There’s A Xmas Rumble In Chelsea Tonight

By Mark Humphrey 

Chelsea, Vic/Aus. 30^th November 2015. Wow, a quick check of the memory banks took me back to last year’s Kingpin Kuztums Xmas party at Acland St in St. Kilda and here I was once again seeing the custom cruising year out this time at the ALH operated Chelsea Heights Hotel and what a way to finish the year. With no less than 9 bands listed on the day’s running sheet the day was set up to be the biggest culmination of hot-rods, tattoos, rock a billy merch and live music to see out what was an exciting year for Kingpin Kuztums and creator Rob Bellio. With just a couple of small Vic Market commitments in December the Kingpin Kuztums juggernaut can just about apply the brakes for the remainder of 2015.

After securing a deal early in the year with hotels giant Australian Licenced Hotels (ALH) Bellio got to work on developing his themed Rats Tatts & Pin Ups lifestyle events with events scheduled throughout the year at various ALH venues across Melbourne. The Glengala Hotel kicked off the series early in the year but with electrical activity forecast for the region on the scheduled kick off things looked a bit sketchy with some of the regions finest custom vehicles electing to sit out the inaugural ALH event . That aside the mix of custom cars, rock a billy culture and live music on the day was enough to convince ALH management that the Kingpin Kuztums lifestyle events were here to stay.

The following event was scheduled in for Lilydale and with perfect weather conditions forecast for the day Melbournians flocked to the event in droves signifying the confidence ALH had in Bellio’s concept of showcasing the regions finest custom cars, rock a billy and live music to the public free of charge.

Sandown was the 3^rd instalment in the series and took another hit with thunderstorm activity in the area and although the number of cars on display was down from Lilydale the band room was packed with rockers.

So after 3 scheduled events throughout the year attention shifted to the ALH backed Kingpin Kuztums Xmas party at Chelsea Heights. The venue housed several car parks with Kingpin Kuztums allocated the carpark adjacent to the main entrance. It didn’t take long for the carpark to get busy with the usual Kingpin mix of custom, rodding, muscle and bikes. The carpark was kept busy all day with cruisers dropping in to check out the scene and catch up with club members and the like. The Kingpin nominated charity for the event was Soldier On who fundraises to support our wartime wounded warriors and were kept busy with the donation tins rattling away for most of the day.

Inside the Chelsea Heights venue the scene was just as hectic as outdoors with the merch and trade stands kept busy with people wanting to deck out in the latest rock a billy gear. A live tattoo display worked in well with the greaser style barber shop and the beauty salon while the weary could take a seat and get a Fit Muscle Massage for as little as $10.

On the other side of the complex the night club was transformed into an all-day rock a billy room with no less than 9 bands scheduled in for the day with Ezra Lee And The Havoc Band kicking off proceedings just after midday. Some of the state’s best rock a billy bands were on the bill to entertain the hundreds of rockers who had gathered at the venue to take in the action of a now extremely popular Rats Tatts & Pin-Ups gig. With rockers hanging in there until late both Rob Bellio from Kingpin Kuztums and the ALH management would have put this one in the books as another giant hit in the series that is Rats Tatts & Pin-Ups.

Dizzy Davidson & Rumblin Wolf

The Kingpin Kuztums year has included 4 Rats Tatts & Pin-Up events, the inaugural Thunder Road event at Calder Park, the Victorian Hot-rod Show gig and the launch of the Kingpin social club along with various trade stand appearances throughout the hot rodding calendar. Two Wednesday night Victorian Market gigs are still to come on the 9^th and 16^th of Dec ember which will finish up what has been a dynamic year for the Kingpin culture.

With plans already down for next year expect an even bigger year with Kingpin Kuztums lifestyle events coming to venues throughout Melbourne and the region with the Victorian Hot-rod Show once again kicking off the Calendar. Expect another Thunder Road with possibly a further round later in the year. The ALH backed Rats Tatts & Pinups are back again along with a huge Sunday Vic Market day around March. Throw in a steam train gig a winery tour and the Kingpin Kuztums Headquarters grand opening and your Kingpin year is already looking pretty cruisy.

For more details on upcoming events keep an eye on the Kingpin Kuztums facebook page.

KINGPIN KUZTUMS "ARE YOU VEGAS ENOUGH" VIDEO

By Mark Humphrey

Following is a trailer for Kingpin Kuztum's "Are You Vegas Enough" York On Lilydale DVD which is due to be released around the 20th of July.

The event showcased Kingpin Kuztum's vision of providing not just a show n shine but a complete lifestyle event encompassing retail outlets, tattooing, make-up, barber shop, trade displays, pin-up doll comp and of course live rockabilly performed by the best in the business. 

The Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) was on board showcasing some fine examples of extreme drag racing and will look to support future Kingpin shows.

Jump on board for a quick 5 minute tour which features Rumblin Wolf, Cherry Divine and a few cars cruising by. Lots more action with plenty of cars, girls, tattoo's and loud live music on the full version.

Keep an eye on the Kingpin Kuztums facebook page for release dates.

QUICK TOUR

    Thousands Flock To Kingpin’s Ink N’ Iron

By Mark Humphrey

Lilydale, Vic/Aus.  19^th May 2015. Kingpin Kuztums have just re-written the script on what a show n shine car event should be with their much celebrated “Are You Vegas Enough” themed  series of rockabilly events showcasing their latest rendition the  Ink N’ Iron party held at the York On Lilydale complex  in the Melbourne suburb of Lilydale.

Creator of the Kingpin Kuztums dynasty Rob Bellio together with his hard working staff, had their hands full co-ordinating the day’s activities which kicked off at 2pm and went through the night with celebrated rockabilly band Rumblin Wolf closing the event just after 11pm. Rumblin Wolf headlined the entertainment package and delivered two sets of classic rockabilly music to see out what was an outstanding day of lifestyle entertainment.

With a 2pm scheduled start things looked steady with a couple of rows of custom street machines lined up providing spectators with a taste of what was to come. Within 45 minutes the designated display area for the custom machines was choc a block with cruisers having to find alternative ways to get their vehicles into the display area. Street Rods and customs were lined up as far back as 2kms just waiting to get their cars into the display area. Spectators had filled the car park along with the ANDRA drag racing display area which was situated at the main entrance. Inside the doors, Joy Ride kicked off the music entertainment with a 45 minute set in the main function room which was followed by The Detonators with 3 more local Melbourne bands lined up to take the entertainment right through to 11pm.Classic rides used for the Pin Up Model photography

The spectators mingling throughout the hundreds of cars and bikes on display in the carpark could have been forgiven for thinking this was just an awesome show n’ shine display. Just over an hour into the event the Russo Motorsport Team fired up their fire breathing supercharged outlaw funny car much to the delight of the large throng of spectators that had infiltrated the ANDRA display. With 2000+hp belting out through the headers it set the scene and indicated that this was going to be one outrageous party that would be burnt into the memory banks of those who attended for years to come. Russo Motorsports Supercharged Outlaw monster thrilled the crowd

And as if that wasn’t enough, Phil Parker from Parker Racing fired up his nitro breathing Top Fuel motorcycle giving spectators the sensation of breathing nitro filled air. Starting to get the picture! One minute you’re walking amongst classic rods, the next you’re head first in the ANDRA drag racing scene! What a mix and the start of your adventure into the Kingpin Kuztums Ink N’ Iron experience. Parker Racing's "Gracie" gave the fans a taste of Nitro filled air.

Classic cars, hot rods, low riders, bikes and rat rods filled the car park. Heavily inked dudes and babes cruised the York On Lilydale car park paying special attention to the low riders section and the cool spinner who was mixing the rap on his twin disc set-up. So cool!Cool low riders were a hit with the crowd.

By now hundreds of people had ventured inside the York On Lilydale with a continual stream of new visitors making their way to the action. As soon as you entered the building you were greeted with a number of activities. To the right was a free mini pin-up both where aspiring young models lined up to get that by gone era image taken. To the left a Pancho’s Kuztums air-brushing display was taking place creating a Marilyn Monroe image with a twist and just behind them were the first of the traders stands. From here you could either veer left or right to continue your journey through this amazing lifestyle event. Veering left had you smack bang in the middle of the heart and soul of Kingpin with their fabulous range of greaser wear on display for all to buy. Mixed in amongst this was a tattoo demonstration provided by Desperado Ink Tattoo Studio, a ladies hair - makeover & beauty stand, a couple of traders stands and believe it or not, a men’s barber shop! Yep you read right. 2 barbers flat strap giving dudes that greaser style haircut. And this was not a gimmick where the barbers gave a demonstration at nominated times. These boys were flat out filling the chairs as fast as they would empty. Simply awesome and just one small part of the jigsaw puzzle that was ‘Are You Vegas Enough’.

A very large part of the jigsaw puzzle was music and although every category in some form or another is entertainment, music headlined the bill leaving no doubt that Kingpin Kuztums is a huge supporter of local music. Veering right from the entrance had you entering the York On Lilydale function room where a temporary dance floor had been provided to cater for the rock n roll twisters. First up was new band Joy Ride who kicked off the indoors entertainment at 2pm with one set of classic numbers. They were followed by The Detonators with a dance routine by the Shimmy Shaker Show Girls splitting the Detonators two sets. The Shimmy Shaker Show Girls

Cherry Divine was up next and also doubled as the guest MC for the night announcing the finalists and winners in the Tattoo competition  with awards supplied by Desperado Ink and the Ink N’ Iron Pin Up Model with awards for this category supplied by Kingpin Kuztums. Ink N' Iron Pin Up Girls

Firebird Trio followed with a couple of sets and man were they rockin the room. Headline act Rumblin Wolf finish the night off just after 11pm. Rumblin Wolf’s lead guitarist and vocalist Dizzy Davidson greeted the packed function room with a big thank you to Rob Bellio and his staff for having the vision to put together such an amazing concept and was happy to have the band back together again after a bit of a lay off.

The music entertainment package as a whole was fabulous with all bands firing up the venue with their sets but there was no doubting why Rumblin Wolf had headlined the day. From their very first number, Rumblin Wolf had the floor packed with groovers rocking away to famous covers as well as their own compilations. It was a fitting end to a simply awesome standalone event that has significantly enhanced the Kingpin Kuztums branding and culture.

Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) have to be commended here for sharing the vision of Kingpin Kuztums Rob Bellio for without their support this venture may not have left the ground. In the wash-up it was a decision that has rewarded the 300+ licenced premises group with turnover on the day set to be their biggest ever single day haul surpassing past events that include rock icon Jimmy Barnes. The nominated charity beneficiary in this case Very Special Kids Charity also fared well with the generosity of the patrons amounting to somewhere around $5,000 for the day.

All up it was a fantastically organised day that seemed to go down without a hitch, one that was free for all spectators to come and enjoy. The combination of the trade stands, novelty events, ANDRA drag racing, various auto groups and live music made this event one for the ages and one that has been captured on video and film for all to enjoy.

Expect the DVD to be available for purchase in the coming weeks.                                                    Caprice Photography was the nominated photographer for the event and has produced some cracker images. Joker Photography had the assignment to cover the Pin-Up competition also with some outstanding results.

There were also plenty of other photographers on hand who have posted pics on the event’s Facebook page.

For more info on the DVD release, Caprice Photography, Joker Photography and upcoming events go to: https://www.facebook.com/kingpin.kuztums?fref=ts

Images From The Day

          Greezed Up Kingpins Rock The Suburbs

By Mark Humphrey

Sunshine, Vic/Aus. 3^rd March 2015. Rats, Tats & Pinups was the theme of Kingpin Kuztums latest motoring party that took place at the Glengala Hotel in Sunshine last weekend. The Glengala Hotel show followed on from the very successful Rockabilly Nevada event which showcased at a suburban Dandenong warehouse early last month.

The unique automotive format is the brainchild of Rob Bellio and is a favourite of the suburban greaser community. Catering for everything that is cool, the auto parties showcase some of the region’s best examples of custom motoring combined with the region’s best rockabilly bands which normally go deep into the evening belting out the familiar dance and cruise music tunes.

The hard-core greasers will deck out in their Big Bad Wolf gear with the girls getting around in their sweet little party dresses as they mingle with the ever growing crowd of spectators who are drawn in by the party atmosphere of the Kingpin events.

Unlike other motoring exhibitions, the Kingpin Kuztums events cater for the well-worn traditions of the greaser lifestyle with the Rockabilly Nevada event in Dandenong showcasing exactly what the organisation is all about. In the space of a couple of hours you could have entered the event as joe blow and walked out the other end completely decked out in a brand new greaser outfit complete with a cool rocker styled haircut. If you felt like a new tattoo no problem, Kingpin had a tattooist on site penning the latest in greaser style tatts. A Kingpin event would not be complete without the regions finest rockabilly bands belting out old favourites and Rockabilly Nevada was no exception with a handful of bands taking their place on stage well into the evening. I don’t know of any other car club/car event that offers a complete service or entertainment package like Kingpin Kuztums with the added benefit of your gold coin entrance donation going straight to a nominated charity on the day. Good all round value.

Walk in for a re-fit

Maybe some make-up

Or a haircut

And finish off with a brand new Tattoo !!!

Everywhere you looked there was a story to be told with proud owners polishing any speckles of dust off their gleaming machines. I caught up with James at the Dandenong event who was proudly standing beside a very rare Commer pick-up. Happy to talk about his neat pick-up I asked James about the car “well it is a 1939 Commer  that basically has commodore running gear. The engine is a black 202 motor coupled to a VT commodore transmission. The rear end is also from a commodore as is the disc brake front end” he said. James has owned the pick-up for about 18 months and except for a tidy up the car is as purchased. James believes his vehicle is the only fully registered version on Australian roads noting that there are a number of versions getting around on club reg. Driven daily and used in the business, the Yass built Commer checks into numerous car shows around the state in between delivery duties for the business. James owns Bonsai By Design which as the name suggests is a Bonsai plant business operating out of Hoppers Crossing and uses his vehicle for deliveries and also product transportation for weekend market stalls. James is often seen at the Kingpin events with Sundays set aside for markets and fairs.James with his 39 Commer. Used daily in his Bonsai By Design business.

Rats Tatts N Pinups video clip

Note: Technical issues prevented sound on the Rats Tatts N Pinups video.

Rats Tatts N Pinups pics

The Rats, Tatts N Pinups event was the last planned event of the summer series and wrapped up what was a very successful 2014/15 Summer season for the company.  The focus now shifts towards the grand opening of their Melbourne outlet towards the end of July this year. Once completed the outlet will house pool/billiard tables, coffee shop, hairdresser, tattoo parlour and of course the headquarters for their greaser style clothing range.

For more details check out their facebook page Kingpin Kuztums Clothing: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingpin-Kuztums-Clothing-Ink/285108008248606?fref=ts

Rockabilly Nevada Pics

             Kingpins Rock The Prince

By Mark Humphrey

St.Kilda, Melb/Aus. 17^th December 2014. Kingpin Kuztums took over the Prince Complex on Acland last weekend for their annual Rockabilly Christmas Party. Comprising 5 levels of undercover parking The Prince Complex provided the ideal venue for the specialist clothing company to put on a show like no other.

The theory behind the venue setting was to provide enough undercover parking for custom street rods and street machines on display whilst dedicating an entire level for the company’s merchandise store including associated support industries. The level also catered for live music belted out by back in the day rock n roll bands.

For spectators the venue offered an ideal viewing platform where they could jive to the live music in basement, stroll the Kingpin Kuztum clothing outlet for their greaser outfit and for the ladies, drop in for a rock-a-billy style hair do. The next 4 levels of carpark were dedicated to the show n shine category and although car numbers were slightly down the quality of muscle, street and hot-rods was a good as anything going around.

The Kingpin Kuztums Clothing Ink has aligned itself closely within the street car/rod industry in Melbourne and surrounding areas over the past 2 years and is now a regular at many car shows throughout the area. I caught up with owner Rob Bellio on level 5 of the complex to get an idea of how the day was going “Yeah the day is ok. I was hoping for a few more cars so we could fill every level to the brim but you can’t have everything” he laughed. Bellio added “we have had a lot of cars drop in for a while and then head out cruising which is what the day is all about. If all the cars were parked for the day then the carpark would have been really busy” he said.Promoter Rob Bellio (Right) has come a long way in 2 years with his clothing company.

Bellio was spot on as lots of cars cruised in for a spell then headed off to various parts of the city and suburbs to go cruising. The idea is certainly unique to have a multi-level carpark where muscle cars and street rods can come and go as they please. Normally at show n shine events the cars are in for the day but the Prince Complex offered the right atmosphere for guys to cruise in and out as they pleased. All up it was a fun filled day with plenty of music, rock n roll dancing, girls and guys dressed up in greaser gear and of course awesome examples of automotive muscle.

With Christmas fast approaching the street rod scene is winding up for the break. No doubt there will be plenty of muscle cruising the bay and down the coast over the holidays. To see what’s happening next for Kingpin Kuztum go to their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingpin-Kuztums-Clothing-Ink/285108008248606.

Images From The Day