We Will Rock You

Wasted Youth, Pt. 20

Shenzhen is another airport notoriously known for delays. 1hr sitting here waiting.

Airline: Shanghai Airlines

Route: Shenzhen - Shanghai

Delayed flights: 20

Total time spent waiting: 19.5 hours

Keeping Clam

I Just Wanna Be Real..

One of the tees we released with CLOT this month in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Disney animated film Pinocchio.

Shanghai SummerSlam!

WWE SummerSlam came to the Shanghai Expo! We got hooked up with free tickets, so how could we pass up an opportunity to drink beer and eat popcorn while watching guys in Speedos b*tch slap each other?

I'd never been to a live wrestling match, so I was pretty stoked, and had my hopes set high. But I have to say, I don't know if they scaled down the event because it was in China, or if it just looks that much better on tv, but I was a little underwhelmed.. The ring looked a lot smaller than I imagined it would be, and I was expecting way more lights and smoke and lasers!

Although I was surprised by how much the crowd was totally into it. Everyone was wearing their favourite wrestler's tee, and on their feet yelling and chanting for them to do their special moves.

They knew all the storylines, cheering for the good guys, and booing the bad. I was completely clueless, as I haven't watched wrestling since back in the days of the Iron Sheik and Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat. But still, it was a comically entertaining way to spend a Sunday evening.

Urban Cover

Cover story for Urban Magazine.

Meat Buy & Sell??

SummerSonic 2010

Just finished the weekend at SummerSonic, which was phenomenal. The atmosphere was so amazing - from hip-hop, to indie, to new wave, to rock, to punk - it didn't matter. There were no boundaries - everyone was there purely for the love of music and their favourite bands.

We managed to see a lot of different acts. Nas was the first one we saw late Saturday afternoon, and he had the crowd nodding. Played all his old classics.

Although my friends were like "What the?..", I really wanted to see a-ha. Of course, the band members are all old now (as am I), but they played all their hits, and it was really great when they played Hunting High and Low, and everyone kept singing it even after the song ended, it was kind of touching (no homo). They finished their set with Take On Me, and everyone from the other nearby stages ran over for it. Great to see one of my favourite 80's new wave bands still getting so much love.

I was really into Guns 'n' Roses during my university days (yes, I know my musical tastes are kind of all over the place), so I was pretty stoked to see Slash. Sorry Myles Kennedy, you're good, but it's just not the same without Axl.

From the video, you can see just how many people they had for each stage, and there were 7 stages, so you do the math.

I had to see Orbital, the seminal electronic dance music duo of the early '90s. They played at the first rave I ever went to, and seeing them still wearing their little head lamps and playing Halcyon brought a smile to my face.

Jay-Z. What can I say. He was untouchable. His set ended with fireworks, FIREWORKS! Definitely my favourite performance of the weekend.

We also managed to see A Tribe Called Quest, who had the crowd jumping. Richard Ashcroft, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and the Pixies all rocked it. And Stevie Wonder was incredible - pure class - the only act that managed to fill the entire stadium on the main stage.

Being in Japan, the whole event was so well organized and orderly. No people getting drunk off their faces, or high out of their minds. No fights. No garbage everywhere. No pushing and shoving. Just everyone really into enjoying the music and having a great time. I'd definitely like to come back again next year.

Beer Testing - Round 14 (Royal Rumble Japan 2!)

Our biggest battle to date - 20 beers. Only one will come out on top.

2 Time Defending Champ

Name: Yebisu

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.56/can USD0.73/100mL

With a score of 8/10, it won decisively at the last Ohanami event in Tokyo earlier this year.

Challenger 1

Name: Suntory Gold Brew

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.33/can USD0.38/100mL

It says something about a new category of wheat, and using mineral water. It also claims to have an excellent clear taste. It actually was so clear, it tasted like water, with a little wheat flavouring. This 3rd grade beer was quickly taken out of the competition with a suplex over the ropes. Final score 5/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Kirin Zero

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 3%

Price: USD2.06/can USD0.59/100mL

We've actually tested this low calorie 3rd beer at the last Royal Rumble, but I didn't recognize it with the updated can design. Similar to it's performance last time, it just tasted like fizzy water with a packet of Equal thrown in. I gave it an even lower rating this time, just for trying to sneak back into the competition with its new look. Out with an atomic drop. Final score 3.75/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Kirin Honkaku Karakuchi Mugi

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.55/can USD0.44/100mL

The name of this 3rd grade beer means "Real Spicy Wheat". It boasts "high stimulation x high fermentation"?? Pretty nice can design. But looks can be deceiving. It tastes really sweet, and has a bit of a gingery tasting bite to it. Knocked out of commission with a backbreaker. Final score 4.5/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Suntory Diet

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 3.5%

Price: USD1.79/can USD0.51/100mL

This 3rd grade beer is "For those who care about calories." It says to "Enjoy your active life." It smells light and tastes light, but for a light beer, it wasn't completely horrible. Incapacitated with a chokeslam. Final score 6.15/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Sapporo Draft One Sharp & Clear

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.62/can USD0.46/100mL

We've tested a Draft One before, and it wasn't great, but since this one said "NEW", we thought maybe they'd made some improvements. Similar to last time, this 3rd grade beer isn't good, and it isn't bad. But I guess it's a little better, because it got a higher score. Keep training. 7.65/10.

Challenger 6

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

Based on German brewing techniques, this beer won the 2009 World Beer Championship gold medal. And I can see why. It is mild, smooth, and flavourful. And it just looks classy. And just like that, it sneaks up and takes out the defending champ with a sleeper hold!! It scores an impressive 8.95/10!

Challenger 7

Name: Hop Star

Origin: Vietnam

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.14/can USD0.35/100mL

One of the few competitors with non-Japanese origins, we had no idea what to expect. The can design was definitely not as sophisticated as some of the others, but it had a certain old school charm. It was light and slightly flat, but surprisingly, it did have some flavour. However, with an elbow drop from the top rope, it was lights out. Final score 7.35/10.

Challenger 8

Name: Kirin Tanrei 'W' (Double)

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.00/can USD0.57/100mL

This 3rd grade beer supposedly offers "Good Value and Quality." Apparently 99% of purine is cut out and fortified with polyfenor?? Slightly watery, and you can smell the alcohol. Down for the count with a Superfly Splash. Final score 5.5/10.

Challenger 9

Name: Suntory "Jokki" (Jug)

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.48/can USD0.42/100mL

The can says "Enjoy lively and crispy new draft." However, it wasn't lively, and it definitely wasn't crispy. It was typical of a lot of Japanese beers - watery, a bit sweet, and ending with a bitter finish. Demolished with a Brock Lesnar F-5. Final score 3.5/10.

Challenger 10

Name: Asahi "Mugishiburi" (something about wheat)

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5-6.5%

Price: USD1.93/can USD0.55/100mL

On the can, it states that it is "Containing just a little more alcohol." And that "This detectable liqueur has a rich flavour of barley." It also says it has 1.5 times more wheat than normal, and hence the wheaty taste. Seemed like 1.5 times more difficult to drink too. Knocked out with a DDT. Final score 3.5/10.

Challenger 11

Name: Asahi Honnama Aqua Blue

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.85/can USD0.53/100mL

This reduced sugar beer had foam that looked like soap suds, and tasted about as good. Finished off with a Randy Orton RKO. Final score 2.6/10.

Challenger 12

Name: Asahi Premium "Jukusen" (Vintage Select)?

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD3.37/can USD0.96/100mL

One of the most expensive beers to date, it is quite full-bodied and full-flavoured, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. But still taken out with a Triple H Pedigree. Final score 7.4/10.

Challenger 13

Name: Orion Southern Star

Origin: Okinawa, Japan

Alcohol: 4.5-5.5%

Price: USD1.81/can USD0.52/100mL

According to the description, this 3rd beer is "a liqueur with a refreshing light taste delicately flavoured with hops." It just tasted wheaty and watery to me. Plus it stank. Submitted with the Walls of Jericho. Final score 4.3/10.

Challenger 14

Name: Asahi Lager Beer "Golden Vintage Edition"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.81/can USD0.52/100mL

Love the old school can design. In 1958, "Asahi Gold" was the first Japanese beer sold in a can. They followed this original recipe for this limited edition beer. Light and refreshing. Final score 7.45/10.

Challenger 15

Name: Sapporo Ice Lager

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.54/can USD0.51/100mL

Another limited edition offering, this 3rd beer is "aged below 0°C for a fine clear taste and full, rich aroma." But basically, it's just watery. Final score 6.25/10.

Challenger 16

Name: Sapporo "Luxury of Off"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 4%

Price: USD1.66/can USD0.47/100mL

This 3rd grade beer claims to be a "tasty low-carb brew made with roasted malt for deep and rich barley flavour." It also has 70% less sugar. Like many of the previous beers, wheaty and watery. Squeezed out with a Bear Hug. Final score 5.75/10.

Challenger 17

Name: Gent Half

Origin: Seoul, Korea

Alcohol: 4.5%

Price: USD1.23/can USD0.35/100mL

Another 3rd grade beer with non-Japanese roots. As expected with most light  beers, watery and fizzy. Taken out easily with a flying clothesline. Final score 5.35/10.

Challenger 18

Name: Gent Plus

Origin: Seoul, Korea

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD1.23/can USD0.35/100mL

The bigger brother of Gent Half, this 3rd grade beer is mild, but not watery like other Japanese beers. Slightly bland, but surprisingly not bad. Goes flat fast, so not a beer that you want to sip slowly. Value for money. Final score 7.5/10.

Challenger 19

Name: Suntory "Magnum Dry"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 6%

Price: USD1.89/can USD0.54/100mL

Their slogan is "Golden Dry is the new Dry." It has a little bit of a sharp fizz, but it's not a bad summer beer. Final score 7/10.

After a long, hard fought battle, a new champion is crowned. Asahi "The Master" Pilsner!

Sea, Sky & Sun

Spent the late afternoon at SummerSonic out in Chiba. It was great to be far away from the city, listening to live music while sitting on the beach.

Cold Cut's

I stumbled upon this dope barber shop as I was strolling around Tokyo today. It's owned by this super cool chic Maya, whose concept is to bring that true New York barber shop culture to Japan.

Daku, their main barber, is legit. He's an award-winning technical barber and graphic artist, who spent time coming up in NYC. He's also a creative advisor for HOPE 81, a non-profit organization which includes athletes, artists, and activists, innovating for environmental sustainability, global poverty relief, and grassroots basketball player development. Big props.

Maya herself also spent a number of years living in New York before recently moving back to Tokyo. She wants the shop to be a space not just for haircuts, but a creative hub for local street brands, designers, artists, and musicians. So whether you're in need of a quick cut or line-up, or just want to kick it and see who comes through, stop by.

Cold Cut's is located at:

Yokokura Bldg, 1F, 3-8 Sakuragaoko-cho

Shibuya-ku

Tel: 03-5458-0308

If you're familiar with Tokyo, it's between Shibuya and Daikanyama, on that street that runs along the train tracks.

Link to their blog here.

Night Train

Supreme Love

Rest Easy

This has got to be the most straight-to-the-point, simple, no B.S. signage, I've ever seen. Is it morbid to say I love this store front?..

Stuffed

Road Work