Roll Calls: The OG Los Angeles Drive-By

Roll Calls: The OG Los Angeles Drive-By, a landmark photographic record by Howard Gribble of Chicano graffiti culture in Los Angeles. Captured on film between 1970 and 1975. The 232-paged hardcover book traces the evolution of Pachuco-influenced gang writing born from the social upheaval following the Zoot Suit riots. A lowrider and car culture enthusiast, Gribble photographed this lettering discreetly from his car, aware of his position as an outsider, preserving walls that would soon be erased. Stored away for decades, the images now emerge as one of the most extensive private archives of Chicano gang writing ever assembled, presented as they were meant to be seen: stark black-and-white documents of language, territory, and lived street history.

If you want to dive more into that culture of writing we highly recomand Cholo Writing – Latino Gang Graffiti in Los Angeles by François Chastanet.

232 pages, 22,1 x 28,5 cm, hardcover
Edition size: 500
Language: English
Release date: 2025
Publisher: BEYOND THE STREETS & Joker Brand Publishing