Listen All O' Y'all

      Pick Your Shoes has the Nike Dunk SB Low Premium SBTG (or Sabotage for people who need vowels) x Royalefam Family & Friends Edition [pictured above] available in a variety of sizes. These bad bois come with a removable lace cover (like golf shoes), Nike SB Zoom Soles, three sets of laces, and Royalefam lace locks. Even at the price of $379.99 these things are going to sell out quick. So, if you are cool enough and wealthy enough, get on over to Pick Your Shoes and pick up a pair. And send me a pair in size 12 while you're at it!

Win Core Series 2 Mimobots!

Many Knew Secret Base

Alright, I am starting to get my Engrish down! I got a few new Secret Base items to report on. First up, apparently one of the members of the Secret Base crew had a baby girl and to celebrate they have released a Limited Ed. clear pink version of their Skull Pirate figure [pictured above]. The figure apparently comes with a bib and is available at Secret Base in Tokyo for ¥8,800 plus tax.There are also two new Secret Base figures available at Toy Tokyo today. They have the new Secret Base 2007 Fan Club Skull Bee [pictured above] available for just under sixty bucks and the new Secret Base Mummy Obakedog [pictured below] available for a hair under eighty-five bucks (whew, that's a little pricey!).Update: One of my other favorite online toy stores, Span of Sunset also has the Mummy Obakedog available here and has the Monday Rainy Day Water Skull D-Brain available here and pictured below (it is also available at Super7 here).

Get Fat Milk Open

Yeah, your guess is as good as mine. If anyone out there can read Japanese and translate the text in the top picture for me, I would appreciate it. Something about various drip paint colorways of Secret Base Skull Brains for Get Fat Milk or something. I don't know. According to the machine translation of the Get Fat Milk website, these hand-painted by Hiddy of Secret Base Skull Brains will be available for the opening of Get Fat Milk on July 15th at midnight somewhere in Japan or maybe just on their website. I can't tell. Your guess is probably better than mine!

Update: Get Fat Milk is now open and has Secret Base Skull Brains hand-painted by Hiddy of Secret Base available for sale here for ¥6,900.

Further Update: the Skull Brains are already sold out.

New Sneakerplay Widget

Sneakerplay has updated their SSN (Sneaker Social Networking) website with the addition of a new Photo Box widget [mine is pictured above in the Creamsicle colorway] and the ability for guests to view members' pages. That's pretty cool. You still have to have an invite to become a member, but now at least you can see all of the neat stuff membership provides.

Vans Simpsons Collection

Available at Proper in Long Beach, KICKS/HI in Honolulu, Bodega in Boston, Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Supreme in LA, Dave's Quality Meat in New York, Undefeated in Las Vegas, Blends in San Diego, Huf in San Francisco, and St. Alfred in Chicago starting this Saturday, July 14th. Kick pics below via Bodega and Freshness.

Paraskavedekatriaphobia

    Yeah, look it up. In honor of this Friday being the thirteenth day of the month and that being all spooky for some reason, my favorite hometown toy store Wootini is presenting an exhibit entitled Paraskavedekatria - phobia: Richmond Represents featuring local artists from Richmond, VA and curated by Jeremy Boyd, one of the curators of "This Side Up: The Cardboard Show". The show features work from James Callahan, Rob Choi, Benjamin Yolton, and Scott Mayo; all of whom participated in the Cardboard Show. Check out examples of the work above. The opening will be held on Friday starting at 7pm and will feature the usual refreshments and entertainment.

For Whiteyfresh 3000

This one goes out to my homie Ryan B in the place to be. The other night at a hoppin' party that I hardly remember (how did I get home that night?) Ryan was axing me if I knew of any digital mixers that I would recommend for use with his 'puter. After a few minutes of searching and an e-mail from Turntable Lab, I have an answer for Senõr Frêsh. And that answer is the M-Audio Torq Xponent available at Turntable Lab for only $599 (that's $150 off the MSRP). I own an M-Audio Oxygen 8 midi controller keyboard that I have had for several years and really enjoy working with, so I can attest to M-Audio's quality of equipment. Here is what Turntable Lab has to say about the Torq Xponent:

OVERVIEW
M-Audio's Torq Xponent is a complete digital DJing system featuring Torq DJ software and the Xponent controller / USB interface. Just add a computer and digital music files, and you have a full digital DJ setup with hands-on control, CD turntable / mixer simulation, and a plethora of extra features.

FEATURES
M-Audio's Torq DJing has quickly established itself as a viable option to Serato. It has a similar feature set to Serato, but also includes extras such as VST compatibility, easy performance recording, and multiple sample banks.

The Xponent controller is the first M-Audio controller specially designed for digital DJs. Before the Xponent, digital DJs were forced to use standard MIDI-controllers or DJ controllers by second rate manufacturers. The Xponent was designed with everyday DJs in mind with M-Audio quality, durable controls, and an emphasis on tactile feel. It is also maximized for Torq as all the controls are mapped instantly.

The Torq's wheel controls, knobs, buttons and faders simulate a (2) CD turntable and (1) deluxe mixer setup. You can use them to cue, mix, scratch, and effect digital files without ever using your computer keyboard or mouse. In addition with over 70 individual controls, the Xponent was also designed for sampling on the fly, looping, using effects, etc.

I think that about says it all. I'm not sure if this is in Ryan's price range. If not, M-Audio has several other digital DJ controllers which may be more appropriate.

Go Native

      Native Instruments, the German company that is well known for their software synthesizers and samplers, has now released a series of four t-shirts representing four musical vibes from the pulsating city of Berlin. The Limited Ed. t-shirts are dedicated to Berlin Rock, Electro, Jazz and Minimalism [pictured above, left to right] and are available in both men's and women's sizes. You can purchase them here for $29 a piece. Collect all four and conquer the world just like the Germans! Awesome.

Shiitake!!!

Erick Scarecrow of Esc-Toy Ltd. has teamed up with Plastic and Plush for a little photo contest featuring the Shiitake Plush as the main subject. Click here for a link to the contest rules. No explicit images, nudity, drug content, or gore. Entries must be received by August 2nd at Midnight EST.