From the start, it's obvious that Black Boots and Bikes differs from the slew of other Usher projects. The mixes favor the growly saxes, the vocals have a harder edge and the timpani and xylophones (?) add to the heaviness of the overall sound. Released at the onset of the Honda/Bike craze, all that's missing from the album is an obligatory cover of "Little Honda" as the 12th track; its absence due to the fact that Brian's tune was still tied up with Paramount's Girls on the Beach film. In fact, released May 1964, Black Boots and Bikes is the earliest bike outing from Gary Usher, predating even the creation of the Hondells. 

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A gritty 'Death Valley Run' opens up the record and is heavier than the Hondells' original later version. Mike Curbs' instrumental 'Hill Climb' follows very much along the same path, chock-full of saxes and steady drums. 'Mean Streak' actually sounds pretty good here, considering the album's darker themes. The bouncy 'Side Car' features some excellent playing - presumably by Jerry Cole, and 'Two Wheel Show Stopper' has some interesting dissonance from the background vocals, which works well alongside the pounding drums and baritone saxes. 'Haulin' Honda' is another instrumental and could be considered filler. 'Devil On Wheels' features some castanets and, like 'Mean Streak', is complemented by the hard-rocking execution. 'Ridin' Trails' also works well here before the album slows down on the Mexican 'Slow Ride South.' Collectors may search out this album for the inclusion of the original 'Johnny Take Care', which never reappeared on any Usher release. Admittedly, it's not hard to see why. The fuzzed-up 'Scrambler' closes the album.

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An oddity in the Usher canon, Black Boots and Bikes shows us the other side of the biker culture. Challenging the clean-cut Beach Boys' take on the sport, the Kickstands' rendition is the more accurate, showing the dangers and the risks of the gang experience. That said, for surf/hot rod enthusiasts, it warrants some attention only if you enjoy the wild hard-hitting sounds of other similar creations, such as Mr. Gasser and the Weirdos or Dick Dale. For those on the Beach Boys, Terry Melcher side, it's better to pass this one up.