The Creator of the Mod Pod
Andreas Adamec is a designer whose aesthetic DNA was forged in the wake of the 1979 Mod Revival. Discovering the scene in the early 80s as the movement branched into new directions, Andreas viewed Mod not as a static costume, but as a recurring fever – dormant at times, yet always ready to flare up. His commitment was solidified on the streets of Austria, where souped-up small-frame Vespas, combined with basic Mod staples (fishtail parka, 60s suits, Harringtons, Fred Perry, desert boots, etc.), were soon replaced with the iconic MA-1, Doc Martens (unfortunately, what dominated the scene there were Nazi Skins) — then going dormant again before he eventually landed in Los Angeles. For Andreas, it has always been foremost an exciting visual exploration.
Years later, in the early 2000s, he declared his own personal Mod Revival, fully immersing himself in the local scene, riding with The Reflections and West Side SC, alternating between a Rally 200 and a P-Range Vespa. Andreas’ LA Mod Revival days were not purely inspired by early 60s Mod, but more a blend of 60s Mod staples with the influence of original Skinhead/Rude Boy. The Soul and Ska events, concerts, and scooter events were such great opportunities to meet up with like-minded people who shared a passion.
The soundtrack to this ‘visual exploration’ is 60s Jamaican Ska/Rocksteady, 2-Tone, 60s Soul, Mod Revival bands like Squire and, of course, the Jam, Style Council, while (for himself) declaring one or the other recent band as Mod, Belle and Sebastian coming to mind. Ultimately, he dismisses white acts that merely profit from mimicking Black sounds, arguing that true appreciation requires honoring the Black innovators rather than supporting those who appropriate their legacy. Paul Weller’s own personal development of Mod fashion served as inspiration, providing good guidance on what "casual mod" can look like while dropping into full gear when desired. Andreas’ brand, Mod Pod, is the collision of that modernist heritage with his obsession for the mechanical soul of Anime’s Mecha culture.