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HELP A CHOLO OUT
Louie Perez III Benefit Shows at Alex’s Bar
December 28th, 2025 by Kevin Gomez
For over three decades now, Manic Hispanic has been charming crowds with their parodied versions of punk rock songs with a Latino twist.
From songs like “Mas Chingones” (take on Bouncing Souls’ “True Believers”), “Naranjo” (their take on our current president based on Operation Ivy’s “Knowledge”), and “Rudy Cholo” (Rancid’s “Ruby Soho”), this supergroup has organically grown a large fanbase that has followed them since the early ‘90s and is now spawning new generations of fans.
Unfortunately, in the past few years the group has seen the loss of both original founding members, Mike “Gabby” Gaborno in 2017, and legendary bassist Steve Soto the following year.
Earlier this year the band announced that co-lead singer Louie Perez III would miss some shows as he was having surgery (in usual Manic fashion, the reason listed was something completely juvenile as Perez sought his privacy).
At their last show of the year earlier this month opening for Spike and the Gimme Gimmes, Perez said his farewell to the crowd following the last song of the night and said, “I’m going into the hospital Wednesday and if I don’t make it back, I f*cking love you.”
Fortunately, his surgery seemed to go well and was posting on his Instagram stories a few days later that he was going home. Unfortunately, as is the case with many musicians and overall Americans without insurance, Perez is facing significant healthcare bills. But fear not, his hermanos de armas have got his back and two shows in January were announced for Alex’s Bar.
January 23rd, the first of two nights is headlined by The Hidalgos, featuring father and son team of David Hidalgo (lead singer, guitarist and co-founding member of Los Lobos) and David Hidalgo, Jr (drummer for Social Distortion).
The night will also include Cadillac Hearse, which features the surviving members of Cadillac Tramps (formerly fronted by Gaborno before his passing) including Johnny “2 Bags” Wickersham of Social D, and Warren Renfron (current Manic Hispanic bassist). Also playing is Bongoloidz, the side project of Los Lobos percussionist Alfredo Ortiz, and Greg Antista and the Lonely Streets, who just crushed opening for Manic and the Gimmes.
Night two, January 24th, is really packed with a headlining set by Manic Hispanic and co-lead singer Efrem Schulz’s other band, Death by Stereo. Death by Stereo are legends of the Orange County hardcore scenes and will definitely get the crowd nice and amped.
Also playing will be current Manic Hispanic guitarist Elvis Cortez’s main band, Left Alone bringing ska-punk to the Long Beach crowd. Opening the night will be OC punk legends, The Grabbers.
Tickets are on sale now and all donations go directly to the Louie Perez fund. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is a charitable organization “helping musicians and music industry workers in need.”
TO FOLLOW
SID 251226 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
