Aki Takamoto: “sounddrug,” consists of two Japanese maniacs: Ryota Machida and myself [Aki Takamoto]. Our live performance members are our best friends Chase Lansdale and Henry Vasquez. Ryota, Chase, and I are currently pursuing music degrees at San Diego State University in Electro-Acoustic Composition. This focuses on techniques from music theory to audio recording and engineering. We love making music, playing music and chugging sake.

R: What is a “sounddrug?”

AT: “sounddrug” is technically (we really don’t like categorizing our music) an alternative rock duo based in San Diego which formed in early 2003 when Ryota and I decided to become super-rockstars and perform in front of millions of fans. Before we released our first demo, Music From Apartment in 2010, we had been trying to consolidate our music style through playing various genres of music including Afro Cuban, Jazz Big Band, Bossa Nova, Samba, and Electronica. Our music entirely comes from dedication to “sound unique-ness,” and aesthetic choices through terabytes of musical experience.

R: What was the inspiration for “sounddrug?”

AT: The biggest inspiration for sounddrug does not come from other artists or composers but the drive to become worldwide-recognized musicians. This drive makes us feel creative, and allows us to produce something worth sharing with others.

R: Of all the shows that you have performed, where would you say was your favorite location?

AT: My favorite location is definitely the show at Anime Expo 2011; and I think the other members feel the same. The night before the event, we drove up to Los Angeles with all of our gear and spent a night in a hotel near the venue. The next morning we woke our asses up to get a huge building that said CLUB NOKIA. As we walked through the hallway to the backstage, we saw that the walls were filled with countless autographs and posters of popular musicians who have played at the venue before. And then, we saw a 59,000 square foot stage in front of us. That was when I thought, “there is some serious stuff going on here.” Aside from the fact that the whole venue had a major blackout during the soundcheck (which gave us literally only 10 seconds to prepare for the show), our performance went really well and we heard the biggest cheer ever. The best part of the day was definitely when a bunch of people came up to us after the show and asked us for autographs. I remember our reaction was, “What!? Seriously?!” The whole experience at Anime Expo proved that we’ve got something valuable to the world.

R: Why do you think sounddrug has gotten as far as it has in the past couple of years?

AT: Aside from gaining popularity, it is definitely our music that took us where we are now. A random band could have over 10,000 “Likes” on a Facebook page, but it is ultimate the creativity that gets people engaged to your music. We live in the age of Twitter and Youtube, but I believe people’s values haven’t changed so much and great music will always stay.

R: Do you have any words of wisdom to aspiring musicians or artists or anything that you would like to promote and say to our readers? Or Both?

AT: Hmm, I would like to say say we really enjoy going to shows by The Elephant Project. The singer, Darrel Wood, is our good friend and the band definitely puts one of the best shows in San Diego. You can listen to there music here. I also want to encourage readers to go to local shows in general, because there are many great bands everywhere . You don’t always have to wait for Lady Gaga to come to your city when you can easily find talented musicians in your area.

Once again my fine readers, “sounddrug.” A local band in San Diego that is doing amazing things. If you would like to find “sounddrug,” contact them, or even download their first EP, you can find them at the website, on Facebook , Myspace, Twitter, Soundcloud, Last.FM, and on YouTube (WHEW that was a lot!). Leave your comments / questions below and if you would like to be featured e-mail us from our Contact Page!

Final Fantasy IV
Platform: Super Famicom
Release Date: July 19, 1991

Not another Final Fantasy game… Most franchises never go beyond three. The first three Final Fantasy games were each a commercial success in it’s day. The franchise had an established niche with gamers but the creative team sought to appeal to the casual gamer. Final Fantasy IV was looked at as the game to break the EXP grinding formula of previous three.

Final Fantasy IV was a major milestone in the franchise. While the first three focused on class roles in order to maximize party effectiveness, each character was given a set class and a personality. It also introduced the Active Time Battle system, which kept battles going at a timely fashion. Sorry folks, the days of being able to make a sandwich during a battle were over.

Kain!!! Why!? It’s all about the story. The game follows our main protagonist Cecil, captain of the Red Wings, and his journey to save the world from the evil Golbez. Along the way, he is joined by several memorable characters. Notably, his love interest White Mage/Archer Rosa, his best friend Dark Knight Kain and the young summoner Rydia.

Oh the drama! Honestly, you’ll laugh… you’ll cry… you’ll ask yourself, “What the hell is going on!?” Final Fantasy IV marks an evolution in the series, relying on a character development and relationships to drive the story. There is great depth in each character’s journey. Just remember not to get emotionally attached for too long, you still have to beat the game!

Where can I get this game today? The continued popularity of this game led to it’s re-release on several platforms, notably the Nintendo DS and PlayStationPortable in recent years, with updated graphics and cutscenes. Play through this classic and you’ll appreciate the evolution of a franchise that has significant cultural impact today.

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All images are property of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

Both being college students at San Diego State University and in the music program, Machida takes his influences from the different types of music groups that he has performed in; Afro Cuban, jazz big band, Bossa Nova, and samba to name a few. Takamoto has taken his music influences to be part of the electronica and music engineering program to help the band further it’s success by recording and mastering any tracks.

Without going into too much detail, Sounddrug has been in several large shows and venues very recently. From performing in Los Angeles for Anime Expo’s “Battle of the Bands,” Club Nokia, and even the semi-finals of the RAW Artists awards! Now, I’m not going to steal the spotlight but I am going to share an interview with the band (from the RAW awards) and even a place to hear their music.

To hear Sounddrug’s latest single and even download their EP for FREE go here. You can also find the band on Twitter here

Enjoy the band and leave your comments below!

GO SOUNDDRUG!

1985 was a magical year. Ronald Reagan was President, Back to the Future was an instant hit and Microsoft released Windows 1.0. Nike sought to break into the realm of basketball shoes against Converse and Adidas while going through a sales crisis. They decided to make a bold move: Nike invited a college standout named Michael Jeffrey Jordan become a brand ambassador. Little did they know that this partnership would blossom into something special.

Shoes so good that they were banned by the NBA! The Air Jordan 1 caused quite a stir. Michael Jordan was fined $5000 every game he wore them because they did not comply with the league’s on-court dress code. Nike was more than happy to pick up the tab and use the controversy as free advertising. Meanwhile, the legend of Michael Jordan had only just begun. His popularity among NBA fans exploded while he honed his talents and perfected his skills on the court. He was 3rd in the league in scoring (28.8 ppg), made the All-Star team as a rookie, participated in his first slam dunk contest, led the Chicago Bulls back to the playoffs and set the record for most points scored in an NBA playoff game against a Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics team. It’s no surprise that people thought that “it must be the shoes” (more on this quote in a later post).

Appearance: Designed by Peter Moore, the Air Jordan 1 was made from premium leather. It features a giant swoosh on the mid panel and a Nike Air tag on the tongue of the shoe. It also features the Air Jordan Wings logo on the upper ankle. More recent Air Jordan 1 retros feature a Jumpman logo on the back heel and a Jumpman tag on the tongue. The most iconic colorways are the Chicago’s (White-Red-Black) and the Bred’s (Black-Red). These shoes set the trend for bright sneaker colorways to come.

Comfort: Although a relic compared to today’s technology, the Air Jordan 1 was state of the art. It features a Nike Air unit for heel cushioning and padded foam ankle collars. This high top shoe gives great ankle support when laced to the top. For the most part, these sneakers are a good pair to wear with loose laces. I’ve walked all day and played in most iterations of the Jordan 1 (1994 and beyond). In my opinion, the 2001 retros give the most comfort because of their thicker ankle collars and the sponginess of the insoles/binding for a smoother ride.

Durability: With a tough economy, you want a shoe that will stand the test of time figuratively as well as literally. To my knowledge, this is the only Jordan original that can still be worn. In fact, all retros of the Jordan 1 (1994, 2001-present) can still be worn as well depending on condition. My oldest pair of Air Jordan 1′s still look and feel fresh even though they’ll be old enough to graduate high school.

Price: The Air Jordan 1 sold for $65 in 1985. Today, pairs from 1985 will sell anywhere from $1000-$1500. And keep in mind, these pairs are still wearable.

In 1994 when the shoe was first retro’ed, they sold for $80 but ended up on clearance racks for $20. Today they are worth close to $500-$550+.

In 2001 they were retro’ed again and sold for $80 again with moderate success. Today, they are worth close to $300-350+. Today, a current iteration of the Air Jordan 1 would cost anywhere from $100-$125 which is not bad for sneakerhead standards.

Summary: Being the first in anything isn’t always easy but the Air Jordan 1 started a legacy that still continues today. The design is the most iconic in the Jordan line. These sneakers are both durable and comfortable. It’s no wonder skateboarders caught on and Nike used the design of this shoe for the Dunk and Nike SB line. I personally love rocking these with the tongue out (preferably showing Nike Air). These high tops can be worn with anything and will make a bold statement on your feet. Finding an original colorway can run you a pretty penny, but it’s definitely worth it to be a part of sneaker history.

Here is to a legend.

WordPress Recommendation 01/23/12

Etta James

Appearance: Unlike last year’s release of the AF1, “Year Of The Rabbit,” This year’s AF1 has taken on a Bespoke look with a satin-like black on a dragon embossed black upper body and a dragon scaled pattern swoosh. Furthermore, leather mid-soles and waxed shoe laces (which have become a staple in the supreme line of AF1′s) grace the shoe as well. Two of the most notable designs on the shoe include the Chinese Dragon on the tongue (or counter as it is properly termed), while small, the fact that it’s colorful would make any person do a double-take at your feet; As well as the very colorful insoles which represent the body of a Chinese Dragon.

Price: $200

Summary: As a shoe that represents the 30th anniversary of the Air Force 1 (yes the Air Force 1 is 30), I personally love this shoe. If you want a high quality sneaker, this is the best that’ll come from Nike. They have gone all out to make this shoe a gem and a must have in your collection. Available now at your local Tier Zero Nike accounts, this a very limited release and guaranteed to go fast!

Nike Air Force 1 Low Supreme 1/0 TZ

Black/Black

Style #: 516630-090

01/14/2012

$200

Peace, love, & sneakers

DigitalRal

Once again you can check out more of DigitalRal on Tumblr and on Twitter

Check out more Marshall Jones here 

Appearance: The Nike Air Foamposite One in Varsity Red is the first of many colorways to be released this year. This very bright -as I call it- Fire Engine Red colorway is eagerly being anticipated and has caught the attention of yours truly.

Durability: Taking hints from previous releases, this Foamposite also features the black nubuck top, quick lacing system, a carbon fiber mid-foot shank, and a translucent sole.

Price: $220

Summary: From a personal perspective, this Foamposite is my personal favorite. Not to mention, that Nike is pushing the Foamposite with lots of new colors for this calendar year. So there is a lot to look forward to! Be on the lookout for this one as it will be available on February 2nd at your local Nike accounts

Nike Air Foamposite One

Varsity Red/ White – Black

Style #: 314996-610

02/04/2012

$220 MSRP

Peace, Love, Sneakers

DigitalRal

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen. The Nike Air Foamposite One: “Varsity Red.” For more news and reviews from DigitalRal, you can check him out on Tumblr and on Twitter.

For those of you who do now know of the #FF #Followfriday hash tag, let me explain:

The idea of #FollowFriday or #FF is to share with Twitter users people that should be followed. People that should be heard. Someone that is worthy of your attention. In a perfect world, the idea behind this is as follows:

@enterusernamehere: give an explanation of why this person is amazingly awesome and then end with #FollowFriday #FF

Now this may seem ridiculous for me to explain this but this is what it really looks like

@username1 @username2 @username3…..@username999 #FollowFriday #FF

It’s just a list of names! So I’ve decided that I’m going to take this idea to another level and give a deeper insight to the user. This week we have my really good friend and long time sneakerhead DigitalRal. So lets get started!

Eon20xx: Who was the main inspiration for you to start collecting sneakers?

DigitalRal: This really started back when I was in high school (1991-1996) as I was that one kid that only had one pair of shoes for the entire school year. So I took care of my shoes knowing the fact that I would not have another pair till next year. Lots of shoes came out in those years that just had me going crazy. The inspiration was all the pop culture at that time, [fashion] trends, music, all that stuff was the crazy. And at that point in time, Jordan’s were the craze. So I can say that one of the many inspirations is the G.O.A.T himself, Michael Jordan.

E: What is your favorite all time favorite sneaker?

D: Air Jordan XI (11) “Concords,” the shoe that changed the industry and the [sneakerhead] lifestyle as we know it today. Little did anyone know, that the Concords would be later part of pop culture history as the first shoe to integrate patent leather on a basketball shoe.

E: When and for how long have you been sneaker collecting?

D: Officially I would have to say 1996. As that was the year I graduated high school, as well as had my first official job. I was working at a then known movie theater chain. And at that time, Nike was booming with shoes – amongst them was the Air Zoom Turfs. The very first Nike shoe to integrate Air Zoom technology.

E: Why have you collected sneakers and not other things like stamps or pet rocks?

D: Well, I’ve always liked looking nice and dressing nice and sneakers are a craze which I compare to trading cards or even Pokémon. Except with shoes you have them [available] and you can pair them with a nice New Era fitted, some nice jewelry, a t-shirt, or a jacket. The possibilities are endless!

E: How many sneakers do you actually have?

D: I’ve lost count. But I will say I’ve at least owned over 350 pairs of shoes. But now I have slimmed it down to a slender 80 pairs which I’ve worn at least once.

E: Where can people best find your updates and collection?

D: Twitter (@digitalral), Instagram (_digitalral_), and Tumblr (http://digitalral.tumblr.com/)

E: Lastly, any words of wisdom for folks that want to dive into the sneakerhead culture?

D: They are shoes… they are meant to be worn. If you are out to profit, more power to you!

And there you have it friends. Once again, DigitalRal can be found on Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. Let us know any other questions you would love to ask DigitalRal in the comments below! And if YOU want to be featured, contact us via our Contact page!

Today we look at the Nike Dunk Low Pro SB: “Stüssy.” As stated, the colors were selected by Robbie Jeffers and the canvas that they decided on using was the classic dunk low. It is rumored that this particular shoe is overlooked and even rarer than the infamous “Tiffany” dunks (the Stüssy apparently has less units in circulation.). Luckily I still have an unworn pair and wanted to share this little gem with my awesome readers. So let’s stop babbling and get on with it!

Appearance: Taking hints from the world’s non-discriminatory ice cream flavor (Neopolitan), this dunk features an all leather template. The uppers are a chocolate and strawberry mix while the swoosh features a vanilla color. The insole of the shoe mimics a waffle cone and to top it all of, a cherry on the tongue. Unlike newer releases of the classic Nike Dunk, this sneaker features the crowd favorite “fat- tongue” that help in cushioning while riding casually or doing a crazy session on your skateboard.

Comfort: The Nike Dunk was originally a basketball shoe to nine specific college teams back in 1985 and with that said, every rendition of the shoe has kept the same canvas but made slight changes to the technology used in the shoe. In the case of the skateboarding line, they have added a zoom air insole and added a puffy tongue to help support skaters during intense or casual skate sessions. Because of all this, I feel that the shoe is definitely comfortable. Simple as that.

Durability: With an all leather upper and a mesh tongue, I would only assume that the shoe would last a long time! Quality material for an extremely active audience. Furthermore the fact that a team manager was involved in the making of the shoe, there had to be some collaboration on what material was going to be used on the shoe. As an example, take a look at the Nike Dunk Low Pro SB “Tiffany” and tell me otherwise. Leather, mesh, zoom air, awesome.

Price: Aside from being a high quality shoe from high quality team (Stüssy remember?), I was extremely surprised at the price of this shoe. When this shoe released back in July of 2005, $65 was the cost for this beauty. Not a price to be passed up at all.

Summary: There is absolutely nothing wrong with this shoe. From the quality of the materials used to the people involved in its creation, even to the price that the shoe was sold at, this shoe is definitely a must in any Nike SB collection. Most alpha-males would scoff at the idea of wearing pink on your feet, but that’s the beauty of it. A shoe that is going to turn some heads and break some necks. However with the inflation of prices and the demand of rare shoes at an all time high, be expected to pay a premium for this sneaker. I have seen prices range from $125 – 350 for this sneaker. In short, amazing quality, amazing price. Definitely a must cop.

Nike Dunk Low Pro SB

Shy Pink/ Vanilla

304292-671

$65