Hollaburton...

http://crunchgear.com/2007/05/07/unofficial-mactab-the-mac-tablet-that-we-really-really-want-to-see-released/
via slam...

Baddest watch I've ever seen...

I've always been a Tag fan, but I guess I like their earlier work much better. Heuer.
Also, congratulations to Cool Hunting for their Webby award...

The Message

www.rhymesayers.com/streetteam
If you believe in what they do, help them out. Simple as that. 100% Independent Midwest Hip-Hop.

154

Four Chicago artists—Mike Genovese, Erik DeBat, Joe Compean, and Kingdom Kilpatrick—will
showcase their newest works at the innovative “The Insider Art Show” at 154 W. Hubbard
on April 26th through April 29th during the weekend celebration of Art Chicago 2007.

The art show will also celebrate the sneak-preview opening of 154 Lofts On West
Hubbard, a classic timber-beam loft conversion being developed by Foxford Development
and marketed exclusively by Jameson Realty Group in the River North neighborhood.

The Insider Art Show will take place at 154 West Hubbard, just footsteps from Art
Chicago, an international art fair taking place at the Merchandise Mart in conjunction
with ARTropolis.

The gala VIP preview for The Insider Art Show opens on Thursday April 26th from
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will be sponsored and served by August Hill Winery. Hours
for other show dates are: Friday, April 27th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, April
28th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 29th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The artists have shown their work in professional galleries, public spaces, and
alternative art spaces, and are always on the lookout for exciting new ways and
environments to exhibit their art. “As an alternative art display space, The Insider
Art Show, fits this plan,” said DeBat.

At the opening night gala, August Hill Winery will display its private-label wines
and gift packages. Founded in 2002, August Hill Winery is owned by Sean Ginocchio
and Mark and Teri Wenzel, who all share a passion for producing and promulgating
handcrafted wines.

Located in Peru, Illinois on land that has been in the winemaker’s family since
the 1800s, the 3-acre vineyard and winery stands atop a bluff overlooking the Illinois
River Valley. www.augusthillwinery.com.

www.thelatchkeys.blogspot.com
www.erikdebat.com
www.myspace.com/risk1abc

Familia Skateshop Presents: TRE DAY

If you're in the St.Paul/Minneapolis area tomorrow.....stop by Familia Skateshop for the Loon Zoom Tre release. There are also two extremely limited tees to hook with the Tres. Oh wait....and the Money Cat$ dunk pack too. Big sneaker day tomorrow. See ya in the shop.

p.s. Good luck everyone trying to cop some jordans tomorrow. Good luck.

Holy Shit this is wonderful... (Applause) Oh Word Son!

One giant void has opened...

Does anyone even write anymore? Who's going to write another Harrison Burgeron? Time is precious, we should all write more.

Viva La France!

Get your Bio Pet today!!

check them out @ http://www.genpets.com/index.php

"Bowlin"

It's warm out in Chicago...

STONES THROW PRESENTS MOVE
Stone Throw Records presents a new monthly residency Move Presented By: Stones Throw & Saint Alfred Lineup: J.Rocc (Stones Throw), Egon (Stones Throw), & Jamie Strong Plus special added guest: Peanut Butter Wolf With 'Surprise DJ Appearance' Doors open 9pm $10 cover Bios: Special added guest: Peanut Butter Wolf @ Sonotheque March 31st

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Guru @ HOB April 4th

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Mr. Lif w/ Cap D and Pugslee @ Abbey Pub April 14th

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Of course...

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And... The Truth is Coming!!!... April 21st @ Sub T - Damen, North, and Milwaukee

Risk Retrospective

Fake Ad!!!

I thought this was interesting. Found it over @ Murketing. Check it out.

Blended Babies Mixtape

Blended Babies is Reach and JP/Colin Response. Their new mixtape will be free, available at St. Alfred, Uprise, blendedbabies.com, and holyzapatos.com. Plus they're going to be performing at "The Hot Box" on April 20th as well as a TBA album release party soon.
Keep an eye out.

Sneaker Pimps

Check out the tour dates and all the stuff you can't buy at the new Sneaker Pimps site (click photo)...
Chicago's show is going to be huge this year!

April 20th at US Beer Co

Giveaways and sponsorship by Uprise, St. Alfred, and Expensive Stains...
Lots of changes and updates coming, but keep the date open...
2 levels and lots of live art... This will be big... Click the flyer for non-neon version...
Get there early... Doors at 7.

Happy St. Pat's Fuckheads!

Okay folks, so it’s that time of year again; the end of black history month (time to forget about ‘dem black folks for another year), three or four President’s days, March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day. The weather’s usually shitty in all of the parts of the country I’ve lived in (40 one day, 75 the next), college basketball teams you’d loved or more realistically didn’t care about till the end of February are heading to the play offs and we get to celebrate the one holiday in the US that is strictly reserved for the Americans of Irish descent. Unfortunately I’m pissed about what this traditionally religious holiday has become (or more to the point what it’s always been in the short twenty three years since my birth). For that shining day of March Seventeenth, or whatever day the parades and festivities fall in you fine city it’s acceptable for the entirety of the population to act in the most vile, disrespectful, irresponsible manner; actions that would normally be relegated to derelicts and vagrants, all under the guise of “being Irish for a day”. Now I’m willing to admit that (like all races and cultures) there are certain habits or derelictions afflicting the Irish that aren’t always of the most savory nature, I myself have even fallen victim to the (seemingly) age old curse of alcoholic tendencies, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a cultural or genealogical affliction, more so a matter of breeding (I hate to use that term) or genetic makeup as much as a matter consequence or circumstance. Unfortunately this whole accepted process makes me sick. Now, I’m not trying to say that the Irish have had it the worst out of any political minority (or due to the potato famines of the eighteenth century, majority) as with the Blacks (sorry, Afro-Americans, due to slavery) in this country with the token Black History Month (actually I just found out that our Commander in Chief on 2/26/07 declared March, Irish-American Heritage Month [Yeah, we’ve got our own token month too now!]) that was haphazardly thrown together as an attempt to appease the already “unruly” masses. The Irish are now basically considered white people by the W.A.S.P. community (or White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, more accurately, the true ruling class in America) although begrudgingly so. We’ve even controlled entire cities (or still control in cites like in Chicago) due to sheer population and tenacity. What needs to be acknowledged on a national scale is the fact that the degradation of a formally religious holiday is a form of subjugation. Saint Patrick was a Roman slave in the fourth century who escaped; studied for twelve years and eventually left the monastery to drive the pagan (or religious tradition already thousands of years old) out of the Roman Province of Ireland. The entire farce about Saint Patrick (originally born Maewyn) “heroically” driving the snakes from Ireland is nothing more than a clever allegory for his success at converting pagan converts to Christianity. Scientist have long since determined that there were no snakes indigenous to Ireland. Now some of you may be thinking “Well of course it’s not a religious holiday, we live in America, the land free of religious persecution, it’s just a day where we’re all a little Irish” Well answer me this, Why is it that Christmas and Easter are consider National Holiday’s while no other religion has had it’s Holy days declared National days of rest (W.A.S.P.’s??) and that there’s only been one Irish-American (Sorry, I really hate terms like that, If we ended up Americans why do we need further classifications than that [W.A.S.P’s?]) President, who also happened to be the only Catholic President currently on record, who also happens to be the only President successfully assassinated in the twentieth century. God damn it Hinkley, why couldn't you have hit the shooting range once or twice. Now I’m not trying to force my own personal conspiracy theories upon you (I really don’t have the time to go into proper detail) but I’d like for everyone who’s read this far to take a moment and thank the Powers That Be for tying up the loose ends so neatly for us. So what does it really come down to; an official day where the whole country is encouraged to tie in some of the most vulgar, embarrassing activities of all of mankind (Sorry, being an asshole isn’t an Irish thing) to a specific cultural group. Now I’m not fresh off the boat or anything, I’m not even a hundred percent Irish (I’ve got a bit a few other things in me like the rest of you) but I still can’t help but be offended by this. Why is it that we should gleefully accept (albeit a more subversive form) of subjugation for the simple fact that it’s christened in honor of our heritage? I know it’s a tad detrimental to the cause but I can’t really say for sure that the next time I hear some drunk piece of shit tell me “If you’ve ever drank too much and thrown up on yourself, or left a bar not knowing where your car was parked or woke up next to a girl you didn’t know then you’ve got a little Irish in you.” that I will be able to restrain myself from hauling off and breaking their nose (it’s not an Irish thing, it’s an anger management thing).
One of the main things that gets me is people’s refusal to acknowledge even the slightest truth in any of the things that I’m saying. For example I got a bit drunk last night (I’m writing this at around five in the AM on Sunday March 18th), not because it was St. Patrick’s Day, but because I’d spent about nine hours in my house staring at this monitor; working. I ran into this cat at the gas station, also drunk (although probably for different reasons), asking me if I’d been “enjoying my St. Paddy’s Day”. I puffed at a bit at him in disgust and he assumed (correctly) that I had some Irish in me. After I told him I wasn’t a fan of St. Patrick’s Day he looked at me like a Labrador trying to learn Braille. So I started to explain it to him, I even warned him before I started that I was going to be about as offensive as possible because I really wanted to drive the point home. After a drunken squinting of eyes he motioned for me to proceed and I took a breath and started in with my rant. I asked him how he would feel if there was only one day that the Blacks (Sorry again, African-Americans) could call their holiday. This day was National Nigger Day (mainly because he was Black, I could easily adjust this slur for any ethnicity), and all the major black religious leaders (theological divisions aside), civic leaders, politicians and business owners united in support of National Nigger Day, touting “ Come on everyone, lets celebrate. Let's all act as ignorant, ghetto and generally “Niggardly” as possible. Today’s our day.” Everyone you see telling you it’s okay, “Do what you feel, everyone’s got a little Nigger in them today.” I wanted to know if that was really the way he wanted his particular sub-division of people acknowledged. Did he really want everyone to celebrate the worst aspects (of not only his race) but all races, and tie it to his people?
Unfortunately I was barely to finish my sentence before he became indignant and aggressive. Realistically I can’t blame him. I can see how easy it would be to see what I was saying as just some drunk white-boy trying to throw Nigger around a few times under the guise of some deeper meaning. It was an immediate struggle to avoid a confrontation, my girlfriend would’ve been proud (not for the Nigger part of it, but my attempts to avoid violence) that was narrowly avoided by his girlfriend ordering him into the car. Obviously this wasn’t my desired effect, I was hoping that maybe he’d get past the fact that some cracker just dropped nigger four times in a sentence and listen for a second. I was merely hoping that something that personally offensive might make him internalize the situation a little, or at least give it a few thoughts for a moment. Maybe I’ll have better luck next time. The main thing I was getting at is that no one, race or ethnicity aside, should be proud of the base, shameful actions or activities that are so easily attributed and associated with the whole of the Irish people mid March. By accepting and allowing practices such as this we, as a whole are merely tightening the shackles on the ankles of our feet that are slowly marching towards equality and unity (erase the Irish part of it if it makes you feel better and superimpose the ethnicity or racial slur that would be the most offensive to you) on a global scale.
At this point I’d like to revoke any previous apologies to anyone offended by any of the slurs, implied or blatant that may have offended readers. Words have always had the power to explode like bombs; igniting riots and hatred for millennia on end and unless the people take these words back from the powers that be, sterilizing their inherent hatred we will forever be subjected to the explosive and foul nature of the ignorance that originally sired them.

Risk Solo Gallery

Throw Some D's on 'em...

Dreams do come true.

Martin Luther King Jr. would definitely be proud. Everybody getting along - next thing you know we'll have a black President, and a white Vice President. Ha - again thats just my opinion. Check it. New York Times.

You-Are-Beautiful.com updated!

Futura's Daughter...what!

For all of the ladies the spring collection of M.O.B is currently available on their site. But I really wanted to post this because Futura's daughter is fresh. And her father has been breaking her off since she was a shorty. You know what that means - she has a better sneaker collection than you, and a better toy collection, and is fresher than every ounce of your four finger gold plated ring. Now thats dope.

Who's that Driving? Patrick Swayze!

Mike's New Website

Check out his gallery at 3201 S Halsted as well...

NickelPimp

Dudes, Dudenheimers, Dudeskees,Dudettes..

This pretty much sums up my mental state. Fucking burnt out. Month and a half in this new year and i'm pretty sure i've got %10 more gray hair to show for it. Haven't posted in this here area in a grip. Sorry folks, got another blog over at typoscura.blogspot.com.
It's been keeping me fairly busy along with some top-secret colabs and whatnot over at Familia Skateshop in St.Paul. More on those laters. But for now, I'm being sent down to Miami this weekend with the Nike SB crew to test out the new P-Rod. More on that when I return. Peaceskee outskee

New Content on the Uprise Site...

http://www.upriseskateshop.com

Danger mouse and Jemini

Happy Valentines Day!

Denz's Converse are out!

Denz's Chicago Converse are available at Overkill!
I might add that there's no mention of Denz on any of the blogs though...

24Kat Von D purse by Denz!

When can I get a 24K gold joint for the HolyZap store Denz?!

Who's comin with me?

Minnesota's best event.
Who's coming this year?
Feb. 18th

The World's Largest Skatepark is Free...

2100 Songhu Lu, New Jiangwan Town Stop Line 3(yellow line), Shanghai, China.
I've worked on a couple different planning commissions/task forces for skateparks in Minnesota... We got tier one, 3ft tall bullshit. SMP approached the Chinese government and within a year had a half-government-subsidized monstrocity of a park for the 4,000-10,000 skateboarders in a nation of 1.3 Billion. WE HAVE 8 MILLION SKATERS IN A COUNTRY OF 200 MILLION! The world's largest beaurocracy moves faster than pretty much every american city's public works.
Now... It's rant time...
I used to be "opposed" to globalization in that typically American, "they took ouuur jaoooobs!" kind of way... and still felt the extremely strong urge to pull a Lacey Peterson on the blond bitch behind the counter of STARBUCKS IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY... Buuuut...
We have to face the fact that we have fallen behind the rest of the modernized world in industry, agriculture, education, and work-ethic. The economists are right, this is China's century. The 20th century of America's newly-crowned corporate manifest destiny spreading across the world made us fatter and lazier than ever before. I've been to two countries this year that I would have never expected to get to in my life: El Salvador, and now, China.

In El Salvador, the cost of living is sky rocketing and the people are adjusting with it. Why? Did you know that their official currency is the US dollar? That they have the 2nd largest US embassy in the world that looks and feels like an area-51 style compound that encompasses 5 city blocks? That 30% of their country lives/works in the US and sends money home?

Would you pick up and move to another country to feed your family? or enroll in unemployment and start collecting welfare checks? I know, I know... America's great because we CAN get on welfare and sustain life... But how long will that last?
How many skilled machinists, scientists, textile experts, and inventors are we producing? What is/was your college major? What trade have you learned? (This is all coming from someone who's taken 5 years -including "breaks"- to finish a degree in the most inane, pointless industry ever, TV) In my experience, the next generations (including whatever our generation has newly crowned itself) are trending towards laziness and more creative outlets because we feel that the real work of the world wasn't meant to be done by us, the deservedly crowned princes and princesses of the globe. We can overconsume and party our lives away because, shit... someone's gonna pay for us to do it.

The people in the new industrial countries aren't a threat to us... Why? Probably because central american heat and beach access tends to make people a little less productive... Especially when cramped in a small country ravaged by civil war or US sponsored chaos that kept the country ravaged...
Probably because our news is so corrupted, censored, and biased that normal people never hear (or maybe comprehend) the implications that free trade will have on our generation(s)...
Probably because a people who cram themselves into trains and tiny apartments seem silly to us in our big cars and SUV's while we drive to the mall to buy a carload of products produced a "world away"...

In both places I've been this year they manufacture goods in clean, safe factories that employ adult, experienced workers (for the most part). Why can they do it in such high volume for such cheap prices?
"They're doing the jobs we don't want." Last time I checked machinists didn't complain too badly about their working conditions and getting paid our minimum wage while being trained in a mastercraft would have been perfectly fine with any of my boys who used to gang bang and deal drugs to eek out an existence. (And think about how powerful a well trained craftsmen with a predisposition towards sales would be if given a chance and a refuge from American style poverty - plus the ignorance it comes with- )

As for China... They now make and staff the machines we and they use for manufacturing goods, plumbing, printing, and pretty much every other industialzed field. They handle bigger volumes, export a ridiculous amount more goods than us, and work longer (and cheaper) hours than us.
Why? Because their food is cheap.. they don't have a social system in place that tells them they need to shower twice a day and wear new clothes every day... they think it's silly to waste money on things like SUVs, expensive clothes, and disposible baubels... BUT MAINLY... because they're hungry for their turn on the world stage as the next great super power.

What's their plan to do this? Some secret manifesto deep in the communist agenda?
How do you think we get the money to spend 2 Trillion on the US military?

No Bitch... (Mao's elated Ghost speaking)It's our fully transparent take-over of the world scene that has happened while your dumbass president has robbed your poor-punk-asses while all the while borrowing huge amounts of money that we lent in goods and sevices that we WERE ALREADY PROFITING FROM IN THE FIRST PLACE... Oh, by the way, we want that interest on the loans too... You better have that money! As mister Sangster (C!K) and Diddy would say, "Take that Take that Take that."

Oh and did we mention that we're going to stay socialist/communist so we can own absolutely everything involved with our country, including the land you dumbasses are leasing on 70 year contracts in order to pay us more money?
We built a new Wall street in 10 years ho, AND we have a new missile that can knock all of your fancy little military satellites out of space and chop your military back to Nam aged weaponry.

I don't know whatcha heard about me... Cause I'm the motherfucking M-A-O-Tse...

Fort Crew

Anybody got any Shanghai recommendations?
Gone till the 29th...

Free Banksy Prints...

Go Here for the prints.

Oh Shit It's Kevin Bacon!

Or Leigh Foster...
Young Minnesota coming up on the trick tips son!

Hello Friends,
Happy New Year, hope everyone had a great holiday.
With that said, I would like to you invite to my first art show of 2007.

"Love is a Four-Letter Word"
This Valentines Day Celebration, features artwork by Erik DeBat "Risk", Kingdom Kilpatrick and "FLASH". The show opens this Saturday, January 20th. We’re showcasing new paintings and photography consisting of stencil, collage, and vibrant shapes and colors. The shows theme is based on our meanings and interpretations of the word love.

Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery is graciously hosting this event. The owners Cheri and Omar are long time friends of mine, and run a very unique gallery and tattoo parlor in West Bucktown. Their vibe is laid back, and professional. That energy flows through their beautiful art gallery and workspace. Which lends itself to great times at their openings and always relaxing time if you’re getting some ink done. So, come on through this Saturday. If not, the show runs through to February 24th, just drop by and check out our newest works, and put your honey’s name somewhere sexy. Or at least, go over the X’s name - in LOVE.


Opening Reception
Saturday January 20th, 2007 8pm-12
The show will run through February 24th, to coincide with Valentine's Day.

Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery
2221 N. Western Ave.
Chicago IL 60647
(773)486-8888

Hope you can make it out to show, feel free to forward this invite on to other friends who you think would enjoy the show.
Thanks alot and see you there.
Erik DeBat “RISK”

It's almost here.

The only piece of gear that I've really been waiting for...

Happy Feast day of St. Raymond of Peñafort.

mmmmm... cake.

Happy 1/7/07.

Chhhuuuuuuurcccccccccccccchhhhhh!

Are you Don enough?
The Bishop x Emerica

Getty Images...

The most amazing photo library that I know of with an online arm. If you're ever near Carnaby Street in London check them out in real life. The real best of 2006.

Chicago's Finest

Don't forget to pick up the new video too. See below for address.

New Uprise DC

They've been out for a while but you can still get the matching T-Shirt if you hurry up.
1821 N Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60647

Free Music