Slow Burning...

For those of you in Chi-town in January, 2009... Assembly Line Artists presents "Slow Burning". This is group collection showcasing various styles of artists from all over...including Bloodbath's very own Rome One. The opening reception will be taking place at A.Okay Official in Chicago on January 17th, from 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Here is a preview of the painting I will be submitting this week. Stay tuned! This artist line up is very potent.

IN STEREO!

Ah yes, the Midnight Architects present another rendition of "In Stereo". Don't miss an exclusive set by E.Rokwell (EK5OBITION). This Friday, Jan. 2nd. Start off the year right!

Merry Funkin' Christmas

Via Stones Throw site. Props to Now Again for diggin' up this muthaland gem.

Check the He 5 rendition of Auld Lang Syne here. Happy holidays y'all.

The Bike Race...

Last Friday there was a bike race in Fullerton.
Lot's of nice fixies were parked in front of BTNC.

I really was diggin this one in particular. Especially the basket and fenders, complete with GPS unit.

More and more riders kept showing up...

Serious as hell, and dayum cold...focused on the rules and checkpoints...

The winners got the cash and chose their prizes,

Mark came up on a new bike...

Mitch was happy with the turnout.

The night was fun.

The Art of Cire and James Paick.

Some good friends of mine roll deep in the hood of concept art. Their gang is deadly. Check their work, and daily updates here:

Art of Cire.

Scribble Pad - Art of James Paick.

Art of Justin Yun.

BTNC x BLOODBATH Hoodie drops today.

Finally, they are here. BTNC x BLOODBATH has teamed up to create this ninja-fit hoodie. If you hadn't a chance to check out our prior posts about the concept behind the sweater, it is inspired by the look of old school motorcycle gang jackets. Since BTNC loves fixies, and has a team (gang) of riders, we saw it fitting to create this collabo. I personally love these hoodies. Only available at BTNC in Fullerton, CA. Go buy one and represent on your 2-wheeler.

Protect Ya Neck.

We got our samples in for some serious neck protection. Super-soft 100% Hand-Cut Cashmere. Made in Italia. Stay tuned, should be droppin' in a week or two.

Bloodbath Crew.

Fresh off the press, we have just received our new crewneck sweaters.
2 different designs are available in Charcoal Grey and Black.

Mosaic - Charcoal Grey. Notice the raised print on it....

Gatekeeper- Charcoal Grey. Our Gatekeeper logo in a thick print that looks like perforated leather.

Mosaic - Black. The print is a super glossy black on black.

Gatekeeper in Black.

Dropping Friday, Dec. 19th, 2008 on our online shop. By Monday at select retailers.

Secret Mark Throwing Stars...

A Core77 exclusive, these Shuriken Magnets make sure your message on the fridge is taken into consideration.


Source: Epaulet

BTNC / BLENDS Fixed Gear Race!

BLK MAGIK.

BLK MAGIK was dope. Our booth got mad love, and the battles were naaasty. (although I feel that Gyroe got robbed.) Can't wait for the next installment of this event. Big up to Utmos for having us!

The Deuce turns One.

Bloodbath is now officially being carried at The Deuce in Artesia, CA. Located on the corner of Pioneer and 183rd, this spot is dripping with artwork. Their support for local brands, artists, and music makers alike is unrivaled in this area. We were invited to their One Year Party last Friday and it was crackin! Big up! (www.runthedeuce.com)
(click on images to see the whole picture.)

So Sticky. (Nike Dunk High Premium Spark)

So Trevor just received some Dunk Sparks in Black on Black. I really, really like these kicks. I'm not too much of a Nike head me'self, but these are straight up official. New this year, these Dunks feature "3XDry" uppers by Gore-tex. The sole is Nike's 0.44 Sticky Rubber to keep you properly grounded. Cleeean!

BLK MAGIK Tomorrow...

This Saturday, 20 + Brands with huge inventory clearout sales. (<--Christmas shopping? )
16 Slot B-Boy / B-Girl Battle. Hosted by none other than Utmos! Shit will be crackin!

I should tell yo momma on ya

The Duece One Year Anniversary Sale

This Friday, 12/12/08 @ The Deuce. Live Art. Performances by BP and Odds. In house DJ's. Sales and Raffle Prizes.

Raver x Asian Gangster = Fuckin Funny.

Wow guys. wow.

Live Painting - Upper Playground Style.

Alex Pardee, Jeremy Fish, Sam Flores, and David Choe paint live for about 3 hours.

Source: Wooster Collective

An Interview with the Oddibles...

What is your name and why are we reading about you?

Steady P: My name is DJ Steady-P. I'm 1/4th of the Oddibles. You're reading about us because we're about to change your life.

Surrilla: Simon Oh aka Surrilla reppin The ODDiBLES..
You are reading about us because fate has brought u here
at this very moment. Plus, we rip oddio bungholes..

C-Spills: my name is C- Spills. reppin 1/4 of the Oddibles. you're reading about us because you're searching for intrigue. we're that other option that's seldom heard.

Jekai SoulSpeak: Jeff Kai Luen Liang (Jekai Soulspeak). Intergalactic Beat Sculptor, musican, composer. Reppin for Oddibles, Ding Zhen Ban (thimble clan), and Satelliteheads. You are reading about me because Surrilla forwarded these interview questions to me and I sent it back to him, and because the universe has led you here in this moment.

---

When writing new songs, what inspires your concepts?

SP: Life, passion, success, struggle, emotions, the universe. Basically, anything and everything.

CS: Word. i second Steady's notion. in addition, to the Creator and the created. People in our lives in general.

JSS: Usually songs start off as sketches of my day, like a journal…or off of ideas of things I see in my day, "mundane" things like cats eating out of the garbage, or children I work with asking crazy questions about live crocodiles or baby unicorns. Ideas come from everywhere, or what your brain remembers at that present moment, or what you wrote down in your notebook last year, or your asshole boss etc…, but mostly they ultimately translate into feelings, visuals, colors and/or emotion when creation happens.

SLA: as vague as this may sound....
EVERYTHING and ANYTHING
LIFE period.

---

Describe a typical creative session in 5 words:

SLA: smokey, thunder, lightning, science, beauty

SP: Listen, brainstorm, act, scrutinize, edit.

CS: Listen, dissect, brainstorm, remedy, build

JSS: The eye you see God…or… Where did the time go?

---

Mccain or Obama?

SLA: Felons cant vote =(

SP: Obama: If i had to pick between the two. He's more for the working class than McCain.

CS: Obama. this is something you can fill pages up with. for the sake of keeping it short and simple, i feel obama would truly contribute to change for the good of everyday ppl, and is a lot more in-touch with modern reality. Regarding Mccain, you know if you'd feel crazy uncomfortable at one of their rallies, you probably shouldn't be there, and he's probably not representing you by ALL means.

JSS: Well. Neither. John McCain might as well be the anti-christ. Sarah Palin is a joke. Obama is a very charismatic and thoughtful candidate. He has great ideas and one of the first politicians I have ever heard speak thoughtfully and honestly about race. But I don't think we can rely on the democratic party to "save" us or solve all our problems. I think Grace Lee Boggs had it right when she said, "I think we're not looking sufficiently at what is happening at the grassroots in the country. We have not emphasized sufficiently the cultural revolution that we have to make among ourselves in order to force the government to do differently. Things do not start with governments."

---

Favorite method of transportation?

SLA: Telepathy
SP: Train
CS: The mothership
JSS: Real or imagined? Feathered Wings that grow from out my back.

---

Who are some dope artists that you are feeling these days?

SLA: Flying Lotus, Andre3000, Pharohe Monch is always a favorite,
Katchafire, buncha homies...

SP: Katchafire, Sugarcane Harris, Edit, Gas Lamp Killer, Ed Solo & Skool of Thought... just to name a few.

CS: Hmm..i find myself going back in time quite often. generally speaking, listening to a lot of strokes, katchafire, flying lotus, lif, al green, soulspeezy beats, toki beats, and all thats good.

JSS: There is so much ill shit out now, esp. from LA. I love all the experimental beat stuff that has been coming out. Tokimonsta, Flying lotus, etc. Listening to Everything I can get access to. John Coltrane-Love Supreme is always in my deck. Natalie Merchant, The Alps, People Under the Stairs, a lot of random shit.

---

From your personal experience, what weighs more in the music game: Connections or Skills?

SLA: Both.

SP: From my personal experience, I would say connections, which is truly sad. It's about who you know, not how dope you are. I wish it were different but I see this recurring pattern in LA.

CS: I second steady's words as well. what i find as more imortant, i'd say creativity/originality which can fall in w/ skills. but sadly, a lot of it comes down to connections.

JSS: A healthy dose of both is necessary for different reasons.
In terms of the "game" or matrix of music industry, then probably connections. But in creation, or artistic development and growth- I would say skill or beyond that…vibe. Because people could have crazy skills but no love emanates from there music and the vibe is not there. I think vibe and intuition is the most important when collaborating with people especially or creating by yourself.

---

What is your ultimate goal you want to achieve with your music?

SLA: Worldwide domination! Just kidding... kinda.
I want to touch the world... in non-sexual ways..

SP: I just want to make music thats ahead our our time. That way, when we listen to our music years from now, it won't sound outdated. Not only that, I want to make good music. Music that people can reflect upon and relate to. Music that flows with the evolving world around us.

CS: i want to put our marks, fingerprints if you will, on some dope musical substance period. i want to be able to look back later on and be like 'damn..we made some good music.' a universal sound ppl from all walks of life can dig.
JSS: Music keeps me balanced internally and spiritually, so firstmost, I want to use my music for a tool for me to grow as a person and not go crazy and then so I can be able to help others or share with others my own vibes or experiences.

---

The best word of advice you have ever received:

SLA: Stay away from the bacon.
JSS: My pops once said, If you love something, you will always incorporate it into your life, no matter how busy you are. You will always make time for it.
SP: In order to succeed, you must first experience failure.
CS: One thing a man should always keep, is his word.

---

If you had to rep one of the 3 Chipmunks who would it be?

SLA: Simon, duh.

SP: I would say Simon.

CS: I would say a mix between all three..i see all the traits. probably alvin, just cuz i feel that balance..but i love to get my grub on like theodore too.

JSS: I am not sure what the differences are between them, maybe I can google or wikipedia it.

---

Do you like them Brown, Yellow, Puerto-Rican or Haitian?

SLA: i love em all.. as long as they smell good and got soul.

SP: I dont hate or discriminate. Bring on all 31 flavas.

JSS: All of the above…but I think Phife should have gave us more choices

CS: i like em all. short, tall, and of all shades.

---

Would you rather die "Loved but forgotten" or "Hated but Remembered"?

SLA: A little bit of both.

JSS: Loved but forgotten. I want to be loved but to do it on my own terms as a good and positive person. I wouldn't want to be remembered as an asshole or hated or anything, that's not legacy I would want to leave to my kids.

SP: I would rather die hated but remembered as long as I'm doing what I want to do, making the music that I want to make, not being guided by the force of mainstream media.

CS: Hated and remembered. cliche but so relevant. staying true to self and not just whats true to others. like steady says, making the music that we want to make. the mainstream media has been on the top of my shit list for years.

---

Shout Outs?

SLA: BIG ups to Bloodbath, Tokimonsta, Foreign Family, 45 Fresh, Footwork, FeelGoodFusion, The COmeup, Lyricks, DJ Zo, Mike Gao, Izreal, 3strykes and all our fam out there pushin for excellence! lets do this!

JSS: Peace to the family, my brothers in the Oddibles-( Steady P, Surrilla, C Spills), Noni Limar, Jade Ross, SIPA Music Workshop, Tuesday Night Café, Mc Sha Zhou and the whole Qingdao family and my brothers the Satelliteheads. ---All creators.

SP: First and foremost, my crew...my brothas...Bloodbath, Innastella, Mike Nardone- "We Came From Beyond", E-Money, EyeQ, DJ Denkym, DJ Zo, Tripmaster Monk, DJ LinoType, Oddsequence, Francesca, KIWA, Smoothz (has to put up with all the noise) and all the fam that supports the Oddibles. Much love and respect. I'd also like to shout out all those that came before and paved the way for us to be able to do what we love....

CS: (same as Pedro) and the cosmic forces keeping us balanced, and the creator.

Almost here...

The BTNC x BLOODBATH collabo sweaters are almost here....
:)

Jel

I haven't been on the Anticon tip in a long time. I remember years ago when everyone was on their nuts for atleast a minute. Then Hip Hop had shit with them. But whatever, check Jel rip shit on the MPC. Fingers of destiny beeeatch!

IN STEREO.

THIS FRIDAY, LIVE & IN STEREO!

The LA Beat Swap Meet

LA's quarterly crate diggin event kicks off again this Sunday, Dec. 7th at the Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown.
Inside the venue will feature 2 levels of record vendors, collectors and traders alike...pushing Funk, Breaks, Hiphop, Soul, Latin, World, and Rock / Punk records. The alley outside will house a vendor village of clothing brands and boutiques, and the Might Junebugg will be hosting SideWalk Chef: cooking up some marvelous soul food with a hiphop twist for all of us to consume together. See you there Sunday. 12pm. Early birds get the gems!