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Shotgun Players Present: Beardo

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From Shotgun Players theater company -- Rasputin: healer or hedonist or both? Playwright Jason Craig and composer Dave Malloy, who brought you Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage, team up with Artistic Director Patrick Dooley to delve into the world of Russia's infamous bad boy mystic. 

If you're in Berkeley, head to Ashby Stage (located at 1901 Ashby Avenue, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Way) from now until April 24th.  Tickets range from $20 - $24.   Check out Laughing Squid for more details on the production.  

(Photo credit: Pak Han Featured in photo: Ashkon Davaran)

 (Poster credit: Shotgun Players)


 

Raging Beard Madness

With college hoops wrapping up, it's time to focus on Beard Madness.  What is this ah-mazing tournment of awesomeness?  According to BrianWilson38.com, over the next few days, 16 of the most delicious beards (14 now, since we're one day late reporting this) will match up against each other to determine the National BW38 Beard Champion.

The rules are simple:

1. Follow @BrianWilson38

2. Check out today's match-up and send your tweet to Brian noting the hashtag #beardbracket

BaB was happy to see Chuck Norris advancing to the next round and that Trammell made the cut, but where the hell is Jayson Werth's beard?  Jack Passion? Two huge beardos who could have been in it to win it - are big misses here.  

John Pfund: Warriors Come Out To Play

Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is known for its dining, lodging, restaurants, and real estate, but there is a far more impressive offering in this area - John Pfund's beard (aka: Pfund).

This 23 year old, ex-Northeastern football player, known for his drinking, sloth-like abilities, and fast women (according to my little brother) - left me speechless.  The beard possess an air of grandeur and has an exceptional gnome-like quality.  

Proof below ---





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Best of SXSWi 2011

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After numerous debates, sweat, and toil, BaB has come to the decision that The Best Beard Award for 2011's SXSWi goes to The Beard of Trammell.  Its length, vigorous health, color, sturdy build, overall magnificence, and background working at PayPal, Digg, and Twitter -- made the beard the obvious champion.

Congrats Trammell.  

(Photo by: Marcus Nelson)

SXSWi Round-Up: Tech Beardos & Stache Supporters

South By Southwest Interactive was a whirlwind of beards, staches, supporters & haters.  All said, the trip in itself was a huge success - not only to discover facial hair techies -  but to meet some of the most genuine and intelligent gents who like to split (and grow) hairs.  

A few highlights below with the "best beard/stache" announcement happening this Monday.  Stay tuned! 

Tom Merritt & Dan Patterson kicked off the SXSWi interview series in Austin - and did not disappoint.  



(Photo by: Marcus Nelson)

Our interview with Trammell gave insight into the bearded tech cultures of Digg & Twitter.  Trammell recently cut 50% of his beard off, which is ashame as we hope he continues to "let go" & finally put a 'stache on the Fail Whale. 


Danny Kastner, CEO of Social Edition, not only rocked some scruff at The Bing party, but also taught the bar what the word 'beard' means on Urban Dictionary. 


Local Texan who goes by 'Black Scorpion' who is "a human oddity known for his bizarre & surreal stage performances."  If you look closely, you'll see that he is not born with "normal" hands, but rather "magical claws." Regardless, he was super cool, super friendly, and sported a puppet beardo.  WIN. 

Jon Snyder, Associated Photo Editor at Wired.com ended SXSWi by apologizing for his beard -- "sorry my beards not so long! I had to shave for The Academy Awards."  We'll allow that excuse for now, as long as Jon keeps growing it out.  We've been friendly with this rad San Franciscan for a while on the Twittersphere and he recently helped us scout our past CES 2011 winner.   

Bradford Barker, social media channel manager @Bing. We had the privilege of sitting down with Brad shortly after he rocked the SXSW Bing + Cheezburger Party to discuss the individuality of the beardo. He noted that MSFT has been very supportive of the beard (which makes sense given his Seattle location) - and actually helps him be more recognizable at work.   

The delightful Ewan Spence proudly stroking his goatee and pondering what Arianna Huffington would look like with a beard.  You can read all about this crazy Scotsman. 



Drew Wehrle from Leo Burnett was rocking one bad-ass stache at the Zynga party. 

Kyp Malone, lead guitarist for TV on the Radio, doesn't count in our "best beard" series for SXSWi, but since he did perform at the Zynga party, he's definite worth highlighting.  Prob one of the most bad ass beards in Austin.  

 

 

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I Can Has Beard?

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The SXSW Bing + Cheezburger Party on Saturday night was a lot of fun, but the stand out of the evening was Mr. Troy Landwehr.  Besides rocking some sweet facial scruff, this beardo is a renowned cheese artist who single handedly carved 1200 lbs of cheese down to 640 pounds of cheddar lolcat works of art, featuring feline favorites such as Standing Cat, Nora the Piano Cat,Gizmo the Flushing Cat, and Monorail Cat. The bash was part of a promotion for Friskies® Tasty Treasures™, a new line of Friskies cheese flavored cat food.
 
The next day the sculptures were moved outside, where 500 SXSWi hungover, munchie cravers were given free grilled cheese sandwiches. Noms!
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Ewan Spence On SXSWi, Scoble, Beards, Goatees, & Kilts

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                                              "Arianna Huffington should grow a beard." 

Ewan Spence, the Scotsman behind "Is Scoble in This Room?" took a stroll down Red River Street with us today (proudly sporting both goatee and kilt) in sunny Austin to discuss what he's seen thus far in regards to beards, 'staches, or creative displays of facial hair.  Ewan first grew a full beard back in May 2004, but decided - roughly before a Palm developer conference - that it was best to shave it down into a goatee prior to entering through Customs.  

This SXSWi veteran (who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland - and you know how we adore the Scots) believes 2011's facial hair scene is bigger than in year's past.  Just like Trammel, Ewan noted that this year he's seeing attendees "really letting go" - noting that perhaps the economy is keeping men from shaving every day. "It's tough times.  Perhaps men are economizing by not purchasing razors as often." 

Ewan continued, "As for the beard scene really taking off, I blame San Francisco and Brian Wilson's beard.  The 'Fear the Beard' message really caught on - people started believing in the power of facial hair."  He doesn't see the message of "fearing" facial hair off-putting.  He noted that Wilson's beard sends a message to fans that he means business and to the opposition, it is an intimidating factor.

When asked what tech personality, reporter, blogger, or podcaster would most benefit from growing a beard, Ewan responded immediately --- "Ariana Huffington should grow a beard... the 'Fear the Beard' message could really be applied to her."  

Ewan Spence - in all his goatee glory.
Photo credit: @kristinaweise for @buildabeard

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Viral Beard (SXSWi homage) -- #mugshotmonday

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Good morning, and yes it's another Monday... so it's time for another mug shot. 

In honor of Riss' trials and tribulations down south at SXSWi, wanted to make this a special #mugshotmonday... as such, this is perhaps the most famous beardo of the TSG family (at least in our circles).

No, he's not a coke sniffing out of control Hollywood celeb, he's not a topless blond with a sly look on her face, he's not even on facebook (try MySpace on for size), but he is a viral beard through and through... one that who's SEO has increased exponentially each year. If you've ever searched for beards on the interwebs of the cyberspaces, you've likely stumbled on this beardo.

If you haven't yet, dear B-a-B community, please meet Salvatore Dichiera (aka Sal Punk). A 28-year-old Pennsylvania native whose graced the TSG pages more than a few times (what's a little disorderly intoxication, misdemeanor, etc. among friends) nearly all of them in his trademark half-bearded state.

A beard so viral, it must be contagious. And while incomplete, we here at B-a-B see Sal's beard to be half full and not half empty... So we don't blame it, and never will.


Circa October, 2010

Circa October 2009

Well, we're known for persistence here at B-a-B, so... we tracked down Sal, sorta, and here he is... in all his half beardy goodness, straight from the mean streets of MySpace (for real)... Sal, if you're reading this, we'd love to get in touch. Punk on, and hopefully, you'll grow it out and grow it proud on the other half of your face soon too.

Modern Times?


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Tom Merritt & Dan Patterson - Tech Community Beardos

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Yesterday, BaB had the honor to sit down with Tom Merritt, host of Tech News Today and the infamous Dan Patterson, leading expert on media, technology, mustaches (and zombies) of ABC News Radio to discuss SXSWi, beards, mustaches, and being American.  Thanks to sluggish Internets in the hotel (and let's not even start on the Austin Convention Center), our videos are slowly being uploaded. 

The Mustache of Freedom - explained!

Crowdsourcing beards & contracts for it:


More videos & SXSWi action to come!  

 

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Trammell: Beards, Twitter, & Trending Topics

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"I think both Digg & Twitter are very welcoming of facial hair. That is, unless,
you stroke it longingly in meetings while staring at executives or colleagues."

We were all set on a preview story hitting just before South By Southwest Interactive - one that would showcase the potential strength of the tech beardos & mustache growers we were flying down to interview for the coveted "best beard or 'stache" of the event (side: if you're attending SXSWi, come find me if you have what it takes to compete). That is until Trammell sent us a DM confirming that he would gladly partake in an interview after he had a drink. 

As such, we scratched our original post to take a moment to learn more about the magnificently bearded & bespectacled specimen known as Mark Trammell. After all, what better way to kick-off a tech facial hair series than to interview the beard who has worked at PayPal, Digg, Twitter and a brief stint as a Navy journalist (not joking). The bar has been set, gentlemen.  

(Photo credit: Dan Busta)

BaB: When did you start growing your beard?
Trammell: 1998 - Shortly after my tenure with the United States Navy. I shaved it off in 2008 for Movember and immediately began to grow it back.  Recently though, I cut about 50% of it off so my Twitter picture reflects the most up-to-date version (see above).

BaB: Being a committed beardo, how was it when you grew a mustache for the cause of Movember?
If it was measured in tweets - "#creepy" - would have been trending. 

BaB: Wouldn't the Fail Whale be less threatening with a mustache?  Maybe a handlebar...?
Well, there are a lot less fail whales these days; however, there might have been a point where the whale needed a disguise - a mustache would have been considered.   

Bab: What's the design philosophy behind the beard?
It's about letting go.  Most people decide after a life changing (mostly negative) event to grow a beard.  Yet, those same people decide to shave it soon after.  I say - let it go.  Allow the beard time to fill out, find the potential in the hairs, and then shape it accordingly to your style.  

BaB: Would your beard provide an adequate nest for birds to Twitter in? 
This reminds me of The Family Guy episode where Peter grew a beard for a family of birds.  I wouldn't kick the birds out. I'd always be welcoming.  

BaB: Does your dating life suffer because of the beard?
There is no data to support the contrary, but no [it suffers for other reasons], but not because of the beard. 

(Photo credit: sgoralnick)

BaB: Favorite bearded band or musician based solely on their facial hair?
1. Megafaun 
2. Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit
3. Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips
(*Listed in no particular order)

Also, Brian Wilson has a beard of awesomeness and I approve of the dye job. The dye adds to the intimidating factor and awesomeness.  If he didn't have that beard, there would be so much awesomeness coming from him, it would be distrating to batters. 

BaB: What's it like for you to not be sporting a beard?
I'm a hermit without it.

BaB: What's the best thing about having a beard?  
For starters, I don't have to shave.  Mostly though, I don't consider the alternative.  I wouldn't leave my house without pants on, so I wouldn't leave without my beard.

BaB: Have you ever met Zach Galifianakis?
No, but a bunch of middle aged, Soprano-looking gentlemen at a club in Vegas were once fully convinced that I was Zach.

BaB: Were you wearing a satchel?
I was wearing a messenger bag. 

BaB: Twitter has helped our blog uncover so many amazing stories & a lot of new relationships have sprung from us using your platform, such as our blog's friendship with Scott Hutchison.
Small world.  For "Tonight's Beard," I am San Diego's 'The Trammell'  


(#earlywormcatchesthebeard) 

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Case of the Monday's -- #mugshotmonday

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Happy weekday everyone! Yeah, no... We're not that excited about it either. In fact, it sucks to see Monday each and every week, the damn day should be outlawed... Then again, if it wasn't for this one weekday that starts with M, what else would we tag along the #mugshotmonday series to?!

That being said, you know who's probably having a worse Monday than you, enjoys long walks on the beach and teary eyed photos, likes orange jumpsuits more than uncle "Jailbird" Joey Baines, and clearly has a more sick ass beard than yours? THIS guy!

P.S. Remember to not blame the beard, and have a wonderfully hairy week.

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The Beards of the House of David

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An all bearded baseball team that was one of the most winning-est baseball clubs in history?! Whaaa?

Well, it's true... last night, when watching Antique's Roadshow (FTW), some photographs went up for discussion which wound up being pretty valuable... about a hundred bucks a piece. It was a collection of old shots, promotional and otherwise, of a baseball team from the House of David... a Benton Harbor, Michigan colony where folks lived a communal life, a life of Christianity, vegetarianism, celibacy, and love for mankind... and beards. They were not to shave or cut their hair. Our ears perked up, and here we are.

The House of David Museum confirms:

Known the world over for their famous bearded baseball teams, the House of David was something America and the rest of the world had never seen the likes of before. These men traveled the country with their long hair and beards, heavy wool uniforms, and a truck full of laughter and talent. They went down in history for entertaining America with their uniqueness on the field, their absolute superb playing ability, their own invention of the Pepper Game (which was said to be worth the price of admission just to see these long haired players clowning around and hiding the ball under their beards), and their ability to break the color barrier as they traveled many years with the Negro League teams. As the team barnstormed across the continent, they picked up players like Satchel Page, Grover Cleveland Alexander, and even Babe Ruth for a short stint.  For many years they won over 100 games in a season, and in 1929 they won 110 out of 165 games.

Later when Babe Ruth was at the (dreaded/evil/facial hairless) Yankees, the photo below came to be as a result of a skirmish the two teams had in 1931 during a game down in St. Petersburg, where he, just to be polite, donned fake beard and wore them through the game just to show how hirsute opponents feel at home... what a guy, almost enough to forget that curse you brought on Bean town... almost.

 

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Speak No Evil -- #mugshotmonday

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In our second edition of #mugshotmonday we decided to showcase a slightly older gentleman than our inagural tennis ball man... I bet you he evoked the 5th throughout his trial, hell he may not even be able to take an oath to testify. This mighty beard is too thick to drink a brew through, let alone speak out of...

Remember to dont blame the beard as you stare in the empty eyes of the gent below... what's he looking at over there anyway? With a beard like that we'd be looking down at it at all times, would probably go cross eyed. 

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Don't Blame the Beard -- #mugshotmonday

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GOOD MORNING BEARDOS!

Today marks the start of a weekly feature that encompasses both recognition and public service components of our blog... it will help, while undoubtedly hurting a bit, our overarching philosophy of raising the profile of beards.

As many of you know, the good people at TheSmokingGun.com have for years disseminated some great visuals that remind us of the hillarity of crime, criminals and the legal system at large through proliferating the art of the mugshot. However pure the intentions of TSG, the ratio of beardless to the hairy within their mugshot walls is feeding the beast of pogonophobia among the many beardless, about the few rotten apples in our hairy barrel. Surely the good people at TSG didn't (and couldn't) anticipate the backlash and prejudice that such practice would yield to the facial hair community...

So, today B-a-B steps in to help level off the skewed ratio, and shed light on the two constants of the bearded shots in this series... their beards are pretty damn sick and they are innocent until proven guilty... so remember, however guilty, however horrible the crime, regardless of the bleak and empty stares... DON'T BLAME THE BEARD!

Welcome to #mugshotmonday everyone, we give you... the orange tennis ball beard:

Best Beard of SXSW

As March quickly approaches, we're pleased to announce that this year Riss will be attending on behalf of Build-a-Beard to hold onsite interviews with the best beards of SXSW Interactive.  We're scouting for not only tech beardos, but native Austins (well, any brave souls who stick around for this tech tourist fest), along with local tips on how to eat bbq with beards.

Heading down to Texas?  Hit us up & let us know where you'll be... and leave the razors at home, gents.


(Photo credit: Patrick Panuco)

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Punxsutawney Phil and The Beard Shadows

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HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY EVERYONE!

Well, I have good and great news... the Good news is that Punxsutawney Phil (the PA groundhog with his ears to God's weather service) didn't see his shadow earlier today, meaning there will be spring soon! The GREAT news however, is even better and of course likely more accurate and believable...  Punxsutawney Phil was once again surrounded by wonderful beardos and staches in coats and top hats!

Never thought of Groundhog day as anything other than a weird event, a great Bill Murray movie or rodent filled national antics?! Well... neither did we! How did we find ourselves writing this item today? See email below...

Handler Ben Huges holds Punxsutawney Phil in the air after removing him for his stump on Groundhog Day Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Subject: Punxutawney Phil loves Beardos!
Message: Dear Build-A-Beard,

I am a very open and proud beardlover... have been ever since I was a tiny girl. My dad has been moustachioed (and sometimes bearded) my entire life and his facial hair was a matter of great pride for him. He always mocked me for being way too much of a *girl* to be able to grow facial hair. Sadly, he was correct, although I do have a Beardhead beard to try to periodically cover up my girlishness.

But that's beyond my point. I know it is too late to get in a feature by tomorrow, but I am hoping and wishing and baiting my breath for an interview with Ben Huges, one of Punxutawney Phil's handlers (you know, the groundhog!). I noticed Ben last year while looking at Phil photos... He has a dashing beard, but what's more, a fantastic handlebar mustache! I would interview him myself, but since I don't have a snazzy website, I'm afraid I would simply come off as a slightly crazed fangirl, and we can't have that. So, please, please, please, can you attempt to reach this awesome guy?

I have included a link to a slideshow of Ben and Phil for your perusal.
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-10006487.html?tag=page

And because I'm thorough, I have a ink to the website of the awesome guys who associate with Phil as well. They call themselves The Inner Circle. You'll notice that a number of them are beardos.
http://www.groundhog.org/inner-circle/

Thanks, B-A-B! I absolutely love your site!

Tiff

Well Tiff, thank you we are honored, humbled and excited to take on this new challenge (especially with your already hairy legwork)... we will use our snazzy website, and we don't care to seem like slightly crazed fangirls, we are ready to have Ben Huges #proveit, and we've sent the request to The Inner Circle for an interview... hopefully they work for more than one day a year.

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, right, is held by handler Ben Hughes after emerging from his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pa. Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

 

If the rumors are true...

And Facebook murmurs seldom aren't... Then the Beard Team USA 2011 National Championships will be held in Lancaster, PA! The inaugural National Beard and Mustache Championships held in Bend OR last year was an insanely hairy affair, and frankly... not sure if it can be topped. That said, IF the situation was such that it could be topped, it would only be if it was held in the depths of Amish country, Lancaster County... some may even call it, an Amish Paradise.

According to sources including, but not limited to, Wikipedia (clearly we only rely on the most respectable of sources for our info...) Lancaster County is known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and is a popular tourist destination, due mostly to its many plain sect residents, known as the Amish. Lancaster, PA, first known as Hickory Town when it was settled in 1709 and is now known as the Red Rose City. Lancaster was the largest inland town in America from the 1760s through the early 1800s. It was our nation's capital for just one day on September 27, 1777. The reason for this is because our government had to flee Philadelphia because of the British troops. They stopped in Lancaster on their way to York, PA. Lancaster also served as the capital of Pennsylvania from 1799-1812.

      

Now about them bearded brethren from the Dutch lands... Why do Amish men have beards, but not mustaches? (answer from Amish FAQ site, seriously)

There are quite a few scriptures that mention beards in the Bible. An example would be Psalm 133:1,2. An Amishman does not shave his beard after he becomes married. A long beard is the mark of an adult Amishman. Mustaches, on the other hand, have a long history of being associated with the military, and therefore are forbidden among the Amish people.

 

There... Consider yourself informed. Given the driving distance from Brooklyn... we are nearly certain to attend (and perhaps even resurrect the corporate beard entry), if all the above remains factual and the rumors fortify into truth, of course.