Nuestra Historia | Our Story
East L.A. Sabor Factory emerged in 1998 from the Eastside neighborhoods of El Sereno, City Terrace, Boyle Heights, and East Los Angeles, when eleven musicians — many of whom met while playing in Wilson High School’s Marching and Jazz Bands — came together to create music rooted in community and cultura. Originally formed as a Carlos Santana cover band, the group quickly developed a distinctive sound blending rock, hip-hop, cumbia, salsa, funk, and pop melodies, driven by a powerful horn section —dubbed the Wall of Terror.
That same year, the band self-produced and released a four-song self-titled EP, selling over 1,000 copies independently before securing distribution in Japan through Barrio Gold Records.
By 2000, East L.A. Sabor Factory had become part of the emerging Chicano music movement in Los Angeles, performing during the Democratic National Convention protests outside Staples Center alongside Rage Against the Machine and Ozomatli, and sharing stages with Los Lobos, Quetzal, WAR, Julieta Venegas, The Ataris, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, and Louie Anderson.
The band performed at venues including House of Blues, The Roxy, Whisky A Go Go, Knitting Factory, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, The Conga Room, Universal CityWalk, and B.B. King’s Blues Club, and festivals such as SXSW, Sunset Junction, Reggae on the River, Malcolm X JazzArts Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, and Grand Performances.
In 2001, the EP Party at Louie’s, produced by John Avila (bassist of Oingo Boingo), reached the CMJ Latin Alternative charts, expanding the band’s presence on college radio. Their song “R.I.P.” was featured in the PBS documentary series Senior Year (2002).
The band’s music and performances were also featured in film and documentary projects, including The Princess & the Barrio Boy (2000), starring Edward James Olmos; the documentary A Night of Ferocious Joy (2003); and Michael Mann’s blockbuster film Collateral (2004), starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx.
In 2003, members released a four-song EP under the name Inner City Soul, featuring the protest song “Children of War,” first performed at a major Los Angeles anti-war protest in February 2003.
After more than 20 years, East L.A. Sabor Factory reunites in 2026, with eight original members returning to the stage. Their legacy is currently recognized in the exhibition “A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound” at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, on display through August 2026.
East L.A. Sabor Factory remains a reflection of the Eastside — where music, friendship, activism, and cultura continue to intersect across generations.
That same year, the band self-produced and released a four-song self-titled EP, selling over 1,000 copies independently before securing distribution in Japan through Barrio Gold Records.
By 2000, East L.A. Sabor Factory had become part of the emerging Chicano music movement in Los Angeles, performing during the Democratic National Convention protests outside Staples Center alongside Rage Against the Machine and Ozomatli, and sharing stages with Los Lobos, Quetzal, WAR, Julieta Venegas, The Ataris, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, and Louie Anderson.
The band performed at venues including House of Blues, The Roxy, Whisky A Go Go, Knitting Factory, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, The Conga Room, Universal CityWalk, and B.B. King’s Blues Club, and festivals such as SXSW, Sunset Junction, Reggae on the River, Malcolm X JazzArts Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, and Grand Performances.
In 2001, the EP Party at Louie’s, produced by John Avila (bassist of Oingo Boingo), reached the CMJ Latin Alternative charts, expanding the band’s presence on college radio. Their song “R.I.P.” was featured in the PBS documentary series Senior Year (2002).
The band’s music and performances were also featured in film and documentary projects, including The Princess & the Barrio Boy (2000), starring Edward James Olmos; the documentary A Night of Ferocious Joy (2003); and Michael Mann’s blockbuster film Collateral (2004), starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx.
In 2003, members released a four-song EP under the name Inner City Soul, featuring the protest song “Children of War,” first performed at a major Los Angeles anti-war protest in February 2003.
After more than 20 years, East L.A. Sabor Factory reunites in 2026, with eight original members returning to the stage. Their legacy is currently recognized in the exhibition “A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound” at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, on display through August 2026.
East L.A. Sabor Factory remains a reflection of the Eastside — where music, friendship, activism, and cultura continue to intersect across generations.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Festivals
Venues
Historic Performances
- SXSW Music Festival
- Reggae on the River
- Sunset Junction
- Malcolm X JazzArts Festival
- San Jose Jazz Festival
- Grand Performances
Venues
- B.B. King’s Blues Club
- California Plaza
- The Conga Room
- Getty Center
- House of Blues
- Japanese American National Museum
- John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
- Knitting Factory
- Lincoln Heights Jail
- Long Beach Arena
- Pershing Square
- Plaza Olvera
- The Roxy Theatre
- Universal CityWalk
- Whisky A Go Go
Historic Performances
- Democratic National Convention protest performance (Los Angeles, 2000)
- ArtSpeaks! Not In Our Name Concert (Palace Theater, LA) 2002
- 1st Anti Iraq War Protest Concert (Hollywood, 2003)