This Week On Ebay: The Hardcore Life Cycle …
well daddy don't you know that things go in cycles
The way that Bobby Brown is just ampin like Michael
Consider that the truth. It holds in basically all aspects of life, including hardcore shirt sales on ebay. This week, we'll be reviewing how shirt size, design and current popularity affect final auction prices.
Lets start if off with American Nightmare. Now American Nightmare is HUGE. No doubt. They've always been big. Even when they just had a demo out (fuck, such an amazing demo). Things go in cycles, check this auction that ended this morning (while I was in a meeting, double fuck).
This shirt dates WAY back. Probably 2000 or 2001. That's 7 years ago for those who aren't counting. And somehow, SOMEHOW, this dope shirt ended for $5.50. That's right, $5.50. That's the same price as a Triple Venti Soy Latte at Starbucks. You can see the ridiculousness now. However, it's a size large, and we all know that kids love schmediums or YLs these days. Plus, the image doesn't scream Fall Out Boy / Emo Fan. It probably wouldn't go well with a white belt either.
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well daddy don't you know that things go in cycles
The way that Bobby Brown is just ampin like Michael
Consider that the truth. It holds in basically all aspects of life, including hardcore shirt sales on ebay. This week, we'll be reviewing how shirt size, design and current popularity affect final auction prices.
Lets start if off with American Nightmare. Now American Nightmare is HUGE. No doubt. They've always been big. Even when they just had a demo out (fuck, such an amazing demo). Things go in cycles, check this auction that ended this morning (while I was in a meeting, double fuck).
This shirt dates WAY back. Probably 2000 or 2001. That's 7 years ago for those who aren't counting. And somehow, SOMEHOW, this dope shirt ended for $5.50. That's right, $5.50. That's the same price as a Triple Venti Soy Latte at Starbucks. You can see the ridiculousness now. However, it's a size large, and we all know that kids love schmediums or YLs these days. Plus, the image doesn't scream Fall Out Boy / Emo Fan. It probably wouldn't go well with a white belt either.
Then there is this shirt. I recall this one sitting on the merch table for a bit. Cool drawing, I suppose. Super emo. And a size small. Yeap, $26 final price. And of course, I believe this value is down from previous months when this shirt was selling for $40+. Is the American Nightmare hype over?
Moving on, lets check Cold World.
So here we have an unworn Youth Large. But the color is semi-dreaded white. That should be ok, a lot of Cold World shirts are printed on white blanks (more bands should print on white blanks. Eff a black shirt. I'm not emo, I don't need anymore black shirts). And those other shirts sell reasonably well. But for some reason, this shirt came in at a paltry $5. Yeap, cheaper than that fancy latte. And I bought one a month back for $2.25. What's going on here? This shirt is chill.
White shirt, size small and worn. You're probably thinking, ok, this one should clock in pretty low at final auction price. Not so. This one hit $26. Most likely due to the Bathing Ape reference. Of course, this shirt was on MerchNOW for what seemed like years. And yes, someone did cut the tags out of the shirt. SMH.
Ok, so maybe kids are finicky over newer bands. What about a perennial favorite like Ten Yard Fight?
This shirt has obviously been around the block. Hell it's over 10 years old and probably has seen a pit or two. It is a size XL but kids aren't afraid of tailoring so you'd think it'd be a hot and heavy seller. Nope. The $1.25 minimum bid wasn't even made. Not one bidder! Sacrilege.
So the last shirt had no bidders. This shirt appears to be in the same condition and is definitely from the same age, but shockingly, this one sold for $20.50. I guess, kids are still afraid of tailoring, or just wearing clothes that don't show off their man nips.
We'll finish it off with Mental. Mental shirts are always ill in my opinion. Greg Mental, Jay Bil and even MorGODo (just kidding Morgado) produced some ill shirts over the years.
Now this was a pretty dope little design. Take the album cover, play with placement and BAM, chill shirt. I think Greg and Co did a bunch of different colourways for this shirt (grey/blue, black/blue, black/white, ...). This one is definitely chill. But somehow, it only sold for $1.34. You can't even buy a blank t-shirt for that little. That's just stupid.
Here's a cool MorGODo drawing, chill colors and size small. I would estimate this one would sell for over $20. At the very least. Was I right? No. Was I close? Not really. This one clocked in at $4.29, which is the price of a Venti Soy Latte (two shots of espresso, instead of 3). That pretty much hurts my feelings.
So what can I conclude from this array of ebay end auctions? Honestly? Not a hell of a lot. Except that kids are picky petes and wouldn't know a good tshirt if it punched them in the face. I suppose that works in my favor though. Instead of fighting kids for Fastbreak tees, I can just sit back and let them come to me for pennies on the dollar. The real losers here are the sellers and the kids who don't properly appreciate Fastbreak and their merch (shout outs to AJT).
Until next time, PEACE! And quit bidding on those 4 sided Uniform Choice tees.
React Records is the Best!

Now, we should convince Aram to make crewneck sweatshirts. Lets get that done! Keep checking React Records, he should have the Breakthrough EP up soon. You know that's going to be ill.
A Quiet Weekend …

After it was all said and done, everyone was sleepy.

I probably should have taken a nap too but did not. Maybe next time.
Coming to Ebay Soon …







Sweet. Plenty more where those came from too. This round of ebay listings will be "EPs: Insted - Youth Of Today." Peace.
Time For Lunch

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So we both had the day off and decided we needed to go out for lunch. But first, we hit up JC Penney. We had a gift card and needed to spend it on something. We ended up with sheets. I got bored and took this photo.

Finally, it was time for lunch. So we took a trip back in time and went to Quan Yin in Worcester. I miss the propaganda videos.

Supreme Master TV, look into it.
Melissa had fun. Obviously.

Nothing beats fried wonton soup with rice and tofu with two orders of chicken drumsticks and a steamed bun. Nothing.


Amazing. Best day. While I was next door getting money from the ATM, the quan yin lady asked melissa all about our "tall friend who really likes soup and drumsticks and steamed buns. He's real tall." Melissa guessed Aaron. I think that was the right answer.
Glue – Demo – 2008
Not the Red Ranger or
A. Shumsky
Glue is a western Mass hardcore band. Semi out of the ashes of R'N'R, Think I Care and every Shumsky project, add the Red Ranger from Attitude and a bassist. It was Josh Hynes (from Resist) but now appears to be Natalie Kacian. WHOA, not edge. WTF!?
When I say out of the ashes, I pretty much mean it. This album doesn't sound anything like Think I Care or R'N'R or So Be It or even Attitude. The songs have a nice edge, but the lyrical flow isn't really laid back enough for my liking. In my head, I envision a more Greg Mental style flow to these songs. You know, a little chill, a little peaced out.
Regardless, this is another great Shumsky driven project. You should probably get behind this band and support. I think there first show is in April. Come out and don't forget your friggin camp stool. Peace.
For Trade: size 12-13 Nikes …


If you are interested, hit me up on AIM: howsyredge.
Peace.
Leave No Stone Unturned …

So leave no stone unturned. If you come across a great deal or a huge score, investigate every last piece. You never know what you'll turn up.
Nothing Beats the Magic Eraser …
I love the Magic Eraser. I can't believe how amazing it works. I'm normally not one to gush over crap, but this is actually a cool product. Previously, I was a toothbrush and mild soap guy. Now I'm strictly magic eraser. Check this pic.

The top shoe was cleaned with magic eraser. The bottom shoe has not been cleaned yet. Notice the bottom shoe has denim stains on the swoosh and a semi grungy midsole. Even the heel section has dirt in the creases. But not on the upper sneaker. That baby looks super clean. Amazing. Here are some more pics for the unbelievers.

The last pic is after both are cleaned. The difference is clearly evident. Even with the strange white lighting. Dope.










