Dan Goldsmith, everyone! Pride of Petoskey, Michigan. Master machinist. Owner of a a bunch of dachshunds. Collector of vintage gas pumps. Family man. Longstanding friend the Draplin family. Routine pitstop of my dad on his Northern Michigan route. It’s a long list for this guy. I know this much, I’ve known Dan since I was a little whippersnapper, and he’s always been such a nice guy, who is always genuinely interested in what I do. Plus, he puts up with my dad, and we all know how that one goes. Dan’s in one of our “Michigan Torso Covers,” and sure, it might look like a nice day at Steamboat, but know this: That shirt is that “extra layer” between life and death…warmth and frostbite. We’re just glad Dan is properly outfitted for those harsh conditions. Dan Goldsmith, forever!

We watch a lot of movies. And we’re always wondering about the names of the directors. And when we see something cool, and haven’t heard of the person who made it, we always think: I’m gonna remember that name, cuz this guy’s going places. Sinuhe Xavier is one of those names. I met him through my old Nixon buddy Will Redd. Like a decade ago! And any buddy of Will Redd is a buddy of the DDC! Right? Right. So all these later we’ve been on the horn jawing about this and that, and finally caught up with each other in Austin. A nice guy, with monster talent. A lethal combination. Commercials, movies, photogrpahy, projects, etc. All rad shit. Remember his name. You’ll be seeing it soon enough. Oh yeah, Sinuhe was lucky enough to get one of our DDC “Black Death” Action Caps. They are all gone now, and that’s really sad to have to type that. Damn.

First off, we should apologize for the crop of this shot. That is one big fish, and our half-ass croppery doesn’t do that beast justice. Here we’ve got one Peter Petrulo, sportsman, bad-ass and friend of the DDC, moments after wrestling this beast out of that lake behind him. Somewhere back in the Midwest? Maybe so. One thing’s for certain: That DDC “Gray Day” Action Cap looks pretty good out there in the wild. Fish, lake or softball field, our hats handle it all. Peter’s just another success story in a long line of questionable characters representing questionable merchandise. Feel good about it. We do.

A couple years ago Andrew Passas came down from Vancouver to interview me for a class. He called, requested an hour, we wholeheartedly agreed and set a time. A pretty routine transaction for us. So Andrew comes in, we do a good 45 minutes and I say, “Back to Vancouver, right?” And he says, “Yeah, it only took me six hours to get down here this morning.” And then we say, “Wait, Vancouver, B.C.?” And he doesn’t say much, and just nods with a big smile. The kid came all the way down from Canada to interview our ugly mug! I thought he was just coming down from The Couv! Just north of us. 10 minutes. Wow. I remember being blown away and just sorta freaked out. That’s a long, long drive, so that DDC “Longbreed Gary” torso cover makes perfect sense for this one. Thanks for coming down, man. That was awesome.

This full color view was sent in by Jason Thompson of Out To Sea Design, who hails from Asbury Park, New Jersey. You might’ve heard of a fellow luminary of his by the name of Bruce Springsteen? If not, look him up. Good jams. Anyhoo, that’s basically “the best lookin’ hat wall we’ve seen in a long, long time” and we wanted to get it up on the site. No shot of Jason, and maybe that’s the way he likes it? By day he designs up the better sections of the TriCityNews, and by night, he kicks the shit out of New Jersey, junkin’, hoardin’ and collecting cool shit. Like hats. Man, check out that wall. Serious stuff. We’re proud to have a DDC “Gray Day” Action Cap in there. Good company!

Every now and again Don Guss will send us a link or photo from his exploits in the Windy City that will astound and amaze. I remember sending him some DDC merch a long time ago and commenting, “Man, that’s one great name.” I’m sure he agrees. Say it with us one more time: “Don Guss.” That one just rolls off the tongue. Sounds like the kind of guy who’d back you up when times were tough. A wildcard thought along these lines: When the chips are down, bring in Don Guss. That has a good sound to it, too. Anyway, get a download of the beardy bastard above, filling out that DDC “Orange 6-Panel Foam” Action Cap all the way and lookin’ at you with eyes that could kill. Well done, Guss. Proud to have you on board!

Guss Notes:

01. Lover of French bulldogs. Rescued two of them.
02. From Appalachia, by way of Pittsburgh, and now in Chicagoland.
03. Design the Altoids Smalls packaging. A large feat! Love those things.
04. Avid walleye fisherman. Got the numbers to back it up, too. Ask him.

And, as a little bonus, check out Guss and his buddy Adam representin’ the DDC in Wisconsin! For the Unions! For Wisconsin! For America!

A couple autumns ago I was lucky enough to speak at the Minnesota Design Camp up in Brainerd. A fun weekend. So I meet a couple gentleman from New York City that weekend, from a lethal shop called Hush that does incredible things. We hit it off and become fast friends, sharing stories and laffs. I miss that weekend. Well, it looks like David and Erik are up to their old tricks, this time, making buddies with Nick Parish from Contagious Magazine. They spotted him in a DDC “Big Mean Words” Black Death Torso Cover, in a crowd of painfully interesting SXSW-goers. And how about that? A DDC shirt connecting these guys? Off all the connections, this is how it goes down? You bet yer ass it did. Like glue! We gigantically approve, and look forward to our next visit with all mentioned in this missive. Great people, all glued together for the ages!

I’m here to tell you, I’ve trusted Brian “Gonzo” Gonzales with my life for three summers running. We make the website together for the Union Binding Company. I comp up the look and feel and stumble through a half-ass “what goes where” handoff to the guy, and he makes the thing come to life. It’s pretty amazing, actually. We’d like to thank him for saving our butts each time around, digitally speaking. We’d be fucked without you, man. Giving Gresham, Oregon a good name: Gonzo, you crazy fucker! See you in a couple months, punk. Be ready. Got some big multimedia ideas to discuss with you!

Here we’ve got Jess “River Runs Through His Pants” Gibson and some big flounder. Just what the fuck am I supposed to say about this guy? He ruined my life with that video, multiple times, and every now and again he’ll corner me outside my shop pointing that big Irish middle finger of his into my chest saying “When we gonna finish the movie, Draplin?” Poking and prodding. I’m sure he’ll land a hook into me soon enough, and we’ll wrap up the footage once and for all. Then I’ll really be ruined. Thanks, fucker. No product pitch in here, just cuz we’re smelling a little too much “fish gills” in this one. Gross.

If this isn’t the best shot of the whole DDC Merch Gallery! Here we’ve got St. Louis’ very own Rich Vagen in Paris, just moments after popping the big question to his dashing ladyfriend. Don’t believe me? Here’s proof, from the man himself: “I turned my girlfriend into my fiancé while wearing your socks in Paris. Representin’ that true click.” Love is in the air, people! Congrats to Rich and his lucky lady. We wish 100 years of happiness to you lovebirds! Those socks’ll last just that long. Hell yeah! Anyone got a kleenex? I’m crying like a baby, with tears of happiness for these two.

We’ll ship our shit anywhere! Seriously. To all ends of the earth. Here’s proof, with Johnny Horn and his little man Freddie kicking ass up and down some stretch of Scottish coastline! This one means a lot to me to. I need ample representation in Scotland. I too, have Scottish blood pumping in these veins! By the looks of this shot, we’re covered with a couple of land’s finest citizens, both strong in health and in spirit. A good mix. Thank you to the Horn clan for believing in our DDC Action Caps! I smell some serious Braveheart on these guys. Without a doubt.

This gang of hooligans run the means streets of Petoskey, Michigan, but only for the holidaze season. The place of their beginnings. Otherwise, they are holed up in a western state called “Colorado,” Mile-high and fortified with mountain strength. The Goldsmith brothers! Learn that name people. Check them out “layering up” in brand new DDC “Michigan Torso Covers.” These threads will be a reminder of where they’re from while roaming the Rockies. Good lookin’ bunch. Blood is thicker than water, and Dan and Ruth have a lot to be proud of with their offspring. Thanks for believing in the DDC! And shit, how about that mess of dachshunds! Whole lot of “brindle” going on with those champions!

Well, well, well. Check out Northern Ohio’s very own Joseph Hughes hanging out backstage with none other than Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. I know what it’s like to to be amongst greatness. You get weak in the knees, and you feel a little wobbly, you know? By the looks of Joseph, he might be a little wobbly in the chest, but goddammit if that DDC “North Lock Torso Cover” isn’t holding him up! Just the amount of strength one needs in a moment like this. On second thought, maybe they are working out dance moves? Whatever the case, we thank Joseph Hughes and the entire Northcoast Zeitgeist enterprise for believing in the DDC. And keep it beautiful, Ms. Jones! You still got it, mama!

That’s little Finn McGrath of New Mexico, holding it down in a DDC “Carhartt” Action Cap. He’s got a way to go to filling up that hat with skull, but hell, we like starting them young. Look how cute that little whippersnapper is. Kinda gives you hope, you know? Stay strong, little Finn!

That’s Pro Snowboarder Josh Dirksen—pride of Bend, Oregon—somewhere in the Alaska Backcountry. And all we’ve really got to do with this shot, is one specifically-placed DDC Embroidered Patch, which, was requested due to a whole in his jacket. So, in essence, we saved him from imminent hypothermia, frostbite and ultimately, an excruciating frozen death at the hands of Old Man Winter. And other things. For Christ’s sake, Josh…be careful out and up there!

That’s Jamie Muehlhausen up there, slogging out the tunes in a DDC “Black Death” Action Cap. Here’s a guy who I’ve known about for years and years, and, have never been able to shake hands with. He was the art director at Snowboarder Magazine, moved on to new things, whick opened the slot for little ‘ol me. My first real gig. He runs a kick-ass site called Men Who Look Like Kenny Rogers. Good, clean, white-haired fun. Anyhoo, the guy on the accordian is none other than Matt Hensley of H-Street fame. If you don’t know who he is, well, you don’t know. Look it up. So good.

All smiles down under! Australia’s Jonathan Dunbier had a big night out awhile back with his lady friend, and, Portland’s Blitzen Trapper. Judging by the blurryness of the shot, it was one of those deals where everyone is excited to meet the band and “focusing” goes out the window. Understood. I know how that one goes. The beardy guy is Brian Adrian Koch, and he plays drums for them. I really dig that band. Local folks! Thank you, Dunbier. We sure do appreciate you running our DDC “Death Black” Action Cap all the way on the other side of the globe. In fact, we’re officially making you the “DDC Australian Ambassador of Awesome.” Right fucking now. There you go. Just like that! Serious credentials. Wear ‘em well!

Vernal, Utah’s Joey Sheffer, everyone! Just ready to slay whatever comes into his viewing range! Just look at those eyes. If humanity as we know it came down to some sort of cage match battle across our great land, it would set my my mind at ease knowing he’d be on the side of the DDC. I wouldn’t want to be staring this guy down in some battle for my neck. Keep the focus, Sheffer! And do it with a DDC “Carhartt” Action Cap on that head! Hell yes.

We like little kids, for the most part. Mostly, when they aren’t crying or trying to set yer bed on fire while we you catch a little shut-eye. Here’s little Dylan Wilkinson of Denton, Texas, just a cute as a little bug. The kind of bug that doesn’t bite, eat wood or leave behind an odd scent. Get ‘em started young! This is pretty young. Man, that little guy is cute. Painfully. It’s a weapon, really. Don’t let these little shits soften you up too much. Oh yeah, that little nugget is a wearing a DDC “Black Death” Action Cap and judging by the smile on his face, he seems to be pretty okay with the fit, styling and overall durability. Issue toddlers are concerned with.

We’ll let Toronto’s Kyle McDonald do the talking on this one: “I took a Salmon fishing trip in Northern British Columbia, with my Brother, Dad, and Gramps, in late August this year. Late nights turned into early mornings on the Inlet gutting bait, pulling lines, and fighting the great Salmon. Fighting the fish proved to be a great challenge but as you can see well worth the fight. The picture attached is titled “Jesus Fish” and i think everyone should replace the current sticker on their car with this version.” Sounds like a good idea to us, too. Thanks for reppin’ that DDC “Black Death” Action Cap in BC, man. That’s the most beautiful province in Canada, hands down!

Tear down those fences! Let the tigers roam free! Don’t be afaid, Puck. Trust that cat…and trust that hat. If anything, that big sonofabitch will take a swipe at yer head, and we know that hat will protect that melon. Six panels of seriously bad-ass American-Made foam. Not to be messed with—by humans or tigers. Tiger-Proof™: The DDC “Orange” 6-Panel Foam Action Cap. Speaking of protective foam covers: Nice coozie on that tallboy, man!

That’s Colorado’s Ryan Jones to the right there, looking a little perturbed. Judging by the look on Ryan’s face, he’s thinking something along the lines of: “Why aren’t you guys wearing a DDC shirt too?” I mean, come on. Perfect candidates. Hey Ryan, here’s our message to soothe you: Yer buddies will come around. They can “get right” by clicking this link right here: DDC “North Lock Torso Cover”. It’s that simple. Thanks for believing in us, Jones!

©2009 Daniel Blom photos.

Chris Owen is one happy motherfucker. Always has been. We go way back, all the way our wild days in Bend, Oregon. If was making hats back then, he would wore one then. And he would’ve been laughing the whole time. He’s just a happy guy. Here he is in a classic DDC “Carhartt” Action Cap. There’s nothing funny about how bad-ass those hats are, though. Just clarifying. Thanks, Owen. Always.

Southeastern Oregon ain’t no match for Boise, Idaho’s Aaron Grable. Or his hat. Here he on the Owyhee River landing a good-lookin’ brown trout. His DDC “Gray Day” Action Cap not only kept the sun out of his eyes, but it allowed him to focus to the point of water-borne transcendence…getting right into the mind of that fish. We’ve got no scientific proof to back up this claim, but hey, add it up:

“Bad-ass Grable”
+
“DDC Action Cap”
+
“Defeated Brown Trout”
———————————————-
= “Proof these hats are on yer side.”

Some math for you. Thanks, Boise!

No one’s gonna put a fast one over on Cavan Town, Ireland’s Greg Meehan. Here he is, high atop “the top of the Rock” in New York City. That’s Rockefeller Center, people. Get with it. Greg’s with it enough to enjoy New York City in a DDC “Big Mean Words” Shop Manual Green Torso Cover. We’re pretty down with that. I mean, come on, New York is a big goddamn place, and there’s a million other t-shirt options around that city for a fine Irish lad like Greg. And he chose our shirt. Warms the heart, it does. Greg’s currently living it up in Boston. You know how the place has a bad name with all those meatheads and their so-called Irish pride there? Well, I’m gonna bet this real deal shamrock has a good laugh over those Boston pussies. Rampant speculation from a guy who’s 25% Irish.

You know when I talk about Marty from Italy coming over to work in Portland, right? You know, on countless Union projects? Well, it’s a long way for the guy to come, and it’s important to remember and respect the fact that each and every time he leaves, his little daughter Guilietta misses the hell out of him. So I’m betting the shot above was taken “mere moments after his triumphant return to his homeland” with files in hand, tales of epic graphic battles and the spoils of said adventures. See that shirt? That’s the equivalent of “plucking a helmet off a dead Hun” or something. The DDC “Big Mean Words” Shop Manual Green Torso Cover…they even do the job in Italy! My Italian brother. He even looks like me. You can see it in the ears.

The DDC goes global! All the way down to Peru! Here’s a couple bad-ass Hosieth’s representin’ the DDC in the “Lost City of the Incas.” Like any good Upper Midwesterner, these guys are bringing the Minnesota to Peru. Just the way it should be. Dad’s in a DDC “North Lock Torso Cover” while his first born protects his noggin with a DDC “Death Black” Action Cap. Father and son: Blood is thicker than water. My dad taught me everything I know, which ain’t much. But that’s another story. Long live the Hosieth clan!

I’ve got two friends from or in Oklahoma. The first is Wayne Coyne of the goddamn Flaming Lips. You better have heard of him. Second, is Darin Bendall, currently of Japan. Well, this guy right here is the third addition to the list. Jason Coates, people. He’s out of Tulsa, and along with the lil’ Drifter (his youngling “Phil”) he’s keeping shit on lock down in the “balls and dick” state. Jason, welcome aboard. That DDC “Death Black” Action Cap will last you a lifetime, so get ready for the long haul.

Good lord. Bob Smith, everyone. A graphic designer from Portland, Ore., just a brisk walk from the DDC Factory Floor. From the looks of this one, Bob is in his basement, working away. We’re gonna bet on “cool stuff.” Just a hunch. And Bob, well, he’s giving us a look we know all too well. The look that makes whoever just cut you off on the freeway think a little harder about their driving skills. That one. You know it. Bob, thank you for keeping the world on the right track in yer DDC Classic Torso Cover. And, you for the record, you own the road. Rip ‘em a new one.

Steve St. Pierre is a proud Canadian. Right up there with Big Al of Winnipeg. A musician, lover of ale and knows a good shirt when he sees one. What you see here is Steve giving you the “ready for anything” pose in his new DDC Classic Torso Cover. He’s currently holding it down in Vancouver, but will heading back to Toronto soon enough. West or East, these shirts keep you going when things get tough. Steve, we’ve got yer back. Stay strong and stay free! Good luck in Toronto with the tunes. We look forward to hearing good stuff outta you.

Now we’re talking. Readers, we bring you the one and only Allan Lorde of Winnipeg, Manitoba. This guy’s got a list that we just gotta share with you, so you know who you are messing with. He’s an adsetter for a publications company. He’s a college graduate. He makes rock posters. He’s one hell of an illustrator. And, he loves his women big and beautiful. Here he is braving a cold Winnipeg night in his new DDC “Death Black” Action Cap. Big Al, we’re glad to have you on board. Keep up the good work, and keep it extra large!

Check out this piece of work. Freddy is one of my dad’s buddies. They have coffee every morning together. The last time I was home, here’s what Freddy had to say, “I’m 71-years-old. I earned the right to not take any shit from anyone.” We agree. And here he is in his DDC “Anvil Strength Torso Cover”, cracking a little smile, taking a momentary break from “not taking shit from anyone, ever.” God, look at the head on that guy. Oh, he used to race snowmobiles back in the day, which is pretty fucking cool if you ask us.

Things get cold in the Upper Midwest. That’s just how it goes. And in that cold, the people play hockey. Here’s Ryan “Dead Puck” Se