For those of you who have never spent much time in the San Francisco area, you probably know that this is a world-class city with world-class parties, but may not be familiar with some of the more unusual events. There are events such as the Gay Pride parade (do I really have to tell you what that’s all about?) that winds its way through downtown San Francisco each year. This parade involves lots of naked people who are very interested in the plumbing of other people like themselves. Then, a few weeks later, there is the Love Parade. This parade winds its way down the same route, and also involves lots of nude people, but has a subtle difference. The people in the parade are interested in seeing the plumbing of people of the OTHER gender. In each of these parades, nudity is pushed to the limits of what the good and decent, God-fearing people of the Bay Area will allow (pretty much anything short of actual sexual athletics). Are you starting to see a trend, here?

Finally, we come to the Exotic Erotic Ball. And, oh yeah, Charlie Brechtel and his band. First things first, though. The Exotic Erotic Ball is held each year in the Fall, in large auditoriums, away from the innocent eyes of the more decent folks (should we say “tight-assed”) in the Bay Area. This is a party in which pretty much anything you’re willing to do and wear goes. People of both genders show up in all states of dress, from tuxedos and evening dresses to, well, uh, nothing.

The alcohol and the food, the music and the entertainment are all plentiful, while people from all walks of life and all states of age and fitness show off their bodies in the dim lights. Let me tell you, there are people who should think about doing something else, but then again, there are people who should be given a hearty, long, passionate hug, an award, and a kiss from the judges….but I’m wandering here.

Right about now, you’re asking yourself where this article is going. According to the title of this thing, this is supposed to be about Charlie Brechtel, and his band. Why are we talking about all the weirdness in San Francisco? Have they been dipping into the ganja down there at Bikernet? Stick with me. It all comes together neatly.

Charlie Brechtel is a big part of the biker scene, AND the San Francisco scene. I don’t know if he parades through San Francisco in the Love Parade, but he DID perform a gig at the Erotic Exotic Ball. This is where it all comes together. First, a little bit about Charlie and his music.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Charlie Brechtel Band, let it be said that Charlie and his posse are kick- ass biker-music and blues lovers. And they can kick some serious riff booty on the stage. When you listen to his stuff, you hear the music of the muddy Mississippi, the sun-scorched wide-open spaces of Texas, the melodious, almost ballad-like blues music of the southeast, and the roar of the road in your ears. It is good, down-home, hard-driving rock and roll. In these days of synthesizers, sampling, and overdubbing, Charlie’s music is good ol’ kick ass, what-you-hear-is-what- you-get rock-n-roll.

The music was born in the USA, preserved by bands like Charlie’s, and celebrated every time people like Charlie and his crew grab a stage and an audience. There ain’t no surfer music here, and cats like Cat Stevens aren’t even allowed in the building, thank-you-very-much. You want to rock to road music? Go see Charlie. His love for music and the personal mission he has, to preserve and grow the music and the biker culture, is literally what he lives for. He’s ridden bikes since he was 9, and played since he was 15, and the two passions fit together perfectly for him and those who get the treat hear him play. It’s good music that’ll get a good crowd going.

This year’s promoters of the Exotic Erotic Ball heard of Charlie’s reputation and style. They’d heard his music could fire a crowd up, and get them jumpin’. They’d also heard that Charlie’s band included a bevy of fine-looking, leggy girls he calls the “Sturgis Rider Live” girls, who’s dancing repertoire (think strip club) would fit nicely with the who EEB situation. In short, if you ever see Charlie’s band, and the girls, you’ll have a hard time concentrating on the music, and you find yourself reaching for dollar bills.

The promoters told Charlie they wanted, “a good show” and he should pull out all the stops. Charlie, being a biker, said, “Uh. Sure. No problem,” and immediately started hatching a plan.

Now remember, this Exotic Erotic Ball is a wild time, but it’s no biker event. The kinds of shenanigans that are the daily bread to feed the biker spirit weren’t (until this year) expected. Charlie, hearing the words “a good show” on the other hand, figured the promoters wanted some Sturgis-style over the top entertainment, and lined hot elements with their wild mantra in mind. Of course, he brought his kick ass band, and he brought the sweet-assed Sturgis Rider Live Girls, but he also tapped some biker buddies of his, some just hard core bikers, and some Hells Angels to help him put on the show. The idea came into focus, and he executed the plan.

On to Page 2...