Today is a good day, one for which I am really proud to be seeing the artwork for the first time for the new album from Jay Berndt called "Sad Bastard Songs". We are planning on releasing the album sometime in late September or early October. Just a few final touches to get wrapped up and you will be hearing a lot about this release from the Rusty Knuckles Music label along with a lot of press that is itching to hear these tracks.
For those of you unfamiliar with this Providence, RI singer/songwriter, one thing should be of note, he is no spring chicken. Jay toured relentlessly in the 90's with Kilgore (Smudge) and received critical acclaim sharing stages with Slayer, Ozzy, Clutch and many many more. Through those formative years something was brewing deeper in his soul and gritty Americana music was slowly percolating into fruition. Now, years later Jay is about to release a collection of songs that weave a quilt of times past and make a huge leap forward into his musical prowess. If you are a fan of true country or true grit, you just found your favorite new artist in Jay Berndt.
Check it out folks here is another killer event going down on Saturday August 7th and being held by the Pak Ratz on August 7th. Have a listen to two of the bands playing, I think you might dig it. If you need more info, peep the bottom of the flyer... Myspace the Dielectrics
Had a great time hanging out with friends down in Atlanta over the weekend. Check out a few of the photos from Thursday Night Thunder with Bandolero and Legend Car Racing which takes place partially on pit row and the main track. The Bandolero and Legend Cars are an an easy way to get into racing and turns out to be quite the family event. I must say, seeing our friends son being able to race these bitchin' little cars at 14 made me quite jealous. Time to go get a cheap car from Craigslist and start buildin' a circle track dirt racer for next year...
If you are anywhere within a two hour radius of Charlotte, NC, you might want to drive on over to the 2nd Annual Tumbleweeds Swap Meet in Monroe, NC. They are calling it a rally but if you aren't in the "My Big Dog is a Custom" crowd then just a heads up, its a free swap meet for all sorts of parts vendors and randomness. If you go, Josh our pal over at Wrench Works will be sharing a space with Ben of Ben Jordan Customs. With their bikes out there, surely at least a few killer bikes will be on hand and definitely parts for sale.
Its really humbling when I get news about bands that I work with, putting out such a great album that it is being hailed as one of the best albums of the year already! Shout out to the fellas in Hellbound Glory for making timeless outlaw country music and proving to be one of the top upcoming acts in Country Music. Shove that up your ass Nashville Pop! Its time for most of the radio crap that is called country music to move out of the way and to go on tour with Celine Dion, as they are perfectly mated in their sugar coated blandness. Check Out Real Deal Scumbag Country - Hellbound Glory
Hey Biker Community, a friend of mine has a bike for sale that needs finishing. She is looking for $7000 or best offer on the bike and parts, check the spec sheet below but get a hold of me if you are interested.
Spec Sheet S&S 96" Motor - been sitting about 10 years but never been run. MSO. Paughco Softail Frame - Krylon Flat Black, no rust. MSO. Horseshoe oil tank and round oil tank (pictured) both included. Repaired H-D Softail fuel tanks Mag wheels, powdercoated black 17" front 18" rear Pre-99 Style Forks with FXSTB triple tree All black H-D Calipers Jay Brake Forward Controls Never used Primo 1" enclosed belt drive - never used but steels are pretty rusty Rev Tech 5 speed trans - also been sitting but never used Wire Harness Stator but no rotor or regulator Black Drag Bars and FXSTD risers Supertrapp exhaust with a scrape on the bottom - you can take it or not Dunlop tires that should probably be replaced considering their age (mounted and beaded but no air) Black rear fender with chrome supports Progressive Shocks Chrome Hand Levers and master cylinder (front) Softail Rear Belt has a groove in it but safe to run This bike cost us $13,000 back in 98. S&S 96" polished motor today retails for $7600... so this is a steal. Somebody should build and ride this poor bike, and apparently it's not going to be me.
Hopefully everyone gets the chance to go through the site of this new American motorcycle company and see what they have to offer. They are doing something bad ass. A brand new proprietary engine based on a 4 four cylinder setup with American muscle car architecture. What is killer about the engine is not only the sound but also the open structure enabling new parts and performance upgrades in a familiar setup to car engines. Looking forward to see where this company goes. We have a lot of great manufacturer's in the States and this is going to open up new markets in the sport bike and chopper realm adding to our storied history of motor sports performance.
Got back home from the 10th anniversary of the Heavy Rebel Weekender over in Winston-Salem, NC and absolutely whooped. 3 days of bands and shenanigans mixed in with large doses of PBR, vintage pin-up models and more new friends than anyone should legally have, we at Rusty Knuckles are absolutely stoked on such a great time and the solid response from everyone. Its weekends like this that make being dead tired all worth while. Huge shout out to all the fellas in the Road Devils Car Club, The Dielectrics, Octane Saints, Crank County Daredevils and all the great folks we chatted with all weekend, including the ladies right beside us who made custom Lingerie. How could we not talk to those gals? hahaha...
Its a few months out but we just wanted to plant the seed in everyone's brain about the big upcoming Rusty Knuckles Music showcase here in Raleigh. Apparently some folks in town got the big idea to start a music fest akin to SXSW. Well apparently those same folks got funding and next thing ya know, a hundred and twenty bands are scheduled and its got top billing. Yeah, something is brewing here in the dirty south. I proposed to the folks over at Dive Bar why not start a music fest of our own, the same weekend. The cool folks at Dive Bar were in agreement and now we are going to have a damn good yearly showcase for the Rusty Knuckles Music team. Peep this flyer, its just a taste of whats coming up. If you are from far away get a hold of us, as we are going to have tours lined up for all the bands to hit regional shows as well. That's just how we roll, we are all about the camaraderie and showing folks a great time.And guess what, bikes and cars will be involved for sure, imagine that...
Raleigh will be going off that weekend as there is also the HopScotchMusic fest in town, with over 120 bands on the bill. Needless to say, if you want the rock, we have it in spades for the first annual "Live At The Dive" music fest.
6 Bands for $5 Bucks - Have A Listen And Spread The Word
Bands will start at 6:30 with outlaw country sets by Jay Berndt and Hellbound Glory. After that we will have the rock show opening with She Rides, BeItTheMeans, Flat Tires and Crank County Daredevils.
More info soon on RustyKnucklesMusic.com & Myspace.com/DiveBarRaleigh
For those headin' over to the Heavy Rebel Weekender in Winston-Salem, NC this weekend, Crank County Daredevils will be going on downstairs in the old Jail at 11:45pm. Should be a damn bitchin' show as that is a true club atmosphere and a chance to see what your mother warned you about up close and personal.
