OCTC x JDM&DJM

Iam proud to announce a newly formed collaboration between OCTC (obsessivecompulsivetuningcars.com) and JDM&DJM, thanks to Benson, OCTC's founder.

Look forward to articles and joint ventures to come :D

Roadster Life.

Roadster Life is a newly formed blog/web page that encompasses the 'Roadster Spirit' we hear about so often, a fondness that stretches beyond tangibility for mx-5 owners, something that I think some other car owners despise in a way ;)

I wrote them a small article last week, and they posted it recently, check it out! :D
"Where it all started, when it's still yet to start"

Project Revival Final. Must See.

If you tune, mod or love cars. Watch This. It's also a perfect piece alongside my previous article. Enjoy.

Project Revival Final Video.

Tuning. Enthusiasts. & Our Direction.

In a recent discussion and overall view there's a little contention between what "IS" and "ISN'T" tuning, as every enthusiast has their views of whats right, wrong and downright ugly in reflection to their taste of definition of functionality, but recently I'm beginning to realise that this mentality is impeding the world of automotive enthusiasm rather than excelling it.

Hellaflush is one in a variety of tuning subcultures that is either praised or questioned in it's mode of tuning, their focus revolving around the offset and fitment of tyres and rims sitting 'flush' to the car, fenders, and tyre wall itself. With pure emphasis on aesthetics rather than the mechanics of running such a setup or even the perils of tyre wear or legality.

To me, I don't really care either way, I actually like Hellaflush and I believe cars can be an artform in them self. Its not necessarily 'fake' or 'wrong' as what some people would call it, it's just not what some average tuners think what tuning is.

I think what a lot of people don't understand is that tuning is subjective just like any other hobby, art form or personal outlet of expression as some people say in the tuning world "Your car is an extension of your personality".

After reading Charles Kha's article in Issue #85 of Autosalon Magazine, I've properly recognised how absolutely bullshit and critical tuners and car admirer's are towards one another, be it in or out of JDM culture, you'll see it across Show Car Builders, Hot Rodders, Muscle Lovers, Vintage and Nostalgic Fans- the list goes on, when at the end of the day It's better to admire and welcome.

E.g 'Hellaflush', Try to admire the fact that the guy is rocking Workmeisters rather than whining about the impractical camber. As much as I hate Sex-Spec I can still admire the workmanship in aesthetics, time and effort, even if each rim ends up adding 10kgs to a car wielding a blinding pink paint job. Although I don't favour this style, I will attempt to emote a sense of appreciation but more importantly, try to accept rather than merely tolerate.

Cultures, sub cultures and memes such as 'Hellaflush' should be welcomed to our overall car loving community- rather than flame and ousted on a fundamental basis of dislike due to one's personal disapproval. Hey I'll even be the first person to put my hand up and admit I'm guilty of it too, but I'm now making the effort to see the greater picture in hindsight and change my judgment.

Regardless of content, it's our enthusiast context that matters and I believe that the sooner car enthusiasts (we) adopt these qualities the sooner we can be on track to a greater, better, more accepting global passion that can expand upon. Who knows maybe someone will discover a style or method better (god forbid) than 'JDM styled tuning', but If we keep excluding others in what they're bringing to the table then we're inhibiting evolving a possibility of outlets, when you consider the variety of misconceptions against car enthusiasts as portrayed by the media or naive individuals, it's safe to say that we don't need anyone else against us, or their stereotypes, yet here we are going against one another on various other levels, for shallow reasons at that.

As Charles' column writes, "Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but an opinion doesn't entitle us to turn on our own kind".

Just something to think about, drop a comment in the box. These are purely my views compounded with views of others that share the same thoughts. Cheers for reading :D

Nothing electro on you.

Came across this electro house remix of B.O.B Ft. Bruno Mars - Nothing On You, I really dig the original, although this is shaken up nicely to suit a clubbier or loungier context.

I could be chasing, but my time would be wasting. Enjoy!

B.O.B Ft. Bruno Mars - Nothing On You (Lenno Electro House Remix)
(Mediafire)

JHype. We Heart Japan.

Loving this blog, it's creators are two fellows from JDMST, give it a flick through and embrace the place, that is Japan in all it's enthralling culture.

http://jhype.net/

A Sad Loss.. RIP.

At 11.30pm last night an NA MX5 collided with a Flatbed truck on Old Pacific Hwy, fatally and prematurely ending the two young lives of Gerard and Tom (Passenger). Two young car enthusiasts in their early 20's, Gerard a member of JDMST. May they rest in peace and may we please learn from the loss of their families and friends that such events can be prevented if we drive carefully and abide by respective road laws.

Such young lives, such a great loss. (JDMST Members can pay their respects here.)

May they both R.I.P.

New Mixer! KM-202.

A few weeks back I picked up a new DJ mixer to go along with the rest of my gear, I thought I'd share it with some thoughts :).

It's a 2 Channel mixer, Korg are pretty with it when it comes to build quality, the features are great, nesting Korg's famed 'Kaoss Pad' embedded in the mixer itself, I love the fact that the EQ has 'Isolation' meaning that all frequencies are cut when you cut each channel as opposed to other mixers which leave frequencies dwelling even when each EQ channel is sitting at 0.

It's got pretty hefty RRP but what can you expect when they retail the Mini KP for a couple of hundred alone (Which is the same Kaoss Pad in the KM-202). I love the crossfader, extremely smooth with plenty of room for preference thanks to the crossfader adjuster.

The 'Kaoss Pad' is amazing! with 99 presets and presets within each of those presets using the touch pad, this thing has it buckled down when it comes to effects, owning for a few weeks now I haven't even had a chance to check them all out, whats also very cool is the combination of effects some of the effects are eg. 'LFO+Flanger+Phase', you can only imagine what those sort of combo's sound like, my favorite thus far is the 'Beat Repeat'.

I think my only qualms with the unit are that I'd prefer larger EQ knobs but thats just personal preference, PFL for the 'Kaoss Pad' would be great too, as it would let you experiment with it without disrupting what your playing.

I highly recommend this as a DJM-400 alternative, aside from a few minor things and they really are minor- I'm loving this new device.

JDMST Sticker V2.

Brand new V2 Pepsi style stickers released! 50 of these new JDMST stickers are available. Highest grade vinyl, 80mm in diameter, Grab one at the JDMST Shop :D.

Clean Header.

Let me know what you think!

Fresh Deadmau5. Love this guy.

Its been a little while since my last post, probably the longest I've ever been (Soz), first post for May in fact, aside from the fact that I've been a little busy, I've been waiting for something fresh to come in, Havn't really come across anything of significance in the blogosphere in the past few weeks, alas that changes here.

Fresh Deadmau5 track "Some Chords"- typical in reflection to Joel's vague and careless track titles. Starts of with a fractured sawtooth-like sequence with various effects and filter passes as it builds, can't expect anything less from the man himself.

His ability to produce and tour simultaneously is quite astounding, although not in great quanities it's still a feat in itself, which also bring to attention a remix he's whipped recently, Pendulum's track 'Watercolor', sure fire sounds to be heard in the big clubs in weeks to come.

Enjoy! :D

Deadmau5 - Some Chords (Original Mix)
(Mediafire)

Pendulum - Watercolor (Deadmau5 Remix)
(Mediafire)