Out of Step

There may be something in the works.




I can't keep up,
Can't keep up
Can't keep up
Out of step with the world


J.rider out

Scratch The Surface

We are not as out front as we used to be but you can still find us. Just scratch the surface. j.rider out

We are still around. j.rider out

Old Tyme Hardcore

The Death Riders are excited to have the backing of some old friends and the best Tattoo Shop in town. Iron Age Tattoo has come on board to support your local Death Riders. My relationship with Brad and Mark spans a few decades, it seems almost impossible but it's true. As crazy as it would seem Brad Fink and I grew up on the same block. I still remember going to his house when I was about twelve years old. My friend Ted was buying a used JFA Skateboard deck from him. In those days Brad was a pretty good BMX freestyler and Skateboarder. He was responsible for the logo to my local skate shop as well as a semi-permanent fixture hanging out there.

My earliest memory of Mark doesn't go back as far. However, I've known him longer than some of our readers have been alive. Mark was working for 1227 'The Alley' at the time. Twelve Twenty Seven was the local Punk Rock/Hardcore venue at the time. He and another living legend Jim Honey were working the door. I was among the masses freezing in the cold waiting for the doors to open. The year was 1989 and I was finally getting to see one of my all time favorite bands... Agnostic Front. For some strange reason Saint Louis has quite a fondness for New York and still does. I'll admit, I am a huge NYHC fan always have been always will be. So by some strange luck my home city has always been good to the New York bands. 

I met a ton of folks that night and still remember it vividly. Mark and Jim had a style all their own when it came to crowd management and working the door. I'm sure I was probably terrified of Mark at the time, being less than five foot tall and maybe one hundred pounds. Mark has always been nothing but a class act to me, even for the few years when I traded in my Straight x Edge card. Honest, he might have ribbed me a bit, but He has always been the same solid dude.

Big thanks again to the crew at Iron Age and Mark Andrews.

Look for the 2014 kit to have a few changes as well as my skin.

Turning 40 this year means some more tattoos for sure, I better get 'Hammer Hands' on the line...

Till then enjoy some 'Old Tyme Hardcore' 

Its Mark Andrews approved

SLAPSHOT 

BOSTON STRONG

Backfire

I know... I know...

Where did we go? What happened to the Death Riders this fall. Well I wish it were some awesome tale to tell. In reality.... Not so much really. Towards the end of August I began having a ton of issues with acid reflux and frequent vomiting. In September I was sent for an endoscopy where it was discovered I have two rather large ulcers. By the end of October things seemed some what better. I managed to complete the BT Epic without cramping or puking, a major win considering the circumstances. Things quickly went form okay to awful in November. I was sent for an upper GI a series of bowel x-rays... The vomiting had come back with a vengeance. December, saw yet another endoscopy and more medications. Knock on wood things finally seem to be taking a better turn. The persistent vomiting seems to be ending and both ulcers are shrinking in size. All of that mixed with the Holidays and the increasingly busy schedule at work, has had my mind other places.

With all that said, it hasn't been all slow and no go here. I have been knocking on doors this off season and am lining up a few non-sponsors for the 'Death Riders' this season.

Ben and Mountain Bike Radio have been gracious enough to step up in support of the cause.

More irons are in the fire, we are just waiting to here back from a few folks.

Things are looking to be rather busy this season.

I am excited about the new year and can't wait for racing to start.

I will get back to the weekly thoughts ASAP.

So, What Are You Gonna Do?

It's approaching gut check time her in the Midwest, put up or shut up. Looks like the Death Riders will be making a showing at the 10th Anniversary of the Burnin'. Oddly enough. it's the same team we had tried to put together for the inaugural event a decade ago. Things sort of fell apart with that incarnation and we never got a chance to race together that year. I am totally looking forward to finally getting this team out on the dirt.

 

12 and 24hr Racing always gives me a chance to bring along way too much gear. What can I say I'm sort of a gear whore. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and know it's in my basement. Thankfully, most of my teammates over the years have embraced my  long checklist and pounds of gear.

More than anything I just need to get my mind set on what I want to do this fall. I'm pretty sure I am signing on for the BT Epic this go around. It's something I have wanted to do for a while and it's put up or shut up time. I had planned on doing way more racing this year than last... But, so far it isn't really happening.

Maybe by this time next year I will be working 9-5 again so training and racing isn't as difficult.

Lets hope so anyway.

 

DEFEATER

Labels seem to matter a lot these days; in fact it feels like every week a new subgenere is invented, heralded and, usually, quickly forgotten. Although they were born out of the hardcore scene, for the past five years Boston, Massachusetts' Defeater have challenged the conventions of the genre by crafting music that takes an old-school formula and pushes it in new and ambitious directions without sacrificing an ounce of aggression.

In The Belly Of A Shark

I can already see the daylight getting shorter from my office window everyday. The shorter amounts daylight bring up a host of unanswered questions for the coming fall. BT Epic to do or not to do? Burnin' At the Bluff? Cyclocross racing this year??? So Many questions I need to ask myself. Well, to be honest I have already been going over the BT Epic plans. If I can get a saddle figured out that isn't uncomfortable after 4 solid hours of off-roading I'm in. Saddles are a weird thing you never think about them when you are comfortable, but when you are uncomfortable It's all you can think about. I am a pretty big fan of my Fizik Tundra2 for XC Racing and trail ridding. However, It's firm and flat profile doesn't seem to do well on the endurance side of my rides. Hopefully, going back to the tried and true Fizik Gobi will be bliss to my nether parts. In time your death riders will figure out what awaits them in October, for now it's back to our regular scheduled program.

Every now and again I find a band that reminds me just why I love Punk and Hardcore. GALLOWS is just one of those bands. It's hard to say what it is, that puts a band in that 'something special' category. 

Well, what ever it is Gallows has it. I'm gonna sound like a internet dork here but... 

I have to say, I think Frank and Steph Carter are two of the main reasons behind the 'it' factor. 

They have both since left to do other things and Gallows continues on. Still a good band in every aspect, but maybe not as great. Well, that is this mans opinion anyway. If you haven't heard of them go out and pick up a copy of "Grey Britain" or "Orchestra of Wolves". Neither of them will disappoint, we give them the death rider seal of approval. 

Enjoy some fine young English chaps.