The 2012 Rust Belt Rumble
By Hollie Gibbs
The grumble of pre-1964 engines will echo off the buildings along E. 21st as smoking tailpipes mix with smoking bones at the Rumblers’ 2nd Annual Rust Belt Rumble, Sat 9/29. From the pronounced curves of hot rod fenders to the distorted howls of Fender guitars, this show is for fans of all things gritty.
The city will close E. 21st St. to traffic, and vendors including Swamp Rat Photography, La Muerte Jewelry, Atomic Bob Designs, Burning River Roller Girls, and Pride of Cleveland Scooters will line the street as the coolest hot rods around fill the large lot across from Peabody’s. The thick scent of car exhaust and oil will merge with the smoky aroma of Hot Sauce Williams BBQ, and live music will reverberate through chrome and rust.
Cars function rain or shine, and so will this show. There was bad weather at the show last year, and everyone there still had a hell of a good time. Cleveland is a working class town, and this show is for people who don’t mind when things get a little dirty. So, whiners can stay home.
The show’s live soundtrack will include bands as tough and powerful as the cars on display, ranging from hardcore’s Crossface and punk’s The Gluttons to sludge metal veterans Keelhaul, horror legends Cult of the Psychic Fetus, and the indescribable punk-tal-billy of The Goddamn Gallows. Although the band schedule has not been set yet, Rumblers member John Davis said they are planning on 3 bands playing outside during the day and 11 bands inside after 8 p.m.
“We are trying to bring a cool event into downtown Cleveland, which is why we chose Peabody’s as the host venue,” Davis said. “It’s a good location, very central and there aren’t any local car shows with an urban backdrop.”
Focusing on building and driving traditional hot rods and customs, The Rumblers Car Club was founded in NYC in 1996 and now has chapters in Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Italy, and Germany, as well as Cleveland. With members across the country and across the sea, Davis said he expects to see cars from neighboring states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, and even Canada at the show.
“We expect between 100 to 150 cars and a lot of spectators for the car show and the bands,” he added.
This club is more than just a casual hobby for grease monkeys. It’s a brotherhood, and you damn well better believe when one of their own died unexpectedly this summer, the other members worked tirelessly until they got his powder blue and white flamed ’49 Ford running and to his funeral. Now their Rust Belt Rumble promises to be to other car shows what Cleveland is to other cities — less polished, less formal, and filled with a hell of a lot of guts and heart.
The Deadenders and 45 Spider will play a pre-show Fri 9/28 at The Spitfire Saloon, 1539 W 117th St.
The Rumblers C.C. Cleveland presents the 2nd Annual Rust Belt Rumble Sat 9/29 from 12-8pm rain or shine at Peabody’s, 2083 E. 21st St. It is open to pre-‘64 cars and custom bikes. Entry is $15 and includes the car show and 2 tickets into the club for the bands (Otherwise, it’s $10 for just the bands). For more information, visit http://RumblersNation.com or http://Peabodys.com.
Hollie Gibbs has a BS in journalism from Kent State University and studied photography at School of the Visual Arts in Manhattan. Her articles and photographs have appeared in numerous local and national publications. She can also be found playing guitar with various bands and building life-size monster props.