May’s Beard of the Month — or Beards — goes to the collective of gnarly artists (and dudes) at Showdown Tattoo and Skateboards in Edmonton, specifically Heath Smith, Chris Iwaniuk, and Andrew Christou. The first time I stepped into the shop a few months back, I hung my own beard in shame because it was easily fourth best in the whole place, and it’s usually the best any other place. Now, I was hoping to get a really sweet picture of these beards (said picture also includes coon-skin hats and muskets), but the end of the month has arrived and I don’t have it yet, so here’s a more menacing back-up picture (thank you, Google image search). It’s a few years old because the beards aren’t as epic and Heath’s not present, but you get the idea. Also included are the shop’s owners, Dustin Lowry and Steve Batt. I promise to post the originally intended picture when I get it.

May’s silver star is James Atkinson, singer and guitarist for UK band Gentlemans Pistols. I love the band, I love their new album, At Her Majesty’s Pleasure, and I love this British motherfucker’s beard. It’s more than proper. Photo credit to Maren Guse, whoever that is.