For the past decade, John Manson, founder of Oklahoma City's industrial surf band Billy Joe Winghead, and Jeff Beck, owner of Beck's Garage on N Western Avenue, have made annual pilgrimages to American festivals of hot rods, rockabilly, punk and pin-ups.
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From Sleazefest and the Heavy Rebel Weekender in North Carolina to the Hootenanny in Fullerton, Calif., and the annual Viva Las Vegas rockabilly festival in Nevada, both Oklahoma City residents have become embedded in a subculture of cars, music and beer — just not in the Sooner State.
Now, the two men are hoping to start an annual event closer to home and just off old Route 66.
The first Okie Twist-Off Kustom Culture Extravaganza is set for noon Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at 66 Bowl, with 11 bands headlined by Austin, Texas' Flametrick Subs, a pre-1965 car show and a pin-up contest to boot.
"Beck and I have been to various events around the country, and now instead of driving to them, we are having one here,” Manson said. "We've got a fine crop of bands here in the area who are pitching in to help, too.”
Manson's latest band venture, the Coconauts, will close the show inside 66 Bowl's Silver Dollar Saloon.
Manson sings and plays the warbling 1950s science-fiction movie instrument called the theremin. And he describes his latest band as "tiki music for aliens.”
"I would say this. ‘The Coconauts' is 28th century exotica. It's way ahead of its time while simultaneously out of date,” Manson said.
The band features the old Winghead lineup plus 66 Bowl's own music promoter Michael Haynes on bongos.
The daytime Kustom Car Show in the parking lot has been organized by the local Ratty Bastards Car Club, spokesman Kevin Burden said.
About 20 members of the club will display their traditional 1950s makes and models.
The cars, Burden said, are daily transportation for club members and not just for weekend shows. They are sometimes referred to as "rat rods,” which is how the club name was derived.
Burden said he has been to similar events in Texas and Kansas, and is pleased a car show and music show is "rolling” in his hometown.
The show is for all ages. A $10 admission charge will buy a wristband for access to all events the day of the show, Burden said.
Among bands scheduled to play on indoor and outdoor stages are the Oh Johnny! Girls, Midnight Marauders, Bloody Ol' Mule, and Reverb Brothers.
For more information about the shows or to preregister for the car show for a $20 fee, call Beck at 842-9920. Car show registrations will cost $25 on show day.
A Web site has also been set up for the event with a band schedule at www.okietwistoff.com.
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Members of The Ratty Bastards Car Club, from left, John Manson, Kevin Burden, Greg Burnett and Jeff Beck, gather outside 66 Bowl to promote the first Okie Twist-Off Kustom Culture Extravaganza Car Show, beginning at noon Saturday and running until 2 a.m. Sunday. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
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Okie Twist-Off Kustom Culture Extravaganza
•When: Noon Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday.
•Where: 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39 Expressway.
•Featuring: 11 bands headlined by Austin's Flametrick Subs, a pre-1965 car show and pin-up contest.
•Information: 842-9920.
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