East Los Lobos!

Posing for their pictures, Los Lobos look like rebels — hair slicked back, black T-shirts, cuffed 501 jeans, black shoes and boots. But what’s underneath? Tavares has known them for years; I ask him to describe them.

“Dave’s the jokester.” Not to mention that he’s the lead singer, and plays the guitar, the violin, the accordion and numerous Mexican acoustic instruments. “Conrad is the guy everyone knows and loves; everyone has a Conrad story. Louie is the artistic one; he does all the album covers.” He also co-writes the majority of the songs with Hidalgo. “Cesar is the soulful one, and Steve, he’s the eclectic one — he brings different music to the table.”

A dog walks into the picture. “Where’s the food, bitch?” Hidalgo demands of it. Wolves are related to dogs, and they hunt in packs.

Moving to Lozano’s Cadillac, which is parked next to the fruit-vendor cart, the shoot begins on the sidewalk but quickly proceeds onto the street; Los Lobos are stopping traffic. Lozano’s license plate reads “HEALERS” — he tells me it’s the name of his son Jason’s blues band. Hidalgo’s sons David Jr. and Vincent play with Suicidal Tendencies and, with Pérez’s son Louie III, in a punk band called Los Villains. Like East L.A. acts such as Quetzal and Ozomatli, Los Villains have gotten the chance to open for Los Lobos.

“That’s what it’s about — giving opportunities, to help and give a hand,” says Hidalgo.

“I wish we could do it more,” says Pérez with a straight face. Then he adds, “But most of the bands suck out there.”

Los Lobos laugh so hard, they’re howling.