Argentine ska/punk based collective Karamelo Santo debuted with the independently produced and released album La Kulebra in 1993, with influences ranging from Bob Marley to the Clash and Mano Negra. Perfectos Idiotas came out in 1998 and two years later, former Mano Negra frontman Manu Chao invited the act to open his Argentine tour. That same year, the band gigged in the U.S., playing numerous Californian venues. Karamelo Santo also has a long-lasting link with European audiences and toured the region extensively, being the only Argentine band with over 180 shows on its shoulders. The nine-piece collective's 2005 release Haciendo Bulla featured a rendition of Rubén Blades and Little Steven's hit "Fruta Amarga," and was released all over Latin America, Europe, and the U.S.. ~ Roman Kutnowski