Author: Zac

The annual skateboard romp also known as Lords of the Swords went down this weekend with teams leaving urethane all over Essex’ most treasured spots to complete this year’s challenges. Expect edits to drop soon with a public vote but for now, here’s the word from the inner sanctum:

“It kicked of friday morning with our best turn out yet. We had teams of skaters that we had never seen before, we had teams from Suffolk, all over Essex and even a team that was taking part from Australia. The Green Team turned up throwing bird scarer bangers at the other teams and the Zombie boys returning fire with green smoke grenades! It was like something out of nam. (lol). Over the weekend every park we turned up to had at least 2 to 3 teams going hard for the challenges. On Friday night we had the 20 deep Zombie crew and 3 other teams camping out at Dunmow skatepark doing acid and whatever else as we watched a thunder storm roll over. The rest of the weekend was just ass crazy. Delside’s tiny DIY build in Rayleigh got rinsed and was over spilling with teams – expect some great footage!”

The lads at Sore Skateboards up North have blogged a few words on how to start a skateboard company and throw some light on the realities on how to make it work. It’s quite an interesting article considering over 50 board companies exist in the UK right now.

“There’s no easy route to becoming a successful independent skateboarding company and it’s very unlikely that you ever will, so I hope this will make people think harder then they want to start a new co and in doing so we might get stronger skate companies!”

Read the full blog feature here.

20 years ago, the famed skateboard and music photography of Glen E.Friedman hit the coffee tables of pretty much every skateboarder that grew up appreciating amazing music and skateboarding. Two of his many epic photography books, ‘Fuck You Heroes’ and ‘Fuck You Too’ are staple must-have’s for anyone connected or fascinated with our favourite two past-times and for a reason: Friedman’s work is unique and tells many stories in each frame.

If you are one of the lucky people that are obsessed with Glen’s work then get hyped on the fact that he has been working on a new book that is scheduled for release this September. ‘My Rules‘ takes inspiration from Friedman’s first ever solo publication in 1982 and packs in 324 pages of skateboard and music loving, weighing in at an astonishing 7lbs. This book will pack in the very best of ‘Fuck You Heroes’ and ‘Fuck You Too’ but in much larger formats; many as full bleed, and up to 300% of the their originally published size.

The best part of it is that 30% of the book is made up of never before seen photos, so expect over 100 shots from his archives that will sit alongside contributions from the likes of Henry Rollins, Tony Alva, LL Cool J, Jello Biafra, Chuck D, Rodney Mullen, Duane Peters, Ian MacKaye, Jeff Ho, Alan ‘ollie’ Gelfand, the late Jay Adams (RIP), Shepard Fairey, C.R Steckyk III and many more.

We simply cannot wait for this. You can pre-order your copy that is released on September 6th from here for £21.

Spread the word and enjoy this video featuring Fugazi’s Ian Mackaye looking through some of his classic shots and discussing the shoots throughout the years.

An investigation into the death of a 22 year old skateboarder is underway in Los Angeles this week following an incident on the famous Sunset Boulevard where Carlos Arellano was stabbed on the pavement.

Locals believe that he was mugged for his skateboard and would not hand it over and have now hung a full set up on a lamp post with a message to his gutless killer that reads:

“Did they kill him for a skateboard? Or just for fun? Here’s your fucking skateboard. I looked at a dying man in the face last night. Is this the first time you’ve killed? Will you brag at school? Did you get a merit badge?”

Absolutely sickening story. Our thoughts go out to family and friends.

We received a press release recently that we have been asked to share with you:

SKATE COLLECTIVE OCCUPY OLD CAR WASH, BARDLSEY LANE

The Car Wash Collective, a group of Greenwich skaters, have created a DIY skate ramp. Having found the site open, they took over the premises to build a wooden half-pipe for local skaters in the covered garage. The collective have been living in the building for over a month, working everyday to clean up the premises, putting together the framework and finally skinning the ramp.

The mini-ramp will be open to its members from Saturday 9th August, opening 12noon-7pm most days. Unfortunately Bardsley Green was fenced off by property developers Family Mosaic and French construction multi-national Bouygeus on Monday 28th July. Bardsley Lane has been mostly closed to local residents. The Green is being dug up, but the trees planted there by Keep the Green have been saved and being cared for in the Car Wash.

Unfortunately Bardsley Green was fenced off by property developers Family Mosaic and French construction multi-national Bouygeus on Monday 28th July. Bardsley Lane has been mostly closed to local residents. The Green is being dug up, but the trees planted there by Keep the Green have been saved and being cared for in the Car Wash. The development site is controversial, with property title issues and the Car Wash is protected by a legal convenant dating back to 19th Century that requires the free passage of soil and water. Family Mosaic Home Ownership Ltd are seeking possession of the site at a court hearing at the Woolwich Magistrates Court on Wednesday 13th August at 10am, even though building work will only be starting in September. One of the occupiers, Billy Bob, stated: “We here to protect the convenant and the little public space we still have left from being bulldozed over to make way for more luxury flats.

This should be a community facility and green space, a creative place for DIY activities for as long as we can keep it. As well as mini-ramp sessions, the Car Wash Collective are planning workshops, art activities and performances and welcome people of goodwill to come down, get involved and help occupy the site. This is like a skate summer camp in the middle of London.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR Address: The Car Wash Collective, between the Lord Hood pub and the Bookshop, Creek Road. Entrance on Bardsley Lane. For press enquiries call: 07754427834

What a session. Andrew Wilson and Ishod Wair do not stop.

Watch Greg Poissonnier’s edit from the House of Vans opening featuring Christian Hosoi, Nicky Guerrero and Ross McGouran getting the first of many sessions in the new bowl.