Absolute Begginers

One of the nicest things about blogging about clothes and music is getting to chat away to some really interesting people, it's a really nice privilege. As part of doing the blog I do a lot of, well, we'll call it research, scouring websites and blogs for new and interesting stuff to share. One of my favourite blogs in recent years has been the excellent Move On Up.

I asked co-founder David Pottinger if he fancied facing some questions head on, and he was more than up to the challenge.

A lot of you fine folks will hopefully recognise David as one of the contributors on the recent documentary about The Jam, About The Young Idea.

Genuinely one of the best interviews I've read back for the page, David's taken time to really think about his responses and it makes for a great read.

And I have to say, I love David's opinions on a number of topics and would 100% stand behind him on them.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the read.....

Right, lets fire into an easy but sizeable question first, why Mod?

Mod for me is about a lifestyle and state of mind as well as just clothing and music. It allows you to express yourself and do your own thing. One of the main reasons I’ve remained a Modernist for so long is the fact that there’s so many looks within this one subculture that it never gets boring or dull! The whole “Way of Life” cliché rings true to a certain extent. I mean it affects the way you walk, talk and even tie your shoelaces. It’s just quality!

Is there a history in your family of the Mod lifestyle/culture?

Yeah, through my Dad, he’s been into it all since about '79 when he was 15 and he’s never strayed from it. He has had several scooters the most recent being a PX200 which sits proudly in our Garage. He was one of the main catalysts that got me into this whole thing 8 years ago!

Setting up a blog is a lot of work, what made you decide to go for it?

I set up “Move On Up” in the summer of 2013 with a childhood best friend. At the time there was a real lack of a young Modernist voice out there so I wanted to add to the scene in the only way I could. Writing! I’ve always loved English and writing so decided to give it a go! Since then we’ve gone on to be very highly thought of on the scene and have achieved an awful lot in the three years we’ve existed. There has been some imitations which have cropped up since we started but I’m just flattered people like what we do so much that they’re trying out their own thing haha! Imitation is the greatest form of flattery after all!

In a sea of online blogs how do you make yours stand out from the crowd?

Well we write about a subculture and we are different to all these other blogs you see about which are all about the same thing! There are so many different topics, which are being overdone that I think we are a breath of fresh air really. Our content is solid and we change it up with interviews, reviews, observational pieces and general posts which I believe are consistently relevant. Unlike a lot of the stuff you see out there, which is the same over and over. We are always trying to get the mod gospel across through all of those mediums.

The Mod culture can be rather fiery and defensive at times, how well has your work been received?

Very well! I haven’t received any criticism (yet) so all is well! I wouldn’t give one if we did receive some anyway, I’ve never cared what anyone else thinks if it’s derogatory so I’d just crack on as usual. The Mod scene can be very elitist and arsey so we avoid ever getting involved with any of those clowns. I love to see people connected with the scene and would never judge, everyone is different and has different personal tastes and that’s cool! The people who are fiery and defensive aren’t worth talking to, they need to chill man!

The Mod scene seems to continue to bob up and down through various revivals, where is it heading now?

Mod is bubbling away nicely in the background of life like a nice big stew. It’s always there and occasionally the mainstream will get a whiff of it, but it keeps itself to itself welcoming any newcomers who want to take a bite. I love the fact people know about it but it’s not overly done and isn’t everywhere. I’m glad its still our little thing but is bigger than ever in the sense that everyone I know connected with it is sound and they all help one another out! Mod will always be around but I can never see it having a mainstream revival like it did in '79 ever again, as people like safe trends these days, which all their peers accept they wouldn’t do Mod!

As the next generation of young team come over the horizon, what about the Mod scene would you recommend to them?

Just to get involved and live it! It brings you that joy outside of the Rat Race which means your weekends and downtime are filled with clothes and music. It’s fantastic and sets you apart from the mainstream. You can discover so much more though it like films, books, music and of course other culture. It provides you with a proper sense of belonging, which allows you to meet loads of ace new like-minded people.

A lot of classic Mod styles have passed over into the current mainstream of clothing, how do you feel about that?

Yeah, I’ve noticed this and I’m not too bothered. No offense to the mainstream but they don’t wear any of it right anyway! I mean an M12 Fred Perry polo untucked isn’t turning many heads and a pair of battered Clarks with skinny jeans that look like tights aren’t doing much either! I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s all about not what you wear but how you wear it with and what you wear it with! That’s what it’s all about for me!

I notice from your Instagram you have a slight penchant for a pair of Clarks Originals, how many are tucked away in the collection now?

Love Clarks Originals. I mean they have to be the best quality smart/casual shoes on the market. They’re timeless and always look cool esoecially with selvedge denim. I currently have 25 pairs which is mental, but I can’t stop buying them especially when they’re on sale. They’re made to last and I’ve never had to replace a pair!

Why Clarks?

They combine timeless design with proper quality materials, which always look and feel good. There’s no other brand that comes close, they’ve conquered the Desert Boot and the Wallabee and continue to bring out new designs and re-issues that look the bollocks time after time!

What has been the hardest pair to track down so far, the pick of the pile in your collection?

It has to be the Chocolate Brown ‘Weaver’ which they released about 6 years ago for A/W 2010. I couldn’t find a pair in decent nick for ages, it took a long time to find the ones I did. They were my size and in mint condition and were very cheap considering what I’ve seen them go for in the past!

What's the Clarks Holy Grail for you?

Its got to be either the ‘Desert Trek Boot’ which I’ve only seen on Instagram posted by people who work for Clarks they’re ace! And to second them I’d say the Cord Desert Boot which they released in about 2009 which I haven’t seen since. Both really individual pairs which would look great in my collection.

Are there any Clarks styles you'd like to see return?

I’d like to see the ‘Skiffler’ return in a variety of colours and materials I have two pairs of them but would definitely be up for a third pair if done right!

You are content to wear a number of different labels, which ones do you think will be lifetime friends?

The obvious ones like Ben Sherman and Fred Perry will always be there. But I like to pick and choose with Pretty Green as they make some cool garms, along with Real Stars Are Rare and of course John Smedley. I’m buying a lot of Smedley at the moment. I’m liking the new kids on the block like David Watts who are putting a new and unusual twist on things!

What labels are catching your eye, who's getting it right for you at the moment?

Real Stars are rare definitely I love the Henleys they’re a really cool piece. PG in some aspects are making some lovely gear again! Tuk Tuk are making some really cool shirts and I’m liking the latest Adidas releases like the Riveria which I bagged recently, cool retro trainer them. Fred Perry’s latest Wiggo collab and Laurel ranges have definitely caught my eye and there’s some stuff there which I’ll have to cop at some stage!

Can you tell us about any recent pick-ups and what enticed you to part with the cash for them?

I bagged a pair of Flat Seam Casuals in the latest PG sale in ‘Bone’ Suede. They’re such a cool shoe and I’ve wanted another pair for ages so they came at the right time! I bagged some PG ‘Heisenberg’ boots which a great I’ve never had a Wallabee boot before so they broke the mould. I also picked up a fantastic Peter Werth Jacket, which comes in a superb check it’s a short blousan sort of thing which looks really 60’s.

It's Saturday night, you're heading out, what is your go-to outfit?

Well starting from the feet upwards you can’t really wear shoes you care too much about due to Beer spills so I’d usually go for my Clarks ‘Wallabee Ridge’ in tan leather as they always come out on top against the beer, or a pair of Oxblood/Black loafers Delicious Junction usually for them. Then some good socks teamed with a good pair of selvedge denim with three turn-ups in to show off that beautiful stitched cuff. On top maybe a Smedley/ knitted piece, simple yet effective. Then to finish off a solid jacket maybe a Levi Trucker or a Baracuta depending on the night ahead! You’ve go to stand out, but maintain that Modernist aesthetic of creating smooth lines.

What 3 items of clothing would you suggest no man should be without?

Let’s start from the feet as you can tell a lot about a lad from their shoes. You cannot live without a good pair of desert boots. So a pair of Clarks Desert Boots is a must! Cool, classic and casual they look good with jeans, trousers and chino’s ideal for the geezer about town. Then you should not be without a good pair of jeans, preferably selvedge as it’s all about those details. They must fit right (nothing too skinny/ baggy) and ideally have turn-ups in. If they’re decent quality (Edwin, Albam, Levi’s) then they’ll last you ages too. Finally a good polo shirt is a must, I’d say a John Smedley ‘Dorset’ Polo as it sets you apart from the mainstream dross. They can be worn with all sorts too so they keep you looking fresh.

I've noticed you in some Real Stars Are Rare recently, how do you find their clothing and approach?

Great gear is Real Stars. Classic and contemporary with a Modernist edge and of course the brand is owned by Weller which makes it extra special. Their branding is great, dead simple and the colour pallet used is stunning. I like everything they make but the Henley is my favourite piece, there’s something really 60’s about it yet it’s ultra modern too. I need to bag some more of their stuff sharpish…

A lot of us will have spotted you on the recent documentary about The Jam, how did that come about?

Magic all that! I was spotted interviewing my good mate Mark Baxter at the Mod Lit Event in Marlebone in London in Feb 2015 by Nicky Weller. I got chatting to her and got to know her over the coming weeks. I then was given aftershow passes for Paul’s gig in York (my uni city) which was ace and I got to meet the main man! Fantastic! That was amazing in itself.

Then things got even more unreal when Nicky text me about the doc and said would I be up for it? OF COURSE! I was then interviewed by the director (Bob Smeaton) on Facetime and he must have liked what he heard as once uni was done for the year I was off down to London at Rak Studios in St. Johns Wood where one of the most surreal experiences of my life too place. Magic!

Meeting Paul Weller is something the majority of us can only dream about, just how cool was that? How did you get on with Paul?

Paul is quality! He’s great to be around and we got along like a house on fire. We chatted clothes, music and Modernism and it was like catching up with an old mate. He’s a proper cool fella and is a credit to himself and his family, what a bloke! He was interested in my blog and I showed him some of the stuff we had done and he digged it all. He’s dead funny and chilled and we shared a cuppa and got on with the job like pros!

Did you get to spend some time with Paul away from the camera?

Yeah man, a good amount of time. We chatted about loads of stuff and “Saturns Pattern” had just come out so I told him my views on that which he enjoyed. It was unreal we could have chatted for hours and we got along very well. Clothing was the main topic of conversation and we chatted about brands we dug and enjoyed wearing.

The Jam are obviously musical idols for you, what other bands are you going to keep with you for the rest of your days?

The likes of the Artic Monkeys and Oasis definitely as both mean a lot to me! They’re both bands that have said something and stood up for people. The Style Council for pushing the boundaries in times of real political austerity and Tame Impala for just how fucking good they are! There’s loads more but that’s the tip of the iceberg.

What new music are you enjoying at the moment, any new bands or albums you would recommend to us all?

The DMA’s are ace, proper 90’s Britpop vibes all the way from Australia, their debut “Hills End” is outstanding. Allah-Las are cool too I love their sound. Tame Impala as I previously mentioned because they’re insanely good! The Spitfires are good mates and are quality their second album is coming soon, get on that!

Favourite albums change day to day, but today if asked what would you say are your current 3 favourite albums

Tame Impala “Currents”

DMA’s “Hills End”

The Jam “All Mod Cons”

What record always puts a smile on your face when it comes on?

The Jam “Absolute Begginers” those who know understand its significance!

What is your favourite all time lyric?

“No matter where I roam, I will return to my English Rose”

Vinyl, CD or MP3?

CD retro and modern.

Okay, we'll start to close up on your footie team, how do you see Middlesbrough faring back in the Premier League?

I think we will do really well we are a proper club showing real ambition and this reminds me of the Boro I watched growing up, very exciting times! I reckon we should stay up!

How painful has the wait been to get back up?

Fucking horrible! As many have put it, ‘seven years in the wilderness’ and it’s felt like longer, although it’s been shit at times the last few years have been my most memorable following the Boro!

Are they back to stay?

I really hope so, we are a proper football club with loyal, local fans! If we had a squad of 15 and played on my back field I’s still go every week!

For those that don't know much about Middlesbrough who should we be looking out for?

Negredo for one, he’s still got a point to prove in the Prem and Victor Valdes too! Then there’s the likes of Adam Clayton who was immense last season and deserves his chance in the Prem!

Are you able to get along to many games?

Yes! I’ve recently just got my season ticket back again having finished uni and gaining employment in the teaching profession so I can’t wait to be back in the Riverside with all the lads! I used to get to about 15 games a season when I was working in retail on weekends and living away so I’ve been a loyal fan and am really looking forward to Premier League football.

Last bit, what's next for the blog, what plans have you got coming up?

September 2016 marks our three year anniversary so a new logo and brand new site design are happening which we are buzzing out! We are also going to be putting on a monthly gig in my local once it gets refurbished. We had a tester night last week and got over 100 heads in for three local acts along with me DJing so it’s safe to say we smashed it! There are still loads of geezers I’m yet to interview so I’m looking into getting a few more crossed off the list! Of course there will be plenty more clothing reviews, music reviews and many more observational pieces! Cheers for having me man! x

A massive thanks to David for his time,and for providing some really fantastic responses! You can catch up with David in various places online;

Move On Up blog can be found here

http://www.moveonupblog.co.uk/

You can catch David on Twitter here

@DavidJPottinger

Again, big thanks and appreciation for the man and all the best for the third anniversary of the blog and all the upcoming plans

Peace&Love&Mercy, theSub