Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/617259
38 nJanuary 2016n www.thunderpress.net I asked Rusty about his Band, Attika7. He explained, "Music's been with me my whole life; my family's kind of musical, my dad played guitar and sang. At an early age, I started learning from him how to play guitar, I played till I was about 16. Then one day in 1999 when I was in prison it came back to me. It had always been ingrained in my head. After playing with a band in a prison in Oregon for a while, I was transferred to a prison in Texas after a riot. I took my music with me and within three days of play- ing with some guys out there, I was playing in front of 1,800 inmates." When he was released he rounded up some top-notch musicians and formed Attika7. The band has toured inter- nationally as well as across the states performing at events like the Rockstar Mayhem Festival among others. When it comes to motorcycle club life, Rusty explained, "Motorcycle club culture has been pulling at me since I was 19. There was a local club up there that I hung out with a little bit, and they gave me a patch really quick. It was too easy and I really didn't have much respect for it so I gave it back to them before I left town. But I've always loved motorcycle clubs and when it comes to motorcycle clubs in my eyes there's one that stands out and that's the club I'm in. I've been in the club for 20 years; it's in my blood and it's my life." After being through so much in his life and coming out on top, I asked Rusty what he'd tell someone out there who's struggling today. "I've been at the lowest point you can be in. Locked in a cell looking at two life sentences and I did it honorably. I took an eight- year deal—a clean eight-year deal. I told myself when I was in there if I ever get out I'm going to do things differently this time. I'm going to do it legit so I can enjoy all this stuff because the thing is, you accumulate all these things, but it's like a house of cards. I dig riding; I dig being free and doing what I do. So I changed a couple of things and I'm loving it. What I'm saying is no matter how low things may be, it's up to you. You can pull yourself out of it, and if you really want something you can do whatever. Look at what you can do with what you've got and make the best of it and keep rolling. And one other thing and this is important, don't listen to anybody tells you 'no.' When they tell you that you can't do it, don't listen to them. Don't let people tell you it can't be done because it can; that's how things happen. Before you're success- ful you're going to have a lot of doors shut on you. You're going to have a lot of failures. If you give up you're never going to be successful. Find another door to go through. Keep trying; never give up. If you want it you'll get it if you don't give up." 4 Rusty Coones Continued from page 36 Rusty Coones smokes out the shop on his tricked out Victory Monday, March 7 7 am–11 am Set up (Includes one 8' black table clothed-covered banquet table, two chairs and perimeter fencing to hang your event banner) 11 am Open to public 7 pm–10 pm Tickets to the invitation-only Daytona Bike Week's 75th Anniversary Industry Party at Jesters Live Tuesday, March 8 7 am–10 am Tickets for the Free Vendor & Sponsor Breakfast at Jesters Live 10 am Open to public