Hollywood Undead’s Funny Man Recalls His First Rage Against The Machine Show In L.A., Music Roots & More [Exclusive]

Liz Ramanand, Secret L.A.

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When you think of Los Angeles and the rockstar lifestyle, Hollywood Undead might come to mind—and at the heart of that chaos is the man behind the mask, Funny Man (Dylan Alvarez).

We sat down with the L.A. native while he performed on the ShipRocked 2026 music Cruise. He traced back to some music roots and hidden gems that remain his favorite L.A. spots today.

Whether he’s reminiscing about the life-changing energy of his first Rage Against the Machine show or discussing his favorite coffee shop, Funny Man proves that while he’s trotted the globe, his soul is still strictly West Coast.

Dive into Secret Los Angeles‘ exclusive interview to see a different side of the Hollywood Undead vocalist.

Where he grew up in L.A.

“I grew up near Tongva Park and Baldwin Park. I have a lot of family around town in West Covina, Inglewood, and Hawthorne – I would just be over there on the weekends and summers, and everybody’s house in between all those cities.

My cousins would always show me new music growing up when I was young, mostly hip-hop. I think that shaped me, and that’s what I’m doing now, it’s where I’m a little familiar.”

The music his cousins introduced him to

“NWA, Jay-Z, Nas – those three always stick out to me. I just remember being ‘Little Funny Man’ because they were already driving and I was just along for the ride. Then I had other cousins who would show me bands like NOFX and Gutter Mouth and stuff like Subhumans and all that fun stuff, and I’d be into that too.

Then my father, he had very eclectic vinyl all through his garage. We’d be in there, and he’d be working on his Harley or something. He would play the most random s— of all the time, just an eclectic sound of music, and I fell into that. That’s kind of where I kind of put myself in now, where I don’t really pigeonhole myself to one thing.”

Liz Ramanand, Secret L.A. On his love for L.A.

“I mean, you see L.A. all day on the news. You see what’s going on, the Dodgers winning the World Series. So much intertwines, and it uproars the city. I love L.A.”

“I got a couple spots – one is called Lucky Boy [Burgers and Burritos] in Pasadena and Joy [Taiwanese] in Highland Park.”

“Lately, it’s been this spot, I always forget the name of it – it used to be Regal’s Dry Cleaners. It was like a movie title or a line from a movie, which is funny to me. I call it Regal’s Coffee [Laughs] because it’s easier to remember for me. It’s in La Cañada. I usually just drink a classic drip. Maybe like a matcha, classic L.A. boy.”

Writer’s Note: We found it, it’s called Cafe Ruisseau, and it’s unfortunately permanently closed).

Liz Ramanand, Secret L.A. The L.A. venues that played a big role in his career.

“The Key Club, recently, I found some old ticket stubs from that day and this was in 2011. We sold that place out, it was jam-packed, it was just a very memorable showing for me.”

His first memorable show he attended in L.A.

“Rage Against the Machine’s last show, I was like in eighth or ninth grade? I went with my dad and our homie Noose. I got my shirt ripped in the pit. This guy, Noose, he was a big influence in my life – I smoked weed with him for the first time. He would take me to some of my first concerts growing up.

It was in downtown L.A. at the Olympic Auditorium. I think. They used to hold boxing matches there when my dad was a kid and we’re in there.”

How he felt after the Rage Against the Machine show

“Pretty cool. [Laughs] I remember Cypress Hill came out, and they brought out this gas mask bong. I was like, “Damn, this is so cool.”

Dudes in the pit at Rage concerts, when I was young, I went to a few growing up. And they were crazy, these dudes were ready to f–-king knock some heads off. They’re scarier than any pit I’ve ever seen, anywhere. It was wild.”