Pedal Strike

Pedal Strike header image 2

January 13th, 2009

how to get a hat…

Remember when Bape was popular? Not like when it was still obscure enough to be hip but when it was just underground enough to get you some scene points? And then how it exploded into this black hole of shameless consumerism?

I remember the shirts, the secret stores with no signs, and one of the most amazing shoe stores I’ve ever stepped into.

It’s gone now. The shoe store, that is.

But I still like Bape, mostly because of the incredible irony of the whole brand/situation. Nigo (the creator of Bape) based the brand name on a Japanese proverb to describe complacency: “like apes bathing in lukewarm water.” He thought Japanese youth suffered from lazy, luxurious, complacency. They were the same people that would unquestioningly snatch up his products several years later (enabling Nigo to stud his teeth with diamonds).

I didn’t want to be a Bape. Neither do I want to stud my teeth with diamonds.

Which might explain my aversion to outright selling my hats. I’d rather trade. I’d rather see people love what I make. I’d gladly give a hat away for free if it gave someone an excuse to do something they loved to do. Taking money is too easy. Besides, words like “profit” coupled with words like “art” sort of make me sick.

But at the same time, there’s only one of me; and while I speak an Asian language, I don’t have 18 fingers (+2 points if you get that reference). So to answer the emails that have been appearing in my inbox lately – how do you get a pedal-strike hat?

Go to Cambridge Bikes, or

Make me an offer – something you are willing to do in return for a hat. I don’t mean “bring me beer” (unless it’s Hitachino White Pale Ale). I mean do something. Make something. It doesn’t have to be outrageous, as long as it’s more interesting than cash.

Or, watch this site (and try your luck…more info on that soon, I promise).

Oh yeah, and say hello if you ever see me around.

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