For those of you who collect decks for your living space, look nowhere else right now other than at the 5050 site for this amazing collab between the Bristol SOS and our our good friend Gavin at Jam Factory.
Check out the truly wonderful results. Get one fast and we mean fast as these are going to fly out of the door this weekend as only 50 have been made! On sale from 3pm today.
Always amazing to see British riders at the Berrics getting amongst it. DuFFs rider Ben Raemers can’t be missed in this week’s Bangin’ feature. Check this wallride!
Relentless Garage
London
5th August 2009
Gig-goers experienced one of the stickiest, sweatiest gigs of the summer last night at the newly re-opened Relentless Garage. The refurb has cleaned up the venue, but it’s a shame they didn’t include decent air-con in the overhaul – you can actually see the steam rising off the crowd as they leave at the end of the night…
Openers Young Guns hammer out a perfunctory set – but seem stuck in the last decade both musically and visibly. There’s nothing hugely memorable except an impressive amount of head banging, and the fact that front man Gustav Woods spends an inordinate amount of time talking and giving the crowd the hard sell on their the EP instead of just getting on with it. It’s unfortunate for them that their set is so instantly forgettable next to the nuclear energy of the headliners.
The Used take to the sauna/stage just after 9.30, and it’s clear from the off set that they’ve lost none of their raw energy over the years. The sound is broad and exciting; with the vocals surprisingly spot on despite McCracken’s 2007 throat surgery. They kick off the night with ‘Take it Away‘, with the irrepressible McCracken grinning, spinning, laughing and tearing up the stage. In between tracks he rambles happily about how this is the best London show he’s ever played and as ever spits and sprays water from his mouth over the baying crowds. If there’s an outbreak of swine flu in the Used fans we know who to blame… He’s bulked up a little from the skinny little punk of previous years, but still has the same insane energy that make The Used an exhilarating band to catch live. There’s still the same juvenile sense of humour – he introduces ‘I Caught Fire‘ as a song written about his bowel movements after a particularly strong curry, grinning like a naughty school boy. His enthusiasm and exuberance seem to fuel the crowd, and soon the whole venue is buzzing, woe betide anyone getting in the way of any of the kids in the front, there are crowd surfers throwing themselves around with legs and arms in every direction….
The set list bounces from album to album – ‘ Liar Liar‘ , ‘Hospital’ and the sublime ‘Buried Myself Alive‘ are crowd pleasers- and we’re treated to an acoustic glimpse of their new album (Artwork – released 31st Aug) with the track ‘Empty With You‘. A lengthy medley of The Taste of Ink and Bulimic is a highlight, with the words hollered back at the stage word perfect. By this point the condensation is sliding down the walls and people are stumbling from the pit looking like they’ve been swimming. ‘Box of Sharp Objects‘ brings the night to a steamy climax – with the band grinning as much as the crowd. Tonight The Used show that they’re still very much a force to be reckoned with, and unlike so many seemingly disposable trend bands, they’re in for the long haul. Catch them if you can when they play The Electric Ballroom on 23rd September, you won’t regret it.
Dee Massey
Super Furry Animals have announced two gigs taking place this October.
The welsh band will head to Manchester and Glasgow for the gigs on the following dates:
Glasgow O2 ABC (October 15)
Manchester The Ritz (16)
Beastie Boy Adam Yauch aka MCA, has given an update on his cancer.
Last month he announced he had cancer of the preaortic gland and lymph node and had to postpone the group’s upcoming live dates. Updating the website, the rapper said:
“I’m about a week-and-a-half out of surgery now and rapidly recovering from it,” he wrote. “I haven’t taken any of the pain meds, which supposedly speeds along the healing process, or should I say, taking them slows it down. I’m pretty well detoxed from the anaesthesia that they pumped me up with to keep me under for all that time. That took several days to get out of my system. My neck and jaw are still pretty stiff from the surgery, but it gets better everyday. Had the stitches out this past Monday (August 3) so things are moving along.”
Everyone at Crossfire wishes him the best as he continues his treatment.
Leeds’ number 1 superstars-in-the-making Dinosaur Pile-Up have today unveiled a brand new track, available to download for FREE!
Taken from ‘THE MOST POWERFUL EP IN THE UNIVERSE‘, which is released on August 17th through Big Brain/Friends vs Records, the fantastic track ‘CAT ATTACK‘ can be downloaded right here:
Austin quintet Shearwater are currently recording the follow-up to last year’s album Rook with John Congleton who has previously lent production skills to Antony & The Johnsons.
Taking a break from the studio, ornithology enthusiast Jonathan Meiburg and Co. will make a brief trip across the Atlantic to play a handful of shows in September, including opening for Clinic in Leeds.
Their European tour looks like this:
September
10th – Voorhuit, Ghent BE
11th – End Of The Road Festival, Dorset UK
12th – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds UK (w/ Clinic)
13th – Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester UK
14th – The Luminaire, London UK
15th – Effenaar, Eindhoven NL
16th – Tivoli (De Helling), Utrecht NL
Here’s a video of Shearwater playing live at SXSW:
Words and photos by Jenna Selby
The Pioneer Skate Park comps of old used to see skaters travelling hundreds of miles from all around the UK and Europe to take part and be part of the 2 day infamous events.
The green park adjacent would play host to the wandering masses with random tents adorning the public space over the course of the weekend. Nothing of that nature has really been seen since the park shut down 9 years ago due to a litigation incident and everything has had to be played pretty much by the book since its reopening 2 years later.
That was until a lone Spaniard by the name of Silvia Serret March appeared on the doorstep of the skate park for the 8th annual Girl Skate Jam offering a tale of a two day public park camping extravaganza – impressing the early morning joggers and dog walkers alike, abduction by a taxi driver after arrival at Luton Airport and loss of the other 5 girls she’d travelled over with – all in the name of making it to the UK Girls Jam – winner already!
The other Barca girls from what we could gather – through broken Spanish and a pocket translator spouting out phrases such as “because us seek life sleeping that day,” – were apparently currently at large somewhere on the streets of the UK. Although we never did fully discover exactly what had happened to them, the other girls thankfully did turn up to the park a few hours later.
The planned kick off time for the jam was 1pm although cars had started rolling up from 10am for those eager to get a skate in. Over the course of the next few hours more than 40 girls from a variety of countries: Czech, Poland, New Zealand (ok she was moving here anyway but it sounds good!!), France, Ireland, Spain and the UK turned up to take part. It was good to see new faces coming through on the UK scene especially with the likes of Romford ramp ripper Charlotte Laxton, Charlotte Thatcher and Chesham Massive representative Chelsea Diaper.
Due to the suspicious look of the weather, the proceedings began with the mini ramp comp. Thankfully the weather held dry and probably the strongest field of riders seen at the comp for some time went head to head…commentary provided Franglais style by Sam Bruce and Claire Alleaume. All the girls performed impressive one minute runs but it was Helen Lovelee with her fronstside disasters, Julia Wilshusen who didn’t come of her board once in her crazily tech run and Northern laydee Danielle Mellor who placed 3rd, 2nd and 1st respectively. Danielle – whose tricks included a backside smith to frontside revert and f/s 360 rock n roll – does though have the slightly unfair training advantage of owning a bowl in her barn back home – as you do!
Huge backside early grab airs saw Charlotte Laxton take 1st in the Under 18’s section, whilst in the Over 18’s, it was Andrea Wilshursen‘s; Julia’s twin – turn to dominate. A solid run of nollie flips, 5-0’s and b/s 50-50’s rightfully awarded her first place. The legend that is Silvia placed second and Fran Stroud who pulled off a clean boardslide down the rail, third.
Finally it was the turn of the sponsored lot. MC Joff had a little difficulty over pronouncing several of the names throughout the day but it was one in particular which stumped him, that of Czech’s Nikita team rider Caroline Dynybil! This though didn’t affect her run in which saw her pull off a clean big spin over the driveway and 50-50, Rogue rider Helena Long legs nailed a pretty sweet kickflip to 50-50, Van’s Sam Bruce in her customary relaxed solid style produced a b/s board down the rail, but hats have to go off to Lucy Adams who again took the title after a solid run of tricks including a b/s 50-50 on the Koston and a fakie flip on the bank.
Comps finished, prizes were dished out and group pics taken – and then it was all over – for a year anyway! Thanks to all the sponsors: Nikita, Les Ettes, Vans, Eastpak, Death, LoveNskate, Pro Tech and Rogue for all their help.
Also big thanks to all the people who gave up there time and really made the day: The Selby Family, Pioneer Skate Park, Joff Talbot, Alex Barton, Carmela Fleury, Rubicon Geoff, Ian Harris, John Glanville, Leigh Burton, James Strutt, Ian McInally, Heidi Blum, Chloe Bennet, Lloyd T Smash, Jake, Leah Smithson, Matt Talbot and Di Headly.
Jenna
The Girls Skate Jam 2009 results are as follows:
Sponsored
1st – Lucy Adams UK (Etnies, Eastpak)
2nd – Helena Long UK (Vans, Rogue, Royal Trucks)
3rd – Caroline Dynybil CZECH (Nikita)
Over 18
1st – Andrea Wilshusen SPAIN
2nd – Silvia Serret March SPAIN
3rd – Fran Stroud UK
Under 18
1st – Charlotte Laxton UK
2nd – Charlotte Thatcher UK
3rd – Ellie Reed UK
Mini
1st – Danielle Mellor UK
2nd – Julia Wilshusen SPAIN
3rd – Helen Lovelee AUSTRALIA
It’s no secret that Matix produces really good quality skateboard clothing for the likes of you lot, so I was over the moon when this pair of Mike Mo Jeans found its way to my front door.
Mr Capaldi has come a long way in the last couple of years, from a ridiculous section in Fully Flared to winning the Battle at the Berrics without breaking sweat. This kid has an enormous talent on a board, but if you think it ends there, then I am delighted to tell you it doesn’t, he pretty much styles everything he gets involved in and you have to admire that!
He’s signature denims on Matix are no exception to the above! He’s put together a very nice 5-pocket jean with a straight leg and regular waist rise. Unique features include a waistband with built in lace loop belt and custom Matix buttons, rivets and labeling. They also come with a pre-fixed Italian coloured lace to keep them up and you from looking like a rollerblade gangster wannabe. Overall they sport that kind worn look with wear and tear on the pockets and seems. Like most jeans these days, they have a 1% stretch element to them, which makes me happy because I know they won’t rip when I rip.
Check’em out if you can and get a pair if you want to add some flare to you’re wardrobe, these are very well manufactured and even though they’re slightly more expensive than Sainsbury’s jeans, I really recommend them for skateboarding. They are perfect, look rad and will last a long time.
Emilio Gonzales
9/10
1000 copies of the brand new Lovenskate skate zine are available right now.
You can pick up the latest issue that has 16 pages of cut and paste fun via most skater owned shops or send an A5 S.A.E. to Lovenskate, The Mangle, 5-10 Crown Works, Temple Street. London. E2 6QQ.
Visit www.lovenskate.com for all the trimmings.
