Post by Ceeje on Jul 4, 2008 9:57:51 GMT -5
The muscle is back for huge rock bash
By STEVE ECHEVERRIA JR
Published Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
Last updated Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 12:18 p.m.
“Diamond Dave” Branch is a very busy man this time of year. Not only is he preparing to compete in the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, but his Muscle Racing Team is putting the final touches on a daylong rock festival.
“We’ve got the leather, we’ve got the chain-wearing rock stars, we’ve got the blowing pyros, and we’ve got the ladies from Cheetah’s,” Branch said.
A world and national offshore champion known for his “bad boy” persona, Branch decided to kill two birds with one stone — conducting the interview while getting a tattoo.
“Can you hear me over the noise?” Branch asked while the tiny buzz of a tattoo gun sounded over the receiver.
With Southern California glam rock legends Faster Pussycat and L.A. Guns topping the bill, the 2008 Muscle Party on Saturday features free barbecue and beer and plenty of racy festivities sure to make it a proud successor to the “World’s Hottest Offshore Party.”
Admission is $5 for the 21-and-older event. Gates open at 1 p.m. at the Muscle Fairgrounds, 2117 47th St., east of U.S. 301 and 47th Street in north Sarasota.
Having brought in metal icons Ratt, Whitesnake, Skid Row and others for past Muscle parties, Branch is taking the event to new heights this year.
“Over the years,” he said, “I’ve started to run out of the top hair bands, so this year I decided to create a rock festival.”
In addition to L.A. Guns and Faster Pussycat, the day’s lineup includes rock bands Bang Tango, High4 and Mad Margritt.
“The first band goes on at 2 p.m., and we’ll have bands going on every hour,” Branch said.
L.A. Guns perform a 90-minute set at about 8:40 p.m. with headliner Faster Pussycat hitting the stage about 10 p.m.
Not only have Budweiser and Rolling Rock donated 500 kegs for the event, but the famed Clydesdale horses will make an appearance.
“And since it’s going to be hot out there,” Branch said, “we’re going to have three swimming pools filled with inflatable rafts, chairs and other stuff, so people can grab a beer, hop in the pool and listen to music.”
Branch expects about 15,000 to show up for the festival, up from last year’s nearly 10,000.
Creating an all-inclusive party for locals was the reason Branch and the Muscle Team held the first event in 1996.
“I can afford to go to all these racing events,” part of the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, he said, “but most people can’t get into the majority of these parties they throw.
“I was like ‘(Expletive) this, let’s do something in Sarasota that’s good for everybody, and have the businessman standing next to the homeless guy standing next to the college kid and standing next to the guy who drives a delivery truck.’”
For more information, visit www.muscleracing.com.
from: www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080703/FEATURES/615356507/-1/newssitemap
By STEVE ECHEVERRIA JR
Published Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
Last updated Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 12:18 p.m.
“Diamond Dave” Branch is a very busy man this time of year. Not only is he preparing to compete in the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, but his Muscle Racing Team is putting the final touches on a daylong rock festival.
“We’ve got the leather, we’ve got the chain-wearing rock stars, we’ve got the blowing pyros, and we’ve got the ladies from Cheetah’s,” Branch said.
A world and national offshore champion known for his “bad boy” persona, Branch decided to kill two birds with one stone — conducting the interview while getting a tattoo.
“Can you hear me over the noise?” Branch asked while the tiny buzz of a tattoo gun sounded over the receiver.
With Southern California glam rock legends Faster Pussycat and L.A. Guns topping the bill, the 2008 Muscle Party on Saturday features free barbecue and beer and plenty of racy festivities sure to make it a proud successor to the “World’s Hottest Offshore Party.”
Admission is $5 for the 21-and-older event. Gates open at 1 p.m. at the Muscle Fairgrounds, 2117 47th St., east of U.S. 301 and 47th Street in north Sarasota.
Having brought in metal icons Ratt, Whitesnake, Skid Row and others for past Muscle parties, Branch is taking the event to new heights this year.
“Over the years,” he said, “I’ve started to run out of the top hair bands, so this year I decided to create a rock festival.”
In addition to L.A. Guns and Faster Pussycat, the day’s lineup includes rock bands Bang Tango, High4 and Mad Margritt.
“The first band goes on at 2 p.m., and we’ll have bands going on every hour,” Branch said.
L.A. Guns perform a 90-minute set at about 8:40 p.m. with headliner Faster Pussycat hitting the stage about 10 p.m.
Not only have Budweiser and Rolling Rock donated 500 kegs for the event, but the famed Clydesdale horses will make an appearance.
“And since it’s going to be hot out there,” Branch said, “we’re going to have three swimming pools filled with inflatable rafts, chairs and other stuff, so people can grab a beer, hop in the pool and listen to music.”
Branch expects about 15,000 to show up for the festival, up from last year’s nearly 10,000.
Creating an all-inclusive party for locals was the reason Branch and the Muscle Team held the first event in 1996.
“I can afford to go to all these racing events,” part of the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, he said, “but most people can’t get into the majority of these parties they throw.
“I was like ‘(Expletive) this, let’s do something in Sarasota that’s good for everybody, and have the businessman standing next to the homeless guy standing next to the college kid and standing next to the guy who drives a delivery truck.’”
For more information, visit www.muscleracing.com.
from: www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080703/FEATURES/615356507/-1/newssitemap
