My first step into the world of outlaw motorcycle clubs. This is just a part of my story For more, check out my book Sign the mailing list to get notified of pre-sales, singed copies, and release dates dartfrogbooks....
As an old 1%er with 47 yrs in. I cannot stress enough to anyone the importance of spending a lot of time in the Hang Around phase! Eventually members will begin to “lean” on you to “step up” into Prospect. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN WILL AND PACE! Again, this is so so important. The Hang Around spot really has the best seat in the house in my opinion. You get to hang out, party, ride and generally be able to reap so many benefits without the grunt work of Prospect and the BS an actual member has to to put up with. As a Hang Around, you can come when you want and LEAVE when you want! Many times, if you are a long time Hang Around and prove n and trusted, your Prospect time is much easier. Just by de facto easier, since everybody already knows you and knows your capabilities. This of course, is not a given or automatic! But one of the best advices is take a lot of time in Hang Around and do not fall to pressure. The lure and temptation to get that patch is immense and can confuse you! You will wanna start to get the process underway. Don’t do it! Wait until YOU really really know it’s for you!
This is THE BEST testimony I've ever heard if anyone ever wanted or was considering being a part of a club. What you go through. Commitment thoughts etc. I really enjoyed listening to you. Good luck and blessings on your life's journey
When I prospected with the Vagos, I kept asking myself: Is this really it? Just riding from one bar to another? What's the point? A lot of that had to do with the chapter I was prospecting, which was a mistake. A lot also had to do with the fact we were in Las Vegas, which has two good riding areas and a whole lot of bars in between. A hang-around gets pretty much all the access without any of the hassle.
@@mikeheuer1276 yeah I get it bro. I put down my patch a long time ago. I enjoy riding on my own terms and schedules. The thing is I really don’t see the brotherhood like it’s proclaimed. Maybe I’m not seeing it
@@Impopeye I couldn't agree more. And like Mooch said in the video, they need to be people you would want to hang out with outside of the club. I met a lot of people I never would want to call "brother."
I'm a veteran and worked with veterans for more than 20 years. It does not surprise me that so many MCs started by WWII veterans. The power of brotherhood is a very real thing men need.
My cousin Doug Mackey was a long time member of the Vagos. He passed away several years ago and quite a few of his brothers from the Vagos showed up for the memorial service at a church. Even though I was completely an outsider I was very appreciative of the love they showed to my cousin. Changed my views of the club lifestyle . Much love to the Vagos
@@2324ariel I’m sorry to hear that as we all know it’s not easy to lose a loved one. Since the memorial service several years ago now whenever I see a Vago I say hello to them and shake their hand. I have never had a negative response or encounter. I’m 6 foot 2 in shape and have a high and tight haircut. Not once as any of the members given me an attitude because of the way I look actually just the opposite. The media portrays all of the MC Clubs in a negative light to control the narrative. I now call bullshit on them. Do a story on the day to day life of the guys in theses MC Clubs and you will come away with a different viewpoint for sure. Hey, God Bless you sir, be safe and healthy.
In the summer of 2004, I was camping at the KOA in Pomona. My family was at the fair, I was out riding. It was a hot August night in So Cal and as I came back to Pomona, there was a stranded biker near the fairgrounds, I pulled over to see if he needed help (I live in Montana, we don't leave anyone on the side of the road, Big Foot could eat them). His bike just quit, and I ended up towing him home, He lived in Pomona and it was the first time I've towed another motorcycle. And I've been riding since 1962, I was 12. Anyway, he saw I was wearing a Firefighters Club Cut and my plates are Montana. After I dropped him off, He gave me a green Vagos Courtesy Card, which I still have, and told me if I needed anything to call him. His name was J.R. we became friends and always invited me to ride with him when I was in California. The last time I saw J.R. was at the Roadhouse in Etiwanda. Several years ago, I ran into a Vago who said J.R. died, sorry to hear that, I'm glad I was able to help him out, Brian in Hungry Horse Montana
This is my first video from you and the thing I like the best is, you don’t have a lot of “quiet time” in them, like you’re trying to figure out what to say next. I like that. Me…In the early 70s, I was in the dominant club in town for a couple of years and only dropped out because my engine blew up and I didn’t have the money to fix it, especially with our 30 day down period. No one in the club offered to help get my bike up, with the understanding I’d pay them back. There’s more to the story but I’ll stop here. Oh…I still ride today and I’ll be 74 this year but I’m just a bike rider now. Subscribed.
In 2006 or so I was managing a bar in San Diego, when a group of Vagos dropped in and partied all night. There were also some guys from a Tijuana chapter as well. No trouble from the actual members, but a hanger on with a squeaky voice white dude talked crap the whole night and was trying to pick fights.
@@samcabasa6609 You must have heard some misinformation or just be dumb, he even said in his videos he was with the punk scene.....that doesn't mean he a white supremacist, neither does being apart of a 1% motorcycle club. Please educate yourself and think before you speak.
I agree about taking your time. I use to wanna rush everything. Now I KINDA do my own thing, I've partied with all kinda groups. I'm in no rush now. If I never find my perfect fit then I don't find it. I just found this channel and I hit the subscribe button.
When I was young and dumb and drunk at the bar over a misunderstanding about women I got my ass kicked by the vagos LOL I'll never forget that it was my fault they tried and tried
Who started vagos MC was 13 people in Berdoo my dad Lucky and my uncle puro ,Gil , moose drew the logo my dad lucky was the treasurer my uncle puro was betdoo first president
I have joined the mailing list for the book. Hilarious 😂 not really, I am lying. "Moochster", man. How many times did you get shot at during your time in both clubs? [October27,2023]
Cool show .. I got a question.. how is frank ,Rey Mena, & Zach.. I lived with them at the steel plant in Fontana .. also met Tata & bone-head .. wow memories of 2004 ..
I was only in the Vagos for two years and then patched over to the Mongols. So I only know a few of the names you mentioned. Thank you for checking out the show
I always wanted to ask this question of a one percenter. I am not a hard-core rider but I always wondered why you don’t see a one percenter either on TV or in the real world riding old Harleys. I didn’t know if it was because they are mechanically temperamental and have to be worked on regularly. Just a thought. All the Best!
A lot of them have nice old bikes but as far as riding them for club purposes they often habe reliability issues for longer travel and aren’t made to keep up with newer bikes
Green was 1 percent since 1965 , Berdoo. My camaradas Moose and Gil Carrasco were part of the original 13 vatos. The 13 that didnt back down from the other guys "trying" to claim Berdoo! Who wasnt a 1 percent club yet, to did you just say that?
The Vagos chose to wear the MF diamond instead of the 1%er diamond back then. They just started earring the 1%er diamond within the last ten years. They’ve always been an outlaw club and there is no doubt about that. But didn’t used to wear the 1%er diamond
@@MondaysWithMooch let me introduce myself.......LaBare Evil Chapter Dallas Texas Vietnam Vets Legacy Vets MC. Would you mind if I asked you a question?
Riding for me is about freedom. I have been asked to prospect but when I look at these clubs none of the members have freedom during their rides. When I ride with the guys I ride with we ride our own ride, no formation, no you have to show up for this or that. I don't see the club as freedom.
@@MondaysWithMooch hell ya you know Rob and Steve and the SOSF dudes? I'm from the Cleveland area I been watching Crowd Deterrent for over 20 years bro lol
What’s up Mooch! Followed you on IG for a while and just recently found your YT channel so now I’m binge watching your episodes. I hope you keep putting out new content, you seem like a very natural interviewer, developing a good rapport with the guest quickly, asking interesting questions etc. Your interview with Peewee was great. I’d love to see some stuff about some of the lesser known clubs of the 60’s and 70’s in NY and San Fran.
Starting from 17:20: That's some GREAT advice. Looking back, I wish I had done more hanging around when I first got in touch with the motorcycle club world. ML&R from Germany.
Grew up around the Vagos in southern California and the Straight Satan's my order brother joining the Vagos Orange county CA. But I have a great respect for the Bikeing World and all the clubs
New subscriber...enjoying so far. I grew up surrounded by Vagos..( my uncle Puro was the founder and original President of the Vagos MC in Berdoo. Best of luck with your channel. 💚✌🏽
@@alextijerina1284 I don't believe so originally....Vagos flew a So Cal bottom rocker at first....I think any problems started later as the clubs started to expand. The Vagos and the Hells Angels clubhouses were literally about 1 1/2 -2 Miles apart.
I moved to Portland in 2005 from the east coast and lived off Alberta street. I hung out at the know after work and drank 1 buck tall boys. I saved enough money to buy a used bike from Eastside Motorcycle, and started to meet people who were serious about riding. I started hanging out at a clubhouse in my neighborhood and was immediately accepted. I’m a veteran and I was not finding that connection in the punk and hardcore scene in Portland. But in the club scene all I had to do was shake a man’s hand and introduce myself. I met you at a big party one time, and we talked about tattoos and music. I live back on the east coast now, and I miss Portland when it was a different place. I still ride motorcycles and go to hardcore shows. I really enjoyed this video and I am happy that someone made the connection with punk/hardcore/Oi! and riding bikes.
Thank you so much for reaching out and for taking the time to check out the channel. Portland was a lot of fun back in the old days. Seems like it’s changed a lot since then. I left there just over 5 years ago
I remember I seen a recent run flyer of theirs that said, “if you don’t belong, don’t stay long.” It’s comical because they can’t keep good people and the people that make up the club today will not be there in 5 years. They will have moved on to bigger and better things. Doesn’t matter if it’s family life, or another club that’s a better fit. Some of these clubs only care about the “party” and the only way that ends is with a GoFundMe page. You should surround yourself with people who hold you to a higher standard, not people who want to hold you back from reaching your full potential just because they don’t have any ambitions.
I think every club is a “party” club to an extent. The thing that separates those who can actually retain quality members and those you can’t, is the ability to notice when it’s time to chill for a bit. What I am saying is that a lot of people are selfish and put their own wants and needs above others and that’s not how it should me. Just because you want to party does not mean it’s healthy for your “brothers”. MANY, not all of them do not realize that you can sober up from paying attention. But they are too selfish having “fun” to see that they are losing their team and enabling a downward spiral that weakens everyone. That’s why that club has a revolving door and all the good guys move onto better things if they are lucky.
Grew up in WA, got to meet a few guys in the GJMC, Outsiders, Brother Speed, and Free Souls in my travels throughout the PACNW - they were all pretty good people.
Have always loved both the mongols and Vagos. Just moved back to San Diego area, really having a hard time just trying to provide for my wife and son, but hoping to get a bike again sometime this year, and would love to start hanging around mongols here around San Diego if there is a chapter.
I was in the Mongols San Diego chapter in 2008 when I lived in Imperial Beach. They have a few chapters in that area. Not sure if the Vagos still do or not. They used to have one in Ocean Side
@@MondaysWithMooch okay thanks man! and I’d love to hook up with some of the mongols around here, if I could figure out the “spots” ya know? Lol I also come from the punk rock/metalcore music scene, used to play and tour back in my early 20’s, so I really feel like I could get some good advice about everything from you. I appreciate your channel and what you do. I’m def wanting to buy the book bro! 😎
Kind of confused, you went straight from hanging around a couple of months to a full patch member of the Vagos? No prospecting? I don’t doubt any part if your story at all just doesn’t sound like the normal process for membership.
You have to serve the table, before you get take a seat at the table. I served as well and Prospected once for a mom and pop club, then again for a 1%ER club.
@@kodyleonard3580 Much respect. Just not sure I'm I can do that again. With an organization thats not on the same level as the units I served with. I reckon I would need to search out veterans MC's if I were to join a club. I would reckon my DD214 would get me into one of those. I already paid my dues for sure.
@@kodyleonard3580 I paid my dues for my country. I have much respect for all clubs but I'm at an age and having been in combat I just dont feel like I have anything to prove to anyone. I guess I'm not cut out for club life cause I'm not gonna do any of the prospect crap. I've pulled guard duty for real in a combat environment I've done combat patrols I'm not gonna polish some random civilians bike to prove myself.
Omg the madball beef. We were in younger hardcore bands at the time but vividly remember shows getting cancelled. Ha. Your story telling is very articulated and you tell them well without repeating things. Looking forward to the book. ML&R
My uncle’s sister in law was married or just lived with a Vago in the early 70s and maybe even in the 60s. He lived in a very rural town near the edge of L.A. County back then later called Rowland Heights. Hells Angels shot him off his bike on Carbon Canyon Rd. in the early 70s. My uncle still remembers the chants Vagos said at the funeral. A very different era back then.
I look forward to reading your book when it comes out. I'm sure you mentioned where you follow updates for it, like in the description or something. I'm going to double check to see i can find it before I ask lol . *Update* I quickly found the sign up thing for the book in the description which had the link.
Club-jumping really isn't rare. I have met a lot of people who have done it and kind of did it myself as a hang-around with a couple of clubs. It's really amazing how fast many of the clubs change membership. I can say I never saw a Mongols' prospect be disrespected by Mongols patchholders. That really goes a long way toward making someone want to stick around and be part of the club. My experience as a Vagos prospect was far from that, mostly due to the chapter I mistakenly prospected. I am pretty sure that chapter no longer exists, but I did learn a valuable lesson: It's not the club, it's the chapter. You might like the club, but individual chapters vary greatly. Some are much better than others. Most of the people I met that I liked were other hang-arounds and prospects, but virtually all of them walked away for pretty much the same reason I did. Odds are we know one or two of the same people from the Green Nation, although you would know them better than I do.
