Whilst currently sitting on the front page of the new Grey Magazine, Neil Smith now riding for Destructo, Mob Grip and Ricta Wheels, Danny Brady now skates Spitfire Wheels and Jerome Campbell is now riding for Converse and Paradise Wheels.

Look out for a Blueprint competition on here next week where you can win a package of BP goodness.

Everything you need to know in about one of skateboarding’s most prolific companies is all here in this Hand To Hand documentary. Press play.

Watching Jeremy Elkin’s Poisonous Products DVD is like a throwback to the golden 90’s era of hip-hop mixtapes. Back in 1993 New York DJs were pumping out 90 minute Maxell tapes of raw talent. I remember Tape Kingz running a solid distribution program that stocked my tape deck with the latest joints out of the 5-Boroughs. You’d hear exclusive tracks from your favourite rappers, but also get the tip off on new rappers that were pinned to be the next big thing in the rap game. Kids nowadays ignore the debut of Jay Z as he cut his teeth with a unique double tempo flow on the epic Big Daddy Kane track Show n Prove alongside a miniature version of Shyheim and the one Ason (later known as Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the Wu Tang Clan). Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z and Ol’ Dirty all on one track – That’s some dope shit right there.

Poisonous Products is a 13 minute mixtape of VX footage filmed in New York City between November 2010 and November 2011 set to the soundtrack of the aforementioned track, Boogie Down Productions (Poisonous Products) and Lil’ Kim (Queen Bitch) mixed together by Grapes La Roc. The Eastern Seaboard of skateboarding is well represented with everyone from Rob Campbell and Shawn Powers to Aaron Herrington and Joseph Delgado getting clips. Those last two names are definitely on the rise and likely to grab your attention. Both of them weave sick lines through the city: Aaron skating past IRAK throw-ups and piles of grey snow in Brooklyn whilst Joseph rocks colourful Supra’s through Queens.

I remember the day the 90’s era of hip-hop died. The producer formerly known as Puff Daddy released his own solo album No Way Out and introduced the world to a genre of Rap music that sidestepped the streets and went straight to the clubs, suburban bedrooms and MTV. Low budget bro cam videos of rappers spitting verses in front of their local bodega were shelved and replaced by Hype Williams bubble lens studio sessions in front of flashing lights and film crews. I can’t help but feel the golden age of the skate video fell to the same fate when Ty Evans decided to introduce HD cameras and fireworks to the session.

I can’t guarantee that Poisonous Products will receive unanimous applause, but it will definitely tug on the heartstrings of skaters that still remember how to set the white balance on a VX-1000. When Rob Campbell runs a quick slappy and a tailslide at Astor Place it makes me feel like I’m watching the promo tape for the infamous Zoo York Mixtape 15 years late.

Support independent skate videos and order a copy of Poisonous Products from Theories of Atlantis. Funds will go towards Jeremy’s camera repairs and broken fish eye collection.

Ralph Lloyd-Davis

Brother Ali

The Rhymesayers MC, who releases his new album Mourning in America, Dreaming in Color this year, will be supported by labelmates Grieves & Budo, who were also part of the successful and sold out Rhymesayers European tour that wowed crowds at the end of last year.

The tour dates are below, as is a video for the track Writer’s Block, produced by Jake One [who is handling all production duties on the new album] to get you in the mood. Tickets for the show are available now and you can find the details here.

10th – London, XOYO
11th – Manchester, The Ruby Lounge
12th – Bristol, The Thekla
13th – Brighton, Green Door Store

This is a truly wonderful thing to do to honour the lives of skateboarders who have contributed much to their local scenes. The gallery will be open daily from 10am-5pm and there will be a closing party from 7pm-10pm on Saturday 18th. Please spread the word if you are local.

Tees are also available from February 7th from the Simple skate store in Sheffield.

Ceremony

The band will play six dates in between dates in the US showcasing tracks from their upcoming album Zoo, which will be released on March 6th. The dates are:

19th – Kingston, Fighting Cocks
20th – London, XOYO
21st – Bristol, Fleece
22nd – Nottingham, Rock City Basement
23rd – Manchester, Moho
24th – Leeds, The Well

Get the teas on and watch the full production here.

Salad Days:The Washington DC Punk Revolution is the work of Scott Crawford and Jim Saah and is looking likely to be aired in 2013. The film is said to be half way to completion to date and will be covering the 80′s hardcore scene throughout a decade of music.

The usual names and faces have already been mentioned and associated with interview time within the film such as Grohl, Rollins, Mackaye etc so expect a comprehensive discussion looking back at one of punk rock’s most exciting scenes of music in the US from the fanzines, labels promoters and bands who made it all tick.

Enjoy this footage of Danny Carlsen, Josh Young, Fernando Bramsmark Mike Vallely, Rune Glifberg, Jake Collins, Ben Hatchell, Julien Benoliel, Alain Goikoetxea and many more.

A new Highbrow edit from Mike O’Shea has been released this weekend featuring skating from Chris Jones. This supports his new pro model on Crayon Skateboards that will be swimming into your local skate shop this month. Watch it here.

Chris joins the ever growing Superdead Skateboards today. Well done to all involved in putting together this amazing edit shot at Tottenham’s concrete playground.

Directed by Romain Gavras [famous for his visuals for Justice's Stress], the video features the singer/MC in what looks to be the Middle East as cars surround her doing all sorts of crazy shit, like driving on just their left hand wheels with M.I.A. sitting on the door.

The tune will stay in your head, guaranteed, and we love it already. Get ready for the “replay” button to be hit a bunch of times, this one’s a banger.

Raekwon

The Chef claimed that he felt the quality of their material as a group has gone down with every solo album released, saying:

“I feel like in a way, us doing solo things hurt us. I never told nobody that. When we had something so pure and so solid together [at the beginning], it could’ve been structured more togetherly [later on] … if we knew it had to stay like that. But when we allow[ed] each other to [work on solo projects], some did better than others and when some did better than others, it caused a certain kind of reaction in the whole movement”.

You can check out the whole interview below:

Big K.R.I.T.

The Mississippi native will drop the mixtape in the lead-up to his debut album for Def Jam, Live from the Underground.  In December, he’d said of 4Eva N A Day mixtape: “Based off the experience of touring in the past year I’m creating this free album from scratch as we speak. I have locked myself back in the studio – 4Eva & a Day coming soon”

If this track is anything to go by, it’s going to be as smooth as ever:

Big K.R.I.T. – BOOBIE MILES (Prod. By Big K.R.I.T.) by BIGKRIT

Jeremy Bolm

The label is a partnership with Deathwish Inc. and the frontman said of the deal:

“It’s an excuse to release different things that I fully believe in, whether it’s a record, book, video, etc. I have been lucky enough to spend most of the last few years traveling, and in my travels I have met a lot of talented people and seen a lot of fantastic bands that have influenced my decision to get this project off the ground.

When we were in Europe this last Summer I made the mistake of forgetting my music and books in our van back in the states. This lead to a lot of time to think about what else I wanted to do with my life aside from Touche Amore. I’ve always dreamed of working at a label, so what’s better than starting one with your friends helping you out?”

Single Mothers will be the first band to release on Secret Voice, with their self-titled EP, a song from which you can hear below:

SINGLE MOTHERS “Winter Coats” (on Secret Voice) by deathwishinc

Check out the latest punk rock band that have surfaced this winter in Russia. Pussy Riot are a protest movement who play impromptu shows in Russia to stand up for their rights and are taking their stance on Putin and feminism to the Kremlin.

Get your pillows stuffed this weekend and hit your local supermarket armed with a small PA, dressed in a pink balaclava, we dare you!

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a “signable” contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony’s illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I’ve spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I’ve tried to find out what’s going on with the U.K. sessions, I’ve realized that I’ve been getting “the cold shoulder” (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what’shappening unless I sign “the unsignable contract.”

The place I’m in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, Ialso have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I’m good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I’m not holding out for a “big piece” of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That’s the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

–Bill Ward

This production includes sections from Ryan Decenzo, Pete Eldridge, Taylor Bingaman, Tyler Bledsoe, and Torey Pudwill and was released back in 2010, click through to their page from this trailer to find out more.

Download Festival

As previously announced, headliners for the weekend of June 8th-10th are The Prodigy, Metallica and Black Sabbath and the bill now includes Slash featuring Myles Kennedy, Megadeth, Rise Against, Steel Panther, Billy Talent and Black Label Society. As if that weren’t enough, festival go-ers will also be able to see Kyuss Lives, Five Finger Death Punch, Terrorvision and As I Lay Dying.

The deadline for cheaper weekend arena tickets has been extended to Thursday February 2nd before reverting to the £155 price from then on. Organisers are urging fans to take advantage of the extension with the tickets from www.downloadfestival.co.uk.

Look out for their latest Vermin deck series with graphics by Sami Graystone.

Enjoy some more amazing footage of Norfolk’s finest here.

Watch this and get hyped!

In related news, Joe Tookmanian and Willy Akers join the pro ranks today and a new trailer hit the web. Watch it below and look out for a video interview feature on here soon.

Expect full parts from Willy Akers, Danny Falla, Guillaume Dulout, Dan Pensyl, Jimmy Mcdonald, Joe Tookmanian and a Family & Flowtrash montage and look out for updates and adddition on these dates in this thread over the next two weeks.

Friday 17th Feb ’12 – The Big Chill (upstairs bar) | BRISTOL | 7PM
Monday 20th Feb ’12 – Surfers Yard | SOMERSET | 7PM
Monday 20th Feb ’12 – Freestyle | NEWPORT | 4PM
Monday 20th Feb ’12 – Reskue | SOUTHAMPTON | 6PM
Monday 20th Feb ’12 – SJ’s Skatestore | Truro | 8PM
Monday 20th Feb ’12 – Ideal | BIRMINGHAM | 6PM
Wednesday 22nd Feb ’12 – LCB (Mile End) | LONDON | 7PM
Wednesday 22nd Feb ’12 – Bored Skate Shack | ST AUSTELL | 7PM
Thursday 23rd Feb ’12 – Detour | BATH | 9PM
Thursday 23rd Feb ’12 – Exist Skatepark | SWANSEA | 9PM
Thursday 23rd Feb ’12 – Route One | BRIGHTON | 7PM
Thursday 23rd Feb ’12 – Nonstop | NOTTINGHAM | 8PM
Friday 24th Feb ’12 – SS20 | OXFORD | 615PM
Friday 24th Feb ’12 – Decimal | GLOUCESTERSHIRE | 730PM
Friday 24th Feb ’12 – Endemic | HUDDERSFIELD | 630PM
Friday 24th Feb ’12 – X-Site Skatepark | LINCS | 730PM
Friday 24th Feb ’12 – Simple Skatestore | SHEFFIELD | 7PM
Friday 24th Feb ’12 – Route One | EDINBURGH | 5PM
Friday 24th Feb ’12 – Note | MANCHESTER | 6PM
Saturday 25th Feb ’12 – Drugstore | NORWICH | 7PM
Saturday 25th Feb ’12 – Porthcawl Marine | PORTHCAWL | 7PM
Saturday 25th Feb ’12 – Smash Skates | SUFFOLK | 4PM
Date TBC – Lost Art | LIVERPOOL
Date TBC – Popcorn | YORKSHIRE

Kevin Devine

The tour follows the release of their new album Between the Concrete & Clouds and the Goddamn Band now features the line-up of: Brian Bonz (keyboard), Chris Bracco (bass, keyboard), Mike Fadem (drums, percussion), Russell Smith (electric guitar), and Mike Strandberg (guitar, mandolin).

The tour dates are:

21.02 – Kingston The Cricketers
23.02 – Manchester Night & Day
24.02 – Southampton Joiners
25.02 – Bristol Thekla
26.02 – Oxford Jericho Tavern
27.02 – London Borderline
28.02 – Leeds Brudenell Social Club
29.02 – Glasgow King Tuts

One of Germany‘s finest, Danny Sommerfeld, is skating the streets of Frankfurt am Main in a new clip, bringing real street skating with a definite 90′s flavour right into your home. With black and white imagery and a grainy and raw overall look, new clothing label TPDG Supplies Co, specializing in pants and accessories, is piping up. Reason enough to let them introduce themselves properly.

Who are you and where are you from?

We’re a skater owned and operated brand based in Hamburg, Germany. We’re currently hard at work to get our new website going and to put together our first collection of denim and pants. We’re also going to throw in a couple of accessories and t-shirts. But as they say; Haste makes waste.

This promo video is inspiring, reminded us of the good old days.

It’s nice to see how a lot of people can feel the love and passion we put into that first clip. As skatekids from the 90‘s, our focus always has been on actually go out and skate the streets, to live the counterpart to all the stunt-skateboarding ruling the media these days. We want to bring back some of the spirit of the good ol’ days to 2012.

How did TPDG come about?

When pro-skater Danny Sommerfeld was facing the headache of sorting out yet another sponsor deal with yet another clothing manufacturer, the idea to launch TPDG Supplies Co. was born. With support by graphic-designer/skateboarder Ben Wessler and photographer Eric Mirbach, TPDG was founded in 2010 somewhere in between Gießen, Cologne and Hamburg.

And finally, what is it all about?

TPDG is all about skateboarding. It’s about the streets. TPDG is about gritty imagery, dirty hands. About jersey barriers and brick walls, gangsigns and bloodstains. It‘s about well-made garments, clean styles and classic cuts.

Find TPDG at www.tpdgsupplies.com and on Facebook.

Tune: Action Bronson – ‘Barry Horowitz’ from the album ‘Dr. Lecter’ produced by Tommy Mas.

I Wish My Brother George Was Here was originally released by the Hieroglyphics member in 1991 and was rumoured to be an ode to George Clinton. The Oakland MC, who is also Ice Cube’s cousin, will re-issue the album to celebrate its anniversary and will include a bonus poster.

Here’s a classic track from the original:

The visuals are for the track Old Blood, which is taken from their upcoming album Dead Set On Living, which is due out in April through Hassle.

Former Thieves have had some bad luck over the past couple of days with van trauma in mainland Europe and illness plaguing the band’s members. Yet they’re gracious and potent on stage tonight, their visceral yet carefully paced set pulsating through the venue despite a largely unmoving crowd. This two band bill makes for a show that rivals La Dispute’s last London appearance at the Underworld with Touche Amore. The rather more intimate feeling of The Borderline lends itself well to both bands’ clear desire to connect with the audience. Despite everyone’s lack of movement for the openers, you can tell they’re being well received as attention is fully on the music emanating from the stage. The bar is quiet. It’s the music everyone is here for tonight.

La Dispute have already proven themselves as live favourites amongst those in the know on these shows. Their deeply emotive music verges on the uncomfortable at times but tonight’s unrelenting emotion is delivered with a rawness and a sincerity that is undeniable and ultimately appealing. Perfectly crafted songs balance sparse textures with dramatic riffs and vocals that sound so close to breaking, you can’t help but empathise with the lyrics.

Ever the socially conscious, La Dispute have chosen to donate a portion of their merch sales to Teenage Cancer Trust tonight. They also requested a donation (of any amount) from those lucky enough to be on the guestlist for the event. There’s certainly a sense that this is far more than a token gesture and that this a band who really want to make a difference wherever they can. And it’s oh so evident that their performance tonight has made a difference to each person present. Stirring stuff.

Winegums

Sennen

The Norwich quartet, now mostly based in London, will release Vultures on 10″ vinyl and digital download on March 5th, giving fans a taste of what to expect on the upcoming album Lost Harmony, out in April. The vinyl is limited to just 500 copies and is sure to go fast.

A video for the track has been made by Ashley Dean, formerly of iLiKETRAiNS which you can see below.