SPECIAL NOTES:
Who would have forget one of the most memorable picture in hardcore/punk history, none other than a promo picture of the great Minor Threat’s frontman, Ian Mackaye wearing Vans shoes that soon become one of the most look forward apparels for the hardcore/punk kids, from back in the day till today. Surely there’s a tons of shoes design wear by the band members and skaters, but the “old school type” Vans surely one of the most high demand series ever. Spot in everywhere in this world, there’ll be a hardcore/punk/metal kids who will wear Vans and surely, Vans never been the “in things” but it’s a continuous legacy of hardcore/punk/metal apparels. I know Vans started as skateboard shoes (and remain till today) but I can’t deny how it’s influenced a lots of kids from the past, today and perhaps, future.
HISTORY
Vans was started by Paul Van Doren in 1966, and he opened his first store in Anaheim, California. His business partners were Jim Van Doren, Gordy Lee, and Serge D’Elia. The day they opened the store they only had displays for show, and the customers had to pick what shoe they wanted. After that, they asked them to come back the next day to pick up their shoes. Thank God we don’t have stores like that today. Vans are known for their popular “Slip On” shoe with the waffle sole, and in 1976, skaters starting skating in Vans. The skaters demanded that the Vans come in multi colorways.
They got what they asked for, and Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, two pro skaters were the designers. It wasn’t until the slip on Vans were seen in the 1982 movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” that people desired to own a pair across the globe. Today, Vans offer 60+ styles including; Slip On, Skateboarding, Old School, Classics, shoes and more. Vans are available in stores all over the world and they made a simple shoe do BIG THINGS.
People have been sleeping on Vans for years and I know it’s a few people in the “Shoe Game” that truly appreciate them. They are comfortable, extremely affordable, NO HYPE, with tons of colors/designs and styles, so tell me what person in their right mind doesn’t like that? Well, I take one part back, because if you follow the “HYPE” then Vans are definitely not your cup of tea.
VANS WARPED TOUR (1994 – present)
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is often referred to as the Vans Warped Tour. The tour started out as a showcase for punk rock music, but its more recent line-ups have featured more electronica, alternative rock, emo, post-hardcore, metalcore and rock bands.
The Warped Tour was created in 1994 by Kevin Lyman, who got the idea while working on skateboarding shows such as the Vision Skate Escape and Holiday Havoc which included music with skateboarding contests. The Warped name comes from the short-lived Warp Magazine, published by Transworld, which covered surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and music.
As well as music, this tour brings many attractions, including a half pipe for skaters and bikers. The tour also features many booths creating a flea market-like atmosphere, having tents for each of the bands to sell merchandise, independent record labels, magazine publishers, non-profit organizations, and sponsors looking to market their products to the tour’s audience. Many of the bands will retreat to their tents after their performance in order to meet up with the fans and sign autographs.
In 2006 the tour started the Warped Eco Initiative” (WEI). Ways the tour has changed since 2006: Using Biodiesel to fuel the buses, since 2006 the tour has reduced petroleum by 30%. The tour has a solar stage that is run solely from solar power that host 8-10 performers per show. The catering on the warped has switched to use washable dishes, and silverware. They also use compostable corn, and potato-starch take out boxes. The tour gives out free prizes to kids who volunteer to help recycle.
Starting in 2009, the two main stages will condense into one and bands will play 40 minute sets, as opposed to the traditional 30 minutes across the previous two stages.
VANS Family:
ASG
As I Lay Dying
Atmosphere
Anthrax
AFI
Angels and Airwaves
The Aquabats
The A.K.A.s
Bad Brains
Bad Religion
Bauhaus
Beck
Ben Harper
Black Tide
The Bravery
The Bronx
Circle Jerks
Circa Survive
Converge
Dropkick Murphys
Darkest Hour
Dillinger Escape Plan
Death By Stereo
Every Time I Die
Foo Fighters
Forever The Sickest Kids
Fu Manchu
Guttermouth
Hatebreed
High On Fire
The Hives
Ignite
Ima Robot
In Flames
Iron Maiden
KISS
Lamb Of God
Love Equals Death
Killswitch Engage
Man Man
Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster
Murs
Mastodon
Matt Costa
Motorhead
Motion City Soundtrack
MXPX
Millencolin
The New Cars
No Doubt
Offspring
Only Crime
Pearl Jam
Pennywise
Pepper
P.O.S.
Queens Of The Stone Age
Rise Against
Serj Tankian
Shadows Fall
She Wants Revenge
Slayer
Slipknot
Social Distortion
Sparta
State Radio
Street Dogs
Stick To Your Guns
Suicidal Tendencies
Supersuckers
The Bled
The Germs
The Sword
The Unseen
Thursday
Totimoshi
TSOL
Turbonegro
Unearth
Valient Thorr
Velvet Revolver
etc
PRODUCTS
(there are tons of Vans products actually, they even got sandals, vegan series clothing, watches, clothing, backpacks, belts, towels, wallets, accessories, etc. Here we juyst listed some of our favourites. Kindly visit: www.vans.com for bigger Vans catalogue)
Old School Classic
Classic Slip-Ons
Bands limited edition:
Slayer
Kiss
Bad Brains
SOME BAND PHOTOS (with VANS)
Ignite
As I Lay Dying
Unearth
Shadow’s Fall
Second Combat
INFO: http://www.vans.com
SHOP ONLINE: http://shop.vans.com
