Drifting On Memories

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!

Tina might just be the true definition of Woman Lowriders Only. Growing up in South Los Angeles, Tina fell in love with lowriders at a very young age and decided to one day own a true lowrider. Since the early days of South Central LA cruising, Tina has built an admirable number of lowriders. As far as accolades goes; Lowrider Hall of Fame, a Lowrider Magazine Super Show award winner, Straight Outta Compton, and prominent member of the Super Naturals CC. Although know as ‘The First Lady of Lowriding’. Tina is the most humble person you will meet. “When I bring out my cars I want it to be understood that I’m not just trying to fit somewhere, I BELONG here” - Tina

Meet Guadalupe Rosales, the mujer behind Veteranas and Rucas. We know you know Veteranas and Rucas. We know you know Map Pointz. We also know you lived those same experiences the pictures captured. Guadalupe breaks down what it all means to her and how it’s evolved to a social movement to preserve and honor the past while educating the future. An artist, educator and active community member. Guadalupe has managed to do what so many outsiders have attempted; tell the stories of our culture from our own experiences.

Stefanie Lizet a painter, pinstriper coming to establish herself in the custom paint world. Dedicating herself to the craft of “laying down pinstripes”. Already a student of the legendary painter, Danny D. Stef understands the amount of sacrifice it takes to paint and later take care of unique paint jobs. “Besides a beautiful paint job, you want a long lasting paint job”. She also talks about what it’s like as a young woman making a name in the male dominated world of lowriders and motorcycles. Good talk, Stef. You got this!

Adriana Avila aka ‘ONNI ARTÉ’ , is paving the way for lowrider fine art! Her art adds the mixtures of cars, powerful woman, and neighborhood scenes. ONNI takes us on down the road with momeories of growing up in Wilmington Ca. (WILMAS) and the start of her love for art. Painting actual woman from the golden era of lowriding. ONNI is giving back to the community that raised her by painting and having her art hang in museums and community studios. Listen to what drives her and the love she shares for her fiancé, daughter and family. Oh, and the Pendleton brand.

Denise ‘Doctora’ Sandoval is so well known in the lowrider community but that’s in no way the extent of it. She’s a real pioneer in bringing lowrider art and culture to the world of prestigious museums. Museums around the country and internationally. She curated all three Lowrider exhibits at the Peterson Automotive Museum. Including The High Art of Riding Low! The Viva Vicas exhibit in North Carolina and an exhibition of lowriders and Chiano/a art in Mexico. Museums that are well known for displaying only fine arts. Professor of Chicano/a Studies, at the California State University, Northridge. Dr. Sandoval says she does it to be authentic to the ‘language of lowriding and art’. Thanks Denise for being the first interview in this series of, Women in Lowriding!

Denise ‘Doctora’ Sandoval is so well known in the lowrider community but that’s in no way the extent of it. She’s a real pioneer in bringing lowrider art and culture to the world of prestigious museums. Museums around the country and internationally. She curated all three Lowrider exhibits at the Peterson Automotive Museum. Including The High Art of Riding Low! The Viva Vicas exhibit in North Carolina and an exhibition of lowriders and Chiano/a art in Mexico. Museums that are well known for displaying only fine arts. Professor of Chicano/a Studies, at the California State University, Northridge. Dr. Sandoval says she does it to be authentic to the ‘language of lowriding and art’. Thanks Denise for being the first interview in this series of, Women in Lowriding!

A sit down meeting with Cristina Romero and Spanky, member’s of the Los Angeles Lowrider Community. Spanky is also the President of Just Memories Car Club. He explains to me the real reasons of how the coalition initially started to keep registered sex offenders and pediphiles out of the lowrider community. Later, how they organized a moratorium on Whittier Bl. after outsiders were disrespecting the historic boulevard by littering, acts of violence and over all drama. LALC began meeting with local officials and the police to advocate for cruising on the bully. We hit on a lot of other hot lowrider topics. Enjoy the conversations.

Mike Miller has some of the most iconic lowrider photos you may not even know about. Although, I know for a fact you’ve seen his work, but have you heard the stories behind some of the most important pictures in rap culture? What was it like for Mike to get those famous shots of Tupac and Easy-E? What happened to WC in downtown LA that guns needed to get drawn? Mike really cuts loose on this episode #25.

Abel Perez represents his old neighborhood of Sun Valley Ca. to the fullest. He also a represents his club, Premier with a ton of pride. The man behind so many iconic cars like Summer Madness ‘65 Impala SS, Fantasia ‘65 Impala SS, and soon the Gigolette ‘76 Impala. Trust me when I say, he’s not done yet. Have you ever heard the story of the car painted by master painter, Mario Gomez and legendary pinstriper, Walt Prey? The lowrider urban legend, Summer Maddness. Listen as Abel tells the real story of what happened to that car and why there’s only two fenders left, from that classic ride.