Johnny Cupcakes

Rambo Pencil Eraser I couldn’t pass up on this gem. Close your eyes and picture a little kid using this as a pencil eraser. I don’t know about you, but a few things come to my mind: #1) This little kid is bad ass. #2) He’s got a half-naked man holding a knife and a missile launcher on his pencil. #3) Nobody is going to mess with him. #4) For a kids pencil eraser, the pencil sure is sticking in an adulty place. #5) Seeing that the eraser is twice the pencils size and ten times it’s weight, how the heck is this kindergartener able to hold his pencil up efficiently?

BBQ Chips Packaging Looking like an oversized pack of baseball cards, this waxed, vintage potato chip packaging makes me smile. The artwork is so simple yet effective that it makes me want to have a BBQ party of my own. Great color choice, typography and geez—at ten cents you can’t beat it! Come to think of it, I bet the color of the packaging is a small glimpse into the bowel-y future.

Revenge Toilet Paper During the build out and grand opening of Johnny Cupcakes Los Angeles, I was temporarily living at the Roosevelt Hotel. As a treat, I flew out my friends, family and employees from back home and also got them rooms at this neat-o hotel. While a couple of pals were sharing one of the rooms, I snuck in and replaced their toilet paper with Revenge Toilet Paper. Don’t worry—it wasn’t poison ivy TP—but rather un-wipeable, rough TP that does not tear at all. Most of the day went by and I didn’t hear anyone talk about it, until my friend Sherry shared her story about going to the bathroom. She admitted that she had to use a tan towel that was hanging up. In the saddest voice, my friend/designer Clark quivered the words, “Wait…that’s my towel.”

My talented pal Boyce just put together a short, well-blended video of recent memories. Featured footage includes, enchanted forests, awkward outtakes, anniversary anarchy, dodgeball hangouts and more. This makes me miss London and all of my friends and family there. Enjoy!

Meet Dave Green. I’ve had the privilege of being friends with Dave for more than 15 years. Our friendship began when we attended the South Shore Charter School together. During that time, Dave had recorded the band I was in, Sweeps, and he even filled in on bass for us during multiple occasions when he wasn’t playing out with his band, Pony. From the breezy band-stand show on Nantasket Beach, to a foggy Halloween show at the Sea Note in Hull, where we caused much chaos that it was deemed as the last all ages show in that venue. In between we even scored a show at the famous CBGB’s while we were teenagers!

Dave went on to attend school for audio engineering. Like most people, he ended up doing something that he did not go to school for. In his case, it was photography. Everything Dave has learned was on his own via the internet or through chatting with other people.

Reminiscing of the past, we rummaged through a wooden crate of Dave’s featured photography. In between all of the Vater Percussion catalogs, we pulled out a heavy stash of Johnny Cupcakes relics.

My first Johnny Cupcakes t-shirts, look books, events, videos, and store grand openings were shot by Dave. His photography and my brand were both born together and have grown up over time.

The creation of my first look book had gotten us kicked out of the Dream Machine Arcade in Hull. However, the second JC look book brought us to New york City. Dave shot with his arsenal of equipment, while I directed each photo-shoot with my trash bags full of toys and props. Although we zipped around on a tight schedule, that team work lead to a successfully produced booklet.

In addition to the beautiful photography and layout, Dave helped me implement a few personal surprises in my second look book (see close up of newspaper above).

Out of everything Dave has shot for the Johnny Cupcakes brand, I’d have to say that my favorite is this video of the Johnny Cupcakes Water Bottle Contest above.

Dave and I have not only remained good pals with one another, but we have remained very close with the majority of people who we had surrounded ourselves with back in high school. Boating adventures to local haunted islands, vicious volleyball tournaments, dinner parties, board-game nights, and holiday celebrations are just a few drips in the coffee cup full of the monthly activities that we rotate with splendor.

Dave has photographed a whole slew of drummers who play for artists, such as Brian Fasier of Madonna, Derrick Wright of Adele, Josh Freese of A Perfect Circle / NIN / The Vandals / Devo, George “Spanky” McCurdy of Lady Gaga / Kanye West, and Al Wilson of Taylor Swift.

Explore Dave’s world and give him a digital high-five!