Strange Things Are Happening by Richard Norris

 So, I just recently finished this book by Richard Norris called "Strange Things are Happening."

I first learned of Richard after I bought the album "Evolver" by his band The Grid (sometimes just posted as Grid).

After reading the liner notes I had a bit of a "huh?" moment. The two names (Dave Ball from Soft Cell) on this CD were the same names on another project I had been listening to, Jack The Tab.

Which was a UK acid house project formed by Genesis P-Orridge (s/he is her/e).

This is a really great book about Richard's journey through life and music, and transformation on reflection and healing.

What I really thought was amazing is the fact that almost every band/musician he mentions, was friends with, or worked with were artists I liked or was already listening to without knowing he was in the mix until reading this book. Every chapter, for me, had a "well I'll be..." moment at least once.

First, it starts off with him meeting up with Bill Drummond who is famous for the group KLF/JAMs, etc. Which was a group I was big into from maybe 1990. 

From that first chapter I knew I was in for good read.

You can find the book on Amazon, listen to Richard read in on Audible, or even get the signed Book/CD edition from his Bandcamp.

I'm not good at writing reviews, but trust me, if you grew up through the late 70's into 80's listening to punk music and Zine culture then through the 90's getting into dance music and raves then this is the book for you.

As of the end of this post I am currently listening to "Waffle Stomp" by Joe Walsh from the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" soundtrack. Available from Amazon.

So, I just posted a track to my Bandcamp page on Friday.

It's called "Good Friday" and I made it on Good Friday of 2015.

https://isapien1956672.bandcamp.com/track/good-friday

Enjoy.

As of the end of this post I'm currently listening to "Life Sucks Do Me" by Tit Wrench.

My production run w/left justified "flipped" graphics.

So, I had this deck around 1992. LOVED the thing!

But then it cracked doing a lip slide on a double-sided curb/ledge.

For the 30 years I've held onto it I couldn't for the life of me remember which company it was, peeling the grip revealed no top graphic either.

The only thing I could remember was that it wasn't a slick, but rather a "waxed wood."  

Fast forward to last week when I was messaging with Manuel Fuentes, author of the book 92ish, who is currently working on a follow-up book 93ish and he's asking anyone to "Please submit pics to be featured on the book to 92sk8book@gmail.com"

Anyway, I was chatting with him about my mystery deck and he got back to me and found the deck in an old Italian skate catalog.

It's from an old company called Basic and it's the only deck not listed on Art of Skateboarding, you might need to be a member in order to see the link.

Catalog Version right justified graphics.

As you can see the catalog version differs from my production run, my graphic is flipped.

As of the end of this post I am currently listening to "Dreaming" by S.P.Y on the DI.FM channel "Liquid DnB"

 

Gonz Over Hawk

©1988 J. Grant Brittain Skate Photography

So, this amazing photo is available over at Grant Britain's website.

He has 3 print sizes for sale.

I really like the composition of this photo, split between air and land.

Gonz literally in the sky, and Hawk literally on land. 

Mark Gonzales is one of many GOATs in skateboarding. A true ATV.

"Mark Gonzales' frontside air over Tony Hawk's frontside grind at Tony's ramp at his house in Fallbrook, California, was shot in 1988 and is pretty rare."

Head on over and check this and the rest of his collected photo archives.

As of the end of this post I am currently listening to "Before...After" by Steve Roach from the album "Sanctuary of Desire" available from either his website or Bandcamp

View of the Fox River looking North, in Aurora, IL..

I used the Apollo filter on Instagram.

This photo is from 2011.

 So, I haven't posted much skateboard related, or anything rated, material for a long time.

I will try to post something AT LEAST once a week.

I’m still here…

Joe Hammeke Heart Attack Fund...

On April 2nd Joe Hammeke suffered a heart attack. Him and his family coukd really use our support. https://gofund.me/d3be5938