October 12,2025
Event: Mr. Chino annual shoot
Location: Hollywood Forever & Medieval Torture Museum
The annual shoot with my good friend Chino wasn’t planned, but these things never are. They just happen accidental rituals born out of the love for music, late-night linkups, and the kind of friendship that survives on instinct. I’ve been photographing him since 2020, when I first met him at a 15th Street lowrider cruise in downtown LA. Peak pandemic. Everyone masked up, trying to breathe the same air without dying from it. Somehow, even then, Chino stood out like a character who walked out of a graphic novel and into real life.
Fast-forward to 2025 and I’ve taken more than a hundred photos of him. Today’s adventure starts at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, because of course it does. Chino just bought a new set of military knives; 1918 WWI Trench Knifes to be exact. They are sleek and ridiculously sharp, and we were on the hunt for a statue to make them look even more dramatic.
The ride was quick. The photos hit. Then hunger hit even harder.
One thing I’ve learned about Chino: he knows where to eat. He drove us to Salsa & Beer, a Mexican spot that’s been around since 1998. Zacatecas style Mexican food. There was a line to park your car which gave me clues that the place was going to have some great food. We split a gigantic plate of fajitas de Camaron and Carne, and I swear on my camera bag, they might’ve been the best I’ve ever had. Even now, typing this, I can taste those tacos I made.
Then he hit me with:
“Yo, let’s shoot at the Medieval Torture Museum.”
No idea if we were allowed. Didn’t matter.
We went anyway and the place was nearly empty just us, weapons, medieval props, racks of torture devices, and the faint smell of latex and dust. We were like kids in a candy store: pulling levers, posing with the iron maiden, grabbing every ridiculous prop we could get our hands on. Easily one of the most fun shoots I’ve ever done. Surrounded by spikes, chains, iron masks, and the thrill of getting away with something.
As Halloween crept closer 19 days to be exact it was a great spooky shoot. We wrapped up and drove back to my place. Quick liquor store stop on El Segundo Ave near the fire station. Chino grabbed a 40oz and a tall can. I grabbed a Mango Jumex, a mistake I regretted immediately because it would have paired great with the interview.
We parked. Rolled down the windows. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles came through the speakers. Streetlights flickered. Cars hissed by. And in that quiet, perfect moment, I hit record.
The Interview
Favorite Food
So, we’re recording. Okay, so first question; what is your favorite food and why?
“Mariscos, I would say, probably because the versatility, you know. You get, like, fried shrimp, you get aguachiles, you could do Cajun boils, you could do po’boys. Basically, you know, anything you want.”
Did you, since you were a kid, like them?
“Yeah, I always liked ceviche, camarones, all that stuff.”
Songs That Help You Relax or Recharge
What song do you turn to when you want to relax or recharge?
“That’s kind of a hard question to answer. But maybe I would say like just the whole genre of rock steady reggae, like Alton Ellis, you know, Bob Marley, all that type of stuff. I guess it’s peaceful.”
Early Inspirations
Who in your childhood first sparked your artistic flame?
“It’s difficult to say one specific person, but one inspiration probably my Tia, my mom’s sister. She was kind of like the younger sister that would go to punk shows and would skate and was the rebel of the family.
And I guess she introduced me to a lot of music. And she would pull up with pistos for me and shit, and kind of support the habit but still look out.”
Is there a specific band she showed you?
“Yeah, Operation Ivy for sure.”
Do you remember a specific song that reminds you of your Tia?
“Maybe ‘Unity,’ one of them ‘Knowledge,’ ‘Take Warning,’ all that shit.”
(Operation Ivy – “Knowledge” plays in the background as he answers.)
People Who Inspire You
Can you name three people who have inspired you along the way as an artist?
“If I were to say three people that helped mold me into the person I am, I would say Rafael Reyes from Prayers.
He definitely opened up a lot for people that didn’t have an identity before. People who were kind of in both scenes.
Another would be my homie who runs Fools Gone Wild, Little Mr. E. That’s another homie that’s been solid from the jump. Long before who I am today and who he was. We were just cool people, and he would always look out.
And then the last, I’d have to say MC Pancho, the older homie from the Harbor area, from San Pedro. He was kind of like a father figure to me because my pops was not around. He showed me the way. Props to all three of them.”
(Operation Ivy song ends right as he finishes giving props.)
How He Met Them
Could you share how you met them? Do you remember the first time?
(A moment of silence — the next track in the queue starts: Operation Ivy – “Sound System.” Cars pass by outside. Chino taps his fingers on the car door, trying to remember.)
“I first met Rafa when he was playing at the El Rey Theater. At that time, I had never met him. I just heard his music, and I went to see what’s up. That’s how that relationship started.
I met the homie from Fools Gone Wild; he’s from San Diego as well. I met him through Prayers, and he had managed some tours for us.
And then MC Pancho… I met him like maybe 20 years ago. He was at a car show and he had a booth right there, slinging merch and stuff. That’s how I got to know him.”
What Drives His Art
What drives the purpose of your art? What drives you as an artist?
“Using art as an escape to overcome hardships and to keep your mind busy and focus your energy on positive outlets.
Self-progression.”
The Feeling of Creating
Can you describe the feeling while you are creating something?
(Suicideboys – “Runnin’ Thru the 7th with My Woadies” begins playing.)
“I feel like whenever you’re, whichever art form you’re doing, whenever you’re doing it, you feel super focused. A lot of creativity stems from feelings like that — sadness or anger or stress. And I feel like it’s a good outlet, a good way to express those feelings in whichever way it may be, whether it be writing or mixing or painting or whatever your art form is. It allows you to express those feelings without saying anything.”
Performing & Mixing
How about when you mix and you see people dancing?
“Oh yeah, for sure. You feel the crowd. You kind of guess what people want to hear, what they want to dance to. And when you see people getting hype and dancing to your shit, it’s a good feeling. Like, it’s a good time. Oh yeah.”
Legacy
When you’re gone, how would you like people to remember you?
“I guess whenever I’m no longer here… I don’t have too many, too high expectations. If people remember me for who I was or what I did, great.
If they don’t, it’s all good.
But I was here and I did the best of my ability in what I was doing. And yeah…”
(laughter)
Advice for New Artists
What guidance would you share with someone just starting out in art?
“I’d probably just say stay true to yourself. Don’t try to follow any specific trends or crowds, just do what you want to do. Be who you want to be.
Don’t feel the need to people-please or fit in. Dress how you want to dress. Listen to what you want to listen to. Do what you got to do.
And nobody’s opinion really matters because at the end of the day, it’s you.”
Style & Clothing
When was the moment you first started expressing yourself with your current style? Do you remember the first piece?
“Yeah, I would say the way that I dress has definitely evolved over the years.
Like most from this area, I started wearing oversized Pro Clubs and size 52 pants, long socks all that.
And then I just added on to that: wearing boots, adding spikes, wearing belts.
I wouldn’t say there’s any specific article of clothing that inspired that. It just came along throughout the years of how I dress now.”
Meaningful Pieces
Do you have a piece on you that you consider very valuable? Not money-wise, but emotionally?
“Two answers probably. I’d have to say my paño that I have on all the time.
I lose them all the time because they fall off — but yeah, you never see me without one.
And then maybe my flail belt that I made.”
Could you describe it?
“Yeah, so it’s basically a chain that has three flail balls on either side.”
(He holds them up, smashing them together — the metal clinks loudly. You wouldn’t want to get hit by one.)
“And it’s pretty solid, pretty heavy. But yeah, it would suck if I lost it.”
How long ago did you make it?
“I’ve had it for like three or four years.”
Childhood Hero
Who was your childhood superhero?
“Let me think about that one… I can’t really think of anybody else aside from probably my Mom. And that’s probably the answer for most people.
But like I said earlier, my father was not present. And she was there taking care of myself and my two brothers.
Hardworking woman who taught me discipline and respect and how I carry myself.
Yeah, I’d have to say her.”
Is she still your hero now?
“Oh yeah, for sure. Definitely.
She’s still hardworking. She was in the military for like 25, 30 years. She retired at the highest possible enlisted rank Chief Master Sergeant. She’s still a hard worker, still doing her thing.”
Anything Else?
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
(Suicideboys continues playing softly in the background.)
“Mmmm… yeah, I’m not sure.”
(laughing)
Most Memorable Performance
What’s the most memorable performance you’ve had?
(He taps the flail balls to the beat of the song.)
“That’s a difficult question to answer too, because I’ve been all over different countries, traveling, playing in so many different places.
But yeah, even this summer alone, we had three music festivals: Hellfest in France, Rock for People in Czech Republic, and Tons of Rock in Sweden.
It’s a cool experience and I’m very grateful and appreciative to have been able to do all these you know, play all these places. Even my solo stuff like DJing (Cholo Goth Night), DJing in Mexico City.
And yes… it’s a blessing for sure.”
Final Words
Anything else you want to say?
“That’s it.”
(laughing)
We sat there a little longer, letting the next Suicideboys track fade into the background as the cars kept sliding past. Chino spun the flail balls in his hand, tapping them gently to the beat. A 40oz sweating in the cup holder. My Jumex already a regret. The night felt thick and warm, the kind of night where the city hums low and honest. My mind already thinking on the shoots I wanted to look at from the torture museum.
Another shoot in the books. Yet another story.
More to come.
Huge thanks to Mr. Chino for the shoot, the stories, the food wisdom, the chaos at the Medieval Torture Museum, and the energy he always brings.
And shoutout to Salsa & Beer, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and that little liquor store by the fire station for unintentionally hosting this whole journey.
Zer Ghoul
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