Who we are
What is Wasteland Zine?
Wasteland is a four-issue zine dedicated to documenting the underground music scene of the Rio Grande Valley from 1998–2008. Through archival research, interviews, and personal recollections, this project captures the DIY ethos that shaped a generation of musicians, artists, and fans.
Mission
To archive the RGV underground music scene (1998-2008) and uplift forgotten music, events, and stories, especially those of queer folks, women, and marginalized voices who shaped this DIY movement.
Vision
A living archive where the Valley's underground history is preserved through community artifacts and memories which ensures that future generations understand that radical culture thrives even in the borderlands.
Values
Building history from flyers, setlists, photos, and personal memories—not institutional records
Archiving what gets erased, celebrating what gets forgotten
Maintaining the underground ethos through independent publishing and direct distribution
Every voice matters—from venue owners to fans, from bands to zine makers
Documenting how the RGV scene created space for expression against mainstream culture
Creating a safe space for reflection and processing through zine-making, acknowledging that many participants experienced harm, addiction, loss, or mental health struggles during this era
Curators
Founder
Laura Barrera Lamb is a radical archivist, historian, and writer who was a lecturer at UTRGV and is now pursuing a PhD in Mexican American and Latino Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She has written extensively about culture, identity, and history of the RGV. As the creator of the Wasteland Zine project, she uses this platform as both a passion project and a continuation of her research into the region's artistic movements. Her work has appeared in publications including Trucha RGV.
Collaborators
Non-profit organization
Liberate Ediciones is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering voices through the arts, independent publishing, and community engagement. Co-Founded by Samantha Guerra and Genesis Moreno, who also serves as the Creative Strategist for Wasteland Zine, Liberate Ediciones was instrumental in the early conceptualization of the zine, helping refine its vision and contributing to its name. The organization continues to support independent publishing and cultural preservation through exhibitions, public programs, and a community lending library that provides free access to zines, photography, poetry, and print materials from around the world.
Cover artist, Issues 1–3
Ernesto (Ernie) Salcedo is the creative force behind Froge Studios, specializing in immersive designs for the music, entertainment, live events, and sports sectors. As the dedicated cover artist for Wasteland Issues 1-3, Ernie's work captures the raw energy and essence of underground culture. His portfolio can be explored on Behance(opens in a new tab) and Instagram(opens in a new tab).
Cover artist, Issue 4
Yadira Marisol is a graphic designer and illustrator from Alamo, Texas. Her work explores the Mexican-American diaspora of the Rio Grande Valley, and she hopes to redefine its cultural narrative through her art. She created the final cover for Issue 4, following Ernie’s covers for Issues 1-3. You can follow Yadira on Instagram at @yadiruhhhhh(opens in a new tab) and visit her website at yadiramarisol.work(opens in a new tab).
Logo artist
Andrew Bargeron Gimetzco! is the artist behind Wasteland’s logo, creating a bold, DIY-inspired identity for the zine. A multidisciplinary illustrator and designer, Andrew’s work blends retro aesthetics with humor. More of his work can be found at gimetzco.com(opens in a new tab) and on Behance(opens in a new tab).
Editor, Issue 1
Bobby Guevera (Bob E. Ink) served as the editor of Wasteland’s first issue. A longtime activist and musician, he was a founding member of Critical Mass and Food Not Bombs and the drummer of Inkbag. Over the years, he created zines such as Ride a Fucking Bike and operated the Rice, Beans, and Revolution info shop, keeping the DIY spirit alive in the RGV.
GIS & Mapping
René built the interactive venue map(opens in a new tab) of the RGV scene. He is a digital heritage practitioner with a Master of Liberal Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from UTRGV (2025), whose work centers on mapping place-based music history in the Rio Grande Valley.
Issue 3 forward
Bio coming soon.
Issue 4 forward
Bio coming soon.
Issue 4 forward
Bio coming soon.
Contributors
Foreward Writers: Issue 1: Charlie Vela; Issue 2: Robert Godinez.
Everyone Else: Aaron Mireles; Adam Gonzalez; Adrian Flores; Adrian Martinez; Alexandra Salazar; Ali Wagner; Angela Garza; Arnold Garza; Audrey Scott; Austin Smith; Becky Guzman; Charlie Vela; Dan Gonzalez; David Perez; David Salinas; David Silva; Dylan Elm; Evana Vleck; Greg Rodriguez; James Cisneros; JD Hairston; Jennifer Terrazas; Jess Castellon; Joanne Saldivar; Jose Camou; JP Chapa; Juan Nevarez; Marc Villarreal; Mateo Torres; Monica Rios; Monica Rose Rojas; Philip Acevedo; Raul Flores; Robert Rodriguez; Robert Roper; Roland “Violence” Guevera; Shawn Proctor; Steven Salazar; Thomas Garcia; Tiffany Saenz Neal; Vanessa Salazar; Vinny Torres; Yvonne Ramos Petreczko
Keeping the Scene Alive
Together, we’re committed to telling the story of a music scene that mattered—to the people who lived it and to those who continue to be inspired by it.
