"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.
Sorry to bring you sad news on a Friday, but we have to recognize and commend a fallen beardo... a macho beardo, a beardo so macho that he wrestled dudes for over 4 decades every day in spandex pants and tassels, a beardo who's trimmed beard spoke for himself, that is when the mouth wasn't screaming OH YEAH!
That's right, you got it... we are sorry to report that Randall Mario Poffo, better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, died today in a car accident in Florida (as reported by TMZ)... his black (turned snow white beard), will be remembered for years to come... definitely saddened by these news, he was an early inspiration for me to grow a beard, and to eat slip jims...
We would like to posthumously award Randy the title of Beardo of the Month. OH YEAH!
(November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011)
"I did it out of boredom in the offseason, I didn't want to shave and I kinda like it."
So sayeth Lucas Glover, the golfer and 2009 US Open Champion (not a lovechild of Star Wars and Lethal Weapon casts). He has been having quiet start to his PGA Tour season, not finishing inside the top 20 yet. He is also coming off consecutive missed cuts, most recently at the Masters, but most notably on his chin.
What Lucas is lacking in ball-striking this season he is making up with hair-growing; sporting a killer and ever thickening beard that can put Brian Wilson to shame. To be sure, unlike Wilson, Lucas is single-handedly revolutionizing the golfing image of the clean cut polo and khaki wearing ball whackers of the PGA tour... and for that, we honor you as our Beardo of the Month.
Take a bow Lucas, may the beard be with you and good luck this weekend at The Heritage.
Credit Reuters
Yeah, we're dissapointed too... and not necessarily just with the fact that Ricky Gervais disappeared halfway through the terribly edited, seated (no elbow room even for Bruce Willis?!?), bleeped, and most importantly bearded awards show... either way, conspiracy theories aside, compared to last year, this was a much hairless of a gathering, with the hottest accesory item seemingly being the baby bump and not some facial fuzz, sadly.
Even though the Globes again were hosted by the slightly more bearded (than last year) creator of the Office series, and an all around funny godless chap, Mr. Gervais... even though the beardos that did grace the red carpet and stage were nearly all corporate beardos (like myself), it does not deter the annual thought that the drab event proves again and again why awards shows are unnecessary and irrelevant (The Social Network sweeps, really? Jump the shark much?)... that said, here are our top 5 beardos at the Globes. Unlike Hollywood, we can keep a tradition going for more than a year.
#5) Scott Caan -- Like the show he was nominated for (TV series 'Hawaii Five-O'), this look's been done, and it's missing a lot...
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#4) Brad Pitt/Johnny Depp -- Brad trimmed his goatee, but at least he didn't shave it... besides, great arm candy will make everything look better. Johnny is perpetually goateed, and well, he deserves to be on every list, always.
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#3) Ricky Gervais -- I liked his mean-ness, people need to grow a pair (especially in Cali), besides... he bested his last year scruff with a full on corporate beard. Kudos.
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#2) Jake Gyllenhaal -- Is he Spiderman or Brokeback Mountain? Ah who cares, this beard is full and well groomed. B-a-B Approved!
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#1) Christian Bale -- Clearly THE best effort (at least that was photographed heavily) last night... If half the audience was even 50% this bearded we would not be complaining, Christian... you fucking rock, thank you for supporting and sporting the beard.
Credit ReutersAs if there is any doubt WHY he's the only one on our list that actually collected a Golden Globe... Hollywood take note, and stop disappointing us! Take another bow Mr. Bale... you're our Beardo of the Month!
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Ben (or Benjamin as facebook calls him) Davidson is a man who needs an introduction... his stache however, does not.
At the 2009 World Championships, By Mathew Rainwaters
I first met Ben back stage at the National Beard and Moustache Championships in Bend Oregon this past summer, and his stache followed him everywhere, so i met it too, and what a stache it was... while of course not a match to the winner of the natural stache category in Bend, Ben's tache is something to behold, envy and of course in our case, commend.
This gent is a quiet yet fierce competitor whom has taken the gold (and bronze) both nationally, locally and even internationally (full scorebox for Ben's stache is as follows, all for natural stache category: 1st place, 2009 NYC BMC; 3rd place, 2009 World Championships in Anchorage AK; 1st place, 2010 Coney Island BMC; and most recently 1st place in the 2010 Ohio BMC, Dayton OH).
Given this track record and this being the month of the stache (Movember), we decided to award Ben the coveted (and arbitrary) title of "Beardo of the Month!" I sat down with Ben and talked bearding (or stache-ing), grooming, thunder, arm wrestling, and much much more... read on!
When did you first grow or start growing it? how long as it been since your upper lip saw any sun?
I started growing facial hair in 2007, I think. I had a small beard for a while and then shaved that off leaving just the stache in the summer of 2008. So it's been about 3 - 3 1/2 years since my upper lip saw some sun.
How'd you get into competitive bearding (or staching in your case)?
I basically just happened upon an ad for the First Beard and Moustache Competition in Coney Island, NY in September of '08. I really had no intention of entering the contest, and just wanted to check out some crazy and hilarious facial hair. When I got there everybody said I should enter, I did, and won first place in the natural moustache category. That spurred me on to go to future competitions.
The staches are always well represented at competitions, but think often also get a back seat to the beards, why is that?
I assure you, I don't know. I suppose it could be because it can take a lot longer to grow an immense beard. I can grow my stache out in 6 months or so. Also beards are easier to see from a distance.
Aren't you happy/thankful that (THE) Jack Passion trims his stache and does not (yet?) compete in your category... be honest.
Haha, I love Jack's beard as most people do, but he derives most of his power from his beard's immense volume, and the fact that said volume is bright ass orange. If he were to shave down to just the stache he would lose some of his shock and awe. I think it would be a pretty close competition between us. I don't think I've ever seen a large orange handlebar moustache. That would be pretty sweet. But I suppose in the end, I'm pretty content with him competing in the beard category.
You had to arm-wrestle a guy at the Coney Island BNC for your title... not quite the traditional way to win, but it seemed to work in your favor (what was the age of that guy, 95?). Do you like traditional rules of say the national Competition or those on the local circuit like at Coney Island?
No way, that guy was 75 at the most! I'll take traditional rules any day. At least arm wrestling could be considered kinda manly. If anybody asks me to start singing and dancing it's over for me. I don't go there.
Let's talk grooming... Your stache is glorious, and it really really suits your face... how'd you train it to do what you want, or are you just blessed with the coveted stache gene our scientists are working tirelessly to isolate?
Well, I could go on all day about this, but I'll keep it short. I do have good moustache genes cause my hair grows fast and really straight. If you have really straight hair and a somewhat thick moustache, you can probably have a moustache similar to mine. Anyway, make sure you condition it in the shower but not too much. I have to find a happy medium, if you condition too much or too little, it frays out a lot and is harder to manage in general. Immediately when I get out of the shower I smooth it into the general shape, and put two little clips into it to hold it back away from my mouth. I leave them in just a few minutes then take them out and add some lotion. Regular hand moisturizer will do, you may have to try a few different kinds to see what works best. That's basically it. If you want to know more, hit me up on facebook or at a competition.
Seriously though, what are top 3 tips you can give on stache growing and upkeep?
Who are your top 3 stache wearers through the years?
Rollie Fingers for sure… Ben Davidson (a football player from the 60's and 70's, he had a great stache)… I don't know... Tom Selleck?
It's Movember, or nearly the end of it, why do you think it's the staches that get the largest facial hair donations to charity each year? Our good friends at Bearduary is a distant second, but overall Movember is in a class all its own... is it just because its' easier to show the growth progress on a daily basis with staches, or is there something magical in the wax?
Because moustaches are funnier? Maybe because you have to make a concerted effort to grow a moustache. You could accidentally grow a beard, but you have to make the effort of shaving most of your face to have a stache. Also, people just want an excuse to grow a moustache.
Would you ever shave yours and start again if you couls have some high paying sponsors?
Oh Hell yes! I'd do it for low paying sponsors as well, if anybody has an offer.
Are you going to bring the thunder for the New York BMC?
I will be in attendance although, I'm still undecided about bringing the thunder…
P.S. While Ben's stache is amazing, and awesome, and hairy and all that... dont be fooled, Ben can grow a pretty sick ass beard too. Kudos!
Frightened Rabbit, Build-a-Beard's favorite 'stache band, is coming to NYC tomorrow night.
Considering the band has been on the road for the past 3 years, nothing makes us happier than when they visit The Big Apple..... except for when Scott graciously asked us to meet with him for some friendly facial hair banter, a special "Tonight's Beard" exchange, & perhaps a few photos prior to them taking the stage.
LIFE IS GREAT! Follow us on Twitter - we'll be uploading photos & commentary on Saturday night.
Love,
Riss & Alex
In honor of today's #SpiritDay (http://glaad.org/spiritday)... and in keeping with our love of all facial hair styles... we wanted to break the rules of our newly created "Beardo Of the Month" and award it to a STACHE.
Namely, to the front man of Gogol Bordello, a Gypsy punk band from (where else) Lower East Side NYC, Mr. Eugene Hütz.
To you ladies and gentlemen of the Gogol Bordello, and to your song Start Wearing Purple, kudos... you are our beardo(s) of the month! take a bow!!!
P.S. To be fair, we want to commend the whole band for their style, but more importantly for having nearly 75% of their male members for having some sorts of facial hair, KUDOS!
When I went to the 3rd Annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition I'm still not sure what i was expecting, but as i noted in my round up and Wrap Up of the event it definitely helped to see some of my friends from The National Beard and Mustache Championships take home the Fez in categories nearest and dearest to our heart (aka NATURAL).
One such awesome person was Myk O'Connor an awesome natural beardo we first met at Magnificent Specimens exhibit by Dave Mead in NYC, and we haven't been able to untangle us from his beard. Myk took home the Natural Beard championship title at Coney Island, and for the 2nd straight year... as such we sat down with this awesome Brooklyn Beardo... whom, truth be told, can give Mark Krayenhoff - The Brooklyn Beard King a run for his money, and title.
Before we dive into the 10Qs, directly below are Myk's invaluable top 3 tips for beardos everywhere... heed his word!
1. Be true to yourself- if it doesn't look good, then don't keep it. If your hair grows patchy, try a different look. Don't let anyone, girlfriends/boyfriends, wives/husbands or job sway what you want to do with your face. It's yours!
2. Take care of it- Make sure you are setting aside time to groom your beard. Wear it proudly. People are already apprehensive about dudes with beards, at least make the first thing they notice look good. Trim those split ends and DON'T LET ANYONE LIGHT A CIGARETTE FOR YOU!
3. Be patient- a great beard takes time. Yeah the first few months suck because its super itchy. Grab a bottle of Jajoba oil and make sure you are getting to the dry skin underneath your beard. Don't give up...even during summer months.
1) How long have you been bearding? Are you competitive by nature or does it increase as your beard grows?
My conscience decision to enter the world of competitive facial hair was in Jan of 2009. I was told about Beard Team USA by a colleague of mine and thought, "hey this is something I could get into." By nature I am pretty competitive. With each competition I have been in I have felt the need to win...there is something special about winning a beard competition. It's not like winning the Super Bowl...more like winning World War 2.
I definitely feel all eyes on me when I walk into a bar or the subway. I've been told I can look a little intimidating... but then I smile and all preconceived notions of badass-ness are lost. I get the usual reaction of "Hey ZZ Top!", which I can't fucking stand...because they aren't the only dudes with beards and their music sucks. I've had little Hispanic women bless themselves ad hold their rosary because they think I look like Jesus. First off if Jesus existed, he wasn't a white dude and second of all, my beard is better than his. He didn't have a boar hair brush.
I've had some form of facial hair at all times, but this is the first time I have let it grow fully without trimming. I am working on a little over a year and a half. One thing I have learned is to definitely take care of it, since it's part of your body. Make sure to get enough vitamin E and keep away from open flames.
Shower everyday, rinse out all the pollutants and never brush when wet. I have 2 brushes that I use, one to detangle and the other (boar hair) to shape. I apply JaJoba oil for shine, moisture and the skin underneath....do a once over with both brushes and I am good to go.
The Coney Island Competition is a lot of fun. Drinking and sideshow freaks go hand in hand...but it's even more fun when you throw a Beard and Moustache Competition into the mix. This is the 2nd year I have competed and taken home the coveted Best Beard. It's an honor, because honestly you never know how the competition will go. Ben Davidson had to arm wrestle in order to win....
Moustaches can either make you look really good, or really creepy. I tried a moustache once, it wasn't for me. A lot of people grow one for the "irony"..whatever the fuck that means. Some dudes look bad ass with a moustache, others look goofy. It all depends on your attitude and your personality. If your an asshole, the moustache makes you look like a even bigger asshole.
Local events are always hit or miss with me. Sometimes the judging is a little bizarre. If the audience is the judge then the criteria may be "longest" beard...instead of the "best looking". Size doesn't matter, it's girth...right ladies???
But I also find the local events have a charm about them, where we are all packed into one space, meeting new people and making real connections.
Bend is fucking gorgeous. I love Oregon period. Honestly I am not really cut out for big city life. I wanna live in the outskirts of a small town surrounded by mountains or the ocean. Bend also has a shit load of breweries...and I love beer. Who knows...maybe one day.
The World Competition of 2009 was my first introduction to facial hair competitions. I didn't know what the fuck was going on...except that I was having the time of my life. After meeting those dudes for a week, we all made lasting relationships.
Now competing against Jack...we haven't had that opportunity yet. But I've told him many times that I have the ability to take him down. I know a lot of dudes want to, but I have the stamina and my beard grows really fast.
Myk, Burke and Jack at National's9) What'd you think of Dave Mead's exhibit and launch party? I believe that is where we first met... and what was the deal with your 'brother'?
Ha! Honestly, I was drunk before we even arrived. I was doing interviews with a documentary crew ad they followed me around all day and I just kept drinking...by the time we arrived I was all emotional because I saw all my friends pictures hanging up all over Chelsea Market and was just in awe. The pictures tell one side of the story...but no one will ever know all the great times we've all had together.
My "brother" Kris Payne is truly my brother in a lot of ways. When I met Jack and Burke in Alaska they told me I reminded them of him and that we would get along well. During our parade in downtown Anchorage this dude comes up behind me and says..."You must be Myk."...and I said "You must be Kris." and right then we became long lost brothers. From loving BBQ, beer, hardcore and shit talking, we get along like no other.
Annie is so talented and I am very honored to have her immortalize me in that manner.
If you come out to a local beard event, get ready to party. I am putting together the NY Beard and Moustache Competition in the next few months to benefit The Feal Good Foundation....details to come soon!
Don't vote for a president until they have a beard.
Via the Associated Press:
An American construction worker detained in Pakistan while on a solo mission to kill Osama bin Laden claimed on Wednesday that he was obeying an order from God to avenge the Sept 11, 2001, attacks, said Pakistani security officials.
Gary Brooks Faulkner said God revealed the order in one of his dreams, prompting him to travel to Pakistan in search of al-Qaida's leader... read more...
This is not the first time we've heard of the blending of God and Beards... it is now a full blown trend... so, way to really really go out of your way to #proveit Gary...
Not only are you from all the way in California, but you come to our attention via Pakistan... and while we're not very heavy into politics here at B-a-B, we want to take a stand and say we support you, your beard, your beliefs, and the fact that you are perhaps the first ninja with a beard.
For all that (and much more) we salute you... you are our inaugural Beardo of The Month... when (and if) you get out of jail, give us a call or shoot us a note, we would LOVE to interview you.
