Me & My Dad

No words necessary.

Thank You Claude Bessy, AKA "Kickboy Face."

There is no such thing as New Wave from luze duze on Vimeo.

Bored

I was gonna explain how I feel today but I'll just let Iggy do it for me.

Patience

Hexagonal Pewter Stool from Max Lamb on Vimeo.

Classic Car Ownership.

Owning and driving a classic car isn't for everyone. But it seems to be for me, because I've had them as long as I've been driving. I should say "classic vehicle" because I've owned everything from classic scooters (1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1968 Lambretta Jet 200) to this, my 1963 Porsche 356 T-6 Super Coupe. So the following musings will not just be limited to the 4 wheeled variety.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO OWN A CLASSIC VEHICLE?

Depends on what kind. Classic German cars are, well, Teutonic by nature. They're happiest when driven and worked often. If they sit, they get cranky and start to leak and break down. The 4-cylinder, carbureted Porsches are relatively simple machines. If you just want the thing to drive, then it should be relatively painless - unless it's a show car and you're a freak about matching numbers. Then you're screwed.

DO YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO WORK ON THEM YOURSELF?

There are two kinds of classic car owners: The tinkerers who love to work on them, and the guys who leave that to someone else and just like to drive them.

I'm happy to say I've graduated to the latter category.

I used to do minor repairs on my scooters because, well, they were old and Italian and I was young and poor. Oh, and I was living in San Bernardino which wasn't exactly crawling with classic Vespa mechanics. So when (yes, WHEN) the clutch cable would snap (all the time, usually when I finally convinced some girl to ride with me) in the middle of an intersection, I'd take out my spare and replace it right there. Did I like doing this? Did I take pride in my workmanship? Hell no. It sucked. No way am I doing that on this Porsche, a car I've coveted since I was 5. I treat this thing like Cameron's dad treated the Ferrari California. Except I actually drive mine. Which brings me to...

IS IT FUN TO DRIVE?

Drive it on warm days and you sweat. On cold days, you freeze. Sometimes you smell like gasoline. It's loud. Really loud. It's hard to drive and braking (4 wheel drum brakes, no discs here) is dicey and gives you a quad workout in Topanga Canyon.

But it's charming as hell. Every idiosyncrasy worms its way into your heart. And I've lost count of how many times I've had an older gentleman stop me and say "I used to have that car and I sold it and I've always regretted that."

I certainly hope I never have to sell it. I hope I never have that regret.

Vintage Scooter Replacement

I'm a mod. I think 1963 - 1966 is a high point in terms of style, design and music. And I've always loved vintage scooters. I've had a few of them over the years and they're a blast. But this car is, in my mind, the ultimate. I've driven this '63 356 Super for 10 years now and I never tire of it (Teddy seems to like it, as well). It feels like the natural evolution of my scooter love. Now, don't get me wrong, if I lived in a more metropolitan area I would probably still have my '74 Rally 200. But I live right off the most vintage car-friendly stretch of road in the nation - Mulholland Highway through the Malibu Hills. And I've loved this car since I first saw one when I was 5. So there you go. I still feel like the Ace Face when I drive it and I hope the mod faithful understand.

Visit To The Holy Land

If you love the out of doors then that title is not sacrilege or hyperbole. This is the humble shack where Mr. Yvon Chouinard started making climbing equipment way back in the day. That company evolved into Patagonia. This shack still exists in the courtyard of Patagonia headquarters in Ventura. Pretty great. I had to sneak back in there and grab this shot. Besides making great stuff, he's THE model of what a company leader should be in every way. If you haven't read his book "Let My People Go Surfing" then stop reading this and grab it right away. Really. Go. Now. Scoot.

You'll Be Mods And You'll Like It, Dammit!

The kids on my brother's '63 Lambretta. Wish it was mine. 'Tis much nicer than the ones I used to ride. Anyway, I have him cruise by often so the kids will be exposed. Could go either way. They could embrace my style or, because I'm Dad, reject it and embrace metal or country-rock. Time will tell.

You'd Better Believe It.

I don't care what year we're talking about, I still think this is true.

Special Thanks to Parkaavenue for this beauty.

Nashville Portraits

Amazing real, honest portraits.

Being an American, I was raised by fans of old-time country music (as well as other genres - mostly jazz and classical, honestly). When driving through Nashville as a kid, Dad got last-second, SRO tickets to the Grand Ole Opry (in the original, old, rickety building) and dragged us kids in. I think we saw Mel Tillis and Buck Owens among others. We, being kids, were miserable and hungry. My dad just kept saying "you'll remember this later." I do remember it.

And I'm still not a fan of all country - mostly the classic stuff that's really more folk than anything. But these photos are cool. Honest. And man, country is the only genre where the people are artists but still look like they could kick the crap out of you.

The Case For Increased School Library Funding

This is a real interaction with my son. My wife told me about the report he had to do for school and I went in, camera blazing.

Sound Advice, Mr. Graffiti Man.

Seen on my ride this morning. Good life advice, wouldn't you say? I think I'll give it a shot with my wife in a bit. Wish me luck.

My Tagline: Attempt #2

Okay, so this is another stab at my personal tagline. The first one is a tad over-the-top. A bit of an over-promise. While this one takes some liberties, I think I'm honing in.

Style Icon Of The Month: Rickenbacker

Pete Townshend
John Entwistle
Paul Weller
Bruce Foxton
John
Paul
George
Johnny Marr
Peter Buck
Mike Mills
The Edge
Roger McGuinn
Tom Petty
Thom Yorke
Noel Gallagher
Rick James
Lemmy

Me

It’s not as easy to play as other guitars. It’s sound is not versatile. Other guitars are more adaptable and more comfortable.

It’s a commitment. But like making a commitment to the woman of your dreams, it’s not hard to make. You can get a Stratocaster or Les Paul and play anything on them. With the right effects and amp, you can make them sound like whatever you want, really.

But the Rick has a voice. A style. That’s what Ricks stand for. Plug it in and it begs you to make something special. It pushes you to stand out. Whether it’s Pete Townshend windmilling his way to the top of cultural relevance or just little old me in my living room.

A distinctive look. Clean, mod lines. The sound. That British Invasion, guitar rock sound. Damn, brother. It’s cool and sexy as hell. And that’s when music is at its best.

Now THAT'S Diversity

This is a great image for reasons that should be obvious.

COOL-ASS LOCAL CULTURAL LANDMARK: SOUND CITY, PART 2

So I'm shooting a commercial down the street from this dingy, unassuming CULTURAL LANDMARK in the middle of an industrial neighborhood. I found this nice video tour of the place online - so no, the bearded gentleman in the video is not yours truly. Maybe I'll get up the courage to knock on the door and check it out for myself. Dang. I'd be starstruck just looking at an empty studio.

COOL-ASS LOCAL CULTURAL LANDMARK: SOUND CITY

I was shooting a commercial in Van Nuys and I recognized the neighborhood so I had to walk a block over and check this place out. I love locations like this. Growing up and living in this city I’m constantly learning about amazing, innocuous places like this that are all around us. Places where artistic and cultural brilliance occurred.

This is Sound City Studios. It’s tucked back on a dirty, industrial street deep in The Valley surrounded by metal shops and auto garages which only adds to the allure, in my mind. It doesn’t have the obvious, “look at me” glamorous façade of other temples of music like Abbey Road, but a mind-scrambling list of artistic geniuses practically lived here while they spawned some of the greatest masterpieces in music history. It happened right here. A lot. As dingy and unassuming as this building is, in my mind it should be a national landmark and should be preserved.

Who recorded here, you ask? A short list:

Fleetwood Mac recorded Rumours here, for God’s sake. Elton John, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers recorded “Damn The Torpedoes” and “Wildflowers”, Neil Young, Nirvana (“Nevermind” was recorded here! Holy Crap!), Johnny Cash, Metallica, Dylan, The Breeders, The Cult, Guns & Roses, George Harrison, Donovan, Garbage, Cheap Trick, Rage Against The Machine, Dio, Slipknot, Nine Inch Nails and many others came in, opened up their hearts and became immortal. All within these dirty, stucco walls.

My New Tagline

All the brands I do ads for have taglines, why not me? May be a tad over-the-top, however.

A Day In The Life Of Eliza Miller (in under a minute)

This is very incomplete. It's the bare minimum. But it's still fun.