So, X-Concepts and their hit Tech Deck line was a smash hit and led the fingerboard wave. They were given the rights to replicate Blind, World Industries, Bird House, Finesse, Zoo York, all the big brands from 1998 onward.
Likewise, brands like Blind, World Industries, PIG, and Toy Machine had their mascots turned into toys in The Skate Crew.
And the Dudes? I mean the Dudes were such a smash hit they grew arms, had a video game, trading cards, and spawned similar dude lines like Grimm Dudes and Creatures.
But, when you're the top dog, everyone wants a piece. People are gonna try to inorganically replicate and copy your formula. But, without that organic growth and community of fans, it's just not the same
So, in the early-mid 2000s there was a slew of crappy Tech Deck copycats. Think of how Mega Blocks had to come along to provide kids crappier Legos.
But, no brand has shaken me to the core like the NO RULES CREW.
These characters are like a cynical too cool-for-school blend of the dudes and those 50 cent machine Homie figures, but The No Rules Crew weren't made into figures to ride the boards.
They just went on stickers, shirts, and board decks.
Why have a real Tech Deck that's a durable replica toy of a deck from a huge skate brand when you can have these ugly little characters?
They lasted about 20 years making die-cast boards, bikes, carts, and ramps. But, also the line also expanded into digital media, retail shops, video games, and apparel.
The old original packaging shows the company that trademarked the lines was "R&S Trading Co. Inc. based in Irvine, CA. But, the toyline lived on in China and became a hit kid's line there.
The old original packaging shows the company that trademarked the lines was "R&S Trading Co. Inc. based in Irvine, CA. But, the toyline lived on in China and became a hit kid's line there.
The brand also made Monster Trucks?
These are horrifying edgy kids were clearly inspired by the Dudes.
They also remind me of that meme show called "The NutShack".
Looking at these Knockoffs it's a clear mix of copying the dudes and the art style of The Homies toy lines which were big in 2002-2004 too.
The girl on the right with purple hair has the same purple hair and style as Candie, there's a blue hoodie dude that looks exactly like G1 Billy. The line had an alien (like Rozz from TDD).
Vending Machine Stickers:
The toy line also had t-shirts:
Love this Guy Fieri-esque shirt!
I did find one pretty bad shirt: it has some pretty offensive character names...
Oh dear lord, they named one black kid Swab (cause of his afro) and the other CornDawg?! Jeez. This is a pretty stereotypical and racist attempt to pander to the kids. The font on the tag is also just the GTA Vice City cover changed to "No Rules Crew: Skate City".
They also made figures? This one is of "Mac" from the above t-shirt:
This is the only one I've ever seen, there are basically no results when you look up No Rules Crew. All you get is a few related items, but that's it. Nobody kept these. I wouldn't be shocked if the whole toy, clothing, and gaming line was just a front to funnel money from narcotics trafficking or something?
They had a GAMEBOY ADVANCE game too
So, Tech Deck and their dudes weren't things I really recall seeing in movies or kid's shows. They had ads of course on TV and in magazines. But, they were big on their own merit. X-Concepts wasn't owned by Spin Master (until 2006), Hasbro, Mattel, or any big brands.
X-Concepts grew over time and made toys kids liked.
But, NO RULES CREW bought itself a product placement in Freaky Friday in 2003.
Yup. That is 2x Golden Globe winner, Jamie Lee Curtis, directed to stand out of the center so they can get a good shot of a freaking NO RULES CREW POSTER!
This picture is from 2010, and look behind the mascots, they had mall stores in Bejing, Wuhan, Shanghai, and probably many other Chinese malls.
It's on their old Website, which was active until 2018 selling shirts and boards in China!
What a weird world, this brand someone pushed through from the early 2000s into 2018. But, the dudes ended in 2009 as did Tech Deck's Skate Crew figures.
They even sponsored an event at a Chinese mall to sell Go Karts?
I don't even know how to respond to this horrific mask. One Eye Jack peers into my soul and I will never sleep again. That's all I got, folks. I'm speechless.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.