News Feature

It warms my old rocker heart to see some are still humans in this world ... (it's going) to be a long fight, but we'll never give up ... he is my little brother.

While we at NYC Motorcyclist cater to New York City and the surrounding area, and stats show a majority of our readers hail from New York, we do have some fans throughout the US and other moto hubs around the world. Case in point ... a request to purchase a photo we took at the 14th annual Indian Larry Grease Monkey Block Party of a standout Shovelhead engine case ... from the French Southern rockabilly band Abilene.

Lead vocalist Didier CERE reached out over email last summer with the request for an album cover image, and the story of his brother Sergio, who rode a Shovelhead and was in an awful accident more than two years ago, leaving him bedridden in hospital. The traditional rock 'n' roll album, Take No Prisoners, released independently this past January, and an upcoming music festival are a fundraiser to help Sergio get the care and rehab he needs. Moto family, no matter where it is, is family ... so we donated the image without question.

Recorded at Kleplin and Celestine studios (France), and mastered by Jerry Tubb (TX, USA), the 10-song album features an eclectic mix of great covers, including David Bowie's Heroes, personally retitled Sergio My Hero, Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues, Motorhead's Bomber, Billy Lee Riley's Red Hot, Quiet Riot's Cum on Feel the Noise, Gun's Race with the Devil, and a french version of Brian Setzer's Radiation Ranch (Le Rade Des Zombies).

A number of people donated their talents to the project, including CERE's personal friend Bruno Boussard, who looked after the artwork.

"It warms my old rocker heart to see some are still humans in this world," CERE said, adding, "(it's going) to be a long fight, but we'll never give up ... he is my little brother."

Abilene features Jean-Michel CALLEJA and Jean-Pierre MEDOU on electric guitar; Pascal Lahuche DAVANT on bass; and Daniel QUENARD on drums.

Give it a listen. It will definitely throw some positive energy into your day.

For more on the band visit their official website Abilene and Facebook page: Abilene - The Band.