Get Ready for "O TITUS"
For those of you that listen regularly to the show, it would have been pretty hard to have missed the exquisite talent of Tuckshop favorites
"O Titus". Their perfect blend of quirky pop, summery rock all packed into a near perfect 3 minutes has not only astounded us, but has began to gather pace, ensuring a growing breed of fans from all over.
Following the success of 2007's release
"silver streak girl" (on house P records), These chaps have been literally 'workin' night and day, performing to a wide group of punters all over the capital, hard work which, when mixed with their unarguable talent paid off, following a support slot for Pete Dohertys group of social misfits "babyshambles" late last year.
"O TITUS", Also trained Gorilla Hairdressers.
O Titus have the potential to take on the likes of P Diddy amd Damon Dash, giving those low jean wearing, diamond adorning, marketing mavericks a run for their dollar, as it only needs one visit of the bands awesome
website to see that O TITUS IS not just a band, O titus is a way of life.
This week we featured one of their excellent records entitled Seagulls, rumored to be released to the general public in May , so have a listen, pay them a visit and rub your hands in anticipation.
Have a listen now!!!
Smarten up and improve all aspects of yourself by reading The Chap
As I approach the upper echelons of my twenties, I have noticed that a strong desire to "smarten up" has grown slowly within me, not only do I dream about getting hold of my grandad's vast collection of tweed suits and fine leather brogues, but, I also long to possess the very much forgotten skills and knowledge which are necessary to become a Gentleman.
Recently this need to improve oneself has made its way subtly into my wardrobe, wearing silk scarves (see last weeks blog) and leaving the house wearing a barbour coat. However, it seems that now my full transition into a "modern dandy" can become a reality as my prayers were finally answered as I discovered the bi monthly gentleman's publication known as
"the chap".
The Chap Olympics - Get Training now.
Commenting on all the important issues that face every young squire, noble and decent hard working man. This handy booklet comes small enough to conveniently sit in the pockets of my wax jacket. Printing features such as P.C World, judge my shrub and am I chap?. alongside important and interesting articles offering tips on appropriate cravat knots, and moustache grooming. Chap Magazine offers hope in the world of sock suspenders and good manners, bringing me at least a stage closer to my desired status.
Be sure to check out The Chap at a news agents near you or to subscribe and welcome the world of chap into your life
click here.
Vans, More than just a shoe
As I embarked this week on a new job, it seemed appropriate that I should celebrate the occasion with a new pair of trainers. With the arrival of spring fresh in my mind, I figured it was time to pick up my annual summer pair, which as always is a pair of vans. For me there really is no alternative for my feet during any summer in the city, keeping them cool in more ways than one.
I've always been a fan of the vans design (the era being my personal favorite), having spent large parts of my life around skateboards and the sea, Vans seem an obvious choice, however, it dawned on me, that to many wearing these shoes, they may not be aware of their important cultural impact.
Opening for the first time in 1966, The Vans store offered 3 designs which the customer could choose from. At the end of the first morning they had received orders for 12 pairs, in the afternoon these customers arrived to pick up their purchases, however the store had no change so all the customers were given their new shoes and asked to return the next day to pay. All 12 returned.
Skate legend Tony Alva - coming to a pool near you!
Vans continued to produce their custom shoe in any colour for many years, however, during the early 70's the shoes started to be picked up by an emerging group of skateboarders, the infamous Z-BOYS, who hailed from a nearby area known as Dogtown. As the Z-BOYS reputation grew as the best group of skateboarders in the world, so did the Vans trainer, constantly being photographed on the feet of skate legends such as Tony Alva, Stacey Peralta (who went on to direct brilliant documentaries Dogtown and the Z-BOYS and Riding Giants) and wild child Jay Adams. As the demand for the shoe grew, so did the demand for new designs.
Ssticking with the original customizing idea ,in 1976 Vans approached both Alva and Peralta to design a new style. This lead to the birth of the two coloured era shoe, which was originally produced in blue and red, cementing Vans position in the skateboarding culture forever.
However, Vans most famous show the checkered slip on, is perhaps the best example of the Vans belief in listening to the customer. In 1981 the guys were asked by a friend to design a style that would be used for a character in a film he was working on. This Film was to be called "Fast times at Ridgemont high". With this in mind Vans began working on a checkerboard design, as not only had they noticed "the kids at high school" customizing the rubber bumpers with this pattern, but had also received 100's of similar designs from a competition they ran which would give winners a pair of their very own shoes and a trip to disneyland.
Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli.
As it happened, the guys at the Film studio loved the design and immediately used them. The film "fast times" then became a huge hit and the character Jeff Spicoli (played by Sean Penn), was immortalized by every rebellious teenager as he represented the "surfing, stoner outcast" donning these checkered kicks with a Tux on his prom night. To the delight of Vans, the shoe was then used as the cover for the very popular soundtrack, and has remained one of the most iconic shoes of modern times.
">
">
