Interview: Vas Legend of Angry Monkey

September 9th, 2007 at 12:15am Catero Revolution

The Angry Monkey product selection was brought to my attention by Saeya Nyanda when I was looking for outfit components to support a review I was working on for Steam Powered Industries’ Jump Boots. Upon entering the store one immediately notices two things: (1) the level of texture realism embodied in the work and (2) the salvage yardian feel of the goods. I walked away with the Splinter Bracers and a lasting impression of the calibre of goods - the Junkyard Patriot flag being one of the most striking alternative accessories I’ve seen.

The quality of Vas Legend’s work speaks for itself. In fact, when I donned the pieces from his his newer “Distruzio”, “Road Warrior” and hobo-esque releases and wandered around the grid many people instantly reacted to the pieces. “Great gear” and “That is some ding dang diggity dong cool sh*t you have on!” were some of the comments aimed at the gear. If they weren’t strapped on tightly someone would have walked away with ‘em ([21:18] Aenea Nori touches Cat’s banjo. [21:18] Catero Revolution slaps Aenea’s hand).

Not too long ago Mr. Legend was kind enough to entertain some questions about his store, his content creation philosophies and his latest releases.

MSS: How and when did you get started making products for Angry Monkey?
Vas: I started making items back in March. At that point I had not established Angry Monkey as a brand. I was very fortunate to have the support of a lot of folks from ‘Imogen’. One person in particular, Saeya Nyanda, has helped me group and encouraged me from the beginning - including offering some space in her own store to start releasing some products. I owe loads to her, and her kindness and patience, along with many other folks/content creators in Second Life.

Around the beginning of May this year, I selected a store name, and started releasing my creative content under this brand. Angry Monkey has been going confidently since the beginning of May.

MSS: Can you talk a little about Angry Monkey in general (product selection, etc.)?
Vas: I have many ideas which I would love to see in Second Life, and the only way was for me to create these ideas myself. I have a number of inspirations. I would say I’m a bit of a Post-Apocolpytic fan. Having played games such as the ‘Fallout’ series and ‘Half Life’ to name a couple, and films such as Mad Max and Waterworld - this genre influences a bulk of my wears. However on the complete flip side of that, I am very interested in the Medi-Fantasy genre, from influences mainly which would be games and films also. Such as ‘RF-Online’ and ‘Fable’ and films like Lord Of the Rings.

Lately, I’ve been developing some ideas for Steampunk. With this I wanted to merge the whole old school … Leonardo da Vinici style ropes and pullies with Victorian/Edwardian stylized patterns and ideas. Steampunk is something I’ve more or less been interested. I can’t stop but think of ideas for this. Long Live the Steam Engine!

So, overall I like to think I can cater for most peoples fantasy’s to aestethically dress their avatar for either roleplaying or just for a general look they desire.

MSS: For residents who have never heard about your store what would you like them to know?
Vas: Come see the store! It’s a floating ship stylized under the influence of Victorian/da Vinci. My wears are detailed and rich with textures. I aim for people to have attachments that are aestethically pleasing that you wouldn’t want to take off … there are things for everyone.

MSS: What were the inspirations for the “Distruzio” and “Road Warrior” gear? Give us the full rundown.
Vas: Well, I have so many ideas and content (which will be released soon) for a Steampunk collection. As of now I’ve released some basic attachments for kitting up a certain style of character. I’ve designed “Distruzio” to be a focal point for my ‘Vinci’ collection - being that of an explorer/inventor. Sporting a conductors Hat - which has quite an old American conscript style - this is a unique way of presenting my ‘Vinci’ wears in a themed fashion. I’ve had a massive influence again via a computer game, which uses an old medi-evil/steam engine mixed genre. My aim is to create characters who can been themed together in a story, and that’s what I am doing. Although there isn’t any specific roleplay for these characters, its a different way of presenting and releasing the ‘Vinci’ collection.

MSS: As the designer, what do you feel are the unique selling points of this product selection and why do you think people will enjoy it?
Vas: This collection is neat and tidy. I’ve tried to use rich and colorful textures, which are not overbearing, but give great depth. I am very passionate about this particular collection and I strive to make these products extra enjoyable to look at and to fit comfortable on male and female avatars.

There are a few designers out there doing a Steampunk thing, and for sure they do great works. However, the market for Steampunk is still new enough to expand on. I’m not saying its new, but Steam-and-Cogs can still be done on a level that is fresh and new, and definately something different which isn’t Urban/Wasteland or Fantasy regarding elves/dwarfs, etc.

MSS: What’s the typical profile of of resident who enjoys or will enjoy your store’s offerings?
Vas: People involved in roleplaying sims enjoy my products a lot. But its not only for them and the amount of sales that I’ve had have indicated that there is a need for novelty attachments which can stand out on an avatar. Because my product line is not going down one road (there are various themes involved in the designs) I believe any resident in Second Life would come across something they like for either a game or for roleplaying or just for a general look. But, yes, a lot of roleplayers find something to help dress their avatar to look more the part they are trying to play. So, I would say anyone who is involed in any roleplay communities would for sure benefit from having a look at what Angry Monkey has released. I would like to stress, that my intentions are not bound by making products soley for the roleplaying community.

MSS: What do you have in store for us next?
Vas: Well, I am still making things for all the themed genres I’ve got running down at Angry Monkey. And More from the ‘Vinci’ Steampunk collection shortly. However I am kinda venturing into a little darker avenue with a dark, dirty, gritty and hardened Viking collection. So, lots of exciting and rich attachments are still to come.

MSS: Anything else you’d like the readership to know?
Vas: Thankyous to everyone who has supported and been patient with me over the past few months. I just want to say come on down to Angry Monkey’s main trading post on Eternity Sim - there maybe something for you! I just want to say there may be people frustrated with not being able to find something they envision as an attachment, as this was a key motivation for me to get out and start prim manipulating. Everyone should try it! And I am willing to help anyone who has ideas they would like to see out there. For example, I have a product called ‘Junkyard Patriot’ this was a design that was inspired by a good friend Ayn Coalcliff. I am open to suggestions, I know its hard to find the right attachment to dress your avatar at times.

Taking on some of the subject matter and themes from the work of Signore da Vinci’s life work is definitely an ambitious undertaking. Something tells me that with Vas’s passion, vision and skill the brainchildren born to the ‘Vinci’ and subsequent collections will continue to astound.

To claim your own tragically beautiful article from Vas’s retail scrap yard mosey down to Angry Monkey @ Eternity (131, 162, 536).

Aidan Recreant, our leading resident expert on Post-Apocalyptic fashion and culture has followed up with some great coverage specific to the clothing attachments themselves. For his unique perspective click here.

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Photos feature the Distruzio’s Banjo (300L), Distruzio’s Belt (300L), Distruzio’s Hat (150L), No Place Like Home hobo shoulder pouch (220L), Road Warrior Boots (300L) and Road Warrior Gloves (300L) from Angry Monkey. All items are Mod / Copy / No Trans.

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No

Notes: On Catero: Skin, Justin - Dark, Aftermath (The Good Life / Avant Scofield); Hair, Sleepwalk Hair in black (Aitui / Jesseaitui Petion); Shirt, Brawler Tank - Steel (Truth Designs / Truth Hawks); Pants, Patched Jeans - Brown ([Civvies] Wearables / Posy Trudeau); Watch, Time by Kari - Male *not yet released* ({Kari} / Menno Ophelia); Cigarette, Lucky Sticks - Slim & Mild (Sakura's Smoke Shop /sakura Jannings )

Entry Filed under: Accessories, Angry Monkey, Boots, Fantasy, Gloves, Grunge, New Items, Steampunk