VANS AND METALLICA JOIN FORCES

SPECIAL OCTOBER 20TH ANNIVERSARY HALF CAB KICKS OFF PROJECTS CONTINUING IN 2013 AND BEYOND 

Los Angeles, CA - October 2, 2012 - In a match that appears to have been a long time coming, Vans, the original skate shoe company, and iconic rock band Metallica proudly announce a creative partnership delivering shoe projects that will surely satisfy action sports and music fans alike.  Many a skate trick is landed with Vans shoes on the feet and a Metallica tune in one's head, so the inevitable union kicks off in October with a limited edition Vans x Metallica 20th Anniversary Half Cab Pro available in better skate shops everywhere.  The collaboration will continue late this winter with two product drops:  a four-piece "Passion Project" collection designed by each member of Metallica coming in February and a two-shoe salute to the band's debut album, Kill 'Em All, delivering in March. 

As a thank you to the fans that have made Metallica one of the most successful acts of the past 30 years, the unique "Passion Project" collection will launch exclusively to Met Club members in January prior to being made available to the general public.

"I've been wearing Vans on stage my whole freakin' career (and way before that!)," said Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo. "Whether I'm walking the streets of Venice or San Francisco, Vans provides the funk in my stride!" 

"To have Metallica, my all-time favorite metal band, collaborating with me on this 20th anniversary Half Cab shoe is an honor and a dream come true," said Vans' skate legend Steve Caballero.  "I'm very stoked that Vans is working with such a legendary band and the Half Cab is just the beginning."

In early October, skate shops around the world will receive the latest release in the year-long celebration marking 20 years of the most popular skate shoe of all-time, Steve Caballero's signature Half Cab.  The heavy-duty canvas and suede "black to the floor" Metallica edition of the Half Cab Pro features classic band lyrics embossed in the side, exclusive Vans x Metallica x Steve Caballero labeling and a unique clear rubber sole with Kill 'Em All album artwork showing through.  To learn more about the Half Cab and where you can find the special Metallica edition, please visit  www.vans.com/halfcab20

In January, Met Club members will have the first opportunity to grab one of the most unique Vans shoe collections ever: the Metallica "Passion Projects".   Each band mate - Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich - had free reign to choose any iconic Vans shoe style and make it their own.  Each drew from their favorite influences in the worlds of music, action sports and art to create Vans shoes reflecting their personal style.  The Vans x Metallica Passion Project shoes are available to the general public in February.

In March, Vans and Metallica introduce Kill 'Em All theme shoes featuring two of Vans' all-time favorite styles, the Classic Slip-On and the Sk8-Hi, each emblazoned with artwork marking the 30 years since the release of Metallica's debut album.

Stay tuned to metallica.com and vans.com for updates and videos that capture the unique shared passions between Kirk, James, Robert and Lars and your favorite Vans team riders.

About Metallica

Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica (www.metallica.com) have become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold 110 million albums worldwide and playing to millions of fans the world over. They have scored almost a dozen multi-platinum albums, including 1991's Metallica (commonly referred to as "The Black Album"), which is the best selling album in history of Soundscan, scanning almost 16 million albums in the United States alone, and nearly 30 million worldwide.  In October 2008, their album, Death Magnetic, debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and in 27 additional countries around the world.  Metallica have garnered numerous awards and accolades, including nine Grammy®Awards, two American Music Awards, and multiple MTV Video Music Awards.  They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.  In December 2011, Metallica celebrated its 30th anniversary, performing four shows at the Fillmore Theatre in San Francisco, CA, exclusively for members of their fan club, the Metallica Club.   In 2012, they announced the launch of Orion Music+More, an annual two-day festival curated and headlined by the band.  This past summer, Metallica unveiled a brand new stage in Mexico City that featured iconic elements that spanned its 30-year career.  They played eight shows to nearly 180,000 fans at the Sports Arena in Mexico City. Later that month the band performed four shows on the same stage in Canada, two in Edmonton and two in Vancouver, during which they shot their upcoming Nimród Antal directed 3D Feature Film.

Vans & Music

Vans supports and promotes music through shoe and clothing collaborations with prolific musicians and by creating and staging innovative events like the Vans Warped Tour, Off the Wall Music Nights and concerts at the House of Vans in Brooklyn.  Pearl Jam, Iron Maiden, Iggy Pop, Descendents, KISS, Social Distortion, No Doubt, Slayer and Millencolin are just some of the acts to have collaborated with Vans for memorable projects that suit the "Off The Wall" lifestyle.

For more information on Vans, please visit www.vans.com/music.