Gorilla Biscuit Shoes Now Online!

Our latest music-shoe collaborations are now available online! What better way to start the new year, aye? They are inspired by none other than the Gorilla Biscuits, and true to the Biscuit-lifestyle, both pairs are vegan. We have teamed up to make two equally rad pairs of shoes that you'll go bananas over (see what I did there?).

First up is the nifty two-tone tan and orange SK8-Hi with two subtlety awesome details. The GB logo is embroidered on the back and the gorilla head logo is on the tongue. My highlights, though, have to go to the orange eyelets and pastel teal sole.

The second shoe in the collection is a Slip-On. These are my favorite- probably because I'm a sucker for gray shoes. I give props to the maroon stitching and, of course, the sea foam green sole. I'm going to put in a petition for more green-soled Vans. Who's with me?!

Both just became available online at Vans.com, so get these puppies while you can!

Queen Remasters and New Record Deal

You know what 2011 is going to bring?

Remastered Queen studio albums for the band's 40th year anniversary! All 15 of them.

The band recently signed a new record deal with Universal Music Group. Despite being with EMI for the past 40 years, the change occurred when the company was bought out by a private firm.

Their new deal covers the globe, not just North America, and the reissues will be out on Hollywood Records throughout next year. And despite the passing of Freddie Mercury, this new deal should result in another popularity surge for Queen.

Know the best way to get amped up for these remasters? Get a pair of our sweet, black denim Queen kicks. I'm dying to get my hands on these:

Vans Warped Tour Vans

This year, we are proud to introduce a run of 2010 Vans Warped Tour Vans! These shoes will be highly limited with a few pairs available at each tour stop. Once they are gone at the show, they are gone. Want them? You better get there early! You won't be able to get them anywhere else- not online and not in stores.

Need some free shoes?

Good. Because everyone needs more Vans.

This is the 100th post of the Vans Music Blog! Hooray! So I want to celebrate by giving you the chance to win a $50 VANS GIFT CARD! This contest is only open to US residents and this gift card can only be used on a Vans Off The Wall store. This means you cannot use it online or at a store like Journeys or Zumiez.

Now to the contest!

You know Vans rocks some pretty sweet band collabs. We have Iron Maiden, Slayer, Ramones, Rise Against, Kiss- you know them well! Now I want to know who YOU want to see on a Vans collab. Maybe some Every Time I Die or Gallows New Eras? How about Micheal Jackson Sk8 Hi shoes? Can you imagine red leather ones!? You could even want some Hannah Montana or Lady GaGa slip-ons. It can be anything your little heart desires. The only limit is your creativity on this one.

How to enter:
Just leave a comment of the band, shoe style and what you'd want it to look like! Do you want album art? Do you want the band's logo? Perhaps jewel encrusted soles? Feathers? Speak up! All you have to do is tell me your dream band's shoe and you are entered to win. Make sure to include some sort of contact information (like your Twitter name or e-mail) so we can contact you if you are the winner!

A winner will be picked randomly from applicable entries. Contest ends on Sunday, April 4th at 12pm PST.

So....what's it gonna be?

Gifting at SXSW

Check out who we caught up with when we did our massive gifting at SXSW:



Ninjasonik, Tumbledown, Hey Monday, The Cab, Zlam Dunk, Riverboat Gamblers, Rise Against, The Death Set, Shawn Fisher, Hill Valley, Conditions, Title Fight, Every Avenue and of course, Oliver Peck.

AP Showcase at SXSW

Saturday was a big day for us. We sponsored a stage with Alternative Press for their massive, free and, dare I say, amazing showcase at SXSW. I talked to some kids who were waiting until 3am to get in- and some camped out the night before. It may be one of the biggest things that happens during the festival because it's free, all ages and on the weekend. Kids take this stuff seriously.

Take a look at the line up and you'll see why:

Our stage featured Sum 41 as our headliners. Keeping in mind that I've never seen Sum 41 ever and that I've listened to them since 2003, this was a pretty big deal. To me at least. The set was so, so good. I cannot believe they are playing Warped, too. It will make my summer for sure. I snapped what pics I could while I was there- because I was kinda busy jumping around and singing. After they finished, Brandon and I took some shirts and sunglasses we had left over from the gifting suite and threw it off the stage. Those kids went rabid! I wish my camera was up there, but we had no idea it was going to be that intense.

Despite the cold, it was an awesome show!

SXSW Gifting sneak peak

If you've been following along via Twitter, then you are well aware that we've been giving stuff away to bands all day long. For those who don't know, check it.

The Alternative Press showcase was today at SXSW and we sponsor our own stage as part of Emo's. As a massive thank you, all of the bands playing the showcase had the chance to pick up some free Vans gear.

I wanted to give you a glance at what the place looked like before you get to see the epic video that will soon follow.

Of all this stuff, what do you think you'd want!?

She Wants Revenge goes shopping

Since She Wants Revenge was headlining our showcase, we decided to take them out to a local Vans store to pick up some new gear.

(And you can also meet Brandon who is out here with the Vans crew and was upset that he's not been mentioned. As well as our buddy DJay who's been with us because we are just cool.)

Message from us girls at SXSW

Me and Amanda tell you what you can expect from us while at SXSW....sorta....

Vans goes to SXSW

This week, a few of us in the Vans crew (Amanda, Nikki, Kurt and myself) will be joining the masses in Austin, TX for SXSW. In the off chance that you don't know, SXSW is a massive music, film and interactive festival. We will be partaking in the music portion over the next few days.

For all of our news, be sure to keep an eye on http://www.vans.com/sxsw We'll be bringing you photos, videos and updates about the crazy things we'll be getting into.

The official kick-off is Wednesday and from there on out, it's non-stop shows. Wish me luck, seeing as this is my first SXSW ever!

Vans Exclusive: Bayside

I caught up over the weekend with Bayside drummer (little) Chris to get the latest on their newest album. Oh, you didn't know they were writing one? Well...now you do! Chris also has a very, very specific Bayside Vans collab in mind. I'm taking notes on this one. Maybe as thanks for the interview, I'll send you a custom pair, Chris. Durn...I may have ruined your Christmas present....

On with the interview!

So word on the street, or around the Vans office, is there's a new album in the works. Spill it! Where are you guys in the process?

Yes!! It is true!! We are pretty much right in the middle of writing our new record. At this point it's us in a room with no windows writing songs. The coffee drinking is at its max! We've got a pretty good amount of songs and we're all definitely psyched on how they're coming out.

What is writing like for Bayside? Any sort of crazy systematic formula you've developed, do you guys mostly work together, does everyone do their part, etc etc.

Our writing formula is pretty simple. Basically Anthony will come up with a verse and chorus idea and send it to all of us via "the world wide web." We shoot emails back and forth about developing the idea and than we get into our practice space. This is where we actually play out the idea, get a tempo and track the idea onto garage band. We record the songs using a condensor microphone straight into garage band and us just playing live. Believe it or not it sounds pretty decent for what we actually need it for. After we track the song we'll sit and listen back to it and figure out where to "cut out the fat" (aka fix what sucks) and then we retrack it till we think the idea is where it should be. After practice we go home, send each other the songs and work out our own parts. This is definitely a formula that works for us.

Anything people should (or shouldn't) be expecting for this release? New influences maybe? Different sound?

What NOT to expect from the new Bayside album:
An obnoxious amount of auto-tune, dance beats and the color neon green.

What TO expect from the new Bayside album:
If Walking Wounded and Shudder had a baby and he was really handsome. When we write we constantly think about what our fans like, what we like and what new listeners will like. We also write keeping our live show in mind. Its important for us to have fun on stage and for people watching to have fun. That is the whole point isnt it? Hope you all like it cause i know we will.

It's hard to say as far as any new influences for the record. I know that each one of us individually are being influenced by different things but not the band as a whole. We are all influenced by different genre's, musicians and bands. I would have to say the only band we all collectively listen to and grew up on is NOFX.

Have an idea when we can expect this anticipated album? And what's the game plan after the release- are you thinking that far ahead yet?

I'm not allowed to say, but the record will be coming out before November 6th of 2014. After the new record comes out we plan on touring and touring and touring and touring, other than that there are no specific plans as far as what we'll be doing after the new record comes out. We've been putting all of our focus into writing this upcoming album.

What's your most favoritist part about touring?

My favorite part about touring is getting to hangout with my friends, making new friends and playing music everyday. It's also really fun waking up in different places everyday. Touring makes being home feel like everything is moving in slow motion. On tour you're around hundreds of people and what feels like total chaos almost every day.

What have you been listening to lately?

Recently i've been listening to alot of Creedance Clear Water, Chuck Berry, the Suicide Machines, The Police, the new Propagandhi record, Piebald and I've been really stoked on a drummer named Steve Jordan. I know i'm behind, but my girl friend just showed me a band called The Swellers and im really into what they're doing.

Vans style you can't live without!?

My Vans gear I can't live without would be all of my Authentics and Skate Mids. I won't wear anything else, AND IF YOU STEEL MY KICKS I'LL STAB YOU!!

If you could collab on a Bayside Vans shoes, what would you have in mind? Take your time on this one if you have to....

If I could collab with Vans on a Bayside Vans sneaker not only would I be psyched, but I'd be psyched!!!! I would do black on black slip-ons with White Collar Lining, White Foxing stripes and White Elastic gore with half of the Bayside Bird in White on each sneaker so when you put your feet together TA-DA!! it makes the full bird!! AND!!! Written on the Exterior Soul (bottom of the sneaker) it would say "IS A" on the left and "CULT" on the right . I think this is something our fans would really be into. Not bad yea?

Rise Against goodies

Not too long ago, we hit you with our spring releases for some new music shoes.

Today we are proud to say we got our Rise Against merch available online! We've twisted the band's album art with some bold colors and thrown it on our classic Slip-On. Oh yeah- and we gave you a matching tee, too.

Don't forget to look for our KISS releases later in March.

MAJOR Vans Custom Shoe Contest

Vans has just launched a new, nationwide shoe customization contest, Vans Custom Culture- just for high-school art classes! Yes, we are wanting YOUR high school art class to design your own Vans. The contest is divided up between 4 regions of the country and grows from state level all the way up to national recognition. The 4 classes who make it to the finals, as chosen by a celebrity panel, get to send representatives on an expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles, CA to have their shoes displayed in an art showcase on May 15th. Those 4 classes will also receive a BBQ party in their honor at Vans headquarters as well as tour of the office. After final judging, the grand prize includes tickets to Warped Tour for the entire class and a massive $10,000 donation for the school's art department.

Registration begins 3/1/10. Up to 10 schools per state, including Washington D.C., may register, so as soon as March 1st rolls around, have your paperwork ready.

The official rules, prize details and registration information are located at Vans.com/CustomCulture
Additional information, photos, and a discussion board (including FAQs) are available at Facebook.com/VansCustomCulture

Vans at MusInk

I know what you need to do this weekend. No really, I do.

Be at the MusInk Tattoo and Music Festival at the Orange County Fairgrounds! Only this Friday 2/19-Sunday 2/21. Get good tunes, good ink- what more could you want in a weekend?!

Just a few of the headliners include:
The Cult
The Damned
Buzzcocks
NOFX
Face to Face

Saturday at 3pm, skate legend Tony Alva's band G.N.P will take the stage!
And from 5pm-6pm check out the Legends Skate Jam with Tony Alva, Christian Hosoi, Mike Vallely, Salba, Steve Olson, Eric Dressen, Duane Peters, and more.

Stop by the Vans booth to see Jordan Buckley from Every Time I Die, Oliver Peck, Kim Saigh, and surprise guests painting custom Vans.

For play-by-play event info follow our favorite Vans Music Guy ever, the one and only Kurt Soto on twitter: @supersix8

For ticket, gate info, full line-up and everything else check out:
http://www.musink.org/orange-county

Suicidal Tendencies Gear. Loads of it!

We released this sweet line not too long ago and woah is it rad!

Vans teaming up with Suicidal Tendencies has produced not only some sick shoes, but shirts and accessories, too. You can literally dress head to toe in everything we've got!

First let's take a look at the shoes. Of course. We've a Sk8-Hi and a pair of Eras for you to choose from. Or you don't even have to choose and grab both!

As if that's not enough we've got a few shirts, a hat, wallet and even some board shorts. You can literally wear something ST every day of the week.

You can check out the rest of the collection's pieces and purchase any of these goodies on our Suicidal Tendencies micro-site. Our current band merch from Kiss, Bad Brains, The Sex Pistols, Killswitch Engage, The Pixies and Mastodon is also available from the Vans store online.

New Music Kicks!

Dude, do we make the best shoes or what?

This spring, we're happy to announce 2 new pairs of Kiss Vans and a super new and super awesome Rise Against slip-on!

Our new Kiss shoes hark back to the "Hotter Than Hell" album artwork and will be available in a SK8-Hi and our classic Slip-On. The hottest part is that sick yellow lining and those purple laces.

The Rise Against Slip-On features the same figure from the "Appeal To Reason" album thrown into a Andy Warhol-ish rendition. No doubt these are going to hit it big this year.

These goodies hit retailers in March. Along with this Kiss collab t-shirt!

Millencolin VS Skateboarding

What goes better with Vans than skate decks? Ok, music of course, but you should know how we feel about skateboarding. Oh hey- how about combining those two?

I just discovered this today and not only do I think it's terribly clever, but flat out awesome. Our friends Millencolin paired up with Sweet Skateboards to release their own "Polarbeer" skate deck. Get it? They are from Sweden. Who say "bear" like "beer." Get it!?!? I love it.

So you may be asking yourself "what would go perfectly with this deck?"

SHABLAM!

Yes, those are in fact Millencolin Vans. They are a Chukka Boot with embroidery on the back. That feeling you're experiencing right now is called total shoe lust. Don't worry- I go through it daily.

Now, where you can get these items I think is left up to you. The skateboard is available through a Swedish website and the shoes are limited. If you are lucky enough to have already snagged these, kudos. For the rest of us, the hunt shall begin!