Monthly Archives: August 2009

by bobbyhundreds

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  There’s really no place like home.  Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cultural hubs in the world, and one of the fruits of such multiculturalism is the Grand Central Market, L.A.’s oldest and largest open-air market.  You can pick up fresh produce, seafood straight from the sea, pig heads, pro wrestling jewelry, Chinese massages, whatever you want.  But the best part is the food.  Indian, Mexican, Persian, Salvadorean, Japanese, Thai.. it’s like the United Nations of deliciousness.

by bobbyhundreds

I was tellin’ you about the Clipse/Cool Kids show last night at the Glass House in Pomona, but I completely forgot to mention our man Dom Kennedy was on the bill as well.  Don’t fret, you can still catch them all as they perform tonight at the House of Blues here in Hollywood.

And just because I like you, I’ll give you first dibs on Dom Kennedy’s new video f/ BJ the Chicago Kid, “Of All Time:”

by bobbyhundreds

Eric Nakamura and the Giant Robot family had a yard sale this afternoon on Sawtelle, next door to GR2 and in front of GR/eats.

What was up for grabs was all the years of books, CDs, collectables, anime, action figures, gadgets, and other weird cult Asian things that Giant Robot has accumulated in their offices.  Considering their magazine has been running for 15 years, you can imagine how much random crap they’ve been mailed or gifted, only to collect dust in the corners of Eric’s garage.

I was telling Eric that we should throw one of these yard sales together.  The Hundreds needs to find some way to get rid of all the bad graffiti magazines, 2-bit mixtapes, and outdated ghetto booty calendars that find their way into our offices.

Back when I used to work at a magazine, we would get crates of free CDs from record labels every single day.  They were offerings to be considered for music reviews, but the vast majority of ‘em were a waste of time to even open.  By the end of the week, the editors would just haul them down to a Music Trader to dump, which is why sometimes you would find an album at a Used CD shop before it was even officially released.  Is that ritual even practiced anymore?

I’m not sure, but there was no way I was gonna sit there and sift through these boxes looking for that rare Cave In CD. Those days are long gone.

This guy was interesting.  He may have looked homeless, but was completely coherent and had a motive. He drove to the sale in a burnt-out scooter that looked more like a glorified shopping cart.

Hobo brought a barcode scanner and was price-checking all the anime DVDs, setting aside the gems for obvious reselling purposes. He came with his shifty friend who looked like a B-list Reservoir Dog:  Sloppy black-and-white suspender/tie ensemble, haggard face, Elvis Blu-blocker sunglasses.. You’d think his buddy was a Vegas limo driver, except he pulled up in an obnoxious red Kompressor and was BLEEDING from the mouth.  ”Hey, I just got popped in the lip, let’s go to the Giant Robot yard sale.”  ???

All the coolguys claim they grew up riding Indys but I was always more a Venture Featherlite kind o’ guy.

Resting in pieces.

Eric sucks.

..but his art doesn’t!  Here’s his piece he contributed to his own group show, which is ongoing at GR2. It did sell.

I learned about Phil Lumbang through the Foreign Family guys and I’ve really grown to like his panda character.  The bear’s been getting up more lately on the streets, or maybe I’ve just been noticing him (or is it her?) more.  Very simple, expressive, and versatile. Maybe it’s not Picasso, but you can’t eat lobster for every meal.

Of course these sold right away.  Everybody loves APAK.

I forget who did these lions, but the colors really set ‘em off.

Afterwards, I walked up Sawtelle to the original Giant Robot store to check out any new books that came in. I ended up getting caught up with the toy display.  Years ago, back before there was a Kid Robot or any of these novelty vinyl figure shops, I’d have to come to Giant Robot and peer through this glass case to learn about and purchase collectable toys.  I always trust their selection and taste over anyone else.

On my way out, I had to swing by our local mom-n-pop five-and-dime, Safe & Save, for some groceries.

…So what’d I get?

I scored big with a 2nd series Money Mark “International Traveller” edition toy.  About a decade ago, back when I used to avidly collect figures, the vinylization of Beastie Boys’ secret-weapon-guy was high up there on my list, but for some reason I couldn’t justify shelling out for him.  From what I remember, there were only 2 series of the Mo Wax-anointed Money Mark figures, both limited to 1000 each.  So to come up on one for $10 and a busted box at the Giant Robot yard sale, I’d say I won big time.

Oh, and from Safe and Save, I brought home a box of Melon bars.  I don’t have much of a summer these days, this is about all I have left of my youth. If you know, you know.

Put your trash where it belongs.

by bobbyhundreds

You’re looking at the exclusive trailer for Alexander Spit’s “Beat for the Street” music video, directed by Matt Hobbs, presented by The Hundreds.

Full video coming soon…

by bobbyhundreds

The Skateboard Mag recently did a Mag Minute with our very own Ricky Webb.  Rick’s been skating for The Hundreds for years now, and it’s been a pleasure watching this dude mature into one of the most captivating young skaters to watch today.  60 seconds of some of the illest skateboarding for a Saturday afternoon:

by bobbyhundreds

BACKSIDE is one of our top accounts in the San Fernando Valley and recently unveiled it’s own The Hundreds instore buildout this week. If you’re in the Burbank area, stop by today as the BACKSIDE fam throw a bbq with special The Hundreds gift bags for attendees.

“Backside has been a staple in the San Fernando Valley for 15 years catering to both a clothing crowd as well as music enthusiasts. Partners Eric and John have created a lifestyle store in which customers can check for their favorite clothing brand and also see where the influences came from whether it be old school hip hop or 90′s punk rock. The store has a long history of performers that have graced the stage ranging from The Dogg Pound and Tha Liks down to Against Me and Linkin Park. Check em out whenever you’re in the Burbank area!“

139 N San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
818-559-7573

photos by Annette Ovanessian
by bobbyhundreds

Jon Halperin runs the Glass House in Pomona, I’d say Southern California’s ultimate venue for the most buzzworthy underground live music.  We were talking about how these next few months are stocked with the Glass House’s busiest schedule ever, with some of the best talent slated to perform.  Jon was saying that because album sales are flagging, live shows are really the only way most musicians can make a living these days.  Which works out for you, the concertgoer, because you’re getting to see some of your favorite artists perform, like the Get Up Kids, Jedi Mind Tricks, The Dead Weather, KMFDM, the Raveonettes, and this Sunday, the Clipse and the Cool Kids are up.

The list went on and on, but I stopped listening around the time Jon pulled out his iPhone.  The product design and concept behind this case were interesting enough that I wanted to dedicate an entire post to it.  The EXOvault’s metal armor is a direct response to all the sleek plastic gadgets out there.  HERE’s their website.

by bobbyhundreds

With all the crazy Korean food mash-ups going on these days, it was only time before someone started mixing the Kimchi and Bulgogi in with the great American hot dog.  Asiadog‘s been at it for a while out in New York, popping up throughout the week at different bars and local haunts.. Classic summertime BBQ style, with a homemade Asian fusion twist.

Tofer had been telling me all week that on Thursday, the Asiadog crew was making a 1-night appearance here in L.A, so I made my way over to see what all the hype was about.

The menu consisted of Asiadog’s signature weener sandwiches.  Japanese curry hot dogs, Vietnamese Bahn Mi hot dogs, even a Chinese pork belly hot dog.

I know what you’re thinking. Asian fusion hot dogs could be super awesome or horribly wrong.  The verdict: SUPER AWESOME.

Melanie Campbell and her boyfriend Steve (not pictured) started Asiadog out in New York and are more than happy to introduce Angelenos to their unique flavor.  I also caught my man Ian helping the family out behind the grill.

From what I understand, they breezed through 400 dogs within the few hours they camped out behind Bigfoot West on Venice Blvd.  Not sure when they’re gonna be back in L.A., but stay tuned to their Twitter page to see where they’ll pop up next in the Big Apple.

by bobbyhundreds

I’m over in the Mid-Wilshire district of L.A.  Down the hallway to the right is the new Foreign Family studio.

Business as usual at FF.  Online inventory up against the wall, teeming with this summer’s hand-drawn bangers courtesy of MR44.

Hey, it’s Toni. Toni is here from Barcelona, with the homey Buba.  They’re on vacation, but jetlag’s been ruining lives.

The FF headquarters is always a scene.  Melody drops in to say hello.  Melody’s a huge model in Japan, but she’s from the States.

You’ll spot Melody in plenty of bigtime campaigns, like Shiseido for example. Check her out, front-and-center, in some of these commercials.. they’re pretty hilarious. Imagine 500 Japanese models stampeding towards you on the beach.  Not sure if that’d be awesome or scary nevermind, it’d be awesome.

Productivity grinds to a screeching halt.

Yoshi (MR44) wants in on the action. V for Victory.

Girls. I like the way that they walk.  And it’s chill to hear them talk.  And Chad can always make them smile.  From White Castle to the Nile.

Alright, snap out of it.  Directly downstairs is Yuko Kitchen, a cozy neighborhood cafe that opened up the same day that the Foreign Fam guys moved into the building.  It’s become the guys’ Peach Pit, the local kick-it spot, with plenty of good eats.  Yoshi designed the flyer.

Yoshi and Chad already started staking claim.

No lie, some of the best shishido peppers I’ve ever had.  Garlic cherry tomatoes are also a bonus.

Buba’s stoked. We’re in the middle of the city but he’s catching an ocean breeze and a hot blonde cougar out the corner of his eye

But the real secret to Buba’s smile is Yuko Kitchen’s signature Mint Lemonade…

by bobbyhundreds