Literally cannot wait to see this new Barefoot documentary on Lee Ralph. A new trailer dropped this week featuring those who came across his wonderful character.
Alex Dyer’s film will feature Tony Hawk, Mark Gonzales, Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Gregor Rankine, Kevin Staab, Chris Miller, Steve Douglas, Bod Boyle, Andrew Morrison, Ron Allen, Peter Hill, Stephen Hill, Bob Goodsby and many more. Coming soon.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Paper Mâché Dream Balloon
Heavenly Recordings
King Gizzard & Co. are a band that know no sonic boundaries. Flitting between solid garage rock, kraut-driven wig outs and potent swamp-boogie’s alike on their previous six records, there’s only one theme throughout and that’s to take your mind on a psychedelic trip to remember, every time.
Whatever instruments they find themselves tooled up with, be it warped organ tones or screaming harp riffs, this seven-piece promise to take you on a joyride. And they’ve delivered the goods again with Paper Mâché Dream Balloon. As opening track ‘Sense’ glides in you’re greeted by softly focused clarinet lines and beautiful piano chords, altogether creating something unexpectedly mellow, and far removed from their standard 16-minute psych-out fare, see ‘Head On/Pill’ or the recent Quarters EP, with each of the four clocking in at 10 minutes 10 seconds a piece.
Here you’ll search high and low for a track that barely crosses the four-minute line, there’s only one, ‘The Bitter Boogie’, and it’s a total gem. Albeit curiously un-bitter as it rolls and tumbles past pleasingly familiar swamp-blues territories, with a hefty tip of the hat to their Californian forefathers as they segue into yet more harmonica-honking goodness on ‘N.G.R.I (Bloodstain)’. Is that a sitar noodling away in the background too?
With each of the album’s twelve offerings recorded using nothing but acoustic instruments, this LP is a justification, not that one was ever required, of why King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard repeatedly warrant your ear. Strip away the cooking tube amp distortion and there’s marvellous, accessible song writing to be found, yet remaining forever psychedelic. If you thought the flute was just a fad, you were so wrong.
With the big chill amongst us right now the good folk at Polar Skateboards have released their winter wear this week to UK stores with a new collection of warm togs to assist your sessions.
Check out the new winter jacket, socks, beanies, chino’s, sweater and gloves as a taster before discovering more of their Fall 2015 apparel range at your local skate shop or the Polar site.
If you are flush and in need of a bargain this weekend then look no further than Parlour’s sample sale with Keen Dist this weekend in their East London store.
Tees from £10, hoodies from £20 and 20% of all hardwear from a bunch of different brands. Address is 59 Hackney Rd, E2 7NX. Map here. Happy shopping.
Watch Brazilian shredder Carlos Ribeiro tackle a switch backside 360 over a picnic table. Such a good battle with only one winner.
I’m pretty sure that the first question asked in this new BBC technology video feature will be met with the same answer: Me mate.
This new virtual reality skateboarding simulator that has been developed at the Tokyo Institute of Technology has been designed to gives the rider a close feeling of what it’s like to actually skateboard. Or does it?
I can’t seem to remember my body being turned into a vibrator over the last few sessions, although I am looking forward to a cobble sesh this weekend. At least the presenter didn’t push mongo.
There’s no doubt that if a list of the best British skaters ever to grace UK spots was to be drawn up, Chris Oliver‘s name would sit amongst the finest. Lovely geezer, amazing skateboarder and creative with everything he touches.
Enjoy this latest Vans Excursion from Sidewalk put together by Ryan Gray and Kev Parrott. So good.
Ph: Jim Tumey
Californian skate filmer Miguel Valle has released a compilation of his best stuff for Red Bull this week. Press play for some rad shit from Al Davis, Jon Nguyen, Joey Guevera, Brian Delatorre, Elijah Berle, Ishod Wair and more.
If you want more, there’s an interview with Miguel here.
It’s been a pleasure to watch Daan Van Der Linden come up over the least few years. Get a doobie on to his latest iPhone montage edit.
The House of Vans in Waterloo, London will host the new Jenna Selby skate movie Days Like These for Rogue Skateboards.
Jenna’s previous flick, As If And What? released back in 2009 featured all the upcoming female skateboarders on Jenna’s radar, knowing that the level of talent has risen tenfold since then in male and female skateboarding, this should be ace.
Footage of Lucy Adams, Julia Brueckler, Camilla Mullins, Josie Millard and Dora Horvath will be included, scheduled to premiere on 5th December in two showings at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.
Expect a photo exhibition, skate jam, DJs and drinks. Get yourself on the list.