Mos Generator - Cosmic Ark [Official Video]

MOS GENERATOR 

2013 European Tour Dates

MARCH 2013

5th Koln, Germany @ Luxor 

6th Berlin, Germany @ C-club 

7th Dresden, Germany @ Beatpol

8th Haarlem, Holland @ Het Paatronat 

9th Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie 

10th Vosselaar, Belgium @ Biebob

11th Brighton, England @ The Haunt 

12th Southampton, England @ The Cellar 

13th Birmingham, England @ O2 Academy 2

14th Glasgow, Scotland @ The Cathouse 

15th Newcastle, England @ Northumbria Uni

16th Pwheli, Wales @ Hammerfest

17th London, England @ The Garage 

18th Rouen, France @ Le 106

19th Esch-sur-alzette, Luxembourg @ Kulturfabrik

20th Lyon, France @ Le Ninkasi Kao

21st Winterthur, Switzerland @ Salzhaus

22nd Vienna, Austria @ Szene

23rd Bologna, Italy @ Zr

24th Milano, Italy @ The Tunnel

25th Nürnberg, Germany @ Rockfabrik

26th Aschaffenburg, Germany @ Colos-sal 

27th Hamburg, Germany @ Logo

28th Copenhagen, Denmark @ Loppen

29th Stockholm, Sweden @ Nalen

30th Oslo, Norway @ Inferno Metal Fest

Band News & Updates

Band Updates & News

                                                 

THE HARDCOUNT

After a few lineup changes following their much acclaimed album "Life And Death" The Hardcount are firing on all cylinders recently. Joining founding members The Reverend Adumb Green (vocals) and Donnie Lemmon (guitar) are Vince Lane (drums) and Spike Hell (bass).

The band has started the process of putting their next album together recording some rough tracks at Bill Patterson's 48th Ave Records and hoping for a release sometime this summer. The Hardcount have shows coming up soon. March 8th at Louie G's in Fife WA with Big Wheel Stunt Show and Ranchero and April 20th at The Hard Rock in Seattle. For more Hardcount show listings and news check their Facebook page at facebook.com/thehardcount. 

THE INSURGENCE

Seattle's hardcore/punk/Thrashers The Insurgence have recently released their latest album  "Elimi-Nation". The band has a show coming up March 30th at El Corazon in Seattle with Zeke, Fang, Embrace The Kill and The Triple Sixes. In April the band will do about a 2 week tour with Dropkick Murphys from AZ to CA and Vegas. The Insurgence are currently working on getting Elimi-Nation pressed for a 12" vinyl release and writing new material to be demo'd soon featuring their new lead guitarist Chris Napolitano formerly of the band Streetwalker. A new video for the single "Dear Leader" off Elimi-Nation is also in the works. Check out The Insurgence on Facebook at facebook.com/insurgenceseattle

ANCIENT WARLOCKS

Seattle's kings of heavyweight, stoner grove rock, Ancient Warlocks recently seemed to have struck a deadly alliance with Port Orchard Wa's Mos Generator. The bands have played a ton of shows together, have more on tap and are planning on releasing a split single together.  March 1st at Chop Suey in Seattle Ancient Warlocks play Mico de Noche's 7" release party with Mos Generator and Serial Hawk. Mico de Noche are the purveyors of "heavy" round these parts and have put out a lot of records including a split 10"with Tad's band, Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth. This is also Mos Generators last show around town for a while as they are set to launch a 26 date tour with St. Vitus in Europe. Serial Hawk known for their crushing volume of "heavy" and described by Darren Chase of Ancient Warlocks as "absolutely punishing" are about to head out on tour to the Midwest soon after this show. Catch em all in Seattle while you can! Link to show tickets for, http://www.strangertickets.com/events/6862301/mico-de-nocheancient-warlocksmos-generator-serial-hawk

DEADKILL

Deadkill is a band everyone in Seattle and the freggin world should know about. If you like the other bands we talk about trust us on this one, Deadkill is the shit! The guys are currently hold up in Seattle putting the finishing touches on the writing of their first full length album due out later this year. The band is also rumored to be participating in a few summer festivals in both the Pacific Northwest and Canada. More news to follow on this band, check em out!

CFA (CODY FOSTER ARMY)

Another local band from Tacoma WA making some noise lately is CFA. These dudes are busy. The band was recently included in the top 100 albums list for 2012 from NBTM MusicRadio and have released the first of three CFA "action" comic books staring the members of the band. That's right I said a comic book. If you are not familiar with the band, trust me-it makes sense! The band is scheduled to record some cover and original songs for a digital release with Tony Reed as a free give away to fans titled "Better To Ask For Forgiveness Than Permission." CFA has a few notable shows coming up, March 27th at The Comet Tavern in Seattle supporting Gypsyhawk  and Mothership's "March Out Of Winter 2013" national tour. April 19th with Ancient Warlocks and April 20th with Ancient Warlocks, Mos Generator and Furry Buddies at The New Frontier in Tacoma WA. The band is also rumored to be playing a future show in S.F with Metallica this summer. For links on all CFA  stuff just hit out link to the band.

A KILLING DOVE

A Killing Dove from Vancouver WA recently released a video for their latest album titled "Break The Formulaic."  The bands self titled first album released in 2010 received  plenty of radio airplay and press around the NW. The band believes Break The Formulaic makes an even stronger statement than anything they have previously released. Influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Soundgarden, AC/DC & Bad Religion, A Killing Dove is definitely a band worth checking out! 

PALOOKA

In July of 2012 Palooka parted ways with their singer and began the search to find a new front man for the band. The guys had numerous people audition and finally decided Paul Passarelli was the best fit for the band. In January Palooka went into Big Sound Productions studio's in Seattle and recorded a 3 song demo with Steve Jones of Ancient Warlocks behind the board. The band has about 7 songs demo'd and are hoping for a album release by the end of the year. Palooka has a show planned for March 19th at Nectar in Seattle and are planning regular shows around the NW starting in June.

HOTRODDIN' ROMEOS

It's been a great year for Hot Roddin' Romeos. Following much press attention and national success of their last album "Russian Roulette", the band was recently signed to Splatterhouse Wreckords in Tacoma WA. The Hotroddin Romeo's are now busy in the studio finishing up their next album titled Boozehounds. You can catch The Hotroddin Romeos May 31st at The Highway 99 Blues Club in Seattle and June 1st for the Kustom Kulture Festival in Suquamish WA.

Jason Freeman bassist for Zeke has been involved in a side project for a little while now. The band is called Communist Eyes and self described as "boogie punk rock n roll." The band also includes Neil Rodgers (ex Derelicts, Zipgun) on guitar, Eric Akre (ex Christ On A Crutch, Treepeople) on drums and Pops Payne on vocals. More to come on these guys, stay tuned!

A NEW MUSIC VENUE SET TO OPEN IN SEATTLE

Press release from The Seattle Venue Project-


New Venue Opening Up In Seattle Is Breaking All The Rules.

Seattle, Washington February 22, 2013- In this post Napster music industry that weare living in, the live concert is proving to still be king. The Seattle Venue Project is challenging the way that music venues work around the country, taking things back to how things used to work. The new venue boasts a code of ethics that they are going to operate by.

They will never:
1. Ask a band to pay to play
2. Ask a band to sell their own tickets
3. Charge convenience fees
4. Never put more than 4 bands on a bill

The Seattle Venue Project is going to accomplish these ethics by using a few
methods. An in house ticketing system that is going to help relieve the stress at checkout over convenience fees. Owner and General manager Aisha Alder says, “ Who are convenience fees really convenient for? Not the audience, I have had people tell me stories about buying a ticket on one of the major online ticket outlets and their $25.00 ticket turned into a $80.00 ticket at check out.” The Seattle Venue Project says that their ticketing system which is completely green, when you buy the tickets online from their website you can open up the email on your smartphone and they will scan it at the door, allows them to keep the extra charges at bay because there is no middle man.

Local news outlets are catching on to what the Seattle Venue Project is doing Kelly Mason of Raincityambiance.com said in her recent interview with Aisha “ I'll admit it sounded a little idealistic. A venue that cares about the people's opinion and doesn't ask bands to sell tickets sounds like a pre-2007 notion, but it would be great if bands could focus on making music again instead of driving all over the greater Seattle area selling $8 tickets to people who might not even show up to the gig. “Aisha says “ I know that we are in Seattle but we want to inspire all the other venues all over the country to do this too, rock shows have gotten crazy, having 5-6 bands playing in one night! I am worn out by the time the band I came to see comes on. Venues have stopped caring about the music and the experience. I have been on the other side of this for to long, it is time to create a better venue for a better concert experience. “

Right now the Seattle Venue Project is running a crowd funding campaign
to raise money for the initial fees of opening but since launching they have
collected hundreds of dollars in just a few days. To check them out head to

www.seattlevenueproject.com
www.facebook.com/seattlevenueproject
www.twitter.com/seattlevp

The NW Metal Zone

FULL METAL PUGET SOUND

NWCZ Radio is about to celebrate their two year anniversary of bringing the best in Northwest independent music to the masses. Whether your into rock, punk, metal, techno, blues,  hip hop, ect you can find a show at NWCZ Radio to fill the void left by commercial radio and possible turn you on to a new favorite local band. Based in Tacoma WA NWCZ Radio gives independent artists a place to be discovered, have their music played and listeners a different experience than the same ol, same ol they have been hearing on the FM dial.

One of their fastest growing shows in popularity and home to all that is metal on nwcz is the NW Metal Zone. Hosted by Chance Pittenger the NW Metal Zone showcases the always present and LOUD Northwest metal scene. Music, reviews, band interviews Chance is bridging the gap between metal fans and local bands creating a interactive median where we can all meet up, rock out and connect. 

The NW Metal Zone is on every Tuesday night 8pm PST at nwczradio.com.

Here's a few minutes with Chance Pittenger about the show, the local metal scene and a bunch of links to some killer bands!



What is the origins of the Northwest Convergence Zone /NWCZ Radio and when did you get involved?

NWCZ radio came out of the Northwest Convergence Zone podcast that was done by Darrell Fortune.  He used the podcast to showcase mostly musicians but also interviewed film makers, comedians, and other artists.  He wanted to create a radio station that could take the vision of his podcast and expand on that to provide greater exposure to the NW art and music scene.  The station is celebrating its two year anniversary this month (February), I became involved soon after it started.  Darrell was looking for someone to host a metal show and it sounded like fun.  My show kicked off in April of 2011.

Obviously a huge metal fan and supporter who are some of the bands you were listening to that first drew you into the metal scene?

 My love of metal goes way back to when I was in high school, and I'm an old fart so the 3 bands, the 3 albums really that drew me into heavier music and metal were Iron Maiden, "Killers", Motorhead, "Ace Of Spades", and Saxon, "Wheels Of Steel".  If my memory is right they all came out during my junior year of high school and since then I've been exploring metal and just getting into heavier and more extreme stuff.

How would you describe the state of Pacific Northwest music in 2013?

 I think the music scene in general is in pretty good shape, and I'm speaking of the greater Seattle/Tacoma area.  There are a ton of bands and some really good ones.  I've been a little worried about venues with a lot of the closures we had in 2012.  Some are doing better but I know others are barely holding on.  It's really important that we get out and support the local artists and venues.  Everyone who digs local music in whatever genre needs to be out there seeing bands and supporting venues every chance they get.

Metal has always seemed like it's own scene inside a music scene especially in the last ten years or so. Do you see it that way? What seperates a hard core metal fan from the rest of the crowd?

I think that is a good way to put it and yes, that is accurate.  Metal always seems to be the outcast of the music scene, especially the more extreme variations.  I think that bands that play metal and the fans of those bands are completely ok with that.  It gives a freedom to really express yourself musically and it is awesome to go to a metal show where the bands are just killing it onstage and the fans are going nuts in the pit.  More often than not that is the case.  I think people are drawn to metal because you get performances from the bands that are completely into what they are doing.  There are very few bands that get up on stage and just half ass it.  They are bands that bring it every night.  So I think that is what separates the true fan, they go to shows and they are fully engulfed in what is going on.  They are in the pit and they are feeling it just as much as the band is.  They buy the merch and wear it proudly, they buy the CDs and vinyl and they are completely supportive of the metal community.

What local bands are you listening to now and who do metal fans need to check out?

Tho Shall Kill

This is a tough one because I'm listening to local stuff constantly.  I think I'll answer this by saying fans need to know Tho Shall Kill and Skinwalker out of Omak most definitely.  Sacrament Ov Impurity is another good one that really puts on a great show.  There's a band out of Portland called Dusks Embrace that I really dig. Terra Morta, Sun Eater, and Curse Of The North are also bands that are worth checking out.  Nekro Morphosis is another one, they put on the most insane show I've probably ever been to in my life.  Those are bands that I go back to and listen to most often.

Best show you attended in 2012?

Man this is a tough one!  I try to see GoatWhore whenever they are in town so it had to be one of their shows, although I couldn't tell any other specifics

Favorite local music venue?

In Tacoma I'd have to say the The New Frontier .  Not a metal venue but I really like the vibe of the place and its fun to just hang there.  In Seattle, nothing beats the The 2Bit Saloon, especially on Metal Mondays!!

What's on tap for The NW Metal Zone in 2013?

I want to get more bands on the show for interviews to really showcase the depth of talent that we have around here.  We will also be celebrating our 2 year anniversary in April so I'm trying to come up with something special for that.

How do bands that haven't been on the show yet get their music to you?

Best way to do that is to email tracks to me, the address is nwmetalzone@gmail.com.  I also have a Facebook page for the show which is NW Metal Zone so bands and fans can check out what we are doing.

Best metal guitarist of all time?

Hands down Tony Iommi.  He is the godfather of that big fat doomy riff and without that music would be completely different, and not nearly as good.

Upcoming Show Dates / BWSS

UPCOMING SHOW DATES FOR BIG WHEEL STUNT SHOW

Feb 8th - Slim's Last Chance - w/ Hard Money Saints & The Rags.

Feb 16th - Jazzbones - w/ Nine50nine & From the Sea.

Mar 2nd - Sunset Tavern w/ Black Pussy & The Chasers

Mar 8th - Louie G's w/ the Hardcount & Ranchero

Mar 9th - Manette - w/ WITCHBURN & Artimus Maximus. 

Ancient Warlocks / Valis / Mos Generator

Get your heavy on this weekend at The Sunset Tavern in Seattle (Ballard). 9pm Mos Generator kicks things off with a new album release show for their latest offering titled "Nomads." Hailing from Port Orchard WA Mos Generator have been rocking out their Black Sabbath influenced songs since 2000. Members include Tony Reed /vocals, guitar, keyboard (Stone Axe, Treepeople, Goodbye Harry, Twelve Thirty Dreamtime), Shawn Johnson / drums (X-Mindfunk, Twelve Thirty Dreamtime), Scooter Haslip / bass (Artimus Maximus, Voodoo Gearshift, Saltine, Twelve Thirty Dreamtime).

Next up is Valis. Formed in the basement of Mudhoney's drummer Dan Peters back in 1996 along with Van Conner (bassist of Screaming Trees), Van's brother Patrick (Kitty Kitty) and Kurt Danielson (Tad). Valis began as a side project that has kept on  rollin and now in 2012 releasing their latest album titled "Minds Through Space and Time" with a album release show at the Sunset Tavern.

Headlining the show is a band creating a big buzz in and around the Pacific Northwest, Ancient Warlocks. A relatively new band Ancient Warlocks started playing live shows in Seattle during November of 2010 and are building a steady, ever growing, loyal following. Between their heavy, grove, riff driven rock and debut "Superwizard" 7" single released on Digital Warfare Records Ancient Warlocks have catapulted to a must see show now in 2012. Members include Aaron Krause / lead vocal, lead guitar, Darren Chase / rhythm guitar, Anthony Timm / bass, & Steve Jones / drums. 

After honing their live sound and writing new material in the last year and a half the Ancient Warlocks have just finished recording material and are now in the re-mixing phase along with talking to several different label's about a future full length album release. Stay tuned!

ANCIENT WARLOCKS / VALIS / MOS GENERATOR

NOVEMBER 24TH / 9 PM

SUNSET TAVERN

5433 Ballard Ave NW

Seattle WA

The Insurgence / News and Video

Seattle hardcore punk band The Insurgence recently released their second full length album titled "Elimi-Nation". Availiable now on itunes at   http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/elimi-nation/id564666745#

New video shot for the song "We Can't Be Stopped" off of new album Elimi-Nation.

Brief message from the band.

 READ THIS! THEN WATCH THE NEW VIDEO NOW!

The American Oligarchy: A system in which power resides only within a small ultra-wealthy political class. As the wealth of a nation becomes increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, laws are re-written allowing that wealth to be converted into political influence.

Record amounts of money flowing into the political system drown out the voices of all but a few. The rules are being re-written, and they are not in your favor. Eighty percent of the country is left to fight over less than half of the wealth. Is the oligarchy really working that much harder than you? They may have their shackles around our politicians, but the only thing that shackles the rest of us is complacency. We have been forgotten, thrown away and they are betting you will do nothing. We have the numbers. Together, we can’t be stopped!

Big Wheel Stunt Show "Wonderful LIFE"

Tacoma WA.'s hardest working band Big Wheel Stunt Show recently released their third full length CD titled Wonderful Life. Recorded in Seattle WA., at Egg Studios, produced, mixed and mastered by Kurt Bloch of the legendary Seattle band The Fastbacks  The Big Wheel Stunt Show are firing on on cylinders with their latest effort.

Following up on their globally acclaimed second release Cheetah Milque the band along with Kurt Bloch entered Egg Studios early in 2012 on a mission to produce the best sounding BWSS CD to date. All business and totally dialed in the band recorded Wonderful Life in just under three days featuring 11 tracks (46 minutes) and contributions from a noteworthy list of local musicians. 

Wonderful Life definitely stays true to Big Wheel Stunt Show's roots in blues-driven, up- tempo rock n roll while allowing fans to witness the growth and song writing maturity of the band.  Evan Nagle (guitar), Justin Gimse (drums) and Jake Melius (bass) appease the gods of all that rock with their most recent offering amidst a sea of empty beer cans, broken guitar strings in the ever expanding wake of momentum left by Cheetah Milque. 

Kurt Bloch (producer) found a way to capture the massive, gritty-raw, live sound of Big Wheel Stunt Show without sacrificing a shred of the bands pure musicianship brilliance. It sounds like a live album recorded with all the luxuries of a top notch recording studio.

Wonderful Life is something The Big Wheel Stunt Show and Kurt Bloch can be really proud of. You don't make albums like this unless you can't live without  all the up's and downs of playing in a rock n roll band today. These guys love what they do and you can hear it every time they get together and plug in. 

Chuck Berry to Black Sabbath, Stones, Cream and Hendrix , thats what I hear on Wonderful Life but with a definite and unique BWSS sound primarily delivered from Evan and Justin's vocals. 

It's taken a while to actually sit down and write this review. Everytime I put on Wonderful Life, instead of writing I usually pick up my guitar crack open a beer crank up my Vox to 11 and start playing along to it. Great CD, personal favorite, "Jakes Black Rainbow (of Unicorn Death)", "School of False", Bud'Der", "The Lights-The Landing", screw it, every song rocks. Well done guys!

Also making contributions to Wonderful Life are-


Kurt Bloch/ back up vocals "Wonderful Life" & "Milque and Honey" and piano on "Bad Thing".

 Kim Hammel/ back up vocals on "Bud'Der" and lead chorus on "Jakes Black Rainbow (of Unicorn Death)".

 Patrick Baldwin/ melotron and guitar "The Landing".

 Darrell Fortune/ doing the far out voice on "The Lights".

 Voxxy & Gene Vallejo/ back up vocals on "To Believe In" and "Soul and Sound".

 James Coates/ backup vocals on "Soul and Sound".

 Yngve Gronvik/ back up vocals on the hidden track.

Andy Basinger/ keyboards on "Don't Mind Ya", Situations", "Soul and Sound"


Mick
BHM


For links to Big Wheel Stunt Show, their albums and show dates find them on Facebook at 
facebook.com/pages/The-Big-Wheel-Stunt-Show


For daily updates on Blackhole Magazine NW facebook.com/blackholemagazinenw

The Hot Roddin' Romeos

Hot Roddin’ Romeos / “Russian Roulette”

Cross over appeal. It’s huge for bands trying to build their fan base and The Hot Roddin’ Romeos have that going on with new CD “Russian Roulette.” Being more of a hard rock, punk fan I have to admit to never giving rockabilly bands much of a extended listen, my bad! On a suggestion from a friend I checked The Hot Roddin’ Romeos and a new fan was born. They ROCK!

Listening to this CD today I spaced off and had this vision of me driving my Hemi Cuda full throttle through the Nevada dessert on a old  two lane asphalt road. 110 degree’s,  windows down and The Hot Roddin’ Romeos “Devil’s T-Bucket” blasting on the radio, whiskey bottle between my legs (relax- it’s just a 5th-I’m driving... FAST) smoke in my mouth, shifting gears through my 426  Hemi with the lights of Vegas on the horizon. Not a f***king care in the world and nothing but dust and rubber burnt road in the rear view mirror. God dammit these guys are good, and I want to leave RIGHT NOW!

I love when I listen to new music and it effects my brain, takes me outta my world for a while and places me somewhere better, like the dessert and my Cuda (if I had one). Russian Roulette is good enough to take you somewhere else in your head- yeah it’s “rockabilly” or so that’s what I keep reading. I hear all sorts of good stuff.

I’ll just call Russian Roulette a well written and recorded, bad ass rock n roll album that you need to go get. 14 tracks and no space wasted with filler songs. Everyone is a keeper, my personal favorite being “Devils T-Bucket”, love the up tempo, fuzzy guitars, and it’s about the devil, gettin away from the cops, and a fast car wrecking, perfect. Pass me a PBR and a shot! “Trailer Trash Whore” brilliant, maybe the funniest song I’ve ever heard, “My Baby Left Me (Cause I Didn't No Hot Rod)” sounds like Elvis jamming with Chuck Berry, so good! “Wishin’ You Were Gone” another favorite with a cool AC/DC vibe to start out and some killer guitar with lyrics I’m sure we have all screamed at one time or another.

Do yourself a favor and check this CD out. The Hot Roddin’ Romeos will be on coming issue’s of Blackhole Music Magazine NW, so keep an eye out and check out our link to the band.


http://thehotroddinromeos.com/



Mick
Blackhole Magazine NW

Music & Art In Wright Park 2012

This coming Saturday August 11th from noon till about 7pm Tacoma will host one of the summers best free music festivals in the NW, Music and Art In Wright Park. The band line-up includes Humble Cub, Mos Generator, Centre Can Not Hold, The Jilly Rizzo, The Plastards, CFA, The Dignitaries, Girl Trouble, Big Wheel Stunt Show, 13 Scars, Walking Papers, Trasholes, The Fun Police and Rusty Cleavers.

Time slots for the bands will we be release the day of the event. This is a FREE, family friendly show with vendors, artists and 14 killer bands. The weather is supposed to be really nice, go check it out ! 

Located At

Wright Park

501 S 1St

Tacoma WA

(map)

      Band Links

• Humble Cub
• Mos Generator
• The Centre Can Not Hold
• The Jilly Rizzo
• The-Plastards
• CFA
• The Dignitaries
• Girl Trouble
• Big Wheel Stunt Show
• 13 Scars
• Walking Papers
• Trasholes
• The Fun Police
• Rusty Cleaver                     

Music and Art In Wright Park on Facebook




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The Insurgence Sign With Innerstrength Records

Innerstrength Records (New York) has announced the signing of Seattle WA based punk, hardcore, thrash band The Insurgence. The bands new album, "Elimi-Nation" was recorded at Soundhouse (Seattle WA) by Jack Endino (Nirvana, High On Fire, Zeke, Valient Thorr, Skeletonwitch, Black Tusk) and is scheduled for release on September 29th on CD, colored vinyl and digitally. A video for the song "We Cant Be Stopped" was recently filmed and will be released soon. 


Check out The Insurgence at reverbnation.com/theinsurgence

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The Hemi DART

THE HEMI DART

Hemis Invade Las Vegas. posted by Bill McGuire 

blogs.hotrod.com

1968 Dodge Dart Hemi Nhra Engine View

carcraft.com

For our first hot rod featured car in the magazine we thought go big or go home! One of the fastest if not THE fastest, baddest ass street legal cars ever produced, the Hurst Edition Dodge Hemi Dart.

In 1967 legendary Chicago Dodge dealership owner Mr. Norm Spaulding of Grand Spaulding Dodge contacted Chrysler and requested a high performance Dart be delivered to his dealership to compete with the Chevy Malibu, Camaro and Ford Mustang during the pony car wars of that era.

Chrysler delivered a 273 c.i V8 Dodge Dart to the Chicago dealership. Mr. Norm being a hardcore Mopar performance enthusiast was not totally satisfied with the small block 273 the Darts were equipped with and called some of the higher-ups at Chrysler requesting the Darts be fitted with the higher performance big-block 383 c.i  V8 that Chrysler was putting in some of their larger muscle cars, mainly the Plymouth Roadrunners. Ford and GM were already putting big-blocks in their pony cars and the people in Chicago wanted something that was lightweight and would level the playing field. Mr. Norm was informed that the 383 c.i V8 could not be fitted into the smaller and lighter A frame Dodge Darts and the tinkering began at the Chicago dealership.

Never saying never Mr. Norm called one of his technician’s back in the shop and told him to go out to the lot, get a Dart and wedge a 383 into it. A day or two passed and Mr. norm was notified that the Dart was finished 383 and all. They moved the motor mounts slightly, cut a small piece of the A frame and added a few heat shields and the Dart’s inclusion into the pony wars was born.

Mr. Norm immediately called Chrysler, told them they got the 383 into their Dart and was invited to bring the car to Chrysler headquarters in Detroit. The engineers at Chrysler were surprised not only of how these “kids in Chicago” squeezed the big-block into the Dart but how the car handled and responded with the 383. They immediately knew they had their car to go up against GM and Ford pony cars and decided to begin manufacturing these big-block Darts a.s.a.p. They already had a small block V8 version of the Dart named the GTS, Mr. Norm decided these new 383 Dart’s would be known as the Dart GSS (Grand Spaulding Sport) named after his chicago dealership. Dodge engineers now enthused with their new entry into the pony wars started thinking big, bigger, biggest as in raw horsepower fitted into a car under 3200 lbs. Say hello to the birth of the Hemi Dart.

Birth of the Beast
In 1968 Dodge contracted the Hurst auto performance company to produced fifty specially-equipped 426 Hemi Darts for NHRA, SS/B and SS/BA drag racing classes. Today these Hemi Darts along their sister car the Plymouth Hemi Cuda still stand as two of the quickest production cars ever massed produced with 8 second ¼ miles times and speeds reaching the 160 mph range. The Hemi Darts were built for the ¼ mile and to compete with Chevy and Ford muscle cars of that era. Umm compete and crush!

At the top of the Dart performance range for 1969, the GTS was produced with the  the limited availability of the 440 V8 and a very few 426 Hemi models in the "Hurst" edition Dart. To this day these cars are legendary, rare and the biggest bullies on the block. The street version of the Hemi being put into the Darts was rated at 433 hp and 472 lbs of torque totally stock. I’ve read the cars were really closer to 500 hp and could easily be tweaked to surpass that. Today at auction these original Hemi Dart’s are selling for over a quarter million dollars with no ceiling in sight.

These cars are basically a very large nasty big-block engine sitting on a small lightweight frame. No gimmicks, nothing fancy and purely built for speed. I love how un-politically correct Chrysler is even today and are still producing performance Hemi engines for Dodge Challengers and Chargers along with pick up trucks and a few other models. The latest version of the legendary Hemi for Challengers and Chargers comes in the 392 c.i. option. A little smaller and lighter than some of the previous Hemi’s but this one is factory rated at 525 hp! Fuel injection has helped with the fuel consumption but to be honest, if you're in the market for a Hemi equipped Mopar especially a late model muscle car, I seriously doubt you're too worried about the gas mileage.

The Hemi Dodge Dart-baddest mofo on the block.

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