Movies

The Altons proudly share the oldies sound of East L.A. with the world, even as their hometown is ‘targeted’ by ICE

BBG News

On a warm, Saturday late-afternoon, it’s the backyard lawn of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes that transforms into a typical weekend scene from various Los Angeles neighborhoods over the years. This particular occasion is for a KCRW Summer Nights event featuring soul revivalists from East L.A., the Altons. However, the diverse mix of people, cultures, and backgrounds gives it an authentic community vibe reminiscent of a spontaneous block party from any era – except for the unique touches like the screen printer crafting band merchandise and a Snoopy-on-an-ice-cube design with an explicit commentary about Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The very mix of history and diverse cultures that has unified Los Angeles throughout generations is what imbues the Altons with their distinctive musical style and propels them as one of the city’s rising sensations. As they embark on their tours, showcasing their exceptional fusion of soulful classics, contemporary rock, and bilingual R&B to global audiences, they are not merely disseminating their music but also their cultural heritage.

Weekends in their hometown often featured a melting pot of musical styles, with one street hosting a cumbia party or playing tunes from parents’ youth, the neighbor next door rocking punk shows, and another resident enjoying oldies and Art Laboe. Vocalist and guitarist Bryan Ponce describes this as the source of Altons’ varied sound, rooted in their shared Los Angeles upbringing. They were exposed to a wide range of music from their neighborhoods, which blended together and manifested in their own compositions.

Originating from humble beginnings almost a decade ago, The Altons have climbed their way up to global tours and performing for thousands at once, such as this Saturday’s Oldies 2 Souldies show alongside Los Lonely Boys at the Greek Theatre. Unlike a meteoric rise, their journey has been more of a steady climb, yet they’ve remained authentic by refusing to compromise. They freely blend genres, languages, tempos, and sounds according to their creative instincts, rather than chasing current trends. This fearless approach has earned them the title of pioneers in the “oldies revival,” as more and more millennials and Gen Z are rediscovering music from their grandparents’ era.

As a movie reviewer, I can’t help but marvel at a performance where grandmothers grace the stage alongside their daughters and grandchildren. It’s an extraordinary experience that brings together multiple generations of people, making each note resonate with a unique, heartwarming echo.

In all my years of attending shows, there aren’t many I would feel comfortable bringing my father to. So when I say this music is special, it’s more than just words. It’s about being part of a band that shines a light on the vibrant, often overlooked, scenes of Los Angeles.

We’ve been at this for years, sharing our love for music – a blend of soulful nostalgia and contemporary elements. Our goal is simple: to give our audience a glimpse into the diverse, dynamic world that exists beyond Hollywood.

The strong desire of the Altons to exhibit an authentic Los Angeles, cherished by them, propels them significantly, especially as they venture further away from their origins. This comprises members such as Flores, Ponce, Joseph Quinones on guitar and backup vocals, Chris Manjarrez on bass, Christian “Elyzr” Meraz on keyboards, and drummer Caitlin Moss. Each of them takes pride in embodying their East L.A. roots for those who primarily encounter the California portrayed on television. The band fondly recalls a spectator they met at a France show who hadn’t been to California but adored its culture so much that he embodied the style of a classic cholo. Ponce chuckles as he says, “He looked like he could have been my relative or attended school with me.” They also share memories of occasions when they felt like cultural representatives, sharing their hometown heritage in cities like Boston.

However, the responsibility of embodying and disseminating their lifelong cultural heritage is not always a joyful experience. A brief span of time saw them strolling through LA Plaza’s museum to admire their fresh exhibition focusing on East L.A.’s significant musicians, yet they had recently been in the U.K., feeling powerless as they witnessed ICE raids and demonstrations engulf their city.

As a film enthusiast, I found it challenging to fully comprehend the situation, even as I watched videos and browsed online content. It wasn’t until we briefly returned home before departing again that the reality of our community’s plight truly sank in. Living near [Manjarrez], we began to witness videos of familiar places, stores, and people within our neighborhood. The heartache of having to leave once more was palpable as we saw the destruction getting closer to our homes, right on our streets.

Performing music to uplift others became a delicate balance, as I also sought to address the ongoing situation. It was a struggle between entertaining and speaking out, as some people misunderstood that Los Angeles itself wasn’t in flames, but rather, our community was undergoing significant changes.

Flores shares, “Watching my community endure such a painful ordeal from afar was incredibly challenging. Seeing them under attack was tough, but I choose to believe that creating music and spreading joy can serve as a form of resistance. I hope our concerts offer an escape for people. Although this situation is immense, we feel it’s crucial to use our stage to speak up about the issues at hand. It’s a frightening period, but there were also scary times during the ’60s when the civil rights movement flourished, producing some remarkable music due to people finding solace and expression through their art.

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2025-07-24 13:32

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