Benjamin Millepied: All You Need To Know...

Forget about the 100,000 articles you are reading about this "Lord of the Dance" man.  BaB is going to sum up the news for you in one sentence:  

A hot beardo got Natalie Portman pregnant & proceeded to ask for her hand in marriage.   

Christopher Nolan: A Hermit Beardo

The Los Angeles Times reported on Christopher Nolan's mysterious life choices of not owning a cellphone, forgoing an e-mail account, & living in a Malibu trailer park to focus on a new script while growing a "Hollywood hermit's beard."  This new script turned out to be one of the best films of 2010 - written, directed, and produced by this bearded genius who considers  Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott as his primary influences.

But this got us thinking of the term "hermit beard" - as defined by the example of Mr. Nolan - the process of complete isolation during the facial hair growing process only to emerge stronger & wiser (and in rare cases, producing a film that causes the world to watch it at least 5 times always debating the final scene and arguing over who is actually being incepted).  

Have any of our readers taken time to disappear from reality & concentrate solely on growing a beard?  Was it hard to seclude yourself from the public eye?  What were the reactions when you finally came back or did your totem just keep spinning?  

 

Boycott SNL! Beards of the World... UNITE!

Enough is enough... the beards are not to be messed with, and once pushed too far, we will come back thicker, darker and more rich with vigor (aka longer and uncut) than ever before! Billboards are one thing, but this 'shaving culture' that seems to be rearing it's ugly bald head during the last month of this year of our lord, the year of the beard, is disgusting... and feeding this shaved beast is ill advised, especially during Decembeard.

Our favorite goatee winner from last year's globes, THE dude, el Duderino himself (and the star of both “Tron: Legacy” and “True Grit”) will be hosting “Saturday Night Live” tonight... which was supposed to be a Christmas SNL to remember. Now it will be one we'll never forget... ever.

Our dear Jeff Bridges seems to have followed in the sad ways of Zach G. from last march, when the reTARD succumbed to corporate pressure and shaved during his hosting stint at SNL... well, we are calling BULLSHIT on this 'comedy show' that seems to be filled with writers seemingly unable (or worse yet, unwilling) to let their creative juices flow to write skits for furry faces... FOR SHAME we say.

Just like the dreaded NY Yankees are known for destroying chin manes of incoming players, so too does SNL seem to prey on facial fuzz heroes, mandating a shiny chin for the supposed honor to host their 'show'. Well, mission accomplished... not only have they destroyed yet another beardo hero, but they have ruined Christmas, a holiday usually full of beards and hairy cheer we love so much...

So, today we call for an outright BOYCOTT of SNL! Not until Jeff's beard grows back, but until they let a bearded brethren once again host and grace their stage with hairy fortitude. And perhaps moreover, until they admit their pogonophobic ways and REPENT! Until then, we are sorry to bring you the clip below, which was used as a promo for tonight's episode, showing His Dudeness taking a buzzer to his sweet sweet beard... it really tied the whole face together Jeff, you are out of your element!

FAIL!

NYC BMC FTW

Just like after a wedding (or an engagement... read on), the party that was the NYC Beard and Moustache Competition has left me with the inevitable feeling of "well, now what?!"  The copious amount of planning that went into it, the tons of anticipation this brought on, so many nerves and butterflies filling many a stomach, the myriad of press and out-of-towners with millions upon millions of hairs filling chins and lips and descending to my hometown of Brooklyn... sadly, it's all over now... so, what do we do?!

   

Sob stories aside, I'm glad that my wife (and future son) gave me the opportunity to attend this monumental event... which is my long winded way of saying that I am still an expectant father and didn't get "THE Call" on Saturday, and was able to cover and partake in the festivities.

Myk O'Connor's rallying call prior to the event (as reported here) rang truer and truer as each category was moving through judging... fake beards out of the way, onto goatees, straight into freestyle, recession beards and finally... the piece de resistance, the full natural category... Myk ran the show like a smooth yet hairy operator of sorts, taking shots and quoting bearded literature sages (achem) while boosting the matchups and giving the IFC "Whisker Wars" people plenty of competitive fodder for their storylines.

  

That said, the one storyline that we took away from the event was the expertise that Build-a-Beard has bestowed on us, and the insane amount of information we eagerly retained through our hairy tribulations over the last few years... I, like Riss, am now an expert on beards... insanity.

To exemplify this, just look at the winners and our predictions:

• Full Beard --
  
  • Prediction: Jack Passion (unless Mark Krayenhoff enters and brings the Brooklyn thunder)
  • Result: Jack Passion wins, shocker (Mark enters Freestyle, gets bronze), Aarne Bielefeldt garners 2nd place for his gnomish effort.
• Moustache --
  • Prediction: Ben Davidson (unless he hasn't been working out his arm strength and loses in the run-off arm wrestling)
  • Result: Ben got 2nd place (should've exercised more...), a Ned Flanders lookalike steals the stache gold.
    
• Goatee --
  • Prediction: Steve Cline (since Paul Beisser is sure to have severe jet-lag)
  • Result: Steve Cline takes the local gold as expected (surprisingly, Paul went the "ZZ Top" Route).
    
• Freestyle --
  • Prediction: A German Pretzel
  • Result: No Germans in attendance, so a US Born pretzel got the prize (our favorite twisted beard of the night, Jon Rice, got robbed...).
    
• Recession beard --
  
  • Prediction: Someone from Detroit
  • Result: not sure where that guy was from... but he had a great outfit.
    
• Fake beard -- 
  • Prediction: A girl with a bigger bosom than beard
  • Result: her fake beard was so mesmerizing I forgot to look at her bosom...

The highlight of the night for me, other than being treated as said expert by IFC production team (and even by the one and only Thom Beers himself!), was the marriage proposal that Myk surprised his fiance Karolina Gwiazda with, it was adorable... see it for yourself below:

With the cutesy formality out of the way, below are the videos of all the winners being announced... it was our pleasure to report on this for you all, both here and live on twitter/facebook... so just know, the source of all your up-to-the-minute hairy news is right here, www.Build-A-Beard.com... Major thanks to all those that showed B-a-B love at the event (and for those that didn't, surely you'll change your mind sooner than later)... to quote an IFC exec: Thank you Big Apple, you've been delicious.

P.S. You can find our entire collection of photos from NYCBMC in our Hairy Pics tab, or just click here (you lazy ass).

Brooklyn, Start Your Beards... NYBMC is here (there)!

REJOICE OH PEOPLE OF NEW YORK (aka OUR people)!!!

The New York City Beard and Moustache Competition (hosted by our good friends at The Gotham City Beard Alliance), a charity event (with proceeds going to The Feal Good Foundation www.fealgoodfoundation.com) and the northeast's largest and most important beard and moustache competition is happening TOMORROW!

Visit the Gotham City Beard Alliance site www.gothamcityba.net fill out the Registration form if you plan on competing, the tickets are available for purchase at TicketWeb, so get them now or donate an additional $5 at the door (for a total of $20 to play). Club Europa (98 Meserole Ave, where else, Greenpoint/Brooklyn) will be the location, and the festivities will start promptly at 6pm... don't be late.

What's better, is that the organizer is B-a-B's greatly hairy friend Myk O'Connor, who's rallying call ("This is the year of the Beards, with IFC rolling out a new show called Whisker Wars, America promises to be the dominating force in facial hair!") should energize any and every facial hair wearer (or wannabe) from Brooklyn to Burbank.

The night will be supplemented by the sounds of DJ Corn Mo and The Intergalactic Fighters, with on-site trimmings courtesy of Tomcats Barbershop... AND a giant cut-out of The Rockettes to boot.

Don't miss this, trust me, as you always have (perhaps more so)... your favorite beards and staches will be there, come out or miss out.

Categories (and our predictions):

• Full Beard -- Jack Passion (unless Mark Krayenhoff enters and brings the Brooklyn thunder)
  
• Moustache -- Ben Davidson (unless he hasn't been working out his arm strength and loses in the run-off arm wrestling)
  
• Goatee -- Steve Cline (since Paul Beisser is sure to have severe jet-lag)
  
• Free style -- A German Pretzel
• Recession beard -- Someone from Detroit
  
• Fake beard -- A girl with a bigger bosom than beard

Surely none of this would be possible without sponsors, and Myk as amassed many. The good people at Scenic Presents (www.scenicnyc.com), Beard Team USA (www.beardteamusa.org), Coffee Lab Roasters (www.coffeelabroasters.com), Tomcats Barbershop (www.tomcatsbarbershop.com), and Blue Beards Original (www.bluebeardsoriginal.com) all deserve our thanks and business for helping NYBMC come to fruition. KUDOS to you all!

Hope to see you there,
El Beardo and Riss

P.S. While I am planning on attending this awesome event... truth be told, I may not make it. My wife, let's call her El Beardette, is 9 months pregnant... and we are both anxiously awaiting the arrival of little beardo, whose actual due date is, wouldn't you guess it, Saturday 12/4... If at all possible, I will make an appearance, if not... well we got field reporters covering this from all angles.

Hairly Yours,
Alex "El Beardo" Aizenberg

Gobble Gobble Beard

Happy thanksgiving eve everyone!

While racking our brains on what to write about today... I've stumbled on a few interesting bits of hairy information, namely Turkey's have beards!

For your enjoyment: A turkey's beard is "the black, hair-like feathers on a male's breast," and can grow to great lengths... So much so, that they wind up being quite the prize. Hunters covet these 'beards' so much that the National Wild Turkey Federation keeps a set of records on who's the longest beard bagger. The full list speaks of glory and hairy records, and points to winners from the annual Wild Turkey Beard World Series... wow, just, wow.

Special thank you to an unlikely source for this info, Shavingstuff.com's post Turkey Beards, let's shave turkeys not faces and we'll be the best of friends...

There, now that you have something to talk about at the dinner table tomorrow... our job is done here. Hope you all will have a great Thanksgiving, enjoy the food (get some turkey in your beard), and most importantly... remember to thank the beard.

10Qs with Pearl and the Beard

Back in late September we met up with three of the most magnificent souls in music, four counting our lovely beard loving folkster Sophie Madeleine, namely Emily Hope Price, Jeremy Styles and Jocelyn Mackenzie of Pearl and the Beard (self described as: three voices, one cello, one guitar, one glockenspiel, one melodica, several drums, one accordion, ninety-six teeth, and one soul).

This team of lovely souls, voices and laughs hit us right where it hurts, and it's been hurting SO good ever since. Not to mention the fact that they sell beards at their shows, Emily and Jocelyn went out of their way to make sure my (super) pregnant wife had a place to sit at their EP release... and trust me when i say there was NO room. Thank you again ladies.

Emily introduced me to the rest of the band as 'the guy that will make us famous'... which is laughable and humbling all at the same time... so, to try and live up to such hype, and to give back to a band that has changed the way i look at harmony, whether musically or socially (seriously)... Build-a-Beard stopped by the band's tour bus (cause we do that now) and the sublimed interview is below, and what resulted is our longest and most engaging Q&A to date.

Trust me, buy their EP, then their CD, then go see their shows... just trust me.

Remaining Black Vessel EP Tour shows:
Nov 19th Athens, OH @ Jackie O’s w/ Holy Ghost Tent Revival
Nov 20th Pittsburgh, PA @ Church of the Redeemer w/ Brad Yoder and Judith Avers

(P.S. Check this out too: Pearl and the Beard – Will Smith Medley)

EHP = Emily Hope Price JM = Jocelyn Mackenzie JS = Jeremy Styles

So, this is the chance for us to make you famous... we are honored, and humbled you think this will help your cause... either way, tell us the 'story' behind the name of your band, Pearl and the Beard.
JS: We tend to keep that a bit more vague, and open to interpretation, but as far as the Beard portion goes, when coming up with the name I was pretty obsessed with beards. They are sort of like a great butt or boobs on a man's face. I would just stare at a beard and be captivated with my lookin' balls.

You sell plush beards with a single pearl on it (a la Cindy Crawford's mole)... do they sell well? We get the feeling that people that can't grow beards FLOCK to fake ones, what say you? and where can our beardly deficient readers get their hands on it?
EHP: We made them in order to support our beardless market. 
JM: Yes, and they’re actually selling quite well! They are made in America by the nimble hands of two fine young American art school graduates, our friend and former photographer Juliet Hinely, and myself. They are made by hand, individually crafted by Juliet and yours truly. They are time consuming to make, and a labor of love. The ONLY place you can get them is at a show! So come on down!

You have one beardo among you... who sometimes shaves... do you guys push him to shave or does he go willingly?
JS: In the years we’ve playing I’ve only shaved once.
EHP: No, you’ve shaved more than that!
JS: Well, maybe one more time. I shave willingly. But I like going extreme. I’ll shave when it starts driving me nuts and I start twisting it in my fingers.
JM: But you do trim, though.
JS: Yes.

You're on tour to support your new EP, what are some crazy facial hair stories you've had on the road previously. bad hair days would qualify if they are on the chin... we'll also take the weirdest facial hair style that may have attended your shows.
EHP: Well, we could talk about Franz Nicolay and his awesome moustache… but that’s it.
JM: Our friend Brandon Mastrangelo [of Burning Oak and Larcenist] had a really sick beard going for awhile.
EHP: We also talked about beards being one of the requirements of making a song a sea shanty.
JM: Yeah, between Pearl and the Beard and our friends in Larcenist (formerly known as Vessel), I think we determined that for a song to be a sea shanty, there have to be at least six guys singing at the same time, and at least four of them have to have beards (see our old Sunday Brunch Episode for more specifics... notice Jeremy's lack of a beard)
JS: Occasionally we’ll rub beards with people.
EHP: Yes, we love the occasional beard rubbing. It’s better than a brass rubbing. It leaves more of an impression.
JS: What’s a brass rubbing?
EHP: You know, like in Indiana Jones, when he rubs the thing on the thing… 
JS: Oh yeah! 
EHP: It totally makes a good “impression...!”
ALL: LAUGHTER! 
JS: Who else had good beards?
EHP: Justin Tam [of Humble House] had a good beard for awhile…
JM: Yeah, but it was pretty under control.
JS: Oh, but don’t forget E-S Guthrie…
JM: Yeah! His hair was so long, and his beard was like down to his bellybutton or something. Then he cut it all off. I liked it long, but he still looks good. So really our answer is: we’ve only encountered incredible hair.

I gotta say all the stuff written about your band is very ethereal, very soul and depth related... hell you guys even listed Gospel as a style on your FB page... that said, if we created a religion of worshiping facial hair (i.e. theopogonology), would you write our gospels and join in on the cult, erm club?
JM: Well, only if we get really great titles. 
EHP: Jeremy, you would be the King of Panda Express. I would be the Queen of Tornados and Electronic Disturbance.
JM: What would I be?
EHP: You would be Queen of Tears.
JS: I’d rather be Jeremy the Boob Grabbler. 
EHP: What did I say you were before? 
JM: The stupid King of Stupid Panda Stupid Express. But that doesn’t have anything to do with beards.
JS: Well, would we be in the gospels, or would we just be writing them ourselves?
EHP: I think we could write some.
JS: I personally like to keep my options open when it comes to clubs, but I’d be happy to contribute to some of the literature. 

Seriously though, how would you define your style personally, there is so much in your music from strings to stomping, bells whistles, a glockenspiel, call and answer whooping (which i love) and other layers upon layers of goodies... for god's sake there are only three of you!
JS: Acoustic.
JM: Done. Answered. 
JS: Other people have said we’ve created a new genre, whether I agree with that is arguable.
EHP: I’ve never heard that.
JS: I’m just saying what other people said. If you quote other people then you’re not wrong!
EHP: The newest description we got was “Andrew Lloyd Webber sitting around the campfire.” But I talked to a musical theater guy who totally disagreed with that. 
JM: I don’t know. I just think we make music that we like to listen to. [Composer and multi-instrumentalist] Jim Altieri said to me once that if there’s music that you want to listen to that doesn’t exist yet, you just make it yourself. That’s what my favorite part of our sound is… we’re making music that we ourselves want to hear. You can’t go wrong with that.

What is your musical training has been? know that it couldn't all be learned on the fly...
JS: I started taking very uncomfortable guitar lessons, then I was self taught with books and covering songs. Now I just watch other guitarists on stage and learn from what they’re doing. And I’ve been singing for always.
JM: I’m a total faker. These two tricked me into learning how to play instruments, and I’m glad they did. 
EHP: Jeremy and Jocelyn found me passed out on the side of the road carrying a simple clover.
JS: We replaced a forty of Colt 45 you were holding in your hand with a cello.
EHP: And they were like, “Play something!” and I was like, “Okay.”
JM: Yeah.
EHP: And I was like, “Guys, I don’t know how to play this thing!” and they were like, “That’s just fine.”
JS: Yeah and I said, “Just play like you drink.”
EHP: Yeah. What’s funny about that is I don’t drink.

We've heard some of your tracks (like Lost in Singapore) compared to classical giants like Brahms... whom are actually your inspirations and what gets your creativity flowing?

EHP: Macaroni and cheese! Only from Kraft! Also, Annie’s is great.
JM: And the box has bunnies on it.
JS: Yeah.
JM: I get inspired by everything I see! And I love They Might Be Giants. But my friends bands are the best bands I love. I can’t tell if I love their music because they are my friends or they become my friends because they write great music or both.
JS: Last night I saw this guy Jacob Augustine and he really flipped my skirt up. It’s sort of a bittersweet feeling to see a new artist that makes me feel challenged, like I need to go back to the drawing board and write something better.
EHP: I love Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, Franz Nicolay.
JM: Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Uncle Monsterface, O’Death, Emilyn Brodsky, Tatters and Rags, Dinosaur Feathers.
EHP: Anna Vogelzang 
JS: Radiohead has helped me write more songs than I care to remember. Oh and bee tee dubs, Jacob Augustine has a phenomenal beard. Fudge about.

Anything we didn't ask, that you are DYING to share?
JM: Just that our new EP is for sale from our website www.pearlandthebeard.com and www.blackvesselep.com, through our label Family Records, and on iTunes, Amazon, etc.
JS: Sounds good! 
JM: Also, when I was little I would watch Mtv and secretly wish that I could grow a beard like ZZ Top. My mom would tell me that if I really wanted to grow one I just had to wish for it and keep trying, and then I would realize my dream. Little did I know that she duped me.

High Stakes for High Dramma

If you're in Philadelphia, you need to check out High Dramma at The Walking Fish Theatre on Frankford Avenue.  Why?  For one thing, the amazing Todd Shaeffer (previously featured on The Tonight Show) will be performing for your enjoyment.  Further, as everyone else is anti-razor this month, a few in the High Dramma crew were forced to shave their beards for their independent sketch comedy show "Doin' Your Momma ... Proud!" that kicked off last night.

The video below further explains, but lets not let their beards die in vain.  High Dramma will be performing November 19th & 20th @8pm and November 21st @7pm. Tickets: $15

Conan O'Brien Is Back. And He Will Be Hairy.

Dear Conan,

After months on hiatus - you, our bearded red hair refugee - will take the stage on TBS and debut your new show and God willing, your old flaming facial hair.  Yes, Build-a-Beard still believes in your whiskers.  No surprises here, Mr. O'Brien.  You've enticed us with this Entertainment Weekly article on Five Reasons to Tune In Tonight (we could have edited this to one - your beard), where you boldly tease us with - "You’ll get to see whether I kept the beard or not. And I don’t think I’m self-centered, but I think it’s more important to America than this election.”

You wouldn't dare betray us like that and further, would you really rip out the hearts of your beloved 18-34 year old demographic?  Wahl Trimmers released a facial hair survey that reported:

Perhaps due to his roots in New York and Boston, residents of the Northeast are most supportive of Conan maintaining at least some peach fuzz on his face at all times (17 percent, vs. 12 percent of the rest of the country). The coveted 18-34-year-old demographic feels more strongly than those 35 and older about preferring many TV hosts being far less clean-shaven, including George Lopez (17 percent vs. 8 percent), Jimmy Kimmel (13 percent vs. 4 percent), Stephen Colbert (10 percent vs. 4 percent) and Jon Stewart (10 percent vs. 3 percent).

Still others have questioned if you will shave your beard on-air.  Nonsense. Even The Washington Post advised that you steer clear of the blade - "Don't lose the beard. Sure, it would be all stunt-y to suddenly appear fresh-faced or to actually have your beard shaved off on the air (maybe by first guest Arlene Wagner, proprietor of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum?). But the beard is part and parcel of your image now. It sets you apart from Leno, Letterman and Stewart. And, hey, if the whole late-night thing doesn't work out, you're all set for Shakespeare summer stock."

Build-a-Beard has been with you during this trying time - we're Team Coco all the way - please keep up the bearded discipline (even if it takes numerous shots of testosterone).  Prove to your audience that it truly is about turning on, tuning in, & growing it out. 

Looking forward to your show tonight at 11 p.m. ET in all your glistening glory.

All the best,
El Beardo & Riss

Get excited:

Hairy Comment on a Beardy Subject

We dont often (actually never) re-purpose comments made on our posts by our bearded brethren... but god damn, when impeccable hairy passion shines through our pages... we must and always will call you out for such amazing displays of hirsute protection. 

Anyway, enter Stephen Arthur Alexander Jr proud member of: The Gem City Gentlemen of the Gilded Beard... and with his antipogonophobic rant, he's proved it pretty hardcore. You sir, wear your passion like people should wear a beard... proudly. Kudos... also, nice burns bro, real nice.

  "I must say this is a travesty, to not have a Bearded or Mustached president since 1913!! I won't stand for it, we need to raise up as one Bearded nation and take back the oval office and change these discriminatory rules and regulations that do not allow the Bearded to work certain jobs. We are people to gosh darn it!! We need to work and we want to be able to express ourselves while doing it, because after all isn't that what is nation was build on, freedom? God bless all of you Bearded men out there that are still trying to fight for your right to grow that Beard long and proud. Keep up the fight and who knows, maybe one day we will have a Bearded or Mustached President once more and all of the Beard hate will wither and die away and we can stand up and say: I have a Beard and I am proud to have it!" -- Stephen Arthur Alexander Jr

Hear hear Stephen, hear hear...

VOTE IN THE BEARDS

Happy election day everybody!

This is going to be short and sweet... today is a day that should be noted and celebrated across the country... not becasue of any 'revolutions' that people seem to be planning, nor because of any parties with tea and crumpets that you're planning to attend... but because today we get the right to exercise our freedoms, just like you do with your facial hair, make your voice heard with a vote today.

You wont regret it... at least not right away... so go ahead, let your vote feel the cool breeze run through it, comb it and condition it, trim it and pamper it... and then, unlike your facial hair, cast it and #proveit in the most democratic way possible.

P.S. From what we can tell, there is only one candidate with a sick ass beard... and that's Jimmy McMillan, the candidate on the Rent Is Too Damn High ticket for Governor of NY. he's also the only candidate to take his political message and turn it into an album (see: 'The Rent Is Too Damn High,' the Album)

Exclusive: Jayson Werth's Beard

We've interviewed a lot of awesome beardos & stache enthusiasts, but getting the opportunity to speak with Jayson Werth's beard is by far the biggest thrill.  OK, perhaps Scott's interview tops it, but we were very excited to get this beard to respond to our emails for a Q&A.

It's been interviewed by The Philadelphia Inquirer to The Los Angeles Times, but now that The Phillies' season has tragically ended, the beard had time to speak with us.  So it let us know why Philadelphia rules, how being the "best beard in baseball" is exhausting, and why Phillies fans have exceptional taste.

 

BaB: How long has Jayson been growing you for?
Off and on since last winter.  He usually grows me in the offseason and then the razors come out in February, but this year I got to stick around.

From one beard to another, what do you have to say to Brian Wilson's beard?
I don't comment on fake beards.  However, I will say that Cody Ross' beard is a travesty.

Do the ladies love you?
Of course!  Well, maybe about 95% of them fell in love.  I think I grew on a lot of people (no pun intended).

How have you impacted the city of Philadelphia?
Hopefully I left a good mark on the city, especially if this is the end of our time here.  We had our ups and downs, but the love for the beard never seemed to wane.

Do you find the city receptive to beardos?
Very much so.  From Eric Bruntlett to many of the Flyers playoff beards, the city of Philadelphia has been graced with some of the greatest beards in sports over the last couple of years.  The fans definitely know a good beard when they see one.

Who do you think will win the World Series?  Do you even care?
At this point, I'm indifferent because we should still be playing.  On paper, the Rangers should win this, but who knows with this pesky Giants team. Throughout their run, they've found a way to keep getting big hits.

What's your best tip for growing a beard?
Be patient and just let it grow.  And no matter what people may say, there's absolutely no good reason to ever use "Just For Men."

Are you surprised by your # of Twitter followers?
Absolutely.  I never anticipated so many people to actually want to follow what I have to say.  I think what may have surprised me even more is the amount of fans from other teams following, which is pretty cool.

What's up next for you?

It's all up in the air right now, so I'm going to enjoy the offseason.  Being the best beard in baseball is pretty exhausting.

Anything else we should know?
Never put metal in the microwave. 
 

Brady's Mop Top vs. Moss' Facial Fuz

Figured the B-a-B community MUST have a chance to opine for this monumental tussle of the follicles.

As you may know, right before Randy Moss was traded back to the Vikings from his Superbowl compadres of the Patriots... he got into a spat with Mr. Tom "Bieber" Brady, over of all things... Hair. Brady told Randy his beard looks stupid (!) so Moss called Tom a girl... very mature.

As a New England fan I can't very well outright damn Brady for his mop top, but i can clearly take the beard's side because long hair and facial hair are not congruent enough for me to stick with my starting, star, quarterback... 

Regardless of my personal allegiance, please do go to our friends at Yahoo! Sports to #proveit by supporting the beard... at time of filing this story our bearded friends have been toppling the Bieber fans with 12,434 votes counted (and a pretty hilarious batch of comments, over 4,600).

Which is worse? We know the answer...

The Beard Song (ode to a beard) LIVE

Last night was amazing. Very cool culmination of the Sophie Madeleine bearded goodness... and just like I like it too: tender, soft, humorous, lengthy... like a good beard.

By all means you should get Sophie's record so that to bask in her musical hairiness, however watching her play live (and dedicate the last song to B-a-B) is a whole 'nother lovely experience.

The love the Sophie so kindly showed B-a-B reverberated throughout the evening; which included an EP release party for Pearl and the Beard and was also amazing in and of itself (more news on that at a later time).

We are humbled and appreciative of the transatlantic proveit from a dispatch of Rocky and Balls themselves... So, without further ado, Build-a-Beard is proud to present LIVE from NYC, The Beard Song (Ode To A Beard). Enjoy!

ATL's Best Local Celebrity: THE BEARD of Kevin Gillespie

It's been brought to BaB's attention by the fabulous Dr. Zachary (PhD in scruff & duck fat) that Kevin Gillespie's beard won Atlanta's "Best Local Celebrity" by Creative Loafing Magazine. Forget that Kevin is a James Beard finalist, and not to mention a favorite on Top Chef, it's his red, flaming facial hair (and his eerily similarity to Yukon Cornelius) that has the country in total awe of him.

Oh and impart to his nearly 8,000 Facebook fans, which is exactly why I called the good Doctor (co-founder of Fans of Kevin Gillespie's Beard on Facebook) to ask him his thoughts on this tremendous accomplishment. 

Here's our exclusive interview:

Bab: What does this award mean to you?
Scruffmaster:  It means a lot to me, but it means a lot more for all of us.  It means a lot for freedom.  If anyone had beaten Kevin's Beard, it would have been explicit proof that the terrorists had won, that God doesn't exist, and that Good never triumphs over Evil.

How do you feel that your FB fan page helped to propel Kevin into the national spotlight?
The Facebook page "Fans of Kevin Gillespie's Beard" certainly helped propel Kevin into the spotlight, but you're looking at it all wrong.  We simply provided the conduit for the message of the Beard.  Truth be told, the Beard is what propelled Kevin Gillespie into the zeitgeist.

Do you think Kevin should compete in a beard tournament?
Kevin owes it to his Beard to physically bring it before the eyes of a wider audience, so yes!

Has Kevin contacted you directly to say thanks for the beard support?  Have you even touched his beard?
I spoke with Kevin briefly at the Party for the Fans of Kevin Gillespie's Beard at the W Hotel.  As for touching his beard: are you completely insane?  Didn't you see what happened to the Nazis at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark when they opened the Ark of the Covenant?  Everyone at the party was (gratefully and reverently) averting their eyes.

Anything you'd like to add, Dr. Z?
A parting message: Kevin's Beard loves you and wants you to be happy.  Even more so, it wants you to be bearded.  Grow, grow, grow! 

The Balls Perspective: Keep it hairy

Back in March, when I wrote the Q&A with Rocky and Balls, I didn't actually meet up with Sophie Madeleine and Hannah Rockcliffe to do the interview... B-a-B staffers don't get an expense account (yet) to fly transatlantic... I did the interview not in person but via the Internets. There, I said it... So, when finally having an opportunity to meet half of the duo on my own turf, aka Brooklyn, I jumped at it.

Still groggy from a crazy night in Coney Island, I stumbled to breakfast with the full intention of impressing our fair neighbor to the east, as well as her local beardo by wearing my newly acquired Rocky and Balls T-Shirt (number 2 of 50, #justsaying). Yes, I was THAT guy, but so be it, it was the right occasion... besides, my wife told me I looked very cute 'in that little T-shirt,' so there.

What followed was a great lunch with even greater people. Sophie, Sonya, Tim and I talked beards, scruff, music, Brooklyn, Lady Gaga (yes, really), relationships, England and US geography, and much much more. Distilled below are some key findings.

• To my surprise, the UK and Brooklyn facial hair scenes are very similar. Sophie wasn't going to indulge me with "Brooklyn is SO CLEARLY so much better"...

• Like me, Sophie does not listen to the radio and preferrs the countryside to the metropolis. However, very much unlike me, she does not drink coffee.

• Understandably, both Rocky's and Balls' boyfriends are beardos. More over, Sophie's beard is also her guitarist.

• On September 24th Sophie has her 2nd NYC gig. 7pm at The Living Room (154 Ludlow St.)
  • Also playing that night, at 9pm, are Pearl and the Beard who aparently have fake beards for sale at the show.

• Honorable mention: Sophie and Sonya played footsies while Tim and I blabbed on about music and media.

3rd Annual Coney Island BMC Wrap Up

As you know by now (given the myriad of live postings and up to the minute results updates), El Beardo went to the 3rd Annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition... presented by the lovely Joanna Firneno and the curly Donny Vomit.

Unfortunately, because my suit was at the cleaners, my suspenders lost and the briefcase back in my father in-law's possession... I was unable, or unwilling, to compete my Championship Corporate Beard. Regardless what follows is a complete recounting -- to the best of my ability, given the copious amounts of beer that surrounded the event -- of the festivities, the beardos, the staches, and overall hairy awesomeness that last night's party down on the shore came to be... and what an event it was!

What really warmed our heart was the 'show must go on' perspective of the organizers, competitors and judges... there were ample hiccups (4 total competitors for natural mustache? no problem, we'll make do), issues regarding facial hair standards (OH: "well that's what happens when your categories have no concrete standards, they are learning as they go...") and so on... but not to be fazed, Donny and his motley crew of characters (which also included Cowboy and World Champion Trick Roper, Chris McDaniel; Jennifer Miller, The Lady with a Beard; and sword swallower Heather Holliday).

All in all, I really enjoyed the raw debauchery of said competition... it was a welcome break from the many rules, standards, and guidelines that we've heard and seen in other competitions, even the mostly freewheeling National's in Bend earlier this summer. However, the natural category winners were B-a-B friends from National's and Magnificent Specimens (i.e. returning champ Myk O'Connor), which  wholeheartedly  vindicated the results and gave full credence to the event in our books.

All in all, a great job done by all... especially the styles mustache category entrants... clearly, and by far, the most fully loaded category with nearly 15 contestants in the first round alone... the Hipster stache movement was and is alive and well by the beach in Brooklyn. So, without further ado... the select awesome photos from last night are below, other can be found in the Hairy Pics tab for your hair enjoyment.

Also check out the Competition's fan page on Facebook, goodies galore.

The Crowds, Setting and Judges

   

    

   

Natural Mustache Finalists

Natural Beard Finalists

Sideburns Finalists

Styled Mustache Finalists

Styled Beard Finalists

Fake Female Beard Finalists

THE WINNERS! (and judges)

Fistful of Beards

This past weekend I watched King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters that highlights Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell, along with other diehard video gamers, as they compete to break World Records on classic arcade games.  

Billy Mitchell caught my eye due to his obvious beard.  Not his laughable stance.  His beard.  Not his narcissistic and patronizing attitude highlighted in the documentary, but his beard. 

On that note, dear readers, keep your facial hair growing, but always remember to trim the ego.  (Queue: Rainbow)
 

 

Coney Island, Here We Come!

In association with Coney Island USA, Donny Vomit presents the 3rd Annual Coney Island Beard & Moustache Competition taking place on Saturday, September 11th, with pre-show/registration from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and judging/show to follow.  Tickets are $15 at the door.

It's a celebration of facial hair - all lengths and orientations, artistic stylings, and unkempt scruff - highlighting our local favorite beardos and 'stache supporters.  Contestants have the opportunity to enter their furry faces in the following follicle categories:

• Best Moustache styled
• Best Moustache Natural
• Best Beard Style
• Best Beard Natural
• Best Fake (or real!!) Female
• Best in Show
• The coveted Worst in Show

Jennifer Miller, the lady with the beard, will also be in attendance cheering on the contestants and scratching her own facial fuzz.  In past interviews, Jennifer has been quoted as saying: 

"You’ve got Hair Club for Men: they all want it! It goes all the way back to Samson and his big mane of power. That’s why men don’t want women to have too much of it in too many places. So, here I am, a gal with a beard, prancing around the streets of New York.”

Rock on, Jennifer.  BaB realizes that September 11th is a tough date for our precious city, but this competition full of shock, awe, pride, and amusement, might be a much-needed distraction that offers some sort of relief for how heavy the city feels on that day.

Consider going - and growing.  

Rocky and Balls and Beards and Shirts

You've seen their tongue in (hairy) cheek folksy goodness... you've read their fuzzy thoughts... and now, you can wear their shirts too. Of course I am talking about The Beard Song creators themselves Rocky and Balls.

The exclusive "Ode To A Beard" T-shirt is a short run of only 50 and is available to the world. The shirts are made from 100% organic cotton, screen printed by hand with eco-friendly ink by greenteeprints.co.uk The price is £16.00, plus shipping... sizes Small and Large only.

The shirts go on sale promptly at... like, well somewhere within 2 hours, or so. In the meantime feel free to check out the reworked and in fact brand new video for The Beard Song from the duo by clicking on the bearded chin man below.

Here is the sustainably awesome design: