Reading OSR causes brain death...

For the first time in my life as a teacher I have a kid going through the school that is doing the "rockasilly" thing. He has found out about me and my cars and my cuffed jeans blah blah and for some reason his buddy told me I scare him. I think he feels I am some sort of superbilly and that I won't find him up to snuff. Hell, any kid that wears a Stray Cats t shirt in todays world is cool to me so I might just break the ice with him. He seems to also be digging on the old car thing.

Anyhow, he and his buddies have discovred OSR. I have never liked the mag because the car photos were sorry, some of the cars were just garbage(maybe 15% but they featured one I feel that way about...JMHO) and it was way over the top with the 'tude. It makes greasers and gearheads into human cartoons to me. I can't stand the way it is written and so on blah blah.

That being said I wish they would try to tighten things up and do things different, because after listening to these kids talk about it they think what we are into is some sort of 50's version of the Fast and the Furious. They are starting to think that if you are into old cars you want to build the biggest hunk of shit and speak in kat talk. OSR is the only mag I can find all the time and I do not think it really touches the spirit of living retro, hot rods, and so on. It comes off silly to me, Deluxe was tons better and so are most of the other mags (none have ever been as cool as the two Hot Rod Deluxes to me though) Hell, Hop Up is the a bible to me.

I feel gay for even talking about it like this, but it drives me nuts because it used to be "hey, look...it's a rat rod," and now it's " hey look...its a rat rod, just like in OSR!" I keep running into people that are influenced by that mag big time and all of them act like that guy in the first post...MarkX knows what I am talking about on the influence big time! (LOL)

I don't want OSR to go under, and it appears alot of people like it. I myself would love to see it make changes and survive...but who knows.

Anyhow, I am afraid it may be causing brain death like the first post said.

 

People who don't know...Don't know,they don't know. It's not a problem,it's a matter of proper education,or Ignorance is bliss ...For them anyway.

Chuck Fish

 

Now wait a damm minute. I shot lots of cars that ended up in the mag. And like I said before, I never wrote like a damm hoodlum. Thats not a fair or accurate statement.


Here are examples of some of the shitty cars that were in the mag and the shitty photos taken by a shitty photographer. Hope you enjoy these shitty examples.

 

I don't think that was the point, the photography pissed me off in the last issue too. Its not the quality of the photographs it was the ones chosen for publication. i.e. ron culberon's Lincoln, half the story was about the front end treatment on it and then no front shots of the car(or any of the others), WTF? Am I the only one that noticed this? I actually felt cheated. I don't think it was intentional just a little more attention to detail like making the pics match the write up.

 

Gasser Freak, I completely agree with you! You make a solid point. If more people were specific like you it might not seem like a blanket statement. Yes I really think the last issue was a complete rip off. I sent amazing pictures of B'ville followed some race teams, wrote about their stats and adventures took pictures of rare hot rods............and guess what, none of it made it into the magazine, but TWO pictures of Jimmy Shine drinkin a beer did. Two full page pictures at that!!!! WTF


Believe me I let my old editor know I thought it was the worst issue yet. I sur ehope they dont turn into a scene zine, but it appears that way right now. Oh well, I tried when I was there to make it better.

 

Back in the 80s worked part time at a buddy's import shop, most of the work was on Datsuns. We had a neighborhood kid with a ratty 510 sedan who would swing by every few days and go on and on about how he wanted a killer motor for his sedan. He'd sweep floors and even wash a car or two and we'd throw him some free parts or a hand on his car once in awhile. one day he sat down with forementioned buddy and planned the motor build and it came out roughly arround 5K. He didn't bat an eye and said he'd come up with the money sooner or later, we figured he'd never stop talking about it. Well almost a year later he started going thru our core blocks and picked one L20 block and the next day it went off to the machine shop. At that point he had most of the funds and we started ordering parts and about 3 months later it was in/out time and he drove out with his dream motor. We cut him deals every where it was possible and saved him some change. Never forget his first trip was to the pizza shop up the street and back with grub for us.

Never forgot, with guidance what may be your most annoying customer has the possibility of becoming a good customer.

However a few are beyond hope and they're the reason for those "we reserve the right to serve" signs in some shops.

 

"Here are examples of some of the shitty cars that were in the mag and the shitty photos taken by a shitty photographer. Hope you enjoy these shitty examples."

Wow and shitty comments from the shitty mag worker who works for the shitty mag huh...lol.

Im kidding, but you should know what I am talking about...the Jessie James car that you could not see...that ring a bell? In the early issues you could not see the cars because of the foo foo layouts and such. That was a general complaint by alot of the people on here when the mag came out.

The newest issue is another fine example...

As for shitty cars, I don't like to insult other peoples cars in public but you need examples of what I am talking about so how about the car with no back window...sorry, that did not need a couple of pages dedicated to it.

I have been amazed at the shifts in layouts and photo set up...the one that stands out as a good shoot was Bo Huff's roadster that started life as a Sport Coupe...that was much better than the average. Alot of the time you can't see the car and the models are the focus. And many times no rear shots or interior shots are shown. I can't remeber the issue now but one talked about mods done to the rear of some car and not a single rear shot was shown.

Is that a bit more clear? The photos you posted are way past cool, so I hope you now understand my shitty comments about your shitty mag

And the mag already is a scenster mag...damage done on that.

 

Mike,
Stop wasting your breath...I mean fingertip skin! (Terry's looking for you, by the way!!!)
Your photos, as shot, are excellent. When picked by "someone else" and reproduced shittily, they suck. Make sense? OSR could make Ansel Adams look like a 'tard. It's too easy to be cheesy...

 

As a good friend of mine would say on occasion: "Ignorance is no longer bliss; it is mandatory."

 

LMFUCKINGAO!

 

Well, I hope you get picked up by a mag that does a better job...it sounds like you talents were wasted at OSR. BTW, what is the story with the Neon American flag in that one shot on your site...very cool photo op on that one. You stuff on your site is very cool.

That Ansel Adams comment is great!

 

I must be a minority because if I am talking to someone about parts and or advise I listen to what they say. I am here to learn, and reading a magizine isn't going to make anyone an expert. Hell you won't even learn 1% of what you should know to build a car.

Some people just don't understand when someone is trying to help them out, especially when you don't know your asshole from your elbow.

Geno

 

Shit RF, you scared a pile into my shorts! I guess Im bored today. I dont want to watch football. So dinkin around on the HAMB is my only other option. I guess I could go out and clean my truck.

 

i dunno, i still think the funniest post ever was christian's shit broiler.

 

So, I have to ask, Nads... what did Hop Up do that was inexcusable?

Did I miss something?

Sam.

 

I second that one

 

I have a pretty low opiniom of the human race but on an indivual basis I think every encounter is a chance to make a difference. I am not above telling a loudmouth punk to hit the bricks but I also tolerate some pretty ignorant people if I think I can dispell some of the sewage they have for brain matter.
I have no "traditional" friends. Almost all of my friends are car enthusiests. Some restore cars, some are dirt trackers, others drag racers. Very dam few of them share all my tastes.
I don't read OSR but their message board is about a stagant pool. I go there about once a week and half of the same threads are still on page one.

 

Ya, Those Other Fokkers That Think They Know Everything, Can Sure Piss Off All Of Us That Do.

 

Not to drag this back up to the top......but Who Cares? I like the HAMB......Mike takes great pix.......and OSR's is a magazine that you guys buy and pay coin for.....I like hotrod's and landspeed racing.

Chris Nelson
Kansas

 

Mike,

I feel your pain, but on a slightly different level. I was met with open arms to be a freelance guy for OSR. They asked me for a "test" article with photos. I did a brief, but detailed, write-up of the Road Agent's Rockabilly Rumble, and e-mailed it, with pics.

I'm no Pat Ganahl, but it was a good job, and they responded with: "The article looks good, and the pictures are o.k., too. Send us some coverage of an event in your region (the N.W.), though, and we'll consider it." This was my first attempt at real auto journalism. I was amped.

Then I saw the last issue, with coverage of the event my "test" article was about. What a load of shit! There were so many great cars there that need ink. And they printed two different shots of a '39 Pontiac four-door with red spray-bombed WIRE HUBCAPS. And then more shots of those bondo-sculpted abortions with points and spears and shit welded to their trunks. Oh yeah, and some hairdo shots.

There was no mention of how great the hosting club is, the caliber of cars (a Barris restoration was present, for chrissakes!), or the names of performing bands, which were solid. My amateur photos were much better than the ones printed.

I haven't sent any articles or pursued any further writing, since. I'm just disgusted. And people should expect a Hell of a lot more for over $5 an issue. OK, rant over. Sorry.

Jake

 

I was wondering the same thing.

 

I dont think the editors care about they typos and mistakes. The Horse is just as bad, same editors.

Its written that way for effect.. I don't agree with it either..

 

I agree. I've read The Horse since it started an it has steadily degraded into total shite. The same photos of the same bikes at the same events issue after issue - "HEY! Here's THE HORSE staff with Billy Lane drinking beer!" Event photos have gone from cool home-built bikes to photos of the mgazine staff and their circle of hangers ugging it up. Page after page is wasted on this drivel. And the writing? I work in special education and have seen 1st graders do better. "Hey, I'm so cool. And Billy Lane said I was cool. And then I got drunk."

I post a bit and lurk more on The Horse msg board. This weekend the issues I described above were brought up an roundly agreed upon by numerous posters. The editors (Hammer ad Englishman) each responded with brief, sarcastic retort, illustrating that the mag is all about THEM as well as being indicative of the contempt they appear to have for those who buy their mag. Many people have reported that they have submitted contributions which have never seen the light of day while month after month they keep turning out their little magazine of personal "cool biker" photos.

I would expect more ofthe same from OSR - same bunch of people.

I have to admit, though, I bought my first issue of OSR just for the hell of it, and that is what changd me from a casual car admirer into a knowledge-hungry, soon-to-be (hopefully) project owner. Luckily I've since discovered Hop-up, CK deluxe, etc.

As a newbie, however, I always have utmost respect for anyone (which at this point is everyone!) who knows more than me -and utmost gratitude to those who share their knowledge!

 

I noticed it too.

 

i said the very same thing when i saw coverage of the rumble.. man was i pissed!!!! the whole mag sucked , and it made me feel better to whip it across the shop!!

 

ha,ha,ha-That is the funniest thing I have heard in a long time. Thanks for the laugh

 

Remember back in the 80s (bro) when skaters made their own local cheap ass'd 'zines? Why don't car folks do that?

 

I acually made one of those myself"Death Skate" ,I also worked on a few punk zines too..back then we would actually MAKE something we liked as opposed to just bitching about what we didnt

 

Hammy,

A friend of mine works at OSR (Advetising) and welcomed me to send in a "test" article after I offered to do some East Coast Event coverage. To start off he asked me to do a profile on my Elk and write up a tech sheet and article and send it in. Anyway I'll set it up, send it in and see how it goes.

 

There is something about standing on the other side of a cash register that makes even the most coherant person drop 20 IQ points.

Even folks that work the service/retail industry become slathering morons when standing on the other side of the counter.

I've worked serving the great unwashed for long enough to notice.

Maybe there should be a study of this phenomenom...


Conversely speaking, an ignorant scenester acting like an idiot about a hot rod project is far more desirable than the Hip-Hop nation acting like an idiot over a Mitsubishi.


I'd much rather have a bad hot-rod magazine than another bad import tuner magazine.