NO FUN

"...ever get the feelin' you've been cheated?"

HIMH/IAN MACKAYE

This is a preface to an upcoming post I'll be doing soon in regards to the secret, online archive of Harmony in My Head, Henry Rollins' radio show. On February 12, 2008, Ian MacKaye was the guest host and put together a GREAT playlist and shared some amazing stories about the early DC skate scene.

I can assure you this will be the coolest thing you've heard in a long while, so make the time to download the episodes and have a listen! TEAM SAHARA!

Ian MacKaye on HIMH, part one of four

Ian MacKaye on HIMH, part two of four

Ian MacKaye on HIMH, part three of four

Ian MacKaye on HIMH, part four of four

Here's the setlist-

01. Cheech & Chong - Earache My Eye
02. Ted Nugent - Motor City Madhouse
03. Van Halen - Atomic Punk
04. Aerosmith - Toys In The Attic
05. The Clash - What's My Name
06. The Damned - Noise, Noise, Noise
07. The Bad Brains - Black Dots
08. The Teen Idles - Teen Idles
09. Minor Threat - (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
10. SOA - Blackout
11. Black Flag - I've Had It
12. Void - My Rules
13. The Ruts - West One (Shine On Me)
14. Trouble Funk - Pump Me up

Enjoy.

above photo by Glen E. Friedman, from the archives of Thrasher Magazine.

By The Sword Fall 2010 Decks

Our By The Sword Fall 2010 decks are in stock and shipping now. Included are four new Mike Vallely signature models, in various sizes and colors. Direct, online order can be place via Regulator Distribution. ORDER HERE.

I'm very proud of all of the designs and it's an honor to join the ranks of VCJ, Mark McKee, Todd Francis and many others that have done signature graphics for Mike V.

Craig Stecyk III

If I had to think about what I was doing, I wouldn't do anything at all. -C.R. Stecyk III

Craig Stecyk is a fascinating creative force, mysterious and enigmatic, whose influence on skateboarding culture is nothing less than profound. He's still out there- lurking under the pier, wandering the junkyards, shuffling to the rhythm of his own drum-and that makes me happy.

By The Sword Fall 2010 Tees

By The Sword Fall 2010 tees are in stock and now available for direct online purchase at Regulator Distribution.

By The Sword Fall 2010

Mike Vallely and I have just released the very first catalog for our joint start-up, By The Sword. Mike wrote an intro for the catalog:

Conceptually "By The Sword" is an idea that I think all skateboarders can relate to. The act of skateboarding is always a trial by fire, a ritual act that no matter what one's skill level is, tests us every time we ride. It's the actual act of riding that separates us physically and mentally from the pedestrians (non-skaters) and sets us apart. It's not sport and it's not art, it's skateboarding. And to me it is a sacred act, a sacred culture and not just some industry of supply and demand where products are just churned out and have no soul. If skaters are just consumers, and skateboarding is just some pastime and our motivation is only fame and fortune and we move as a herd, we miss the point entirely. WIth the best intentions I have gone far into the fog to try and shine some light but that time is over, it's done. I'm now standing back where I started with a clean slate and it feels good.

This first offering of By The Sword product is the beginning of a new season in my life and in my skateboarding where I am certain of the point and where my fingerprint touches everything we do as a brand. This is me, this is skateboarding and this is who we are at our very best, as skaters... By The Sword.

----Mike V.

It's a humble (small) collection, consisting of six board graphics, four tees and a handful of screenprinted posters and stickers. Needless to say, it's been a long and difficult process. there were moments that I felt like it would never materialize; but now it's done and it out here, circulating on the web.

Mike and I are both very proud of it and hope it does well enough (commercially) to grow and prosper for years to come....so support us and go buy our stuff.