Originally posted on www.livethescene.com. Thanks to Ernie at Toaster Br00tal Clothing for this interview. <img src="http://livethescene.com/lifestyle/images/promo%20picture%202.jpg" /><img height="255" src="http://livethescene.com/lifestyle/images/promo%20picture%201.jpg"> How long has the clothing company been going? How did it all start? TB: The company is relatively new. It started in the summer of 2008 as an interest to start a clothing company with a different approach to things. What were your main goals when you first set out? TB: To get the name out as much as possible, sponsor a few bands, and get a decent amount of shirts printed. Have you achieved or surpassed these? I have achieved some and surpassed others.Promoting the company and getting the name out will always be a progressing goal. As for sponsoring bands, we now have over 100 bands that we partially sponsor. What message do your clothes give out? TB: Stay br00tal. Don’t let anything get you down. Stay strong. What is the ethos behind your company? TB: Although the company is mostly about heavy music such as hardcore or metal, we are all about supporting every style and type of music. A motivation that drives the company is giving underground bands the ability to be sponsored by a clothing company. How do you make sure you stand out from the crowd? TB: We strive to create something that is original, tasteful, and different. With eye-catching designs, we want the shirts to pop out and send a positive message while being stylish and having vibrant color schemes. How do you come up with designs?</b. TB: Designs tend to hit me when I least expect it. Sometimes they are inspired by personal experiences or ideas that get thrown around. When they do hit me, I go straight to a computer and draw out rough versions of the designs to work with. If I’m not at a computer, I sketch it out on paper. I always keep an open mind and I’m always glad to hear ideas and suggestions. Could you please explain the design process from idea to product shipment? TB: First I design the shirt which is the hardest part of this process. The designing stage takes anywhere from 8 hours to a few months. After the design is done, it is sent off to our printers and they print it on blank shirts. Then they send the finalized shirts back to us ready to ship out. Do you feel band endorsements are key to getting you noticed? TB: Yes they sure are. Having an endorsement relationship with a band is a great way to promote both the company and the band. It’s a useful way to get exposure by having the bands wear our shirts or pass out fliers at shows. Which of your current or past ranges has been most popular? TB: So far it would be the Spring Line and now the Summer Line. It’s interesting to see some of our shirts posted up on various clothing reviewing sites by supporters of the company. Have you found anyone trying to copy your designs, if so what have you done about it? TB: Nothing major has happened yet. I’ve noticed slight details that others have copied, but nothing major. What would you say to people thinking about starting their own clothing range? TB: It’s a lot of very hard work. It takes a lot of time and dedication. Just don’t give up on it if you’re really passionate about it. But in the end, it’s very rewarding. Anything they need to watch out for? TB: People that ask you for free shirts!!! Finally, plug your current range: TB: The latest line out is our Summer Line! We’ve got three exciting shirts, including our first V-neck! All printed on American Apparel, this current and diverse line can satisfy virtually anybody’s taste. So pick one up, rock it, and keep it brutal! 2009-10-29T08:30:34-04:00 LiveTheScene.com "Thread Heads" Interview Feature by Shane Richardson

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1531 Interview with Ernie Slenkovich of Toaster Br00tal Clothing

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2009-11-21T18:09:10-05:00

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