I watched the documentary Beautiful Losers last week and my birthdate magically popped up in one of the scenes. I had a quick “holy shit” moment and then scrambled to pause it and take the fine screenshot you see below. I told my parents about it and my dad claims that they induced labor on that exact date because of the documentary. I’m pretty sure he was kidding, but I love the reassurance of where my sarcastic side comes from.

I’d give the movie an 8 out of 11. I didn’t know about most of the artists it featured so it was cool to see their work. I heard about the movie from geeking out on old skateboard videos on YouTube and found a connection to Ed Templeton. He’s one of the main subjects in the film, and a total badass. The movie has a heavy connection to skateboarding in general, and Ed has been a notable artist + pro skateboarder for many years.

Anyways, you should probably watch the movie, especially if you ever need some DIY inspiration or just want to get nostalgic about 90′s art in big cities.

There’s also a really cool segment in the film where they talk about the crossover and demand for these artists to get involved with mainstream advertising. I remember getting a kick out of this spot from Mike Mills a few years back. It’s still pretty funny.

Links:

Beautiful Losers IMDB

Just utilizing my vast art skills here.

The stick figures, word bubbles and thought bubbles were all drawn w/ marker on individual note cards. I scanned them in, erased everything but the lines, and then re-arranged everything to build the two frames. Bonus points if you can recognize where/who made the font popular.

Then I watched a few interviews where Brad and LL Cool J tried to defend the song as some kind of new found logic. That they were trying to “open up a conversation” and had put a lot of thought into the song. As a critic I will accept that this terrible song exists, but I won’t accept some bullshit reasoning and excuses to make up for their lack of effort. In all likelihood this song was accidentally a publicity stunt.

Many people have since gone on tangents about how terrible the song is from any race perspective. I wanted to get my two cents in, so I thought I would dissect the song line by line in an attempt to understand the story they were trying so hard to tell.

:::::::
“Accidental Racist”
(feat. LL Cool J)

*BOLD TEXT = SONG LYRICS

To the man that waited on me at the Starbucks down on Main, I hope you understand

I got to call bullshit right from the get go here Brad. Starbucks doesn’t employ waiters. Once they hand over your drink you’re pretty much on your own.

When I put on that t-shirt, the only thing I meant to say is I’m a Skynyrd fan

If that’s the case then you’re a shitty Skynyrd fan. There are plenty of good Lynyrd Skynyrd shirts and apparel out there for you to show your support.

The red flag on my chest somehow is like the elephant in the corner of the south

He must not be too familiar w/ the whole “civil war thing.”

And I just walked him right in the room

You sure did Brad. It’s almost as if you planned it or perhaps just needed the basis to fabricate a song on.

Just a proud rebel son with an ‘ol can of worms

Not exactly sure WTF you are talking about here Brad. I imagine your just trying to sound folksy here, but still. Worms?

Lookin’ like I got a lot to learn but from my point of view

You sure do Brad. Please stop writing lyrics and pick up a book, preferably non-fiction.

I’m just a white man comin’ to you from the southland

Brad, you are from West Virginia. According to geography that is east, but I don’t want to split hairs here. We have a long painful way to go.

Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be

That’s big of you Brad, but if this song is your attempt at trying then I don’t think you’re going to comprehend very much.

I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done

Would you care to give examples, or would you prefer to keep it vague and ambiguous?

And it ain’t like you and me can re-write history

Vague and ambiguous it is.

Our generation didn’t start this nation

Hold on there Brad. You just said you were proud of where you’re from, but now you’re pointing fingers at them.

We’re still pickin’ up the pieces, walkin’ on eggshells, fightin’ over yesterday

Once again, I must disagree with you here Brad. I wouldn’t say that wearing a confederate flag counts as walking on egg shells.

And caught between southern pride and southern blame

Well… at least you didn’t say white guilt.

They called it Reconstruction, fixed the buildings, dried some tears

Starting to think that Brad was home-schooled.

We’re still siftin’ through the rubble after a hundred-fifty years

I suppose we are. However, this song is a terrible sifting device.

I try to put myself in your shoes and that’s a good place to begin

Wearing the confederate flag as a fashion statement isn’t a good way to put yourself in a black person’s shoes.

But it ain’t like I can walk a mile in someone else’s skin

No you can’t Brad, but this sounds like you’re giving up.

‘Cause I’m a white man livin’ in the southland

This is the song’s bridge back to your chorus? Fuck…

Just like you I’m more than what you see

Preach. PREACH!

(chorus)
I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done
And it ain’t like you and me can re-write history
Our generation didn’t start this nation
And we’re still paying for mistakes
That a bunch of folks made long before we came
And caught between southern pride and southern blame

At this point I’m  very confused, a little angry and mildly depressed… Good thing LL Cool J is here to set things straight.

Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood

Nice. We’re off to a better start than Brad.

What the world is really like when you’re livin’ in the hood

That didn’t last long.

Just because my pants are saggin’ doesn’t mean I’m up to no good

This is true in theory. He might just need a belt or better fitting pants.

You should try to get to know me, I really wish you would

Nice. Maybe we’re getting somewhere again.

Now my chains are gold but I’m still misunderstood

That’s the nature of jewelry. Fashion will always be debatable.

I wasn’t there when Sherman’s March turned the south into firewood

Nope, you sure weren’t. That was in the 1800′s.

I want you to get paid but be a slave I never could

That’s very nice of you James.

Feel like a new fangled Django, dodgin’ invisible white hoods

Don’t bring a good movie into a terrible song.

So when I see that white cowboy hat, I’m thinkin’ it’s not all good

White does stain easily. Perhaps James is just looking out for the well-being of Brad’s wardrobe.

I guess we’re both guilty of judgin’ the cover not the book

I think you’re allowed to dislike cowboy hats. I rarely wear one myself.

I’d love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air

This is the best idea either of you two have had yet.

But I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn’t here

If Brad is actually pro-slavery then he would want you here. As an “employee.”

I’m just a white man

You’re also a well established celebrity, but thanks for trying to be humble.

(If you don’t judge my do-rag)

Back to the headwear are we?

Comin’ to you from the southland

West Virginia.

(I won’t judge your red flag)

Two different stereotypes, but fair enough I suppose.

Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be

If that’s the goal, this song isn’t helping.

I’m proud of where I’m from

Would you care to give a reason this time?

(If you don’t judge my gold chains)

That’s not fair. Brad might be a jeweler, perhaps even a lapidary buff.

But not everything we’ve done

What? Oh yeah, we’re getting back to the chorus.

(I’ll forget the iron chains)

Not sure if you should be speaking for everyone here James. Be cool.

it ain’t like you and me can re-write history

Nope, just this terrible terrible unfortunate song.

(Can’t re-write history baby)

*See aforementioned comment.

Oh, Dixieland

Damnit Brad, can we just wrap this up already?

(The relationship between the Mason-Dixon needs some fixin’)

You’re still not helping James. Don’t bring geography into this now.

I hope you understand what this is all about

NO! I DON’T AND I SERIOUSLY DOUBT EITHER OF YOU TWO DO!

(Quite frankly I’m a black Yankee but I’ve been thinkin’ about this lately)

Thinking about playing baseball? Fuck, I give up.

I’m a son of the new south

This could actually pass as the first poetic thing said in this song.

(The past is the past, you feel me)

It sure is. Whatever you say. JUST MAKE IT STOP!

And I just want to make things right

Awesome, but you’ve failed to explain how in any way.

(Let bygones be bygones)

Anything. Fine, if it will shut you two up.

Where all that’s left is southern pride

Great, pride it up. Throw a parade if you want to.

(RIP Robert E. Lee but I’ve gotta thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me, know what I mean)

James… stop.

It’s real, it’s real

Not in my book.

It’s truth (end of song)

WTF just happened?

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

bigthink.com
 
 

In late 2012 Gerber Gear & Mutt Industries went on a cross-country adventure known as The American Expedition. A road team traveled more than 5,000 miles from Portland to New York City in 28 days. A custom 4×4 van was packed full of Gerber tools, knives, and a Mobile HQ that housed the evolution of Gerber products from their inception in 1939 to present day. The goal was to search for Trouble and find true Gerber heroes who use the products and document their tales of Trouble.

I worked directly with the road team as the exclusive home based writer. My main task was to craft narratives and short copy from the expedition and report our findings via the expedition’s website and Gerber’s social media channels. Internet access permitting the road team would upload photos, videos, and interview assets from the expedition for Mutt’s creative team in Portland to begin creating new content in real time. 

CAMPAIGN LAUNCH TEASER:

FINAL VIDEO:

AMERICAN EXPEDITION LOGBOOK 

CLICK COVER TO LAUNCH AS .PDF

EXPEDITION DESIGN UPDATE EXAMPLES via FACEBOOK

EXPEDITION STATUS UPDATE EXAMPLES via FACEBOOK

EXPEDITION STATUS UPDATE EXAMPLES via TWITTER

#HELLOTROUBLE EXAMPLES ON INSTAGRAM (hashtag feeds to live site)

 LIVE CAMPAIGN UX EXAMPLES:

::::::::::::::::::

Mutt Industries:

Steve Luker - creative director
Mike McCommon - creative director *
Scott Cromer - creative director
Kristin Postill Webb - account director *
Chris Lawson - Producer *
Scott Fox - Producer *
Jason Schwartz - Project Manager
Claiborne Colombo - art director + designer
Shaun Mendiola - photographer + designer *
Tim O’Brien - art director + designer *
Micah Cruver – photographer + videographer *
Ryan Schmidt – digital producer
Al James – writer
Adam Long – video editor + art director
Emma Barnett – designer

* denotes traveling expedition member

3D Design Concept

Mobile HQ + Tradeshow Event

LARGE WALL MURALS

POSTERS

Mutt Industries:

Steve Luker – creative director
Mike McCommon – creative director
Kristin Postill Webb – account director
Chris Lawson – Producer
Scott Fox – Producer
Jason Schwartz – Project Manager
Claiborne Colombo - art director + lead designer
Shaun Mendiola – photographer + designer
Tim O’Brien – art director + designer
Ryan Wesley Peterson – designer
David Zavertnik – art director + designer

Each character started as just a picture. I would then create a name, age, occupation, location, and attempted to freestyle the remainder. A handful made it to a second draft, but they are mostly the result of a ramble. 

VIEW/ DOWNLOAD AS PDF

Formatted for 8×10 for full-size prints. I’ll post a smaller & high resolution soon. 

designer – Willyum Beck