Javier Cabral
Colin Jerwood, Ungovernable Anarcho-Punk Icon and Conflict Frontman, Dies at 63
Colin Jerwood, the passionate and uncompromising voice of the anarcho-punk band Conflict, passed away on June 2, 2025, following a short illness. His family and bandmates officially announced his death on MuchLoved, a crowdfunding platform. He had a major fan base in L.A.'s underground punk community.
The Best 13 Performances from Punk Rock Bowling 2025
Photos or words don't do justice to the emotionally charged performances and good times had at the 25th anniversary of Punk Rock Bowling, but here's our shot.
L.A. TACO’s Guide To The Best Mariscos, Tacos, and Drinking Spots In Ensenada
Drive into Baja California from downtown San Diego to hit one of Mexico's seafood powerhouses: Ensenada, home to the most crucial port city that supplies the majority of pristine seafood to the rest of the country (and even bluefin tuna to Japan). It’s also a laid-back destination where many flock for the perfect battered fish taco in the state where that beloved taco style was created.
Punk Icon Shawn Stern On the World’s Best Underground Scene (and Surviving Slam Dancing in the Desert)
We caught up with Shawn Stern on the day after Youth Brigade played first show in five years with all three brothers in the lineup again. To get his insights on the how L.A. became—and continues to be—the epicenter of underground punk rock, and practical tips for surviving the chaos and camaraderie of Punk Rock Bowling this weekend in downtown Las Vegas.
‘Deportation Set Me Free:’ Deported Influencer Is Building Community and Thriving In Mexico
"I view the U.S. as a golden cage with many of our immigrant brothers and sisters trapped inside a system out of fear of the unknown in their home countries," says Anni Garcia, an influencer who has been documenting herself thriving in Jalisco.
Hildegardo ‘Japo’ Joya, Guardian of Raicilla’s Coastal Soul, Dies at 92
Japo had a presence that loomed large everywhere his raicilla landed, whether that was in one of Mexico’s most beloved cumbia mezcal bars, like Guadalajara’s Pare de Sufrir, where people order raicilla by name of the master distiller instead of brands they are associated with. Or in Torrance on Madre’s mezcal menu, where they still have 20 bottles left of a label Japo made for the restaurant. Like the greats in any craft, he created his own style of distilling that no other raicilla has come close to replicating.
Post-Punk Rising Star Depresión Sonora on L.A. Culture Shock and Tacos
L.A. TACO caught up with Madrid’s rising post-punk crooner over tacos de pulpo on Sunset Boulevard. We talked about the critical differences in the tacos in L.A., Spain, and Mexico, his favorite cheeseburger in Los Feliz, and a new album out soon.
Casamigos and Don Julio Cited In Massive Lawsuit Over Adulterated Tequila
The lawsuit filed by three plaintiffs in the United States District Court Eastern District of New York allege that Diageo is "falsely marketing its highly popular tequila brands and selling adulterated tequila to consumers.”
Remembering the Whittier Man Who Taught Us to Sip, Not Shoot, Tequila
Everyone laughed when Tomas Estes first preached about tequila having terroir in the 70s, just as much as a French wine. Today, the premium "single estate" tequila this Whittier kid co-founded is one of the best-selling and smoothest in the world.
Wes Avila’s Game-Changing Sweet Potato Taco Is Back In Flauta Form (And Better Than Ever)
Thirteen years after Wes Avila first turned the classic taco de papa on its head by using in-season, local sweet potatoes, he continues to evolve his iconic, accidentally vegetarian taco. Avila’s sweet potato taco has been copied by many in L.A. and beyond. It’s also one of the best-sellers at his taquería in Kyoto, PioPiko, proving that this taco is also effectively also huge in Japan.
