Los Angeles: Spaghetti Cumbia, a Band Born From Cultural Fusion

But growing up in LA, they were also heavily influenced by classic rock, punk rock and hip-hop. The band created their own style, mixing cumbia with all their influences and adding a Spaghetti Western sound.

Pedro Zapata, known as Pedro Pistolas, a guitar player and vocalist for Spaghetti Cumbia, plays his guitar while surrounded by a crowd at a show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on Dec. 29, 2024. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Bobby Guerrero, known as El Gallo Digital, and Zapata, who both play guitar for Spaghtti Cumbia, head to the band's show at LA's La Cita bar on March 15, 2025. — Bobby Guerrero, known as El Gallo Digital, and Zapata, who both play guitar for Spaghtti Cumbia, head to the band’s show at LA’s La Cita bar on March 15, 2025. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Adolfo Mercado Jr. plays the drums at a show at Las Perlas in Los Angeles on June 17, 2022. (Ivan Kashinsky)

In the early 20th century, the land east of the Los Angeles River became a destination for immigrants, and by the 1940s, the area was mostly Latino. Today, East LA and Boyle Heights are both about 95% Latino, and Los Angeles County has the largest Hispanic population in the country, with 4.8 million people.

Mercado lays on the floor at the end of a practice session in LA on May 18, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

The band hangs out before practicing in Mercado's garage on April 22, 2023. — The band hangs out before practicing in Mercado’s garage on April 22, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Campos, the band's lead singer, gets ready in his bathroom ahead of a show in Alhambra, a city just northeast of LA, on Nov. 3, 2023. — Campos, the band’s lead singer, gets ready in his bathroom ahead of a show in Alhambra, a city just northeast of LA, on Nov. 3, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Campos hangs out with his son, Ethan Luke, at his home in Alhambra, Calif., before heading off to a gig on Nov. 3, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

The band members were teenagers in the ’90s when gang violence was at its peak on the city’s east side. Pedro Zapata, or Pedro Pistolas, one of the band’s guitarists and vocalists, remembers when over half of his friends were joining gangs. Like some of the other band members, he was tempted to follow.

Looking back, they say they’re thankful they didn’t — many of their friends were shot down in the streets or ended up spending their lives in prison. Their love for playing music may have saved them by connecting them with a different crowd. There was no time to spend on the streets with rehearsals and studio recordings.

Campos visits an old friend's grave in Lancaster, Calif., before a gig on March 26, 2022. — Campos visits an old friend’s grave in Lancaster, Calif., before a gig on March 26, 2022. (Ivan Kashinsky)

A view on Nov. 6, 2023, of downtown LA, where Spaghetti Cumbia would play regularly at the mezcal bar Las Perlas. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Campos leaves his home in Alhambra to head to a show on Nov. 3, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Although Marcel plans to build a “Spaghetti Empire” and the band members dream of hitting it big, right now, they all work multiple jobs. Campos works at Costco and delivers for Instacart, often sleeping only a few hours. Because of the cost of living in California, he must hustle to support his family. As the band plays larger venues, the extra income really helps to make ends meet.

Guerrero folds an American flag at a school in LA where he works as a janitor on May 12, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Paulo 'El Maniacs' Paredones, Spaghetti Cumbia's bass player, is blessed by his son, Tekuanotl Huitzitzilin, before he leaves for a show in the city's Boyle Heights neighborhood on March 30, 2023. — Paulo “El Maniacs” Paredones, Spaghetti Cumbia’s bass player, is blessed by his son, Tekuanotl Huitzitzilin, before he leaves for a show in the city’s Boyle Heights neighborhood on March 30, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Campos lights a stick of palo santo to bring good energy to the room before a show at LA's Las Perlas bar on April 28, 2022. — Campos lights a stick of palo santo to bring good energy to the room before a show at LA’s Las Perlas bar on April 28, 2022. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Spaghetti formed nine years ago and began playing in a small mezcal bar in downtown LA, called Las Perlas. Campos or Paredones would light a stick of palo santo before performing to clean the space of any negative energy.

The place would fill up fast and the band would set up right on the dance floor, playing to a Latino crowd. Under the dim red lights, the audience and the band became one, swimming in a sea of sound.

Paredones laid down thumping cumbia bass lines as Adolfo Mercado, often compared to Animal of The Muppets, wailed on the drums.

With their wireless guitars, Bobby Guerrero, also known as El Gallo, and Zapata weaved through the crowd playing psychedelic guitar riffs. Campos, tapping into his punk rock influences, ripped his shirt off and poured all his energy into the show. The crowd would dance, scream and let go of the stress of everyday life.

A mosh pit forms as Spaghetti Cumbia plays at LA's Regent Theater on March 8, 2025. — A mosh pit forms as Spaghetti Cumbia plays at LA’s Regent Theater on March 8, 2025. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Zapata plays his guitar surrounded by the crowd at a show at Las Perlas on March 30, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

Guerrero kisses his girlfriend after a show at 1st Street Pool & Billiard in LA's Boyle Heights neighborhood on June 18, 2023. — Guerrero kisses his girlfriend after a show at 1st Street Pool & Billiard in LA’s Boyle Heights neighborhood on June 18, 2023. (Ivan Kashinsky)

This coverage was made with the support of the National Geographic Explorer program.

Ivan Kashinsky is a photojournalist based in Los Angeles. You can see more of his work on his website, IvanKphoto.com, or on Instagram, at @ivankphoto.