The last stage in the process is getting voted in as a fully patched member. This only happens if the entire charter votes unanimously for the prospect to get in. Before the voting takes place, it is customary that the prospect travels to every charter in the area and introduce himself to all the members. This allows members to get to know him, ask questions and shows his commitment to the club.
After successfully being voted in by the local charter, the prospect takes part in an initiation ceremony where he receives his top Hells Angels rocker and winged death head logo. Finally reaching the status of a full-fledged member is known as “being patched.”
Hanging Around
When a candidate has been deemed acceptable, the next step in the process is to become a “hang around.” That means that the prospective member is allowed to come to some of the club meetings or join other club members at open social gatherings.
A hang-around gets the chance to meet and connect with other members, but also and maybe more importantly, to get a glimpse into the Hells Angels lifestyle and what it means to be a part of it.
Becoming a Prospect
After a while, if the hang-around still wants to join the club, he may be asked to become an associate. That means a year or two more of attending club events, hanging out with members and generally showing that they have what it takes. An indeterminate amount of time after that, the associate can be reclassified as a prospect.
While prospects are allowed to attend closed meetings, they still don’t have the right to vote on club business. During their time as prospects, candidates are still being evaluated by other members for their suitability to become a fully patched club member. Prospects at least get to wear a cut with a patch featuring the state or territory of their charter.
The “Filthy Few” and “Dequiallo” Patch
Tony Thompson, a crime correspondent and the author of the book Gangs, talks in his book about other patches which members may receive for particular acts. For example, the patch with Nazi-like SS lightning bolts and the words “Filthy Few.” This patch is supposedly only given out to members who have committed murder or are willing to commit murder for the club.
Another example is the “Dequiallo” patch. This patch is only awarded to members who reacted violently to law enforcement representatives while being placed under arrest. Other secret patches exist to help members show their commitment to the club and showcase the things they have done. For obvious reasons, their meanings are not public knowledge.
Hunter S. Thompson and the Hells Angels
Strangely enough, author and well known “Gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson has the Hells Angels to thank for the start of his career. He spent a year living and riding with the club and absorbing the biker gang atmosphere before writing Hells Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.
In the end, Thompson and the club parted on bad terms. The writer tried to keep a man from hurting his wife and ended up badly beaten himself. The gang also accused him of taking advantage of them for money and fame and demanded a cut from his profits. The book was a big hit, but Thompson did not share any of the money with the group.