Scooterists As Bad As Us Lot?

[Guest Matt Male]

This is meant to light hearted, so don't take offence if you're a scooterist...

I've been thinking about buying a scooter for while now (to rekindle my scooterboy days and plus i've finally got a garage), maybe even do a restoration again.

Anyway i bought Scootering magazine the other day for the first time in about ten years, mainly for the dealers and ads, and was amazed by the letters page. The scootering scene seems to have all the same issues as the rare soul scene. One letter was complaining about returnee mods from the 60s, another was from a returnee from the 80s saying it was never too late to get back into it, another letter was about a 'fragmented' scene with open arguments between mods, skinheads and scootboys 'scooterboys are an embarrassment' said one bloke, another letter was about the way the scene was dying with no new blood (sound familiar?).

Scooterists (mods, scooterboys etc..) seem to have all the same problems we have on their scene. Nice to know we're not the only ones always slagging each other off.

[Mace]

This is meant to light hearted, so don't take offence if you're a scooterist...

I've been thinking about buying a scooter for while now (to rekindle my scooterboy days and plus i've finally got a garage), maybe even do a restoration again.

Anyway i bought Scootering magazine the other day for the first time in about ten years, mainly for the dealers and ads, and was amazed by the letters page. The scootering scene seems to have all the same issues as the rare soul scene. One letter was complaining about returnee mods from the 60s, another was from a returnee from the 80s saying it was never too late to get back into it, another letter was about a 'fragmented' scene with open arguments between mods, skinheads and scootboys 'scooterboys are an embarrassment' said one bloke, another letter was about the way the scene was dying with no new blood (sound familiar?).

Scooterists (mods, scooterboys etc..) seem to have all the same problems we have on their scene. Nice to know we're not the only ones always slagging each other off.

The relationship between the mod scene and scooterist/scooterboy scene has always been a difficult one - fashion and music prerefences being miles apart.

Apart from that the mod scene itself has many of its own sub-cultures from the 79 revivalists to the 60s purists, from ska to jazz, R&B to northern etc etc.

As you are probably aware, the scooter scene is based (obviously) around the scooter, not the music, from cut downs to lights and mirrors to original standard restorations to fancy paintwork with chrome etc engraved plating...it therefore attracts many different age groups with a wide variety of preferences.....throw the mod scene and indeed the skinhead scene into that and you are always gonna get huge differences of opinion, wether based on scooters, owners, fashion or music.

The mod scene moved away from the scooterist scene in the early 80s because of such problems, set up their own rallies and events and even ran 'No jeans, no greens' door policies to prevent scooterists attending....it's been that way for many years, though seems to have settled down over the last few years (whether maturity has had an impact on that is debatable), but many scooterists also moved away from army geens and mohican hair cuts and adopted a more mod look, more also started restoring scooters more to authentic 60s standards and obviously caught onto the wave of 60s R&B that has become more acceptable on the Northern scene in the last 5 years or so.

I suppose dwindling numbers on both scenes, combined with the above facts, have seen more scooterists attending mod dos (and probably vice versa) in the last few years, and bridging the gap so to speak, but these debates and divisions will always arise due to the diversity of the scenes involved.

[Guest SteveJohnston]

This is meant to light hearted, so don't take offence if you're a scooterist...

I've been thinking about buying a scooter for while now (to rekindle my scooterboy days and plus i've finally got a garage), maybe even do a restoration again.

Anyway i bought Scootering magazine the other day for the first time in about ten years, mainly for the dealers and ads, and was amazed by the letters page. The scootering scene seems to have all the same issues as the rare soul scene. One letter was complaining about returnee mods from the 60s, another was from a returnee from the 80s saying it was never too late to get back into it, another letter was about a 'fragmented' scene with open arguments between mods, skinheads and scootboys 'scooterboys are an embarrassment' said one bloke, another letter was about the way the scene was dying with no new blood (sound familiar?).

Scooterists (mods, scooterboys etc..) seem to have all the same problems we have on their scene. Nice to know we're not the only ones always slagging each other off.

Nearly all my adult life from 75, 87 then from 96 onwards I've been involved with soul music and scooter's and the two have been like this as long as I can remember, when I first went to Wigan all-nighters I had guy's that had been attending all-nighters since the early sixties telling me I wasn't a true fan!

"Not been to the Casino more than three times and he's bought this and that " or "I had a lambreta li when I was sixteen this is seventy eight and you think you're a mod don't make me laugh" Well as far as I can remember I was the one laughing and just enjoying myself to the full dancing to Soul, and riding my scoot!

I had the great pleasure of DJing at Shepshed Scooter fun day this last Summer with Rob Gray a very good friend of myself and we had a fantastic day started to play 45's at 1.00pm finishing at 1.30am with a two hour brake for the live bands, playing from top all out Northern to Punk, Brit beat, Tamla, Ska and God forbid no politics at all! With a load of scooterists having a great time. And a lot of them took the trouble to come and thank Rob and me. Some Mods some Skinheads and Scooterists with a few Soul fans in attendance as well, all getting on just fine as it should be.

"My new year's resolution is to ignore all politics in my pursuit of pleasure"

Steve J.

[Guest ScooterNik]

Only really being in a postion to comment from the scooterist side having pretty much severed all links with the northern 'scene' (as opposed to the music) for a few reasons some years back I think its fair to say that Scootering (magazine) is trying to be cover too much territory sometimes. Scooterboy, mod, scooterist, sinhead, soulie, punk, psychobilly, indie kid....... and more. Not an weasy position to be in.

From where I stand on the scooterboy side of the tracks, it usually seems to me that mods 'miss' the whle point of the scooterboy 'thing'. Scooters are the focus, not music. I'll happily listen to any music thats got passion be it soul, ska, punk...whatever, and i'll dj the same mix when I'm out. In fact I'd go as far sa to say my current favourite album is by an Irish mod band "The Keepers".

What mods don't seem to get is that thee is more to "scooterboy" than music. Riding and fixing scooters comes first, good music comes second, appearance.... who cares?

BTW, the day after Scootering came out this month my site had a hit from an anonymous poster from the Manchester area who didn't like our POV on scooters. Sounded remarkably like 'Carl from Oldham' as mentioned above.

Thats all...

Nik

Edited January 1, 2007 by ScooterNik

[Guest Matt Male]

Some good and interesting posts. Thanks guys.

For me personally it's always been soul music first and scooters/mods came on the radar later in 1979 with the mod revival and the two seemed to join together (i know mods were the forerunners of the soul scene in the 60s, but by the late 70s we got into northern before we knew anything about the mod/scooter scene). I was never a mod but i suppose a soulie who owned a scooter and went on a few runs with mods and scooterboys, i dunno what that makes me.

I just like scooters... a nice SX200 preferably (well i can but dream..)

[Guest Leigh J]

This is meant to light hearted, so don't take offence if you're a scooterist...

I've been thinking about buying a scooter for while now (to rekindle my scooterboy days and plus i've finally got a garage), maybe even do a restoration again.

Anyway i bought Scootering magazine the other day for the first time in about ten years, mainly for the dealers and ads, and was amazed by the letters page. The scootering scene seems to have all the same issues as the rare soul scene. One letter was complaining about returnee mods from the 60s, another was from a returnee from the 80s saying it was never too late to get back into it, another letter was about a 'fragmented' scene with open arguments between mods, skinheads and scootboys 'scooterboys are an embarrassment' said one bloke, another letter was about the way the scene was dying with no new blood (sound familiar?).

Scooterists (mods, scooterboys etc..) seem to have all the same problems we have on their scene. Nice to know we're not the only ones always slagging each other off.

All The Best To You And Your Family For 2007 Matt ,

I Restored A Vespa A Couple Of Years Ago , It Was Given To Me By A Guy Who I Did Some Building work For , It Was In A Barn . I Eventually Sold It , I Wish Id Kept It Know.

I Got Into NS Through Scooter/Mod Thing In The Late 70's/80's , When I Moved On I Got A Bit Of Stick From The Lads Who Stayed On The Scooter Scene , Most Of Them Later followed Suit And Were Regulars At Soul Nights And Allnighters. Years Later Some Have Motorbikes,Families etc... But When I Bump Into Any Of Them Now The First Thing Mentioned Is Northern Soul , The Music Is what Seems To Have Had The biggest Effect On All Of Our Lives.

[Guest Matt Male]

All The Best To You And Your Family For 2007 Matt ,

Happy New Year Leigh

[Guest soul_hull]

the amount of times i've thought that both scenes are on their last legs...

and here we are twenty (for me) years later and it's all still going.

fighting fit

[Guest Bearsy]

I have 4 scooters and i am a long serving member of The Medway Aces Scooter Club,

we have 40+ members who all have a different taste in music, clothes, scooters etc,

One thing we all have in common is that we all enjoy ourselves when we get together and get out of the scene what we want,

The people who tend to write letters and moan about many of the things they think are making thier scene worse or even how to make it better are in my oinion wasting thier time and justing looking for an argument as no one person can change the way of thousands who are all but very different from each other, I have in the past got involved in some of this and then i realised this was just a hobby to me and not the be all and end all of my life.

If your thinking of getting or getting back into the scene just do it and enjoy yourself and concentrate on what you want to get out of it and not what others tell you what it should or shouldnt be.

By the way what is the better scooter a lammy of vespa

Last year for me i had done 6 scooter rallies and a good few nights/days out, Soul wise - 3 allnighters and god knows how many soul nights but if i said i only had about 4 saturday nights off in a year i aint far wrong,

To me as long as im enjoying it i will never get off the merry go round .

Bearsy

[Guest ScooterNik]

If your thinking of getting or getting back into the scene just do it and enjoy yourself and concentrate on what you want to get out of it and not what others tell you what it should or shouldnt be.

By the way what is the better scooter a lammy of vespa

Bearsy

Well said.

And R&B obviously

[Guest Bearsy]

Well said.

And R&B obviously

obviously (a bit anyway)

[Mace]

By the way what is the better scooter a lammy of vespa

Bearsy

Got one of each - Vespa 150 Sportique and a Lammy LI series II.

(Though not had either on the road for a few years now... )

So I don't have to make that choice.

[Guest Matt Male]

I have 4 scooters and i am a long serving member of The Medway Aces Scooter Club,

we have 40+ members who all have a different taste in music, clothes, scooters etc,

One thing we all have in common is that we all enjoy ourselves when we get together and get out of the scene what we want,

The people who tend to write letters and moan about many of the things they think are making thier scene worse or even how to make it better are in my oinion wasting thier time and justing looking for an argument as no one person can change the way of thousands who are all but very different from each other, I have in the past got involved in some of this and then i realised this was just a hobby to me and not the be all and end all of my life.

If your thinking of getting or getting back into the scene just do it and enjoy yourself and concentrate on what you want to get out of it and not what others tell you what it should or shouldnt be.

By the way what is the better scooter a lammy of vespa

Last year for me i had done 6 scooter rallies and a good few nights/days out, Soul wise - 3 allnighters and god knows how many soul nights but if i said i only had about 4 saturday nights off in a year i aint far wrong,

To me as long as im enjoying it i will never get off the merry go round .

Bearsy

Totally agree with all this. I always think that, after reading all the disagreements on here and elsewhere (and enjoying the debates) at soul nights and niters there is very little disharmony and everyone just gets on and enjoys themselves.

I can't see myself going on runs, although if i do buy a scoot i might seek out my local clubs.

Oh and i prefer Lammys, although i do like the Vespa 150 Sprint. And it's original and classic for me, no chops, murals (maybe only small tasteful ones) or hundreds of mirrors and chrome.

[Mace]

From where I stand on the scooterboy side of the tracks, it usually seems to me that mods 'miss' the whle point of the scooterboy 'thing'. Scooters are the focus, not music. .....

What mods don't seem to get is that thee is more to "scooterboy" than music. Riding and fixing scooters comes first, good music comes second, appearance.... who cares?

Nik

To be honest, I think most Mods totally understand that Scooters come first and foremost to Scooterboys....I think it's the fact that most Scooterboys don't seem to appreciate that the Mod Scene has a different order of priorities, ie usually appearance, music then scooters.

That's why the Mod scene went its own way in the early 80s, because they were getting a lot of flak for their appearance/tastes etc from scooterists, skinheads, pyschobillies/punks etc that were frequenting the scooter rallies/scene in the 80s.

I used to be in the Pool Dam Scooter club from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs in the early 80s and was forever getting chucked over garden hedges if I dressed smart

Still see quite a few of the old Pool Dam lads at local soul dos nowadays....smartened right up and dancing their heads off to quality Northern and R&B.....knew I must have an impact on them all those years back

To me the music has always come first...horses for courses I suppose.

[Guest 71TRSC]

Its no coincidence that the same questions that are asked by both scooterists and soulies because they are parallel and symbiotic cultures. The age of participants in both scenes runs from the 1960's to the present day. When one scene is dominant the other benefits. The last major influx of people into the Northern scene came in the 80's post the 79 mod revival. Every one I went to nighters with in the late 80's was a scooterist or ex mod, including myself. If you go to a niter or scooter run now the majority of those present will be in their late 30,s and upwards. So its no conicidence that both area's are asking the same questions.

[Guest Bearsy]

Its no coincidence that the same questions that are asked by both scooterists and soulies because they are parallel and symbiotic cultures. The age of participants in both scenes runs from the 1960's to the present day. When one scene is dominant the other benefits. The last major influx of people into the Northern scene came in the 80's post the 79 mod revival. Every one I went to nighters with in the late 80's was a scooterist or ex mod, including myself. If you go to a niter or scooter run now the majority of those present will be in their late 30,s and upwards. So its no conicidence that both area's are asking the same questions.

It would be very interesting to know how many who are in the soul scene were once into scootering of some kind before,

Scootering got me into the soul scene and im so glad about that but i do love them both as they both give me so much

[Guest Bearsy]

Got one of each - Vespa 150 Sportique and a Lammy LI series II.

(Though not had either on the road for a few years now... )

So I don't have to make that choice.

Ive got the grown up versions of both your scooters

GS160 m1

GP225 TS1

[Zed1]

Never been into Scooters!, but always owned Bikes, and the same type arguements still apply

Those that have always rode/owned Bikes hate the 'born Agains' for giving the 'scene' a bad name.

Those that will only own/ride classic British Bikes hate the modern Jap 'Plastic missiles'.

The 'born agains' hate those that dress up like Village people rejects and ride Harley Davidsons.

They inturn hate the 'Jap crap' and the riders who dress up like 'Powerangers'...........

I also own a modern MG rag top, but owners of 'Classic' MGs say its not a 'Proper' one, it's just a Rover with a MG badge stuck on!.

'Passion' has a lot to answer for!!.

[Mace]

Ive got the grown up versions of both your scooters

GS160 m1

GP225 TS1

GS160

GP225

[Guest Bearsy]

GS160

GP225

[Guest Bearsy]

Never been into Scooters!, but always owned Bikes, and the same type arguements still apply

Those that have always rode/owned Bikes hate the 'born Agains' for giving the 'scene' a bad name.

Those that will only own/ride classic British Bikes hate the modern Jap 'Plastic missiles'.

The 'born agains' hate those that dress up like Village people rejects and ride Harley Davidsons.

They inturn hate the 'Jap crap' and the riders who dress up like 'Powerangers'...........

I also own a modern MG rag top, but owners of 'Classic' MGs say its not a 'Proper' one, it's just a Rover with a MG badge stuck on!.

'Passion' has a lot to answer for!!.

There is just not enough love in this world.

In scootering at the custom shows you see all types of scooters that have been lovingly restored or customised and occasionaly you here someone say " i dont like that it looks shit or thats boring etc " But to me the scooter is as indivdual as its owner and as we all know we aint all the same, so to say you hate another persons preference is a bit bitchy and if anything stuck up your own arse in your own little world. I may not like the style or taste myself but i realise that its each to there own and i appreciate the time, effort and expence some people go to just because they want too. ive built a custom scooter and know whats involved and it aint easy but i also know it wont be to everybodys taste but do i care NO because i build it for ME. even i aint perfect would you believe

Its the same with the soul scene, we all like what we like and different soulies have different tastes but we all share the same PASSION.

Live and let live and enjoy whats important to you,

" Passion " does have a lot to answer for i agree.

Thats it im off to bed cos the wife said so

[hipshaker 05]

totally agree with points made by bearsy and teapot. not enough "live and let live" attitude. too many people with just one view that they feel must be right and that everyone else must be wrong. people should involve themselves in these things to the extent that they want to i think.

[Guest Bearsy]

totally agree with points made by bearsy and teapot. not enough "live and let live" attitude. too many people with just one view that they feel must be right and that everyone else must be wrong. people should involve themselves in these things to the extent that they want to i think.

Perfect example for you here.

I went to Hipshaker at the scooter weekender in august at Ryde Castle on the Saturday night,

So many different styles of people from Skinheads to Mods etc and the music in the downstairs room was superb all night and it did cater for everybodys needs and the DJs got it spot on with a great mixture and the dance floor was nonstop from start to finish with no trouble what so ever,

the dress policy was - please respect each others styles. NUFF said.

I enjoyed seeing everybody dressed right up and looking the dogs bolox even if it would of been a fancy dress outfit for me on another night.

Respect was shown by everyone to everyone and it has been a must night for me and my scooterboy friends and cant wait for this years.

Bearsy

[Guest ScooterNik]

To be honest, I think most Mods totally understand that Scooters come first and foremost to Scooterboys....I think it's the fact that most Scooterboys don't seem to appreciate that the Mod Scene has a different order of priorities, ie usually appearance, music then scooters.

That's why the Mod scene went its own way in the early 80s, because they were getting a lot of flak for their appearance/tastes etc from scooterists, skinheads, pyschobillies/punks etc that were frequenting the scooter rallies/scene in the 80s.

Sorry, but REALLY got to disagree with that one.. I've been reading Scootering since issue 1, served my apprenticeship as a mod until I bought scooter and discovered that parkas and suits are not really ideal riding gear!

I would guestmate that around 75% of the scooterboys I know had their roots in the mod revival and so understand the mod priorities? They just don't appeal to us.

But what I do know is that I didn't really 'discover' the northern scene until I was wearing leathers and combats.

FTR, while I'm happy to go rallying in scruffy drinking and camping clothes, on the occasions I do attend northern events I'm quite happy to dress to fit in. I've no point to make, even in the days of the 8" high psychobilly quiff or 3' dreads I always smartened myself up to attend. But I suppose this isn't really the place for this arguement so I'll leave that side of it there as I don't think anyone is ever REALLY going to change on the strength of an internet forum thread!

Yours on a scabby 5 year old P2 disk that has as many miles on it as my 10 year old car... (I can't afford an SX2!) and loving all passionate music....

Nik

(BTW, how can I change my login from FB to Nik?)

[Guest Stuart T]

Sorry, but REALLY got to disagree with that one.. I've been reading Scootering since issue 1, served my apprenticeship as a mod until I bought scooter and discovered that parkas and suits are not really ideal riding gear!

I would guestmate that around 75% of the scooterboys I know had their roots in the mod revival and so understand the mod priorities?

Poor you, all those years of reading Scootering, is it actually written by adults nowadays? That other magazine, forget the name, was at least a bit more interesting even if it did have pictures of nasty tieless rough types getting their hands greasy.

Wearing an army surplus fishtail parka when not riding a scooter isn't very mod at all and isn't to be recommended in any event unless you're in the US Army.

Is your argument that scooterists, many of them regarding themselves as ex-mods, wouldn't have abused the mods? In which case you're wrong, I remember the amount of abuse that mods got from people who only a year or two earlier had been running around in a boating blazer, sta prests and desert boots pretending they were mods themselves. Who started the rucks at places like Leysdown? Must have been off duty squaddies in those army greens.

Sorry, but getting away from half of the scooterists was essential at the time, and to be frank in most cases I didn't feel that I had anything at all in common with them at all as their tastes in music didn't seem to get beyond a few "rally classics" and the latest King Kurt LP.

Glad that things appear to be different nowadays, but beyond some scooterists liking northern soul and perhaps having picked up a taste for scooters from the mod scene the two groups have virtually nothing in common thats different from anyone else.

Bearsy, do the Maidstone Victory Scooter Club still exist?

[Guest ScooterNik]

Poor you, all those years of reading Scootering, is it actually written by adults nowadays?

No, I contribute occasionally

[Guest Stuart T]

No, I contribute occasionally

I was being a bit unfair, when it first came out it seemed very lightweight and amateurish (and the first edition didn't include the advertised freebie much to my mate's disgust ). Last one I saw did have a lot more detailed articles and better journalism. I'm more interested in the vintage scooters than the latest tuned rayspeed wotchercallits and at least they get featured in some detail nowadays, instead of yet another picture of a PX toolbox with chrome lid....

[Guest Bearsy]

Poor you, all those years of reading Scootering, is it actually written by adults nowadays? That other magazine, forget the name, was at least a bit more interesting even if it did have pictures of nasty tieless rough types getting their hands greasy.

Wearing an army surplus fishtail parka when not riding a scooter isn't very mod at all and isn't to be recommended in any event unless you're in the US Army.

Is your argument that scooterists, many of them regarding themselves as ex-mods, wouldn't have abused the mods? In which case you're wrong, I remember the amount of abuse that mods got from people who only a year or two earlier had been running around in a boating blazer, sta prests and desert boots pretending they were mods themselves. Who started the rucks at places like Leysdown? Must have been off duty squaddies in those army greens.

Sorry, but getting away from half of the scooterists was essential at the time, and to be frank in most cases I didn't feel that I had anything at all in common with them at all as their tastes in music didn't seem to get beyond a few "rally classics" and the latest King Kurt LP.

Glad that things appear to be different nowadays, but beyond some scooterists liking northern soul and perhaps having picked up a taste for scooters from the mod scene the two groups have virtually nothing in common thats different from anyone else.

Bearsy, do the Maidstone Victory Scooter Club still exist?

Great point Stuart,

MVSC not no more as far as i know, you have Maidstone and District SC ( MAD ) and thats about it for that area nowadays,

Was you a naughty boy at Leysdown Stuart

[Guest Bearsy]

Anyway going back to the TITLE of this thread

Who are them and us lot

You could soon be one of them which i am one off but if you dont you can still be one of us

RIDE HARD DANCE FAST

[Mace]

Sorry, but REALLY got to disagree with that one.. I've been reading Scootering since issue 1, served my apprenticeship as a mod until I bought scooter and discovered that parkas and suits are not really ideal riding gear!

I would guestmate that around 75% of the scooterboys I know had their roots in the mod revival and so understand the mod priorities? They just don't appeal to us.

Nik

....and that statement cements my belief that most scooterists don't understand the true mod scene whatsoever.

There is no apprenticeship in being a mod, just varying levels of suss, and riding a scooter in a parka don't even make the first level....

Stuart obviously knows the score, and the points he has made are spot on.

I, and probably most other mods, were usually spat at, chased and slapped, ridiculed etc by scooterists for being a mod on a scooter rally....and we were supposed to understand your best interest...........

Punks in parkas aint mods mate....never were, never will be

[hipshaker 05]

cheers bearsy ........................ i must admit to not coming from a scooter background (i did the teenage mod/quadrophenia thing in '79 but punk was more my thing) which probably helped when we started over the iow. we didn't have the hang ups about clothes that some events did. didn't want to advertise "smart dress only" or "no combats" etc. from what i believed that attitude was a bit stuck in the 80s. we thought that there was a place for a club like ours that had a definite music policy ... but without the need for dress restrictions. and that there would be enough people who would go with that. and it does seem to work. we have the "respect for others" policy which seems to do fine ...... and we would ask people to leave if we found that they were causing problems. i do like to see people dressing up though .... whatever their style.

i find the whole "them and us" thing a bit ridiculous. soulies/mods/scooterists .... whoever, looking down on others ....... grown men and women .... bizarre/juvenile. i see bits of that reflected on forums now and then .... and in scootering. i don't think its the majority of people though.

as a rally ..... i love the iow. there is a great "buzz" about the place.

[sister dawn]

up until about 2 years ago me and the hubby used to go to the scooter rallies, and I loved em, Djayed at a few and enjoyed it, many of the bigger rallies used to have a seperate northern room, the VFM ones in particular (think thats what they were called) I never over the years saw any conflicts between mods/scooterists/psycobillys/soulies/ whoever just a load of people getting together and having a damn good time as it should be.

[Guest Bearsy]

cheers bearsy ........................ i must admit to not coming from a scooter background (i did the teenage mod/quadrophenia thing in '79 but punk was more my thing) which probably helped when we started over the iow. we didn't have the hang ups about clothes that some events did. didn't want to advertise "smart dress only" or "no combats" etc. from what i believed that attitude was a bit stuck in the 80s. we thought that there was a place for a club like ours that had a definite music policy ... but without the need for dress restrictions. and that there would be enough people who would go with that. and it does seem to work. we have the "respect for others" policy which seems to do fine ...... and we would ask people to leave if we found that they were causing problems. i do like to see people dressing up though .... whatever their style.

i find the whole "them and us" thing a bit ridiculous. soulies/mods/scooterists .... whoever, looking down on others ....... grown men and women .... bizarre/juvenile. i see bits of that reflected on forums now and then .... and in scootering. i don't think its the majority of people though.

as a rally ..... i love the iow. there is a great "buzz" about the place.

Its a crazy world we live in and i would`nt want to live anywhere else,

Im 1 of 5 kids and the youngest at that and there isnt one of us that are remotely alike in personality or of the same views and opinions but one of us thinks they are always right and knows it all so that puts me in the minority , I care more of whats important to me like my family and only hope people like me for who and what i am about. Maybe thats a sign of me finally maturing at the age of 38

if everyone was like me the world would be a perfect place to live

Bring on the good times

love life and live it free

Bearsy

[Dave Rimmer]

psycobillys

Can someone tell me what a psycobilly is ? And are there psycodave's, or psycoron's as well ?

[hipshaker 05]

psychobillies ........ like rockabillies but with a punky edge to it. bands like the meteors, guana batz, king kurt.

[Guest Bearsy]

up until about 2 years ago me and the hubby used to go to the scooter rallies, and I loved em, Djayed at a few and enjoyed it, many of the bigger rallies used to have a seperate northern room, the VFM ones in particular (think thats what they were called) I never over the years saw any conflicts between mods/scooterists/psycobillys/soulies/ whoever just a load of people getting together and having a damn good time as it should be.

Nothing has changed in the last 2 years either.

The Gift played at Hemsby this year and it was a sell out because of them and there was mods everywhere, ones all suited and booted and some in parkas and of all ages and not a sign of trouble anywhere.

Times have changed

[Mace]

....we didn't have the hang ups about clothes that some events did. didn't want to advertise "smart dress only" or "no combats" etc. from what i believed that attitude was a bit stuck in the 80s.

I agree that this attitude was a bit stuck in the 80s, but as there was a lot of the hassle mentioned on scooter runs in the 80s then it was totally understandable why the mod scene took it's own direction for events at the time, and introduced dress codes to prevent further disruption.

You cannot compare your current venues success to those times.

One of my closest mates at the time that I attended the 80s rallies was a huge f*cker of a Pyschobilly with the biggest quiff you could imagine, he loved scooters and was one of the nicest guys you could meet. He had started off getting into the mod revival thing as a spotty teenage himself, but could never understand my obsession with the 60s mod look at the time..it never made either of us feel superior or inferior to each other, but other than scooters our interests were completely different, so there was always plenty of pisstaking...to some-one who didn't know him they could be really intimidated by such behaviour...add to that a twisted character and a few beers and its easy to see how differences became disputes.

To be fair, there was also other elements disrupting the scooter runs at the time (vanloads of NF skins etc) and it always seemed to be a timebomb waiting to go off.

Your club is hugely successful in todays scootering climate, and its a welcome thing to see as attitudes have changed and people matured......personally think it would have been a nightmare of a club to run in the 80s.

Hence there are still clubs that cater for mods only, there are still differences of opinion, there are mods who still dislike scooterboys and vise versa, as there are many differences of opinion on the northern scene.

It's what makes the world go round..............

[Mace]

Can someone tell me what a psycobilly is ? And are there psycodave's, or psycoron's as well ?

Have I just spotted a Ron Dixon jibe or am I getting paranoid...

[Guest]

....and that statement cements my belief that most scooterists don't understand the true mod scene whatsoever.

There is no apprenticeship in being a mod, just varying levels of suss, and riding a scooter in a parka don't even make the first level....

Stuart obviously knows the score, and the points he has made are spot on.

I, and probably most other mods, were usually spat at, chased and slapped, ridiculed etc by scooterists for being a mod on a scooter rally....and we were supposed to understand your best interest...........

Punks in parkas aint mods mate....never were, never will be

Have to agree with Mace there,

8Ts for myself was about digging deep into all things 6Ts. Its quite funny these days when I attend national Scooter events and hear I just kept on dancing or Berts apple crumble, I always have a little smile to myself. Perhaps in 20 years time you might hear Pat and the blenders or Karmello Brooks being played on a national? But it is great that we don't get spat on anymore....that used to always piss my mother off when we were out shopping!

I love my Scooter (SX 200 baby!) and I enjoy the rallys these days (for the drink and fun) and I love to attend Soul events (see you at Prestatyn) Its just about good fun and good taste for me - always has been!

And thats why i never had a quiff and a grass skirt!

Joking as always.......Mossy

[Mace]

And thats why i never had a quiff and a grass skirt!

Joking as always.......Mossy

So you're joking about not having a grass skirt then

Forgot all about them... (and no, neither did I)

Lordy.....

[Guest PaulR]

Just as an aside to the them & us thing. Occasionally I used to go to Wigan & various other places round Lancs on My Lambrettas in 1975/76. I now have a couple of different Lammies, although I don't get out too much nowadays, but spent 4 great nights at the Crown Hotel on the IOW last year in the company of John Buck, Michief & various other chaps.

There has always been a link between Mod, scooters, Skins & Soul since the early '60s hasn't there.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Hello FB(Nick)

Paul(Soulfecker)

(Not a newby, just having problems with my Paul r login.)

[Guest Simon]

Nothing has changed in the last 2 years either.

The Gift played at Hemsby this year and it was a sell out because of them and there was mods everywhere, ones all suited and booted and some in parkas and of all ages and not a sign of trouble anywhere.

Times have changed

The Gift are a Jam tribute band though & nothing do with proper Mods imo. Today is definitely better for the lack of trouble at dos etc. but with that the Mod standards have gone down as to the point where people think Oasis are Mod.

I don't personally think there's such a thing as a Mod scene nowadays just a lot of disparate people & clubs masquerading as Mod.

Simon

[Pat]

Bit nervous as this is my first post,even if it is a reply to someone else's original message. I have no connection at all with either the mods or scooterists. Mine is more a general comment.Having loved the music ,and danced to it,for over 37 years I'm finding the elitism a little bit hard to swallow. I've always told newcomers and outiders how friendly the Northern Soulies are but there seems to be quite a bit of backbiting in the past 6 months at least.It's a bit sad to hear that mods and scooterists are just the same.The only encouraging sign is that there are lots of younger folk attending soul nites and dancing to the music. Finally can I just say that life is too short and we should just go out,listen and dance to the music and be NICE(awful word I know) to each other. Happy New Year to everyone who knows us and also those who don't.

Pat

[Guest Stuart T]

Great point Stuart,

MVSC not no more as far as i know, you have Maidstone and District SC ( MAD ) and thats about it for that area nowadays,

Was you a naughty boy at Leysdown Stuart

I was always impeccably behaved. I never really liked the rallies, mod, scooterist or otherwise, camping is for boy scouts and I couldn't afford a B&B.

[Guest Bearsy]

The Gift are a Jam tribute band though & nothing do with proper Mods imo. Today is definitely better for the lack of trouble at dos etc. but with that the Mod standards have gone down as to the point where people think Oasis are Mod.

I don't personally think there's such a thing as a Mod scene nowadays just a lot of disparate people & clubs masquerading as Mod.

Simon

Simon dont ever let Rick Buckler hear you calling The Gift a Jam tribute band he wouldnt be happy but do agree with you and agree with some of the others too, What is a mod nowadays as the proper mods as they call themselves you know the ones with the Austin Powers style of life (only joking) and the other Mods that some of my friends are and they were the original 60s mods and the stories they tell me about them days and thier style of clothing at the time dont come into comparison with the other style mods, its quite confusing but i sometimes seem to think that the other mods sometimes think they are a bit more elite and original but then again i cant really comment on those mods as i really dont know any of them, if i aint confused you with this post your more understanding than me.

But seriously Hemsby was packed and it was because of The Gift (tribute band or not to The Jam ) the place was full of various style dressed mods and not a bit of trouble anywhere. i think them and us days in scootering is long gone and everyone no matter what style of dress or style or fashion all seem to get on and do just make the most of it and enjoy themselves.

[Guest Bearsy]

Bit nervous as this is my first post,even if it is a reply to someone else's original message. I have no connection at all with either the mods or scooterists. Mine is more a general comment.Having loved the music ,and danced to it,for over 37 years I'm finding the elitism a little bit hard to swallow. I've always told newcomers and outiders how friendly the Northern Soulies are but there seems to be quite a bit of backbiting in the past 6 months at least.It's a bit sad to hear that mods and scooterists are just the same.The only encouraging sign is that there are lots of younger folk attending soul nites and dancing to the music. Finally can I just say that life is too short and we should just go out,listen and dance to the music and be NICE(awful word I know) to each other. Happy New Year to everyone who knows us and also those who don't.

Pat

Hello Pat and welcome on board,

Not having a dig just interested to know how if you have no connection with something how can it be so sad to you that friends and people you dont know with different tastes in life cant be of the same scene if you have at least scootering as the one main thing in common you all really enjoy.

Very confusing point for someone who hates all the backbiting and to just go out enjoy yourselfs and be nice.

Bearsy (the nice man) scooterist, soulie, non mod

[Guest Stuart T]

Bearsy (the nice man) scooterist, soulie, non mod

Only the first one is important.

(By the way you left out Pikey).

[Guest Simon]

i think them and us days in scootering is long gone and everyone no matter what style of dress or style or fashion all seem to get on and do just make the most of it and enjoy themselves.

True you don't really get any trouble nowadays which is a great thing as i deplore violence however i still think there is a them & us, it's just that it's papered over.

Mods & scooterists still have nothing in common as far as i can see be it musically, clothes wise whatever (obviously there's the odd exception, but on the whole...) & to be honest they never will imo, they are cut from totally different cloth. I don't see this as a bad thing though as it would be a very boring world if we were all the same.

Simon

[Guest Bearsy]

Only the first one is important.

(By the way you left out Pikey).

So much for you being nice Stuart changed my avatar now as im getting stick off of millwall fans

BTW do you need any pegs or lucky heather, PM your address if you do

[Guest Bearsy]

True you don't really get any trouble nowadays which is a great thing as i deplore violence however i still think there is a them & us, it's just that it's papered over.

Mods & scooterists still have nothing in common as far as i can see be it musically, clothes wise whatever (obviously there's the odd exception, but on the whole...) & to be honest they never will imo, they are cut from totally different cloth. I don't see this as a bad thing though as it would be a very boring world if we were all the same.

Simon

I would agree if only i knew what a mod was nowadays, only said that so we were`nt the same