Surf Industry Interviews - THE CRITICAL SLIDE SOCIETY | CHAT WITH JIMBO: Interviews

THE CRITICAL SLIDE SOCIETY | CHAT WITH JIMBO [27.01.2010]

SLIDING WITH JIMBO
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE GENTLEMAN BEHIND THE CRITICAL SLIDE SOCIETY

If you're new to the world of style, then you can be excused for not knowing about Jim and The Critical Slide Society. A micro-label from the northern tip of Sydney's beaches, The Critical Slide society does things....with style.

What got me excited about crossing paths with the label was not that the brand looks clean, neat and relaxed, but more for the fact that it's like no ones trying hard to be what they are. It's in a state of being natural and just being. So before I get carried away with life philosophies, excitement and begin typing visions of what life should be about, I'll drop in the recent interview I had with Jimbo.

Jimbo being the main man, the godfather if you will behind this grass roots aspirational gentlemen's club that you now know and love...

the critical slide society, jim mitchell, surf interview

Jim, thanks for your time mate to chat with the mesurf crew...
Anytime Ben.

Mate, tell us a little about how TCSS came about?
TCSS was born when the company I was working for hit a speed bump called the Global Freakin’ Crisis. Unfortunately the funds for that brand dried up. A handful of us weren’t ready to let a good thing die so we decided to have a bash at making clothes ourselves and out of the ashes rose our new project The Critical Slide Society.

So who are the magical talents behind the brand I'm now obsessed with?
My partners are Sam Coombes, Ben Waters (who came up with the name) & Suzie Read aka the missus. A tight knit crew, we handle absolutely everything involved in the process – from design & production, to marketing & packing the boxes to go out to stores.

A team of friends and lovers. Very nice. Mate, am I right in saying TCSS is more than a just a surf label? ?
We see ourselves as an art based project – our canvas just happens to be tees & boardies in this instance. We all surf & make art. This is us trying to make a living out of the two things that have the most relevance to us.
So if you had to sum up what The Critical Slide Society brand stands for what would it be?

Living the dream...And how does one become part of The Critical Slide Society? Are there any rules or tests I need to start working on?
Buy one tee & you’ve got a foot in the door; buy two & you’re a life member. Nah, seriously we’re not about rules or exclusivity at all. In a way we’re a reaction to all that competitive crap that the surf industry seems to be about now.

I love it. Actually I have two shirts so I'm in. Sweet! So what or who are your main influences when it comes to the design and branding of TCSS?
Sam & I both have graphic design backgrounds & we’re heavily influenced by pop culture, music & surf history. Our designs are a melting pot of innumerable influences: Warhol, Glasner, Basquiat, cartoons, Albert Reyes & Soviet Constructivism…. today. All helped along by mighty Carlton Draught.

Ben is a more painterly artist & brings a completely different flavour to the table.

the critical slide society, jim mitchelle, sliding with jimbo mitchell

the critical slide society, jim mitchelle, sliding with jimbo mitchell

How has the brand been received here in Australia?
It’s been ridiculously well received here – the feedback and support we’ve had has been overwhelmingly supportive. And not just from our mums. Our first range dropped into stores last week & the email has been running hot for reorders already. Shame we didn’t order any extra stock – wasn’t sure how it would go so didn’t make spare gear. We seem to have hit a chord with folk tired of the same old.

The beginning of the 'new world', and you guys are leading the pack. A conversation for later...
So what about overseas in the US and other markets?
We’ve been embraced by the same niche market in California & Japan. It’s a small niche but authentic.

Off topic of brand talk, how would you describe the difference between the Australian surf culture and the US surf culture when it comes to non-mainstream/alternative brands?
I see more similarities than differences now. We’re part of a community enjoying the same references. With the advent of blogs etc, we’re all communicating so much faster. We’re watching the same movies, listening to the same music. And not just Australia & the States but Brazil, Japan, UK, Taiwan… anywhere people enjoy the slide.

And do you get much time to get away from it all and surf desolate breaks around the coast of Aus? Bring the brand to life so to speak?
I live on the exotic Cenny Coast in NSW so am pretty spoilt for good breaks – Box Head to Blue Bay. I try not to be too much of a faker, but this company has grown so fast that it keeps me out of the water more than I’d like.

the critical slide society, jim mithcell interview, surfing interview, alternative surf craft

the critical slide society, jim mithcell interview, surfing interview, alternative surf craft

I know the feeling. So tell me, what are you riding at the moment? Do you have a few boards that are your fav’s?
My current quiver includes a Sean Wilde 9’ Belpin; Sage Joske 6’ Quad Fish; Scott Anderson 9’4” Farbro roundtail; Hayden Cox 6’ Hull and Mick Dooley 9’4” plunder cruiser.

Damn nice. And mate can I ask, what does surfing mean to you?
It’s the only thing that would get me out of bed at 5am! I’ve surfed since age 9 – it’s been the central theme of my life and work.

Where can we find some of TCSS gentlemen’s gear?
Click here for a full stockist list, or you can shop via our online store at The Critical Slide Society website.

Alrighty, to wrap it up Jimbo, if TCSS was a person, who would they be?
The bastard love child of Popeye and Bunker Spreckles?

Epic. Jimbo, it's been an absolute pleasure buddy. Next time we'll do this tandem on a 9'0 Takayama at box head.

The Critical Slide Society has an apparel range available at a number of special outlets around Aus and the globe. If you're want more information or want to be part of the society, simply click on the link below.

Banzai!

User comments (1)

[27.01.2010] Posted by bonz

great interview. Have been sporting TCSS gear for a few months now and it's some of the best gear in the market. I can see why the gear is so good after hearing Jimbo speak. A passionate dude giving something worthwhile to the surfing world.

Flag as inappropriate

Name:

E-mail:

Your comment: Enter the code shown:

WATCH THIS SPACE | CIRCULATE [17.Nov.2009]

A trio out of California, CIRCULATE are on the pulse. The work that I've viewed so far is catching, fresh and you leave wanting more. Intrigued to learn more about these guys and bring their amazing work to light for mesurf readers, I tracked them down and had a chat with the boys.
THE WEEK THAT WAS PHOTOJOURNAL | MARCH 8 [08.Mar.2010]

Not much action anywhere except up on the GC with the Quiky Pro. With the crew capturing some awesome shots from a few unique angles we're stoked to be showing them. Back to normal next week...
mesurf TOP 5 | SURFERS SPORTING A MO [26.Jul.2010]

TOP 5 | Moustaches were not uncommon for surfers in decades past. Many a salt-encrusted top lip was rendered hidden by the presence of a grassy grin. After disappearing a bit since guys like Gerry Lopez and Michael Peterson sported them – it could be argued mo’s are making a bit of comeback...