Suck Bang Blow celebrates 20 years in Murrells Inlet | Cover Story

Suck Bang Blow is well know for its Bike Week events and the one-of-a-kind party atmosphere that it brings.

People from all over the nation visit Murrells Inlet every year to gain that experience and make memories.

In 2007, Tommy Blanchard of Apex, N.C. was 19 years old when he attended his first Bike Week at The Original Suck Bang Blow and has attended every year since. “I come to Suck Bang Blow because it’s a good time,” said Blanchard. “I like the bands, the burnouts and the atmosphere.”

SBB turned 20 on April 20, 2016 and on Friday and Saturday, a well-deserved celebration will be held.

In 1996, Jimmy Motley and Steve Jackson had an idea to start a bar in Murrells Inlet and with a wooden beer stand and a bait shop, they took the first step. By the end of that Bike Week, they had made enough to expand their dream and their business.

They began expanding with what is now the main building and a burnout pit, followed by construction of the back building and the back stage. This process was completed within four years. Continuous updates, including decking of the buildings and add-ons, have been made since then.

In 2002, another bar was added to the SBB family. Eleven acres, which had previously been a lumberyard, was purchased on the Bypass and became known as Suck Bang Blow Four Corners.

This new addition was a different environment. It was fun and free flowing, much like a carnival during Bike Weeks.

In 2005, Steve Jackson stepped down as owner and two other individuals bought in. One of those individuals started an SBB in Toronto, Canada.

With the economic issues happening throughout the nation and the helmet law of 2008, SBB suffered along with other businesses up and down the Grand Strand.

In 2013, due to financial issues, SBB Four Corners was sold. “To survive, we had to sell it,” said Bill Barber, general manager of SBB. “It was an amazing place.”

There have been a couple changes in owners since 1996 and several changes in the development of the business. In 2014, four young men bought in and brought with them a fresh look and new ideas to get the bar to be bigger and better than ever.

“They saw the potential here,” said Barber. “And bought on right at the end of Spring Rally 2014.”

Barbara “Barbie” Sheppard has been serving at SBB for a little over three years. “I love my crew and I love my owners,” said Sheppard. “It’s the greatest place in the world to work.”

In recent years, several new events have been held annually at SBB.

These events include the Rockabunny Rumble and the Rebel Yell. Each of these offer Rat bikes, Rat rods, car, truck and bike shows and Rockabilly music. The Rockabunny Rumble is held on Easter weekend and the Rebel Yell, which also features local mud trucks, is held in the fall.

The Walk of Shame is held on the Saturday before the Bike Rally. This event is used to help hire girls who to run the rally.

Other events include the Cash Bash, two Halloween celebrations, a New Years Eve party, the Murrells Inlet Soup Off Championship and food truck festivals.

“Suck Bang Blow is different because there is always something going on and never a dull moment,” said Blanchard. “SBB is just a go-to place for having a good time.”

Barber has put a lot of time and effort into making all of these events fun and unique. There is one that stands out that he is most proud of — the South Carolina Biker Hall of Fame.

“I’ve been shagging for 26 or 27 years and I got inducted into the Shag Hall of Fame,” said Barber. “I saw how it operates and how great it is and decided to come up with the South Carolina Biker Hall of Fame.”

“We bring people in that have made an impact on the motorcycle lifestyle in South Carolina,” Barber said. The inductees into the Hall of Fame include motorcycle drag racers Bill Furr and Pete Hale.

Barber also works with several other businesses and individuals throughout the state to promote motorcycle safety and set up rallies. Those allies include attorneys, vets and preachers.

Of all the events, Spring and Fall Bike Week seems to stand out to most fans of SBB. “Bike weeks are absolutely, lights out, so much fun,” said Barber.

After last year’s Fall Rally being rained out due to a hurricane, this year’s Spring Rally was the biggest so far, with upwards of 6,000-7,000 people visiting the bar daily.

After selling Suck Bang Blow Four Corners, the Original SBB took on some of the history of its former sister bar by bringing in painted walls and other memorabilia which had been in the Four Corners location.

“Our staff in the last four years has doubled.” said Barber.

“We do a lot of crazy stuff,” said Barber. “But, we neve have security here. We don’t have bouncers. We don’t need them. Everybody is very respectful.”

It is not uncommon during Bike Week at SBB to encounter painted dancing girls in cages among the craziness. Burnouts are also common in the burnout pit and inside the main building.

“There was a guy who bought a brand new tire, blew it, and then blew his bike up,” said Blanchard of the crazy things he’s witnessed. “He took his shirt off, shook himself and walked off like a boss and bought a beer.”

With all the crazy events, SBB has still remained a family oriented business. “My grandchildren grew up coming here. Says Barber. “And a lot of the staff and their friends, their children come here for some of the events.”

“Bike week is like a family reunion if you really watch it,” said Barber. “People come to see their old friends and make new ones.”

These rallies taking place in the spring and fall help bring in revenue for the area in times which are still considered off season in the Grand Strand.

“It’s hard work getting ready for it,” said Barber about Bike Week. “But when it’s going and I’m up on the stage introducing bands and I look out and see the crowd, thousands and thousands of people, the deck is full and everybody is having a good time. It makes it all worth while.”

Fall Rally preparation was completed as soon as Spring Rally ended. “We jumped right on that on it,” said Barber. “We’ve upped our game big time from last year and last year we upped our game from the year before.”

This fall will mark the 20th Fall Bike Week in Myrtle Beach. Although, the official 20th anniversary celebration will be Friday and Saturday. Friday will feature music by 64 Overdrive and Power Born Rebellion. Saturday’s music will be by Jasmine Cain and Rebel Son.

Events like these are bringing people together from all over the nation and putting SBB on the map. “Suck Bang Blow is an amazing place,” Barber said. “I love it. It’s always been my favorite bar here.”

The love for SBB is strong throughout the community. “Great customers. Great friends,” said Sheppard. “We’re like our own little family.”

This story was originally published June 27, 2016 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Suck Bang Blow celebrates 20 years in Murrells Inlet | Cover Story."