (born Luis Antonio Alvarez Martínez), began composing at the age of ten and became a solo artist three years later. After coming in first place during a local contest, he called himself El Haragán (the idle one), a nickname used from that moment on to introduce himself while participating in different local festivals. In 1989, Luis Alvarez, along with bassist Jaime Rodríguez, formed Haragán y Cía. The group debuted with the release Valedores Juveniles in 1990. ~ Drago Bonacich