After participating in a band called Los Escamillas, Ramon López Alvarado decided to assemble his own orchestra. Banda La Costeña (aka Reina del Pacifico) is comprised of 16 musicians playing a local style known as tambora sinaolense, in reference to the Mexican state of Sinaloa and based on several experimental rhythms and harmonies. Ulises López Carvajal and Edgardo López Carvajal took over after their father passed away in the late '90s. Banda La Costeña celebrated their 50th career anniversary in February 2001. ~ Drago Bonacich