Author: Zac

Check out the work in progress on Portugal’s huge skatepark at the Parque Das Gerações. Phenomenal stuff. The construction workers are busting it in huge heat to complete it this summer. The good crew Confuzine are following the build and came good with these photos today as part of a feature. Go read it, find out all about Portuguese skatepark designer Francisco “França” Lopez, and stick this on your trip list.

Address is: Rua António Ferro, 2765-517 São João Do Estoril, Lisboa, Portugal. The Facebook page can be found here.

French Fred Mortagne has recently cleaned out old hard drives to Menikmati and Sorry days and unearthed footage of various treats. Here’s the first of many b-roll tapes with Eric Koston back when he was repping èS shoes. Amazing stuff.

Eddie Belvedere joins the Beastie Boys for an old school roll with Heel Bruise today through the streets of Manchester. This one is filmed and edited by Isaac Wilkinson.

Ph: Karen McBride

Left wing socialist and famed UK musician Billy Bragg entered the war of Southbank yesterday in a new feature published online by the Guardian newspaper. As a member of the arts committee at the Southbank Centre, Bragg wades into the debate on relocating skateboarders to the Hungerford Bridge claiming that there’s a lack of rehearsal space at the Undercroft for musicians and that skateboarders are not willing to discuss moving down river.

To cut to the chase this is a choice feature coming from someone who throughout his entire life stood up and backed the little man, fought as a political activist on so many issues, yet sat in his £1.5 million Dorset home this morning has probably woke to read the plethora of negative comments posted on this article and wondered why he bothered.

A blog feature written by Johnny Void in response to Bragg’s outburst calling Bragg a millionaire “knob, who knows nothing about austerity” was also subject of debate yesterday as the words resonated across the mainstream and skate scenes.

Quote of the Day: “These people just can’t be reasoned with, Billy. You’re going to have to fight them. Preferrably on roller skates, or failing that little fold-up scooters.”

Look out for a Southbank Reunion gallery feature from last Saturday’s get together on here soon with many faces from the 70s, 80s, and 90’s who reunited reminisce their pasts at SB.

For more info on the developments at the Southbank head over to www.llsb.com

We are lucky here in England, the chances of a ‘bobby’ giving you shit for skating are quite slim. You are more likely to find your local street walking officer hopping on your rig to try and recreate that first ollie said copper pulled back when he skated in the good old days before he signed up for the fuzz.

In America though it’s a different ball game. We have seen all sorts of brutality in the past from their heavy handed nazi style of policing human beings. This new video clip shows either a heavy footed accident or a whole new ball game of police brutality. You decide. In the words of NWA, circa 1988, ‘Fuck The Police’.

The Japanese take skateboarding in various new directions annually, you just have to get a copy of the new Heroin DVD to witness the goodness. The Lenz II video that will be unveiled soon will make you salivate. The film from Tightbooth (interview here) has over 180 skaters filmed in Japan, NYC and France with a selection of futuristic ideas and cutting edge skill. Watch the sheer pace of this teaser and put it on your want list.

[FILE] LENZ II OFFICIAL TEATHER from VHSMAG on Vimeo.

Zombieland skatepark in Essex is asking for your support. Taking on a warehouse, filling it with skateable stuff is one of the hardest things to do financially and due to the amazing weather, many people have opted to street skate leaving indoor parks short of cash flow. To raise the issue, Zombieland are throwing two Shit or Bust jams to raise attention of this urgent matter. Support it, or it goes under.

The 3rd & 11th of August are the desired dates, both events will be fundraisers and hellraisers with live bands, BBQs, and raffles. Get down there if you are nearby and keep this place open.

You pay to play. Watch how much goes into getting a part down with Erik Ellington here who was filming a part for the Deathwish video.