Crazy Skate-Shoe Jive

"The .45 Clash is one of our top sellers," says Globe Shoes marketing director Michael Marckx. Remaining Clash members gave consent for a shoe to be manufactured with the band's logos and imprinted lyrics to the song "London Calling."

"It was a project that took me over a year to complete and get to the market," says Marckx, a longtime Escondido resident who has drummed for locals Soul Scream and Horn If You're Honky. "We've already sold 20,000 pairs with minimal marketing." He says the Clash shoe ("totally suitable for skaters") came about when one of his designers said he had a band contact.

"This ended up being their licensing agency, Bravado, so I sent out an initial inquiry via the designer, and they came back to me with genuine interest.... I personally didn't get to talk to Paul [Simonon] or Mick [Jones], though I hope to someday, as we're planning a follow-up Clash shoe."

Marckx hired a local firm to manufacture the shoebox.

"It's covered in Clash art and features actual speakers mounted on the inside, along with an iPod input jack.... They work quite well."

The .45 Clash shoes retail for $69.95 per pair.