BLESSED!

here is yet another person who was blessed with flow from me. the lucky guys name is Tony from the Ripperside and he was lucky enough to receive a care package from myself. the care package consisted of 3 brand new REBEL8 tees and assorted stickers. you can win stuff too! you just have to post a comment! hope you enjoy all of the stuff!

GTAIV!

i finally caught my copy of GTAIV. i had a chance to get the special edition black Xbox360 but God wasn't on my side that day, i also wanted to pre-order the special edition that came with the duffle-bag and lock-box but i passed it up at the time.

the game is sick as fuck and is definitely worth getting. the city in the game (New York) is so much smaller compared to San Andreas and it is going to be crazy learning a new city all over again. but because the city is much smaller - the game designers were able to make the game much more detailed - graphics=wise and features-wise.

some new features include:

-use of cell phones
-use of the Internet inside Internet Cafes
-G.P.S. systems in certain cars
-radio stations that you can call to request songs
-multiplayer mode
-go bowling
-go to strip-joints (like previous versions)
-visit comedy clubs

i thought that the opening of the game was so intense - i had to provide a step-by-step look at my first minutes with the game, haha!

if you don't have the game yet, go get it!

SURPRISE!

got a pretty big surprise for you guys coming up. it's been months in the making. will announce it sometime soon. keep your eyes open...

FM$ x LASONiC DROP TOMORROW!

ok, yesterday i posted that the Ghetto Blaster would be dropping at 12pm. it will actually be dropping at 11am at The Fast Life and will also be available at the Showroom AND online as well at the Famous Stars & Straps website. there was only 300 off these puppies made and the first 50 customers/purchases will receive a Famous Stars & Straps mousepad. awesome!

also, there will be a release party for the Ghetto Blaster tomorrow night from 10pm-2am at a club called Central Hollywood where DJ Spider will be spinning and hosting the party.



CENTRAL HOLLYWOOD
1710 N. Las Palmas
Hollywood, CA 90028
323.871.8022

ESTEVAN ORIOL NEWS

Estevan Oriol recently made the cover for the upcoming issue of Juxtapoz Art Magazine. Juxtapoz is definitely one of my favorite magazines and if you've never read it - check it out. you can find Juxtapoz hidden amongst the hundreds of magazines at your local Barnes & Noble or Borders...


also, peep his new graphic - logo.

CAN'T STOP THE CROOKS!

peep the new billboard purchased by Crooks & Castles. looks like they have taken the cues from UNDFTD and The Fast Life (Famous Stars & Straps) except there must not be a billboard right above the Crooks store unlike The Fast Life and UNDFTD which own both billboards or at least have them above their stores. the billboard lies atop the SLB store on Fairfax. Crooks & Castles is definitely a brand that i like and i think that the billboard is a dope move but then again, i am interested and impressed by the way brands market themselves and advertise and most people aren't interested in that type of shit. i remember being younger and being tripped out seeing Epitaph bands being advertised on bus stops, haha!

NEW ERA x ROGUE STATUS HATS RELEASED

these new Rogue Status x New Era shirts have just released. 1 is leather and 2 are canvas and all feature a satin inner-lining. the embroidery is huge and all over the hat. i am sure Matt over at Rogue was responsible for the leather hat because i know he has always been into leather fitteds. you can go get them at the Rogue Status store in Venice or buy them over at Fitted Hawaii.

STUSSY - OUR GANG SERIES - MISTER CARTOON

i am not a huge fan of Stussy but i am definitely feeling a lot of their newer shirts. i wore Stussy when i was little and i remember they made those weird purple/color-changing shirts, haha! Stussy has just created a new series of shirts called 'Our Gang' in which a couple of respected artists were asked to create a shirt each. pictured is the design that Mister Cartoon created for them. other artists that were asked to make shirts were Gary Panter and John Pound.

JOHNNY CUPCAKES - FLAGSHIP STORE LA

i first heard about Johnny Cupcakes a couple years back when i was managing a clothing store. i was in charge of finding new brands to buy as well as a hundred other tasks. i remember looking through a magazine that a co-worker of mine picked up at MAGIC in Vegas. Johnny Cupcakes caught my eye because of the type of branding they used in the advertisements.

so apparently - they are getting pretty big and they are now opening a new store in LA sometime in June which will be their flagship. i know they started off in Massachusetts but ended up moving out here, smart move. the homie CHARM$ recently was flowed some shirts from them and was instantly a fan.

like i have expressed in previous posts - i am a huge sucker for architecture and design. anyways, here are a few sneak-peak pictures of the store.





i am guessing that the above pictures are supposed to be an employee entrance for the stock room which is supposed to look like an oven. apparently - the clock at the top of the oven is a real working clock and the knobs rotate as well. such a cool idea. if any of you remember my post last week regarding the different stores that i thought had awesome architecture and design - i am sure that this will be one of the stores that will implement the glass display cases to house their tees and accessories.

check out their website here.

VANS SK8-HI CHAIRS

last year i heard about these huge fuckers but back then they were only P.O.P items for retailers. some of you might have seen these at Vans flagship stores. these huge-ass kicks were produced by Coarse Toys which are known for making life-size toys. now the public has a chance to buy these and it is available for purchase at LTD which is a Japanese website. hopefully you can read Japanese! i think the item costs somewhere around $400 but considering shipping from Japan to the U.S. and the size too! wow.

some of the coolest shit to buy are only available to retailers and vendors. when i managed a clothing store - this was the only time i was able to purchase P.O.P. (point of purchase) items and i should have taken the chance when i had it. anyways, luckily this huge thing is available to the public now but hopefully it will be available to the states soon.

SL!CK @ COACHELLA!

one of my favorite graffiti artists and artists in general was at Coachella this last weekend. SL!CK painted a blown up pig. if any of you were there, you definitely saw this fucker hanging over your heads! i am sure 95% of the people there had no idea who SL!CK is. i was supposed to go this year and this would've been a great treat to see except for the crazy ass weather. it was almost 100 degrees here where i live, i can't imagine being outside over this last weekend anywhere near Palm Desert.

THE FAST LIFE MUGS

last Saturday The Fast Life dropped these mugs into their shop. The Fast Life is the shop in which i am a street team member for. no idea how much these cost but they would be cool to have. i used to work in a clothing store much like The Fast Life and we sold these mugs and what was weird as shit is that by law - these companies have to display a disclaimer in regards to the fact that they are known to cause cancer. way off topic, but anyways, go get the mugs.

OCDP

here is an official OCDP picture of the new gun show kit that Travis plays. i have posted numerous pics of different parts and angles of the kit but here is a picture of the kit stacked up. i love the new bass drum graphic, it's like an old jazz kit type of bass drum. maybe if i have time tomorrow, i will take pics of my kit in the same fashion. we shall see.

WORK FOR FM$

i have just received word that Famous Stars & Straps is looking to fill 2 positions - A Juniors Designer and is still looking to fill the Regional Sales Representative that i posted about weeks ago. here are the job requirements that they are looking for as a company:

JUNIORS DESIGNER

Famous Stars and Straps
Location: Ontario, CA.
Experience: 1 years
Rate: N/A (Full-Time)
Job Description
Junior Designer

Famous Stars and Straps is looking for a creative, energetic and highly motivated artist/assistant designer with juniors experience to work closely with the design team. Designer must thrive in a fast paced environment and be able to juggle multiple projects. He/she must be hard working, responsible and multi-task oriented, with skilled graphic & illustration capabilities. Candidate must be able to handle high work volume during peak periods and be willing to receive direction and follow through on assigned projects.

Job Responsibilities:
• Design and develop brand product for the Juniors market
• Able to translate key concepts and trends to these lifestyles
• Be able to partner with cross functional teams to develop and execute designs/garments
• Work with internal design team to execute the vision and initial concept in related area of responsibility
• Adhere to daily timeliness and deadlines
• Continually shop, monitor and research competition and communicate how information applies to current business
• In addition, this position maybe required to perform supportive functions. This performance percentage time is to be determined by the supervisor. These job responsibilities are subject to change in accordance with business needs.

Candidate must have:
• Portfolio demonstrating diverse, creative design and production capabilities
• Solid time management, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Should have an attention to detail and be accurate
• Must be articulate and be able to work one on one with clients
• Must be able to work in a team environment, balance multiple projects at once and complete in a timely manner
• Able to work under tight deadlines with minimal supervision
• Strong typography skills
• Knowledge of color theory
• Be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Computer PC, MAC and CAD experience
• Must be able to demonstrate clear concise communication in meetings, fittings, and all presentation forums
• Working knowledge of garment construction, pattern making, textiles, washes, current finishes, techniques, and processes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

Famous Stars and Straps
Location: Ontario, CA.
Experience: 2 years
Rate: N/A (Full-Time)
Job Description
Regional Sales Manager

Famous Stars and Straps based in Ontario, CA is seeking a Regional Sales Manager. We seek a motivated, results oriented individual with the following talents:

1. Experience recruiting and developing direct sales teams and/or recruiting and supporting independent sales representatives throughout the United States
2. Experience selling to nationwide majors and specialty retailers
3. Experience in sales and marketing through trade shows and industry events
4. Willing and able to take on additional responsibilities as needed

Responsibilities Include:
** Increase Revenues
** Monitor, track, and report on sales seasonally from product sample through sale
** Monitor and appraise direct and independent sales representatives sales performance and activity
** Provide feedback on our line as well as others targeting the same market segment
** Provide input and feedback on marketing programs, sales incentives, sell-through concessions, point of presence displays, etc.

Qualifications:
** 2-3 years of Sales Management experience
** Strong verbal and written communication skills
** Proven ability to build sales teams and deliver results
** Experience in Word, Excel, Outlook/Entourage. Experience with EDI or Manufacturing software a plus

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

if any of my readers are looking for a job within the clothing industry/board sports industry/moto industry, etc. or already work in the industry but are looking for a new opportunity - please privately send me your name, location (city & state), age, and what company you'd like to work for - and i will search your information against a database that i have to see if there are any opportunities for you.

GOOD NEWS!

i have just been given word that the Disney x Roen x Medicom - Mickey Mouse 'London Calling' figure that i posted about last week will be given to me and shipped bu July!! i currently own the smaller version and i will now own the 1 ft. tall version. will post pictures once i receive it!

CONTEST EXTENDED!

i guess this post is mostly for people who have not yet commented or are new readers but anyhow, because the response to the sticker pack contest has been pretty much overwhelming and also because i haven't been posting for a week because of being extremely ill - i thought that i would make it up to you guys by not only reminding you that the contest would have ended tomorrow - but i will be extending the deadline until May 1st - so basically - you get one more full day to post a comment. not much more time but more time nonetheless...

rules are still the same - to recap - all that is required is that you comment on any post - that's it! multiple postings will not increase your chances of winning but are not discouraged. the winner will be randomly chosen and announced sometime on Thursday. comment posters names will be put onto a list and randomly chosen by myself. it is up to the winner to contact me privately after whatever name they used to post is announced and if i am not contacted within 3 days - i will be forced to pick another comment poster. winner must provide me with an address once contacted privately. the sticker pack will be assorted and put together by myself and shipped out by the end of the week.

this contest is a new thing for my blog and is sort of in an experimental stage. like i've expressed before - if the contest goes well and i can get more and more new comment posters - i will upgrade the giveaways to better items such as tees and other things. i have shirts set aside that i was either given or never wear from brands like REBEL8, Famous Stars & Straps, Hart and Huntington, and many others...

good luck!

SCAR TISSUE - ANTHONY KIEDIS

i have a huge collection of books that i read. most of you by now have noticed i like to collect things but books are one of the best things to collect. i enjoy reading autobiographies, non-fiction mysteries, conspiracies, and other interesting things. pretty much the only type of book i don't like to read are fiction unless it meets certain, ultra-specific criteria of mine. every now and then i will post a book that i am reading or have read somewhere along the line that i would recommend my readers reading. much like my blog - posting literature, music, and anything and everything - is meant to turn people onto different things they might not have known about otherwise.

anyhow, a book that i am currently re-reading is Scar Tissue which is sort of an autobiography of sorts by Anthony Kiedis. it is a New York Times Bestseller when it first was released. i originally purchased the book about 2-3 years back and i enjoyed reading it so much that i decided it would be a good book to read - especially being sick and in bed. when i first read it - it took me about 3 days to read the 465 page book. the book is mostly about Anthony's family history, a little about RHCP's adventures and stories, and a lot about his road to recovery in regards to sobriety. 2 years ago - when i first read the book, i was having issues with sobriety myself and this book really, really touched and helped me. i could really relate and identify with the book because at the time, i was playing drums in a band and using at the same time which lead to my demise with the band. i entered an out-patient rehab and i have to honestly say that this book helped me get through everything i was going through. even if you aren't a huge fan of RHCP - the book is really, really awesome. i highly recommend purchasing it the next time you are at a bookstore.

NEW DVDs ADDED TO THE ARSENAL

i was lucky enough to receive these 3 DVDs sometime last week. the DVD on the far left is the Aqua Teen Hunger Force; Colon Movie Film For Theaters DVD which obviously is the ATHF movie that did extremely poorly in the theaters but was really funny, the DVD in the middle is the 4th season of Aqua Teen Hunger Force - which completes my collection of the shows seasons up until this current season, and the DVD on the far right is the Shin Chan DVD. most of you won't be familiar with Shin Chan - which is a Japanese cartoon that is currently being aired on Adult Swim - much like all of the DVD's in the picture. originally - the show is voiced in Japanese but obviously the version i have is over-dubbed in English but as a special feature, the DVD includes the Japanese versions. i don't know the if the show is translated word for word but the show is really, really crude. think of it as a Japanese - South Park but like 2 times cruder and raunchier. in Japan - censorship is very weird but crudeness and nudity is much more tolerated compared to the U.S. i highly recommend watching Shin Chan and i believe it is on weekdays at midnight.

KID ROBOT x ADULT SWIM BLIND BOX TOYS

quite awhile ago - i posted in regards to the Kid Robot x Adult Swim blind box toys. Kid Robot just sent me a package of 3 blind boxes. basically what a blind box is - is a box in a foil wrap completely sealed up. someone i know who works at Kid Robot told me that there have been instances where people have actually tried to use x-ray devices to purchase a certain figure. the figures i received were Dr. Girlfriend from The Venture Bros., Murderface from Metalpocolypse, and The Mooninites from The Aqua Teen Hunger Force. was stoked when the package arrived at my doorstep because it is always a surprise until i read the shipping label and it reads 'Kid Robot - New York'. had no idea!



there are 16 assorted characters and two chase figures from varying Adult Swim cartoons. a chase figure is a ultra-limited and hard to find figure. not only are certain figures harden than others to find the chase figures are extremely hard to find. this is the first series for the Adult Swim set and the cast of characters includes:

Assy McGee from Assy McGee
Carl and Ignignokt and Err (The Mooninites) from Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Orel from Moral Orel
Mad Scientist and Robot Chicken from Robot Chicken
Murderface and Toki from Metalpocolypse
Granny, Lil, and Early from The Squidbillies
Monarch, Dr. Girlfriend,
Avenger and Birdgirl from Harvey Birdman; Attorney at Law
Killface from Frisky Dingo

if you don't see your favorite character - that will leave room for the upcoming series 2 and so on. there isn't an official word on how many series they plan to release but there will definitely be at least two.

CANVAS-LA

i have been posting a lot about shows at the newly opened gallery/shop called CANVAS-LA. i mustered up some photos to show you guys. it is definitely a cool place to check out and definitely a cool concept for a shop. you can find the spot on Fairfax - just like every other store or gallery. you can also purchase original art on their website as well as other merchandise. check it out here.

CANVAS -LA
441 N. Fairfax
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.944.0678

Album of the Week - Sole - Bottle of Humans

ok, so a couple weeks back i announced that i would be posting in regards to albums that i am currently listening to and that i would at the very least list what song(s) are my favorite and if there happens to be a video of that song that i would post that as well. the point of the post is - is that i want to expose all of my readers to different types of music that they most likely won't hear on the radio. many of these artists were turned onto me by others and by word of mouth.

on a side note: i love my car, spend a shit-load of money on it (lowered it, 19-inch rims, misc. parts), but my stereo is stock as shit. no iPod hook-up, just straight CD's. so when i say 'album i am currently listening to' - i mean it in the literal sense. i am going to entitle the blog 'Album of the Week' so that it can be referenced a bit easier.

the album i am currently listening to is entitled Bottle of Humans by an artist named Sole. Sole was a member of a group called Anticon and most of you might know him better through that group. the music is considered hip-hop but the lyrics are deep and artistic and the tracks sound like DJ Shadow beats. this album is super hard to find and in fact - this album was ganked from a friend of mine in high school - i highly doubt this album could be found at your local Best Buy.

my favorite song on the album is entitled 'Bottle of Humans' which is the title of the whole album. here is the video:



on another side note: i really don't like the video that much. something i like to do is to listen to an album with my eyes closed and picture what the music video would be like if i directed it. i picture so many different things but i guess this video had a really low budget and Sole is the type of dude who might say that he'd prefer to keep the video simple as to not take away from the song.

New Rogue Status Bench!

the boys over at the Rogue Status H.Q. have recently purchased a new bench. it's huge! in fact, it's bigger than the UNDFTD bench AND The Hundreds bench combined! now Rogue Status can produce shirts called 'Porch Life' and make references like that, haha. go check it...

Rogue Status - Spring 2008 Line

SAFETY IN NUMBERS


Rogue Status x Slam Hype - Front & Back



Gunnar

if any of you reading this right now are regulars - you have already seen my posts regarding the new Rogue Status Spring 2008 line. i have had numerous posts that have included pics of the line but here are a few that were left out for whatever reason. enjoy.

Skull & Swords @ CANVAS-LA

many of you might remember my post last week regarding the Skull & Swords show that is being held at CANVAS-LA on Fairfax. the show is being put on by The Seventh Letter crew and is definitely worth checking out, let alone CANVAS-LA which is also another great reason to visit. the show could be described as a showcase of graffiti and tattoo artists and the clash between the two arts with a canvas as the medium. here are a few pictures from the show that i found on The Hundreds blog. check it.

Source: The Hundreds