Crass have announced they will perform their classic album The Feeding Of The 5000.
Co-founder Steve Ignorant said that he will be performing that album with “selected special gusts” and has promised to deliver a show of “love, music, film, performance and anger”.
The special event will take place on November 24th and 25th at Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
Earache have teamed up with Emusic to celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary to offer a free download album for a limited period.
The album will feature tracks from a variety of artists like Deicide, Cult Of Luna and At The Gates with rare unreleased tracks from Evile, Decapitated, Mortiis and The Berzerker.
It won’t be up for long so make sure you get over and check it by clicking right here.
TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek has been announced as the producer for the upcoming Foals album.
Sitek is reported to be notoriously picky about who he works with but apparently hand-picked the Oxfordshire band himself.
Sitek, who has worked on production duties for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, will take the band into his Brooklyn studio this June and July to work on the record.
Dinosaur Jr have released their new single and it is available in limited numbers on 7″ vinyl.
Been There All The Time was written by J. Mascis and will feature the Lou Barlow penned Back To Your Heart on the B-Side, both taken from their upcoming album Beyond.
In addition to this release, they will be playing the Scala in London on June 26th. Finally, check out the Matt Dillon directed video:
Quicktime:
Real:
Windows Media:
I wonder if Trinny and Suzanna from What not to Wear, or the Queer eye for a straight guy team skate..? I mean, the way these people criticise and take apart a person’s identity is pretty on par with any skate forum geek dissecting the latest video part, advert, pro model or bowel movement of skater X or company Y.
I begin this review with such blatant caricatures because I’ve made them myself, lurking behind a dirty keyboard or leaning on a skateshop counter. You can imagine my prejudice when I was sent an Element board for their first European Pro, Michael Mackrodt. The stereotypes flooded out: Element boards are made of cheap foreign wood, European pros suck, Bam Margera… All this criticism had steered my money and attention well away from one of skateboarding’s biggest and most successful companies.
However, I raise my hand and state loud and clear that Michael Mackrodt is a pretty damn good skater with the full capacity to maintain professional status. Just watch his part in Rise Up (the opening section), and you’ll understand why Element chose to pioneer their Euro-Pro team with the young German.
Anyway, the package arrives and at a first glimpse, my misconstrued mind is satisfied by the very uninspired graphics that Element gets slated for. If this was my first board, I’d be pretty pissed if the graphics department delivered a deck with Ralph L-D emblazoned in bold print and the Crossfire Target next to it. I guess it would sell well to the kids who share the name… It turns out Element released two models for Michael, the uninspired one that kids recognize easily on a shop wall, and another with little animals representing the different countries Michael has lived in. So, the choice is available, and there is a reason for the shit graphics. But who cares? It’ll all get scratched off in no time.
Two months down the line and I’m still riding my Element board. Single handedly, this deck has crushed all the stereotypical nonsense I mentioned earlier. The shape is very dapper with a finish only 20 odd years in board construction can teach you (c.f. Paul Schmidtt). The wood is strong and has retained its pop despite the bizarre climate changes that occur nowadays. And the size, 7.8 x 31.5 inches, has re-kindled the sweet relationship I once had with wider boards. If there was one slight area that I would have if I could have changed, I’d have to mention the rather big nose and smaller tail. I reckon a quarter of an inch off the front and added to the back could have had me ringing Michael to congratulate him on a mighty fine board. I don’t speak a word of German though, so this review will have to do.
Go to www.elementskateboards.com for more.
8/10
Ralph L-D
27/04/2007
25/04/07
Fresh Blood is injected into the skate scene every year and the select few make the cut and stick out above the rest.
This week we have picked 3 of the UK’s finest rippers, 3 kids that will grow into men by Xmas and will probably slay Santa at our annual Jam. They are all based in the South of England, they have all attained coverage in the likes of the 3 UK traditional magazines and they all rip when they ride.
Who knows, next week you could be filling these pages, send your footage links to us from the contact link at the bottom of this page..
This weeks Fresh Blood focuses on Ben Raemers, Kevin McKeon and Louis Cooper Robinson….enjoy. – Zac Slack
Well, if you have not heard of little Ben Raemers by now then you really ought to get out more on your plank. We first met Ben through riding with Mark Munson and his Essex crew. The most vivid memory of meeting him for the first time was the fact that he was so small and could ride out of literally everything – like when you first see Tony Trujillo skate in the flesh.
Over the last few years, Raemers has learnt to attack everything in his sight, ledges, rails, vert, bowls – you name it…and because of those skills he has been rewarded with a hook up on Consolidated Skateboards where his video part should shock the ricta and also rides for Duffs. It will not be long before this lad will be on more covers of skate mags such as his debut on the front of Sidewalk Mag this year. Oh, and he can also skate on ceilings, beat that!
Photo’s: Styley
Full Name: Ben Raemers
Age: 15
Sponsors: Consolidated skateboards, Duffs shoes.
Hometown: Essex!
How long been skating: Approx 6 years.
Favourite tricks: Backside crailslides.
Favourite kind of spots: Concrete.
“Polite, friendly and mild mannered… But when he skates its like Clark Kent changing in to Superman. Albeit fueled by a savage torrent of verbal abuse bellowed at him by skate buddies Munson and Carl Wilson. Ben spins Mctwists, Units, and pretty much anything else (street or transition) that is shouted at him with the ease and style of a seasoned pro. Incredible natural skating ability could not have been bestowed on a nicer fellow.” – Nick Zorlac
When this kid started skating in a Celtic shirt and Nike sweatpants he was instantly named The Plasterer down at the bowls at Meanwhile Gardens. After a couple of summers of sessioning with the locals down there though and sussing out what decent skateboard equiptment was all about, McKeon started to learn his trade faster than most and was always eager to be involved in the session as opposed to be a voyeur.
These days, Kevin can be found skating anywhere that the internet takes him as he is keen to travel and see the UK and more for himself. This lad is also not afraid to take a slam. When it happens, a thud can usually be heard even in the midst of a battle in Kandahar….be warned!
Photo’s: Gorm
Am’ Full Name: Kevin McKeon
Age: 17
Sponsors: Vans Shoes, Karma Skateboards, Crossfire Clothing Death Urethane, Halfpipe Skateshop.
Hometown: London
How long been skating: 4 to 5 years
Favourite tricks: frontside grinds, backside nosegrabs
Favourite kind of spots: big concrete parks
“I haven’t known Kev long but I know already that he is a bit of a nutter and loves hurting himself. I recently went on a short weekend filming trip with him and saw him take some of the hardest slams and then simply get up rub off his alien sized elbow and carry on as if nothing has happened-impressive stuff.
Its always a good sign when someone so young and new to skateboarding [in my old eyes] rides boards over 8 inches-something more people should do, but when you see the stuff Kev does its no wonder he rides bigger ones-I certainly wouldn’t want to do that stuff on a match stick! Look out for Kev hurting himself at a concrete park near you soon.” – Toby Batchelor (Karma TM)
If you want more – Kev’s Crossfire Countdown is here here.
Ph. Horsely
The Level in Brighton has history like no other part of the UK. Back in the 90’s you would sigh when you got in the car to go skate the infamous vert ramp or concrete jungle they had there mainly because of the largeness of the locals. But as you get older you give as good as you get and the new blood at the level are much more open to a sesh than their predecessors. Welcome Louis Cooper Robinson to Crossfire, mainly known as Louis Cooper, whose skills have hooked him up with DVS this year and also featured on Cheese on Tape. Many Brighton locals talk of his bright skateboarding future, let the light shine here.
Ph. Kevin Eason
Am’ Full Name: Louis Cooper Robinson
Age: 18
Sponsors: DVS shoes, Girl skateboards (flow), Royal trucks (flow), Gumball 3000.
Hometown: Brighton
How long been skating: 5 and a half years
Favourite tricks: 360 flips and hard flips
Favourite kind of spots: Banks and Blocks
“Firstly, Louis is a polite and genuine individual who has a positive outlook on life, all of which are important if you want to progress in this thing called life. It just so happens that Louis is also a very good skateboarder who skates for the right reasons, also very important. Louis is the latest addition to the skateboard tradition!” – Kevin Eason
We’re back with another installment of your favourite hip hop reviewing rollercoaster. I always talk about the weather in my introduction and I’m not going to change because until every single day is sunny and I can wear shorts to work every day, I’m going to bitch about the crap weather. It rained on me today, now tell me, what good can come of that?
Anyway, fresh off the back of seeing El-P demolish Dingwalls with one of the most exhilirating performances I’ve ever seen, Brother Ali do his thing at YoYos and TTC bring the French flair to the Scala, I’ve had some belting records to review this month and some not so good ones. So, onwards!
RECORD OF THE MONTH:
MARK RONSON – Version
(Columbia)
www.markronson.co.uk
Mark Ronson is going to release the biggest crossover album of the year, there’s absolutely no doubt about it. He has already made a name for himself with Ooh Wee and is currently storming it by producing Amy Winehouse’s surprisingly good album, but it is all just a foil for his new album, which features his own re-working of both classic and modern tracks.
Teaser track Toxic, a superbly streetwise cover of Britney’s best song, featuring the never-delicate-but-always-awesome ODB [remember, you can’t spell Bob Dylan without ODB!] was the perfect way to get people interest, though his cover of Just was obviously good enough to do that anyway. And currently single Stop Me, featuring his Allido protégée Daniel Merriweather is Stax-like maze of horns and typically Ronson-y drums.
Whether you’re listening to Lily Allen’s widegirl vocals of Oh My God, Amy Winehouse’s sultry tones on The Zutons’ Valerie or the instrumental explosion of God Put A Smile Upon Your Face [trust me, it’s a hell of a lot better without Chris Martin all over it], you’re going to find something to sing along to, dance to and enjoy yourself to. But the standout track for me, aside Ronson’s own interludes [if you like Snoopy, check out Inversion], is the jazzed up cover of Apply Some Pressure with Paul Smith singing over a remix of his own track.
This album is going to please everyone, from pop lover to indie kids, hip hoppers to parents, and it’s going to be a huge one. Make sure you’re part of the tidal wave that is Mark Ronson. He’s about to hit your ears like a Tsunami of epic proportions.
DJ KENTARO – Enter
(Ninja Tune)
www.ninjatune.net
When you’ve annihilated the world of turntablism, getting the DMC title with the best score in history, where do you go next? Do you whore out your skills on the decks and milk that dry or do you go on to produce a majestic album full of experimentation? Thankfully DJ Kentaro has chosen the latter, and Enter proves that he’s equally adept at production as he is on the turntables.
From the opening track, Enter The Newground, his scratching and worldly rhythms mesh together perfectly before following on into Keep On, a track featuring The Pharcyde which booms in with some deep piano rolls, pacy cymbals and hectic drums before once again Kentaro’s skillfull fingers do their thing. The single, reviewed in the last Mix, Free featuring MC Spank Rock is a buzzing club hit whilst stand out track Rainy Day, with New Flesh, delivers some bass dub which is currently knocking the burberry off the pikeys making trouble on the corner of the road, as I type this.
But don’t worry if you want to hear some of that award winning scratching, because One Hand Blizzard will feed your appetite and having you reaching for a bib as his cuts smash up the airwaves over the Japanese soundscapes underlying the ever changing beat. For the sake of your health, buy this record. It’s the SHIT.
TIMBALAND – Shock Value
(Interscope)
www.timbalandmusic.com
Timbaland is the producer of the moment in rap and rightly so. Rather than dredging out the same old beat over and over like The Neptunes do to constant misplaced acclaim, Timbo pursues new endeavours and constantly lays down beats that the rap game copies 6 months down the line. So with his tunes currently knocking the charts down with Nelly Furtado and Justin, his album was surely going to be a big player.
All good on paper, with the eclectic line up of guests showing his willingness to experiment, like bringing in The Hives, M.I.A., She Wants Revenge, Elton John and Fallout Boy. But as we know, it’s the music that makes an album, not the paperwork and, unfortunately for Timbaland, this album doesn’t live up to the hype. The single Give It To Me featuring Miss Furtado and Mr Timberlake is a good ‘un, but it falls down big time, not least because it stretches to 19 tracks.
Timbaland gets points for effort, but it just feels as though he was more concerned with showing his sphere of influence, getting in varied guests that actually penning decent songs. Keri Hilson brings in some nice vocals on the tracks she’s featured on, but it just doesn’t do it for me. Which probably means it’ll do great in the charts.
DJ FOOD & DK – Now, Listen Again
(Ninja Tune)
www.ninjatune.net
Six years after their original mix tape, Now, Listen, DJ Food & DK are back showcasing their brilliant ability to bring together music from all over the place and form a coherent, fun mix. What kind of different music are we talking? How about mixing up Rakim with the Human League? Maybe a little New Order with New Flesh’s two step rhythms? Or even giving Roots Manuva a little DnB remix courtesy of Qemists?
Not only do they pick some absolutely stonking [yes, you heard me, stonking] tracks to throw into the melting pot, like Black Betty, Dans Le Club, Tarantula and more, but they are able to change the entire vibe of the album throughout without ever sounding contrived or glitchy. Starting off with hip hop, moving through rock and ending with drum n bass isn’t easy, but they do it seamlessly and if you are looking for a mix to put on before a night out, this is definitely one for you.
DEEKLINE & WIZARD – Deekline & Wizard Live
(Rat Records)
www.deeklineandwizard.com
The tagline reads “from Brixton to Brisbane” and, being a blatantly proud South Londoner, I wanted to see if they did my manor justice. However, having listened to it, I’m not really sure they have. With Skibadee on the opening tracks, I was immediately transported back to the late 90s as if I were in Ayia Napa listening to garage, which ain’t what I want to be hearing when I’m lounging on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Throwing in Stanton Warrior’s Get ‘Em High featuring Sway and a track featuring Rodney P could have been their saving grace, but the dance-based vibe of the tracks meant that you couldn’t get away from the same sounding beat throughout the album. From Brixton to Boring would’ve been a better tagline on this record.
REDMAN – Put It Down [single]
(Def Jam)
www.defjam.com
Redman is back with this new single, taken from his upcoming album Red Gone Wild. Put It Down is produced by the man of the moment Timbaland and the fuzzy backdrop certainly smacks of Timbo’s beat making. However, as pumping as the beat may be, it’s pretty monotonous and doesn’t ever really go anywhere.
Apparently there was a high buzz when the anime-inspired artwork for the album leaked onto the internet. This doesn’t really surprise me because after hearing this single, where Redman seems to be doing an impression of Ludacris from 3 years ago, the artwork must be more interesting than the music.
FLOSSTRADAMUS – Act A Fool [Single]
(My Space Exclusive)
www.myspace.com/flosstradamus
Let’s get it straight from the very start – on its own, Zombie Nation might sound shit. Especially when its played at Palace on a Saturday afternoon in a vain attempt to get us to pretend our season still has a purpose. And then we get onto Crunk, which basically sounds a bit naff unless you’re in a club with speakers the size of a small country vibrating your brain from pillar to post.
So how comes Flosstradamus‘ mash up of the two is fucking great? Well, maybe that’s something no-one will ever be able to answer, but basically the long and short of it is that this is a track that shouldn’t work, but really, really does. From Lil Jon and Three 6 Mafia giving it the “YAYUH” to the Zombie Nation bassline pounding behind the vocals, this is something that you’d love to hear in a club. You just won’t admit it.
Flosstradamus recently blasted the shit out of Cargo on the Catch An Attitude tour with A-Trak, Craze and Kid Sister and when you hear this and imagine it amplified a million times, you’ll understand just why they went down so well.
They also persuaded me I should buy a trillby. No, seriously, I’m gonna.
BLUE SCHOLARS – North By Northwest [Single]
(Rawkus)
www.bluescholars.com
Seattle’s Blue Scholars previous two records, their self titled album and the Long March EP set up forward thinking lyricist, Geologic and an adept beatmaker Sabzi as a group to look out for on the hip hop scene. With their summery tunes, they gathered critical acclaim from all over and finally took the step up by signing to the newly risen Rawkus alongside the much hyped Kidz In The Hall.
This track, North By Northwest, is taken from their forthcoming album Bayani and showcases all that is great about the duo. From the swaying brass through the heavy snare claps to Geologic’s bigging up of his home territory, this is a track that you’re going to be hitting the replay button on time and again.
“Two Scholars rock fresh” he says as the unrelenting tunes marches on and after hearing this four and a half minute blast of feel good hip hop, you’d be one hell of a fool to disagree. Bayani should make waves this year if this song is anything to go by, so keep those ears ready for more.
This month’s art comes from Eboy, who are a collective that specialise in high end pixel art.
Their pixelated versions of cities all over the world are absolutely brilliant, showing the city’s big sights as well as mixing it up with little characters getting up to all sorts in the nooks and crannies.
Here is Eboy’s London, the best city in the world. Have it.
So, that’s it for now, but there is always more where that came from. If you want to send me in your record, then please hit me up on the email address below. The summertime is coming, so let’s get those shades on, pasty white legs out, and our collective grooves on!
Until next time, peace.
This Saturday will see a new skate park open in London and the opening day will be celebrated by many locals in Southwark.
An opening jam is cheduled for 1-6pm organized by Play Services at The Arch, called “Whites Grounds” and is located between Druid Street and Crucifix Lane.
Appointed local architects, Dive, who designed the overall project in consultation with local communities won an RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) award for the second best un-built design in London.
The actual skatable space, the shape and form was designed by Rich Holland from The Side Effects of Urethane collaborating with Dive who created drawings from a scale model and oversaw production.
The skatepark will be monitored and supervised by Southwark Council Play Services and will be open from this Saturday, so get down there.
Opening Day Schedule
1 to 1.30 – Introductions, ribbon cutting and press photos
1.30 to 2pm – Refresments and demo sessions by experts (hah!)
2pm to 3.30 – Best tricks sessions and prize giving
3.30 to 4pm – User Registration
4pm – 6pm – Open skate session
A brand new concrete bowl has been opened by Maidstone Borough Council at a spot aptly called South Park.
The prefabricated bowl was built by Hags, their first attempt at building a concrete park and by all accounts it is fun to skate, so say our friends at LovenSkate.Looks like another option is now open for Southern skaters this summer, keep them coming!
More info here.
Sage Francis has put up a “making of the video” style video on youtube for his new single Got Up This Morning.
The video for the track, produced by Buck 65 and taken from the upcoming Human The Death Dance album, sees Atmosphere’s Slug, Brother Ali, Divinci from Sol.illaquists Of Sound, Tom Inhaler and Buck 65 himself take part in a card game.
The video was shot the day after the Paid Dues Festival and you can check it out by looking below.