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

The Icemen Cometh...

Living in the midwest has it's share of challenges, the least of which is our manic weather. This winter hasn't really been too bad on the temperature scale, it's the constant stream of precipitation that has been our undoing. I have been trying to make the best of it either riding inside or putting miles in on the road. However with the first race four weeks from now I hardly feel ready. Much like last year it will be a game time decision for this Deathrider.

 

In true mass media weather panic fashion. The local outlets are hyping up a winter storm coming our way in the next twenty four hours. Predicting up to three inches of ice and freezing rain or snow. It's a virtual smorgasbord of suck, headed our way. Further killing any thoughts of the twisty single track I'm craving. Hopefully, the weather folk will get it wrong and things will just be a little damp. The thought of a slop fest trail workday on Saturday is none to appealing. Nor are another weekends of rides done in front of the T.V. ridding virtual races with the DVD player.

Don't get me wrong I'm not a winter hater I just like it on my terms. I enjoy snowboarding, this is true. However, I'd rather have to seek the snow out by going west and not have it at my door step.  Winter also reminds me of what I used to call 'Hardcore' Season. Something about brisk air, long sleeve shirts, and boots seem to go together. So what better band brings on the winter feel than a band who uses Hockey as a main theme. One of the original bad boys of Boston Choke and Slapshot. I have really been craving good old tyme hardcore the last few months. I have revisited bands of my youth and newer ones that carry on the same tradition. Hardcore found me when I really need something and I'm happy to still believe in the music and the message. 

I didn't choose Hardcore, it chose me.