NEW SITE FINISHED!!!!

Thank all of you have been following our blogs these past couple of months. Please join us at our new site as we continue to grow and inspire:

http://www.myproductme.com/

New Site Under Construction

Our Trend Tuesdays posts as well as all other posts will be postponed this week while we work on building and launching our new site: Myproductme.com  We thank you in advance for your patience and we look forward to launching the new and improved site to you all sometime in the next week or so!

Transparentsea

Transparentsea is coming our way.  Sunday evening at the Ocean Institute in the Dana Point Harbor, Transparentsea will be hosting one of its major events. Transparentsea is Dave Rastovich and crew making their journey by sail, following the migration of the grey whales along the Southern California coastline. On the way the crew will come to port for four major regional events. Each night hosting Minds in The Water movie screening, followed by live in concert Band of Frequencies, art show & auction and in support Surfer’s for Cetaceans (S4C) and other ocean minded charities.  Tickets for the Orange County event are on sale now for $15 and all of the proceeds are donated to charity.  Get them here.

Go to Transparentsea to check out the map and find out more information about what Dave and crew are doing.

 Skate decks by Andy Davis, one of the presenting artists.

Hope you all can make it and support a great cause.

THE MOROSE PROJECT, ART, AND A MOVIE

Once again the weekend is here and if you are anything like us, you're sure glad it is.  Well here is a short list of some events going on around town for your weekend enjoyment.  Our good friends THE MOROSE PROJECT will be throwing down a DJ set at The Avalon Hollywood this Saturday night along with Brando Commando, Loose Village, Steve Ryback, and aDJnamedCK.  Catch their set from 1:30-2:45 am.  You don't want to miss these guys!!!

And for all you art buffs out there head to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena to check out their new exhibit called Proof: The History of Printmaking in Southern California.  Proof will explore the significance of printmaking and its new possibilities as first re-envisioned in post-war Southern California.

The exhibition will include works by the local founders of this movement such as John Altoon, Garo Antreasian, Sam Francis, Ed Moses, Ken Price, Ed Ruscha and June Wayne, as well as those who made their way to print specifically in Los Angeles, such as Joseph Albers, Bruce Conner, Lee Mullican, Louise Nevelson, Claes Oldenburg, and Robert Rauschenberg.

Stop by on your way up to see THE MOROSE PROJECT in Hollywood on Saturday or check out the Norton Simon Museum website for hours and more details about the exhibit.  Norton Simon Museum

And lastly if you're looking for something to do tonight, head out to the Vestal headquarters in Costa Mesa for the world premiere of Peter Line and Eddie Wall's new film The Peddie Files.

We hope some of you can make it out to one of these events.  Have a great weekend and check back with us next week to find out more happenings around town.

Thirsty Thursday: Guide to Whiskey

So for many of us whiskey is the key to happiness...when things are great, I love whiskey, when things are good, I love whiskey, and when things just flat out suck ass, there's nothing more than my pure love for whiskey. But when things suck ass, let's make sure we are putting down the right whiskey's. Here is a quick guide to the drink we love most...WHISKEY!


Scotch whisky (notice there’s no “e”) is, by law, distilled and aged a minimum of four years in Scotland, although most Scotch is aged at least 10 years. Flavor-wise, Scotch is lighter than Irish whiskey and has a signature smokiness, which comes from drying wet, germinated barley over a fire fueled by peat moss -- a process that releases malt sugars in the barley. Single-malt Scotches are made exclusively from malted barley by a single distillery. [Glenfiddich, Macallen, Glenlivet] Blended Scotch whiskys are made from a blend of malted whiskey and another grain whiskey, usually corn or wheat. [Johnny Walker Black, Dewars, Chivas Regal].
Serve it: Neat, on the rocks, or with a twist.

Irish whiskey (note the “e”) is produced very much like Scotch, but the barley doesn’t come into contact with peat smoke during the drying process, which means it doesn’t have the telltale smokiness. It is also sweeter and fuller-bodied. Most Irish whiskey is blended [Jameson, Bushmills], but there are some high-dollar single malts [Laphroaig].
Serve it: Neat or on the rocks.

Bourbon is American whiskey. Corn is the dominant grain used to make bourbon (instead of barley), which gives it a notably sweet taste, often with hints of vanilla picked up from the oak barrels. Bourbon has a long history in Kentucky, but it can be made anywhere, if it meets certain federal guidelines. The blend of grain must be at least 51 percent (but not more than 80 percent) corn, and it must be aged in charred new oak containers. [Knob Creek, Maker’s Mark, Pappy Van Winkle, Jim Beam].
Serve it: Neat, on the rocks, or as the base liquor in a classic American cocktail, such as a Manhattan or mint julep.

Tennessee whiskey is made like bourbon, but there are no guidelines that require using corn as the dominant grain (although it usually is). It is also filtered through charcoal to remove any leftover impurities -- a process that makes for a mild and smooth whiskey. [Jack Daniels, George Dickel].
Serve it: Neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of cola.

Rye is also whiskey made like bourbon, but rye is the primary grain used, instead of corn. Rye has a more aggressive, peppery flavor, and it’s a dry (not sweet) spirit, unlike fuller, sweeter bourbon. [Old Portrero, Jim Beam Rye, Wild Turkey Rye Whiskey].
Serve it: In a Manhattan or Sazerac cocktail.

 BOTTOMS UP!!!

Free Music and a Movie Premiere

Everybody loves free music and one of our favorite bands just released a free recording on Daytrotter.  We Barbarians just wrapped up a West Coast tour and while touring, they stopped by Daytrotter and recorded a few songs.  They are available for free download at DAYTROTTER.  If you like what you hear check them out at their website We Barbarians and buy their new album Headspace.

WE BARBARIANS

The next best thing to free music is a movie premiere.  This Friday, October 14, at the VESTAL headquarters in Costa Mesa will be the premiere of THE PEDDIE FILES.  This is the new film by Peter Line and Eddie Wall.  Cruise by at 8 p.m. and enjoy the new film and a DJ set by Jared Swilley of The Black Lips.

We hope you all enjoy!

TREND TUESDAYS!!

A Brief History of Khaki

Khaki, a staple in menswear for many years, found its origins in the mid 1800's in India.  There are a couple of stories as to how it originated.  One version is that soldiers deliberately discolored their uniforms with mud, dust, coffee, and even curry powder in what might be considered a go at camouflaging.  The second version is that British Army officer Sir Harry Lumsden was looking for an alternative to his regulation trousers in order to deal with the heat.  He turned to lighter and looser fitting bottoms that resembled pajamas and had them dyed with tea leaves, later realizing their camouflaging benefits.  However it was not until the 1850's that the weaving of khaki fabric within the British Empire was established.  A man by the name of John Haller introduced the first hand-looms to the region of Mangalore and it is to him that the invention of khaki dye is usually attributed.

Khaki did not make its move to the United States until 1898 during the Spanish-American war.  Khakis were first adopted by the U.S. Navy in 1912 for the naval aviators uniform and later by submarine crews.  They slowly made their way through the ranks until khakis became standard military issue.

Although khakis had their military origins, after the war there was a surplus of this fabric, and the cheap and plentiful stocks found a home with the everyday citizen.  By the 1950's khakis were being worn by everyone.  They have a blank canvas characteristic to them and can be worn to tinker with engines or smartened up to meet the needs of many more formal affairs.  

AMERICAN BADDASS!

LEGEND: STEVE MCQUEEN

Terrence Steven "Steve" McQueen (March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980) was an American movie actor. He was nicknamed "The King of Cool" and his anti-hero persona, which he developed, made him one of the top box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s. Not only did he influence the box office and racing in his time, but McQueen's legacy can still be experienced today.

McQueen's style not only influenced his generation but flashes can be seen in today's modern wardrobe. Whether it was the leather jackets he rode in or the double breasted suits he wore, McQueen's image and persona have captured generations alike.

McQueen remains one of the most popular stars, and his estate limits the licensing of his image to avoid the commercial saturation experienced by some other deceased celebrities. In November of 1999, McQueen was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and as of 2007, McQueen had entered into the top 10 of highest-earning dead celebrities.

“If I hadn't made it as an actor, I might have wound up a hood.”

- Steve McQueen

An American Badass!

What To Do? What To Do?

It's Saturday, and the choices of what to do are endless.  We of course will be going to the THROTTLED!!! photo exhibit at The Holding Company in Los Angeles. 

 But there are plenty of other events tonight if you guys can't make it to L.A.  ZAP! is going down at Avalon Bar in Costa Mesa.  ZAP! is a monthly event where you can expect to hear dance music in its most lucid form.

Also if you missed last nights premiere of Be Cool Man, Hurley's new surf flick, don't fret...they are showing it again tonight @ Captains Helm in Oceanside.

And for all you art buffs, there is Pacific Standard Time.  If you haven't heard of it you need to check it out.  Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of cultural institutions across Southern California coming together to celebrate the birth of the L.A. art scene. There are currently 38 exhibits open.  To find more info visit Pacific Standard Time.

I hope this gives you all an idea of just how much is going on right now and I wish I could be at all of these events at once.  Luckily some of these events will be around for a while and I am sure we will be attending at least a few of the Pacific Standard Time exhibits.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs

Sadly we lost a visionary the other day.  His contributions and creativeness have changed the we use phones, computers, and tablets forever.  He also started a small animation company called Pixar...you may have heard of them! Our prayers and condolences go out to his close friends and family.  May you rest in peace Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs

1955-2011

Here is a speech he gave to the 2005 graduating class of Stanford.  If you haven't heard it, you should check it out.  It is pretty inspirational...and remember do not settle!

CYMBALS EAT GUITARS

In search of nothing and sometimes you strike gold. I was just taking a look to see who was playing in our local area this week and came upon Cymbals Eat Guitars. Thanks to this wonderful media tool called Facebook and their interactive site I was able to sample many of their tracks and really loved what I heard; So much that I am spreading the music to you...that's the goal right?! If you like what you hear too, go check them out this thursday at 9pm @ Alex's Bar in good 'ole LBC.

 

Check them out at:
http://www.cymbalseatguitars.com/

TREND TUESDAY'S

 "SARTORIAL RENAISSANCE"

WITH MARK POMERANTZ

Over the past couple of years, the working gentleman has become less "buttoned up" and casually dressed for what used to be a professional setting. The "era of denim" inspired the trend and allowed a new standard to arise. However, in the last year, a rebirth has begun to emerge. Jeans are staying in the closet and the trouser is slowly making it's way back to the wardrobe. Chinos are replacing the shelves of our favorite retailers and shows such as Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire, re-inspire the sophistication of the men who dressed before us. As our featured master tailor and designer, Mark Pomerantz, boldly states, a "Sartorial Renaissance" is occurring; so we sat down with Mark to get his thoughts, ideas, and inspiration on men's clothing today and how he intends to incorporate and innovate traditional styling with the modern man.

PM: So how did you get your start in men's custom tailoring?
Mark: "From the age of 15 or 16 I knew I wanted to be in the men's tailored clothing business so I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Upon graduating there I contributed to Giorgio Armani, Valentino, the Gucci Group, and Calvin Klein and what I realized in tailoring and tailored clothing is, that you have a lot of great fabric, great fit, and great construction for which are the hallmarks of a Savile Row type of garment. My experiences in the ready to wear and the luxury goods, I learned more about the finishing, the design, and the attention to detail. But what ready to wear lacks is the fabric, the fit and the construction, so what i wanted to do was marry those two concepts of fabrication and design, but with my attention to the detail, the finishing, and the overall look of the garment, similar to the best luxury and ready to wear houses.

PM: What was it about men's clothing specifically that drew you to it? 
Mark: I love suits, I love fashion, and I love cloth more importantly. I design everything with cloth in mind first. I don't think there are a lot of people in the design world that design more architecturally that way.

PM: Where do you see men's fashion today and where do you see it going?
Mark: I think you see a return to, which I like to call a "Sartorial Renaissance" right now. You have a much younger generation trickling upward. A younger guy, a younger professional going out in suits again. A more acute awareness to tailored clothing and wanting more things made for you. Consumers as a culture have a "made for me" mentality whether they're going on line and customizing a look or getting a suit made. They want it accessible and want it quickly. 

PM: What influence are you having on taking fashion where it is going today?
Mark: We are unique in the way that we offer you a great selection and accessibility of the experience with a master tailor, while still imposing a taste and an idea, because that's what you are paying for, the expertise. We have created a dialogue that allows clients to easily give input and contribute to what they like or what they want, while still keeping it very much a Mark Pomerantz look.

PM: How would you define your look?
Mark: It's defined more in the ingredients and details of the garment rather than the construction because i get inspired by the cloth. I might want to make a flannel suit with a a very full lapel and a our Neapolitan shoulder. It just depends on the inspiration. All and all, we are a fuller proportion. We are not doing the "skinny" thing, I don't believe in it;  I don't think its as balanced on a man particularly for tailored clothing. I think certain proprietary elements like our lapel button holes that take an hour to sew by hand, things like that, that define our cloth and make our design a Mark Pomerantz. 

PM: What's your favorite color?
Mark: (smirking) Wow, it always changes. I really like purple but now it's like a taupey gray. I really think that it's fascinating. And I love brown. I think brown is a really strong color at the moment; I call it our statement color. For a guy who is a business man and goes into a meeting with his banker, lawyer, (what have you), they are the ones wearing the navy suits and the business man is the one who is signing the check, wearing the brown

PM: Where do you think the Southern Californian guy fits into today's fashion scene relative to what's happening around the world?
Mark: I think they are very receptive and on par to what we are doing, wanting tailored clothing. Relative to the rest of the world, we all are looking for that. There hasn't been such a resurgence of wanting to become a custom tailor. It seems like everyone wants to get into the custom tailor business because of this want and need.

PM: Is tailored clothing just suits?
Mark: No, it's anything. We'll do anything custom. We'll do jeans, five pocket pants; it's an expression of anything tailored.


PM: So who would be your ideal customer?
Mark: Anybody who is passionate about wearing tailored clothing, primarily suits. We don't sell sports coats to guys who aren't already wearing suits; we do but, our ideal customer is a guy where suits play an important role in their daily life or lifestyle. Also, somebody who is passionate in the ingredients of what they're eating, what they're driving, and especially what they're wearing. I can help them with the what they're wearing part because I'm obsessed with the ingredients that go into the garments. A conoisseur and some one who will appreciate the story that goes behind the garment.

PM: Any final thoughts you want to convey to our reader?
Mark: I think custom clothing is something that is accessible  more now then ever and can be obtained at all price points. The most important thing is that people need to understand that there are different values out there. If someone is looking for the lowest possible dollar value, there are great places they can go for that. If someone is looking for the highest possible dollar value, we're the place they can go for that and I want more people to become more sensitive of where they are spending their money. Is there dollar and cents value or is there intrinsic value? And that's what's going to be poignant for people to come.






* Book your appointment at: http://www.markpomerantz.com
(and be sure to ask him about the Kyrgyz wool that some of his fabric is made from...fascinating!)

THROTTLED!!!

Mark your calendar for Oct. 8th 2011 for COMUNE/Drop City contributor Ray Gordon’s photography exhibit titled “THROTTLED”!

Ray Gordon’s THROTTLED presents an intimate look at people that build and celebrate traditional hot rods and vintage motorcycles. The twenty-five or so large-scale color images tell stories of hitting the gas and having a laugh. Gordon takes us to the places where he is at home: drag strips, custom bike shops and secret forts where guys with grease under their fingernails seduce beautiful girls that know better but can’t resist the promise of danger. Way more than a peek under the hood, THROTTLED invites one and all to a way of life that’s as simple and fun as a fast ride, good friends and a couple of beers.

Ray Gordon has been a professional photographer for over one thousand years, working with all sorts of spoiled brats, goldbrickers and filthy rich desperadoes. He’s really f*ing rad, if you’ve got an hour, just ask him. In spite of being a tireless blowhard, he’s got a lot of great friends and an incredible family and as you can see he takes a pretty good picture. A noisy dragstrip is one of the few places he finds peace of mind.

It probably helps to know where it is at, well here you go,


Opening reception for THROTTLED photography exhibit at The Holding Company, Saturday October 8 2011 @ 7pm
104 Robinson, Los Angeles,CA 90026 

info@thecomune.com to RSVP is required!

Check out more of Ray Gordon's work at:

WWW.RAYGORDON.COM

WWW.THECOMUNE.COM

Come check it out with us...It will be a great show with free beer and lots of good times!!!

Photos and info taken from Comune website at:

 WWW.THECOMUNE.COM 

'CAUSE WHEN THE SURFS GOOD...NOBODY WORKS!

Sorry if we have been a little laksed in getting you updated with everything new and good in the world...but i think you get it!



THURSDAY 09/29 GOOD	FRIDAY 09/30 GOOD	SATURDAY 10/01 FAIR TO GOOD
SURF: 3-5 ft waist to head high	SURF: 3-4 ft + waist to shoulder high occ. 5 ft	SURF: 3-4 ft + waist to shoulder high
Fun combo of building SSE tropical swell, holding NW and small SSW swell; plus peaks at best combo breaks up to 6'	Tropical S swell continues; small NW swell mixing in and fading	Tropcial S swell fades; small WNW swell mixing in; stay tuned

*courtesy of surfline.com

TREND TUESDAYS!!

DENIM 2.0

Last week we tapped into my deep appreciation for shoes, but Denim is my true passion. It's as American as apple pie but of course, the Italians do it best (very biased opinion of course). Here is a quick guide into picking the right styles of denim without getting too "techy"...for now at least!

THE CUT:

The cut of your denim defines who you are. Are you a classic comfort fit or are you an ultra modern skinny fit kinda guy?! It's your call but which ever style you choose, make sure to buy the right size. Typically you should buy your denim a half to full size small. Any premium denim will stretch almost immediately.

 




















 

THE WASH:

The wash of your denim dictates the time of year and the occasion. Typically, a lighter wash is worn during the warmer season's as well as more casual settings. Whereas, you will see darker and less distresses for Fall/Winter and formal settings.

 

THE DENIM:

Your choices don't just stop with cut and wash. The type of denim, in my opinion, is the most crucial aspect and in many cases, the first thing I look for in making my selection. I want to focus on "selvage" denim. Selvage denim is a type of denim, which forms a clean natural edge that does not unravel. It is commonly presented in the unwashed or raw state. Typically, the selvage edges will be located along the out-seam of the pants, making it visible when cuffs are worn. Selvage is desirable because the edge cannot fray like denim made on a projectile loom (selvage denim is made on a shuttle loom) that has separate wefts, which leave an open edge that must be stitched. Pretty much, it's the most durable way to weave denim and therefore the price is inflated as well.

 I hope that this quick tutorial to denim 2.0 helps you think a little more next time you shop for your next pair of new jeans.  We'll get a little deeper into styling a little later in the season. "Till then, keep us posted on all your new denim finds!!!

Finally Friday

Well just as we started the week with some waves and friends, we welcome the weekend just the same.

We hope your weekend is as good as ours!

Ed Templeton

Skateboarding was a huge part of my life growing up.  Like many of you that skate or skated I grew up watching guys like Ed Templeton kill it.

  Well, not only is Ed Templeton a phenomenal skater, but he is quite the artist as well.  Ed started his artistic career by painting the graphics for the skateboard company he started called Toy Machine.  He has since put out a book of his photography called Teenage Smokers, been featured in Juxtapoz magazine, and is co-editor of ANP Quarterly.

  In 2008, after eleven years of selection and research, Ed published Deformer.  Deformer is the summary of Ed's personality as an artist.  What's also rad about Ed is he grew locally in Huntington Beach, and has helped our local art scene grow.