New: Jump Boots @ Steam Powered Industries
July 12th, 2007 at 06:30pm Catero Revolution
Before the age of homogenization and micro-machinery, before the tyrannous efficiency of internal combustion and the domestication of electricity, lived beautiful, monstrous machines that lived and breathed and exploded unexpectedly at inconvenient moments. It was a time where art and craft were united, where unique wonders were invented and forgotten, and punks roamed the streets, living in squats and fighting against despotic governance through wit, will and wile. — Quoted from: Steampunk Magazine
I will admit that I don’t know much about Steampunk culture. I had never even heard of it before coming to Second Life. But then again, I’d never heard of Pony Girls, Furries, Gor and a host of other cultures and sub-cultures. SL can be such an educational and culturally enriching experience.
My days of living in partial ignorance of this particular community ended when Disembodied Hand introduced me to his Jump Boots (750L) - footwear scultpted from rusted out parts salvaged from a scrap yard. Dis gave me a lesson in cultural dynamics. “Well, there are two major factions of Steampunk, actually. The ‘true’ Steampunk which is 1940’s-ranged classical machinery Steampunk. Literal meaning there. Back when there really was just the steam engine to work off for mechanics. The flip side there is more what we do: the Post-apoc Steampunk. Basically, imagine culture as it is now failing and electricity takes it in the ass ’cause someone wakes up some day and goes ‘F**K IT, let’s make it rain nuclear winter on this piece,’ and we have to resort to old technology again - blacksmithing, steam engines etc.”
The metal eroded boots embody the free spirited cowboy nature with their corroded spurs. Cogs, rods, pins and gears make up the hyrdraulics system that powers the footwear. “We try and keep everything interesting and try and keep everything ‘real’,” says Disembodied who gets his inspirations when sitting in his garage, smoking a cigarette with a sketchpad. “When I say that I mean, you’re gunna get the wires, the bolts, everything we make we try and imagine how it would actually work. Sure some of our products are far-fetched but damn they are cool!”.
The product’s SL Forum ad marketed the boots with an ability to jump 25 to 30 meters as well as particle and sound effects, cinematic camera jump and fully animated action from takeoff to landing. Boy, does he deliver. Any promises from Nike footwear to improve vertical performance are put to shame by Dis’s patina’d stompers. To test out the Jump Boots I took to The Great Fissure, which is approximately 25 meters in width, and activated the “jump” with the single-button HUD.
Jettisoned take-off and landing not only produces steam, but smoke-scarred ground as well (a temporary rez prim which disappears after several seconds). Disembodied Hand admits there’s a thick grungy smog hovering in the air at his shops in Maggiore (115, 107, 601) and Vodou (49, 100, 34) that attract anyone who wants to look a little less classy for the short or long-term. The store’s offerings include the newly released Steam Gloves in addition to various gritty attachments like racing helmets, (gas) masks, bracers, cybernautic appendages, armor and weaponry and a host of other items with Mad Maxxian appeal. For the future he plans to expand the selection with a variety of products including hair and other accessories that may appeal to the furry and “nerdcore” crowds. Hand and fellow creators Broder Kubrick (BroGear) and Vas Legend (Angry Monkey) get creative by playing mad scientist, rendering common ideas in an uncommon way. Says Dis, “All three of us …. converse over projects and lend some helping hands to each other. Old saying always goes, three heads are better than one”.Machinima Artist: Aenea Nori
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Catero: Skin, Antonio Pale - Stubble (Funk Schnook / FNKY!); Pants, Camo Cargo Pants (Penny Patton / Happy Biouvac); Jacket, Steampunk Long Coat in brown (Posy Trudeau / [CIVVIES] Wearables); Hat, Steampunk Top Hat (Posy Trudeau / [CIVVIES] Wearables); Belt, Caution Tape Belt (Jemca Arizona / [The Syndicate]); Bracers, Splinter Bracers (Vas Legend / Angry Monkey); Eye wear, Goggles from Zombie Dreads Hair (Noam Sprocket / Gritty Kitty); Cigarette, Lucky Sticks - Slim & Mild (Sakura's Smoke Shop /sakura Jannings ); Scratches, Stitches and Wounds (Kψoot Army / Saeya Nyanda)
Entry Filed under: Boots, Fantasy, Grunge, New Items, Steam Powered Industries, Steampunk
22 Comments Add your own
1. Steampunk Jump Boots &laq&hellip | July 12th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
[...] Jump Boots Last week, Catero Revolution asked me for some help with a machinima for a blog post for Men’s Second Style on Disembodied Hand’s Steam Powered Industries’ Jump Boots. [...]
2. Tinsel Silvera | July 12th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Bravo, bravo, bravo! The boots are hot, the video rocks and you look cool! {:o) I will be visiting your shop as soon I as get back inworld later tonight. Can’t wait to see what else is available. SteamPunk rulzs!
3. Posy | July 12th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Dis is truly one of the most inventive and talented designers in SL… I’m always amazed at the impeccable workmanship in every one of his creations. Plus… his stuff is always so UNIQUE, which is not always the case in SL… that’s why everyone should check out his store! Cuz his stuff rocks!
Awesome review as always Catero!!!
4. Saeya | July 12th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Totally agree and such a great post, Cat. Every few months I get so inspired and in awe of one designer (last winter, Fade Dana) this summer, I’m all about the stuff Dis is putting out. His attention to detail slays me and after a month or so I still can’t seem to remove his Top Hat from my head, yo.
5. Ryan Darragh | July 12th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Curse you, Cat! There you go, raising the bar again.
6. Catero Revolution | July 13th, 2007 at 12:21 am
Ryan, it’s not me … it’s the boots! As soon as I tested them out I knew that their unique feature could only really be communicated by capturing the action in a short machinima. It was the only appropriate way to do them justice. I asked Aenea (who is an award-winning machinima artist) for 10 seconds with no audio. Well, you see what happened. I could not control her.
These boots are more fun than words. Dis really goes out of his way to provide true-to-life detailing on his shoes. Really leaves you in awe. I hope he gets a lot of attention as a result of these and his other creations.
7. Disembodied Hand | July 13th, 2007 at 1:54 am
You guys are making me blush
thanks all, i hope to be pumping out much more soon
8. Ryan Darragh | July 13th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I’m with Saeya. Lovin’ the top hat.
And the machinima clip was inspired, not to mention beautifully executed by Aenea. What a disservice it would have been to say, “Here are some pictures so you can see how cool these boots look. Oh by the way, in action they’re even better, too bad you can’t see that until you buy ‘em.”
These boots both rock and roll. Ditto for Cat and Aenea. So say I. So say we all.
9. Aenea Nori | July 13th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Thanks for the compliments!
I’m honored that Cat asked me, even if he had no idea what he was getting into once he came into my OCD-distortion field.
10. Ryan Darragh | July 13th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Any idea where I can get a dampening emitter for OCD-distortion fields? I think Picard kept one warmed up and ready to go in his ready room.
11. Ana Lutetia | July 14th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Wow! These one of your posts ever.
12. Ana Lutetia | July 14th, 2007 at 9:17 am
*best…
13. Name Withheld #1 | July 15th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I love the use of video in this. So much better then just photos, it allowed me to see detail and every angle of the boots. When I saw the pictures it didnt really captivate me, but when I pressed play on the video I thought- “Wow, really nicely done”
Would like to see more videos in future posts if possible
14. Catero Revolution | July 16th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Creating machinima is work-intensive. Within the context of the product using a video to illustrate the function was appropriate.
Don’t be afraid to post your comments, Name Withheld #1. Constructive feedback is appreciated. Thank you for your comments.
15. Aenea Nori | July 16th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
@ Ryan: If you find one of those, man, I need it bad.
/me knows she should’ve paid more attention to Star Trek.
16. Secundus | July 18th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Count me is another fan of the hat. And do those googles come in proper brass?
17. Catero Revolution | July 18th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Hey, Secundus. The goggles worn in the photos and video clip are included with Gritty Kitty’s “Zombie” dreads. Since they’re mod you could apply your own texture of preference.
I’m sure there are some brass ones in-world. As an admitted Steampunk-tard I can’t think of a specific shop name. But I know I have seen goggles in the Caledon sims and/or Babbage Square.
For sure, I will bet my Lindens that Posy would know where to find a good pair.
18. Aidan Recreant | July 18th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
*stares*
I find Cat disturbingly hot there. I think it’s the bruises.
WOW, what a review! After reading, I was interested in checking out the boots. After viewing, I am tempted to leave work early and race home to buy them!
19. Oscar Page | July 18th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
They’re fantastic boots. I’ve been jumping all over the place since I got them. Like Saeya, I got the top hat from The Block Party 5 as well. My best impression of steampunk (because I’m nowhere near any epitome of steampunk) includes: Top Hat from Dis, Fugitive Coat from Civvies, Soho 38 dark low cut jeans from Zona Cero, and these jump boots.
20. Men’s Second Style &hellip | September 9th, 2007 at 12:15 am
[...] 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 [...]
21. Men’s Second Style &hellip | January 4th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
[...] Wings (my own personal favorite wings–check out the detail), SteamGloves, the amazing Jump Boots, and Leather Thread Cog Necklace. I don’t think I’ve left anything out. I might [...]
22. dress me up | Achariya Ma&hellip | December 14th, 2008 at 8:34 am
[...] and would love to dress more accordingly to the theme. I am fascinated by steampunk since I read an article by Catero Revolution but I am not at all a connoisseur. I searched for a location inSL that would suit the theme and [...]
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