About the Show 

Sons of Anarchy is an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones about a notorious outlaw motorcycle club intent on protecting their sheltered small town against encroaching drug dealers, corporate developers and overzealous law officers. The club is equally determined to protect their ruthless and illegally thriving arms business. Charlie Hunnam stars as Jackson 'Jax' Teller, a man whose love for the brotherhood is tested by his growing apprehension for its lawlessness. Katey Sagal stars as Gemma Teller Morrow, Jax's force-of-nature mother, who along with Ron Perlman as Clarence 'Clay' Morrow, Jax's stepfather and MC president, have their own darker vision for the club.

CHARMING, CALIFORNIA

Charming is a city located in San Joaquin County, California.  The population is currently 14, 679.

Geography

Charming is 22.8 sq. mi.  It's located in the upper part of the metro triangle, which is bounded by the Bay Area, Stockton and Sacramento.  It is fifty miles from both Oakland and San Jose, and a bout thirty miles from both Stockton and Lodi.

Weather

Charming's average high temperature in January is 54F (12C) and the average low is 38F (3C.)  In July the average high temperature is 94F (34C) and the average low is 61F.

History:

After the California Gold Rush (1848-1855) brought an influx of population to the region, lumber, as well as agriculture, became prominent industries in the area. In1859 these pioneer settlers decided to establish a town where the ample Redwood country meets the fertile Central Valley.

The town was originally named Timberville, but when two railroad land surveyors stopped in the town, one proclaimed it the last "charming" place for a railroad station before the very large, flat central valley.   The other declared he'd just name it as such.

After the great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, the town saw a small in influx of settlers who left the bay area in search of a simpler, more stable life.

In the post World War II baby boom, housing developers began to purchase several farmsteads and develop then with roads, utilities, and housing.  Once rural orchards and ranches became picturesque middle-class neighborhoods and communities.  Some of these neighborhoods include Crestwood, Sellwood, Eastburough, and Buckhead (known today as Sam Crow's Corner)

Today, one of the most unique qualities of Charming is that it's maintained a classic Americana look and structure.

Industry and Economy:

Early industries in Charming included a lumber mill, saw mill, orchards, farms and cattle ranching. Today, Charming also has an auto-manufacturing industry.

Oswald lumber, Oswald Beef, and Oswald Construction are three of the town's predominant companies.

Nearly all businesses are local, mom and pop, and independent.  Charming has managed to keep out unsightly chains and corporations.

Local businesses include Hoffman's Pharmacy, Lumpy's Family Restaurant, Floyd's Barber Shop, and Teller-Morrow Automotive.  There is one hospital, St. Thomas Hospital.

The town is rural and largely  working middle-class.

Agriculture:

The Charming Cherry is a cultivator that originated in the region and is noted for the contrast between its sweet skin and somewhat tart flesh.

Notable Residents:

Charming is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of motorcycle club Sons Of Anarchy (1967-present.) The local charter is known as SAMCRO (Sons Of Anarchy Redwood Original,) also depicted as Sam Crow. The club still resides in Charming today -- all other information has been removed from this site.

Sarah Jane Oliver (1830-1872,) teacher, diarist.  Author (1860) The Journal of Miss Oliver.

Elijah Bagwell (1857-1923,) clergyman.

Nathan Burrows (1937 –1982) sculptor.  Works included the iconic “Kit Foxes,” as well as a series of Log Cabins that became a quick decorative fad, mostly in the bay area, during the mid 1970’s.

Timothy Lewis (1960-present,) software tycoon of Silicon Valley was rumored to be born in Charming.

Bonnie St. Jones (1944 -?) musician, visual artist and social activist.  Was born and raised in Charming until she left 17 to eventually become a strong figure in the folk revival movement.

Jamie Rowen (1985-present) Won county and then became a finalist in the statewide Spelling Bee, 1997.

 

Local Music:

 

The Shit Buckets, a folk punk band.

Boss Johnson, blues guitarist

Sally Chapel, lounge singer

Bobby Elvis and his TCB Band

 

THE WOMEN OF SAMCRO

THE CUT

THE EPISODES

The Sound

Music for the show plays a crucial part in depicting the world of Samcro as well as the simplicity of life in a town like Charming. It must reflect both the authentic rebelliousness and freedom of the club lifestyle but also have playful Americana undertones.

The man responsible for capturing this is acclaimed producer/songwriter/musician Bob Thiele Jr., whose major task as theme song composer and co-music supervisor is to make the music as authentic as possible. He does this by drawing from a specific musical palette, using a great deal of guitar and accordion, keeping it simple as anything too orchestral or overly computer generated becomes distracting and can hinder instead of adding to the characters and their stories. This very notion is best captured in the show’s theme song “This Life.”

For the song, Bob teamed up with guitarist/songwriter/and all around badass Dave Kushner of the band Velvet Revolver, as well as famed musician Curtis Stigers (who sings it.) The three are in works to lay down a full recording of the song to be available soon.