From KCRW and KCRW.com, I'm Bob Carlson, and this is Unfictional.

Unfictional is KCRW's program of stories and original documentaries.

It's a part of KCRW's Independent Producer Project, a laboratory for independent radio producers, writers, and performers. And even though the story on today's program was produced in England

it's all going to sound very familiar to those of us here in Los Angeles

especially those of you who are driving.

It's about that personal world we create for ourselves when we're in our cars.

It's your seat, your air conditioning, and especially your music.

But some people aren't content with just listening to their favorite music in the car.

There's a whole world of auto buffs who are dedicated to the more extreme idea of building out the car's sound system with such giant monster

amps that the thundering bass coming out of the speakers can shake everything all down your block.

We wouldn't let you be in the car.

At high level decibels where we're talking probably 160 plus, 165.

It's possible you could rupture your ear drums and they could bleed.

Back in 2006, producer Paragrin Andrews produced this radio piece for the BBC about

the Extreme Stereo Mod modification scene in London.

He himself didn't have a car or even drive, but he was taken with these audio

extremists who pushed the volume way past 11, seemingly beyond the point of reason.

On KCRW's unfictional, this is a bootful of bass.

When you're sitting in a car and you've got a loud sound system turn right up,

something definitely happens to you.

Your heart rate goes up, your breathing gets deeper.

If a guy pulled up with Fat Stereo System, yeah I would be extremely turned on by it.

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