I know what you are thinking. “How the hell are Nike SB tshirts hardcore affiliated or even related?” Patience ,my dear friend. Much like Morgado’s earlier, super wacky connection, mine has a similar direction.

I’ve found over the last few years that bands have been making super ridiculous looking shirts. True story, and you know this, man. There is only so much ridiculousness I can wear, and my awesome shirts from the 80s and 90s … well, they are from the 80s and 90s. They are getting older and more delicate as the years go by. It’s all good, I don’t have them hermetically sealed and stored in a light sensitive, temperature and humidity controlled environment like some person I know (COUGH .. casali .. COUGH). I obviously still wear them, but every now and then, it’s nice to buy a NEW shirt.

Lately, that shirt of choice is the Nike SB dri-fit tee. These shirts are great. No stupid neon colors, no bizarre bullshit. Just plain logos or NO logo at all. Pocket or v-neck, I can hang. So I’ve picked up a few and they are great go to shirts. I’ve been able to pick up a few from local skate shops (SUPPORT local skate shops!) and a couple from ebay seller shoe_depot. I obviously prefer supporting my local skateshops, but lately, they’ve been selling out of these items with the quickness. Apparently, EVERYONE is enjoying them as much as I am. So I was forced to broaden my scope.

A few weeks back, I noticed a note on the Livewire Records message board from Eric Z of Refuge Skateboard Shop. He runs a great skateshop out in Michigan. Kids seem to love it, and from what I’ve read, so does the neighborhood. He posted about a sale he was running on Nike SB footwear. I jumped on it hoping he might have a few vegan sneaker options. Sadly, he did not. BUT, he did have some of the coveted shirts I was looking for. I hit him up right quick, sent some paypal his way, and then in a few short days, I had some new tees in house. It was awesome.

Here’s where it comes full circle back to hardcore. If you don’t know Eric Z (the Z is for Ziembowicz. Apparently Z is easier to pronounce than Ziembowicz. Who’d have guessed?), he is a hardcore kid like you and me. A diehard skateboarder and he’s run Element Records for nearly 15 years (or is it more? It could be more than that). I believe Element Records started out as a hardcore / skateboard zine. I know I have 2 or 3 issues somewhere in my house. He then started putting out EPs that had some skateboard connection. The Prevent This Tragedy comp is one of my favorites. Can’t go wrong with a Swarm track.

On top of the label, he’s also a small business owner struggling with the current economic situation. Here’s where you get into the mix. If you live in the area, support his shop. If you have an internet connection (duh), order gear from him. If you have a phone, call your order in. Support this dude. He’s been supporting hardcore for decades. It’s time to give back and support him. Go check it out.

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