Lowrider

LOWRIDER: EAST LA PHENOMENON WORTH REVISITING

Long ago, when we first moved to Los Angeles from Chicago, we immediately fell head over heels in love with the East LA low rider culture and lifestyle. We already had a weakness for big American vintage cars and these guys spent mucho time and money bringing rusty wrecks back to life and far beyond. The custom paint jobs sparkled like diamonds and they could make the cars hop up and down at will. On weekends cholos paraded the cars on boulevards and lowrider car shows had hopping contests. We had never seen anything like it. The movie Lowrider opens this weekend starring Gabriel Chavarria, above, and – surprise-Eva Longoria plays his mother! And of course, CARS! CARS! CARS!

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

AMY WINEHOUSE: ALL SHE NEEDS IS A LOWRIDER

amycut%20tear%20wenn.jpgPhoto: WENN
Amy Winehouse always had a bit of a Chola look about her and now she’s got a teardrop under her eye to seal the deal. The teardrop tattoo originated in the stylish Cholo culture of Southern California. It generally signifies the loss of a loved one. In the UK, however, the teardrop might represent a loved one who’s incarcerated. Amy’s teardrop looks like it will wash off. If you look closely you can see Blake’s photo hanging around her neck.