Letter from the Editor……
Well, December is here, marking the insanity wrapped around Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. I know I’m plotting on how to avoid the lines and stress.
This holiday season, regardless of how/what you celebrate, remember this is a time for giving, for sharing, and for family. The CVNW family is going strong as we steam towards our 1st anniversary issue.
What will you find in this issue? Well, quite honestly the SICKEST bike I’ve ever seen, courtesy of a reader and permission from Dan Dausey. And I’m a King Arthur buff, so I’m in heaven here. You’ll also find interviews with local legends METAL SHOP, Guillotine Necktie (we agreed that although I might be a 1%-er, they won’t hack off my head), and LA musical sensation Love and a.38. And I can’t forget a shout out to my boys at KOUV radio, and their ‘53 pickup - it’s an awesome ride, one any driver would be proud to show. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!
issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond control; all suits, claims or loss of expenses;
plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use
consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Dec 14
Guillotine Necktie theAlberta Rose Portland, OR
Dec 15 Nu Wave Machine (Blake S) Inn at the Quay Vancouver, WA
Dec 15 Whiskey River the Jet Bar & Grill Millcreek, WA
Dec 16 Nu Wave Machine Inn at the Quay Vancouver, WA
Dec 21 Hit Machine (Blake S) Jantzen Beach Red Lion Portland, OR
Dec 22 Whiskey River Muckleshoot Casino Auburn, WA
Dec 23 Whiskey River the Tulalip Casino Tulalip, WA
Dec 28 Maiden NW ClocktowerAles the Dalles, OR
Dec 31 Live Wire the Eagles Bingen, WA
Dec 31 Portland's Grand Ball Portland Marriott Portland, OR
Klondike Kate taking the holidays off
Crazy Train taking the holidays off
Prophets ofAddiction taking the holidays off
Splintered Throne taking the holidays off
Motorbreath taking the holidays off
Wikid Sin taking the holidays off
CV NorthWest: How did you guys get together? Who was the catalyst for the band coming together?
GN: Matt jammed with Ray in a band that was going nowhere fast.At that point, Matt recruited Jason. We stayed together (a loving threesome for a year) and made the first album. Eventually we decided on a foursome and invited Gabe into the band and never looked back.
CV NorthWest: How would you describe your musical style?
GN: Alittle bit of everything with a garage band twist. It's like injecting Edgar Allan Poe's jugular with a syringe full of funky mojo extracted from George Clinton's neurotransmitters during a stellar high.
CV NorthWest: How do you feel you guys blend together as a group, what makes your music unique?
GN: We get along note by note - just take it one note at a time. We try not to future trip.
CV NorthWest: When was your first official show?
GN: Old Town Bar and Grill in Woodland for the Marie Hanson Missing benefit show.
CV NorthWest: What are some of the most memorable shows/events you've played?
GN: Many, but one that sticks in our minds most is at Hardtails in Kelso. We were the last band to play there before they closed their doors. We had a fire breather and a guy on a chopper do an extended burnout in the middle of the club. It was epic. We almost ran out the door thinking they planned to burn the place down. Our gear still reeks of burnt rubber.
CV NorthWest: Where is the coolest place you've played?
GN: Our Tied Down Production Studios 1 & 2 because that's where it all begins.
CV NorthWest: Where do you think are your most enthusiastic fans?
GN: The residents of Surtsey, Iceland simply adore us. Rumors tell us we kick ass in Ugandamainly in the Gomba District in Central Uganda, but from what we hear we are gaining strong popularity in the Mpigi District. In addition, the entire population of phytoplankton inAntarctica are huge fans, or so we're told.
CV NorthWest: Who are some of the musical artists that have influenced you?
GN: Sublime, Primus, Bob Marley, Black Sabbath, Dead Kennedys, Faith No More, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Steve Vai, Melvins, Pink Floyd, and Metallica, just to name a few.
CV NorthWest: Of all your songs, which one speaks the most to you guys as a group?
GN: The new song. It'sALWAYS the new song.
CV NorthWest: What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
GN: Nothing less than world domination with a small dose of recognition for our efforts.
CV NorthWest: What message do you try to convey when you play?
GN: Off with their heads.
CV NorthWest: Where did the name Guillotine Necktie come from?
are able to bring lots of different ideas to the plate, and we tend to integrate everything naturally.And that's one tasty plate that's never empty of substance.
CV NorthWest: What do you guys think, as a group, you can improve upon, if anything?
GN: It's about greedy people and corporations who take advantage of the common person. Those that use corruption, coercion, government, and any means necessary to fill their pockets with cash at the expense of the hard workers. It's not about sticking it to 'The Man', it's about taking him down for good.
CV NorthWest: What are you most proud of as a group?
GN: The ever-throbbing growth of dynamics. Coming from diverse musical backgrounds, we
GN: Our table manners... really, you should see us munching down on food before a showit's utterly despicable and revolting on all levels.
CV NorthWest: When all is said and done, how do you want people to remember you?
GN: The band that makes you smile and cringe at the same time.
CV NorthWest: Where does the band go from here - studio? tour? what plans do you have for 2013?
GN: The main target is getting album #2 finished while still polishing our chops during live shows. We're always looking to play bigger shows.
Guillotine Necktie is…
Matt Stewart – Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Ray De Lorme – Drums, Vocals
Jason McCarty – Guitar, Bass
Gabe Nickelson – Guitar, Baritone Kazoo
Leslie's Business Management Group
At 15 years old Nathan Savage knew when he saw this 1953 Chevrolet Pickup at one of his father‟s customer‟s houses next to the barn that was the truck he wanted. Months later, after looking at many trucks of all kinds, his father finally worked out a deal to buy the truck for $1000. They towed the root beer brown truck home, knowing that all it needed at that time was "brakes and wheel bearings". After months in the garage working on the truck it was finally a driver. The „53 was his high school daily ride.
Years later, after several other newer trucks had come and gone, it was time to realize his dreams: the restoration project began.
The work started with installing a Fatman Mustang II independent front suspension. They received a small block Chevy 283 via “transplant” from a 1962 Chevrolet pickup, rebuilt it .030 over, milled the cams and topped off with an Edelbrock
600cfm carb. A Turbo 350 automatic transmission and 10-bolt Posi-trac rear end from a Firebird completed the power train package.
All the mechanical and wiring was done by Nathan himself. His father, Bert, took on the task of completing the body work and painting the „53 (NOTE: this was his very first complete paint job!) Nathan, being a Mercedes-Benz technician, chose Mercedes Black Opal for the color and American Torque-Thrust II's for the tires so that the LoFat53 can glide across the pavement.
After 3 years in the making, the interior was finished just in time for its first cruise, the “Rod Run to the End of the World” in Longbeach, WA. Many cruise-ins and Sunday drives later they entered the truck in the 2006 Portland Roadster Show. And as all stories have a happy ending, Nathan won best in class; icing on the cake for a 16 year journey with this special truck.
1953 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup
Owner/Builder: Nathan Savage
Front Suspension: Fatman IFS with Disc Brakes
Rear Suspension: 10-Bolt Posi-Traction Rear Axle
Engine: 1964 Chevrolet 283 cubic inch with Edelbrock Performer Intake and 600CFM Carburetor
Wheels: American Racing Torque-Thrust II
Paint: Mercedes Benz Black Opal Painted by Bert Savage
Interior: Custom Sewn by Christine Balzano
The notion of self-driving cars is at least 70 years old, and Google showed it to be a real-world possibility earlier this year with well-publicized tests of its own autonomous vehicles. Indeed, in the past six months just about every major automaker has announced some type of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle project.
So the issue isn't whether technology can deliver self-driving cars. The questions instead are when they will be ready for market and, more importantly, when the market might be ready for them.
Surrendering the Wheel
In addition to some complex questions about insurance and liability involved in cars that drive themselves, there's the issue of whether car buyers, who have been steeped in the belief that cars are vehicles of personal freedom, will now be willing to give up the wheel. What's the problem that selfdriving cars would solve for consumers? Why would we want them?
Self-driving cars could lead to substantial decreases in automobile accident rates. They've been trending downward. The Census Bureau counted 5.5 million auto accidents in 2009, the last year for which national data is available, versus a peak of 6.7 million in 1995. But cars that take human driver error out of the equation could result in a much faster rate of decline, automakers and safety experts say.
At some point "it will be silly to continue driving, because your reactions are not as fast and you are not as safe" as a computer-controlled car loaded with advanced safety systems, says the head of General Motors Corp.'s electric and control systems research lab.
That's not an argument that's likely to win over the driving enthusiast who would never think of ceding control to a computer and a bunch of electronic sensors. But if car owners think seriously about the possibilities, even the most die-hard "don't take my steering wheel" types might find occasions when letting the car drive itself makes sense. Driving a twisty mountain road is fun, for instance, but it might be nice to read the paper or play a hand of cards with fellow passengers while the car's electronics take care of daily commuting chores or a long, mind-numbing highway trek.
In addition to greater safety and freedom from boring drives, automakers also cite improved fuel economy as a reason to bring on self-driving cars. And there's a market-driven reason they're interested: Automakers want to ensure that they don't lose two important groups of car buyers.
The head of safety, environmental and quality communications for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., says that baby boomers, a significant part of the nation's car-buying market, "are getting older and their reactions are slowing, but they still want personal mobility." And younger people aren't as interested in driving, he says. "They are more interested in social interaction and connectivity." Autonomous driving, then, can possibly serve the needs of both groups.
Drivers Still Needed
Still, we're far away from the day when you can load the grandparents in the backseat and tell the car to take them to their doctor appointment. Autonomous cars that won't let the driver take control are possible, but no one is yet seriously considering that scenario.
That could change "far out in the future with a real intelligent transportation model," but for example, Ford's belief is that as things stand now, "the driver always needs to be engaged in the driving process. The driver is still the driver.‖
That belief is shared by many automakers and, it seems, by regulators. It certainly is reflected in the widely publicized decision by Nevada lawmakers to "legalize" driverless cars. In fact, the state's law merely set up regulations for testing such vehicles on Nevada highways. It explicitly requires two licensed drivers in each vehicle, ready to take control if the autonomous systems fail.
Cars Could Be Ready by 2025
People who get paid big bucks to know about these things say that the technology behind autonomous driving has largely been developed now. The remaining technical hang-ups are miniaturization, cost containment and system integration, but the self-driving car can be ready for the mass market by "sometime in the next decade."
The chief of research at Daimler is even more optimistic. The technical issues will be resolved soon and preconditions for autonomous driving will be in place by 2015, he told interviewers earlier this year.
Heck, Google has been testing its fleet of self-driving cars for several years. The vehicles have collectively run up more than 300,000 miles on real streets and highways without an accident, although there are reports that the human monitors who sit in the driver seats have had to intervene a few times.
Carmakers don't see huge technical barriers, either. "We could make one now," is an opinion shared by many of them.
Are People Ready?
But who wants them? As with so many things, a military application might lead the way.
"The military is interested in self-driven vehicles because they are a way of pulling personnel out of harm's way," autonomous driving researchers state. "But just three years ago, you wouldn't have heard these conversations among automakers."
A big unknown is whether consumers will want this technology once it is ready for the market. Like iPads© and bacon-flavored ice cream, cars that can drive themselves could fulfill a need most people don't yet know they have. One of the big three, for example, "is still very early in the process of getting usable feedback from consumers.‖
"There's still a lot for us to learn in the evolution and rollout of driving assistance technologies, including listening to customers about how they value these technologies and what they want to see happen," automakers say. They want to know from consumers how autonomous driving technologies "improve and take away from the driving experience."
Safety agencies and automakers also will have to put on a concerted consumer education drive to get people comfortable with the idea that the car can drive itself. In the meantime, companies are spending a lot of effort and resources to try to understand driver behavior in the instances when the driver is relinquishing command, or taking it back.
Self-Driving at Pikes Peak
To see what robotics are best for, and where humans have the edge, researchers at Stanford teamed with the Volkswagen Group and Oracle Corp. a few years ago to outfit an Audi TTS sport coupe with autonomous driving gear and send it up Colorado's Pikes Peak.
Cars reach the summit via a 12.42-mile stretch of road that has about 160 turns and rises 6,500 feet from just about halfway up the 14,100-foot mountain. No easy Sunday drive. Yet the test car made the climb sans driver and without incident in 2010, and did it at a real-world average speed of just under 30 mph, versus about 44 mph for a professionally driven stock TTS.
Stanford continues to build and test self-driven racecars. The idea is to use them to push technology to the edge, and to learn from how they fare without drivers in control.
Cost Is a Barrier
If you could order up an autonomous car today, what you'd get would be expensive and eye-catching but not in a good way. Google's test cars have what looks like a metal pail mounted on the roof. Inside is an array of 64 laser sensors that create real-time, 360-degree maps as the car moves through traffic, helping its brain locate it precisely and identify surrounding objects.
The car has a few dozen additional sensors as well. They give it awareness of traffic and other conditions in its immediate area. That information enables the control software to make driving decisions. The price tag for that rooftop array alone cost $70,000 when it was initially deployed in 2007 at the automated vehicle trial sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), says GM's Boules.
It might be cheaper today Google isn't talking. But the array still is expensive and looks goofy on top of a car. Google can get away with that since it’s all experimental and in the proof of concept stage, but GM and other automakers can't.
The radar setup not well-integrated into the car design. To replace all that with other sensors integrated into the car that can achieve the same results and be cost-efficient is a tall order. We would need coordination among suppliers, systems integrators, universities and the auto industry.
Still, DARPA showed it can be done and ongoing tests and trials of autonomous driving systems by BMW, Daimler, GM, Toyota, Volkswagen Group, Volvo and others continue producing advances that are hastening the arrival of the driverless car.
Sorting the Legal Issues
Building competitively priced vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities is only part of the battle, though. Developers will have to persuade motorists and regulators that the systems work flawlessly. And myriad legal issues must be resolved.
Persuasion will be the job of safety advocates and automakers' marketing departments, using the results of years of testing to show consumers that self-driven cars will work. The legal issues, however, will have to be tackled by lawyers, insurers, lawmakers and the auto industry.
One place where the issues already are being contemplated is Stanford University, where research fellows are trying to come to grips with how society might best ready itself for the driverless vehicle. They say that the key issues are insurance and legal liability (who to blame when something goes wrong?), operating regulations, data security and privacy.
ANew InsuranceApproach
On the liability front, researchers see autonomous vehicles bringing a shift in the way insurance is applied and paid for. Instead of individual motorists purchasing separate policies for each vehicle, many see manufacturers insuring the cars and consumers paying the premiums through higher car prices.
One thing which does not present a problem is the question of whether such vehicles are legal or not. Technology progresses because new technologies are automatically legal in the U.S.; lawmakers have to outlaw something to make it illegal.
Still, vehicles are regulated and driverless vehicles will be no different. Several states including California, Florida and Nevada are already preparing the ground. That leaves 47 states to go.
Faulty Humans, Forgotten Skills?
It's not a lack of technology that will keep self-driven cars off the roads for years to come, say the experts; instead, their introduction will most likely be slowed by the legal complexities inherent in regulating them.
There still is a technology issue to consider: computers are only as good as the humans who program them. If you say putting a computer in place of the human driver makes a car safer, you've got to remember that the computer is susceptible to human error.
Scientists also wonder if people's driving skills will atrophy with increased reliance on automation. They suggest that ongoing driver training programs should accompany automated driving. Driving is a combination of reflexes, informed judgment and experience-informed decision- and prediction-making when we need to avoid or get out of problem situations. Until the computers get all that down pat, "it would be a mistake to think that all this is really ready to go."
My 2010 VW Routan has had a high pitch squealing noise coming from the engine ever since I got it. The noise is when I am driving not upon acceleration. I have taken it to the dealership numerous times and have had NO luck on fixing the problem.All they say is that it may be coming from the air intake but they don't know how to fix the problem.Any suggestions?
This is going to be a tough one. First from what has been said the noise is only when moving. If the dealer says they think it might be the intake I would make some change to see if the noise goes away or just gets different; remove the air intake ahead of the filter and drive the car. Since the noise is only when moving at the shop where I work we have a rack that can support the vehicle so it can be run or driven to see if the noise is from the drive train (transmission, drive, axles, etc). If none of these change the noise I might suspect it is wind whistling through some area in the front of the vehicle; to see if this might be the problem one thing I might try is to pop the hood so it’s open to the secondary latch, drive the car again slowly and see if the noise changes or goes away. If it does, I would get some 2"blue masking tape and start taping off seams and areas on the front to isolate the problem. Sorry the dealer cannot seem to find this issue I would be persistent and possibly contact the customer assistance line at VW America. I wish you well.
My 1998 Chevy Venture suddenly wouldn't shift gears, the lever does not engage, it just goes up and down.
This is a front wheel drive I assume, that being said a good visual inspection is warranted. I would first open the hood, the trans-axle is on the left or drivers side there will be a cable that operates the selector lever which should be visible fairly easily without removing anything; have a helper move the selector and see if the cable moves. If it does the problem is likely the internal trans-axle. That might be time for a pro, if nothing moves go to the inside in the drivers foot well and see if there hush panel under the dash; remove it and look for the cable, it should come through the firewall and attach to the steering column. Make sure it is attached to the lever coming out of the column. If it is, move the selector and observe what happens. If nothing happens the trouble is in the column, but this is rare. Most likely you will find the trouble in the cable or connections.
When I lock the doors on my 2004 Nissan Maxima the "chirp" no longer sounds...I cannot figure what to replace...the doors lock fine.
Unfortunately I cannot find any information that says the alarm chirps. The alarm system is controlled by the body computer module. If the horn sounds on and off when the alarm is triggered and the headlights flash the system is considered okay by all the information I can get at this time. Sorry I cannot help. One last thought was an aftermarket system installed? One not made by Nissan? If so you might want to get in touch with the people who installed it.
Motor: 103 CI Knuckle Head - Accurate Engineering 360 Front brake - Nomad Custom Design Auto Clutch - EFM
Carburetor Super "G" - S&S
Chain - Insain Chains
Engraving - Steel Tattoos
Exhaust - Franky Serrano
Internal Throttle - Stream Line
Paint and body work - Jeff Selker
Primary 24" - Evil Engineering
Rims - C.A. Percision
Sproter - Tony Chrome Customs
Starter - Ultima
Tires - Avon Vipers
Tranny - Baker Torque Box 6 Speed
Trans Brake - Tony Chrome Customs
Sick Bastard Choppers, Inc, is still relatively new in the custom chopper arena, but the ambition and dreams have been in president Dan Dausey's brain for more than two decades! Dan got his start back in the days of disco installing groovy custom interiors in vans for Sunshine Boys Custom Vans. With his mental gears constantly grinding, he and some buddies threw together a few custom choppers in grand 70's style here and there. In 2008, after immersing himself in his construction business, Dan created Sick Bastard Choppers, finally ready to stun the custom motorcycle world with inventiveness, originality, artisanship, and desire.
The Sir Lancelot bike was the first incarnation of SBC's dark mind, and quite an entry it was. The bike was actually drafted on a napkin (and how many ideas are given life using THIS method of design?) by Dan andAdam Conni (ofAdam Conni Design). The bike is truly a top tier custom chopper; built as a rolling advertisement and technology test-bed, Sir Lancelot has taken home enough trophies to fill even the largest case, including one from the World of Wheels
show!
The twisted WarEagle frame rides on a single-sided swing arm and an incredible onearmed front end, adding to the menacing warrior-soul presence of the armored behemoth. Medieval flourishes and subtle shading give the bike panels extra depth to the viewer, not to mention mounting points for the dozens of stainless steel access panels and buttons...and don't forget those primeval spikes protruding forward from the downtubes!
All controls and gauges have been eliminated (devoured probably) with the exception of the forward foot controls. Dan engineered a fully remote controlled air ride system, dropping the rails to the ground for parking and display; when battle called everything rises and it's off to slay dragons.
Portions of this article (by Ken Synfelt) reprinted with permission.
Love and a .38, a four piece hard rock band from Los Angeles, has given rock-starved fans something to get excited about. They've crafted a sound that is both familiar yet fresh, blending growling guitars with catchy, emotionally powered vocals. Fueled by instinct and driven by desire, they have written songs that fans from across the rock spectrum can get behind. Sherry Keith of Mystic Photography gets inside the band’s heads; their past, their present, and their future.
CV NorthWest: How did Love & a .38 start, who was the catalyst behind the forming of the band?
Domo: That's for Danny and Ryan… Ryan: I ain't gettin my fingerprints on that trainwreck...Danny?
Danny: I moved to LAfrom the bay area to try to start a band. It took a lot longer than I thought it would to find 3 other dedicated and talented guys that want this to be their life.
CV NorthWest: What do each of you bring that you feel complements the others?
Justin: Ryan has influences ranging from all things classic rock to more bluesy stuff from his upbringing in Texas and Oklahoma which brings real soul and feel into his vocal lines, Danny is influenced by a lot of old school punk which explains his intensity when he plays and Domo is well versed in all different styles of music so he can adapt to anything we write and also brings in a lot of interesting ideas to the table. My bass playing is influenced heavily by Velvet Revolverera Duff McKagan so when it all comes together, we bring an edgy blend of hard rock and classic
70s arena rock to people that is familiar, but at the same something new and different.
Domo: I really try to think of a song as a whole and not its parts or just guitar or any single instrument.
Ryan: Fortunately... I can sing.Also...I have a van…and a nice ass.And my ass compliments Danny's eyes really well. Or so we've been told.
Danny: I think we each bring different individual music influence and perspective.Alot of times this helps further a song to become a little bit more evolved.
CV NorthWest: Who or What is your major influence in music?
Justin: My main influence is Duff McKagan, he has a way of playing bass in which he uses blues scales to make cool walking bass lines, but also knows how to ride on the root note in order to let the guitar do its work. He plays very well to the song. I also like the aggression in his tone from his pick/distortion pedals and how it cuts through the mix. I also enjoy John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin for his similar technique at playing to the song.
Domo: Everything!!! Rock and Roll is king for me but I think of music in two categories, good or bad, so good music with good energy is always an influence for me. I also really loveAmericana, so anything having to do with that also catches me.
Ryan: Anybody who has ever slung a Les Paul down below their waist. I was raised on classic rock driving around with my dad...and then when I was 13 I got my first Aerosmith CD... it was all over after that.
Danny: There have been so many great influences, it’s really hard to name a few without wanting to name a thousand. Not to sound generic, but all great music and art is what influences me. Great live performances that move people are what make you want to do that as well. The songs you listen to on repeat because they are so good make you want to write like that. Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of punk rock, 60’s garage rock, and I'd say a lot of that was my early influence.
CV NorthWest: What is the or one of the most memorable concerts to date?
Justin: Sunset Strip Music Festival 2012 for sure. The energy the four of us had that day at the Roxy was something I've never experienced before. Our playing was tight, stage dynamic was
great and the crowd was just awesome. We had many people that had seen us before tell us it was the best show they had seen us play, and people that hadn't seen us before being immediately won over and talking to us after the set. Even the red carpet event honoring the Doors leading up to the show was an incredible night, the whole weekend is something I will never forget.
Domo: I sawAerosmith a few years ago and they were simply amazing.
Ryan: When I was 15 I saw Bob Dylan. He was roughly 93 at the time. It taught me that good music is ageless.
Danny: AFI is definitely one that sticks out in my head. I’ve been to thousands of shows and a seen a lot of greats, so whyAFI? Because at the time, they weren't huge yet, but they were doing well in the local scene in the North Bay. Those guys were by far the hardest working band around. You would see word about them grow and grow. Eventually they sold out The Phoenix Theatre in Petaluma. But they didn't just sell it out, they sold it out to a bunch of kids who chanted to every song and were excited to be there. There was an energy in that room that night that you could tell would carry the band far, and that was something that I never forgot.
CV NorthWest: When and where was your first show, and were you guys nervous?
Justin: My first show with them was at Club Red inArizona in February 2011. I was a bit nervous as I had really enjoyed the band's music before I joined the band and wanted to make a good impression on them, making sure they were happy with their decision to have me as their new bass player.
Ryan: Viper Room about 3(ish) years ago. I honestly can't say I was nervous, just excited. We'd been working really hard and were ready to get out on the stage and show everyone what we could do.
Danny: We did our first show at The Viper Room three years ago. I think anytime you go into unknown territory, you get nervous. I still get nervous before shows, but you have to let that work for you rather than against you. That’s something that I’m learning as time goes on, it comes with repetition. I think at the 100th show, the nerves come from caring about what it is you do, and wanting to do it well.
Domo: My first show with these guys was SSMF 2012 at The Roxy. I had just learned the songs and had been in the group for three weeks. So yeah....nerves for sure but it was packed and it rocked!!!
CV NorthWest: Have you guys always wanted to play music, or were there other interests when you were younger?
Justin: When I was younger, I was a fan of theme parks and really wanted to do design work either on roller coasters or dark rides but I picked up piano in 4th grade and never looked back.
Ryan: I thought I was gonna be a pro football and basketball player until the Dr. told me I had an incurable form of being slow, short, and white. So I bought a guitar. (NOTE: the CVNW Pres understands this malady very well).
Danny: I grew up on Baseball, BMX and music. I worked hard playing Baseball from the time I was 5 years old until I was 15. Ultimately, bicycle racing took over. All through my teen years, I trained from morning until night and competed on the National circuit, the end goal was to make the Olympics. Eventually I dropped it to focus completely on music. I’ve also always been into doing artwork.
Domo: Nope! Music all the way for me.Although I did really like building things but being a construction worker is not quite as fun.
CV NorthWest: What do you hope to accomplish with your music, what message do you try to convey?
Justin: We just want to bring back that excitement and feel good energy to rock music. It's been missing for quite some time and it needs to come back. With our music, we just want to provide an escape from your worries for 45 minutes. Leave your worries at the door, maybe grab a drink and just enjoy the ride.
Ryan: I want to make the soundtrack to people's lives. The same way that all the great music that I grew up listening to will forever be tied to the strongest memories of my life. In 50 years I want some old man to tell his grandkids about how he lost his virginity listening to Love and a .38. That's REAL immortality.
Danny: I hope that we are able to write and release music that stands the test of time, like The Stones or The Beatles. Their music will never fade away and I hope we can write songs that become a part of people. I want to affect people’s emotion and mood the way certain songs affected mine growing up, the way certain songs do now.
Domo: I hope we can put rock on the charts as a new band instead of the last few years of the older bands only making the cut. I hope we can inspire others to pursue their dreams even in a time when the outcome may be unlikely.
CV NorthWest: How does it feel to be labeled “the hardest working band in LA” by many media outlets?
Justin: It feels great, you don't make it this far by kicking your feet up and sitting passively waiting for someone to come to you. YOU need to put in the hours and get to a point of substantial success and have someone notice that and want to take you to the next level because they see success, potential and drive in you.
Danny: It feels like some people appreciate the work that is being done in order to gain new ground. That’s a good feeling. I think hard work pays off.
Domo: Go us!!!! There's always more to do... Ryan: Tiring…
CV NorthWest: Which of your personal songs really speaks volumes about and to you as a band?
Justin: For me, "Shake the World" because that's what we're trying to do. We want to rattle the cage and bring you something new, familiar and exciting to listen to and experience. We're not the status quo, we aren't part of the latest trend. We are different and we're ok with that. In fact, we wear that as a badge of honor.
Domo: I think "All Mine" is awesome. It’s got a nice pulse and very simple and rad hook to it. I feel that it represents Rock n Roll very well.
Ryan: I am absolutely in love with "Lovely Lies". The entire song is JUST this side of absolute chaos, which is pretty much where I live my life.
Danny: I think that 'Lovely Lies' is one that is a little bit more mature from a song writing perspective vs. past songs that we have put out. I feel like its shorter, more to the point, flows better and is catchier than some of our other songs. But the best is still yet to come. We are working on some pretty cool ideas right now that are a little different from what we have done in the past.
CV NorthWest: How have you leveraged social media to your benefit – it seems you guys are really working that angle?
Justin: Social media interaction is key these days. Bands need a strong social media presence to get anywhere as management, labels, etc. look at your numbers as a way of gauging your legitimacy. We also pride ourselves on having a strong connection with our online audience and responding to every tweet or Facebook post be it on the band or our own personal accounts. That care and attention goes a long way and I think makes it all that much better on both sides when we roll into town and meet them because having that connection online makes us both excited to meet each other.
Domo: Keeping up the content, posts, interaction continues to draw people in. It’s a necessary tool in this day and age and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.
Ryan: Seriously... you can talk to fansALL over the worldANY time you want. There's no angle. It's just awesome. We want to talk to them even more than they want to talk to us.
Danny: Nothing ever replaces anything, it just evolves. Sure, the 8 track and cassette tape, even CD's may have gone away. But the recording is still there in a more evolved state. It’s the same with marketing. It used to be putting out flyers, radio, and snail mail. Now it’s Facebook invites, tweeting and email. The tools are different, but the concept is the same. It ultimately comes down to your interaction and your marketing skills. Everything is marketing, you have to figure out what works and what doesn't work We work hard on being very interactive, and social
media is so instant, you learn if something either does or doesn't work in the blink of an eye. It’s a lot more instant than it used to be. But this also means you can cover more ground, you can reach people all over the world in seconds, simultaneously, on your phone.
CV NorthWest: Tell us where you came up with the “Single of the Month” idea – it’s fantastic, how has it worked out for you guys?
Justin: The "Single of the Month" came out of circumstance. We wanted to put out another EP before the Sunset Strip Music Festival but due to time constraints, that wasn't possible so we thought, "hey, what if we just release a song each month, pace it out and give them something new consistently over a year instead of just one package deal?" So far its worked because each song has ended up getting the spotlight for a period of time as opposed to just tossing out 5 or 6 songs together and only one or two songs getting highlighted as singles.
Domo: I came in after that decision but its rad. It works out great for social media and for today's music listener because it’s steadily released content. There are those who would rather buy a disc but there are a lot less of them nowadays.
Danny: We decided to do that earlier this year. We put out a new single and immediately wanted to put out a new one. So then it became kind of a challenge for us. It was kind of like let’s see if we can do this for a year. Then we were doing an interview on 98.7FM in LosAngeles, and I think one of us accidentally said we were doing it for a year. So, why not? It’s a good way to keep us on our toes and really grow the song writing. We also hope it gives people something to look forward to from us.
Ryan: We kind of came up with it by accident. We recorded a single... decided to put it out... and thought "Hell... that was pretty cool... let's keep doing that". So we set a goal of trying to do it for a full year. Just to keep the pressure on us to keep creating. People want to hear music. So we're gonna keep giving them what they way.
CV NorthWest: The Roxy labeled you one of their “top 20 acts” of the year, that’s an incredible honor, what does that say about the legitimacy of the band?
Justin: I think it speaks volumes because we aren't just a fun band to listen to, we are a fun band to experience. Many artists sound great on record, but don't sound great live and/or don't put on a good show so it's an honor to receive such praise from a credible source like the Roxy and we can't thank them enough for that.
Domo: It’s a great honor and that's one of my favorite venues ever! It’s nice to get that sort of mention from them, but there's still a long way to go for us to get where we'd like to be.
Ryan: It says that we're on the right track. Those guys know a thing or two about good music, and for them to give us that kind of recognition is amazing.
Danny: It’s cool. We love the Roxy, they treat bands really well and are all good people over there. It was awesome of them to do, now it’s time to move onward and upward.
CV NorthWest: What does sharing the stage with acts like Motley Crue and Slash mean for the success and popularity of the band?
Justin: It's great because that is a huge crowd and
following to play in front of and get exposure in front of. There are not many opportunities like that to make a killing on turning over new fans to your music so we try to make the best of those situations and gain as many new followers as we can. It also helps the band look more reputable to put artists like Motley Crue and Slash in your performance roster when submitting to labels and festivals.
Domo: Not as much as one might think.Although I think it’s awesome to be on the same bill.
Danny: It helps with a few things, but ultimately it comes down to your marketing, work ethic, and of course product. There is no magic way to the top.
Ryan: Like Domo said... not all that much. When we are playing with those types of acts... the vast majority of the people there for the show are there for the big names. But we like to think that we can steal a fan or 2 on occasion.
CV NorthWest: What do you guys learn and take away from (oh gosh I hate to use this word) Classic acts like those?
Justin: Watching bands like that, I try to take away stuff from how they put on a show; interaction with each other, the crowd, rising/falling energy in the songs throughout the show and it’s all very inspiring to watch pros like them do it.
Danny: Alot about what works, a lot about what doesn't work.
Domo: Don't do drugs!!! Write great songs and don't take it too serious.
Ryan: How to properly (and improperly) wear leather pants.
CV NorthWest: Your popularity has really taken off – fans on what, 5 continents, a spot in the Hard Rock Café rotation, 35K or so views on your Rock n Lola video – how do you top that?
Justin: Keep moving forward. You need to not only stay current and relevant, but also stay ahead of the curve and look into the future and beyond what you're currently doing and look at the next step to ensure success and the public's interest in what you do.
Danny: We hope that everyone that supports us will help us get the word out! That will definitely help. We just want to keep growing and moving forward.
Domo: I feel that this band is just really starting. So all that is rad but there's more where that came from.
Ryan: I'll get back to you on that... I need to go look at a map to see how many continents that leaves. (NOTE: only 2 more to go…)
CV NorthWest: What motivates you to keep improving, to keep expanding your horizons as musicians and a band?
Justin: First and foremost, our audience. Without them, we would not be able to do what we do and every day, I'm motivated to be a better musician and to keep moving the band upwards to that next level till hopefully, Love and a .38 reaches global success.
Domo: I love playing music and it’s always been a huge part of me. Without music, it would be a bleak musicless life full of mundane repetitive work.
Ryan: Cuz I got no place else to go! You don't choose music. Music chooses you. Trust me... I WISH I could go to college, get a nice comfy office job, maybe a station wagon... and be perfect-
ly happy. But I learned a long time ago that there's nothing else for me. Music keeps the beast at bay. If I didn't have an outlet for all my wild front man energy I would have been locked up years ago…probably somewhere with padded walls.
CV NorthWest: Where does Love and a .38 go from here...
Justin: We go onwards and upwards. We are happy with what we've done to date, but always want to push ourselves to be better and think of new ideas and ways to grow the Love and a .38 name to hopefully be the next big thing in the rock world.
Danny: Hopefully to bigger shows and tours. See you at SXSW inAustin TX in March!
Domo: I don't know, any ideas? HaHa.All I can say is up!
Ryan: To the bar. Want anything?
Loveanda.38is…
Ryan Hudson - Vocals
Domo Domaracki - Guitar
Justin Emord - Bass
Danny Excell - Drums
Donating to Family Dogs
Family Dogs New Life is a 501 c3 non profit organization supported solely by our adoption fees and by donations from the public. We receive no tax dollars and are not affiliated with any other county shelter or humane society. It’s costs just over $10,000 per month to operate our shelter and we rely on your donations to make this possible. Your donation to Family Dogs New Life Shelter goes directly to helping us save as many lives as possible.
CVNW: Who started the band, and how did you guys get together?
JGS: I started the band about 4 years ago, actually placing ads on Craigslist of all places. I got a ton of responses, but in the end, only these guys were serious about doing what I had envisioned for the band. It didn’t take much to get them on board for the ride.
CVNW: How would you describe your musical style?
JGS: Straight 80’s Hair Band/Glam Metal, all the top songs and good party stuff from that era, the songs that make the women want to dance naked – or at least throw their undergarments on stage.
CVNW: When was your first official show?
JGS: Our first official show was at the Refectory for 105.9 the Brew at one of their ―Brew Crew‖ parties. It was a GREAT place to play with an
AWESOME crowd, a real adrenaline rush being our first show with a crazy crowd.
CVNW: Where is the craziest place you've played? what about the coolest? favorite?
JGS: The craziest place was in the bathroom on the toilet (CVNW: TMI Johnny!), the coolest was in the freezer (CVNW: ah, we get it), and our favorite places are the strip clubs – the *cough*
benefits are great! (do tell...oh wait, don’t)
CVNW: Where do you think are the most enthusiastic fans?
JGS: At EVERY Krotch Rockit show. We are always sold out and it’s always a raging kick-ass party.
CVNW: Do you guys have any original music that you've composed?
JGS: Dee is in another band call the Punctuals. I have solo stuff in the works, and everyone else does their own thing.
CVNW: Who are some of the musical artists that have influenced you?
JGS: the 80’s bands…that’s sort of obvious bro. :)
CVNW: What are some of the most memorable places you've played?
JGS: Our most memorable shows would be the show with Warrant, the show we did with James Kottak from the Scorpions, we did a couple of songs with Deen Castronovo from Journey, and the last gig with Great White. Those were incredible experiences, and just an honor to have participated in.
CVNW: What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
JGS: Really, to just help people have a good time after a long week at work…to let them be able to come out and relax with a blast from the past and maybe bring back the memories of the times we all had growing up with this music. You know, ―Everybody’s Working for the Weekend‖ LOL
CVNW: What message do you try to convey when you play?
JGS: Get drunk and find someone to screw! LOL
CVNW: Where did the name come from?
JGS: Ahh, the name…well, one night at practice we were all trying to come up with our own names, and as we sort of struggled to give each guy his name, METÄL SHÖP just kind of came out; pretty much all of us liked it, and it was done.
CVNW: When all is said and done, how do you want people to remember you?
JGS: The band and I hope people remember us for the good time and energy we brought to every show…it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it in the end. (Hmm, he giggled when he said ―in the end‖, I’m worried now).
CVNW: What are you most proud of as a group?
JGS: We’re most proud of the shows we’ve been asked to do and what we’ve done with our own shows. We’ve reached a point of selling out most
clubs we play now and have made some great friends along the way. It’s great to be able to do
what you really enjoy and to be able to continue to do it; money and chicks are pretty good too.
CVNW: Ultimately, what is your goal as a group?
JGS: My goal for the group is to continue on and keep getting bigger & better shows, and having a kick ass party every time.
METÄL SHÖP is...…
Layne Pipe - Vocals
Johnny G String - Guitar, Vocals
CC Poison - Guitar, Vocals
Dee Flowers - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Will Pounder - Drums
Well, it's that time of year again! Unless you live somewhere hot where riding is a year-round activity, soon the winter weather will come (if it hasn’t already) and the motorcycles will be tucked away for the winter. Each spring your dealer's phone will ring off the wall with customers who did not store the ol' bike properly and now wonder why it won't run. Therefore, since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, some preparation now will ensure that you are out riding in the spring instead of waiting in the dealer's lineup.
1. Location - where are you going to put it?
One solution may be to ask your dealer if he offers a storage program. This is ideal because he will often prep, store, and have the bike ready to ride when you are ready again. If you decide to store it yourself, you will need a place that is dry and out of harm's way. When possible, chose a location away from windows. The ultraviolet light can fade paint and plastic parts. Direct sunlight can raise the ambient temperature of the storage area which will promote condensation when the sun goes down, so cover plain glass with some sort of opaque material. Also, cover your bike with a specially designed bike cover, not a sheet or a tarp. Why? Because a sheet absorbs moisture and hold it against metal surfaces and forms rust. Also, damp fabric will breed mildew and this may attack the seat material. A tarp prevents moisture from getting in but it also prevents it from getting out. Moisture trapped will condense on the bike and then the rust monster is back!
A specially designed motorcycle cover is made of a mildew resistant material. The material is slightly porous, so it can breathe.
2. Change the Oil
(5w30) then changing the oil to this grade will help startup and running in spring.
Even if the oil is not due for a change, byproducts of combustion produce acids in the oil which will harm the inner metal surfaces. Warm the engine to its normal operating temperature, as warm oil drains much faster and more completely.
While you are at it, why not change the filter too? Add fresh motorcycle grade oil. Remember to dispose of the drained oil and old filter in a responsible manner.
3. Add Fuel Stabilizer and Drain the Carb
Tip: You only need to drain the carb if your motorcycle will be stored more than 4 months. Otherwise just add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank, run the bike for 10 minutes so it mixes and gets into the carb.
Fill the tank with fresh fuel, but do not overfill. The correct level is when the fuel just touches the bottom of the filler neck. This gives enough room for the fuel to expand without overflowing the tank when temperature rises.
Shut off the fuel petcock and drain the carburetors and the fuel lines. Add winterizing fuel conditioner to prevent the fuel from going stale, and help prevent moisture accumulation. Stale fuel occurs when aromatics (the lighter additives) evaporate leaving a thicker, sour smelling liquid. If left long enough, it will turn into a gum, plugging the jets and passages inside your carbs!
4. Lube the Cylinder(s)
Tip: You only need to do this if your motorcycle will be stored a very long time (6 months or more)
Because gasoline is an excellent solvent and the oil scraper ring has done its job, most of the oil from the cylinder walls has been removed since the last time the engine was run. If the cylinder wall is left unprotected for a long period of time, it will rust and cause premature piston and ring wear.
Remove the spark plugs and pour a tablespoon (5 cc) of clean engine oil or spray fogging oil into each cylinder. Be sure to switch off the fuel before you crank the engine or else you may refill the drained carbs! Also, ground the ignition leads to prevent sparks igniting any fuel residue. Turn the engine over several revolutions to spread the oil around and then reinstall the plugs. Refitting the plugs before cranking the engine could result in a hydraulic lock if too much oil was used in the cylinder.
Tip: Just like with cars, a colder winter grade oil will allow your bike to start easier in colder weather. If your motorcycle runs ok with a cold winter grade oil
5. Battery Storage
The battery must be removed from the motorcycle when it is in storage. Motorcycles often have a small current drain even when the ignition is switched off (dark current), and a discharged battery will sulfate and no longer be able to sustain a charge.
A conventional battery should be checked for electrolyte level. Add distilled water to any of the cells that are low and then charge the battery.
Battery charging should be performed at least every two weeks using a charger that has an output of 10% of the battery ampere hour rating. For example if the battery has an AH rating of 12 (e.g. 12N12A-4A-1 where the 12A is 12 amp hours), then the charge rate of that battery should not exceed 1.2 amps. A higher charge will cause the battery to overheat. Charge the battery away from open flame or sparks as the gas (hydrogen) given off a battery can be explosive. Elevate the battery and keep it from freezing. Exercise the proper caution appropriate to caustic substances.
6. Surface Preparation
Waxing and polishing the motorcycle might seem like a waste of time since you are putting it away and no one will see it. But applying wax is a very important part of storing a motorcycle. Wax will act as a barrier against rust and moisture.
Don't forget to spray any other metal surfaces (such as the frame or engine) will a very light spray of WD-40. This will keep these areas shiny and protect from corrosion as well.
7. Exhaust and Mufflers
Exhausts/Mufflers are known to rust fast when they are not used. So making sure they are properly stored for the winter on your bike will save them from an early rusty death. Spray a light oil (such as WD40) into
the muffler ends and drain holes. Lightly stick a plastic bag (shopping bag is fine) into the end of each muffler hole (to keep moisture from getting inside the exhaust). Then cover each muffler with another plastic bag to keep outside moisture off.
8. Tires
Check both front and rear tires with your air pressure gauge. Make sure each tire is properly inflated to the maximum recommend pressure. As it gets colder, air condenses in your tire so it is important to pump them up as to keep your tires healthy. Rubber is a flexible material and does not like to freeze (it cracks when it freezes). Placing 1/4"-1/2" piece of cardboard or wood board under each tire will help keep the rubber raised up from a freezing floor.
DO NOT use a tire dressing on tires (such as Armor-All or tire cleaning foam) as this will make the tires hard and slippery.
9. Service all fluids
If the brake or clutch fluids haven't been changed in the last two years or 18,000 km (11,000 miles), do it now. The fluids used In these system are "hygroscopic" which means that they absorb moisture. The contaminated fluid will cause corrosion inside the systems which may give problems when the motorcycle is used next spring. Be sure to use the correct fluids and note the warnings and instructions in the service manual. If you don't have the experience to service these systems, contact your dealer, he will be happy to assist you.
If your motorcycle is liquid cooled, the coolant requires changing every two years or 24,000 kms (15,000 miles). Make sure that the engine is cool enough to rest your hand on it before draining the system and please dispose of the coolant responsibly. Coolant/antifreeze is available from your dealer and has been developed to provide the correct protection for your motorcycle engine. Mixed 50/50 with distilled water will ensure a clean system for the next two years or 24,000 kms (15,000 miles).
1
0. Cover it.
Now you can cover the bike with the cycle cover and look forward to the first warm day of spring.
