Eastbay Archive posts scans of old sneaker catalogs, allowing former ‘90s kids now on a multi-step retinol routine to exclaim HAD THOSE! WANTED THOSE! THOSE WERE TOUGH! on a regular basis.
The account admin hit the US Open in an icy pair of Air Flares:
I think about these bad boys often.
Not for their scarcity (as the EA caption explains, reissues are few and far between) or any type of Andre Agassi fandom, though this Ben Stiller Show sketch remains a favorite.
It’s all due to one understatedly hard fit from Tupac Amaru Shakur.
C’mon!
A legit timeless look, powered by a near-perfect athletic shoe.
That B&W color blocking makes any pair look clean as hell. I’ve been eyeing the Phantom Zombie from EQLZ, a new brand founded by ex-Nike designer Aaron Cooper.
Straight from the brain that blasted out the Hyperflight (wore White Chocolate’s purple patent leather pair to my graduation, go violets), these PZs have been called “the future of maximalist basketball shoes.”
I just like that I can purchase ‘em for retail!
As a Nike lifer, it is not a particularly controversial statement to say the Swoosh is presently going through it. Grace Gordon (a must follow if you have any interest in stuff like this) offers a concise breakdown.
“What happens when you make it so your most devoted customers literally cannot buy the product?”
What does happen?
Is the Phantom Zombie (ok, terrible name) the promise of what can be, unburdened by what has been?
Have I become the mythical swing voter, failed repeatedly by institutions once held dear and primed for radicalization by, I dunno…
Eggland Pilot — another Conner O’Malley bugout, this time in the form of an Adult Swim fever dream starring CGI boomers from Cole Kush. The Liquid Television ethos is alive and well!
Hazel English, Real Life — lightly fuzzboxed jangle pop, here for it.
The Get Up Kids, “Action & Action” — there was a great Air quote in The FACE many many years ago, where the French duo described their restrained, sophisticated sound by claiming “we do not jump up and down singing about how our girlfriends are not being cool.” This is the exact opposite and I’m glad I can now watch it in 4K. (Saves The Day has been reupping their oldies too.)
Intimate Strangers, “Let Go” — a recent find that, for my money, is one of theee great lost ‘80s songs, off New Line Cinema’s My Demon Lover starring Nick from Family Ties.
Tony Danza’s Apartment — speaking of old sitcoms! Thank you NYT for this profile and accompanying photo of a Who’s The Boss coaster on his Yamaha Disklavier.
Len, “CHAKRa” — not sure what the “Steal My Sunshine” crew has to say about the name but I’m not mad at this guy.
Playlists updated!