MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY!

2008 the year in photos

Just a quick link really. Definitely worth checking out, some beautiful shots in there.

Click to jump here

Nike Cortez

The Nike Cortez is one of my all time favourite trainers... yes I really rate it that highly. For that reason I find it rather sad that it is so serially underrated by almost everyone else. I guess I have nostalgia behind my liking of the Cortez as it was literally the first trainer I bought for myself. The shoe is extremely comfortable and flexible with it's sheer simplicity.

First brought out in 1968 as the Onitsuka Tiger Cortez. The trainer was brought out as the Nike Cortez in 1972, and was pretty much Nikes first shoe. Personally I think the swoosh adds quite a lot to the shoe, making it cleaner than the Onitsuka stripes.

So if you're feeling £35 richer today you can buy me these.

Christmas "streetwear" goodies which I want but doubt I'll get

Just some streetwearish stuff that I would love to appear beneath this tree this year. These aren't top of my list or anything just thought they deserved posting.



1. This lovely Pegleg NYC New Era... I've never been a big person for caps, but for some reason I like this one. Perhaps it's the utter randomness. Oh and the fact it looks like it's made of felt and leather, which is a pretty cool combo.



2. Max Schaaf Vans. If you didn't know Max Schaaf is a dope skateboarder, and also does something with bikes (can't claim to be a motorbike kinda guy). These Vans look crazy as though, nice subtle details, with different materials and that little piece of detailing on the eyelet. Looks like they'll be able to stand up to some abuse. Probably won't end up getting them though as they're priced out of my range for such a 'simple' pair of Vans. Don't really see how they're streetwear either but who cares. Check Max Schaaf's blog here



3. Okay this isn't really streetwear at all, but I guess more streetwear heads are picking up Raf stuff now anyway. His blazer for Jil Sander (if you know what I'm talking about, you'll KNOW what I'm talking about...) is one of my favourite pieces this season but really doesn't fit remotely under streetwear. Anyway this Raf x Eastpak has been asking to be bought for a while now.



4. Fjallraven Kanken. Everyone knows that messenger bags are now the domain of cycle messenger wannabes, and I'm getting pretty tired of my Muji bag nice though it is. I haven't had a backpack since I bought a horrid camo Dakine bag back in year 8 or something. Time to bring a bit of practicality back, and a bit of colour.

The resurgence of noise

I'm probably the last person in the world to blog about it, but this subject hasn't really touched the Midlands. If I had to pick a point where the resurgence of noise first started it would be when the likes of My Bloody Valentine and the Jesus and Mary Chain announced their respective reunions in 2007. I'd always been a fan of bands like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. who have taken elements of noise, but I had never really discovered straight out noise music. But when I did finally discover it in 2006-7 it really grabbed me by the balls. There was something so rebellious about the whole idea of not conforming to the expectations of melody which really (excuse the pun) struck a chord with me.

Noise music comes in many different shapes and sizes, with the No Wave scene around 1978 and Shoegaze of the late 80s being entirely distinct in character, with hardly anything in common but their use of noise to give texture. On the whole though it seemed like noise music really was past giving a fuck which as a 15 year old was pretty much the most coolest thing in the world. It wasn't a proactive punk scene even though it was DIY, instead it was totally lazy which suits me down to the ground. It was "forget the man he's not worth two shits, let's just screw things up" not "fuck the man."

As I was getting into noise, new noise bands started popping out of the woodwork, such as No Age, Wavves, Liars, Fuck Buttons, Japanther or Crystal Stilts. All of which shun the conventions of melody and live in their own dream like world with their own rules. If you have a spare five minutes it's definitely worth downloading a couple of tracks. I couldn't possibly pick a definitive new noise album for you to march out and buy, so I'm going to trump for the seemingly most popular one which is No Age - Nouns. An ill record which has managed to rack up the blog inches in 2008.

Blueprint First Broadcast

Blueprint have just uploaded First Broadcast to their website. This is a must download for anyone remotely interested in skateboarding. Typical British skateboarding, with rough spots and creative skateboarding. Comes in a handy format to put on your iPod for watching on your way to a spot to get you hyped.

Hi from Joe

Try clicking on the image! I've got lightbox sorted. Tell me what you think of the layout as well.