As previously reported, Chris Cole made a slightly unexpected move from Black Box footwear brand Fallen to DC Shoes. This caused a few to jump to some needless conclusions, most notably the assumption that his loyalty to Zero isn’t as strong as we once thought. Far from it, as Black Box have just announced that Chris Cole will now be business partners with Zero chief Jamie Thomas and will have an active role in directing the future of the company, while still ripping it professionally of course.
Here are some words from The Chief himself…
“Cole’s loyalty and support have always been an integral part of Zero’s success for the past decade. I’ve always included him in important decisions and brand directions, so it’s exciting to know we’ll get to work together for the life of the brand. I couldn’t imagine a better partner.”
Meet Tennis, Denver’s husband and wife 60’s pop idolisers, apparently a tongue-in-cheek dig by Alaina Moore (vocals, keyboard) of her husband Patrick Riley’s (guitarist) interest in the sport at college. On the back of widespread internet acclaim for their web smash ‘Marathon’, the harmonic pop group play their first ever UK gig at The Lexington minus the lairy headbands and skimpy shorts…
Moore graces the stage joined by Riley at her side. The crowd is introduced to an instrumental of wistful guitar combined with mellow notes from the synthesiser. The results are an atmospheric pop haze. ‘Seafarer’ follows on from the eruptive opening with Moore’s youthful cries of summer time teenage affection. ‘Cape Dory’ is the first song to bring a sense of Supremes-like harmony as Moore beautifully proclaims that ‘we can listen to the sounds of the ocean’. The 60s girl group pastiche is not exhaustedly delivered however, with Riley once again providing the modern guitar twangs necessary for reaffirming the pastiche as just nostalgia.
This is Tennis’ first show outside the U.S, considering the universal magnitude of their next song ‘Marathon’ this show is surely not just a transatlantic ta-ta. A fulsome organ fills the room while Moore references the couple’s sailboat journeys of the past, through melancholic rhymes about ‘Coconut Grove’ cove life. Complemented with energetic cymbals the live crowd is provided with a thunderous chorus. ‘Thanks Radman’ bellows Moore at the end of the song, in reply to an overzealous crowd member.
The next song and first cover of the night is Jackie De Shannon’s ‘When You Walk in the Room’. Arguably the most energetic and empowering song of the evening, Riley’s calm yet resonant power-pop guitar builds towards DeShannon’s original emotional frustration. The love songs do not end here, as ‘Pigeon’ unwinds the crowd with flashbacks of frilly senior prom shirts and awkward slow dances. (See: The slow prom dance scene from Napoleon Dynamite. There’s awkward and then there’s THAT!)
It is clear that some of Tennis’ heroes are pre-rock icons, one of which being Brenda Lee. Brenda Lee’s ‘Is It True’ clarifies this view with passionate vocals and jangly strings. There’s hope for the future with potential mini-festival anthem ‘South Carolina’, Florence-esque echoed screams suggest that the band could be well suited to big tents on the festival circuit.
Reproduction of past records and especially forgotten genres can often be valuable, but for just how long? The one criticism is the emotional significance of their music. As it is predominantly based on influences of the past, there is a tendency to want something a little dissimilar, ultimately questioning the reminiscences being presented.
There’s undoubted beauty and charm but you just wonder how the husband and wife duo can progress in the future with a sound that is so precisely formulated. Importantly however Tennis are far from mediocre and are an interesting live collective. They are not quite ready for Wimbledon as of yet but are well on their way.
Olly Howe took a crew of merry Exeter men to Prime Skatepark near the start of the year, among which were the likes of Barney Page, Barber, Dan McDermott and a couple of other heavy hitters.
The footage is definitely a taster of great things to come from the boys featured, shot and cut together awesomely by Olly Howe to this is a perfect way to bring in the weekend and get that go-skate craving.
As I’m sure you already know by now, a brand new Daewon Song part was posted up recently on The Berrics and it made even the most hyperbole-conscious of us baffled as to how anyone can ever top Daewon’s skating. More evidence in his favour has just surfaced on the Almost Youtube with a minute of offcuts used to further promote the part. Not that that was necessary. It’s Daewon.
Regardless, another minute of Daewon is the best free gift anyone could ever give. Oh, and some of you might enjoy the fact that in this edit the footage has been de-interlaced. Serious business… enjoy below.
Forever on a ting, Unabomber’sWill Golding has been slaying it across the UK harder than ever lately and this rad new clip at The Boardroom from Get Lesta is more than evident of that fact.
Have a look below for the edit and remind yourself of his ridiculous best trick at the UKSA Skate Champs last year by clicking here.
In 2009, Habitat celebrated their ten years of making high quality skate products and pushing a brand image that highlighted some of skateboarding’s more pure ideologies by expanding into the tough market of skateboard footwear. What I’ve always loved about Habitat was how their products are designed to not jump out at you; in a way they try to avoid attention by just doing their thing and knowing, deep down that they’re doing it right. This dynamic has been breathed into their footwear and I know I wasn’t the only one to give this notion a warm welcome; there are enough tacky hi-tops and regurgitated half cabs on the shelves now and we were in need of something reserved, practical and made with skaters in mind.
The Quest is one of the six models that dropped last year and my first pair of Habitat creptillians that have seen first-hand the darkside of the griptape. On first glance, it’s the perfect low-profile shoe: thin tongue, seamless toecap, smart colourways and vulcanised sole. It skates like a dream without the need for the often-redundant technical tomfoolery that’s attached to many a shoe’s description. As a vulc, the incredible board feel goes without saying but what sold this shoe to me was the comfort; there is a subtle inner-padding that’s frequently absent on low-profilers that feels awesome when paired with PU footbed. This was not a rushed business venture by Habitat, this model is a tangible example of how effective being proud and meticulous about your brand can be.
This particular model is one of three collaborative shoes with mid-century artist Charley Harper. The detail on the outside is so intricate that I wore the shoes for three days without even noticing it. But when you do… oh boy is this stuff legit. The outlines of various animals are very lightly engraved into the synthetic/nubuck outer with such precision that it’s an appropriate companion to the shoe’s practical rigor. I look forward to trying out another pair and you should probably have a go too.
Coachella Festival has announced its line up and without further ado have a look below and go nuts whenever you feel the need to like we did when we saw the words DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979.
The very unexpectedly reunited duo will be joined by all of the names listed below at Empire Polo Field in Indio, California.
Whatever the reason, there are little things better than writing a news piece about John Rattray. The same goes with reading ’em, it means there’s something rad coming your way. This is no exception.
John Rattray has updated his Predatory Bird blog again in a slightly off-character non-esoteric fashion. The post contains a stream of photos taken while John was filming for that amazing Artist Reel for Elwood.
Click on the ridiculousness below and have a read.
The Crossfire Advocates are back again, this time trading private mini ramps in for a rare dry winter session at Mile End to celebrate the birthday of Tom Ball.
Shot and edited by the reliable hands that belong to Alan Christensen and features skating from the birthday boy Tom Ball, Brendan Ryall, Guy Burchard, Laurie Sherman and Terrence Anthony.
Some of you may be familiar with Tom through his good work at BaySixty6. If you haven’t signed the petition to save the park from closure then please get involved here. Out to Tom with this one. See below for London shredding and good birthday vibes.
Expedition One dropped a whole tonne of madness on our heads at the end of last year, featuring a monster part from the now-professional Kenny Hoyle. Of course, this is 2011, so a huge part doesn’t always cut it. Well, it did… and then some, but Expedition One don’t care, they made the most out of their new pro and have just released yet more madness in the form of this bonus part.
Ridiculous. Keep your eyes open for a review of the film coming online very soon and click the image below to see the free bonus part.
Meet Tennis, Denver’s husband and wife 60’s pop idolisers, apparently a tongue-in-cheek dig by Alaina Moore (vocals, keyboard) of her husband Patrick Riley’s (guitarist) interest in the sport at college. On the back of widespread internet acclaim for their web smash ‘Marathon’, the harmonic pop group play their first ever UK gig at The Lexington minus the lairy headbands and skimpy shorts…
In 2009, 
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