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Amusing Signs You’ll See Inside The Machine Shop In Flint

Author Meltdown
I think I only made it up to the Machine Shop once on the Harley, but it's always a good time!

While standing on the side of the stage at the world-famous Machine Shop Saturday night, I had to chuckle at the signs that adorn the backstage area. I thought I’d share some of them with you.

Meltdown
This is one of many signs hanging in the backstage area of The Machine Shop. I’m sure an artist or two have smirked at this one.

I once owned a car that was a smoke machine.

Owner Kevin Zink And The Machine Shop Staff Have A Great Sense Of Humor

Meltdown
I love this! The drummers get no respect! LOL

“Buttcrack” is one of the many great staffers at The Machine Shop. That guy is on point with the lights and smoke machine…..for the most part.

Meltdown
Apparently, duct tape is a no-no at The Machine Shop.

The above sign is on the left as the bands take the stage. There’s a strict No Duct Tape policy at The Shop! Do Not even think about it!

Meltdown
This sign is at the bar where the waitress station is located.

If there were no alcoholic drinks or loud music, places like The Machine Shop wouldn’t exist. A joke, but just another amusing sign in the bar.

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No drinks are allowed on this table by the soundboard.

One of my favorite signs is this one, where I usually rest my drink. My friends from the Banana radio station broadcast from here, so they don’t like people placing their drinks on this, but I’m a rule breaker!

Meltdown
Other than funny signs, some cool things adorn the Shop walls.

The Machine Shop Famous Hallway Pictures

The Machine Shop has lots to look at other than what’s on stage. When you get a Kid Rock motorcycle, you put it up on the wall…thems the rules!

Meltdown
The famous Machine Shop hallway. Just about every band that takes the stage first stops for a picture in here.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the famous Machine Shop hallway. I’m not sure how it happened, but I realized I was standing in the hallway. Now, I know exactly where it is, but that first time it took me by surprise, not knowing the layout of the club.

Jeff Mintline
Myself with The Exies this past weekend. The first band to ever pose for a picture in that hallway.

It’s always a great trip to the Shop in Flint. I’ve met and know so many people up there it’s like going to a club down the street, but it’s an hour away. I’ll be back soon enough.

Check out the story below about how the famous hallway pictures started.

The Story Behind The Famous Hallway Photos At The Machine Shop - Pictures

Anyone who has any inkling of the Machine Shop knows about the hallway and the “hallway photos” that photographer Jeff “Minty” Mintline takes. It’s become quite a thing for the bands, fans, and even crews that come by the “Shop” in Flint, Michigan.

I’ll never forget the first time I was in the famous hallway at the Machine Shop. I walked in the side door and realized I was standing in it! I had no idea. “Minty” said the bands say the same thing. He says they think it’s going to be bigger, or in a different location of the venue, as did I.

I was curious as to how this whole thing started. “Minty” told me the first picture is the Exies in 2007. He said that singer Scott Stevens wanted a picture with the band. Guitarist Chris Skane said, “Let’s do it back here in the hallway.” That was the first, for a while. There wasn’t another picture taken in that location until the spring of 2010. The next bands were Smile Empty Soul and Skindred….and that’s how the hallway photos were born! You can see that first picture below.

How many band pictures have been taken? “Minty” says it’s around 1,300. As far as fans from around the world taking pictures back there? “It happens constantly” he said. I’ve personally witnessed that myself.

I was also there when one guy in a band wouldn’t do it. I’ll keep that to myself, as well as which country artist passed because they didn’t like the flash. Fair enough, I suppose.

Bret Micheals’ tour manager said that he wouldn’t do it. Owner Kevin Zink rolled with the punches and asked if the rest of the band wouldn’t mind, since many of them have played there in the past. They obliged, and while the picture was being taken, Bret walked in and asked what was going on. After he was informed of the picture, he didn’t hesitate to get in. Having been around him a few times, that didn’t surprise me at all.

According to Minty, every band is more than fired up to take a picture in the famous hallway. “It’s almost turned into a rite of passage type of thing” It really has, as the pictures prove!

Thank you to “Minty” for filling me in on the backstory, and suppling all of these killer shots! Have a look!

Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history. Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.

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