A lowrider culture podcast. Recorded historical accounts of the Lowrider culture, by its predecessors. Interviews and conversations with the men and women that paved the way for decades of Chican@ culture. The cars, the clubs, the music, fashion and activism of the early days of the Lowrider movement.
The Lowrider culture is known around the world but rarely is the story told by those whom were there.
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The Danny Soto story is not as common as it may have been 20-30 years ago. These days it’s only a few people that can recall the stories of kids growing up in the East Los Angeles area, in the height of the Lowrider culture. Being the youngest of five brothers, Danny was exposed to lowriders and the gang life at very early age. Car building, tattoos, good music (KRLA) and cruising were at the core of it all. The Groupe Car Club became the destination for Danny and he’s been there ever since the 1970’s. The cars Danny built reflect his love for the club and family. The 65’ Impala dubed Cold Blooded, after the Rick James banger, would be seen cruising the bully on Sundays. Danny has stories after stories and has a special bond with lowriders and the culture.
Ruben ‘BUGGS’ Ochoa (01:00:22)
Buggs might just be ‘The Most Interesting Man in Lowriding’. An amazing talented painter, a promoter for one of the earliest and successful lowrider shows and might have been the main character of a movie. There’s so much to this one man. He’s got stories after stories. It’s no wonder people want to make documentary and books about his life. We chopped it up after a nice meal at the local Norms in Pico. Like Chicanos do. Enjoy, and hope to have him and Mark Aragon back soon. Trip out on Buggs.
Memo Ortega - ‘Memo Chop’ (00:58:47)
Memo Chop is an all around car and bike builder. Believe it or not, he’s been cruising lowriders and chopper motorcycles since the 50’s and 60’s. His famous 37’ Chevy became an icon when good friend Teen Angel recreated it on a cover with La Vírgen de Guadalupe. Memo becomes emotional reminiscing of his good friends’ honorable mention. He might be best known for his custom car building but make no mistake, Memo has made his mark on lowriders and custom choppers world. Here’s to Memo and all the other OG Chicano builders.
Trevelen Rabanal - The Crazy Spirtual Side of Choppers & Lowriders (01:29:08)
The interview with Trevelen Rabanal might not be what you think it is. The award winning chopper builder talks more about his days building memorable lowriders, and the madness of the 90’s lowrider scene. Along the way, Trevelen makes the connection with Hawaiian surf culture, lowriders and motorcycles.
Pachuco Manny Alcaraz (00:48:11)
What’s a Zoot Suiter?! Pachuco Manny Alcaraz draped in his zoot suit cruising his 1933 Chevy Eagle, down the same Los Angeles streets where the Zoot Suit Riots took place in 1943. The Zoot Suit era and style is important to Manny. He co-founded the Los Angeles, Zoot Suit Riots cruise. A lowrider bombs cruise through LA to commemorate the riots of 1943, against young men and woman Zoot Suiters. Manny reminds us of the past and the styles that keep us proud. Oralé!
Nick Eratrada - Orpheus Car Club (00:53:55)
Nick’s is the story of lowrider redemption. A long time lowrider, he’s seen the Lowrider Club Wars of the early 70’s and he’s ready to tell us less then half of it. Lol! Regardless of what he’s been a part of, he is now dedicated to unify all car clubs and extend his hospitality to all lowriders. Nick is the President of his club and takes the role extremely serious. If you’re in his club you’re family. The Orpheus car club was synonymous with some of the toughest guys around Whittier Bl., but today they do their best to give back to their community and have a good time! Thanks to Nick and the Orpheus Car Club. Trucha con la carucha!
Johnathan Hernandez - Santa Ana City Coincilman (00:31:58)
Santa Ana Lowriders stand up! Your city councilman, Johnathan Hernandez is representing to the fullest. Sharing his personal stories of growing up in the varrio and learning of lowrider family culture. He say, “Our culture should not be criminalized, our culture should be embraced for what it is because that’s what cruising is about”. Today he is fighting for our right to cruise peacefully. Introducing and celebrating a Chicano Heritage month in August in the city of Santa Ana. Let’s all support this the way Bristo St. has been supporting lowriding for decades. Oralé SANTANA!
California Assemblywoman- Luz Rivas of the 39th District - San Fernando Valley (00:36:48)
California Assemblywoman, Luz Rivas to join the Drifting on Memories podcast! She has offered to explain more about the ACR 176 bill to legalize lowrider cruising! Who better to explain the bill, but the woman that wrote it. Luz has strong connections to her community, family and culture. She is a true champion from the hood. Recently, the Assemblywoman has been working hard to promote the ACR 176 bill, to end the discriminating anti-cruising laws in California! Thank you Luz. La lucha sigue!
Lorraine Quiñones - ACR 176 Cruising is Not A Crime (01:01:27)
Will we live to see the day when cruising in a Lowrider is completely legal in California? Well, it may not be so far out of reach. Let me introduce to you the California Legislation Bill ACR176. This measure would allow for local elected officals and law enforcement to work with Lowriders to conduct safe cruising for all!
There’s been a group of motivated raza leading the charge and I was able to gather these individuals to help us understand it. Lorraine Quiñones and I met with Aida Castañeda of the United Lowrider Coalition of San Diego. Carlos Rodriguez, President of The Northern Ca. Dukes CC and the Sacramento Lowrider Commision. Olivia Fonseca, Sacramento Lowrider Commision and Flavio Huizar Sacramento Lowrider Commission.
Jesse Felix- Heartbreaker Movie (01:01:02)
Jesse is a long, ok very long time lowrider. It’s one thing to be a lifelong lowrider but it’s another to have your car features in 3 of the most well known lowrider movies. That’s right, Jesse was the owner of the famous T-bird features in Heartbreaker- Streets of Fire. But wait, there’s more. Jesse has been a proud member of the Lifestyle Car Club since the age of 15! Enjoy all his stories and say what’s up when you see him in his Lincoln, named Sol De Aztlan!
Lowride Worldwide & Drifting on Memories - Prt. 1 (01:30:40)
John Ulloa of Lowride Worldwide and Raul Garcia of Drifting on Memories, share about their own experiences and upbringings, and get into some major discussions. Lowrider culture, social media, and the future of it all. What it means for them to share stories on a podcast. Recorded live on Whittier Bl., John and Raul go over what it all means to them personally and plans for upcoming events. Tune in, don’t rank!
Sandy Avila - Lady Lowrider (00:57:41)
Let’s hear it for the ladies. The Lady Lowriders! Sandy is a true rider and she’ll tell you all about it. She holds no punches, explaining what it’s like for her and other woman in lowriding. Her upbringing and her community played a big role in how she started lowriding. Now she is a part of creating woman lowrider events and woman’s lowrider club. Her family support keeps her doing what she loves, hitting the switch and hitting the streets. Keep a lookout for her.
Greenspan’s - The Last Original Clothing Store (01:03:52)
Evan Greenspan is a part of a four generations family run store, but not just any store, the G’est of them all. The Greenspan’s store is known around the world for it’s selections of specialized clothing. In other words, gangster styles. This store has provided clothes for movies like Boulevard Nights, Blood In Blood Out, Boyz N Da Hood and so many more music videos and shows. Mr. Greenspan himself explains what it was really like in the beginning and how the ‘Cholo’ style has influenced other cultures around the world and a new generation of Gs. Plus, what’s up with ‘gangster appropriation’? Crease your khakis and button your Pendleton for all these great stories.
Yoya J&R Upholstery (00:47:37)
Jose Ruiz best known as ‘Yoya’ of J&R Upholstery, in East LA, has quite the reputation. That’s what happens when you’ve become a master of upholstery and a part of at least three different East Side Story Records, of oldies. His car, his son and even he has been on the covers. Yoya really is a time capsule of lowrider information but he’s also lived every second of it. Something tells me I’ve only heard a little bit of all the information and history he has. Thanks to his son, Jose for keeping on with all the traditions. Talk to you soon, Yoya.
Angela Romero - Hello Stranger (01:05:31)
Angela Romero is a straight up homegirl that is creating a movement with ‘kickin it on a Sunday afternoon’ in mind. The Hello Stranger location is a spot especially created for lowriders. I felt it the moment I stepped in the space, it is going to be something special for our community. The bar top is an insane replica of the world famous lowrider, ‘Gypsy Rose’ of Imperials CC. Angela explains her drive and passion with, “ The lowriders are the candy colors of what we represent as people”. Congratulations to Angela and all her team. Stay tuned to her next moves.
Charlie Chacon - Family of Car Builders (00:52:52)
The Chacon family name is synonymous with classic car building and lowriding in Los Angeles. Coming out of the Westside but cruising all cities. Charlie knew at a very young age what it’s gonna take to represent the family name. He jumped on his first Impala at 16 and never looked back. Now, Charlie is working hard to represent his ‘West Los’ culture in a new documentary series of the same name. Fighting gentrification and keeping cruising alive in his old neighborhoods and on those same streets. We are all looking forward to this important documentary.
Luis Rodriguez- Always Running (00:57:09)
No one can tell it like Luis Rodriguez can tell it. The gang life, the lowrider scene and the participation and later arrest at the Chicano Moratorium of 1970 in East Los Angeles. His books include; Always Running, The Republic of East L.A., It Calls You Back, and Gang Days in L.A. A poetic narration of our people. Luis Rodriguez doesn’t hold back, sharing about the crazy life he lead and how it’s still a part of who he is. Luis is a co-founder of a successful community book store, a activist and now a candidate for Governor of California. Viva!!
Harvey ‘Xavier’ Reyes (00:50:21)
Xavier ‘Harvey’ Reyes of Carnales Unidos Car Club has been labeled a role model, founder and life long lowrider. What makes a life long lowrider? Perseverance and longevity in the world of lowriding. Harveys got that! Bakersfield, California might be a small town to many but the cruising scene is strong. Carnales Unidos and Harvey have been cruising those streets since the 1970s. A special thanks to Harvey and his son Cirilo.
On this haunted edition of Drifting on Memories, Raul and Armando revisit some of the spookiest stories in lowriding. Cursed cars, car trailer fails and haunted murals. A collection of real life nightmare builds and the show cars now rotting away in yards. Beware, these stories will make you cringe!
Amber Tilden- Varrio Love (00:43:59)
Amber Tilden has been getting down on the lowrider influenced ‘Varrio Love’ characters. Her own version of ‘Love Is’ and ‘Precious Moments’. Amber is an artist in so many forms and her influences come from different places. Tattooing, sketching/painting and designing, she really is that talented. Her art represents a lot of her life and experiences. I’m positive we will keep hearing about ‘Tilden Art’ for years to come.
Johnny ‘Roadrunner’ Romo - New Life CC (00:38:47)
Johnny has just about seen (lived) it all. The man grew-up a block away from the world famous Whittier Bl. arches. His neighbors were the Valadez family of The Imperials car club. So we can all imagine what type of inspiration Johnny received from Jesse and his brothers. Not that he needed anymore inspiration. Johnny was already cruising at age 16 in his 1969 Plymouth’Roadrunner’. East Los Angeles in the 70s was just different. New car clubs popped up all over the area. One club that made an impact on the scene was New Life CC, and Johnny was there for it. A club that inspired many others. Unfortunately, the tragic loss of a club founder casused the club to fade out. Fast forward 30 years and New Life is back! Thanks to some of the original members. Now, Johnny and his wife (plus grandkids) can be seen cruising the same streets and with the same plaque, like he did back in the day. Cruising in thier traditional 1969 Impala lowrider.
Marcos Gaitan- Pyschotic Pineapple (00:51:24)
Marcos might be the true epitome of Chicano. An artist, car builder, muralist and old school punk rocker. I mean, the guy started a lowrider bike club at age 12, in his hometown. Him and his friends would take a bus to find possibly the only lowrider car show in California. When talking about early days of lowriders, he seen it all. He grew up where Lowrider Magazine all started. Story and King in downtown San Jose. Thing is, he’s not only known by that. His art has been featured in numerous magazines, art galleries, community walls and theater shows. His 1966 Impala, Psychotic Pineapple is not too shabby either. Marcos talks about all the influences of art, culture and punk music that went into the build. So much history in so little time. Cheers to you Marcos!
Lowrider Today (01:07:33)
Lowrider Today is what happens when you get three guys that have made car building, photography, writing and editing for magazines a life long career. Saul Vargas, Marco Patino and Mike Harrington introduce to us what the bases of Lowrider Today is, and why it’s a perfect time for it. Yes, there’s over 50 years of working for Lowrider and Kustom car magazines between them all, but this is different. The idea is to feature all of the car culture. From the builds, to the people, photograpy/film, models and show cars and more! Trust me these guys know about car building too. Take a listen and let them tell it.
George Gaytan- Class of 75’ (00:59:44)
After almost 50 years of lowriding your gonna experience some real ups and downs. Which make for great stories. George Gaytan has more knowledge about lowriding then the average car enthusiast, that’s for sure! One of my favorite stories is the making of the movie Cobra, later renamed Boulevard Nights. George has has some great early memories of lowriding, including buying a lowrider off the showroom floor, filming movies, and obtaining a 1959 Impala for $130.00. Yes, you read that right. Well, George has plenty more memories to make and I look forward to seeing him and his family cruising in that beautiful car.
Tomas Requejo- The Lowrider Lawyer (01:09:24)
Tomas was exposed to lowriders at an early age by the influences of his brothers. Cruising Milpas St. Santa Barbara and building traditional lowriders of the 70s and early 80s is how he remembers it. Tomas eventually came to a fork in the road of his young adult life. Keep building and cruising cars or buy the books needed for law school. Tomas went on to UCLA and later Loyola Law School. While in school he organized demonstrations, protest and rallies in support of Chinan@ Studies, Raza and Immigrants rights. Today, although a highly respected criminal defense attorney, not much has changed for Tomas. Still organizing for cruising rights, issues of color and against police abuse of power. He played a major role in organizing the 50th Anniversary of the Chicano Moritorium Cruise on Whittier Bl. Tomas gives a new definition to the term ‘putting in work’! Thank you Tomas & Zotl!
