This shot of Steve Soto and Gabby Gaborno from Manic Hispanic was captured during their Cinco de Mayo performance at The Observatory in Orange County, CA, back in 2013. Having documented and worked with them within the Southern California scene for years, this frame holds a massive amount of personal and historical weight, especially since both have since passed away.

The stage energy that night carried their exact signature balance of heavy punk rock execution and sharp Chicano culture parody. Steve (“El Hoakie Loco”) anchored the instrumentation on guitar while Gabby (“Jefe”) completely commanded the front of the stage with his larger-than-life presence. Manic Hispanic’s distinct lane was reworking classic punk staples from foundational bands like The Damned, Minor Threat, and the Buzzcocks through East L.A. humor and heritage, making their annual holiday headline sets an absolute staple in Southern California.

This print stands as a permanent visual record of that specific performance, capturing the humor, live delivery, and community they built over decades across classic releases like The Menudo Incident and The Recline of Mexican Civilization.

Setlist from The Observatory, May 5, 2013:

Barrio Breakout, Mas Chingones, Pay to Cum, My Homeboy Is a Joto, Menudo Morning Nightmare, I’m Just a Cholo, Barrio Land, Lupe I’m Free, Get Up Your Late, Wasted/East L.A., Mommy’s Little Cholo, Uncle Chato’s Garden, Rudy Cholo, Big Heinas, She Turned Into Llorona, Stuck in the Bano, Big Chorizo, Lowriders From Mars, New Rosa, Cruise, I Want to Be a Cholo, Mexican Society.