The Revival’s very own greaser gang: Rocker Division

Without Revival, this gang may never have formed. Brothers Steve, Dave and Mike met their fourth member, American-born Vic, at Revival and an instant bond was formed, born out of a passion for all things 1950s.

Eight years later and Rocker Division is still going strong. Steve took time out of his schedule to share his rock and roll inspirations and his top tips for getting the most out of a trip to the Revival.

What is the Rocker Division?

We’re a whole 1950s experience, which comes in many different forms. We’ve been racers, models for ‘50s style photos, and singers and musicians, in collaboration with other bands. We’re still evolving and working out exactly what we are; but one thing’s for sure, we’re a really good time!

What sparked your interest in rock and roll culture?

Growing up my mum and dad were massively into rock and roll music. In the car, we always had 1950s singers like Ricky Nelson playing in the background. I was a captive audience!

Can you tell us about your usual Revival outfits?

Our style is inspired by the American greasers, which is not to be confused with British rockers. What we wear at Goodwood is pretty much our style in normal life. Goodwood is the one time of the year that we finally fit in! I live in a small town in Devon, where walking down the street wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and leather jacket can raise eyebrows.

Where do you source your clothing from?

We have Vic in our group, who is our American brother from another mother. He spends time back in New Jersey and California, where he sources Levi’s and Ray-Bans. Vic and Mike are both still wearing leather jackets that they brought aged 18 which were vintage even when they purchased them. It’s testament to how well made the jackets were made, with strong stitching, zips that don’t break and pocket lining that doesn’t rip. They nourish and love these jackets like children!

The leather jacket that I wear at the Revival is really my version of a handbag. It has so many zips and pockets to carry things like your mobile phone, which I try to keep out of sight, and a flick comb. I’m on the eternal search for the perfect jacket and have probably brought five or six different versions over the years.

I’ll also source battered old jeans from local charity shops and dedicated vintage stores. I feel that I really need to try these things on in person, as I’m pretty specific about the fit. We mostly wear Levi’s 501 and 511s, which have a nice shape on the thigh. My brother Dave will also amend clothing, as he’s a whizz on the sewing machine – it’s such a great skill to have.

What do you do outside of Rocker Division?

I run a personalised book company with my wife, who’s an illustrator. I’m also a presenter on This Morning, as their gifts and gadgets expert. I’ve been on the show since 2006, so it’s now the longest running job of my life. But I’ve been on TV since the 1990s, when I started out as a CBBC presenter, doing the links between kid’s shows. I got the gig after turning up to an audition for a piano player and someone mentioned that they were looking for guys to present, so I gave it a try.

Can you tell us about your first Revival?

My dad and brother Dave have been attending Goodwood Revival since the very first year but I only started going in 2014. For my first Revival I just bought a single day ticket and then had an awful dose of FOMO (fear of missing out) when I had to leave at the end of the day! I’d say that 99.9% of first-timers wish they’d booked the full three days, as there’s just so much to see.

How has Revival changed over the years?

In the eight years that we’ve been going as a group, we’ve seen it grow at an organic, steady pace, so there’s always new sections to discover. Although the racing is fantastic and has always been a big draw for us, it now competes with all the lifestyle stuff happening, so our visit requires some serious scheduling. I wish Revival was seven days long and not three!

Was there anything new that caught your eye this year?

The Revive and Thrive Village where Gasoline Alley used to be was really cool. It felt really intimate and cosy; a gentle place where you could sit down and breathe. I spent some time observing The Rag and Bone Man there in action, picking up tips as I’m really interested in repairing vintage bicycles. But next year we plan to attend more of the talks happening at Revive & Thrive.

As a seasoned Revival pro, what are your tips for first time visitors?

Over the years, we’ve honed it down to what we now feel is the perfect Goodwood experience:

• Consider camping overnight at one of the Goodwood sites, as it means you never have to leave Revival. When you wake in the morning you can hear the engines on the track – it’s amazing!
• Bring comfortable shoes as you’re on your feet a lot and might also be dancing. Also, bring enough product to keep your hair in place from 9:00 to 22:00.
• On social media, people often ask if everyone dresses up. My answer would be a definite yes! Think of it as the opposite of turning up to school and being the only one in fancy dress. This year, I only saw a handful of people wearing regular clothes throughout the whole weekend. And it really doesn’t matter if it’s genuine period clothing or just vintage style. It’s just about stepping out of the modern world and entering into the spirit of things.

Take a look at The Revive & Thrive Village here.

Photography by Jayson Fong and Nigel Harniman.