Congratulations to Jennie Hinkle, creator of Unstandard Deviations for being voted by YOU as Commune’s Featured Local of the month! I met up with Jennie to congratulate her on winning and also to get the dirt on what she has going on.

1. How did you come up with the name Unstandard Deviations and what inspires your pieces?

My jewelry is unique and usually the first thing people say about it is, wow I’ve never seen anything like that. So I actually had a really hard time coming up with a name that I felt worked for my jewelry. I made lists, looked at synonyms, asked friends for opinions, etc. I knew I wanted it to be something that was unique, bold, and different. I wanted it be something that made people think. It needed to portray the nonconformity, and the “against the grain” quality that my jewelry carries along with it. I finally came up with “Unstandard Deviations” and the tag line “jewelry that defies the norm”. It stems from the statistical term “standard deviation” and how it relates to bell curves. Once I came up with the name, I knew there was no turning back.

2. Without giving away your secrets, what are your pieces made out of?

Most of my pieces are made from a material called polystyrene, a thermoplastic. This material allows me to make pretty much any image into a piece of jewelry (providing I have the legal right to use the image). I also use glass microscope slides on some pieces to encase collage images. All the chains I use are sterling silver and can be shiny or darkened according to personal preference. I want everyone to have something they feel represents them, so I am all about doing custom work as well as making that perfect piece for each and every person! I am also a silversmith, and at some point will be offering some of those creations on my Etsy store as well.

3. Where can people check out your stuff? (more…)

Congratulations to Monty for being voted by you as Commune’s Featured Local of the Month.

Ashley and I first came across Monty’s art when we stopped by, what used to be MESH in North Park. Monty was Commune’s featured artist back in March ’09 and if you have ever seen one of his pieces, you understand why we were so excited when he agreed to be a part of Commune. Monty’s art is colorful, bright, expressive and unquestionably Monty Montgomery. I met up with Monty to congratulate him and see what he has going on. (more…)

Dan Merino, also known as Sex Mannequin is no stranger to the neighborhood.   I first met Dan a couple years ago at the Casbah and instantly knew he was a fun person to be around, but it wasn’t until I saw him dance to Maneater on vinyl in his living room, that I knew we would be friends. I was stoked to have Dan be a part of Commune last March and even more so that he won Commune Featured Local.  It was a close race between all three nominees, but Dan pulled ahead in the last couple of days of December and finished the month with 487 votes! I met up with Dan to congratulate him and see what he has going on.

1. So, we have to know. Where did the name Sex Mannequin come from?

At the time I came up with Sex Mannequin I wanted to make a name that reflected my own social commentary on the act of promiscuity and that looked good on an iPod. I had just turned 21 and immersed myself into a hedonistic lifestyle. (more…)

Jesus De Jesus aka DJ J Peso is a good friend of mine and one of my favorite local DJs.  With the most votes in Commune featured local history, I was excited to congratulate him on winning Commune’s featured local for December and find out what he has going on.

The name is a nickname my best friend Norm gave me when we lived in NY together.  I’m Dominican and our currency is pesos. When we would go out and pay for something I would say that’s x amount of pesos, even though they were dollars. So, that’s how the name came about.  When it came time to to pick a DJ name that was the default. Not a very exiting story, I know.

I can go about this for hours. Music is my outlet and the soundtrack of my life. I get inspired by all types of music like Jay-Z, CCR, Stevie, Dio, Cash, Chromeo, Black Keys, and the list keeps going, but, i’m a huge hip hop nerd. It’s my go to genre of music. It all started when I was about 11.  I walked into an HMV and I went straight to the hip hop section. I picked up A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders on cassette and put that tape in my walkman and was hooked.  I like DJing because I like seeing people have fun.  A couple of weeks ago I had this big crowd of people dancing. Every one looked like they were having so much fun.  I looked at the crowd and out of nowhere some dude pulled his pants down. No one even noticed! Now, that’s crowd control. For those few hours i’m up in the booth I’m having fun and so are they. That’s enough inspiration for me to DJ.

Brian is no stranger to Commune and has been to almost every Commune Wednesday event. You would probably recognize his contagious smile or maybe even his Commune tees scattered among beautiful people in the neighborhood, but if you haven’t, Brian is definitely a talent to be seen.   I met up with Brian to congratulate him and see what he has going on.

1.Where are you from? What made you move to San Diego?

I am from a small town in Virginia called Abingdon.  I was going to school in Virginia and needed a change of pace.  Skateboarding is a big part of my life and I knew California was the place to be for skateboarding.  All of the artists I was following at the time were artists and designers in California so it just made sense to be here.  I love California.

2. How would you describe your art and what inspires you?

I guess the term for my art would be mixed media.  Using different mediums like spray paint, acrylic, oil sticks, collage, pen and ink.  Most of the themes are about commercialism.  How we look at things in culture.  The images I create have multiple layers so from afar it might look like just one image, but when you get up close you see more of what is going on.  What inspires me is just the people around me the most.

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Congratulations to MESH for being voted by you as Commune’s Featured Local of the Month.

MESH is definitely a Commune favorite and I couldn’t wait to meet up with owner, Michael Delgado, to congratulate him on being voted Featured Local and to get the inside scoop on what MESH has got going on.

1.How would you describe MESH?

Mesh is a contemporary and street wear boutique located in North Park, catering to both men and women. The store also features both international and local brands as well as a diverse mix of urban art.

2. How long has MESH been open and how did you come up with the name?

Mesh has been open for a little over 3 years and the name comes from the idea that fashion, art, and music are all connected and feeding off of each other and we hope that the apparel and art represents that certain lifestyle.

3. Any upcoming MESH news/events that people should know about?

We have a HUGE sale coming up next month! 25-40% off the entire store for a whole month…and we’re located right next to the Costume Shop so you can get your Halloween costume and some new gear in one stop!

4. Why do you think it’s important to stand up against tobacco corporations?

Tobacco corporations represent the notion that the benefits of commercialism outweigh the value of human health and life. Smoking is ultimately an individual choice but it’s definitely not the smartest thing to do.

For the newest trends in street wear and contemporary clothing be sure to check out MESH at

2980 North Park Way

San Diego, Ca 92104

Or, online at www.shopmeshsd.com

If you would like to be part of Commune Wednesdays and stand up for a smokefree scene, contact Jenny at jointhecommune@gmail.com.

Congratulations to Apes of Wrath for being voted by you as Commune’s Featured Local of the Month.

Apes of Wrath are a three-piece rock group from SD. Band members Robert Kent (vocals/guitar), Jake Bankhead (bass) and Dustin Elliot (drums) are no strangers to the SD music scene and were Commune’s featured band in June ’08.  I met up with Rob to congratulate Apes on being voted Featured Local and to get the dirt on what they’ve got going on.

How did you come up with the name Apes of Wrath?

Dustin thought of it while making fun of metal band names at a rehearsal in a warehouse behind a sex shop.

How long have you guys been together?

We’ve been playing out in San Diego since summer of 2007 and recently completed a short west coast tour.

What is one cool fact about each person in the band?

Dustin loves candy, Jake loves science and Rob loves steamed buns.

Have anything exciting coming up that people should look out for?

We’re excited to record our first full-length album this year at Blue Roof Studios and the album should be out in late Fall.

Why do you feel it is important to stand up against tobacco corporations?

I find it absolutely pertinent to stand up and stand against big tobacco. When I was 13, my mother died of cancer, making a huge impression on a highly impressionable kid. An occasional smoker, my mom would keep Marlboro Lights stashed in her purse and I was always so curious to try them. As soon as I got the chance, I began to experiment with them. That’s where our generation can actually change the state of the tobacco industry. If kids today don’t see their older brothers, sisters and cousins smoking, they won’t either. The old school tactics of trying to make the act of smoking look cool don’t apply anymore. That’s what’s so cool about Commune, it’s cool NOT to smoke and it’s ever cooler to help friends STOP smoking. I commend and thank the staff and contributors of the Commune event for the action they’re taking.

For upcoming shows and updated tweets by the guys, check out Apes of Wrath at www.myspace.com/apesofwrathmusic.

If you would like to be part of Commune Wednesdays and stand up for a smokefree scene, contact Jenny at jointhecommune@gmail.com

Adam Jafry is no stranger to Commune. You may have seen his limited Edition Commune Posters around the neighborhood, or maybe even his Commune tees scattered among pretty faces in the scene, but if you haven’t, Adam Jafry is definitely a talent to be seen.   I met up with Adam to get the dirt on what’s going on with him and what inspired him to do this piece for Commune.

1. Where are you from?

The Island in the Hills

2. How long have you been creating art?

I just started.

3. What was the inspiration behind your Commune piece?

Big tobacco talks about their products being pleasurable and fun but really people just end up dead. Maybe this is what their ads should look like.

4. What’s your favorite part of Commune?

Hipster Chicks, DJ’s and fixed gear bicycles.

5. Anything else super awesome about you that people should know?

I’ve killed a raft once but I wont say why. Stabbed it to death.

As you can tell Adam is quite the character. If you haven’t had a chance to see if work head to the Whistlestop where he will be showing art for the month of August.