The Harmony have unleashed new decks and wheels this month. The new super tough Skeleton Cruise wheels
are available in 53mm and 54 mm right now and wont drain your pocket at only £24.99 a set. For those of you who love em small, 52mm versions will drop soon.
New Harmony wood is also cut and ready to ride. The Lost Forever series features pro models from Eddie Belvedere (7.625 and 7.875), Danijel ‘The Jugga’ Todorovic`s (7.75 and 8.0) and Joe Gavin (7.5 and 7.75).
Portraits by Zac
Skate shot courtesy of Seu Trinh
Sometimes the good guys just stick out like sore thumbs and Lewis Marnell is one such character. In fact, this interview was not even scheduled, Lewis decided to turn up to the Crossfire office to say hello whilst in town on the Nike ‘Nothing But The Truth‘ promo trip and left us with an insight on how spiders, close encounters with death and skateboarding has shaped his life, and all to the tunes of Roots reggae. Zac interviews off the cuff with a word association game over a cup of PG Tips…
How are you Lewis, been a while?
I’m very good thank you!
Good shit, worldwide Nike tour?
Yeah, we are travelling around the world right now premiering the Nike SB video ‘‘Nothing but the Truth’. We’ve been to LA, Portland, Canada, Australia, Barcelona and now London and a couple of other people have gone to Shang Hai, Brazil and Moscow, but I didn’t do those, they were sketchy countries for me.
Can’t get in? [laughs]
[laughs] A little dodgy for my liking
Right, we have a word association game to play, we have a few words to get through. Let’s fire through them. I will say a word and you have to relate a story to it. First one, Skateboarding…
Skateboarding, well, to me it is everything. It’s what I do, it’s what I’ve always done and hopefully it’s what I always will be doing!
School….
School, erm, never really liked it, never really got into it, never was really good at it, so I dropped out and focused on skateboarding.
Do you regret falling out of school?
I actually do wish that I just did it, straight up and got it out of the way. I ended up just dropping out. I went to a bunch of schools and was always behind. It became really repetitive, go to year 10, drop out, start year 10 again, drop out.
Nike…
That’s my shoe sponsor, they help me do what I like to do and what I want to do with skateboarding. I get to travel the world and do my thing. I’m psyched to be able to do what I do. We’ve been working on this video for like 3 years so I am pretty psyched to see it all come together and be out there y’know, because you’re sitting around for so long, like ‘where’s this footage‘. There are all the tricks you forget about and stuff and it all comes together and it’s sick.
Almost…
Almost, that is my board sponsor. Yeah they are cool. I am comfortable there, they are a good company, good team, nice dudes.
What did you think of the ‘Meanwhile Gap Jam’ we threw back in September?
Yeah it was cool. I had never been to one before so it was fun, everyone played skate. That’s my kind of thing, hang out, play skate and hang out with the homies all day. It was a good session, pie eating contest! Tory took it away. 10 pies I think he ate? I think he had a bit of ‘inspiration‘ before he ate them [laughs] he got the munchies a bit!
Melbourne…
Melbourne is the place to be. If you haven’t been there, get there! It’s got good skate spots, good vibes, good people, good parties, and good food. Go see it, it’s my hometown. Love it.
Girls…
Girls. Good for the guys? Yeah I have a girlfriend.
Do you miss her when you’re on tour?
I do extremely, but I have to go on tour, otherwise I would be stuck in an office doing some other crazy silly job. She misses me and I miss her when I’m tour. That’s what happens I guess when you’re in a relationship.
Here we go, kick flips…
I can do ’em, but I just don’t have them. Know what I mean? It just doesn’t feel like the way everyone else does them? Y’know when they do them and it’s like ‘Damn, that’s a sick kick flip!‘ and then I’ll try it and I’m like ‘Naaa!‘ I wish I had the flare, where it is just casual and cool and feels good and nice.
Ok, Truth…
The new Nike video is called ‘‘Nothing But The Truth’‘. That’s some truth.
Lies…
I’ve lied. Usually to get myself out of trouble. I’ve felt pretty good about lying before!
Anything you want to get out on this interview? Biggest regret?
Biggest regret. I don’t think I have one. I would just say don’t lie, because once you start, you can’t stop and you are constantly covering up and it ends up being worse than it was when you started!
Achievement…
Once I do this tour it will feel like an achievement, because it has been full of highs and lows.
Tell me the highs…
The highs are the good times, the partying, the fun, the skating, and the chilling with the homies. The low’s are the jet lag, the tiredness, customs, trouble with travelling, security and all of that. So after this whole thing is done it will feel like an achievement. We will have achieved something on this tour.
There is a huge amount of people on this tour, so let’s throw in Friends…
Everyone man, that’s the thing with Nike, everyone is super cool. Everyone is cool, there is nobody I couldn’t hang out with.
Who is the most entertaining?
Everyone is entertaining in their own little way. Diverse. Everyone is different in their own little way. Omar Salazar, man, he is the dude I will never get sick of. He’s always got something to say and he is always doing something crazy. Yeah, he’s funny. Oh, I gotta throw Chet Childress in there too.
I was waiting for that! [laughs]
Oh my god. I’ll leave it at that. He is good value to listen to if you get the chance.
Next, ‘Bullet’…
Bullet, the man. I met him in Sweden in ’96, maybe ’97? We had both just moved out there, we’ve just kept in contact since then, so yeah, a good ten years.
Did Bullet teach you all of his womanizing skills?
Damn, maybe that’s where I picked them up from? [laughs]. Yeah maybe, got me a couple of pointers when I was a kid!
Sweden…
Sweden, I moved to Sweden in ’96. My dad is Swedish, he moved over there from Australia, lived there for 6 months and after 6 months he asked me if I wanted to come out there and live there for a bit. It was only supposed to be a year but it ended up being 7. I ended up staying there for a while, did some school, did some skating, and tried the Swedish food. It was good.
London…
London. London’s tight. It gets better every time I come out here I think. You meet more people, more connections, and more things to do. It makes it great.
Favorite spot in London?
I don’t know, I never really got to skate that much when I’ve been in London to tell you the truth. I don’t have a favorite as of yet.
Skate travel…
Lately, that’s pretty much been my life. I’ve been travelling a lot y’know. I go home, I’m home for like 2 weeks and then I’m back out on tour again for a month and a half and then home for 2 and then out again for a month, so it’s always back and forwards travelling, but it’s good, it’s great, I love it.
When you look at the itinerary it there any country that you’re like ‘Damn yes!’
Yeah, that happens a bunch. I mean most of the places we go have a particular place that has the good spots, the good people and the good places to chill and the fun places , but at the same time, you get those places that are like ‘No, really?’. It’s a bit vice versa!
Tunes…
Reggae, like Roots. I mean I like a lot of different people. Bob of course, Sizzler, Garnet Silk, Voodoo Lantern, Capleton. I mean, I’m just reeling stuff off. There are so many more, but the list would just blow up!
Ok, Weed…
Yeah! The holy herb it’s good y’know. Keeps me sane. It is definitely something that gets me inspired at times.
Any crazy weed stories?
Only happens when you eat it [laughs]
Ok, Spiders…
Ah, I was at the Volcom team house which was a house the teams stayed in which was eventually going to get torn down, so they got to do whatever they wanted with the house. So everyone is living there, it was cool, everyone comes in and out as they please throughout the year. Anyway, I was staying there and I was sitting by the computer and I had the front door open. It was kind of hot, I needed a bit of a breeze. I am sitting there in just shorts and I feel this breeze on my leg and I’m like ‘Whatever‘. I then felt it up on my thigh too, so I lift up the shorts and I see a spider sitting on my leg and I’m like ‘Whoa!‘ freaking out. I slapped this spider off of my leg and managed to kill it at the same time, which is probably a good thing because I’m not too into spiders. That made me freak out, so I was worried about spiders the rest of the time I was there. The day after, I woke up and put my pants on and I see this bug which was like 15cm.
That thing looks ridiculous!
It looked like a mix between an ant, a wasp and a grasshopper and it was nasty! I didn’t know what it was and there was only me and Andrew Mapstone at the house. I managed to wrap it up in the pants and I’m screaming ‘Whoa whoa whoa, Andrew, come and look at this!‘ so he comes and we are just standing there with this mutant bug trapped in my pants! Later Steve comes home and I am telling him about all these crazy bugs he has in the house and he is like ‘Yeah, that is harmless, it’s just a potato bug, but I guess if you’ve never seen one before, it’s pretty scary‘. Anyway, the day after that I’m sitting playing video games by the TV, same house, same scenario, shorts on, chilling. I felt something on my thigh, but I didn’t think much of it, I just figured it was my shorts moving around or whatever, but then I felt something on my balls, so I’m like giving them a bit of an itch and then I feel it on my other thigh so I lift up my shorts and it was another spider, which I killed. So I pretty much had the thing crawl all over my balls! Maybe it’s because I’m a warm blooded person, they are attracted to the heat or something?!
Or you’ve just got nice balls?!
[Laughs] Yeah, maybe it’s just like fuzzy and warm and nice.
Hairdo’s…
Erm, I’ve pretty much just had a shaved head, or something out of control.
What’s under the hat?
A hair do. It’s just what it does!
Oh there are some dreads in there…
Yeah, the dread do. I don’t look after them, they just kind of happen and then my girlfriend maintains the rest of it.
Do they get washed?
Yeah, they get washed a lot. Couple of times a week, just normal hair shampoo. The works! Although, no conditioner.
Alcohol…
That’s my no no. I had to cut the alcohol out of my diet. I’m diabetic y’see. One of my best mates Dustin Dollin called me one night and was like ‘Hey Lewis, you should come out, meet us for some drinks and we’ll party‘. Met up with him in the city at this place called Pony Bar in Melbourne, little place where everybody knows each other. I went there hung out, not long at all. Maybe like 4 hours. I had maybe 6 beers, didn’t really get drunk, went home and woke up in the morning. Went to have a sip of water and as soon as I swallowed it, I just started throwing up! Anytime I tried to eat or drink I would just throw up. I did that for 2 days and then went to the doctor who sent me to the emergency room. That’s when I had to quit drinking because I nearly died.
Death…there’s a subject.
Hmmm, I’ve dodged it a lot of times. It’s been real close, but I am glad that I’m not there yet. I mean there was the drinking that nearly killed me and driving around with people who have thought the lights were green. Here’s another story with Dustin Dollin actually. We were driving around trying to find a skate spot and we are crossing over a freeway which is what, 6-8 lanes? He is looking at the map trying to figure out where we are going and we are at a red light. He throws the map at me and then assumes the light is green and just starts driving across the freeway. There are cars dashing around us and somehow we managed to make a clean line across through all these cars. We dodged death only just!
What else?…erm, when I was younger living in Sweden, me and a couple of my homies decided to go on a little adventure, eat some shrooms and run through the forest. Then we found this cliff which we decided to climb and it was above a pretty big freeway, but we are scaling this thing and I try to grab this rock so I could climb further, I somehow managed to miss it, I couldn’t grab it and I started falling. I lost all my grip and fell off the wall. Anyway, as I’m leaning back I am thinking, that’s it, I’m a goner and I hear my friend Peter say ‘I gotcha!‘. He was climbing up the wall right behind me and he grabbed me as I fell and pushed me back up against the wall and was all calm and just said ‘There you go‘..
Lucky sod…
Yes! Thank you Peter you are the man!! But yeah, they are the main ones!
Lewis lives to tell the tale, thanks for coming dropping in, anyone you want to thank?
Yeah, friends, family, Crossfire, sponsors – Nike, Volcom, Almost, Thunder, Spitfire…I think that’s it.
Brett Callwood
Independent Music Press
A pretty easy read at 221 pages, with 75% dedicated to the crash ‘n burn histrionics of the seminal Detroit quartet, and the final quarter follows the members post MC5 work, including two of them passing away and the reformation in 2003 of the other three.
Aficionados of the band will already be keyed up on much of the Five’s short yet highly influential story, but this is still an entertaining read, charting the bands involvement in radical Sixties politics, thanks to the colourful rabble rouser John Sinclair, the signing to Elektra Records along with buddies The Stooges, and their subsequent fight to survive in a music industry that clearly was not ready for these out of control RocknRollers. And then the disputes, disillusionment and heavy drugs kicked in as they hit the skids. Hard times lay ahead, some of them went to jail.
There’s lots of coverage of Wayne Kramer’s post-MC5 work/projects, a lengthy section on Fred Smith’s marriage to Patti Smith, and his own Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, plus some entertaining anecdotes from drummer Dennis Thompson on his New Order days in L.A. with Ron Ashton (from The Stooges). I’d like to have read more first hand history on Mike Davies involvement in Destroy All Monsters, and Dennis and Ron Ashton being reunited in New Race with ¾ of Radio Birdman. Ack, some people are never satisfied eh! Yes, very decent read this.
Pete Craven
CD burning may become legal, so long as it’s at home.
The Government are looking to change the law on burning CDs, which breaches copyright rukes, making it no longer a criminal offence.
Technically, it is also illegal to transfer files from a CD to MP3 players like iPods too. But the new propsals are looking to make it legal for personal use, whilst keeping it illegal to sell or give away burnt CDs.
Less Than Jake will be setting up their own label.
The band left Warner Bros who were “cool enough” to let the band go and they will be starting their new label with reissues of Goodbye Blue & White, Pezcore, The People’s History of Less Than Jake and Losers and Kings & Things We Don’t Understand on March 18th.
The first new release will be their ninth studio album which they will begin recording in March and Vinnie Fiorello of the band said of it:
“All I do know is that we’re writing songs now and they seem to have the spirit of a tempo in mind, all very speedy but once we hit the record button they may be slower. [We’re] looking to combine third wave ska and pop punk in each song.”
Finch are to record some new material this year.
The band, who split up and then got back together, recently wrote an update online saying they had had a meeting and decided to record their new song to get up on their MySpace. They went on to say it’s their first ever indie release, and might stop at just the one track, finishing by saying:
“We’re so DIY now a days it rules. We’re doing this next tour with out any of our trusty friends, so its just the 5 of us in a van like most bands do.”
Dr. Dre has unveiled some headphones he designed.
The rapper and producer teamed up with Jimmy Iovine, who is chairman of Interscope, to designe the “Beats By Dre” headphones which are bass-intensive and will set you back a cool $400. Dre mapped out his plans to continue with a line of home and car electronics saying:
“In 10 years, I want to look back and remember this moment when it was just headphones, because it’s going to include speakers and surround-sound systems, car systems, everything.”
Dre will release his new album, the first since 2001, this year.
Marty Crandall has had his case dismissed.
The Shins keyboard player was arrested after a domestic incident involving himself and girlfriend Elyse Sewell but the charges have been dropped due to a lack of evidence. Sewell has blogged online about the incident saying:
“The D.A. has rejected the case against me. I am free. I wish the same outcome for Marty and have no intention of pursuing any further legal action. I would not wish entanglement in the widening gyre of the American legal system upon my worst enemy.”
2007, what a vintage year for underground music. The charts are finally dead alongside TV and the music scene across many genres once again delivered some incredible albums to fill the void.
What you read below was no 5 minute write up, there are so many releases that are sent to Crossfire for review every week and here are the ones that really got our staff writers’ blood running!
El-P
I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
(Definitive Jux)
Doomtree
False Hopes
(Doomtree Records)
Justice
†
(Ed Banger)
Aesop Rock
None Shall Pass
(Definitive Jux)
Atmosphere
Sad Clown Bad Dub 9, 10, 11
(Rhymesayers Entertainment)
Jimmy Eat World
Chase This Light
(Interscope)
Ryan Adams
Easy Tiger
(Lost Highway)
Forever Like Red
Distance
(Echo)
Bloc Party
A Weekend in The City
(Wichita)
The Pigeon Detectives
Wait For Me
(Dancetotheradio)
Manchester Orchestra
I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child
(Sony/BMG)
www.themanchesterorchestra.com
Beirut
The Flying Club Cup
(Ba Da Bing)
Modest Mouse
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
(Columbia)
Band Of Horses
Cease To Begin
(Sub Pop)
Caribou
Andorra
(Merge Records)
Les Favy Fav
Let’s Be Friends
(Wichita Records)
El-P
I’ll Sleep When You Are Dead
(Definitive Jux Records)
Imani Coppola
The Black and White Album
(Ipecac Records)
RJD2
The Third Hand
(XL Recordings)
Career Suicide
Attempted Suicide
(Deranged)
Les Savy Fav
Let’s Stay Friends
(Wichita)
Jeffrey Lewis
13 Crass Songs
(Rough Trade)
Red Dons
Death To Idealism
(Deranged)
Big Business
Here Comes The Waterworks
(Hydra Head)
Career Suicide
Attempted Suicide
(Deranged)
Justice
†
(Ed Banger)
www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous
Biffy Clyro
Puzzle
(14th Floor Records)
Daft Punk
Alive 2007
(Virgin)
Radiohead
In Rainbows
(Self-Released)
Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
(Rough Trade)
Comeback Kid
Broadcasting…
(Victory)
Dinosaur Jr
Beyond
(PIAS)
The Flesh
Firetower
(Gern Blandsten)
The Hold Steady
Boys And Girls In America
(Full Time Hobby)
Poison The Well
Versions
(Ferret)
Down
Down III: Over The Under
(Roadrunner)
Biffy Clyro
Puzzle
(14th Floor)
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
(Warner Bros)
Coheed & Cambria
No World For Tomorrow
(Columbia)
Dream Theater
Systematic Chaos
(Roadrunner)
08.01.08
If you ever took a minute to think about all of the untapped talent out there that is just waiting for it’s 15 minutes of fame, then it can become a pretty overwhelming thought indeed. The skateboard industry can be rather merciless in this regard, so it takes a lot of hard work to separate the wheat from the chafe.
Through perseverance and self inflicted famine, Wouter Struyf has been delivering incredibly under-rated images for the love of it. Just a happy go lucky chap who enjoys clicking away at his mates. Wouter Struyf’s time to shine is long over due. – Ralph Lloyd Davis
Full name?
Wouter Struyf, that’s what ‘s on my passport. But most of the guys I skate with call me “Wooty”.
How long have you been a photographer?
I first picked up a camera 3 years ago. I wouldn’t call myself a ‘photographer’ though. I just like to take photographs of my surroundings.
How did you get into it?
I always liked to skate (I’ll call it “roll around”), I already do this for 7 or 8 years. But I bailed real hard while snowboarding and had to undergo 4 operations including some cartilage transplants. Since then I can’t skate without having pain. I couldn’t stay home though, it’s too much fun to go out in the streets. So I found myself in the position of having two options: Take photos or film. I did both of them a short time but I ended up taking photographs instead of filming. Just liked it more I guess. If I am asked to do I will film or edit too! No problem.
What were the best and worst bits of advice anyone gave you in regards to photography?
Never got any advice from anyone! I learned it all by trial and error and lots of reading and some more looking around and studying other pictures. “Keep doing it” would have been the best advice I ever got.
Why did this image you have submitted inspire you so much to take up photography? What effect did it have on you?
There isn’t really one I could pick. I haven’t really picked up photography because of a photograph I saw, I just wanted to try it, I think. There are lots of photographers I like! Most inspiring must be Grant’s work and probably the picture of Todd Swank just pushing around would be the most influential.
Have you ever felt bad about taking a photo? If so, which one?
Not that I can think of right now. I hate it when people don’t like it when I take I photo of them. Always looking away and hiding! Everyone needs to learn to love themselves as they are a little more! It’s not the same, but it makes me feel bad….
What were the best and worst days shooting skateboarding of your life ever and why?
It definitely depends on the session going down and the skaters in the session! I just hate it when they skate only for the picture. Just skate for the fun of it and the photo is just an extra! If there’s no vibe between the skater and me, then it’s just real awkward and I don’t enjoy it at all. Just skating with friends would be the best days. Then if someone is going for something big I ‘ll pop out the cam and flash!
What’s the relationship like between a photographer and filmer?
Don’t have that much experience with filmers on the same spot. If so it’s the same one most of the time and he’s a really nice dude . Only thing is he never wants flashes firing in his shots and most of the time I agree so I have to wait to get my shot! I gladly move out of the filmers frames if I am sure he/she’ll get something decent. If not (like lots of filmers here in Belgium) I’ll just stay on my spot when I think I got the golden spot!
What main advice would you give to upcoming skate photographers?
Do it for yourself and the love for it. Not for anyone else and definitely not for the money or fame…. The Skater’s style is so important and makes the photo most of the time! Enjoy it!
Please tell us why you have picked your fave skate shot you have submitted.
I chose a frontside blunt slide “performed” (skateboarding is a performance for sure!) in Antwerp, Belgium (September, 2006). I find it really difficult to pick a good shot made by myself cause most of the time I don’t like them at all (after a month or so I start to like them). I just like the light and simplicity in this one.
If you look good you can see another friend in the background smiling. That’s what really defines that session. We were just riding around that day and just having fun. It was a real fun day. That’s my memory and that’s what makes the photo probably.
Are there ways of getting better/free equipment as you continue to grow or do you have to fund everything yourself?
If there is a way let me know cause I can use some! Empty pockets all the time. I think my “ass licking” skills aren’t that well developed.
Is the work of a skate photographer well paid? Do you get by in life with this income alone?
Income? What income? I wish I could live off it, but that’s just a dream. I just graduated so I hope I’ll find a job real soon.
Please tell us about the non skate shot you have submitted and the story behind it.
It was taken September 2005 in Wimereux, France. It’s on a field trip I went on for school (I studied Biology). We were out studying all marine creatures and had to fish the coastal area. Those are two of my classmates coming out of the water after pulling that net around for half an hour. It was taken with a old Petri I found a week before in my fathers closet, so I had no idea if it would work and how it would come out (because I had to guess the exposure). It’s plain and simple and combined with a sweet memory in my mind.
Does music ever inspire your photography? What music artists can you not leave for a tour without?
My music taste varies a lot. There is not one kind of music I can say I really hate. I am open for everything!
If you were to buy a pocket snapper for capturing skating on a budget to get going, which camera would you suggest?
I would take my fathers Petri with some B/W film or cheap slide film. Flashes aren’t all that – just get creative!!!
Would you recommend digital or film?
I love the look of film. I haven’t found a way to get near to it with digital but it is getting to expensive for me. If I ever win the lottery or find a pile of gold I’ll immediately buy the gear and film I always wanted – x-pan, mamiya RZ, 37mm and some other lenses and maybe a field camera. (Dreaming keeps me alive)!
What are the benefits of using film or digital?
Digi Easier work flow/faster results + less expensive after buying the machine itself.
Film? It looks better and you have the ‘magic’ of not knowing exactly how it’ll look, I always am so stoked when I get a real good roll of film back! Plus you know you’ve still got your originals when your hard drive crashes!
What kit do you use?
Canon and mamiya with the cheapest flashlights I could find, 1 sender and 1 receiver, some cables and lightslaves and some tape and other ‘useful’ crap.
Your photography website address if you have one?
If I ever can set my mind to one thing/layout I’ll let you know! For now follow my “adventures” on users.telenet.be/fooliage (I know, I know I am just too lame to get a ‘real’ web address…)