Fuck Number One T-Shirt ($32.00)

It’s a competitive world full of assholes who are always chanting “We’re number one!” like that means anything. Everyone’s thinking about “being number one” but how many people ever get to be number one at anything?  How many people even meet someone who’s number one? Is being the best at something healthy? It seems like most people who drive themselves to become number one usually turn into giant fuck-ups after reaching their goal.

The guys who make the Venture Brothers have said that the theme of the show is failure and that failing is okay. It’s true. Most people, even highly successful ones, aren’t doing exactly what they set out to do with their lives. They were working towards some beautiful goal of being number one, took a detour at some point and ended up doing something else. When I was little I thought I’d work for Wizard Magazine but instead I work for Мишка and Wizard is a frail shell of the magazine it once was. God, remember their letter art column and monthly art contest? The homemade heroes column? There are times that I wonder if I would have killed myself if not for Wizard.

Seriously, fuck winners, number ones, jocks, and people that give a fuck about being the biggest or the best. The rest of us will be sitting in the sidelines telling them to go to hell as we just try to get by. The Fuck Number One T-Shirt is available in Black, White and Navy.

Мишка
350 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY
718-388-1725
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Мишка LA
1547 Echo Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA
213-536-4234

A few weeks ago we dropped our latest and greatest in the Radio Friendly Unit Shifter series by Nick Catchdubs and Mr. Ducker. Since then, a lot of you have been requesting that we make a single track file for the 33 track mix available for download.

The Radio Friendly Unit Shifter Series was originally conceived as an homage to the 90s, à la DJ Spindbad’s killer ’80s Pop mixes (from the mid-90s). All of which were broken up into individual tracks. But it seems that either way too many of you don’t know how to set your iTunes to gapless play OR these mixes are just wreaking havoc on your iPod whenever you hit shuffle.

After resisting for a bit, Nick has been kind enough to now upload all three Radio Friendly Unit Shifters onto his Soundcloud page as continuous mixes. For those of you new to the series what a perfect time to catch up. And to all of you who got all into “Last Splash” only to have it cut by some Rhianna a minute and half later cause you forgot your iPod was on shuffle… well, problem solved. Enjoy!

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter III by Nick Catchdubs

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter ’09 by Nick Catchdubs

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter by Nick Catchdubs

After much hype, Kanye’s Runaway finally lands online. Not sure if there is a reason besides ego why this is being billed as a movie rather than just a long-format music video kind of like Nine Inch Nails’ Broken. Anyway all the music is from Kanye’s forthcoming My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, out November 22nd.

Am I the only one who loved the weird synth-pop/adult contemporary excursion that was 808s and was hoping for more of that on Kanye’s next album? Oh well.

Dorogami. As in, CRONIC Dorogami. Not as in ‘Dorogami lubvi 1‘ which is apparently some strange video clip of unknowable origin and repute. I can’t tell if it’s an excerpt from a movie, or maybe a lead-in ‘cinevideo’ like the beginning of Rush Rush. You, O reader, can be the judge. This week’s NF is light on talk, heavy on rock. It’s one of those lead-up weeks where it’s NOT QUITE apropos to do a holiday-themed post, but, well, it’s getting close. Do you—can you—feel that?

I was sitting here, hyperlinked to my desk yesterday thinking “Man, I’m running out of new and interesting lots of toys to blog about. What, o what, shall I do?” And then it hit me. I would blog about these toys that I actually—Lo—bought in a lot. I don’t need to express to you just how awesome it is to get a deal on something, but, well, when you have the opportunity to buy 9 of something for the price of one-and-a-half, you sit up a bit straighter in your chair. You notice. You consider.

So goes for these awesome CRONIC Dorogamis, of which I have 9. As I bought them in a lot. To be totally honest, I had never really given them much notice, as they’re sorta small and sorta kooky. This is sort of an inside thing, I guess, but there’s also this ongoing debate on this discussion board about how the company/dude that makes Dorogami—CRONIC—either is or isn’t awesome. At times it has been a loud debate, one that sort of ends up being bad for everybody…sort of like the Raider Nation or something like that….the mere fact that you are making this much noise about whatever it is you’re making noise about makes me want to not be a part of it and/or your noise. Etc.

But! Like I said, a deal is a deal, and I pulled the trigger…and I couldn’t be happier with these little dudes. So much character in (both of!) their faces. The colorways are so super awesome, and, well, it turns out that their being small and kooky is EXACTLY what I like about them most. So there.

Incidentally, I know a dude who knows a dude who is VERY passionate about the fact that ‘real toys’ should not ‘just sit there’ as if that is the case, then they are not ‘playable’ and as such do not ‘qualify’ as being ‘toys’. Well, these dudes have an articulated midsection, but be not mistaken. They just sit there. There is no playability to them, unless you count taking their picture and then blogging about them as ‘playing’ with them (I do). The irony is that this dude I know through this other dude absolutely LOVES Dorogami! I think he’s got ‘em all…and there’s a shitload more than nine. So you tell me, O reader: toy or not? ‘Just sitting there’ or ‘melting your face off with both of it’s melted faces?’

The choice is yours. More photos after the jump. Plus a bonus shot of Dorogami’s second-cousin Nougaki, shown sporting a limited resin NerdONE head. Ding. How’s that for down-the-rabbit-hole?

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Photo by Barrett Emke

I first discovered CVLTS when the dependable AMDISCS posted a free download to their debut album, LVST a few months back. I was instantly smitten and transported back to a time when I was obsessed with atmospheric post-rock stylings of bands like Labradford and Tower Recordings.

Eerie and beautiful drones, samples and tape loops that converge for days on end. Cascading sounds over and under one another until they build into feverish climaxes that mask subtle and delicate melodies. CVLTS are most defiantly not a band for everyone, nor something you can just throw on. But in the right state of mind, they’ll transport your consciousness on a wild psychotropic adventure…you just have to close your eyes, open your ears and listen. Then just let your mind do the rest.

CVLTS began as the duo of Gaurav Bashyakarla and Josh Thomas in May of 2010. Their first ever recording session was what eventually became LVST and shortly there after they brought in Brian Shattuck to round the band and move on into live performances.

While still a duo, in addition to LVST, Gaurav and Josh have also recently released the Black Hole/Hi Five cassette on France’s Atelier Ciseaux. The 30 edition tape sold out quickly, but an MP3 version of it is still available for purchase from Atelier Ciseaux. It’s another excellent, albeit short mind-bending excursion through space and time…check the promo video for the release below:

This November/December CVLTS will be releasing their first recorded material as a trio via a split 7″ with Lazy on Collective Crowd Records and then a split cassette with Goodwillies on Solid Melts. In the meantime I highly recommend you Download their debut album, LVST or free and check out their recent mix, Betamax for International Tapes.

I’m not sure when or where CVLTS will be performing live. I did notice them tweet a few times recently about shows, but see no future dates anywhere. If you do happen to catch them coming through your town, try and get hold of some peyote and experience a new era of psychedelia.

DO DRUGZ AND LISTEN TO CVLTS. EXPAND YR MINDZ PEOPLEZ!

Hopefully you guys remember that HUGE Super Soldier Bear Mask head Lamour Supreme made for our Tokyo Store? Well they liked it so much over in Japan that they wanted us to make 20 more for them to give to select Мишка retailers around the country.

Lamour is not really a mask maker per-se, so when I asked him for 20 more, he kind of cringed, and was like “Dude, I can’t do that.” Luckily we met Rich Krussel and his crew over at Gotham FX. As professional mask makers and special effects artists, Gotham FX created a mold to create a latex mask.

They then applied the fur, hand made the eyeball, and hand painted each of the 20 masks. Each is numbered and can be found in random spots in Japan. We do have one on permanent display over at 350 Broadway, so be sure to come check it out on your next trip! And maybe if we like and you spend enough money (ka-ching!) we’ll let you try it on and attack Kev Buc.

Мишка
350 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY
718-388-1725

J/M/Z to Marcy Ave
G to Broadway
L to Lorimer

DJ Shiftee is many things to many people. With a degree from Harvard, 2 unique DMC World Champion titles, an NYU professorship, and an ongoing international tour schedule, the man has a plethora of talents to offer the world. By translating his math geek mentality into a highly successful turntabilist career, Shiftee has pleased crowds from NYC to Hong Kong, been inducted into the DMC DJ Hall of Fame, and placed his name alongside the cream of the crop in the turntablism realm.

In 2009, Shiftee represented the USA in the DMC World DJ Finals and took the title. He has a highly awarded past and still continues to grow as an artist, further solidifying his dominant stance in the scene today. Below is a brief list of his accomplishments since breaking through in 2003…

Titles & Awards
2009 DMC WORLD CHAMPION
2007 DMC Supremacy WORLD CHAMPION
2008 IDA/ITF Finals WORLD VICE CHAMPION
2009 DMC USA CHAMPION
2007 DMC Supremacy USA CHAMPION
2009 DMC EAST COAST CHAMPION
2004 Guitar Center NY/NJ CHAMPION
2003 DMC Regional NYC CHAMPION
2003 ITF Regional EAST COAST CHAMPION

Shiftee has shared the stage with A-Trak, Craze, Klever, Dieselboy, DJ Funk, Cash Money, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Tittsworth, RJD2, Murs, The Beat Junkies, X-ecutioners, Q-Bert, and Z-Trip, to name a few. However, when he’s not scratching with the scene’s elite, he’s busy teaching the DJ art form at New York University (as an adjunct professor) and Dubspot DJ & Production School in NYC. To get a real taste of his ability, his latest mix entitled “Dancing Specialist” is posted below. The mix features cuts from Drop The Lime, Jack Beats, Tiesto & Diplo, B.Rich, Herve, Redlight, Tomb Crew, and Joker & Jakes.

Dancing Specialist presented by NOISE212 by Shiftee

Shiftee has also recently released a video produced by John Carluccio entitled “The Golden Years” that documents his “time traveling journey through DMC history.” The video is Shiftee’s true tribute to all the DJ Champions from DMC’s glorious past, artists whom he credits as teachers of his craft and ultimate influences to his love of turntablism.

In particular, Shiftee emulates the styles (both physically and musically) of some of his favorite DMC all-stars, such as Roc Raida, Q-bert, Craze, and A-Trak. The 7-minute short film is not only humorous, but it also highlights Shiftee’s incredible artistry and talented poise in his profession.

Shiftee’s excellent DJ adventure is only a taste of his potential. He is keeping the turntablist culture alive and well with his flawless blends and transitions. In all honesty, who better to represent the U.S. than this multi-dimensional, mathematical, scratch wizard? God bless you Shiftee.

I have been having a ton of fun lately keeping busy shooting all sorts of new ladies for StaggStreet.  I recently had the opportunity to shoot Jenna Haze, Kayla-Jane Danger & Skin Diamond, all for the first time. And it just so happens that I got all three of these amazingly hot women to appear in the  Мишка 2011 calendar, which you’ll be hearing more about very, very shortly.

Have a great weekend thinking about all these sexy ladies and looking at them for many months to come!

Sup? This is David from Primitive Weapons and Chronic Youth and I’ll be joining Мишка’s Bloglin to cover all that’s rad in sports. Each week I’ll give you my thoughts, you’ll read and of course feel free to comment. Think of it as Bill Simmons for all you cool kids  out there. So Let’s get it in, shall we?

PMA

The Kansas City Chiefs: Man I love watching these guys play. They have a good balance of explosive young players and veterans like Thomas Jones that are turning in good seasons. They also have a great kick returner in Dexter McCluster. His Desmond Howard vibe puts you on the edge of your seat every time he gets a kick off. Even though they have lost their last two, they are fun as hell to watch.  I hope they get a playoff birth.

Sam Bradford: I’m not going to lie; I thought this kid was going to be a total bust. After the surgery he had, I just didn’t think he would be durable enough to take the pounding of an NFL season behind a more than suspect offensive line.  Sam congratulations, you can tell me to go fuck myself because it looks like you’re going have a great NFL career.

Arian Foster: Who the hell knew this guy was going to tear everyone a new asshole? Exqueeze me? Baking powder?  Everyone expected for the Texans to be a good team this year with their vaunted passing attack but Foster’s break out dominance on the ground is unexpected. Houston is for real.

Mark Sanchez and Ladainian Tomlinson: Make no mistake I am from Long Island and love the fucking J-E-T-S. A lot of people like to bag on my dude Sanch and thought LT was done, but let’s face it, these dudes are leading NFL’s top ranked team right now. LT has also added a lot of heart in the locker room. Ask the chargers how they are doing with Dick Rivers.

The Steelers D: Tough as nails! Polamalu has whipped this unit back into shape and they look devastating. I love watching that dude play, so intense. The turnaround from last year is insane, they better hope he never gets hurt again, ever.

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Hatorade

Philip Rivers: Is there anyone I dislike more in football? No. This guy is a James Spader character with pads on. The way he was yelling at his team in week 1 in their loss against the Chiefs was embarrassing. He always seems spoiled out there and I look forward to when his team crumbles this year, again. Wait, it already is because the heart and soul of hte team now plays for gang green. Rivers you’re a paper gangster and I know it. Even worse, you;re the Marbury of football, big stats and not a winner.

The Giants’ Jerseys: Listen, I’m a Jets fan, but I can still get behind the g-men since they are from New York. I am also down because this particular squad ruined the Pats’ perfect season.  One thing I can’t get behind though, these extra tight ass jerseys. WTF? Is there some competitive edge or does Osi Umenyora want to invent the NFL version of the tube top?

Tony Dungy: How about you go get your fuckin’ shinebox! This dude was a good coach and all but his whole moral high horse god act is going too far. Guess what Dung bro? Rex Ryan drops F-bombs and the Jets are 5-1. He is also a grown man, deal with it loser.

The Jets Driving Record: WTF!? You guys are rich, the team provides you with transport and you still get DUIs and shit! Revis, Edwards stop being assholes. Yeah I said it.

New Contact Rules: Now I am all for player safety but I am afraid this could be slippery slope. The last thing we all want is football turning into hockey where no one knows what the fuck constitutes actions that call for fines etc. This could be a mess. One of the league’s best linebackers even threatened to retire already! Get it sorted NFL, fast.

Brett Favre: Way to go bro, stay in the league and act like a prima fuckin’ donna only to send sexts to team employees of your not so impressive schlong. Luckily now your wife is relying on faith to get her through this, gross.

Michael Vick: My Pitbull Logan and I still hate this fuckin’ turd.

Head after the break for my picks for Week 7! (more…)