One of Southern California’s first motorcycle clubs, and one of the first in the nation to have a Hispanic / Chicano membership, The Psychos (also known as Los Psychos) formed in San Bernardino after WWII and quickly developed a reputation for toughness. While The Psychos became known for some of their community activities — including supporting military veterans and participating in events to promote the preservation of Route 66 — an offshoot of the club known as Vatos MC has a more notorious history.
Shot in the 1970s by a proud member of the club, this silent home movie documents a typical weekend ride on Harleys and choppers. The film starts near Pixley, California between Bakersfield and Tulare, and shows members of the club riding on the freeway during a rainstorm. The material was filmed from a car (:00). The men gas up their bikes at the gas station, the vests the men wear read: Psychos Redlands (:14). A man sleeps inside a house (:35). A woman cooks breakfast for the club members. The woman shows her pinky finger, either meaning “up yours” to the cameraman or possibly just an attempt to be fancy (1:19). A man in sweat pant bottoms walks into the room (1:13). Two women talk outside. A man tries to kiss one of the women who laugh (1:25). A woman walks by, smiles, sits on a motorcycle (1:43). Two men look at a motorcycle (2:06). The club’s bikes are now lined up outside of a diner; next door is a laundromat and a hair salon (2:16). Inside a room in the salon (?), a woman talks to one of the Psychos, she appears to smoke a joint or marijuana cigarette. Another guy next to them sits on a toilet, seems to be in another world (2:30). Oe of the women hair stylists walks into the salon (2:56). A Chicano couple walk on a sidewalk (2:56). Motorcycles shown parked (3:17).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
