Cheap Thrills "Ball and Chain" on Sale this week!

Cheap Thrills Collection
Ball and Chain
www.kotapparel.com
Copyright BBHC

One of seven exclusive designs available in our new Cheap Thrills Collection, "Ball and Chain" written by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, was belted out by Janis Joplin lead singer for Big Brother and the Holding Company, on the 1968 Cheap Thrills Album Side 2, Song 3.


Janis's gutsy rendition of this song at the Monterey International Pop Festival was considered one of the best performances of her all too short career.

Illustration by Robert Crumb

Images copyright of BBHC

R. Crumb for Christmas?

Hey Kids! Looking for a fun and unique Christmas gift for that nice or maybe naughty special someone on your Holiday gift list. Look no further than Keep On Truckin Apparel.

Choose from the over 80 original art designs in the R. Crumb Classics Collection :

KK-204 Zap Comix-Plugged in
www.kotapparel.com
R. Crumb image

For that Tree Hugging friend of yours how about something from the Mr. Natural Organic Collection , like Mr. Natural "Just Passin Thru":

MN-012 Mr. Natural "Just Passin' Thru!"
www.kotapparel.com
R. Crumb image

Or for that Blues Lovin' baby how about a t-shirt from the Heroes of the Blues Collection:

BT-615 Skip James
Heroes of the Blues
www.kotapparel.com

All of our fine t-shirts and hoodies are made to order, just for you, so place your orders by Wednesday, December 12th to insure Christmas Delivery!

Black Friday to Cyber Monday Sale at Keep On Truckin' Apparel



R. Crumb's Mr. Natural
www.kotapparel.com

  Searching high and low for an original and unique gift for that special someone on your Christmas list. Well naughty or nice we have just the thing. Choose from over 150 retro t-shirt designs -- all exclusive to Keep On Truckin' Apparel. You won't find these original art tees anywhere else!

Options to customize your gift abound, select from our quality short and long sleeve t-shirts available in both conventional and organic cotton. Pick the color, and the size and your done--we'll take care of the rest. And don't forget to check out our cozy hooded sweatshirts.

Our store wide sale begins on Black Friday, November 23rd and runs through Cyber Monday, November 26th. Enjoy 10% off all our offerings, no coupon code required, discount will be applied at checkout.

Happy Halloween from Keep On Truckin' Apparel!



Weirdo No. 24 Cover
www.kotapparel.com
Art by R. Crumb

In the spirit of the day, we share some Creepy Covers from Weirdo, the quarterly magazine sized comics anthology created by underground comics icon Robert Crumb and published by Last Gasp from 1981 to 1993. A total of 28 issues where published with Crumb doing the covers for all 28.  

Weirdo No. 8 Cover
www.kotapparel.com
Art by R. Crumb

 The first 9 issues of Weirdo where edited by R. Crumb, issues 10-17 and 25 where edited by Peter Bagge, issues 18-24 and 26-28 where edited by Crumbs wife and fellow cartoonist Aline Kominsky-Crumb.

Mr. Natural "Just Passing Through" T-Shirt



MN-012 Mr. Natural "Just Passin Thru"!
www.kotapparel.com
image copyright R. Crumb

 The infamous Mr. Natural, is one of R. Crumb's most memorable character. The old hustler of indeterminable age and unknown origins showed up on the 60's scene a remade man set to capitalize on the new age seekers of spiritual enlightenment.
Known for his practical jokes and tough love approach. He tells it like it is, does not suffer fools well, and has an eye for the ladies--most especially "Devil Girl".
Guru, Mystic Mad Cap, Prognosticator, Pontificator--call him what you will--we call him "Natch"! This Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive, Just Passin' Thru' t-shirt is on sale this week, enjoy 15% off, no coupon code required. Available in both short and long sleeve tees.

Freak Comic Book Cover by R. Crumb



KK-407 Super Freak T-shirt
image copyright R. Crumb
www.kotapparel.com

 Crumb was always spinning out ideas for new comics in his sketchbook, this unpublished cover is one of those, done in the Fall of 1969. The subject, drawn in R. Crumb's unmistakable "Fine Big Legged Girl" style, puts one in mind of the 1981 hit by Rick James "Super Freak".

"She's a very special girl, from her head down to her toenails. She's a super freak, super freak, she's super freaky". Yeah!

This Keep on Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt design is on sale this week. Enjoy 15% off, no coupon code required, your discount will be applied at Checkout. So get your FREAK ON!

R. Crumb's Black and White Comics




Black and White Comics, 1973
R. Crumb Cover

 This Black and White Comics Cover drawn by Robert Crumb in 1973 and published by Apex Novelties, is packed with imagery, and unlike the comics title--is full of color.

Mr. Snoid peeks out of one of his favorite haunts--the sewer, as a clown pulls the old seltzer gag. All the while citizens in various stages of freak out, joy, or oblivion react over what appears to be an alien invasion. Mean while the space crafts inhabitants are putting the mind meld on unsuspecting big legged females.

As a couple of Peace loving hippies agree "There's something happening here...what it is ain't exactingly clear..."

Inside the comics you'll find the following comic strips:

*  Squirrely The Squirrel
*  Namby Pamby and Her Friends
*  Patricia Pig in Patricia Goes Shopping
*  Bill the Pill
*  Big Fine Legs featuring Mr. Snoid
*  R. Crumb versus The Sisterhood
*  Will Shade & Ishman Bracey in "Those Goddamn Blues"

R. Crumb's Squirrely the Squirrel



KK-418 Squirrely the Squirrel
www.kotapparel.com
R. Crumb

 Robert Crumb describes Squirrely the Squirrel as one of the Nuttiest Li'l Guys that ever walked across a piece of paper!

He is  a Crumb version of the Road Runner from Wiley Coyote fame. In a strip from 1973's Black and White Comics, Squirrely drives his adversary Farnsworth Fox so crazy the poor guy decides to become a vegetarian. And when Farnsworth plants a beautiful organic garden, Squirrely destroys it, then blinds the poor old fox. Leaving him both homeless and hungry.

When Farnsworth just can't take it anymore and attacks the Squirrely Squirrel, the fox is arrested and jailed while the squirrel relaxes in the lap of a cute girl and asks "Ain't I a Devil?? Heh Heh!"

So if you are on occasion a "bit of a devil" this is your t-shirt. If folks occasionally underestimate you cause you are just so darn cute--this is your t-shirt. If you enjoy a good practical joke, and think you are the funniest guy on the planet--this is your t-shirt!

Good news for you, this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive design is on sale all this week. Enjoy 15% off at checkout, no coupon code is required. Shown here in Black, this 100%  Cotton t-shirt is also available in White, Chestnut, Chocolate, Navy, Military Green and Sky Blue.

So what are you waiting for "Ya Big NUT"!

R. Crumb's Sheer Poetry Tee

KK-239 Sheer Poetry
www.kotapparel.com

In celebration of the upcoming Autumn Equinox this weekend, we feature on sale one of our favorite t-shirts. This image drawn by R. Crumb was pulled from the Fall, 1975 Arcade comics cover, the rich sunset over a city landscape as a single falling leaf drifts through the air and a threadbare gentleman comments "This to me is Sheer Poetry!!" is a poignant reminder of the changing season and the gift of finding beauty in every moment.

Arcade Comics No. 3
Cover drawn by R. Crumb

Shown here in Dark Chocolate this exclusive Keep On Truckin' Apparel 100% cotton tee is also available in White, Black, Navy, Camel and Tan. 15% off will be applied at checkout, no coupon code required.

Arcade : The Comic Revue

The year was 1975, Robert Crumb of Zap Comix fame, contributed the artwork for four diverse covers of the Print Mint published Arcade comic book.

The Spring Cover promised: "Action Packed" "Uplifting Entertainment" "No Finer Comic Magazine on the Market Today!"


Arcade No. 1
Spring, 1975
R. Crumb


The Summer cover, featured two fuzzy bunnies in a bit of a pickle.

Arcade No. 2
Summer, 1975
R. Crumb

Fall features "Zippy the Pinhead "Fun." As well as an Autumn scene, with falling leaf and the quote "This to me is Sheer Poetry!!"


Arcade No. 3
Fall, 1975
R. Crumb


And finally Winter, a holiday scene with Frosty the Militant Snowman, and a Santa tank "HO-HO-HO-HO". Happy Holidays!


Arcade No. 4
Winter, 1975
R. Crumb



Mr. Natural T-shirt, Get the Right Tool for the Job!

Mn-016 Right Tool for the Job T-shirt
www.kotapparel.com

Perhaps Mr. Natural's most famous aphorism was, Mr. Natural sez, "Get the Right Tool for the Job!" — spoken on seeing Flakey Foont unloading a truck full of bowling balls with a pitchfork.

The lost and bumbling Foont was forever seeking out the older and more confident Mr. Natural for nuggets of wisdom. However Natch who was perhaps wiser, and most definitely slier, played Flakey Foont for a fool more often than not.

This Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt design is available in both conventional and organic cotton tees. In colors: White, Charcoal, Chocolate, City Green, Military Green, Prairie Dust and River Blue (shown here). This week enjoy 15% off, discount applied at checkout, no coupon code required.

R. Crumb's -- Mr. Natural Meets God

Hint--it does not go well....

Mr. Natural Meets God
www.kotapparel.com

On Sale this Week: Mr. Natural "Who Wants to go to Heaven Anyway?"



Women's MN-025 Tee
Mr. Natural Organics Collection

 Mr. Fred Natural known as "Natch" to his friends, is the creation of the infamous underground comics artist Robert Crumb.

Mr. Natural a con-man and huckster, embraced the new age of Aquarius and it's flower laden children in the 1960's, metamorphosing himself into a new age mystic and spiritual leader. Sought out by would be disciples looking for the answer to that eternal question: "What does it all mean?", he has been heard to grumble that "It don't mean sheeet."

Mr. Natural & Flakey Foont

Mr. Naturals straight talking, no nonsense approach to life has on occasion gotten him into trouble, like the time he visited heaven, and while God was showing him around he commented to the Almighty that he found the whole scene (heaven) just a little bit corny. After this comment Natch found himself exiting heaven rather abruptly. But always philosophical, he asks "Who wants to go to heaven anyway!?"

This exclusive Keep On Truckin Apparel t-shirt design is on sale this week, and available in both Women's and Men's short and long sleeve tees. No coupon code required, discount will be applied at Checkout.

Happy Birthday Robert Crumb--One Day Sale August 30th!

To Celebrate the ol' masters Birthday we are having a ONE day only sale tomorrow, Thursday, August 30th.

Just enter Coupon Code BDAY at checkout and absolutely everything is on sale: Hoodies, Organic and Conventional Cotton T-Shirts and Long Sleeve Tees all 15% OFF. Choose from the Crumb Classics Collection, the Mr. Natural Organics Collection the Heroes of the Blues Collection or our brand new Cheap Thrills Collection--it's all on sale for ONE day only. The discount will appear when you checkout--and as always, buy four items and you get FREE shipping.

This only happens once a year!

Celebrate the day with a Keep On Truckin' t-shirt, a Mr. Natural hooded sweatshirt or a Fritz the Cat "Hi Kids" long sleeve tee--you choose from over 200 designs--all on sale exclusively at Keep On Truckin' Apparel .



KK-244 Shuman the Human T-shirt
www.kotapparel.com

 Shuman the Human, the creation of R. Crumb is said to be a bald version of another Crumb character Flakey Foont.

The wanna-be mystic suffers much in his on going quest for spiritual wisdom. Misunderstood and weighted down by the suffering of the world, sensitive Shuman's best efforts to obtain enlightenment are often fouled by that old rascal Mr. Natural. In fact two such encounters with "Natch" lead to Shuman being taken away by the guys in  white coats for a long quiet rest.




Shuman the Human's Epithet

 But through it all it seems that Shuman rather enjoys the pain, as he imagines his epithet to read, "Here lies Saint Shuman a beautiful person who was crushed by a brutal world."
Poor Shuman.

This week enjoy 15% off this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt design, no coupon code required, discount will be applied at check-out.

On Sale T-shirt design this week: R. Crumb's "Dirty Dog"

Dirty Dog first appeared in Zap No. 3; a resident of the Big Apple or perhaps the Naked City would be a better moniker when referring to the residence of Dirty Dog.

He got his name from the Jimmie Rodgers song  "T for Texas".

"Rather drink muddy water, Lord.
Sleep in a hollow log.
Than be up here in New York City.
Treated like a dirty dog."

Dirty Dog's best back alley buddy is Smelly Old Cat,  and while Smelly will probably pee on your carpet and steal your TV--Dirty Dog is more likely to appropriate your porn and lock himself in your bathroom.

This Keep On Truckin Apparel exclusive T-shirt design is available in Chestnut (shown here), White, Stone Blue, City Green, Camel, Tan and Orange.

On Sale T-shirt this week: R. Crumb's Smelly Old Cat



KK-245 Smelly Old Cat in Military Green

 Smelly Old Cat first appeared in issue No. 1 of Motor City comics in April of 1969 which was published by Rip Off Press.

 A big city soul brother to Dirty Dog, he dwells in the back alleys, and is known for his pungent odor. You might not want to take him home as he will likely pee on your carpet and steal your TV.

This week enjoy 15% off this Keep on Truckin Apparel exclusive design, available in sizes S-3X, in colors White, Military Green, Chestnut Brown, Navy and Prairie Dust. Discount applied at Checkout www.kotapparel.com

Conspiracy Stomp Poster by Robert Crumb (Wavy Gravy, 1969), inspires this "Power to the People" t-shirt design.

This classic poster drawn by Underground Comix legend R. Crumb, announced a concert at the Aragon Ballroom to benefit "The Chicago Eight." The Chicago Seven (originally Chicago Eight, also Conspiracy Eight/Conspiracy Seven) were seven defendants—Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner—charged with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to protests that took place in Chicago, Illinois on the occasion of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Bobby Seale, the eighth man charged, had his trial severed during the proceedings, lowering the number from eight to seven.

The donation required to attend the fund raising party was four dollars, with "all money to the conspiracy." Many of Crumb's poster images were lifted from his comic book work, but not this one. It is is one of the few original images he drew for a particular event, and is possibly his best. Great lettering and design, with an illustration of an anarchist and his Marxist companion doing a joyful swing-style dance. The concert at the Aragon Ballroom featured Phil Ochs, Abbie Hoffman, Paul Krassner, and Hugh Romney and the Hog Farm Bus, among others.

The "Power to the People" image of a raised clenched fist, pulled from the lower right hand corner of the "Conspiracy Stomp" poster,  became a symbol onto itself. And is now available exclusively at Keep On Truckin Apparel in both short and long sleeve t-shirts as well as hooded sweatshirts in a variety of colors. This week only enjoy 15% off, the discount will be applied at checkout, no coupon code required.

Cheap Thrills T-shirt "Combination of the Two" Available Now!

From the new Cheap Thrills Collection our "Combination of the Two" T-shirt is available now exclusively from our online store at www.kotapparel.com

The Big Brother & the Holding Company album Cheap Thrills was released by Columbia records in 1968. And "Combination of the Two" sung by Janis Joplin was the first song on Side 1. The original cover illustrated by underground comix icon Robert Crumb went on to be voted among the Top Ten album cover designs of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Keep On Truckin apparel has released 9 new t-shirt designs all inspired by this amazing album. We are offering this t-shirt design in Men's short and long sleeve t-shirts, in both conventional and organic cotton. You can choose from a variety of colors which include: White, Black, Navy, Stone Blue (pictured above), Targerine and City Green. In Men's sizes Small through 3X.

New T-shirt Design: Ball and Chain

New this week and part of our "Cheap Thrills" Collection we are proud to introduce our Ball and Chain T-shirt. This design was pulled from the Cheap Thrills Album Cover illustrated by R. Crumb in 1968.

KK-747 Ball and Chain Men's T-shirt

Ball and Chain written by Willie Mae,  "Big Mama" Thornton, was belted out by lead singer for Big Brother and the Holding Company the amazing Janis Joplin. Janis's performance of this song at the Monterey International Pop Festival was considered one of the best performances of her short career.






Available exclusively at Keep On Truckin Apparel, you will find both cotton and organic cotton t-shirt options for both Men and Women, as well as long sleeve tees and cool hooded sweatshirts.

KK-747 Ball and Chain Hoodie

KK-747-2 Ball and Chain Women's Organic Tee

PRESS RELEASE: Keep On Truckin’ Apparel Launches “Cheap Thrills”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Keep On Truckin’ Apparel Launches “Cheap Thrills” T-Shirt Collection

Monday, June 4th, 2012. Today, Keep on Truckin’ Apparel, LLC of Carlton, Oregon, announced the acquisition through Big Brother and The Holding Company of the rights to the “Cheap Thrills” and “Cheaper Thrills” album cover art as part of their apparel line. Online at www.kotapparel.com, “KOT Apparel” features the cartoon artwork of Robert Crumb.

In 1968 when lead singer Janis Joplin and her Big Brother and The Holding Company band mates where less than thrilled with the proposed album cover design provided by their record label Columbia; it was suggested that artist R. Crumb of underground comics’ fame might be just the guy to create a unique cover for them. That iconic album cover art; which Rolling Stone Magazine proclaimed to be one of the top ten album covers of all time, will provide the base for our new “Cheap Thrills” t-shirt collection.

Keep on Truckin’s website, at www.kotapparel.com, will begin the introduction of the “Cheap Thrills” t-shirts and hoodies in Early-June, planning to release a total of nine new designs, eight of which will be exclusive to KOT Apparel. Watch for "I Need a Man to Love", "Ball and Chain", "Piece of my Heart", "Combination of Two" and "Cheaper Thrills".

Keep on Truckin’ currently offers three additional t-shirt collections: the “Classics Collection” featuring iconic R. Crumb illustrations; the “Mr. Natural Organics Collection” featuring Crumb’s infamous character and related imagery; and the “Heroes of the Blues” Collection which showcases the early great blues musician who were among the first to record the blues. All KOT Apparel is printed on-demand – based on the customer’s design preference and t-shirt style, color, and size choices. Shoppers can choose from conventional or organic cotton in short and long sleeve styles as well as hooded sweatshirts.

For more information, please contact:
Keep On Truckin’ Apparel
P.O. Box 1150
Carlton, OR 97111
info@kotapparel.com

Curate Your R. Crumb T-shirt Collection

Our amazing customers ofter comment that it is difficult; given the over 150 plus R. Crumb images available on our website, to make their final selections for a t-shirt order. So in this series of blog posts we will feature what we feel are some well curated collections, all ordered while taking advantage of our "4 for Free Shipping" offer.

The Classics

Our first featured order is from S.C. of Yuba City, CA who made all his selections from the Crumb Classics Collection. We love S.C.'s bold choices:

KK-216 Hippie Hypno in Yellow Haze

KK-402 Tommy the Toilet in Prairie Dust

KK-242 Dirty Dog in Tan

KK-229 The East Village Other in Paprika

Thanks for the great order S.C., Enjoy!

Father's Day Coupon Code for T-shirts and Hoodies from Keep On Truckin Apparel

Need a unique and fun gift for your old Dad this year?  We have got you covered at Keep On Truckin' Apparel!

Choose from any of our 150 plus original and exclusive R. Crumb retro designs. Then choose your canvas, whether it be our 100% cotton t-shirt with a classic relaxed fit or our soft slightly fitted organic cotton tee, available in both short and long sleeve styles. Or choose one of our cozy hooded sweatshirts for those cool Spring evenings. Next select Dad's favorite color, from a range of options, you are part of the design process...so if Dad has been longing for that old "Stoned Again!" tee in Tangerine that he wore to death in the 70's---we can help you bring a smile to his face!

And to sweetin' the deal just use coupon code DadDay at checkout to receive 10% off your entire order, and remember whenever you order 4 or more items from Keep On Truckin' Apparel you will receive Free Shipping.

So be your Dad's favorite this year, forget the tie, the wallet or the tighty-whitey's---trust us, he is secretly longing for a Keep On Truckin', Fritz the Cat, Zap Comix Cover , Dirty Dog or Mr. Natural "Just Passin' Thru" t-shirt from http://www.kotapparel.com/

"Stop Watching TV" T-shirt On Sale this Week!

Our sale t-shirt design this week, was inspired by the R. Crumb full page illustration "Stopped Watching TV?!", which graced the back cover of the second issue of Motor City Comics published by Rip Off Press in February of 1970.

In this issue Crumb further develops the character introduced in the first issue of Motor City Comics, feminist leader Lenore Goldberg. Lenore, along with her girl commandos, infiltrate a beauty pageant where she speaks about the exploitation of women before a riot breaks out that requires Lenore shed all her clothing in order to escape. Well it is Crumb---some body has got to get naked-right?!

On the back cover Crumb asks "Don't you think it's time to Stop Watching TV?!" and lets you know all the reason's why, along with a cheerful suggestion that if you still need your "media injection" you switch to reading Motor City Comics.

This Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive design is available in our Men's heavy weight relaxed cotton tee or our all organic slightly fitted t-shirt. Enjoy 15% off this week, the discount will be applied at checkout-no coupon code required.

All images copyright of R. Crumb

R. Crumb to Participate in 3 Day Comics Seminar at University Of Chicago

Comics,  Philosophy and Practice

May 18-20, 2012
University of Chicago
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts

R. Crumb is the founder of the underground comics movement and is considered the most influential of living cartoonists. He created Zap Comix in San Francisco in 1967, which featured some of his most famous strips and characters, including the oft-cited and interpreted “Keep On Truckin’” strip. His enduring characters include Mr. Natural, Flakey Foont, Angelfood McSpade, Shuman the Human, and Fritz the Cat.

Crumb founded and edited Weirdo magazine (1981-1993), a venue in which many alternative cartoonists began their careers. He is the subject of the acclaimed documentary Crumb (1994) directed by Terry Zwigoff and produced by Lynn O’Donnell and David Lynch.

Crumb has published many, many comic books (including Dirty Laundry Comics and Self-Loathing Comics, with Aline Kominsky-Crumb), books (including R. Crumb’s Kafka and The Book of Genesis), and book collections (including The Book of Mr. Natural and R. Crumb’s America). Fantagraphics has issued 17 volumes of The Complete Crumb Comics. Crumb’s illustration and comics work has been shown in art exhibits all over the world.

His next book Drawn Together (released in France as Parle-Moi d’Amour), is a collaboration with his wife, Kominsky-Crumb, and includes past work from The New Yorker, Weirdo, Self-Loathing, and Dirty Laundry, as well as a new collaborative 12-page strip. The book will be released in 2012.

Crumb will participate in two seminars, the first "Blown Covers" on Saturday, May 19th from 4:15 - 5:30 pm will also include Francoise Mouly, Chris Ware and Dan Clowes. The second "Lines on Paper" on Sunday, May 20th from 10:30 - 12:00 pm will also feature Ivan Brunetti, Lynda Barry, and Gary Panter.

On Sale Tee Design this week: Zap Comic "Plugged In"

Our featured t-shirt this week is pulled from the notorious Zap Comix No. 0 cover drawn by Robert Crumb in 1967. The art work for this inaugural issue of Zap Comics disappeared before publication. Xerox copies where later recovered and R. Crumb reworked the issue and it was released after Zap No. 1 and No. 2 had already hit the streets thus the No. 0.

Enjoy 15% off this week of "The Comic that plugs you in!!", no coupon code required, your discount will be applied at checkout. Feel the Energy!

R. Crumb's "Nope" No. 7

R. Crumb asks the question..."Are people thinking more and enjoying it less?" Think, think, think, think, think....


This one of a kind original art has been reproduces on our quality cotton t-shirts, exclusively available through Keep On Truckin' Apparel. Enjoy 15% savings this week, no coupon code required--your discount will be applied at checkout.

So get your ART on!!

The Adventures of R. Crumb Himself

This self portrait cover done by R. Crumb inspired our "on sale" t-shirt design this week. Rendered in Black and White, on our quality cotton or organic cotton tees. Available in sizes Small-3X, in a variety of colors--your choice.

Enjoy 15% off, no coupon code required, your discount will be applied at checkout! Available exclusively at Keep On Truckin' Apparel www.kotapparel.com
All images copyright of R. Crumb