"This is what people imagine when they think of living in California," said a voice over my shoulder and sure enough, the valley sun was blazing hot, the chrome gleamed, the asada sizzled, the girls strutted, while So Cal bad boys shot the shit. Saturday saw a kicked back and gorgeous afternoon in Glendale at the Harley store, where Mr. Cartoon amassed with Soul Assassins Crew among various recognizable friends and fanatics to celebrate the release of his new vinyl Lost Angel figure with a signing, low-rider and bike show, BBQ, and harmonious hangout which also paid tribute to Frankie Arana, a friend whose life tragically taken only two days earlier.
(Mr. Cartoon)
Almost everyone knows that San Pedro-native Mister Cartoon is the dopest of graphics geniuses, evidenced in his endless body of designs, supreme tattoos, Joker Brand clothing, album covers, video game atmospheres, and the public works he's left us with in Los Angeles, a city whose culture he reps and raises to the core for the entire planet to trip and think on. Celebrities and stars beg to be intricately inked by this legend and similarly a large massive gathered to meet Mr. Cartoon and see the first public showing of his Ice Cream truck, the Sistine Chapel of pimped rides.
Everyone really enjoyed the vibe, with beats provided by the unshakeable DJ MUGGS, plus the gnarly stunts of Jason Pullen who rode his Harley in a small lot, busting wheelies and going completely vertical while dangling his limbs and climbing all over and around the machine. Guy's a badass.
Speaking of badasses, one of TACO's biggest heroes, Echo Park's Danny Trejo, was chilling and shaking hands among the crowd. Snr. Trejo, like many of the toughest people we know, is really approachable, friendly, down-to-earth, and just one of the bros despite having made a trillion movies with the movies' best. He also is truly cool with the youngsters, who you could tell were really excited to meet the obliging actor.
Another killer day living in Los Angeles! Thanks to Mr. Cartoon, Soul Assassins, Mr. Trejo, the girls, Harley/Buell of Glendale, and everyone who came out and made it such a good time!
(DJ Muggs)
This is Samantha & I want to marry her someday
The bike below was finished apparently the night before this show in memory of lost friends. R.I.P.
A lot of you guys probably know this illustrated hombre who's part of Mister Cartoon's crew. I have never seen full-body work with such originality and detail. He even has a wicked Hannibal Lecter on the back of his skull.
This is the sexy Satin Doll...
"What's wrong with being sexy?" ~ Nigel Tufnel
