adidas x Juun.J Spring/Summer 2015 Superstar Collection

Posted Mar 23, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Sneakers.

The mix between High Fashion and the sneaker culture has been occurring regularly on runways around the world. Milan, Paris, New York, Tokyo and almost every other major fashion capital around the world. The one brand that have been at the forefront of working closely with fashion labels is adidas. Yohji Yamamoto, Jeremy Scott, Rick Owens, and the latest addition to the roster is South Korean high fashion label, Juun J.

The label have reworked adidas’ iconic Superstar resulting in a minimalistic sneaker that comes in a low and high cut version. Available in both black and white colours. The collection is now available at Cover by Crossover in Sunway Pyramid.

MASSES Picks: 5 Movies You Probably Have Not Seen (March)

Posted Mar 20, 2015 by Aaron & filed under Entertainment.

It’s that time of the month and once again, we have 5 movies for your viewing pleasure. As we have all come to know, the censorship board here in Malaysia can be a pain in the ass sometimes so we have listed some movies that were banned or simply not available. So once again, we have another round of movies for you to watch during your weekends or leisure time.

This time around, we have movies about zombie rules, celebrities surviving the apocalypse, a model brainwashed to become an assassin and HIV awareness. Contemporary films along with a classic have been listed and we hope you enjoy watching them. Tell us your opinions via the comment box below.

1. Zoolander (2001)

Yes, yes we know you have probably seen this movie but it’s still worth noting for 2 reasons: a) it was banned in Malaysia b) a sequel was recently announced with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian rumored to have roles in it. Ben Stiller stars as Derek Zoolander, a male model who’s known for his “Blue Steel” gaze, whose aspiration to win Male Model of the Year challenged by Hansel (Owen Wilson). But a more devious plot is unfolding as Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell) plans to use Derek in his plan to kill the Malaysian Prime Minister… who happens to be Oriental in origin *cough* Now you know why it was banned.

2. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

An American biographical drama film with fictional elements, Matthew McConaughey stars as Ron Woodroof, who finds out he has AIDS and has only 30 days to live. Set during the 1980s, when the disease was highly stigmatized and misunderstood, Woodroof refuses to give up on life and instead seeks controversial alternatives including unapproved drugs. Featuring one of McConaughey’s best performances yet, it is also worth mentioning Jared Leto’s memorable role as Rayon, a trans woman diagnosed with HIV. You don’t want to miss this one.

3. Zombieland (2009)

This comedy is set in post apocalyptic America and ravaged by zombies, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) sets out from his house with his backpack and his list of survival “rules”. Along the way he encounters 3 other survivors: Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a pessimistic cowboy with a penchant for dispatching zombies with a particularly violent lust, Witchita (Emma Stone), a feisty girl who becomes Columbus’s love interest and Little Rock, Witchita’s sister. Together in their encounters, they learn to survive the world, themselves and finally obtain that one elusive Twinkie.

4. This is the End (2013)

If you like Saturday Night Live skits or the kind of humor you would expect from Seth Rogen or Danny McBride, then you are in for a treat as all the stars in the film are acting as fictional versions of themselves. The movie is given the Biblical treatment as The Book of Revelation is seen through the eyes of a group of celebrities while stoned from marijuana. You can expect: inside jokes to a previous movie collaboration between Rogen and James Franco, dick jokes, a ridiculously silly rape scene and a cameo by Emma Watson. A love it or hate it affair, don’t say we didn’t warn you; the humor is not for everyone.

5. Kids (1995)

Don’t be fooled by the ‘kid’ friendly title. It is NOT a coming-of-age movie and in fact, it may even make you feel a lil’ sick after watching it. Still relevant after 20 years for today’s culture since its release, the movie focuses on teenager Telly, whose sole mission in life is to sleep with as many virgin girls as possible… even though he knows he’s HIV positive. Jenny, his ex, tries to stop him and save other girls from him but before she gets the chance to, disaster strikes. Starring a young Chloë Sevigny and Rosario Dawson, the film depicts the pitfalls of having casual sex, the consequences it leads to and the potential futures of people destroyed.

Asics Tiger – South-east Asia Relaunch Party

Posted Mar 20, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Events, Sneakers.

ASICS just recently re-launched their line called ASICS Tiger brand which falls somewhere between the sports performance line of ASICS and the casual lifestyle line of the Onitsuka Tiger brand. The line was popular back in the 1980s all the way through to the 1990s as a competitive sports shoe line. But now ASICS will be looking to reposition the line and be marketed globally as a sports-lifestyle line. ASICS Tiger was re-introduced into the Southeast Asia market where the re-launching was held at Singapore. The installation of the re-launch event was done in a very cozy and intimate manner to emulate a sneakerhead’s living room. Check out the pictures below to have a feel of what went down.

Pictures by: @mellowedhigh

Look Out: The Three Stripes Primed to Boost Up

Posted Mar 20, 2015 by Aaron & filed under Features, Sneakers, Thoughts.

01b6397888c09d84f3dc89d807aa1004-Appache-cover

Coke vs Pepsi. Apple vs Microsoft. McDonald’s vs Burger King. UPS vs FedEx. Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz.

What do they all have in common? A rivalry. Rivalries make great stories and the greatest rivalries make the greatest stories in history. Today we take a look at 2 sportswear companies with one of the greatest rivalries in sneaker history, Nike and adidas.

We won’t be discussing their rivalry in detail; instead we will list reasons why adidas is poised to regain their No.2 spot back from Under Armour in the U.S. market. Arguably the leading global trendsetter for sneakers as we, Malaysians, also look to our American counterparts for the latest in sneaker trends.

1. Tech: Boost, Primeknit, Xeno

Boost

The innovation of adidas’s Boost has been nothing short of awesome. Described as “springy”, there’s no denying the fact that it is currently the best shoe on a runner’s feet. Boost claims to return more energy in the cushioning system and withstand the harshest weathers either hot or cold. The fact that it is not only made for performance but also as a lifestyle option has made it accessible to athletes and non-athletes alike. Although some may be deterred by the sight of the styrofoam look of the sole, no one can argue how comfortable it is after trying it on. In fact, the recently released Ultra Boost made it to retail here in Malaysia at local adidas outlets and there has been nothing but praise for not just the comfort but also the way it looks on feet.

Primeknit

A few years ago, Nike’s Flyknit and adidas’s Primeknit shoes were released roughly the same time. The Primeknit tech garnered enough attention and drew enough comparisons to Flyknit to justify a court case with Nike eventually losing the lawsuit. Some people have argued that adidas copied the Flyknit tech but there is a difference between Flyknit and Primeknit. Flyknit is a very high tech knitted material that involves placing stronger fibers in specific areas for more support. Primeknit, on the other hand, involves knitting a one piece upper made of the same material throughout the shoe. There have been debates about this topic but at the end of the day, it depends on the individual preference to the feel and shoe model it is utilized on in regards to both brands.

It’s also worth noting that adidas has beaten Nike to the punch by utilizing Primeknit not only on their more modern shoes but also on their classic silhouettes such as the Stan Smith, adidas’s best selling shoe. While there aren’t many Primeknit releases, we look forward to more silhouettes made with the lightweight material such as the Primeknit Pure Boost released last year. Just like Nike’s Flyknit, adidas’s Primeknit will be good to wear in Malaysia considering the hot climate that we have become accustomed to especially this time of the year.

Xeno

Xeno tech will forever change the multicolor sneaker scene. While Nike can be credited with the term “multicolor sneakers” (Flyknit Racers, Flyknit Trainers), it seems that adidas decided to go with another direction and instead concentrated on materials that reflect light. The result is a shoe, which reflects light from the upper part and different colors at different angles. Inspired by the Xenopeltis snake, which can be found in Southeast Asia, the Xeno “Black Pack” was released during the NBA All-Star weekend last month with the ZX Flux model sold out instantly. So, instead of the standard 3M we are used to seeing on sneakers, watch out for more Xeno shoes in future. We are hoping the pack will eventually reach Malaysia.

2. Celebrity Collaborations and Sports Deals

No one can argue with the power of the sight of sneakers on a celebrity’s feet. Afterall, people went crazy when Kanye West wore the Air Max 1 Independence Pack, a relatively non-hyped release. In fact, some local dudes here have offered to sell their cars for a pair of Nike’s “Red October” Yeezy 2! So while celebrity collabs are nothing new, adidas has made a significant push in that direction. Powerhouse names include Pharell, Snoop Dog, Rita Ora, Nigo and of course, the recently signed Kanye West. Speaking of Yeezus, Kanye’s recent Yeezy collaboration with adidas was released with much hype and excitement. Selling out instantly online and retail, is this a sign for bigger things to come?

3. Increased Presence at Fashion Shows

For the past few years, Nike has always the dominant footwear at fashion shows in Paris, NY, Milan etc. Recently, there have more been sightings of adidas’s classic Superstars; appropriate since it is the 45^th anniversary of the iconic model. Dominated in the past by Nike, fashion shows are slowly getting more adidas sneakers in the mix that only adds more variety and not the usual, boring ho-hum shoes. With long time collaborator Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens and Raf Simon on board, this is perhaps the ushering of an era where we will see more adidas designs on runways particularly on feet.

But adidas should do themselves a favor and drop Jeremy Scott out of the equation.

4. Acquiring ex-Nike designers

Finally, the acquisition of ex-Nike designers Marc Dolce (CB 94, Air Penny), Denis Dekovic (Magista, Mercurial) and Marc Miner (Nike’s Free line) has given much anticipation for great models from adidas whether new or vintage though we probably won’t see their work till 2016 due to their non-compete contracts. Let’s not forget that recent adidas models (SL Loop Runner, ZX Flux, Pure Boost) were released prior to the signing of the 3 ex-Nike employees so there is definitely a lot of room for potential for newly designed silhouettes. Let’s hope the $10 million lawsuit Nike filed against the trio wouldn’t be too detrimental.

Conclusion

Only time will tell if adidas will make enough moves to finally rival Nike. It’s not impossible but it will take more creativity, innovation and marketing from adidas to overtake Nike. This doesn’t take away the fact that Nike makes great shoes. Foamposites, Air Maxes, Flyknits, and Lunar soles are all great in their own right. But adidas’s moves have put the German sneaker company in the spotlight and rightfully so.

Earlier this year, Under Armour’s CEO was quoted, “We’re not going to compete with our dumbest competitor“ and went on to say how adidas is chasing the old business model of acquiring athletes and celebrities to represent the brand. Strange, considering how Under Armour went after Kevin Durant, a NBA basketball player, last year after his contract with Nike ended only to have the superstar re-sign with Nike.

But we will leave this for another day. For now, adidas will have to regain it’s No. 2 spot to be within striking range of Nike in the U.S. market. Only time will tell who has the last laugh between Under Armour and the Three Stripes. It will also be interesting to see if recent developments will sway local sneakerheads to adidas as the Malaysian sneaker scene is still dominated primarily by Nike and Air Jordans. Well sit back, relax and watch as the rivalry between these 2 sneaker juggernauts heats up again… with a wannabe contender.

The Borak-Borak Sessions: Tres Empre

Posted Mar 19, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Features.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest Alternative Post Hardcore band in Malaysia, Tres Empre is set to end their album tour this weekend with their ANTAGONIST showcase happening this weekend at Publika. That is why we decided to meet them with them at a cosy little jamming studio in Kelana Jaya called Auguste Studios to have a little seat down with them and talk about their journey in writing the album, the problems they faced in the music scene, and who gets bullied the most in the band. Read all about it in the interview below!

Alright, just to kick things off, I’m sure you’ve been interviewed many times before this right? So what is the most annoying question you guys normally get?

Eddie: Man, that’s a good question…. Let me think.

Masrour: I know I know! “How did the name Tres Empre” came about.

Eddie: Owh yeah, we always get asked that question.

Alright, so what is the meaning of Tres Empre and how did you guys came up with it? LOL

Masrour: Since I am the newest member of the band, I shall try to answer this question. “Tres” means third in Spanish, and “Empre” is a word Eddie came up with for Empire. So basically it means the third empire. Why? Because before this, the rest of the band wanted to start a band, but failed twice and this is their third one. So that is why it is called Tres Empre.

So coming to the album “Antagonist”, what is the whole direction behind the album and what is it about?

Eddie: Personally for me, this album signifies a total change in the band’s direction. It’s more emotional, it’s more rebellious and it’s more personal. The political landscape, the happenings around the world, the people around you, and life that you’re living in. All these things affect you and that is what this album is about.

So Eddie, is it safe to say that you’re a really emotional person? The kind that has a “taman di dalam hati” type?

Masrour: All rock stars are like that. The more rock star they are, the bigger the “taman” is in their hearts! LOL

Eddie: Yeke?

Marous: Yala, you see all the big rock stars, the moment they break up with their GF’s, the write a super good song or produce a super good album.

So how do you guys start your writing process?

Eddie: Usually it’s Azrul who comes up with the riffing and direction. Then the others will fill in their magic. After they are all done, then I will come in and fill in the lyrics and melodies.

So what is the hardest part about writing an album?

Masrour: I would say it is the melody. A bit of riffing, but generally it is the melody. Guitar melodies and vocal melodies.

Eddie: Besides the melody, the hardest part about it is agreeing on something together. LOL. And another important thing is to learn how to put a full stop to the work you’re doing. Sometimes you can take up to 3 months to finish recording a song, sometimes even longer. And in that period of time, your taste will change and you will want to keep changing things on the song, which is sometimes good, but if it’s done too many times, it’s not good also. You’ll never get the album done like that.

In Malaysia, most bands face the problem of commitment because a lot of them usually juggle the band and their full time jobs. Did you guys face this problem when producing this album?

Masrour: Surprisingly we did not face that problem though. I mean all of us were on the same page on this one. We were all passionate about the band, and we all wanted to finish the album. I work at pretty odd hours, sometimes I finish at 12am and then go for recording. So yeah, if you’re really passionate about something you will automatically commit.

So who gets bullied the most in the band?

Eddie & Bert: Masrour!

For real? But Masrour you’re the biggest in the band!

Masrour: Yeah I can beat them up physically, but verbally, these guys have the stupidest mouth ever. The two guitarists will tag team to get at me, and Eddie plus Bert will be at the sidelines either laughing while enjoying the show or they will join in and bully me at the same time. That’s the sucky part about being the newest member in the band.

Coming back to some serious business, what is the next step for the band?

Eddie: Definitely to release another album. Baz and Azrul have already started writing the next album. So we’re hoping it’ll be done soon and we’re looking forward to playing the Philippines sometime this year.

Since we’re still in the serious mode, what are your thoughts on the music scene?

Eddie: F*CKED UP!

Why? Most of us know it’s not really doing well, but why?

Eddie: well the most typical answer to this question would be to say that the scene is small but it is growing, and it looks promising. But for me, it is still growing, but there is a boundary and a wall that separates us. Punk is punk, metal is metal, pop is pop, English songs is for English scene, Malay songs for the Malay scene. There is no unity. We are so segregated.

Masrour: It’s growing, but each scene is growing individually, not together. And that sucks. Each scene is not working together. Everyone is doing their own thing.

Bert: I think it is still back to the mentality. Each has their own preference, and that is okay. Some people like nasi lemak and some don’t. That’s okay. But when you attend a show, please have an open mind towards the music. We’ve perform at other countries like Japan, and the people there have never heard of us, but they just “layan” only. It’s music man, it’s not rocket science, so you don’t have to be so uptight about it.

So, we always ask everyone we interview this question, if let’s say you got stopped by the police for speeding, would you “Tolong or Saman?” Must be honest ya guys!

Eddie: I work in Malaysia’s biggest media company, so usually they will let me go if I show them my work tag. LOL!! #WIN! But you should ask Bert, because he doesn’t have a license, but he still drives around.

Bert: I usually drive within the speed limit, so I rarely get stopped. But if I do get stopped, I won’t argue much and just take the ticket.

Masrour: I would just take the ticket. And after that go and appeal for a discount which would normally amount up to the same amount as paying a bribe.

Tres Empre “ANTAGONIST Showcase”

Posted Mar 19, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Events, Music.

Tres Empre, one of Malaysia’s biggest Post-Hardcore band around will be ending their album tour this coming Saturday at Publika 7pm. The ANTAGONIST showcase will feature supporting acts like Massacre Conspiracy, Love Me Butch, Reach for the Skies, Kids on the Move and Eat Shit and Die. Best part about the showcase is that entry is FREE! To make the deal even sweeter, first 30 people who showed up gets a free Tres Empre “Antagonist” album. So be sure to show up early!

11075005_859529330770064_3969896368651524201_n

CLOT x adidas Consortium ZX Flux “RWB” Detailed Look

Posted Mar 19, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Sneakers.

As the launch date for the CLOT x adidas Consortium ZX Flux “RWB” (Red,White,Blue) is tomorrow, here are some detailed pictures of the shoe just in case you’re still sitting on the fence on this one. RM439 per pair, and exclusively available at JUICE KL.

The Evolution of Air

Posted Mar 18, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Sneakers.

Back in 1987, we saw the release of the Air Max 1. The first ever shoe to be spotting a visible Air unit which made the whole world go bonkers over them. So much so that even till this day, it is still a very sought after pair with a heavy cult following behind it. But back in 1987, the Nike Air technology isn’t something new. Many Nike shoes already had the cushioning technology, which first appeared in the Nike Tailwind in 1978. But seeing is believing.

Tinker Hatfield set out to achieve just that. He wanted to people to see the Air unit so that runners could better understand its cushioning benefits. He designed the Nike Air Max with Visible Air, which gave birth to a franchise that will forever alter the course of sneakers. BUT, the story of visible air did not begin with Mr. Tinker’s design, instead, it started with David Forland, Nike’s Director of Cushioning Innovation. He is the world’s foremost expert in visible air and have been pushing the technology into unexplored new territories for the past 30 years.

Since it is less than 10 days away till Air Max Day (26/3/15), Nike released a full story on David Forland’s journey through the land of Air, and some of the obstacles he faced in coming up with the Air Units you see on some of your favourite pairs of Air Max. Read the FULL STORY HERE.

SuperDuper – “Bande” Collection

Posted Mar 18, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Fashion.

Keeping things strictly monochromatic, SuperDuper have kept things pretty minimal for their latest release “Bande”. The word “Bande” means Stripe in French which can be seen printed through out the sleeves of each piece. Since this collection is minimalistic in nature, stripes and zips play a big role in bringing out the details of each piece in the collection. It is also the first time that the brand release a long-sleeve tees and crop-tops. The collection is now available for purchase on their website and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram (@superduperclothing) to stay up to date with them.

CLOT x adidas Consortium ZX Flux “RWB”

Posted Mar 17, 2015 by Bryan & filed under Sneakers.

Drawing inspiration from the infamous “red, white, blue” nylon bags that is very commonly found in Hong Kong (and in Malaysia too), CLOT collaborates with adidas Consortium on a pair of ZX Flux that pays homage to those bags. The shoe features a nylon-fabric upper that flaunts a bold red, white and blue pattern that is coupled with a blue heel counter, red laces and eyelets. Not to draw too much attention away from the upper’s nylon print, the Three Stripes branding on the side of the shoe is seen with translucent stripes.

The pair will be dropping this Friday (20/3/15) at JUICE KL and will be retailing at RM439 per pair. Sizes start from US4.5 and all the way till US11.