Glasgow Mods - R&B, British Beat Music, Motown, Northern Soul

A scooterboy is a member of a specific subculture based around riding motor scooters and various music genres such as northern soul, r&b, motown soul, rockabilly which came into the late 80’s as some tried to find a new niche. subculture originated in the United Kingdom in the 1980s among Vespa and Lambretta riders. It developed out of the mod and skinhead cultures, becoming a separate and distinct group. Unlike the mods, who often customize their scooters with unique paint jobs and accessories (such as extra mirrors), scooterboys generally keep their scooters unadorned or turn them into cutdowns.

Scooter rally patches from British scooter runs:

In the UK, scooterboys typically attended scooter rallies in seaside towns, with attendance numbers sometimes in the thousands. Rallies usually involve camping, watching bands, dancing to DJs and participating in various scooter-related activities. In the 1980s, scooterboys listened to various styles of music, including ska, 2 Tone, psychobilly, punk rock, Oi!, and northern soul. Favourite songs included “Surfin’ Bird” by The Trashmen and “Tony Blackburn” by Binky Baker. Those songs were often played loudly from stereos fitted into scooter gloveboxes.

There are no rigid fashion rules among scooterboys, although many have resembled punk-skinheads.

However, many have had either normal hairstyles, psychobilly-style quiffs, flattops, or long hair. Scooterboys rejected the more formal clothing styles of the mods and traditionalist skinheads (such as suits). Scooterboys generally wear MA-1 bomber jackets, military surplus parkas, leather or denim jackets (or vests). Many scooterboys adorn their jacket of vest with patches from the rallies they have attended. Some have sewed bar towels onto the seat of their jeans or combat trousers. Many scooterboys wear Dr. Martens boots and Ben Sherman or Fred Perry shirts.

• Scooterboy-World
• UK scooter scene site