blackout '77

manhattan, lights out lootin' in bed stuy, free for all? photo:tyrone dukes/ny times

son of sam nabbed. psycho killer ~ qu'est-ce que c'est

talking heads. ocean club, tribeca. photo:allen tannenbaum

bowery bum at cbgb (r.i.p.) photo:h.wang

1977: The first Apple computer goes on sale. Star Wars opens. Punk Rock is the new. Elvis dies at 42. Carter becomes president.

But it was the Summer of 1977 in New York City that people will always remember - a time and place of extreme highs and lows: Lighting strikes a Con Ed substation along the Hudson River setting off a chain of events resulting in the massive New York blackout, leading to mobs, fires, and looting. The Son of Sam murders terrorizes a city already swallowed by crime, violence, drugs, financial crisis, and decay. But it's also when the New York Yankees win the world series and uplifts the city, even for just a moment. And ultimately music saves the broken city - everyone from the Ramones to the Talking Heads to the Dead Boys to Patti Smith takes the stage at places that would later become legendary, like CBGB.

Great respect to Allan Tannenbaum for capturing the scenes of the most high-strung, prolific, eclectic city in the world.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Old Gold Scrapbook pt.2

golden graveyard 1942, dust in the wind. photo:myron davis jt's bowtie business coupe, frenched headlights & shaved door handles ~ work in progress

our buddy max's old truck at jj's old compound. desired artillery rims w/silvertown whitewalls

steve mcqueen's 3100 half ton. a "man's-man truck". his daily driver: hollywood hillbilly hauler

decker's recent work of art - rare one of kind 1952 vincent custom. our friends grand master piece

the little one. king of the road

more pics from our “old gold” scrapbook, an “homage montage” to yesterday’s technology. dedicated to those who uphold the traditions of old. “style is everything” friends.

Grant’s Golden Brand Pomade
 the premiere water-based pomade
 made in the good old USA

Los Angeles Snow ......

Well, on a strange day years ago. We don't know what day and year these photos by George Silk were taken, this was the first time these folks saw snow in Los Angeles - an event obviously so rare that people were literally packing snow in the trunks of their cars. For some people, snow is just a pain in the ass, but for the rest of us that don't get to see snow very much, it brings out the kid in us.

All photos copryight LIFE/Time, Inc.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Back in the Day, Featuredadmin
The Motley

We would like to introduce our newest top shelf account ~ The Motley. An extraordinary online apothecary store offering a curated collection of the highest quality and most conscious formulas for men. We wrote a piece on 5 Basic Barber Bullets to look for in your quest for that Golden Barber. Stop on by The Motley for your premiere grooming needs.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Unionville

Our friend Per from Sivletto in conjunction with Blue Highway just opened a top notch men's clothing boutique ~ Unionville in Stockholm, Sweden. The store features the timeless styles from the 50's, the pre-war era, the Great Depression and even earlier. Their main specialty is jeans, they: produce, alter, repair and sell jeans. Congratulations on a good looking & high quality store for the Gents.

Unionville Katarina Bangata 69, Södermalm, Stockholm, Sweden

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

mom and pops

diner 1962 photo:john loengard via life1908 new orleans news stand. photo:copyright detroit publishing co. via shorpys "life saving tamales" brownsville, texas 1939. photo:carl mydans via life

Keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive, stop into your local "mom and pop" shops when you can, and work hard the way our ancestors did. Stay positive.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Master Guitarist Jim Gaudette

We at Grant's have the stereo on 24/7/365 listening to all genres of music. From Dylan to Devo, Stevie to Strummer ~ one thing remains constant: we love good music. Who has time for sub par tunes these days?

On that note, we received an email from Jim Gaudette a master guitarist and a loyal customer of Grant's. He introduced us to his music and gave us a little insight into his life. We love discovering new great music, thanks Jim.

Jim has been a staple in the New England music scene for over 20 years. He is an accomplished guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and music instructor, who has also been taught first-hand from many of the original music legends of the genres he specializes in. Praised by and received words of wisdom from: Johnny Cash, Brian Setzer, Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, Billy Lee Riley, Reverend Horton Heat and legendary drummer Buddy Rich. Jim notes his favorite genres to play are: gypsy jazz, rockabilly, surf and classic country style. What more can we say, the guy has talent!

If you want to catch an uplifting show or learn from one of the best contact Jim.

tune in and turn it up Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

the troll under the bridge lives

larger than life concrete troll. note the vw bug under his hand lookin' up his nose. note the gum - classy

the next time you are in the artsy neighborhood of freemont, wa. make sure to visit the notorious troll sculpture that resides under the bridge. beware: he eats humans!

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Arts & Culture, Featuredadmin
Thank You Philip

The other day we received this nice email from one of our loyal customers Philip. Letters like this gives us validation and inspiration to keep moving forward. Thank you Philip. Hello Grant's .... just wanted to say thanks for the inspriation that you've given me through your blog, business and lifestyle .... I've loved the lifestyle for many years and continue to love it. I've been pushing myself to get things done and to start my own business as well. I hope to make time to go to Barber school. As I do that I'll be starting a business with my parents....... ......Really wanted to say thank you, your blog has a great impact on me and helps me to move and pursue what I wanted in my life and to reach my goals..... I'll be ordering more pomade and products from you again and again. Hope to see and meet you at some event someday somewhere.

Thank you for your time, Philip W Mansfield

"We welcome your letters and suggestions. Stay Up & Stay Golden." Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

mother nature

radio city flatiron

central park west

grand central, shut down

New York Dec 1947 and 1905. Looks pretty much the same now.

All photos copyright LIFE/Time, Inc., photos by Mark Kauffman and Michael Rougier. Flatiron photo via New York Public Library.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA