Chuck Taylors have been the unofficial-official shoes of punk rock and indie rock ever since the Ramones grew out of their Keds. It is an indisputable fact that no matter what you're doing, what you're wearing, or who you are, a pair of (Nike-owned) Converse All Stars always looks good.
Converse Inc. just announced that it has opened the doors to its recording studio in Brooklyn. Converse Rubber Tracks seems like a broke musician's Utopia: You get to record for free, keep the rights to your jams, or, if you want, lend Converse the rights to your music so it can publish your tracks online. Sounds too good to be true. What could be the downfall? You have to wear Chucks until the day you die? Seems fair and cool.
We imagine other shoe companies will follow suit, and bands will be happy to support their brands.
Birkenstock Sandal Co. will likely open up a studio in Virginia. The only requirements to record there will be: Your band must sound an awful lot like the Dave Matthews Band or be the Dave Matthews Band. Your band will get further consideration for free studio time if you are fluent in hackeysack.
Timberland (in conjunction with Timbaland) will open a studio specifically geared to mid- to late-'90s rappers. As long as you have Timbos on your toes and were a member of Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest, Naughty by Nature, or any facsimile thereof, you are welcome with open laces.
Toms Shoe Co. will charge you to use their studio, but for every hour of studio time you purchase, it will give an underprivileged band a free hour of studio time. You can get discounts on recording if you wear Toms and clothes made out construction paper -- just like the shoes.
Capezio Shoes will go a different route. They'll probably open a House Music DJ & Dancer Workshop. Come in with your vintage house shoes and famous DJs like Jellybean Benitez, Frankie Knuckles, and Ernie Hotsauce will teach you how to jack bodies all night long.
Not be left out, Crocs will open a studio for laid-back musicians. Jimmy Buffett and Sublime types preferred. Also, if you are just someone who doesn't give a shit how stupid you look wearing blocks of malformed perforated plastic on your feet, the crew at Crocs Rocs Studio Shop will pair you up with equally sloppy individuals.
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