Categories
Live Reviews

Eager Teeth – live

Eager Teeth
Purple Turtle
16th July, 2011

eager_teethAs yet little-known Brighton-based Rock outfit Eager Teeth are no doubt going to be the band name on the tip of everyone’s tongue in a matter of months. Playing to a sparse crowd at the Purple Turtle in support of Mojo Fury, the band don’t let this dampen their spirits, reeling off raw big guitar hooks against intricate picked-out patterns.

With a solid propulsion of drums and bass, what really stands out is the ridiculously tight vocal harmonies between frontman Will Blood and guitarist/vocalist Gary Yay. Blood has heaps of potential as a frontman though he needs to forge more of a connection with his audience (this will undoubtedly be easier when there is more of an audience to connect with). For now, he’s pinning himself to a stationary mic-stand. But hey, that’s ok as the band’s rip-roaring punk rock tinged with post-hardcore and something a bit more complex shines through.

Eager Teeth do tend to sound a bit Glassjaw-esque tonight. It’s that intense melody-driven vocal which also packs a somewhat violent punch that is reminiscent of Palumbo’s vocal stylings. There are also shades of Rival Schools in what ET do, as well as a bit more of a punk rock backbone which adds something more interesting to proceedings. These guys haven’t been playing together all that long but you can tell they’re ones to watch already. With some honing of their craft through relentless touring, ET will become a force to contend with and you can be sure that those who are lucky enough to catch them live in these early days are going to take note and remember their name.

Just watch this and see if you don’t get at least a teensy bit excited about this new British talent. We’re a lot excited.

Winegums

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

éS Duran review

es_duran-shoesWhen éS thought of the concept of simplicity vs technical, they pulled out quite a few stops to produce a very minimalistic skate shoe that can easily be mistaken for a loafer rather than something you would wear when skateboarding. They’ve released these in a few different versions, but I’m picky and if ain’t suede, I ain’t riding them. Fortunately for me, this model has full suede uppers supported by synthetic leather lining throughout.

Slim shoes should always have a thin tongue, again, a feature apparent on these beauties. A nice added feature I personally like on the modern skate shoe is waxed laces, they look better and last a bit longer. éS have taken the initiative to ensure the laces are nice and shiny to match the slick appearance of the leather lining.

I will admit I wasn’t a fan of the stitch and turn toe cap due to the fact that it might hinder my flips and probably wear through rather quickly, but it really hasn’t influenced my board control in anyway and I was surprised to see it last this long. Professionals, Ams and all kinds of skaters are riding skinnier shoes these days, but they all know a slim shoe still needs a solid sole, which is why these represent a full length EVA midsole with a moulded STI system G2 embedded into it. The rubber outsole is a regular 400 NBS, slightly different to a vulc sole of course, but rather light and really not disappointing at all.

Overall I like these shoes, they’ve been good to me and outlasted their expectancy. I can’t fault them in anyway, but I do prefer a vulcanised outsole which I feel could have given them a slightly better overall performance.

2P

Categories
Skateboarding News

Cliché Skateboards release Daniel Espinoza edit

Cliché Skateboards have released the last in the series of ads edited by Fred Mortagne. Watch Daniel Espinoza’s footage here and get hyped on a new video for Summer 2012. Yep, it’s a year away from completion but will always be worth the wait.

Categories
Skateboarding News

Drawing Boards release new Drooling Beards and video

Drawing Boards have a new Drooling Beards graphic out this week and are about to drop some new t-shirt designs in the coming weeks.

Watch a new edit from the full team on their weekly travels. This footage features sessions at Uckfield, Bay 66, Skaterham, Norwood, Shoreham.

Categories
Skateboarding News

Richie Jackson’s Flower Children firecracker kickflip

Death Skateboards pro Richie Jackson has launched his own clothing range called Flower Children this week that currently has a psychedelic t-shirt range for you to check out here.

Check out this firecracker kickflip out down a set of stairs and start dreaming about what is going to be in his new section for the forthcoming Death video Ordinary Madness that is currently on course for a November premiere. Rumours online say that Patrick Melcher and Richie Jackson will be sharing a section. Thankfully we only have just 4 months to find out.

Categories
Skateboarding News

New Mike Wright Almost edit

Whenever there’s a new Mike Wright edit posted online, we can’t help but get excited due to his gifted technical skills and overall wonderful attitude.

Andy Evans captured a fun session with Mike, Rupert Antoine and friends down at Hove’s Lagoon park in Brighton for you to enjoy recently. Watch a plethora of technical tricks here.

Categories
Skateboarding News

Chad Muska issues video apology over recent arrest

Chad Muska has issued an apology via youtube today following his arrest for tagging a coffee shop window in Los Angeles on July 14th.

Click play below for a video of what happened when security guards held the Muska down with force and today’s apology due to his choice of words on the night in question.

Categories
Skateboarding News

New photos from Clifton Skatepark Nottingham

Nottingham’s new skatepark that is currently being built by Maverick in Clifton Park is looking amazing. Check these recent photos thast were blogged today of the site as it takes shape. We know a few Nottingham skaters that will be itching to get in here once its done, top work as usual.

clifton_skatepark_nottingham

clifton_skatepark_nottingham

clifton_skatepark_nottingham

Categories
Live Reviews

Black Breath – live

The Borderline, London.
July 14th 2011

black_breathOne of Crossfire’s favourite records of 2010 was Black Breath’s undeniable, thrash and hardcore hybrid Heavy Breathing. Having signed to Southern Lord for the release (who can count the likes of Boris, Nails, Earth and Saint Vitus among their roster) the band received wide acclaim for the record, and return to the UK this month for its final hurrah before putting the finishing touches to their next album. Having missed the band at The Borderline last November when they clashed with Touche Amore across town, Black Breath return to the same venue eight months later off the back of a winning appearance at Sonisphere festival.

The band is on top form as they rip through the likes of ‘Black Sin (Spit on the Cross)’ and ‘Escape from Death’ at a frantic pace, so much so that the drummer carries a worried expression on his face as though the whole thing could collapse at any moment. In truth, though, there’s no danger of that, as the band’s rhythm section demonstrate near mechanical levels of control, laying the foundations for searing lines of tremolo picked lead guitar. Their sound is powerful like the best heavy metal bands, but it’s also their directness that stems from hardcore influences that makes them such an intense listen, even more so in a live context.

Two new songs are played from their forthcoming album (due in early 2012, supposedly) which are met with the same enthusiasm as old favourites ‘Eat the Witch’ and ‘I Am Beyond’. The strength of these new songs suggests the band is set to produce a worthy a follow up to ‘Heavy Breathing’, which in itself is a truly mouth watering prospect.

Sleekly Lion

Categories
Skateboarding News

David Gravette hucks out backflip in new Circa edit

Creature pro and all round gnarler, David Gravette has a new edit online this week to celebrate his shoe release on Circa.

The usual gnar can be found in this latest clip. press play and read his Crossfire intervew here if you missed it.