The quest for Damon's boots.

I'm very excited to report that Damon Albarn's sartorial choices lately seem to be riffing on Modern Life Is Rubbish era Blur and less on "homeless man in a trucker hat".
In the video below Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett are being interviewed by Zane Lowe, and the most important topic is Damon's brogue boots (which are very impressive). Apparently we have Mos Def to thank for upping Damon's game. However, I think a bigger debt is owed to Graham Coxon, who's style is systematically being usurped. I've heard Damon mentioning that Paul Simonon is responsible for the Plastic Beach look, but the stripey t-shirts and classic British footwear are all quintessential Graham.
I suppose it doesn't matter where Damon's sudden penchant for fancy duds has come from, it's just nice to see, you know?
Here's the video featuring said boots, thanks to Gorillaz-Unofficial for the twitter-tip.


Now, the quest begins to find those boots. It's a matter of great importance that you all have the opportunity to spend exorbitant amounts of money emulating Damon Albarn's feet. You're welcome.

These Light Tan Stow Brogue boots by Trickers are pretty close, and for only $470 can be yours, there's even a view on the website showing them with turned up jeans, a la Damon.













Also a close contender, these Fred Brogues by Grenson could do the trick, and for a paltry $255, why not get two pairs?















I think these Country Brogues by John White are the closest, and "with Goodyear welted leather soles with storm welt in supple fine tan calf leather" they sound about right. They're also made by appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, so maybe Prince Phillip is throwing shapes about in these? $178...a bargain.

Demon Lamp

Based on a design by Jamie Hewlett.
Buy it HERE
Become a fan HERE

[Gorillaz-News]

The return of RE:tail for the most comfortable shoes EVER

It's been a bit quiet here at Victorian Horror Towers as of late. The winding down of Blur Blitz '09 has given me a slight break from my (already dubious) blogging responsibilities. I've been sitting here trying to remember a time before Victorian Horror was solely occupied by Blur-bytes. Hmm...what the heck else can I write about?

Shoes.

That's it.

I got the most comfortable shoes ever today. They're a yellow pair of those Tom's shoes that were in all the shops (read: Urban Outfitters) last year. I originally derided them, but now that I've stomped about in them a bit though, they're pretty darn cute.

I'd like to say that I bought them due to the fact that Tom's gives away a pair to a needy child when you buy them...

In reality it was mostly due to the prospect of being able to wear what basically amounts to a pair of slippers in my everyday life.

Record Store Gems...

I just walked to my local record store and found these gems. I must, however, stop spending money. I purchased the Blur Hyde Park greyhound t-shirt online this morning, and now these....hmph!



Open Strings
Early Virtuoso Recordings From The Middle East, And New Responses. (Honest Jon's).
I found one of the latest releases from the Honest Jon's label. Yay. I pretty much snap these up whenever I see them. The releases from the EMI archives would've probably never been heard again if it was not for these albums. This one is 20's Middle Eastern music on one disc, and modern takes on the other..



Sensurround + B-Sides
Cornelius.
I found this in their used DVD section. It' s Cornelius' videos from Sensuous and some B-side tracks. I saw Cornelius on this tour last year, and it was amazing. When I saw the drippy paint sleeve from the corrner of my eye, I knew it was Cornelius, and I knew I had to buy it.

Blur reunion: A look at the MERCH TABLE!

Tomorrow and Friday are the huge Hyde Park gigs, and Blur's website has rolled out the merchandise just in time. A look at what you'll find there (or online). I've converted the prices to dollars for those of us across the pond.

Blur Hoodie:

For about $82.00 you can have your own Blur hoodie.
The logo is reminiscent of a The Great Escape era ringer t-shirt.









Parklife T-Shirt:

I had this t-shirt in 1994 (mine was white). Relive your awkward teenage years for only $25.00!












Ugly sparkly Blur logo T-shirt:

Um, someone got a beadazzler. Take a pass on this babydoll t-shirt with rhinestones. It's cheesy, and costs $42.00











Cult of Milky babydoll T-shirt:

I hate the idea of a babydoll t-shirt. I'll just get a men's small thanks. At least it'll be long enough. This Milky t-shirt is, however, pretty awesome. The star is, of course, Milky the milk carton from Coffee and TV. Yours for only $33.00!









Awesome Greyhound Babydoll t-shirt:

Argh. Another babydoll. Why can't this be in men's sizes. Yes, I am a girl, but unless my torso suddenly gets shorter this isn't going to cut it. Probably my fav. t-shirt too.
Try it out for $37.00.








There's no Modern Life Is Rubbish steam train t-shirts, which is a shame. Fill the void with a keychain ($16.50), or a tote bag ($25.00).









Blur McNormal T-shirt:

In 1995 I got this Blur catalog of merchandise from somewhere or other. I wanted this t-shirt sooo bad. I was 13, and had no money so I didn't get it. I might have to buy it now...it even says "McNuffin' and chips" on the back. $41.00.





See the rest of the merchandise at Blur's web-store. There's the Julian Opie portraits on a t-shirt, a funny Parklife hat, and a stupid "Vote Dave" t-shirt that looks like it was made using the same "Obamacon" application that I used for my Facebook profile pic six months ago.

Blur web store.

UPDATE: I just got the greyhound t-shirt. The shipping to the US was five pounds. Lets hope the sizing is correct. This Blur reunion has already cost me $100, and I haven't even seen them!

Purchase mp3's and CD's of Blur's Hyde Park shows

Blur has teamed up with Live Here Now and is offering live recordings of their upcoming Hyde Park shows. You can get mp3's and CD's of both dates. The mp3 are ready less than a week after the show!
Pre-order them HERE.

FYI: I just got the CD's for both nights and it worked out to about $50.00 including shipping for those of us in the U.S.

Fred Perry: Specials 30th anniversary shirts

How lame is it that it's taken me this long to write anything about the Specials reunion? Even though Jerry Dammers isn't in the lineup, it's still pretty exciting.
They were on Later...With Jools Holland earlier this month, Terry Hall is totally ageless!
Anyway, to celebrate the Specials' 30th anniversary, Fred Perry has come out with a line of 2-tone shirts. Hmm...Fred Perry? Dr. Martens? 2-tone? I'm sensing a trend. I fully expect my next RE:tail piece to be on trilbys and pork pie hats.

Go to fredperry.co.uk to preorder the shirts.

RE: tail: Doc Martens

It seems that DM's are back in style (if they ever went out).
I saw a girl on my train tonight with some oxblood ones...and now I want them too! Sadly, the prices have gone up a bit, the cheapest I've seen them is around $150. I should've kept my blue ones from 1994.
Oh, the good old days when you could get a pair for £19.99 (O.K, well maybe they were never £19.99 when I got them...but in the 80's...)
This post is really just an excuse to post this video from The Young Ones. I can't think of DM's without hearing Alexei Sayle singing this in my head.

for the valen-times pt. 3

Yeah, you could carve out an old cassette and shove a USB stick in there, but why bother when you can get one ready-made by SuckUK? I've written about this before, but dude, this is the perfect v-day gift. It works if you're in the creepy stalker stage, or if you're in a long distance relationship, or if you're like me and love imposing your music on everyone you know.
Now, if I was a true blogmeister I'd totally do a playlist and have mp3's of it all, but I'm not.
Here's a few suggestions to start you off though, I'm sure you can find them on hypemachine...

For a creepy stalker tape:
Pulp: "Babies"

For someone you suspect is cheating:
The Walker Brothers: "Make it Easy on Yourself"

For someone you want to win back:
M83: "Dark Moves of Love"

$20.00, A+R

for the valen-times pt. 2

Kanye's Heartbreak t-shirt. He should totally make a hoody with the glowing heart from the VMA's.

KanYe Store $25.00

for the valen-times

How's about a tie?
From A+R $48.00

Welcome to 1994: Stussy/ Dr. Martens desert boots!

Wow my Dad is super trendy, but he doesn't know it! He just got some desert boots that he parades around like Michael Scott on casual Friday.
I guess 1994 is what we're going for here; desert boots, made by Stussy and Dr. Marten's.
I like the update with the electric blue color...pretty nice if you ask me.
Shall I go get my floppy velvet hat and flowery dress? Or the flannel shirt?

I read about this on Hypebeast, so go there to see if these are buyable, or just in that thousand-dollar prototype stage that shoes always seem to have.

Kanye's Kicks: You Lose

Alrighty, here's the first look at Kanye's shoe line for Louis Vuitton. Apparently they're based off a jacket he saw in Dune, and the big flap at the back is for tucking your skinny jeans into (or if you're Jay-Z your baggy ones)
I have to say, and this is coming from someone who is not well versed in sneaker culture, they're a bit boring.
I'm sure that's the point, the monochromatic red surely symbolizes something or other.
Kanye, you wanted us to just let you be great...try harder.
(except if they come in yellow, that's cool, and can I have some to pot plants in? O.K. Thanks.)

NY Times

MC Icebox Of Frostie Beats

"NYC-based multimedia artists, Interspectacular, collected rain from the funky clouds over the 5 boroughs intent on making ice, but one little cube knew he could do more than keep drinks cool.

After acquainting himself with the tough city streets and picking up some scratch, MC Icebox found his true calling--rocking the block with his hip-hop crew Frostie Beats.

This 7-inch B-boy keeps things cool with a boom box and microphone accessory."

KIDROBOT, $49.95

Correction...

In the previous post I mentioned that I was eating a Birds Eye microwaveable vegetable product. However, I was actually eating one of Green Giant's new steamers...Yes, that's right, I was eating a Green Giant's steamer. Mmm.

Cardigangsta's (AKA, I'm bored and there's nothing else to write today)

I love cardigans. I love everything about them. The way they look, what they convey, there's a specific kind of person who wears a cardi, and those people are generally cool. Mr. Rogers? Yep, cool as hell.
It's about two years late for me to point this out, but men can wear cardi's and totally become cool in like 5 seconds! You thought David Beckham was a douche didn't you? well check this out:
You instantly want to give him a cuddle (o.k, you wanted to cuddle him before, but now you'll be cuddling a cooler Beckham!)
Of course John Krasinski doesn't need any help in the non-douchebag department. He's freaking Jim Halpert, the anti-douche, but he is a fantastic cardigangsta' too! Who doesn't love Krasinski? It's the cardi's, I promise!
But who is the better cardigangsta'?* Can they pull off a chunkier knit> *cough* twss??












Anyway, if there's say, a Beckham or a Krasinski out there in need of a cardigan fix, what could be better than this? A Scottish cashmere cardi! Combining so many good things it's a tad overwhelming! Yes guys I am available as a personal cardigan shopper!
Only $250.00 at the Scotweb store!
*Obviously it's Krasinski...just saying.
Oh no, am I shallow?

Shhh...a Kidrobot Pirate store in Chicago, Oct-Dec!!

oh jeez there's more AK-47 fash

Alright, so remember about 2 hours ago when I wrote about the brutal AK-47 proliferation in the craft/ fashion/ housewares world?
There's more:
yeah it's the iGun Kalashnipod T-Shirt from clothmothclothing on etsy. $24.00.
Oh dear.

AK-47 chic (Kids With Guns)

So now it's cool to sport an AK-47 accessory. I suppose it was only a matter of time. The AK-47 (Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 года; Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda; "Kalashnikov's automatic rifle model of year 1947) is that really easy to get rifle...the one that's crazy-cheap in Africa...say around $20.00?
The list of countries and rebel groups that use them is the exact list of countries and rebel groups that make the West feel a bit queasy.
They're everywhere, just lying around, left in the hundreds-of-thousands by the Russians- produced by Pakistan for a pittance. Not really a fantastic weapon...but an equalizer in some respects.
Now, you too can own an AK-47. Not a real one, and they're quite a bit more than $20.00.
The iconic symbol of this rifle could be taken a number of ways. Maybe people want it to be ironic, or maybe a reminder of the destruction and death they cause (better as a necklace than a real gun?) Maybe it's a bit of a dig at the West (like those people who sport Communist stars on their Jansports). I kind of take it as a mixture of both. I was searching the internet today, and the amount of AK-47 crafty, jewelry-type things is amazing. They're the new zombies! I'm against guns in general, but I'm not opposed to the unexpected use of an AK-47 as an earring. It's a bit tasteless I suppose, and the novelty will wear off soon (if it hasn't already) but for now I'm seeing it as subversive.
Complete Technique AK-47 pendant $320.00
The only one less than the price of a real AK-47:
Wall Decals $18.00
The granddaddy of AK-47 decor: Phillipe Starck lamp (hey it goes back 3 years!) $1356.00

And the knock-off $500.00

For you crafty model-makers, Martin Postler's
Paper AK47 Kit: $42.00


It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

I don't even have a bike yet...and I'm already accessorizing..

I really want a bike, I see all the cool kids in their gangs, thundering down the street, and I think yeah, that could be me. O.K well maybe I'd be a bit more like that old lady I saw outside Starbucks this morning, noodling down the sidewalk at .02 mph. Maybe she wants to be in my bike gang?
Anyway, I don't want a flashy bike...I like those old Schwinns that have the "s" on the seat and are all rusty.
There's only about two months left for sane people to ride a bike in Chicago, so I'd better step to it.
In anticipation of my bike (that I really might not get because I'm scared of Chicago drivers) I'm already accessorizing it in my head:

Kick ass reflective stickers-

Suck UK

And a rad basket!-

A+R