Nobody knows who started Mexico’s legendary frog mummification industry.

Or why so many tourists found these things appealing enough to plunk down a few pesos and bring them back home.

But there is something odd and compelling about a frog band rocking out on their faux instruments.

I’m guessing that it took a Tijuana frog artisan hours and hours to get the poses just right.

Norman Bates, it's rumored, had the same challenges with his ma.

Meet Babbo & The Batrachians, my band.

I discovered the four-piece grooving in a shop in Hillyard and, after a brief negotiation, signed them to my label.

Days later, a friend loaned me his guitarist, Babbo, to turn the group into a true quintet with a front frog.

During Christmas, the Batrachians wear little Santa hats and go on display in the living room. If you have a good imagination or enough to drink, you can almost hear them living the dream.

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree at the Clark house party hop…”

I have a very understanding wife.

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