Breaking the Mold: BLAST Apparel
by Anna Rasshivkina
photo by Matt Sabbath
“Blast is the moment before. Blast is that battle in your head over good and evil, right and wrong and the way people perceive those things,” said Dave Bartek. And after all, he should know – he’s the guy who started it all. In layman’s terms, Blast is a company that designs apparel, mainly T-shirts with accessories.
The shirts have a darker kind of feel, featuring images of such people as GG Allin (a punk singer from the 70s-90s) and the Blast logo. The desires sprung from a desire to meld the styles of skateboarding, BMX and cutting-edge music. “The clothing associated with those things was becoming really ‘bubble gum,’” said Bartek, who wanted to put something riskier, something scarier into the world. “We wanted to show people the dark side of life...and say ‘Look around you, not everything is all roses.’” The name “Blast” tries to communicate this idea. The word can have several meanings, from a huge party, to everything blowing up in your face. The logo features an inverted cross in place of the “t” to symbolize the darker side of things. “If there were no evil, there would be no good, and vice versa…life is all about the balance of those things,” said Bartek. “That is what Blast is about, the balance.”
Blast originated in 2006 as an idea bouncing around Bartek’s head. Meanwhile, a friend of his, Rich Bible, who had done design work for a clothing line called Drift Alliance, was also looking to start a company of his own. The two joined forces and, in 2007, Blast was born. Since then, Bartek says inspiration comes from everywhere. As creative director, he draws ideas from all over the place, choosing to adopt some and to steer clear of others. Other people that work for Blast include “Bobby Buckets,” “Rusty,” and “Ace,” who work with Bartek on marketing and promotions, as well as help in other ways. “FUBZ” provides Bartek with guidance.
Blast is currently working on expanding their accessories. Meanwhile, the Fall/Winter collection debuts Nov 1st at Town Tavern in South Side. The event will also celebrate Blast’s one-year anniversary. “Blast is for those that survive the good times and bad times. Blast is for the people that have those stories to tell,” said Bartek. “I like to think of Blast as the moment before you make those decisions that can change the course of your life.”
For more about Blast, check out their website at
www.blastfome.com.
Dave Bartek also wishes to thank “all of Blast's fans, Bobby, Rusty, Ace, Fubz, Everyone at 2809, the guys at Ink Division for putting up with my nonsense, Vince from Talk to Vinny, DJ Bonics, Scottro, DJ Nugget, DJ McFly, Brick at Timebomb, the guys from One Up, the guys from Sanctify Her Death, Evan Sanders for all the photos and finally my parents and brother Mike for being so supportive you are a constant inspiration to me.
A huge shout out to the extended family, you know who you are."
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