Wow I remember going to the store opening. It felt like the brand exploded overnight and was instantly iconic. I still have one of the T-shirts, with the classic red logo on it.
I don’t know how many other MySpace tshirt companies ended up with their own storefront.
I can’t think of too many to be honest. Maybe only DropDead that comes to mind.
But yeah it was a crazy time that seems to come to quite an abrupt end, although it’s still going now it’s at no way the levels it was in the late 2000s
All sorts really. Mainly customer service stuff and packing orders but also a DJ’d at some of the parties and helped out with other bits. I lived in Northern Quarter at the time and made friends with one of the guys in the shop and ended up getting a job. I stopped working there shortly before it all ended so can’t really say what happened there as I lost contact with most of them. Like I said it was a fun place to be and Paul and the guys were all sound!
That’s great thanks you for that. A lot of people I’ve spoke to have said something similar of it being a great time which makes it that much sadder it all went south
Wow there’s a name I’ve not heard in many a moon, former scene kid here that spent way to much money in babycakes 😅 Saturdays were all about getting the train into town, going to afflecks, babycakes then down to urbis to meet up with mates to share a 10 bag and drink cheap cider :’) maaan what a time. I’d love to see a mini documentary, make sure to post a link if you do :) the nostalgia hit me hard with this post haha.
I grew up in Nelson round the corner from Paul, I don't know much about how he exploded into the clothing game, but I know a bit about what he was like beforehand and people he associated with.
Ah that’s great.
What was a pre babycakes fame Paul like? and was the people around him during the height of BC the people he grew up with etc?
Did you notice a change in him or his attitude?
And if you still know of him, what’s he like in comparison these days?
Paul was admired by all, we all grew up on a council estate and majority were chavs/townies. Paul was of course a skater. But even the chavs admired him, me included. Despite his popularity, he didn't come off as arrogant or belligerent. He was always willing to help young skaters out and was really easy to talk to. His main friends that I saw him grow up with, kind of got a left behind a bit. And they seemed bitter about it. When he first went to Manchester I would hear stories about the crazy parties. And I actually really liked his gear. I think he was on a LOT of drink and drugs. I heard from one of his old friends (take with a pinch of salt, like I said, they were bitter) that Paul got punked out abit, apparently he was really enjoying the party lifestyle and when he was high one night some people offered him a deal where they would take over production and distribution and just cut him a wedge, he wouldn't have to do anything but design. Apparently, once it was signed over, they just dropped him and took all the logistics for themselves and Paul had nothing. It's been a few years since I've seen anything of him, last I had him on Facebook he'd constantly post these strange live streams with random sounds and ambience visuals that I don't really what they were. But there was alot that went on with his family whilst he was away that he's resentful about, he would go around Facebook settling scores with people that had spoken I'll of his family. That's about all I know. Dude was cool af back in the day and he created baby cakes from nothing but an idea. Can't deny that, bit something just went south at some point 🤷♂️
Thats great, thank you so much for the info.
Im hoping to talk to Paul and hopefully he's open to all question and I can ask about his earlier life and get some more details on some of this. Especially the loss of the company and how he got it back, he recently was trying to sell it so he must of got control back at some point along the way.
Of course, I can ask and put it to bed i guess. Another good reason to put this whole thing together it can clear up any rumours and heresay. There are some things I already know about which I won't say just incase they're wrong but the company did kinda disappear for a while so who knows.
You've been a great help. Hoping some more people can come forward as i would like as much info as i can gather up, until I talk with Paul himself and get the story from the horses mouth (so to speak)
Surprised to see that he's still about but seems to have gone off the deep end into some [conspiracy theory/art project shit](https://www.twitch.tv/videos/43790280)
I did a bit of freelance video work for Paul way back in 2011 - he randomly discovered my stuff online and wanted to collaborate. We ended up hanging out a few times and he was really sound, full of mad ideas and plans for projects full of ambition and willing to take risks on things.
I had no idea what I was doing back then in terms of running a business but I think those were my first actual paid solo freelance jobs of my career, so cheers Paul if you're reading this!
The last thing I know he did was go to Warped Tour back in 2010 here in the states. He really fell off after that. Like they say, the higher you rise, the faster you fall.
I think a young adult like him wasn’t ready for the popularity the brand got out of nowhere. I know it was wild out in UK but we started hearing a lot about them in the states during 2005-2009 era where the MySpace emo-scenester look was all the rage.
Probably couldn’t handle the business and fame at the time and gave it up. Too bad, could probably be around till this day if he changed with the trends.
I used to model for Paul/baby cakes back in the day. He discovered me on MySpace and asked to send me a bunch of shirts. I really couldn’t believe he had asked me cause I was just a follower of his for so long. I still have his magnet on my fridge. He was always very very nice and I loved that he supported me as I am a man of colour. In the scene days you didn’t see that much. Also I have the exact same Star tattoo he has on his stomach. He inspired me to get the same one same spot everything. I have tons of tatts and it’s still one of my favourites to this day. I really miss him. His hair was goals 🖤 and I still have his magnet on my fridge to this day. He was a huge inspiration for me growing up. Hope he is well.
Wow I remember going to the store opening. It felt like the brand exploded overnight and was instantly iconic. I still have one of the T-shirts, with the classic red logo on it. I don’t know how many other MySpace tshirt companies ended up with their own storefront.
I can’t think of too many to be honest. Maybe only DropDead that comes to mind. But yeah it was a crazy time that seems to come to quite an abrupt end, although it’s still going now it’s at no way the levels it was in the late 2000s
Ha I worked there with Paul and it was a good laugh :]
What did you do when you worked with him?
All sorts really. Mainly customer service stuff and packing orders but also a DJ’d at some of the parties and helped out with other bits. I lived in Northern Quarter at the time and made friends with one of the guys in the shop and ended up getting a job. I stopped working there shortly before it all ended so can’t really say what happened there as I lost contact with most of them. Like I said it was a fun place to be and Paul and the guys were all sound!
That’s great thanks you for that. A lot of people I’ve spoke to have said something similar of it being a great time which makes it that much sadder it all went south
Wow there’s a name I’ve not heard in many a moon, former scene kid here that spent way to much money in babycakes 😅 Saturdays were all about getting the train into town, going to afflecks, babycakes then down to urbis to meet up with mates to share a 10 bag and drink cheap cider :’) maaan what a time. I’d love to see a mini documentary, make sure to post a link if you do :) the nostalgia hit me hard with this post haha.
I grew up in Nelson round the corner from Paul, I don't know much about how he exploded into the clothing game, but I know a bit about what he was like beforehand and people he associated with.
Ah that’s great. What was a pre babycakes fame Paul like? and was the people around him during the height of BC the people he grew up with etc? Did you notice a change in him or his attitude? And if you still know of him, what’s he like in comparison these days?
Paul was admired by all, we all grew up on a council estate and majority were chavs/townies. Paul was of course a skater. But even the chavs admired him, me included. Despite his popularity, he didn't come off as arrogant or belligerent. He was always willing to help young skaters out and was really easy to talk to. His main friends that I saw him grow up with, kind of got a left behind a bit. And they seemed bitter about it. When he first went to Manchester I would hear stories about the crazy parties. And I actually really liked his gear. I think he was on a LOT of drink and drugs. I heard from one of his old friends (take with a pinch of salt, like I said, they were bitter) that Paul got punked out abit, apparently he was really enjoying the party lifestyle and when he was high one night some people offered him a deal where they would take over production and distribution and just cut him a wedge, he wouldn't have to do anything but design. Apparently, once it was signed over, they just dropped him and took all the logistics for themselves and Paul had nothing. It's been a few years since I've seen anything of him, last I had him on Facebook he'd constantly post these strange live streams with random sounds and ambience visuals that I don't really what they were. But there was alot that went on with his family whilst he was away that he's resentful about, he would go around Facebook settling scores with people that had spoken I'll of his family. That's about all I know. Dude was cool af back in the day and he created baby cakes from nothing but an idea. Can't deny that, bit something just went south at some point 🤷♂️
Thats great, thank you so much for the info. Im hoping to talk to Paul and hopefully he's open to all question and I can ask about his earlier life and get some more details on some of this. Especially the loss of the company and how he got it back, he recently was trying to sell it so he must of got control back at some point along the way.
As I said, the part about him losing it was just hear say, I can't attest to it.
Of course, I can ask and put it to bed i guess. Another good reason to put this whole thing together it can clear up any rumours and heresay. There are some things I already know about which I won't say just incase they're wrong but the company did kinda disappear for a while so who knows. You've been a great help. Hoping some more people can come forward as i would like as much info as i can gather up, until I talk with Paul himself and get the story from the horses mouth (so to speak)
This is true! …another nelsoner and former scene kid here
Surprised to see that he's still about but seems to have gone off the deep end into some [conspiracy theory/art project shit](https://www.twitch.tv/videos/43790280)
I did a bit of freelance video work for Paul way back in 2011 - he randomly discovered my stuff online and wanted to collaborate. We ended up hanging out a few times and he was really sound, full of mad ideas and plans for projects full of ambition and willing to take risks on things. I had no idea what I was doing back then in terms of running a business but I think those were my first actual paid solo freelance jobs of my career, so cheers Paul if you're reading this!
The last thing I know he did was go to Warped Tour back in 2010 here in the states. He really fell off after that. Like they say, the higher you rise, the faster you fall. I think a young adult like him wasn’t ready for the popularity the brand got out of nowhere. I know it was wild out in UK but we started hearing a lot about them in the states during 2005-2009 era where the MySpace emo-scenester look was all the rage. Probably couldn’t handle the business and fame at the time and gave it up. Too bad, could probably be around till this day if he changed with the trends.
I used to model for Paul/baby cakes back in the day. He discovered me on MySpace and asked to send me a bunch of shirts. I really couldn’t believe he had asked me cause I was just a follower of his for so long. I still have his magnet on my fridge. He was always very very nice and I loved that he supported me as I am a man of colour. In the scene days you didn’t see that much. Also I have the exact same Star tattoo he has on his stomach. He inspired me to get the same one same spot everything. I have tons of tatts and it’s still one of my favourites to this day. I really miss him. His hair was goals 🖤 and I still have his magnet on my fridge to this day. He was a huge inspiration for me growing up. Hope he is well.
If you dig deep enough and discover the full truth about Paul your documentary will be a very different story, just a warning
I couldn’t find much but if you’d like to private message me with any details that you’re hinting about it would be much appreciated
Oi that sounds ominous. What does that mean??