let me clear my throat

commandante

i'm gonna drink more whiskey than brendan behan.
and i'm gonna send my belongings all to tripoli.
and i'm gonna ride home to california
with a banjo on my knee.

i'm never gonna turn off the television.
i'm just gonna let it run all night.
i'm gonna plant root vegetables out in the backyard
and come summer i am going to treat you right.

so put on your chairman mao coat
and let me clear my throat.
let's turn this whole town upside-down
and shake it 'til the coins come falling out of its pockets,
yeah put on your che guevara pin
call the troops on in
we're gonna sail through the night sky like a pair of bottle rockets.

i got a great big secret written down somewhere.
i got a rosary to protect us both from harm.
i got a storage locker full of cow figurines
and a laundry list of grievances longer than my arm.
and i am never going back to cincinatti.
all those bridges have burned down to the ground.
i got the jet pack strapped to my back
and i am waiting for you to come around.

yeah, put on your chairman mao coat
and let me clear my throat.
let's turn this whole place upside-down
and shake it 'til the coins come dropping out of its pockets.
yeah put on your che guevara pin
call the troops on in.
we're gonna sink through the night sky like a pair of bottle rockets.

insomnia

a sunny place for shady people

I like fashion. I like watching trends. I enjoy the art of streetwear and modern menswear. However I have never been much of a shopper. I often over analyze fabrics and cuts to the point where I am just over it and end up leaving stores/malls empty handed. Yes that all sounds like a big waste of time which I totally agree but I got this sickness and I can't help it. So that is why I rarely engage in the act of shopping for clothes. I am not sure why I have this problem but it appears to be getting worse with age. My preferences/choices of what I think is cool also dwindling. Sure there are plenty brand names that I respect and admire but with those two words often comes a hefty price tag and in that case I just stay away. Maybe if I had more disposable income, I would waste it on high end fashion, not even high end but fashion in general. Yes, that would probably be the case. Damn that kind of sucks now that I think about it. F money...

For the past couple years I have been following this New York based brand, Acapulco Gold. AG was founded by two dudes who worked for the almighty Supreme. If you are familiar with anything related to Supreme then you know AG has to be fire or the odds are definitely in their favor. Ok so in my opinion, AG is fire, as their distinctive style mixes urban, street and high quality apparel. Plus they got that east coast NY edge. Unfortunately with the fire title also comes the dollar signs so I have yet to unload on any AG goods. Brand names like AG and Supreme fuel my motivation and drive for all things Cavotu. It really comes down to confidence and believing in your product. I know Cavotu is capable of shining. I also know the road is long but we are moving forward. Can't stop, won't stop, there's a status update for you.

The surf has been non existent lately but I still think about the ocean. Throwback Team Cavotu represent!

Warm Feets

Appreciate the mad support from our fans on making this Cavotu sock campaign a success. This was a limited edition run of the black/white colorway. Looking forward to other possible colorway options in the future. Socks? I want socks, ok so click here to buy a bundle.

Dudes, warm feet actually help you sleep better at night. Ladies, well maybe this one is for the dudes as well. Read up, feed the brain, knowledge is power-cheese. Get some!

Asian Man

Ok I couldn't help it. I just stumbled upon this one. Operation Ivy was the kingpin, they were my bag of gold, they made it all ok.

The Crowd

Wrenched into the world, deanaesthetized
Blurry images fiht their way through halfway opened eyes
Awakened by alarm fifteen minutes of hygeine
Twenty minutes of eating thirty seconds to the door
I looked outside I looked into the eyes
Of the impersonal mob I've seen a thousand times before
Feeling under covers like books on a shelf
If we're scared of one another

Must be scared of ourself
More than just another crowd
We need a gathering instead

Drink drink in the badland liquid bread for the poor
Another member of the crowd goes down to drown at the liquor store
Choose your escape in the heartland
Of product and demand when you feel like a wasp in the swarm
You gotta get away anyway that you can

Thanks Pete

I do not remember the first time I heard my first ska song but pretty sure I was hooked instantly. My friend, Pete was posting Skankin' Pickle lyrics on his FB today, which is rad because to my knowledge no one really listens to ska anymore. Or do they? Skankin' Pickle was one of my favorite bands during high school. Their sound was refreshing because it wasn't just punk or just ska, it was a combination of sounds just like the album title "skafunkrastapunk" stated.

I was fortunate to see Pickle in concert a couple times before they broke up. I even got meet and shake hands with Mike Park (HUGE big deal for me back then) at an outdoor ska festival. Mike Park was/is the man. I could write an entire blog/novel on my obsession with all things Mike Park but for now enjoy the music. I remember buying the Green Album on cassette from the local Wherehouse music store. The tape was on repeat in the Blazer, side A to side B, flip it.

These songs are freaking classic...

Boom

I have been an iPhone person since day 1. Yes, I had the very first iPhone a couple weeks after it was released back in June 2007. It was originally intended on being a surprise birthday gift from my mother and my future wife who agreed to split the cost. Now the cost back then was damn near $600 for the top of the line model, kind of nuts to imagine paying that now when you can get a sleeker, faster, cleaner, modern version today for like $199. So my lady came up short on her end of the funds so I had to throw in "her half" at the last minute to cover my surprise. Regardless, I love my phone or well loved that particular phone. I have since upgraded to the latest steez but still a story is a story.

Now the point I intended on making was regarding the applications or as we say "apps" now. I don't know if its just me but I could never sit around for hours and get sucked in the apps world. To this day, I have really only purchased a small handful and really only use a few main ones everyday. Maybe that would change if I spent more time on the damn thing but who has time to play with a phone. Yes, let us not forget although it acts like a mini computer, in the grand scheme of life it is still just a phone.

So the latest app that I have been using more is Instagram. I have always been one to take random pics and to be honest I am getting rather burned out on filtering thru the crap on FB and Twitter. So if hit me up on "the gram" and let's share some photography. Surfs up!

A's Rage

The homey, Adrian (A's Rage) has been adventuring/exploring/lurking across the country this past year and a half. These new tracks were recorded somewhere along the way from Boise to Boston. Click here for the 411.

And for those who are new to the blog, Adrian has been part of the Fam since day one, here are few classics from the back in the day...

NRML

I might be out of touch when it comes to this rap game. Ok, let's be honest, I am out of touch. But deep down I still have an eye and an ear for spotting talent. Those skills don't die brother. This cat goes by the name, Alexander Spit and he represents Cali, as in the left coast aka the west coast aka the best coast. I admire his work and look forward to his next live show. Enjoy the fire.

Word

Oh really...

SOX

It has been awhile since I released any Cavotu products. I wish I could tell a little white lie and say that it has only been a year or so but the shocking truth is that it has been damn near 5 years. Ok, that sucks, period. Yes I am aware.

Cavotu was my first child, born in 2005, and I pushed it off to the backseat. Eventually poor little Cavotu was no longer in the car but instead buried in the garage behind the spider webs. I can give you every excuse in the book as to why I have not been able to release and/or create and/or produce anything but the reality is that I am just out of focus. Yes, I am a blurry lens, unable to see the clear view ahead.

As some of you may or may not know, I married my best friend, we had a couple kids and then came the curve balls. Now I am not just talking about one of those Sandy Koufax curve balls but more like hundreds of curve balls and they were all aimed directly at my head. Yes, I understand life happens and we all need to make adjustments but seriously, I cannot say it enough- this black cloud freaking lingers.

Rather than continue to discuss my personal issues, boring I know, actually who reads my blog anyways, I am probably better off just saying this out loud to my two year old. I am sure it will get the same effect, a giggle, a confused look and then get distracted with something far more interesting like oh hey look at this piece of string. The point is that I am excited because today I accomplished a goal and normally I lose in the goal department.

One month ago, I picked today (11/11/11) as the day that I would release something, anything. Now I didn't exactly commit to releasing a full collection. Yes, I would love to drop ten fresh design tees with 2 color ways, a few hoodies, girls gear, kids line, hat program, etc etc. The concepts are all there, just need the final touches to put it all together. One month was just not enough time yet I reminded myself to release something. Ok sounds easy enough. Well, remember the curve balls, they are the only constant in my life.

Cavotu Socks was a concept I was playing around with last fall/winter. I rarely wear socks, I am pretty much a Rainbow leather sandals fiend like 90% of the time. Yes, I am grateful for my new Natives but still a fan of the sandals. I own socks, I own shoes but I rarely think about them. Cavotu rider, Matty Parker requested socks maybe 4 years ago. The conversation went something like this "dude, I have enough tee shirts but what I really need is some socks" and then I most likely said "ok, I'll get right on it" which I then filed away in my brain and most likely forget. For what it's worth, the seed was planted. Thank you Matty.

With out further ado, I present to you Cavotu Socks. I am very proud of these bad boys and your feet will thank you. You can purchase them HERE. Thank you for your continued support. Stay vicious my friends.

Pop ya collar

In my free time or shall I say when I am not working, I spend a great deal of time running around various kid friendly parks in town and in the surrounding cities. I lack the much needed backyard at home so I have no choice but use the park circuit to let the monsters play. We (as in the kids and myself) have given each park its own special silly name so that we keep track and really try to not visit the same place within at least a week to keep it fresh.

Today while I was sitting on a swing at "pirate ship" park, I thought about the "park and glove" scene from On The Waterfront. A truly classic film on many different levels. I can't help but dig the acting, the story, the music, the drama etc. I am a third generation longshoremen and I have grown up appreciating the benefits of union labor. The waterfront has changed quite a bit since this film was made but I still get the chills when I watch the scenes with the longies with their hooks on their shoulders. My grandfathers retired longshore friends said "we never did that shit" when I asked about the placement of the hooks. So resting the hook over the shoulder was either a East Coast trend or a Hollywood fabrication. However the hooks are real symbols/tools that represent the back breaking labor of unloading/loading cargo in the past.

Here is a taste of what I am talking about. Brando was soo f'n cool with his collar popped in that wool flannel jacket. The seasons are about to change a little. Time to bust out the jackets and hoods. Almost time to release some gear. Stay posted folks, these cards can't stay up my sleeves forever.

TriArt Fest

A little repost action for the homey, Craig. Should be a pretty cool event, both lineups look solid. Pedro needs this kinda energy! Please read the 411 below.

Here is the TriArt Mission Statement (taken from their website):

The TriArt Festival was created to increase the awareness and appreciation of San Pedro as a vibrant, sophisticated venue for all aspects of the arts including art, dance, and music and showcase the changing face of San Pedro as an artistic center.

END FWY Spiel:

This is somewhat of an up-and-coming San Pedro (town) civic event with a small budget and no corporate sponsorship. Although the TriArt Fest is in its fifth year, it is just now starting to gain some notoriety. The festival will include 12 professional dance companies from 12:00pm to 3:00pm and music from 3:00pm to 10pm on both days. This is the second year that DannyLou and I have been asked to be music directors which means we pick the bands and handle the sound. Last year we put together the music for one out of the two days with much success. This year we are handling the music end for both days. Thanks to Mr. TriArt himself, Joe Caccavalla for giving us another chance. We feel that this is a huge opportunity for the San Pedro Punk community to showcase the diverse sounds coming from our small town. This is definitely an alternative to the usual cover bands that frequent our town civic events. All roads end in Pedro!

– Craig Ibarra


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH

TOYS THAT KILL (san pedro) ... 8:25pm
http://www.myspace.com/toysthatkill

DEATH HYMN NUMBER 9 (fullerton/san pedro) ... 7:25pm
http://www.myspace.com/deathhymnnumber9

LENGUAS LARGAS (arizona) ... 6:30pm
http://www.myspace.com/lenguaslargas

IMAGES (carson/san pedro) ... 5:35pm
http://www.myspace.com/images

BOMBÓN (san pedro) ... 4:40pm
http://www.myspace.com/bombonhoorah

THE EXXTRAS (san pedro) ... 3:50pm
https://www.facebook.com/theExxtras?sk=app_57675755167

BLACK SPARROW PRESS (san pedro) ... 3:05pm
http://www.facebook.com/blacksparrowpressband


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO CANDYLAND (san pedro) ... 8:25pm
http://www.myspace.com/theundergroundrailroadtocandyland

MIKE WATT + THE MISSINGMEN (san pedro) ... 7:25pm
• san pedro debut of watt's third opera, "hyphenated-man."
http://www.myspace.com/missingmen

THE LAST (hermosa beach) ... 6:30pm
http://www.myspace.com/10395802

SACCHARINE TRUST (wilmington) ... 5:35pm
http://www.myspace.com/sactrust

HARI-KARI (south bay) ... 4:40pm
http://www.myspace.com/harikarisanpedropunk

CAN OF BEANS (san pedro) ... 3:50pm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Can-Of-Beans/252302708008?sk=app_2405167945

KIDS OF CASEY ANTHONY (san pedro/los angeles) ... 3:05pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kids-of-Casey-Anthony/178438825533302?ref=ts

DANCE INFORMATION:

http://www.lachoreographersanddancers.org/TriArt_Festival_Dance.html



MUSIC INFO (DAY ONE):

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=248442788502073



MUSIC INFO (DAY TWO):

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=187602867967451

http://www.triartfestival.com

Billy

We lost a classic character last week to the evil they call cancer. Bill was a great man and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to my brother, Dave and his family.

Bill was the cool dad who took "the boys" to our first concert, Metallica summer 1994 at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson. I still have the tee shirt from the show. Rest in peace.