Radio Silence: A Selected Visual History of American Hardcore Music

by Josh Teixeira

Much like John Cusak’s character in High Fidelity, we at CH constantly wrestle with the proper way to organize our records. Alphabetical? Chronological? Emotional significance? "Radio Silence," a forthcoming book from MTV Press/Powerhouse Books, takes a clever approach to the classic dilemma. An unprecedented documentation of the American hardcore scene from 1978-1994, the book includes all sorts of memorabilia. But it's the collection of hardcore album covers laid out in compelling grids and arranged according to aesthetics that sets it apart from other documentations of an era. (Pictured above, click to enlarge).

Loosely grouped by cover art style, the collection is not only visually compelling to the uninformed, its a truly innovative way to examine the almost 20 years worth of American hardcore output the book spans. The groupings, which ignore region and chronology, nonetheless hint at the multitude of styles and subgenres that emerged within the larger scene.

Culled from the personal collections of hardcore luminaries and fans alike, many of the photos, letters, fliers and shirts have never been seen before. Authors Nathan Nedorostek and Anthony Pappalardo used their connections gained from coming up in the hardcore scene to reach out to the likes of Jeff Nelson, Dave Smalley, Walter Schreifels, Cynthia Connolly, Pat Dubar, Gus Peña, Rusty Moore and Gavin Ogelsby to unearth an astounding collection of personal artifacts that tell the story of American hardcore like never before.

Due out in September, we got a sneak peak at CH HQ this week and we can't wait to get our hands on the finished product. You can find out more at the book's site and preorder at Amazon or PowerHouse.

Ferrari: Formula Uomo

by Tim Yu

Soon after a report in the June edition of Wired that talks of spying and sabotage against Ferrari causing a Formula One fiasco, I was understandably a little surprised to be invited to Ferrari's Maranello, Italy headquarters to celebrate the latest installment to Formula Uomo, a program started in 1997 aimed at holistic and continuous improvement of the company. After watching test cars roll in and out of the facilities all day and touring factory grounds—including a stop at the new Jean Nouvel-designed assembly line, a gourmet Company restaurant designed by Marco Visconti and a look at the soon-to-be-released Pininforina (California)—I understand and sympathize with jealousy felt by competitors like MacLaren.

With sharp attention to design and over €200,000,000 in investments, the Formula Uomo program has bred a safe and inspiring workplace where architecture and design play a key roll in the production process. The Formula Uomo program also ensures that everyone have an outlet to express their opinions on how to improve company methodology, which ultimately results in more efficient and precise production of the automobile.

Click through the slideshow below for a look at the inner workings and production process of the enigmatic car maker. (Mouse over for notes for explanation.)

Images our own and courtesy of Ferrari.

Gin and Titonic Ice Cube Molds

by Doug Black

Nothing shakes up a cocktail party like talk of tragedy, and there may never be a classier catastrophe than the Titanic. With that in mind, the clever folk at Fred & Friends designed the perfect conversation piece with Gin & Titonic. It's an ice cube mold shaped to depict miniature Titanics and icebergs. When sunk into your drink, they form a dramatic diorama befitting an elementary school science fair. Admittedly, it's a pretty extreme manifestation of an only mildly funny pun, but there's something darkly appealing about the person with an upended vessel clinking around their cocktail.

The mold includes four doomed ocean liners and just as many devastating icebergs. Expect them soon in stores and online retailers.

Keen Ventura Canvas

by Doug Black

Dubbed "Hybrid Footwear," Keen's shoe line has a clear emphasis on sustainability. The Ventura Canvas reflects this philosophy, while maintaining a classic, casual sneaker design. Their first completely vegan shoe, the canvas upper uses organic cotton and recycled aluminum eyelets. Like the rest of Keen's line, the Ventura makes comfort a high priority. The removable metatomical footbed—made from jute, cork and natural latex—helps mold to the foot. The outsole is composed of natural rubber too and features Keen's signature toe protection in the front.

The Ventura Canvas comes in five different colors (all of them faded earth tones). You can find retailers on their site. And if you were unsure of Keen's commitment to sustainability, you might be convinced when they come in a new Hybrid Box that uses biodegradable materials, natural water-based latex glue, soy-based inks and weighs 25% less than the old box, reducing labor, power and fuel in shipping.

Zipcar's Low-Car Diet

by Doug Black

With gas prices at a record high and public transit a cost-effective and greener option, now's a good time to ditch your car. Zipcar is trying to ease the transition with the "Low-Car Diet." Beginning 21 July 2008, they're challenging North Americans to go car-free for a full 30 days. They will replace participants' car keys with a complimentary transit pass, a free one-year Zipcar membership, drive time credit and a number of other perks from local partners. In the New York City area, Zoo York will aid the car-less participants by donating skateboards (pictured).

The events kick off on the 21st with a ceremonial key-drop event at a currently undisclosed location. On 15 August 2008, they'll hold a completion event where people can compare their car-free experiences. Zipcar is offering the "Low-Car Diet" in ten of its American cities, plus Vancouver and Toronto. Current Zipcar members can also participate by sending an email. Get more info and apply by emailing rharmon [at] zipcar [dot] com.

Melissa Summer '09 and Online Shop

by Phuong-Cac Nguyen

The reigning queen of plastic injected shoes, Melissa, is now set out to conquer the world with more designer collaborations and a global push. While the sneak peek at their summer 2009 line will get hearts beating with excitement, the bigger news is that it's making a push to capture more female suitors by pushing Melissa as a global brand with a soon-to-come online shop. It's an effort that, if the time-tested popularity of these candy-smelling goodies outside of Brazil at Colette and Opening Ceremony is any indication, will see positive responses.

In fact, an already-launched initial worldwide advertising campaign lets Melissa-holics stay current via a special site. A recently-introduced companion part chronicles the history of the brand and 130 iconic models from Karim Rashid's to the Campana Brothers' contributions—well worth a look to understand the growth of the Melissa phenomenon.

Summer 2009 sees an incredibly designed shoe by 2004 Pritzker Prize-winner Zaha Hadid (top right) that looks it came directly off her drawing table. The rest of the usual suspects—Alexandre Herchcovitch (above right), Fiorucci (above left), Thais Losso, among others—have updated their collections with fresh models as well. Check the site's newly resurrected blog to hear about new updates.

The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company

by Doug Black

For anyone who's ever wondered what to do with all of their excess elephant poop, there's finally an answer: turn it in to paper. The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company has been converting dung into a wide variety of paper products since 2002 and their business practice is refreshingly sustainable. They start by collecting the abundant poo from various conservation parks, converting it to paper, which they sell in various formats in stores across the globe and through their online "Poo-tique." A portion of the proceeds go back to elephant conservation and welfare programs, which aid the animals themselves, who are more than happy to contribute even more dung, and the cycle continues.

The company has over 150 products like journals, noteboxes, stationery and greeting cards (pictured above). And fortunately, the poo paper doesn't smell anything like fresh dung. That's because the company first lets the waste dry completely before thoroughly rinsing it. What's left is the fibrous refuse from the plant life elephants consume—a remarkably perfect source material for paper production.

Check out the Poo-tique yourself, or just explore the site for a healthy does of elephant history and fun facts.