By Tequila Mockingbird
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/5/25 – David Xavier Harrigan, better known as Tomato du Plenty, was a visionary artist and musician whose career spanned the counterculture of the 1960s to the Los Angeles punk scene of the late 1970s. Born on May 28, 1948, in Queens, New York, he began his artistic journey as a performer in San Francisco’s gender-bending theater troupe, The Cockettes. This experience honed his theatrical sensibilities, which he later brought to the Seattle-based troupe Ze Whiz Kidz before ultimately finding his home in Los Angeles. Throughout his life, Tomato was a master of reinvention, always staying ahead of the curve and blending various forms of art and performance into a singular, memorable style. He passed away from cancer on August 21, 2000, at the age of 52, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.
Tomato’s greatest claim to fame in the music world was as the frontman for The Screamers. Formed in Los Angeles in 1976, The Screamers were a pivotal force in the West Coast punk movement, known for their unique brand of “electropunk.” The band famously rejected guitars, building their aggressive, theatrical sound on a foundation of synthesizers and a single drummer. Tomato du Plenty was the conceptual core of the band, writing and performing lyrics that explored themes of anxiety and social decay. The band never released a studio album, making their live performances and bootleg recordings legendary and cementing their status as one of rock history’s great unrecorded groups.
Beyond his musical contributions, Tomato du Plenty was a prolific and dedicated visual artist. After The Screamers disbanded in 1981, he turned to painting full-time, creating hundreds of vivid portraits that have been described as folk art. He often painted on pages torn from books or found pieces of wood, capturing the likenesses of boxers, musicians, and other figures from pop culture. He would often sell his works for low prices in storefront galleries and bars across the country, preferring to sell many pieces for a small amount rather than one for a large sum. This approach reflected his punk ethos and commitment to making art accessible to everyone.
To honor his enduring legacy, a retrospective of his art is coming to Los Angeles. While specific details about the exhibit at this time are not widely publicized, it promises to be a significant event for fans of his work and the L.A. punk scene. Previous shows, such as “Big Hair: The Life and Times of Tomato du Plenty,” have celebrated his diverse talents, showcasing his art alongside performances of his music. This upcoming show will offer a new generation the chance to see the powerful, expressive portraits that defined the later part of his life and to reflect on the immense creative force of an artist who was always ahead of his time.
The closing party is September 19 with members of the screamers reuniting for an evening of fun at Muir Muz in Chinatown
