The Havalinas is a gypsy-folk-rock band from California formed in 1989 in Los Angeles by Tim Scott McConnell and Stephen Dennis Smith. The group also included Charlie "Chalo" Quintana on drums and percussion. McConnell played multiple instruments including guitar, harmonica, mandolin, bouzouki, fiddle, banjo, keyboards, and ukulele, while providing vocals. Prior to forming the Havalinas, McConnell and Smith were bandmates in Levi and the Rockats, a punk-styled rockabilly group. The Havalinas released their self-titled debut album The Havalinas in 1990, which received critical acclaim but did not gain significant radio traction due to its stripped-down sound. The band toured with notable acts such as Bob Dylan, Chris Isaak, Tina Turner, and Crowded House. In 2014, Bruce Springsteen covered McConnell's song "High Hopes" from the album Black Valley Ballads, which was released in Germany that same year.
