- First off, tune in to the latest We Are the Mods modcast to get your day going!
- For the San Francisco fans out there, jump on Facebook and LIKE this page featuring photos of vintage San Francisco photos. (Then, come back to this blog post for more great reads!)
- I thought this was an awesome slice of skinhead history right here. A short feature on a young girl making the transition from Mod to Skinhead back in the '60s. Although this isn't a culture I'm super involved with, it does bug me a little when I hear women calling themselves 'trad' skinheads and walking around in that weird punk-skinhead hair cut (y'know, the shaved head and fringe... the 'skinbyrd' look, ugh). I think this article showcases what actual 'trad' skinhead girls looked and dressed like.
- A sixties-influenced graphic designer I can get behind!
- A feature on Connexions, a late '60s/early '70s publication, which includes some great layout and design. (Personal fave photo is the 'The Clothes' feature.)
- Here's a great piece on Mark Powell, the 'in' tailor for some Mod-influenced celebrities.
- Always a fan of wild psychedelic art styles, so here's some more over at Sweet Jane.
- Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World podcast is back, featuring a bunch of newer acts you may dig on.
- Just finished the Bobby Keys autobiography, filled with great stories of his life as a rock'n'roll sax man. Don't know this guy? Get a taste with this interview.
- Very much looking forward to this upcoming book on Mods. (Wow! What a crazy time for books on the subject!)
- I completely agree with the spirit of this article, but could care less about Ralph Lauren. Still, some good words on why you should strive to be smart, and not just in the clothing department.
- Parka Avenue highlights its Top 10 Soul/R&B 45 finds of last year. Now clap your hands!
- Here's a nice shot of a young David Hockney for you to dig on.
- Muscle Shoals fans, get ready... get ready...
- The Carried Away blog is back with some Jamaican-influenced cocktails!
- San Francisco lost one of the iconic Brown Twins recently, but yesterday the City got together to show its love for the surviving Marion Brown on her 86th birthday.
- A little Darrow Fletcher grooviness over at Derek's Daily 45!
- Playlist Watch #1 (in alphabetical order): The Anorak Thing includes some greats by The Radiants, The Graham Bond Organization, and Ronnie Lane.
- Playlist Watch #2: Monkey Picks hits a good mix with some greats by The Louvin Brothers, Os Mutantes, and Slim Moore & The Mar-Kays.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Weekly Blog Roundup: 1/26/2013
Alright, a little late in the day, but when you get back in from weekend frolicking, check out these sweet finds:
Friday, January 25, 2013
Sharp Stylings #60: The Older Man
We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons. And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.
What's that you say? You're in your, say, mid-40s and have reached a point in your life where comfort trumps all. You're happy hanging out in your Levis 501s, Adidas sneakers, and a Jam t-shirt because, after all, Mod is 'in your heart' and just a 'state of mind' anyways.
Well, SNAP! This dude down here says, "TYA because I'm off to TCB."
That's right, this is how you gear yourself up when you're out makin' the scene. Hell, this dude's sharper than most 20-something Mod dudes I see walking around in sneakers and a parka. And he ain't following the path of guys his age who've just given up, happy to be 'comfortable' in their t-shirts and jeans. As an older fellow, this is how you command attention without saying a word.
And check out that forest green suit! See what I'm talking about when I say you can work within the framework of the 3-button suit and not look like every other Mod guy at the club? Check out the detailing here. First off the shade of that green is magnificent. (What would you say, forest green or hunter green? A reader suggested 'ivy green' and I like it!) Secondly, look at how that red lining just contrasts so beautifully with the outer color. This is why the color of a suit lining is so important... adds in that bit of detail just in case the jacket opens up slightly. Now, look at the cuffs... hard for me to tell, but those don't look like buttons, they look like white loops. Never seen a detail like that before! And lastly, look at the way the 3-button front is arranged. The buttons are tight in the center of the suit so that the jacket flares out a little nicer at the bottom. The wider lapel also helps contrast against the look of the narrow button field. The stance of the buttons is neither too high or too low, just dead center.
At this point, do we even need to go into the tight fit of the trousers, the silver cufflinks on the French cuff shirt, the puffed-out pocket square, or the pale pink tie which pushes a focus on the color of the suit?
Yeah, I didn't think so. Men, you always hear that you have it easy because, supposedly, you age more gracefully than women (not my personal opinion, by the way). Well, don't take that for granted. Earn the grace you supposedly have!
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What's that you say? You're in your, say, mid-40s and have reached a point in your life where comfort trumps all. You're happy hanging out in your Levis 501s, Adidas sneakers, and a Jam t-shirt because, after all, Mod is 'in your heart' and just a 'state of mind' anyways.
Well, SNAP! This dude down here says, "TYA because I'm off to TCB."
 |
| Photo from the Mode Parade blog. |
And check out that forest green suit! See what I'm talking about when I say you can work within the framework of the 3-button suit and not look like every other Mod guy at the club? Check out the detailing here. First off the shade of that green is magnificent. (What would you say, forest green or hunter green? A reader suggested 'ivy green' and I like it!) Secondly, look at how that red lining just contrasts so beautifully with the outer color. This is why the color of a suit lining is so important... adds in that bit of detail just in case the jacket opens up slightly. Now, look at the cuffs... hard for me to tell, but those don't look like buttons, they look like white loops. Never seen a detail like that before! And lastly, look at the way the 3-button front is arranged. The buttons are tight in the center of the suit so that the jacket flares out a little nicer at the bottom. The wider lapel also helps contrast against the look of the narrow button field. The stance of the buttons is neither too high or too low, just dead center.
At this point, do we even need to go into the tight fit of the trousers, the silver cufflinks on the French cuff shirt, the puffed-out pocket square, or the pale pink tie which pushes a focus on the color of the suit?
Yeah, I didn't think so. Men, you always hear that you have it easy because, supposedly, you age more gracefully than women (not my personal opinion, by the way). Well, don't take that for granted. Earn the grace you supposedly have!
*
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Weekly Blog Roundup: 1/19/2013
Alright guys, another set of great things to read about this weekend. Some really cool stuff this week, too! Prepare to get nothing done for the next hour or so.
- Here's a great interview with Ugly Things man, Mike Stax.
- Have you seen the Baton Rouge 1960s sessions yet with bands like The Small Faces and Timebox? Woo boy!
- A piece of San Francisco local flare passed away last week: Vivian, one half of the famous (and stylish) Brown Twins. If you've ever visited Union Square or Nob Hill on a tourist visit, changes are you've come across them.
- Another new Mod book is coming down the line and this one looks pretty fancy.
- One of our favorite artists, Shag, is featured over on Parka Avenue.
- Some nice photos from 1969 London book. More hippie than moddie, but still cool to check out.
- Damn, this is the time to be an Action fan! If the In the Lap of Mods book got you pumped for more Action, seems a new LP of unreleased post-Rolled Gold Reggie King recordings are being released in February! (Somebody's got a birthday coming up *cough* *cough*!)
- I'm going to guess that all you are Twilight Zone fans. How could you not be? Great stories, socially relevant themes, and creepy sci-fi action... but did you ever stop to think about the mid-century style within?
- A cool selection of 10 great rock'n'roll movie moments from the 1960s! (Probably the best scenes in each of those films.)
- Last time we were in San Diego for Tiki Oasis, several of us met up for dinner at Albie's Beef Inn. Le Continental showcases what's great about this place!
- A little treat for those of you into 1960s stewardess fashions.
- Here's a great write-up on some Emitt Rhodes solo 45s. If you're not a fan yet, get to explorin'!
- Sharon Tate guiding Merv Griffin around Carnaby Street. Wait, what?
Friday, January 11, 2013
Weekly Blog Roundup: 1/11/2013
Before you get ready for the weekend, delve into these great reads first!
- I've always thought the Japanese do Western culture better than westerners. Here's some proof. (Thanks DJ Soft Touch for hippin' us to this one!)
- A Modernist focuses on some absolutely beautiful shots of Cal Tjader getting the party started in the 1950s.
- My favorite restaurant blog, Le Contintenal is back, and finally concentrating on some California eats!
- Never heard of Jacco Gardner before, but I will have to explore. Plus, Monkey Picks's first paragraph of this review sold me!
- Very sad news regarding Wilko Johnson of Dr. Feelgood. Good thoughts are being sent his way from all over.
- GASP! I just can't agree with A Dandy In Aspic's list of 10 Worst Films of the 1960s! Some of these are perfect for so-bad-they're-good movie nights. (Plus, the 1960s did produce a much larger library of film duds.) But check this list out... they make compelling arguments.
- Modern Kiddo showcases some of those great bubble photos from Melvin Sokolsky.
- Parka Avenue moves foward with pushing boundaries within a Mod framework for a suit job. Check it out!
- We've been lucky with current men's fashion trends and their influence from 1960s styles. I don't think it'll last long. Women's fashions, on the other hand, always seem to include some aspect of 1960s stylings, as the Ahoy Hoy! blog shows.
- Derek's Daily 45 hits you with one of my personal soul favorites, (You) Got What I Need by Freddie Scott!
- The Anorak Thing offers up its Top Ten 1960s female vocalists. An interesting list that offers some insightful thoughts on what makes these selections so... whoa, did you catch the guitar on Dana Gillespie? Anyways, as I was saying, the Anorak Thing provides some interesting views on... on... tell me more about Janie Jones, please...
Sharp Stylings #59: Claudio De Rossi
We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons. And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.
Here's a piece of advice: If you're dressed up in your finest Mod gear, ready to hit the town, get your dance on at a soul club, and bird-dog the chicas, do NOT look at what Claudio De Rossi is wearing. It will make you feel like a stone-cold ticket.
Many of you probably know Claudio from his amazing clothing brand, DNA Groove, which features a line of clothing that combines colorful fabrics, Mod detailing, a dandy aesthetic, all with a modern, contemporary flair. (Oh, and just wait until you see the shoes he offers!)
Claudio De Rossi is one of the few who took their love of Mod stylings to the extreme. And by that I mean he wasn't just happy buying clothes from other designers... naw, he became his own designer! And from there, he made a great business out of it, supplying stylish men with a good source of clobber based on his own ideas. Claudio's like someone with a sweet tooth who's opened his own chocolate factory.
And trust me, this guy's got a good eye for detailing, color matching, and fittings. Here he is in a simple outfit that outshines most pattern-heavy outfits I've seen:
Light pink shirt, charcoal trousers with a slight flair, and an off-white suit jacket with a high gorge, lapels that look to angle downward, and sharp side vents. Very muted colors are used with a pocket square that ties the trousers and shirt together. And, again, wait until you see the shoes! Beautiful off-white loafers with burgundy detailing.
Not only is this all kinds of dapper, but it's versatile too. You can wear something like this during the day as casual wear or during the evening for a social outing (tie optional). Heck, based on the hose in the background, this is how Claudio dresses when he's gardening! Dang... makes me think twice about what I wear the next time I'm at the laundromat.
Seriously, though, Claudio De Rossi is pure inspiration when it comes to clothing ideas. He's extremely creative in his color choices and how he matches certain pieces. He's put out a great clothing label that has reached beyond a Mod base and has gotten the attention of the male fashion world in general. And, he's a good guy on top of all that.
Personally, though, I'm just glad he doesn't live in my city. Imagine having to keep up with this guy all the time?
For more on Claudio and DNA Groove, check out this ModCulture interview along with this College No. 9 interview. And, if you're on the Facebook and want to keep up with DNA Groove updates, then check out the Facebook group here.
*
Here's a piece of advice: If you're dressed up in your finest Mod gear, ready to hit the town, get your dance on at a soul club, and bird-dog the chicas, do NOT look at what Claudio De Rossi is wearing. It will make you feel like a stone-cold ticket.
Many of you probably know Claudio from his amazing clothing brand, DNA Groove, which features a line of clothing that combines colorful fabrics, Mod detailing, a dandy aesthetic, all with a modern, contemporary flair. (Oh, and just wait until you see the shoes he offers!)
Claudio De Rossi is one of the few who took their love of Mod stylings to the extreme. And by that I mean he wasn't just happy buying clothes from other designers... naw, he became his own designer! And from there, he made a great business out of it, supplying stylish men with a good source of clobber based on his own ideas. Claudio's like someone with a sweet tooth who's opened his own chocolate factory.
And trust me, this guy's got a good eye for detailing, color matching, and fittings. Here he is in a simple outfit that outshines most pattern-heavy outfits I've seen:
Light pink shirt, charcoal trousers with a slight flair, and an off-white suit jacket with a high gorge, lapels that look to angle downward, and sharp side vents. Very muted colors are used with a pocket square that ties the trousers and shirt together. And, again, wait until you see the shoes! Beautiful off-white loafers with burgundy detailing.
Not only is this all kinds of dapper, but it's versatile too. You can wear something like this during the day as casual wear or during the evening for a social outing (tie optional). Heck, based on the hose in the background, this is how Claudio dresses when he's gardening! Dang... makes me think twice about what I wear the next time I'm at the laundromat.
Seriously, though, Claudio De Rossi is pure inspiration when it comes to clothing ideas. He's extremely creative in his color choices and how he matches certain pieces. He's put out a great clothing label that has reached beyond a Mod base and has gotten the attention of the male fashion world in general. And, he's a good guy on top of all that.
Personally, though, I'm just glad he doesn't live in my city. Imagine having to keep up with this guy all the time?
For more on Claudio and DNA Groove, check out this ModCulture interview along with this College No. 9 interview. And, if you're on the Facebook and want to keep up with DNA Groove updates, then check out the Facebook group here.
*
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Weekly Blog Roundup: 1/5/2013
Oky, I'm going to try to get better with the weekly blog selections this year. I've let myself get way too lazy lately, but time for that to end! I'm easing back into the blog world out there, so only a few selections this week:
- A couple of weeks back I missed the last great Midcentury Supper Club party of 2012 right in my own neighborhood. Luckily, the ladies from Modern Kiddo made it and took some great photos. (By the way, fellas, scroll down a bit to see a photo of some slick cufflinks worn by a sharp little boy!)
- Several years back, when you were probably getting drunk and dancing all night at your local Mod/'60s/soul night, these guys were being born. Now, it looks like they're about to hit the big time!
- Recently, we lost two great female soul/funk voices. Funky 16 Corners offers some nice words on Marva Whitney and Fontella Bass.
- Monkey Picks shares some rare, early photos of Marc Feld from the recent Stamford Hill Mods exhibition at the Hackney Museum.
- You all know I'm not huge on desert boots, but here's a pair of chukkas with a great heel. I'd totally sport these!
- Oakland, CA is the beautiful town I call home. If any of you are ever visiting the area, you may want to explore some of the spots listed in this Bold Italic article.
- Let's end this one with a classic soul selection from Derek's Daily 45: Mary Love's Lay This Burden Down.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Sharp Stylings #58: Dave Pike
We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons. And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.
First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! Hope you had a great time! Unfortunately, I spent it downing a magnum of Dayquil while we watched fireworks on Channel 4.
Now, in case you are wondering, my biggest MOD MALE resolution this year: POST MORE SUBSTANTIAL POSTS, not just Friday musings on sharp and casual styles. My other personal resolution: try to wear ties on a more daily basis. (For some reason, my wife rolled her eyes at that one.)
But let's start the new year off with a look at one of my favorite jazz figures, Dave Pike. A couple of weeks ago, there was a discussion on double-breasted suits on the We Are The Mods Facebook page. Me, I'm a huge fan of the double-breasted look and, here, on the back of his Doors of Perception LP, Dave Pike shows how to rock the look:
Sure, it's a much later style, circa 1970, but dig on how well this looks. Four-button jacket with a high button stance and a high gorge, so that only a bit of the tie and shirt are revealed. (Remember, less is more!) I know many of you are fans of thin lapels, but on a double-breasted jacket, I tend to prefer some width. Pike's lapels hit the mark here. The pattern of his suit is just icing on the cake. And in order to ensure the pattern stands out, he's using a white shirt (with long collar) and a lightly-colored tie so that all your attention is focused on the double-breasted action.
Oh yeah, I'm sure most of you think I'm going to end this post with Dave Pike's Mathar, which should be a staple in any Mod DJ's collection, but instead let's stick that that period right before he fell in with the sitar crowd. From Doors of Perception, here's a funky slice of free-flowing jazz for you: The Drifter.
[UPDATE: And check out this live footage of Dave Pike, along with guitarist Volker Kriegel, in action!]
Enjoy the weekend and spread some good vibes!
*
First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! Hope you had a great time! Unfortunately, I spent it downing a magnum of Dayquil while we watched fireworks on Channel 4.
Now, in case you are wondering, my biggest MOD MALE resolution this year: POST MORE SUBSTANTIAL POSTS, not just Friday musings on sharp and casual styles. My other personal resolution: try to wear ties on a more daily basis. (For some reason, my wife rolled her eyes at that one.)
But let's start the new year off with a look at one of my favorite jazz figures, Dave Pike. A couple of weeks ago, there was a discussion on double-breasted suits on the We Are The Mods Facebook page. Me, I'm a huge fan of the double-breasted look and, here, on the back of his Doors of Perception LP, Dave Pike shows how to rock the look:
Sure, it's a much later style, circa 1970, but dig on how well this looks. Four-button jacket with a high button stance and a high gorge, so that only a bit of the tie and shirt are revealed. (Remember, less is more!) I know many of you are fans of thin lapels, but on a double-breasted jacket, I tend to prefer some width. Pike's lapels hit the mark here. The pattern of his suit is just icing on the cake. And in order to ensure the pattern stands out, he's using a white shirt (with long collar) and a lightly-colored tie so that all your attention is focused on the double-breasted action.
Oh yeah, I'm sure most of you think I'm going to end this post with Dave Pike's Mathar, which should be a staple in any Mod DJ's collection, but instead let's stick that that period right before he fell in with the sitar crowd. From Doors of Perception, here's a funky slice of free-flowing jazz for you: The Drifter.
[UPDATE: And check out this live footage of Dave Pike, along with guitarist Volker Kriegel, in action!]
Enjoy the weekend and spread some good vibes!
*
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