Vans continues the excitement surrounding SXSW Music Festival by announcing the re-issue of four of Vans’ most popular band shoe projects, Circle Jerks, Motörhead II, Bad Brains and Rise Against March 12 to 15. Each re-issue has a total of 150 pairs with 50 being sold exclusively at the pop-up shop inside the Vans Village at noon during SXSW with an additional sale of 100 pairs on Vans.com the following day. The limited re-release of these iconic band shoes is only the second time Vans has allowed the reproduction of archived band collaborations. The first came from Vans’ Vulcanized Vinyl pop-up
boutique that opened during the 2012 SXSW Music Festival.
Wednesday, March 12 – Circle Jerks Vans Old Skool
Released in 2007, the Vans x Circle Jerks Old Skool was based on the cover of Group Sex, the band's 1980 debut album, a landmark release in the hardcore punk genre. Vans designers worked with the band on the construction of the original release and they personally requested that the typically suede and leather Old Skool be produced in all-over canvas in consideration for their vegan fans. Group Sex artwork is featured over a stitched Vans Sidestripe and includes bright yellow pop color on the heel tab and waffle outsole. The Circle Jerks Old Skool will be released on March 12 at the Vans Village and will retail for $70.
Thursday, March 13 – Motörhead II Vans Rowley Classic
The Motörhead II Vans Rowley Classic hit skate shops exclusively back in 2006 and was the second collaboration between Vans and Motörhead. The all-over black aesthetic was chosen by lead vocalist and bass player, Lemmy Kilmister, which gave the classic skate shoe a stealth look with only a hit of color on the Vans heel tab, tongue and embroidered Motörhead logo. The Motörhead II Vans Rowley Classic is available March 13 and will retail for $70.
Friday, March 14 – Bad Brains Vans Sk8-Hi
Once sold exclusively at Supreme, the Vans x Bad Brains Sk8-Hi was one of three styles that were released in a limited run in 2009. The band worked alongside the Vans design team to showcase their iconic lightning bolt logo from their first self-titled, full-length 1982 album on the sidewall and waffle outsole of the Sk8-Hi. The Bad Brains Vans Sk8-Hi will once again be released for a limited time on March 14 and will retail for $75.
Saturday, March 15 – Rise Against Classic Slip-On
Music fans will remember the original 2010 release of the Rise Against Classic Slip-On which was the second project between Rise Against and Vans after the huge success of the first partnership in 2007. The Classic Slip-On showcases the artwork from the band’s 2008 album Appeal to Reason. It was, as the prior release, entirely free of animal-related materials in consideration of the band's vegan sensibilities as well as their fans. The Rise Against Classic Slip-On will retail for $65 and is the final Vans re-issue release that will close out the last day of SXSW.
Opening its doors March 11 for the first time at SXSW, the Vans Village will host a range of events through March 15 transforming the parking lot on the corner of 7th and Red River to include a competitive BMX ramp, a full-service pop-up shop, an open mic stage, a special truth® activation and live art exhibitions by Vans artists Jay Howell, Rich Jacobs, Zio Ziegler, Russ Pope and Smithe. The Vans band reissue projects will be available in the Vans pop-up shop on a first come, first serve basis and while supplies last.
The Vans Village is down the street from the House of Vans at the Mohawk, an official SXSW venue, and is made possible in part by truth®, the nation’s largest youth smoking prevention campaign, and Seagate storage products, creating space for the SXSW experience at House of Vans 2014. For more information, set times and updates, continue to visit vans.com/sxsw.