Sunday 30 September 2012

EIGHTIES VINYL



The Troubadours video of the forthcoming vinyl 'Con Edison' has been put together by Freakbeat Films. The single is available for Pre-Order now from www.eightiesvinylrecords.co.uk with a Limited Edition Eighties T-Shirt also available. The 7" vinyl should be ready to post in November.
Eighties Vinyl is a 'Non Profit' business where all monies are re-invested for future singles. We hope to highlight up and coming bands and artists [video, designer etc] and make a positive contribution back to the music industry whilst also hopefully giving those that support us and the artists some nice incentives.  

EIGHTIES/TRANMERE TRUST T-SHIRT




We recently mentioned our close links with The Tranmere Trust producing a leaflet for their Away Travel Coaches. Now the 80s Casuals Trust T-Shirt is ready and i'm sure it will be seen soon at Prenton Park. 
The T-Shirt follows on from the recent Fussball one we produced last spring. This time the characters take on the guise of three former Tranmere greats, John Aldridge, Ian Muir and Pat Nevin.
The Trust one day hopes to take control of the club and has our backing in its fight 'Against Modern Football' and its hope, one day, for Fan and Community Ownership. 

Monday 24 September 2012

EIGHTIES VINYL NEWS






The first release on the Eighties Vinyl Records label is being sent to the vinyl manufacturers tomorrow. The Sand Band 7" single 'When We Kiss' should be ready to post in approx 3 weeks. The 80s Casuals Limited Edition Sand Band T-Shirt for the vinyl label sold out in the first two days and has been sent to those who purchased.
Almost immediately we are onto EVR002 with The Troubadours 'Con Edison' next up. The Troubadours had a Top 10 album in Japan a few years back but due to label difficulties were unable to release it here. As Eighties Vinyl does not hold anyone to contract and is Non Profit, we are able to release the Limited Edition 7" coloured vinyl with the aim of publicising the fact that the band are back together hoping to secure a deal to release the aforementioned album.
A Limited Edition 80s Casuals T-Shirt with a signed Postcard is being produced to co-incide with the release of the single.
All details are here for the Singles and T-Shirt.

Sunday 23 September 2012

WINTER 'GENTRY' COLLECTION



It's been a bit quiet this week but thats only because one of us was on a European 'Awaydays' trip to Switzerland. Anyway now it's back to work and first news is that the Eighties 'Coney' Hat will be the first of our Winter 'Gentry' Collection to hit these shores from our suppliers. 
It will be available in three colours; Moss, Sand and Navy.
This Seasons 'Beanie' style of headwear has a large 80s leather badge as well as the prominent red pinch tag on the reverse [see pic].
More pics and details to follow on their arrival.

Sunday 16 September 2012

80s CASUALS BOOK





We have now SOLD OUT of the 80s Casuals A5 size book. We will not be producing any more for the foreseeable future and so your last chance to pick up a copy is via Distant Echo http://www.distantecho.co.uk/t/type/magazines   or 80s CasualClassics http://www.80scasualclassics.co.uk/gift-ideas/80s-casuals-book-new-a5-size-2104538-393995-699846.php 
Distant Echo have a dozen left and 80s CasualClassics are down to their last 25, so if you require one please contact them asap. 
There was only 2000 of the A5 version produced after the initial 2000 A4 version sold out in its first 3 months of publication.
A massive Thanks to all of those who supported the brand in purchasing what we hope is an enjoyable retrospective look at the original Brands and Clothing from the late 70s through to the early 90s.

Saturday 15 September 2012

TRAINERS ON T-SHIRTS





When 80s Casuals started the idea of putting a pair of trainers onto the front of a T-Shirt was incomprehensible. We continued though unabated and the idea took off as the retrospective idea brought back many memories of the 80s Casual era.
Here's a short 80s Casuals video from a few years back when it was possible to put trainers on T-Shirts.  
Nowadays there's a few brands doing it but adidas themselves seem to have cornered the market which we suppose as the saying goes means 'Imitation is the best form flattery'.

Friday 14 September 2012

10 ANNI EMBLEM

NEW EIGHTIES 'TENNIS BALL' EMBLEM


ORIGINAL 80s CASUALS/FILA COLLABORATION LOGO




As we enter our 10th year of existence, we feel compelled to keep moving forward, not only in the detailing of our clothing but also in some design features.
The 80s logo has featured a Tennis Ball since the 80s Casuals/Fila collaboration a few years ago. This was a nod towards the classic Bjorn Borg/Fila badge that so encapsulated the Casual era of the early 80s.
As from this Winters Collection the Eighties badge that will appear on all Polo T-Shirts will be a simple but distinctive Tennis Ball. The designs colours of red and black are characteristic of the 80s Casuals logos during the last decade and the Tennis Ball is just our appreciation of the Tennis brands that were so eminent during our youth.
The logo makes it's debut on the 'Poacher' Polo this coming Winter.

Thursday 13 September 2012

ONCE UPON A TIME IN FLIMBY - NEW BALANCE



For a good while now we have been championing New Balance footwear as a chic alternative to some of the poorly thought-out re-issued trainers aimed at terrace goers of late. In light of that we have made some good friends there and recently Jay was invited up to the factory for the day to see what makes these guys tick.
Here's his account of the day.
Flimby is the tiniest of places just outside of Workington on the Cumbrian coast line.  I won’t try to give you a history lesson about the brand as they do that so much better on their own website. Too many brands focus on origins and former glories but at NB I was blown away by what happens in there UK production factory right now. 




Upon arrival there was no airs and graces to this set up, just a ‘what you see is what you get attitude’ which I quite frankly found very refreshing. Similar to our own ethos, NB don’t try to be something they are not, but they do focus on what they are passionate about and do it very well. After a good old natter with Jon and Mark I was introduced to factory legend Jim Fox who has been with the company for over 26 years and has another 15’s worth of experience under his belt before that! He explained that currently the Flimby site employs over 200 staff, but as the demand for rare British manufactured goods grows they are struggling to keep up with demand and are currently training new highly skilled ‘cutters’ and ‘stitchers’ which is an art that takes 12 months or more to master, if you are up to the grade. 




NB are famous for their lasts which cater for a wide range of sizes and more uniquely a generous variety of widths. Every shoe starts with one of these many lasts with the current front runners (see what I did there) being the 576 and 577 (although I must say I was hugely excited by a sneak peak at the resurrected 620 for next season). 



The leather room was our next stop and being a fan of all things colourful this was a place of wonder for me. Here the correct fabric is matched to the sample and then inspected for imperfections before the cutting can begin.








Once cut the leather can then have any finer detail added, such as the embroidery, heel cap, tongue label and famous ‘N’.  








From here on in the shoe was moulded and took shape through some mind boggling processes that were made to look like putting a burger in a bun by these talented crafts folk.  Now most of my friends work in factories and I consider myself a very lucky man that I don’t have to, as to be quite frank it would bore me senseless. However this workforce can’t afford to lose concentration for a second as every unit requires the utmost attention for perfection and these people seemed to love what they do with very few returned as substandard upon final inspection. 










Now the icing on the cake was a little treat Jim had saved for me knowing our passion for football. Tucked away in his desk was the original lasts made to fit the golden feet of Man U and England legend Bryan Robson, who was the brand ambassador for their football boots at the peak of his career. Since then NB have sadly stopped football boot production, due to the next generation wanting the latest rainbow boots from those with no history in the beautiful game and as mentioned earlier NB don’t pamper to fads.  





So a big thanks to all our friends at NB and especially the big Man Jim, we hope to have the honour of working with you in the not too distant future!

Jay.  



Sunday 9 September 2012

THE TERRACE GENTRY + 'MANOR' POLO









This month will see the first lines of the Winter 'Gentry' Collection arriving. 
The meaning of Gentry usually signifies the 'well bred' people of the higher classes but our description is of the Terrace Gentry who stole the look of the 'landed nobility' to wear on the Terraces. 
The aspirational brands of Barbour and Aquascutum are just two labels that were high-jacked and it is these and the garments of other Countryside labels that have inspired our Winter attire.  
The 'Manor' Knit Polo takes it's place amongst the 'Gentry' Collection and will be available in Charcoal Grey and Navy Blue. The latest leather 80s badge adorns the right hip above a stretched hem whilst the visually distinctive red pinch tag appears on the opposite side hem. 
This elegant 100% cotton Polo conforms to all the characteristics of a wardrobe staple for the Winter months.
Available from early November.

Saturday 8 September 2012

EIGHTIES VINYL RECORDS UP-DATE


EIGHTIES VINYL RECORDS T-SHIRT



THE TROUBADOURS 'CON EDISON' ARTWORK TEASER


Eighties Vinyl Up-Dates;

EVR001 - The Sand Band A-Side is due to be finally mixed this weekend and will be sent to the manufacturers a.s.a.p.
EVRT001 - The Sand Band T-Shirt will be printed in a week or so and posted out once ready.
We have only a couple of the Limited Edition release left if you want to grab one.
EVR002 - The Troubadours have a great piece of original artwork for the Con Edison sleeve almost ready. pic above.
EVRT002 - The Troubadours Limited Edition T-Shirt will use the sleeve artwork designed by the bands Mark Frith. more details to follow.
EVRT000 - All Independent labels produce their own logo T-Shirt and we are no different. The Eighties Vinyl Records Logo T-Shirt is now available www.eightiesvinylrecords.co.uk 
Thanks again for all of the support.

Thursday 6 September 2012

AMF - COMMUNITY SPIRIT



We continue to keep close ties with the local community whether that is through the setting up of the Eighties Vinyl label http://www.facebook.com/EightiesVinylRecords local boxing or football clubs. 
Our latest venture is very much in vein with the Against Modern Football stance we have taken up. 
The Tranmere Trust http://www.tranmereroverstrust.co.uk/ aims to strengthen the bond between the club and its fans and has the supporters interests at heart. It hopes to one day buy-out the Clubs present Owner but in the meantime they move forward by gaining more members and raising funds.
We are producing a T-Shirt for the Trust and have recently designed this vintage looking leaflet for their Away travel group.

Sunday 2 September 2012

EIGHTIES + RUSSELL 'BENJAMIN' SWEAT.






110 Years old this year and still going strong, Russell Athletic produces Athletic garments that inspired many subsequently. In the 80s it became a brand that held sway with many looking for a simple comfortable look with the Sweatshirt filling them needs.
We have produced the 'Benjamin' Crew Neck Sweatshirt in a range of colours including, Red, Navy, Marl Grey, Burgundy and Sky Blue. The name comes from the Company's founder Benjamin Russell.
Each Sweatshirt has overseam stitching with raglan sleeves and will be available tonight on the website and later in the week from our Stockists.