The Brotherhoods: Inside the Outlaw Motorcycle ClubsNow in a revised and updated edition, this vivid exploration of biker culture reveals the truth behind Australia's infamous motorcycle clubs through in-depth interviews, personal stories, and meticulous research. Included are the rules and rituals involved in becoming a club member, landmark incidents in biker folklore, and profiles of famous biker personalities. Unconstrained by the regulations that rule ordinary citizens, the notorious Gypsy Jokers are followed on their controversial New Year run in Western Australia. Written by an expert on biker culture, this book reveals the true picture of brotherhood among the clubs. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 22 | |
The Lure of the Bike | 32 |
From Biker to Bikie | 42 |
The Clubs | 61 |
Rules Bloody Rules | 86 |
Work and Play | 111 |
God Satan and other Myths | 128 |
The Outlaws | 187 |
On the Nose Clubs and Drugs | 199 |
The Big Blue Gang | 212 |
The Mild West | 230 |
A Dying Breed? | 252 |
Afterword | 265 |
Acknowledgements | 278 |
Endnotes | 279 |
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Common terms and phrases
actually Adelaide arrested arrived asked associates Australian clubs Australian police badge Bandidos Beachport become believe Biddlestone bike bikie clubs Black Uhlans bloke Broadford brotherhood Brothers called charges club in Australia club's clubhouse Coffin Cheaters colours Comancheros commitment cops crime criminal drugs event fight Finks fuck full member girls going Gypsy Jokers Harley Harley-Davidson Hell's Angels Hell's Angels chapters incident involved Jock join leader lifestyle look major mates meeting Melbourne membership Milperra Milperra massacre motorcycle club members Motorcycle Gangs murder nominee number of clubs organised Outlaw Bikers outlaw clubs outlaw motorcycle clubs party patch Perth president pretty prison realised Rebels ride Rieniets road roadblock Robbo Rudi rules scene sergeant-at-arms shit small club Smithy society someone Sonny Barger South Australia Squad Sydney Tait tattoo territory There's thing told Toronto town usually violence vote wear women
Popular passages
Page 27 - ... thoughts of all the buddies who had died. The awful bad luck of the maimed. The next thing to go was the professionalism. How could you be a professional when there was no more profession? The only way was to stay in The Profession. And some, quite a few, did. About the last thing to go was the old sense of esprit. That was the hardest thing to let go of, because there was nothing in civilian life that could replace it. The love and understanding of men for men in dangerous times, and places,...
Page 23 - They would ride in city or open country with their mufflers cut out, or in numerous cases absolutely devoid of muffling attachment. In some instances it was the rider's desire for noise, or to bring attention to the fact that he owned a motorcycle; in other .instances it was the owner's desire for more power; but whichever the case, this offense in principle and in conjunction with that of unsuitable attire has done...
Page 23 - ... their mufflers cut out, or in numerous cases absolutely devoid of muffling attachment. In some instances it was the rider's desire for noise, or to bring attention to the fact that he owned a motorcycle; in other .instances it was the owner's desire for more power; but whichever the case, this offense in principle and in conjunction with that of unsuitable attire has done more to retard the advancement of motorcycling in general than all other arguments combined.
Page 102 - FINE: $1oo for breaking above by-law. 2 No hypes. No use of heroin in any form. Anyone using a needle for any reason other than having a doctor use it on you will be considered a hype. FINE: Automatic kick-out from club. 3 No explosives of any kind will be thrown into the fire where there is one or more HELL'S ANGELS in the area.
Page 102 - til 6 pm in a predetermined area only. Rule does not apply to anyone with a gun in a shoulder holster or belt that is seen by another member if it is not being shot or displayed. FINE: $ 1 oo for breaking above by-law.
Page 102 - One patch and one membership card per member. Member may keep original patch if made into a banner. Prospects will wear California rocker on back and prospect left front where top of pocket is on a Levi jacket.
Page 103 - When making deals, person gets what they are promised or the deal is called off. FINE: Automatic kick-out from club. 7 All HELL'S ANGELS fines will be paid within 3o days.
Page 103 - HELL'S ANGELS tattoo will have an in-date and out-date when the member quits. If kicked out, HELL'S ANGELS tattoo will be completely covered or a 1/2 inch X through the tattoo.
Page 26 - Fat Boy, an amalgam of Fat Man and Little Boy, the names of the two atomic bombs dropped by the Allies on Japan in 1945.