Looking for the smell of 70's heavy metal fan or biker gang.

[spanner]

Hi All,

I've been told the smell of the bikers and heavy metal fans from the seventies and eighties was from dark patchouli essential oil.

I believe this version is 'aged' or 'antique' or 'vintage' compared to the majority of the patchouli oils that are readily available.

Most patchouli oil is raw and harsh whereas what I'm looking for is a peppery and earthy smooth fragrance.

Any ideas where I can get it in the UK? I've got quite a few bottles of the wrong version!!

Thanks in advance,

Phil.

 

[Mike H]

I got nothing....

but welcome to B&B Phil.

 

[Cheapshot]

You thinking of this

 

[The Knize]

Welcome to B&B!

I had never heard or otherwise known that bikers and heavy metal fans used a particular scent. And I have never heard of vintage or aged patchouli oil. I have heard, as I recall and I could be completely wrong about this, of there being a particular patchouli-based scent, which originally put out was much darker than the current version, and of folks specifically seeking out the original version over the current version and sellers getting a premium price for the older version. But even if my memory is correct, that is a very rarefied situation with a very high-end Italian scent that I am guessing bikers and metal heads would not be familiar with.

I am fascinated with the concept though. Was this said to be a US and a UK phenomena or just the UK? When you say bikers, do you mean, for want of a better description, folks that styled themselves as rockers, or "true motorcycle" such as the Hells Angels and Pagans? (I understand the Pagans have established something of a European presence.) In the very early 70s I guess I was around actual Pagans a bit and I sure as heck do not remember them wearing any particular scent.

I was also at some heavy metal concerts in the 70s and I do not remember patchouli or any other scent associated with other folks attending.

Folks often associate low quality patchouli with "hippies." I suppose I would admit that there some patchouli around "hip" or "freak" culture back in the day. But not as much as some folks say, at least in my experience. I would have doubted that carried over to bikers and metal heads though. Again, it was pretty low quality patchouli.

I happen to like really good quality patchouli. I guess I would describe good patchouli as peppery, earthy, and smooth. Whereas cheap patchouli is overly sweet, cloying, and I guess harsh. In general, cheap smelling!

Mazzolari Lui is a Patchouli-based scent that is often described as what folks might think Italian gang members might wear. But I think that is more impressionistic that based on any facts. I would consider it a pretty earthy and "dark" patchouli, but it is a long way from a pure oil. It is a pretty high-end and rarified scent itself.

I would be interesting in hearing more about this!

 

[spanner]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies and interest in this topic!!

I don't know if this is a fragrance which carried on from the hippy era. All I can remember is that when I was much younger around 1980, I used to go into public houses/pubs/bars in my area in the UK frequented by motorcyclists who wore leather jackets with armless denim jackets over the top. Usually these jackets had 'Motorhead' , 'Deep Purple' or other heavy metal band patches sewn on. Part of the attraction of these pubs was the smell of the fragrance but I never found out how they achieved it and what with.

I was told a good while ago that these guys, and gals no doubt, would just get a bottle of patchouli oil and splash it all over their jacket combo, but I don't know how true it is. Because the oils I have obtained over the years never smelled right straight out of the bottle I assumed that the peppery scent they achieved only appeared after a period of time. I do get the right scent from my existing bottles when I have let a film of the oil leak from the bottle top after use and then come back to smell the bottle weeks or months later.

I happen to like really good quality patchouli. I guess I would describe good patchouli as peppery, earthy, and smooth. Whereas cheap patchouli is overly sweet, cloying, and I guess harsh. In general, cheap smelling!

That sounds right. I think the proper patchouli fragrance is the best thing I've ever smelled and think that those who don't like it have only experienced the horrible modern version. Sadly I'm fed up of buying small bottles of the essential oil only to realise it's no better than the other bottles of it that I have. I have learned that it smells different depending on what time of year the leaves are harvested as there are three harvest a year, and whether or not it is distilled in cast iron equipment. Though I can't think a biker type would be too fussy or whether the production would make much difference.
So I was hoping that someone who knew about it might be able to help, especially if the correct version could be purchased in the UK!!.

Thanks again.

 

[Lamb Root]

I think this is too small market to get a good enough picture for a proper decision. You should try for yourself, as many oils as you can get your hands on. Good luck with that. I'm sure you'll find the one.
BTW when you say a biker gang and a patchouli in the same post I see a smeared remains of a hippie on the road and a smiling biker driving away with a Maltese in his saddlebag. So... associations are very subjective.

 

[professorchaos]

Patchouli? I would have expected musty leathers, sweat, motor oil and gun smoke.

 

[i8ntskeered]

I know of those folks. I ran with that kind of crowd in the '80's. You can't get it straight out of a bottle, friend.
Get a real leather motorcycle jacket (denim jacket with no sleeves is optional, but recommended). Wear the jacket every day (along with your fav blue jeans) everywhere you go for at least 2 years. Skip showers and sweat in it as much as possible. DO NOT CLEAN IT! EVER!

Sleep in it. Smoke in it. Work on your car in it. Go to Motorhead concerts in it. Do EVERYTHING in it. All the while, keep dousing yourself with cheap head-shop patchouli to "mask" any smell you acquire. In a few years, you'll get close to that "earthy" smell you long to achieve.
YMMV

 

[JaxJim]

Patchouli? I would have expected musty leathers, sweat, motor oil and gun smoke.

You forgot urine, Henry.

I know of those folks. I ran with that kind of crowd in the '80's. You can't get it straight out of a bottle, friend.
Get a real leather motorcycle jacket (denim jacket with no sleeves is optional, but recommended). Wear the jacket every day (along with your fav blue jeans) everywhere you go for at least 2 years. Skip showers and sweat in it as much as possible. DO NOT CLEAN IT! EVER!

Sleep in it. Smoke in it. Work on your car in it. Go to Motorhead concerts in it. Do EVERYTHING in it. All the while, keep dousing yourself with cheap head-shop patchouli to "mask" any smell you acquire. In a few years, you'll get close to that "earthy" smell you long to achieve.
YMMV

Yep, that would do the trick!

 

[i8ntskeered]

Patchouli? I would have expected musty leathers, sweat, motor oil and gun smoke.

My point exactly, Henry.

You forgot urine, Henry.
That, too...and other bodily fluids. I was just trying to spare the gory details. Lol



Yep, that would do the trick![/QUOTE

 

[Krona Kruiser]

Mix in some Tabac too.

 

[The Mick]

Patchouli? I would have expected musty leathers, sweat, motor oil and gun smoke.

This is what I used to smell like in the 80's with my leather jacket and mohawk but with a top note of stale beer.

 

[The Knize]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies and interest in this topic!!

I don't know if this is a fragrance which carried on from the hippy era. All I can remember is that when I was much younger around 1980, I used to go into public houses/pubs/bars in my area in the UK frequented by motorcyclists who wore leather jackets with armless denim jackets over the top. Usually these jackets had 'Motorhead' , 'Deep Purple' or other heavy metal band patches sewn on. Part of the attraction of these pubs was the smell of the fragrance but I never found out how they achieved it and what with.

I was told a good while ago that these guys, and gals no doubt, would just get a bottle of patchouli oil and splash it all over their jacket combo, but I don't know how true it is. Because the oils I have obtained over the years never smelled right straight out of the bottle I assumed that the peppery scent they achieved only appeared after a period of time. I do get the right scent from my existing bottles when I have let a film of the oil leak from the bottle top after use and then come back to smell the bottle weeks or months later.




That sounds right. I think the proper patchouli fragrance is the best thing I've ever smelled and think that those who don't like it have only experienced the horrible modern version. Sadly I'm fed up of buying small bottles of the essential oil only to realise it's no better than the other bottles of it that I have. I have learned that it smells different depending on what time of year the leaves are harvested as there are three harvest a year, and whether or not it is distilled in cast iron equipment. Though I can't think a biker type would be too fussy or whether the production would make much difference.
So I was hoping that someone who knew about it might be able to help, especially if the correct version could be purchased in the UK!!.

Thanks again.

Again, welcome and thanks for your posts. I am fascinated. I will I had more knowledge to contribute.

<I think the proper patchouli fragrance is the best thing I've ever smelled>

I am doubly fascinated! You will often see posts on scents that refer to horrible cheap patchouli being worn by "hippies" in the 60s--the true 60s stretching into the early 70s, of course. I do not really mind any kind of patchouli. But the really good stuff to me is one of the "noble" scents, along with things like sandalwood and vetiver. Things that can stand on their own as fine scents or be combined with other notes into wonderful scents. I cannot imagine bikers and metal heads tracking down and wearing excellent patchouli, but I truly love the concept!

For that matter, I have read a lot about sandalwood and ouds, and some about vetiver, as to the different qualities and costs. But I have not heard much about patchouli in these respects.

 

[Heron]

Maybe Demeter has fragrances called "70's Heavy Metal Fan" and "Biker Gang".

 

[spanner]

Thanks everyone.

It looks like I'm going to have to douse an item of clothing in the stuff to make the smell and allow time for it to 'mature'.

I'm in a profession where a lack of personal hygiene is frowned upon so the sweat and other bodily fluids can't be added !!

I was hoping to find something that I could just use 'as and when' but this is looking unlikely.

Any other ideas?

 

[The Knize]

Thanks everyone.

It looks like I'm going to have to douse an item of clothing in the stuff to make the smell and allow time for it to 'mature'.

I'm in a profession where a lack of personal hygiene is frowned upon so the sweat and other bodily fluids can't be added !!

I was hoping to find something that I could just use 'as and when' but this is looking unlikely.

Any other ideas?

You may want to check out this scent. http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Histoires-de-Parfums/Noir-Patchouli-8593.html

The second definition of "patchouli" in The Urban Dictionary supports your original post. (The other definitions do not or are neutral.)

 

[bemiller]

Here you go, consider Knize Ten.

After having read through this thread it allowed me to recall a particularly detailed description which seems to closely resemble what you are looking to emulate.

From Fragrantica:

"Imagine a truckstop washroom that has been cleaned a few hours ago. As you sniff the air you can smell the oil from the fumes of the trucks just outside mixing in with the florals from the cleaning.

A few bikers come in wearing their leather jackets which they take off to wash their oily hands. The smell of the truckstop washroom is now one of oily leather and powdery soapy florals from the soap and the cleaning a few hours earlier.

A few hours later the manager of the truckstop wearing a suit pops into the washroom to freshen up and his cologne of amber and sandalwood is quite strong and is mixing in with the leathery oily soapy floral of the washroom. This is Knize ten for me.

I can see why this is a love it or hate it scent. The opening florals mixed in with the oily leather do give it that truckstop washroom vibe. But at the sametime the worn in leather can be quite compelling as well as the complex drydown.

This scent is complex and chaotic with notes that you can love and hate at the same time. It's worth trying just for the experience and to see if you love it or hate it. Or both."

 

[spanner]

Thanks, I'll look into trying those suggestions.

One other question....when a EDT or EDP is produced which contains patchouli, will they use freshly distilled or the aged version?
As there is a difference, it will no doubt have an effect on the final product!! Just a thought.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Knize Ten often gets reviewed as smelling like kerosine, leathers and incense. I think that's fair. but it's a pretty posh take on that combination. I don't think it comes anywhere close to smelling like a bunch of old school bikers, and they would probably be livid if you suggested it does. it's a great frag, but it's not that.

My advice to you would be to look around at some thrift shops, watch Craig's List and eBay, and try to buy yourself some old leathers. Years of wear by dirty, sweaty humanoids is all that's going to get that special tang going for you.

To build on Robbie's post--I don't think aged/not aged in an EO is going to get you what you want. Frankly, I find it hard to believe that somebody is aging patchouli for an infusion, or aging patchouli oil. You are better off looking for quality. Use the search function at basenotes to find a bunch of patchouli frags, order some samples and go from there.

Unfortunately, if you are in a profession that frowns on a ripe bodily presence, this isn't going to be much good to you. You're going to wind up smelling like some dirty old dude who has been drinking too much, smoking too much, and sleeping rough without even having the benefit of living the life that goes with it. Plus you might get fired for your efforts. Food for thought.

 

[nycalling]

I was a late 80's metal head, but I had the same Leather Jacket with a denim cut sleeve over it (I had a couple of those denims, with Metallica, Anthrax and so forth patches) and much like the other members, I will say that the smell you're trying to get is basically just old Leather and denim.

But if this helps, the Cologne I remember that the very, very few of us who bothered to wear cologne was either Brut or Stetson. But that's in the states as well.