The Tejas Lowrider Movement (TLM) has been a name that has come up a lot recently in the Houston custom car scene. What is the TLM? “It’s a lowrider movement to keep things alive for our lowrider culture,” says John Almanza, the organization’s founder. The TLM has been hosting many local custom car events, picnics, and BBQs in the Houston area for the last five years. Every one of them have been absolutely free for the public and participants. With partnerships with some of Houston’s hottest local eateries, the TLM has had many location options across town to host their gatherings. Almanza, a former member of For Life and Expensive Taste car clubs, said, “I wanted to involve everyone from every club; not just our club doing events all the time. It would burn people out.” His solution for burn out was to create an organization that would include all clubs, solo riders, and enthusiasts.
We have been to a few TLM events just as spectators. This is the first time we have covered one for StreetSeen. The events are held year round. You’ll see John or the TLM post up event flyers on their respective social media pages weeks to months prior to each event. Their flagship event, Lowrider Day, has taken place the first Sunday in September every year with plans to do it again this year at a local restaurant. This particular gathering took place at Smoke’n Honey House on the city’s central northeast side of town.
We couldn’t tell you exactly how many vehicles were in attendance because so many were arriving and leaving throughout the night. What we can tell you is that the weather was perfect and the night was alive because of it. We have definitely noticed a positive change in the Houston lowrider scene since the TLM has been hosting events. The scene feels more united; more in sync than before. We appreciate what John and his fellow TLM squad members, Chato and Whopper, are doing for the lowrider scene in Houston. Will the Tejas Lowrider Movement ever expand into other large cities in Texas? “We have held a car show in San Antonio and a Cruz Night at Pappas in Dallas,” says John, “We do plan on hitting up Corpus, Austin, and Victoria in the near future.” So, Texas, plan on having a TLM event near you very soon.
