If I could go back to any point in time to Michael Jackson's career, it would be the Bad era tour. He was so incredibly on his game, and it was shortly before the early 90s where he was at an absolute peak. Also, while I've never found him to be very attractive, I think he hit his height in the looks department at that time. Nevertheless, he really is the King of Pop. It took a few days, really, for it to sink in with me, but when it did I realized how much of my love for music comes for my appreciation for him during my childhood. I was there for all of Michael Jackson as a world-dominating force, and despite the decline in the last 10 or 15 years of his life, he really was a reigning champion.

So let's all learn how to moonwalk!

A Look At Teddy Boys

While rockabilly isn't as gentrified into mainstream fashion as punk - as an idea - there are still bits and pieces in so much on the forefront of modern subculture. Over in England, however, there's an interesting twist that's been going on for many years, and more removed from music than what we are most familiar. The "Teddy Boys" are a resurgence of the Edwardian Period, which started in the 1950s and still has a rather strong following. Ben Watts is a photographer who showcases some of the most hardcore of its members. "Some groups of Teds formed gangs and gained notoriety following violent clashes with rival gangs, which were often exaggerated by the popular press." The Wikipedia article continues, "The most notable was the Notting Hill riot of 1958, in which Teddy Boys were present in large numbers and were implicated in attacks on the West Indian community."

Another choice cut: "The early 1990s saw a revival of the original Teddy Boy style by a group of men known as The Edwardian Drape Society (T.E.D.S). Based in the Tottenham area of north London, they were concerned with reclaiming the original style that they felt had become bastardised by pop/glam bands such as Showaddywaddy and Mud in the 1970s. They have been the subject of a short film, The Teddy Boys, by Bruce Weber, which premiered at the Cambridge Film Festival in July 2006."

More from Ben Watts: Teddy Boys

Rough Waters For Wavves

Please let this be an example that hyping bands way too soon, before they even hatch, is a bad idea. We all KNOW this, but the industry pumps it out and the fans continue to consume. Pitchfork, who drove a lot of Wavves hype (also, when did they drop a "v" from their name?) from the get-go, should have known better. Why? Did lo/no-fi need a surge? Was there a lack of "it" genres?

Rather than regurgitate, start here: Wavves Self-Destruct In Barcelona


Also, this is brilliant. I lol'd :D

Afghan Star Is Born

Spin-offs of spin-offs in the Reality TV realm often induce painful groans, but upon hearing about Afghan Star, my ears perked. A winner at this year's Sundance Awards, the premise is magnetic.

After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, pop Idol has come to Afghanistan. Millions are watching the TV series ‘Afghan Star’ and voting for their favorite singers by mobile phone. For many this is their first encounter with democracy. This timely film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk all to become the nation's favorite singer. But will they attain the freedom they hope for in this vulnerable and traditional nation?

Website: Afghan Star

Summer / Supply

Is it wrong that I'm far too excited to be getting a Facebook URL come the end of the week? Please don't tell anyone...

Onward Charles does, in fact, have a Facebook presence, but it really should be updated more often. It's rather bare, but this is definitely a part of Facebook that hasn't been given much love on the design/aesthetic sides. Still please feel free to become a fan here.



This summer, much of our updated will be stemming from a gorgeous area of Long Island, better known as Fire Island. Over the last few weeks, as much Internet research on Point O' Woods possible has been made, but the private community is fairly...well, private. Imagine a country club that is an entire town, rather than a gated, oversized restaurant/golf course combo. The NY Sun feature on real estate and POW was very informative, but before my eyes graced this paradise (where cars are not allowed!) that is only accessible by private ferry I read the NY Times expose from 1988 and fell in love a bit.

Lastly, you know how much I love stupid products, and whilst searching for a 4-cup coffeemaker on the Bed Bath website, I came across THIS complete waste of money. I thought the nob was for inflation, which is always good for space-saving, but...a reading light?

When have you EVER found yourself on a train, plane or automobile and thought "Man, I really wish my pillow had a BOOKLIGHT IN IT."? Truly...come on now. If someone sat next to me on a flight and had this, I would surely tell the first friend I saw and in a very snarky fashion.

Christ: Flight-Light Ergonomic Travel Pillow

A touching goodbye from Andrew Gyger

As the well-known brick 'n mortar record store monsters close, one by one, a new era of music commerce has been budding. The Internet is going strong, and I don't think anyone can really say where all of this is going. Print publications and record stores are slowly going out of business, and while I'm thrilled to see some of the most memorable/important American independent record stores thrive, there was definitely some good deeds done by the giants. Andrew Gyger writes a fond farewell, featured below:

Hi Friends,

Today is my last day as a Virgin employee.

It all started when I was three months out of high school in March 1990 at the Pitt Street Megastore in Sydney Australia.

Since then I have worked as a classical sales assistant, buyer, assistant manager, processing manager, assistant warehouse manager and product manager.

I've worked in Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando. I have worked in 4 stores and done buying for over 20. And been at head office for almost 10 years and had my dream job for almost 3.

I have seen countless bands thanks to my job and have amassed a CD collection that would have made the 18 year old me green with envy.

I got to `work' 8 Coachellas, 5 SXSW's, 3 Winter Music Conferences, 2 Lollapaloozas, 2 V-Fests, an Outside Lands and an All Points West. Awesome. Oh and also that surf thing at Huntington Beach in '95!

So a quick list of memories/factoids:

The album that came out the week I started at Virgin – March 1990 – Sinead O'Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

The album that came out the week I started at Virgin in the US – September 1994 – R.E.M. – Monster

The album that came out my final week – May 2009 – Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

Best Stuff I got to do because of my job – Go to Acapulco on a label's dime to see a DJ, go to Live 8 in London, live in New York for six months with a per diem (drinking money), traveling all over the country to do store visits and go to events.

Now on to the important stuff- the people.

(blogger's note: names have been removed from this post)

If I have forgotten someone (kind of inevitable) I am sorry.

19 years is a long time and I wouldn't have lasted this long without phenomenal people to work with…and a lot of luck. It didn't end the way any of us wanted but I am, and everyone else should be, incredibly proud of their Virgin life.

I am leaving this job the way I came into it, a complete and utter music junkie. I have been incredibly lucky to have worked in a job that I was passionate about for this long and I hope that whatever is next has music involved in it somehow!

As for what is next…who knows. A trip to show Australia to my son, and then the next chapter.

In the words of Jeff Fenech (Australia's Mike Tyson) – I love youse all.

Andrew Gyger
Senior Music Product Manager – Virgin Megastores

My New Neighbors

I'm usually not impressed by celebrity shots, but I've got to admit this pic posted on the always-pleasing What Would Tyler Durden Do? (a staple of my RSS reader) is really breathtaking.

Guess who...



See more here: Is that someone famous?

Annoying Abe

So good. My current obsession.



The Whitest Kids 'U Know

Kohler Knows What's Up

I feel kind of weird - a little too nerdy - to be staring at a showerhead with soft "ooohs" and "ahhhs" accompanying my exhales. Still, this new Flipside handshower from Kohler is making me want to spend a long time in the bathroom. $125 seems a little steep for a showerhead, but the more I contemplate it the more I think it might be worth it.

Dear Kohler - please feel free to send me a free sample. Cheers.

More info: Kohler Flipside Handshower