Blood Sugar Sex Mustache

Red Hot Chili Peppers have just released their video for the first single off of 'I'm With You,' the troupe's latest album... Love it/them or hate it/them (the new guitarists is a robot, we are sure of it), what we absolutely love is the now permanent (and prominent) stache on the upper lip of front-man Anthony Kiedis. Kudos!

Rupert Murdoch’s No. 2

Is this man - Chase Carey.
(Photo credit: Ramin Talaie/Bloomberg News)

From New York Times: "He’s completely disconnected from the whole saga. He’s running the business,” the media tycoon and investor Haim Saban said of Mr. Carey. At a tumultuous time, “he’s the Rock of Gibraltar,” Mr. Saban added."

He also rocks one hell of a nice salt & pepper 'stache.

Mustache Hope

"The time is always right to do what is right." Martin Luther King Jr

Honoring the memory of Dr. King we often forget, the man also rocked a pretty amazing stache... we musn't forget Dr. King's willingness to not conform to the fresh faced madness of the 50s and 60s and rock what he wanted, when he wanted, because it was the right thing to do... The memory of his daring actions, ideals and ideas should linger longer than one day a year.

If Apple Made An iBeard...

... it would look like Jim Dalrymple's. The editor-in-chief of The Loop has been writing about Apple for more than 17 years, but growing his 15" beard since 2007. You must be somebody pretty special if Steve Jobs once recognized you (with or without facial hair). BaB had the esteemed privilege to speak with Jim about how his beard "kind of snuck up on him and took over his life," the craziest moment he's had playing with another serious bearded professional, what his beard likes to drink, and the best conference to attend for true facial hair scouting.

BaB: So Jim, how long is your beard currently?  What’s the longest length it’s been?

Just sitting on my face, the beard is about 9-inches. However, it's curly, so if you straighten it out, it measures about 15 inches. I think that's about the longest it's ever been -- to be honest, this is the first time I've ever measured it.
 

BaB: You have a stellar professional career, most notably your position at Macworld – was the outlet supportive in your efforts to grow your beard?  Did anyone try to make you shave?

The folks at Macworld were great about the beard. Nobody there ever put up any kind of a fight about me shaving. Of course, they made fun of the beard, but that's fine, I can handle that. If you are going to have a beard like this, you have to expect some of that.
 

BaB: We paid tribute to the bearded life of the belated Steve Jobs – was his growing journey inspirational to you?  Did you ever meet him?  Did he ever comment on your facial hair?

Steve was inspirational to me in a lot of ways, but not with the beard. Zakk Wylde was my inspiration for growing the beard. I did meet Steve once, but I didn't have the beard then. It was a very short conversation -- he said he knew my writing and I said thanks and left. What more could you ask for than to have Steve recognize you.
 

BaB: You’re an avid guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing – what’s the craziest moment you’ve had with your beard as a musician?

Wow, that's tough. Maybe hugging Zakk Wylde before he went on stage with Ozzy in Chicago. I played "Summertime Blues" with Roger Daltrey in LA and he looked at me and said "Do they make all Canadians like you?"  Those were both great moments for me.

 

BaB: What's the best conference to attend if you're hoping to scout tech beardos?

The conference I like the most for beards is NAMM. So many great beards there, but not necessarily tech beards. If you go to CES you'll see lots of baby beards, but nothing substantial.
 

BaB: Who is your bearded hero? Why?

Definitely Zakk Wylde. I love Zakk's music and his approach to his fans and the way he plays guitar.
 

BaB: Anything else we should know?

I was surprised two years ago to see that my beard had its own Twitter account (@dalrymplesbeard). I tell people that I don't do it, but I'm not sure they believe me -- it's true, I don't do it. Every once in a while, it'll speak up on something and then goes quiet again.

Another interesting note -- the beard loves Heineken. Only Heineken.

(Photos courtesy of Jim's Facebook page -- taken with permission) 

You can follow him on Twitter @jdalrymple and on his Website at The Loop.

Braun's NYC Demographics

Thanks to the myriad of beard scouts we have out in the field, whether they are aware of their roles or not (in this case Mido Aboshihata aka @mid0 is not) we find or stumble on awesome gems... we love them even more if they are in New York or San Francisco (B-a-B home markets)...

Check out this awesome (and accurate) ad by Braun, a frenemy of B-a-B, near NYC subways.

Dear Braun, we'd support you buddy, if you ditched the 'shave' part of this 'business strategy' of yours... style and trim is ALL you need. Take note, Braun... if that is your real name.

"Tickle Your Fancy" Before The Holidays

NYC take note -- now until December 23rd you can catch John Gordon Gauld's exhibit, "Tickle Your Fancy," at Salomon Contemporary. "The short-term exhibition will display a medley of facial hair in an installation of over 100 works on paper. The beard and moustache series was originally commissioned by Bergdorf Goodman for their windows showcasing the 2011 Men's collection. Because of its overwhelming response, the works are now presented in a gallery setting."

Continuing from Salomon's website, David Coggins declared in his essay for Bergdorf Goodman, Beards: A Fierce Defense, "the beard is an essential expression of man's nature" and "Above all things, the beard is a show of generous temperament. A man has a faceful of hair, and he rightly wants to share it with the world. Or perhaps he just doesn't feel like shaving. Regardless, a beard is something that most men feel compelled to try at least once, like vegetarianism." Coggins goes on to say, "the bearded man is fearless, but he never forgets that he is more than his beard—it frames his face but never defines the man."

ArtInfo reviewed the exhibit -- "it features such tried-and-true favorites as the Fu Manchu, the Handlebar, and the Chops, as well as dark horses like the Pornstar ‘Stache, the Goatee, and the Waxed Villain, this exhibition speaks to a contemporary renaissance of facial coiffure."

Wow.  Don't miss this before the holiday madness kicks in!  
(Photo credit: Etsy)

Tyrannical Hirsute-ness

All praise be to Sacha Baron Cohen and his forthcoming new film The Dictator. Cohen, who plays a Middle East dictator who is very well represented in the hairy chin area... Keeping up his support of facial fortitude he started with other characters from such classics as Borat (stache) and Ali G (chin strap).

We approve this movie, without support of the actions Cohen is so capable to pretend to endorse... Tyrants are bad, beards are good. Dont blame the beard and enjoy the show!

Neil Halstead's Merry Beardmas

Neil Halstead - Home For The Season is a track that will be appearing on "This Warm December Vol. 2" which also features tunes from Jack Johnson, G. Love, Matt Costa and the rest of the Brushfire family, check it out at http://thiswarmdecember.com.

Surely, and without question, Neil is the beardiest of them all... so, enjoy this beautiful tune, and we here at Build-a-Beard hope you get home for the season, and get there with a full on beard (or mustache).

Holiday Want List....

... And these mustache nails are on it!
(Photo: The Beauty Department) 

Google Schemer

Google has a new product out called, Schemer. Check out TheNextWeb for more information on it.  

For now, we're smiling about Google's decision to include a mustache in their new logo and promo video.

 

Mustache Shoes by Bstreetshoes

What's better than a new pair of 2" black heels? -- Mustache shoes of course!  I found Bstreetshoes on Etsy while I was hunting for Movember items and immediately ordered a pair of his gorgeous, customizable, hand painted, shoes.  He has 100's of beautiful art shoe options and I am sure the creatives could pitch him other great ideas, but for now, I am walking around The Mission sporting these instant classics.  

Also worth noting, these shoes are TOMS -- so every pair purchased = new pair of shoes to a child in need.

Jealous?  I would be too if they weren't already on my feet. 

Stand By Movember

Well, Movember is over... and it's antics like these in office buildings and cubuicles all over the world that we will miss... while these aren't the most hairy of upper lips, this example made us smile.

Remember kiddies, Build-a-Beard, is a place where every month is Movember and every day is Bearduary.

End of Movember - Gala Partés

This year, I decided to cover Movember's end-of-the-month-party in San Francisco. The evening consisted of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas dressed up in their best Movember costume (read: whatever inspires you), showcasing their immaculate grooming techniques and competing for a number of category titles including:

• Best Mo in Character
• Miss Movember
• Man of Movember 2011 

In addition, San Francisco's own Moustache Harbor jammed the entire night showing off both their commitment to growing and musical talents.  

Traditionally, the end of Movember is marked across the US (and around the world) with a series of Gala Partés to thank their Mo Bros and Sistas for their outstanding fundraising efforts during the past month.  Last year, San Francisco's end-of-mustache-month soiree had roughly 300 people.  This year, at least 500 people RSVP'd and bought tickets to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the night:

Official Movember tickets

Most creative female 'stache of the night! 

Movember men

Movember stage

70s stache represented (before)

Disco madness...

70s 'stache (After)

Chest 'stache

Da Bears (one of my favorite from the evening)

Proper 'staches

Religious 'stache

Apple 'stache.

The end.  

The San Francisco 'Stache Situation

I am new to San Francisco and like a jilted lover, I am finding it hard to leave behind and forget about the pace, overall awesomeness, cut throat attitudes, and general kick-ass vibes of being a 7.5 New York City resident. Or Christ, I can say it - a New Yorker (after all, I earned that description).  So I am trying to cope.  

No, really.  

I've already been to Napa for a weekend, which was lovely.  I've gone to almost every cool restaurant in San Francisco via Yelp. I've sampled my fair share of beer, whiskey, and wine. I love Bi-Rite market. I've checked-in every day on Foursquare to my work's office. I've started my mornings eating granola. I've ended nights with a vegan Rosamunde sausage. I've tried my best not to puke while admiring yet another North Face jacket. I'm not 100% sold on this city, but hell, it's not a bad city to be in when compared to others so perhaps I should stop complaining.  

But then... then... I run into Mission Mustache (put on by the California League of Adult Scavenger Hunters) and try not to wince as I hear people stating that they're going to participate in events where "10 teams of late 20 to early 30-somethings will descend on the Mission in fake mustaches, following clues and racing to earn the most points by drawing mustaches on walls, urinating on mustached portraits in alleys, and striking up mustache-related conversations with strangers."

Perhaps the latter statement of that quote is cool, but the rest... what an amateur hour.  We don't hold events like this in NYC.  We hold events like a Beard Ball and we fork over a chunk of change to a cool, local non-profit or The Coney Island Beard & Mustache Competition or The NYC Beard & Mustache Competition vs. "trying to pee on Ghandi" for a set number of competitive points. 

Check out this passage from The Mission Local blog: "Hipsters with real mustaches stare as the green team chugs pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon at the 500 Club, and people walking up Guerrero stop in their tracks when they come across a 15-person human mustache pyramid on the sidewalk.  The last clue calls for the team to shotgun cans of PBR. They set up on the steps of someone’s apartment, where they shotgun and spew, and then toss their empty cans against the building."
 
Stay classy, San Francisco.   

But I shouldn't judge the beard/stache scene here solely on this article alone or this group.  After all, World Champion Jack Passion calls this city his home... so there is some big-time legitimacy for facial hair enthusiasts.

Perhaps this is my call-to-action. Perhaps what San Francisco needs is a NYer to throw an organized event and raise money for a local charity while supporting those who truly love their beards and mustaches -- grow them out of dedication and desire -- vs. trying to style a stranger's stache in order to win a 6-pack of PBR. 

It's time. I'll be in touch with solid plans for a 2012 gala, but let's not also forget about local Movember efforts. And in the meantime, keep your dicks in your pants and stop pissing in the Mission for the "cause" of mustaches.  

Globes of Hair

"Be afraid..." - Ricky Gervais

Two years ago, we were enthralled with John Hamm's beardiness, the beardos turn out, and the ratio of beaded winners... Last year though, we were disappointed with the show, the hairless turn out, the winners, the show, the people, the show...

What can we expect this year? Well... whatever happens, happens... at least, the very least, the beard attached to Ricky Gervais will be back. And we are not afraid, neither is Lenny Bruce.

From Cubs to Bear(d)s

"We must depend upon the Boy Scout Movement to produce the MEN of the future. " -  Daniel Carter Beard

Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard was an illustrator, author, youth leader, and social reformer who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which were later merged with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)... he also had a pretty bitchin' goattee.

Well, more than 70 years after the death of Uncle Dan... the boy scouts finally started producing men of the future. And if you wondered, the men of the future will look like children with beards. Way to prove it Boy Scouts of America, well done.

Trulia.com's $10K Movember Goal

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Not because of the upcoming holiday season, but because Movember is right around the corner. (Remember our interview last year?) To kick-off the season of raising awareness and funds for men's health issues, specifically cancer, Trulia.com has set a goal of $10K.

According to their blog post, "Last year 24 Trulia employees participated in the event and raised $2,486.34, but this year we’re aiming a lot higher and have a goal to raise $10,000 for the cause."  And that's where you, dear reader, come in - you can join Trulia.com's team! Check out the team captain.

Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement raising over $7.5 million US in 2010 alone.

Start growing, supporting, donating and joining Movember efforts!

(Logo credit: Trulia.com)

Peanuts, Hot Dogs, Beards & Beer

 

The center of Amish life in America is closer to a donut than a whoopie pie. The outlying farmland of Lancaster, PA, is dotted with silos, buggies, propane tanks and volleyball courts. But the center of town is conspicuously devoid of the Donegal-sporting men of humble buttons. Not for lack of an invitation, though.

"The Amish are America's original beardsmen. And we would love for you to be a judge," Phil Olsen told a suspender-clad father of five in the last minutes of Amish camp Friday afternoon. The deal-breaker, as it probably would have been for any Amish he'd have asked, was the photography issue. Amish don't cotton to having graven images made of them or their families. And as many of the contestants Saturday will attest, the moment a beard entered Clipper Stadium for the Second Annual Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships, camera time was unavoidable.

Moreso this year perhaps due to a certain IFC reality show. Even seasoned bearding veterans could feel the momentum and stigma of Whisker Wars hanging over the competition. The show undeniably attracted a new breed of fan, giving the Championships a noticeable boost in attendance. But that same attention was painted with an expectation of drama and politics.

Jon Rice"Is Jack Passion really a dick? Are the Texas guys really that petty? How much of that show is real?" cooed a Whisker Wars superfan whose own whiskers appeared about as old as the series. Myk O'Connor and Jon Rice, who were waiting in the same will call line, were patient and polite, neither of them indulging in the opportunity to perpetuate the hype.

And there the hype stopped. On-show rivals competed on-stage together without a hitch. With the exception of the evil fifth Teletubby accosting Jack Passion at one point, most controversy revolved around the newly minted Full Beard Groomed category.

At last year's Nationals, the more tightly cropped among beards were forced to compete in either Full Beard Natural or Freestyle, leaving world-class Verdis and Garibaldis to stand alongside the likes of Aarne Bielefeldt and Willi Chevalier. The Full Beard Groomed category was designed to mitigate this issue and give those with shorter growth a fair chance to compete.

"It's a step in the right direction," remarked John Myatt, whose immaculately trimmed, crimson Verdi took top Groomed honors, "but there needs to be more categories. There were a bunch of big, wonderful beards that weren't very groomed."

Gormon wasn't alone in that sentiment as category talk occupied the bulk of the Beard Team USA meeting the next day in the Lancaster suburb of Intercourse, PA. There, concerns were voiced for category fairness, the limitations of the English language and the marginalization of moustaches.

 But after a meeting of mild grievances, competition announcements, screening invitations, Vegas talk and one wedding announcement (congrats Steve and Savannah), it was just a pleasant afternoon of beards, pulled pork, a couple Amish kids playing volleyball nearby and Jack Passion being photographed on a swing.

This story was lovingly and kindly written by Build-a-Beard's first ever freelancer scout and gonzo journalist, John Benedict (aka America's Beard). From the bottom of our hairy hearts, thank you John!

Fear and Loathing in Lancaster

The Second Annual Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships is kicking off it's multiple days of activity today, with the final (and main) event being held on October 8, 2011 at the Clipper Magazine Stadium, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania... home of the fighting Amish (no, not really, it's actually Lancaster Barnstormers).

There are a few things different this year than the inaugural contest last year in Bend Oregon... Yes, Jack Passion is still MCing, it is still a total of $5000 ($1000 per category) in cash to be awarded to the winners and yes there will be beards and staches and goatees and fake beards (on friday)... but two glaring differences are of note: The competition will take place in five (not 4) categories, he newbie being the full beard groomed category, in addition to the moustache, partial beard, full beard natural, and freestyle. 

And perhaps most importantly... Build-a-Beard will (begrudgingly) bow out of competition, and even attendance, this year... Sad, shocking, yes we know... but we have holy reasons for doing so, trust us.

That said, we will be there in spirit, and in body... not our body but another beardo, John Benedict (aka America's Beard) filling in as the first ever freelance beard scout and B-a-B blogger. John will not only be one with the bearded Amish, he will compete, he will drink, he will report back and he will be awesome... his beard and his energy will not disappoint (no pressure, John).

iBeard -- RIP

"Banks don't like beards." - Steve Jobs, 1999

It is with great sadness we inform you of what by now you already know... The icon of beards in Silicon Valley (perhaps anywhere), the most innovative beard of all time, the sage of the fruity tech and the ultimate proof that beards and dreams go together, Steve Jobs has passed away at the age of 56.

 

We will miss you Steve (we miss you already), but we know you're in a better place... side by side with the almighty, another long time successful beardo. When he checks his iList at the Pearly Gates, you're sure to be right at the top.

Your iBeard has always been everyone's Beard, and it will live on in all of us.