Jeff Grosso: Love Letters To Skateboarding, Curbs...

So, if you call yourself a skateboarder and you don't skate curbs, please don't call yourself a skateboarder any longer, please? For the rest of us.

Dinosaur jr.: Over It...

So, I really dig this video. They did an amazing job at making these dewdz look like they're actually riding and doing the tricks, waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than they did with the extras in the boulevard scene in the movie Thrashin'.

Why Wheelbase Is Important On A Skateboard...

So, this is a really informative video on the subject of wheelbase, as well as, tail length. Co-hosting this video is Sara, who is representing Silly Girl Design which is owned by the by the lovely Jamie Parker

While watching this video the first thing that cam to mai mine was "hey, Creature should watch this video" because their tails are short.
If you {collective} ride them [creature decks] with anything over a 55mm wheel, and have any sort of riser under your trucks you can just forget about trying to pop a good ollie. It's a struggle to push one down and once the tail hits, the nose of the board is so steep that you're traveling ( ←→ ) moar than you're lifting ( ↑ ) which we all know can lead to some hangups. Also, if you're trying to ollie off a hip (personal experience) the tail soemtimes doesn't even hit and you're doing one of those "pressure" ollies.
Maybe Creature decks should be used in the pool, then, with big wheels and risers, and in the streets with no risers and wheels under 55mm.

Now, these claims are merely my own from personal experiences and multiple set ups experimenting with why I only have this problem with recent creature decks in the past 6 years and in no way is to hate on them. They have a solid team, and Al Partanen & Sam Hitz are old Milwaukee skate friends with soem of mai good friends here in Chicago.
And I can honestly say that when I rode Creature in 1995-97 that they were the only decks I rode, the multiple Cyclops and Robots I bought were phenomenal. I think it's just in recent years that soemthing changed.
I just can't support their decks anymore, I mean, I love the art, and the 6-pack iCooler comes in mighty handy.

Instagram: Slappy 3...

Original screen grab from iPhone4 video

Artsy Instagram manipuation

So, this is the 3rd and final slappy that I captured on video using mai white, non S, iPhone4.

It was a magical dei of bringing a dilapidated, neglected, crusty yellow curb back to life without the aid of petroleum based byproducts. Just the right speed, the right lean, and the right trucks.

Instagram: Slappy 2...

Original screen grab from the video

Artsy Instagram manipulation

So, here's the 2nd of three slappies that I got video of last Sundei, the 25th of March.

Instagram: Slappy 1...

Original screen grab

Artsy Instagram closeup 

So, last sunday, March 25th, 2012 I was supposed to meet up to skate with Marfa from Wellborn Clothing and some other random dewdz. They were waiting around for one moar guy to show up so I decided to park, go on a the hunt for a virgin slappy curb, and wait for them.
I had no wax, no broom, and only the loose Indys that god [Fausto] intended for just such an adventure.
These are mai pictures of that adventure...

Thrasher Magazine: Skate Rock China Yardsale...

So, I don't even know waht to say about this video except that it is some gnarly real-ass shit going down. This is waht a skate video is supposed to be like, toe drags, one foot landers, spin-out roll aways, and all that other shit that happens in real life.
Gerwer, Belton, Nuge, Figgy, Phelps, TNT, Angel, and a host of others I don't even know...
Security seems so polite, like "hey guys, c'mon, could you please not skate this?"

Jeff Grosso: Love Letters To Skateboarding, Backside Ollie...

So, I think this is prolly one of the most informative Love Letters to date. The backside ollie never actually started as an ollie, but rather as a carve that just came out of the bowl.

Ryan Lestarczyk - SOMETHING COOL...

So, cool.

VHS VAULT: Kevin Staab w/Billy Ruff, Del Mar Skate Ranch...

So, I hope you just sit back, grab a brew dog, or a fresh brewed hot java (depending on the hour in which you're visiting here) and watch this awesome throwback footy while Kevin & Billy cruz the mental way back machine...

2 Droids, 1 Plot...

Absorb 14: Flight Attendant...

So, this is an old Absorb video that was Uploaded by t3hkimchi on Dec 26, 2009 to YouTube.
Enjoy soem nice [recently] old Ohio footage of friends skateboarding.

Bondi Bowl Bash 2010...

Gullwing Trucks: Chris MIller & Ben Schroeder...

Chris Miller in Molecules Of Motion from 1987.


Chris Miller, Ben Schroeder, and Jason Jesse @ The Turf in 1990 from Full Power Trip.

Kris Markovich Talks About Matt Hensley's Part...

So, the only version I've ever seen was the "bootleg" AC/DC version...

35 Years Old And Still Skateboarding...

So, Nuff Sedd.

Brian Lotti: Full Power Trip...

So, all height of curbs asided, the calibre of trick they are doing in this video on that curb are the building block of modern street skating.
I say that any kid starting out learning to skate, do boardslides, and grinds that this would be a perfect fit. The tricks are semi up-to-date and the curb is the perfect learning height.
But hey, that's just mai opinion.

Drunk Injuns: Thrasher Magazine, A Blast From The Past & Present...

So, once upon a time is St. Charles, IL. we had this Schwinn bike shop that we convinced to start carrying skateboards. The guys name was Bob, he was KNDA the nerdy, daddish type, but all around cool with those dirty uncle jokes.
Long story short, I rented this on VHS and fell in love with this band, the year was 1987.

Jesse Martinez: Street Style In Tempe, 1986...

So, I rented this video from the local Schwinn bike shop in like 1986-87 and watched it with friends when we got back home, I was so stoked on these two runs.
I remember reading through a Thrasher back then and seeing a picture of Jesse doing a wall ride on the door of a car in soem contest, it blew my mind.
I still like watching these runs 26 years later.

The Doors: L.A. Woman 2012 w/Kenny Anderson, Alex Olson, Braydon Szafranski...

So, this video was just Uploaded by thedoors on Mar 16, 2012 to YouTube by The Doors.
It features a lil skate tour of Los Angeles featuring Kenny (702 rep-ra-zint), Alex, and Braydon w/cameos of the remaining band members to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the song.
It's KNDA kewl to see Robby Krieger skating with the guys by the Hollywood Bowl.

(RIP Jim Morrison)

Brad McClain, No Relation To John...

Sent from, I dunno, my iPhone I guess...

Dinosaur jr. @ Subterranean in Chicago...

(see full image)

Sent from, I dunno, my iPhone I guess...

Patrick Melcher: Jeepster...

Melcher - Jeepster edit from TedNewsome on Vimeo.

So, here's an edit by Ted Newsome of an old friend of mine that I met at The P.I.T. in Rockford, IL. around 1995, Patrick Melcher.
I actually used to skate with his mentor Eric at Rotation Station, years prior to meeting him at The P.I.T..
Such a great personality, and a gracious host.

Alien Workshop: Memory Screen, 1991...

So, here's the full video of Alien Workshop's "Memory Screen" from 1991, enjoy.

Alien Workshop: Dinosaur jr. & Duane Pitre Decks...

Right click, open in new window for zoomable pic

So, Alien Workshop is doing a run of tribute, collectors series decks.

These include Dinosaur jr., who were a major influence on the early AW skate vid soundtracks, to celebrate J. Mascis' new guitar out now by Fender Guitars.

...and

Duane Pitre who also has a celebratory board out now to coincide with his new album "Feel Free" <--- (soundcloud preview) on Important Records. Duane was one of the original pro AW team riders and the two of them are together again.

Here's a clip of Duane and Dinosaur jr. together back in 1991.

Latest news from DuanePitre.com:

01/16/12

March 27th, 2012 will be the release date for my "Feel Free" CD/LP as well as asplit LP w/ Eleh (my side consisting of a 20 minute recording of the installation version of Feel Free). Both are being released by Important Records.

Tempe Skatepark Panorama...

I created this panorama with the Photosynth app on my iOS device, http://www.photosynth.net.

Lance Mountain's Pool Service: Nike SB...

So, even though Lance Mountain still rips, I just have two words left to type... Grant Taylor.

Backside Slap Maxwell 5-0...

So, I was gunna go to Chicago to skate todei, but traffic suxd and the wind was KNDA brutal, so I went to the skatepark in Villa Park, IL.
There was nobody there, once I put mai board down and took a lap I realized why. There was an broken razor scooter lying off to the side so I picked it up and shoved it next to the slant ramp. Honestly, I thought mai iPhone would post a better video.
I'll transfer to mai compy later and then swap this vid for a dif one. (I emailed this one)

It was the best thing to skate at that park.

Apparently grind line has on their website a design in the works for a total overhaul of this dump of a park, and there are fundraisers by the town to raise money. I gues they got like 10k from Tony Hawk foundation and 20k from Pepsi so far.
We'll see.

Skate The Rat Contest...

So, mai friend Alex in Baton Rouge posted this link for Skate The Rat regional amateur contest tour on Facebook and I wanted to re-post because this thing is pretty much like this blog. Skateboarding, Music, Art. (...and other kewl ish)
It's moar of a southern thing (mostly Texas & Oklahoma) if you czech the dates and locations, but I'm sure a few of you are from there or know a friend who is.
Over $15,000 in cash prizes.

Scientists inside MONSANTO speak the truth Video...

Scientists inside MONSANTO speak the truth Video

So, here's a nice lil fun video about your food and health. Enjoy...

So, I'm on the train going to work, looking out the window, and these words came into Mai head.
A fun lil poem that prolly follows no rules of poemdom.

"Night falls rapidly among loosely based morals, fingers touch emotions like feathers, does time exist within these four walls?"

Kony 2012 - Invisible Children Scam...

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.
THIS IS A SCAM, DO YOUR RESEARCH...

Slayer Vans...

So, I wish I would've jumped on (or in) these when they were in production, those slips would be dope to just chill out in, shuffling around on a Sundei moring going to brunch or wahtewer.
The black mid-tops look pretty dope as well. Perfect for walking the dog, wall hanging at a punk show, hell, maybe ever skate in them.
Now your luck finding them (and mine) is left to the seedy bidding ground of eBay for ungodly amounts of money.
Happy Bidding!!!

Descendents - Clean Sheets (butchered)

So, here's me playing the song "Clean Sheets" by the Descendents back in October 2010.

Uploaded by iSapien1956672 on Oct 21, 2010

Me playing "Clean Sheets" by Descendents.
I'm getting back into playing guitar, so pardon the butchering.
For documentary purposes only, and a personal thank you to the band for putting out such good music over the years.
©1987 Alltudemic Music (BMI)
©1987 SST Records
off of the album "ALL" - SST 112

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Descendents
 
• Karl Alvarez
 
• Stephen Egerton
 
• Bill Stevenson
 
• Clean Sheets
• power pop
 
• pop punk
 
• milo aukerman
 
• butcher
 
• horrible
 
• get a life
 
• take a lesson
• guitar lessons
 
• loser
 
• poor quality
 
• kill yourself
 
• SST records
 
• brave man instruction

License:

Standard YouTube License

Graffiti - Fun or Dumb? From 1976...

So, I think that if the graffiti is on boring brick or white walls it should be okay, trains as well.
I also think that if a store owner has a boring, plain brick or white wall that they should sanction that wall for local street artists/crews to showcase their "bombs" and have them rotate every month.

Plastique Noir: Rose Of Flesh And Blood...

So, I first heard this song/band on an internet radio station, in iTunes, simply titled "Punk" around the beginning of December 2011.
As soon as I got home I got on the lappy and found it in the iTunes store and purchased the album.
I can't remember the last time an album, song, band had such an impact on mai influence to buy it.
Good job Plastique Noir, you succeeded.
This song almost made me cry, the lyrics were so good and hit home, I really like how they're structured and laid out, too.

Cockfight Skateboards: Packy Fancher On REBEL.TV...

So, this video has soem pretty good skating in it from the Boys down at Cockfight Skateboards out of Houston, Texas.

I really hate Rap music in skate videos, though, so I mute and add mai own music choice in iTunes.

But hey, that's just me.

Arizona Skateboarding: Goodyear & El Mirage...

So, just as the title states.

Tales from the Street

So, in honor of the #skatephotoaday thing that is currently active on Instagram here's the video for todei that I drew a picture for, while at work, the pic I drew is of the scene at 1:30 in the video above.

Pic that I drew for this video for the #skatephotoaday

Howard Stern: Pavarotti Orders Room Service...

So, I remember hearing this on the air years ago, when Howard Stern was still on "terrestrial radio", and laughing mai azz off while driving to work.

Motörhead, On The Young Ones...

Goa Trance: Explosion - An Improvised Synth Solo...

So, mai friend Noah found this back in 2006 and immediately showed it to me, dude to his knowing of mai fondness, if not obsession with Goa Trance & Psychedelic Trance.

I also once had quite the synth setup maiself. Many recordings are still laying around on cassette tapes and MiniDisc just waiting to be digitized and put on Soundcloud.

This video was originally Uploaded by mootbooxle on Jun 5, 2006 to YouTube.

Mike Vallely: Rubbish Heap...

So, this old gem is from the World Industries flick "Rubbish Heap."

I remember when this came out I watched it for the first time at this dewd Paul's house in Rockford, Illinois after one of they many skate WKND sleepovers that were pretty normal, frequent at his house after skating Rotation Station.

Today's Time Capsule: The Wipers: This Time...

So, here's a piece of PDX punk history, none other than mai favorite songwriter, Greg Sage.

I first saw the name of this band on the mail order card of soem band on the Enigma record label, Agent Orange, Adrenalin O.D.?

I forget... but it wasn't until I went on one of mai many trips to Reckless Records, in the waxing years of the 90s, that I saw the cassette tape for their album "The Circle," which was released in 1988, that I first heard them. I listened to that tape over and over and over. Until I eventually found their 1987 album "Follow Blind."

Then, a few years later after Kurt Cobain was murdered, MTV was playing all these interviews where he was citing influences, and he mentions Greg Sage & The Wipers, I was all like "hell yeah, no way" that's so cool.

It was then that I started looking for moar releases by this guy/band, having no luck for many years. ll the record shops had the section for them, but never any releases.

So I had to rely on mai two cassette tapes to pull me through until 2003 when I found Zeno Records.

For ten years I only had these two tapes, and most of those ten years those two tapes (or at least one) never left my car.

It was in 2003 that I had seen that Greg was releasing this 3xCD compilation of the first 3 Wipers albums w/many bonus tracks, outtakes, and mixes simply titled "Box Set."

This track is from that release.

Rory Lake: BATTLE CRY...

So, waht's your Battle Cry, maggot?

Rory Lake is the singer for the Chicago anthem rock band Cooler By The Lake.
Mat Arluck (rip) used to play in this band, I used to skate with him before he got sick.