Caught in the Crossfire – Page 1745 – Daily news, reviews and features for skateboarding and music loving. Online since 2001.

Elementality Vol.2 & 1st and Hope!

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 17, 2006

Woo Hoo! Here are some trailers for the sweetest easy chair action in a while.

First up is Brian Lotti’s film project 1st and Hope that follows several generations of street skaters as they cruise through the city of Angels. Cameos from Ray Barbee, Eric Dressen, Kenny Anderson and Paul Rodriguez to name a few. Click here.

Next, we have the second Element (US) video Elementality Volume 2 that is due to premiere on their website on September 1st. I can imagine the video will follow the same casual path as it’s predecessor, but expect to see some new faces such as Dallas Rockvam, Collin Provost and Jimmy Lannon.

Skateboarding News

The Lurking Hole to host Photo Exhibition

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 17, 2006

September brings a fresh photo exhibition to Nottingham called 6x4xLOADS! point&shoot photographic exhibition and opening shindig.

It will be held at THE LURKING HOLE, Nelson St. (opposite the Ice Stadium) Nottingham, NG1 in mid-September (actual date t.b.c)

The first concrete incarnation of The Lurking Hole art-space, 6x4xLOADS! is to be a photographic exhibition exploring the murky world of ‘point&shoot’ photography.

6x4xLOADS! is a celebration of all the glitches, weirdness and scandal that unfolds daily, and every once in a while someone wielding a camera happens to stumble across and capture, thus presenting chance encounter and oddness for all to view and take-in at their own pace.

Featuring significant contributions from international artists and lens-folk such as Jocko Weyland (Elk Zine), Andy Horsley (Sidewalk Magazine), Rob Erickson, Ali Couch, Tobin Yelland, Jerry Price (Clutter Zine), Dave Bevan (88 Shades of Grey Zine), and Jake McGowan (Scraps of Why Zine) along with a whole host of other troublemakers and nay-do-wells, the show promises a huge body of work to get your eyes round, with a publication and open submission on-line gallery in the works to follow…

Visit www.thelurkinghole.com for more info.

Skateboarding News

King of the Road 2006

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 17, 2006

Baker, Toy Machine, Zero and Darkstar teams are currently rampaging around America for Thrasher Magazines King of the Road.

Here are the team line ups:

Darkstar
Chet Thomas, Paul Machnau, Paul Trep, Adam Dyet, Gailea Momolu, Mark White (filmer), Kevin Lewis (TM), and Nick Scurich (photographer).

Toy Machine
Johnny Layton, Billy Marks, Matt Bennett, Ed Templeton, Josh Harmony, Kevin Barnett (TM), Griffin Collins (video), and Michael Burnett (photo)

Zero
Jamie Thomas, Chris Cole, John Rattray, Tommy Sandoval, James Brockman, Joey Shigeo (photographer), Matt Winterberg (filmer), and Chris Bodeford (TM)

Baker
Andrew Reynolds, Jim Greco, Erik Ellington, Bryan Herman, Leo Romero, Flip (TM), Lance Dawes (photographer), Beagle (filmer)…and Braydon Szafranski.

Updates from each team are being sent into the Thrasher site as they go, so click here to keep up to date with pics. But who will win this years KOTR? Talk about it here.

Live Reviews

Winnebago Deal – Live

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 16, 2006

with Exit Ten and The Blackout,
London Metro,
14/8/06

The Blackout are an energetic bunch, to the extent that they’re not even halfway through their first song when blonde co-vocalist Sean Smith accidentally collides with the drumkit. Given that they hail from South Wales, comparisons to recent tour buddies Lostprophets are inevitable; but whilst songs like ‘Go Burn City Hall‘ and ‘You And Your Friends‘ are mining heavier territory than Ian Watkins’ crew’s recent output, the Blackout are on the lips of every rock magazine right now and righty so.

The drama factor increases with Exit Ten, who take the stage bathed in strobe lights before blitzing the front rows with some monolithically heavy thrash riffing. Originality isn’t their forte either, but the occasional Killswitch Engage-ism can be forgiven for a band with such a knack for a stadium-sized chorus; not least on ‘Resume Ignore‘ which is lifted by Ryan Redman’s soaring vocals to genuinely epic heights. Be sure to keep an eye out for this lot.

A bomb is most effective when detonated in an enclosed space, and as Winnebago Deal explode into life with a thunderous ‘With Friends Like These‘, it’s clear that small, sweaty clubs like the Metro are their ideal environment.

The Oxford duo inject a much-needed dose of punk rock aggression into the proceedings; whether ripping through ‘Cobra‘ like Motorhead on speed, or uniting the crowd for the shout-along chorus of ‘Did It, Done It, Doing It Again‘, these guys exude a wonderfully evil sense of purpose as they give our eardrums a thorough punishing.

This is rock n’ roll at its most visceral and intense, and tonight Winnebago Deal ensure that we leave feeling exhausted but satisfied. Job done.

WordsAlex Gosman
Photo’s by Niki Kova’cs

Skateboarding News

Weird Science

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 16, 2006

Science Skateboards are about to launch a new site in September, check the temporary site up now that hosts BRAND NEW 3-minute promo video.

You will also be able to taste the selection forthcoming board graphics designed by influential and respected artists.

All at www.scnc.co.uk

Skateboarding News

Girl News

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 16, 2006

Please welcome Jenna Selby who will be adding updated female skate gossip into these very pages from today onwards, over to you Jenna…

OK, Sherborne’s one and only gangsteress, Maria Falbo has hooked herself up with Adrian Lopez’s Rock Star Bearings multi-national skate team, alongside the likes of Evelien Bouilliart and Louisa Menke.

Adrian will soon be shipping her off to the States to skate with the whole “Chicas” Crew. Check out www.rockstarbearings.com for more info.

Sam Bruce, Kaos and Kevin Parrot have been working with local London Schools over the summer, teaching kids how to skate and generally promoting it to the younger generation.

Deeside’s vert skater Lil’Rebecca Aimee Davies has signed up with Rubicon Skateboards, where she’ll be getting involved in developing their girl specific brand “Skater Girl.”

At present, Rubicon are looking to develop further and are interested in hooking up with other laydees to join their girl’s team. Criteria being: a good attitude, fun loving and with plenty of talent and potential. (None of us grandmas then!!). They’d also be happy to hear from any girls who are into art and graphic design to help develop the product side of things.

Finally if there any girls who would be interested in joining as an instructor teaching hundreds of children a month (I believe it is ok and understandable to kill a few along the way), across the UK, then get in touch through their website www.teamrubicon.co.uk.

If you want to get an idea of what they do on the coaching side of things, check out: www.skatersunited.co.uk which also gets a mention in this months Sidewalk.

Buzz Chart

Steve Turner and his Bad Ideas

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 16, 2006

If you were to read Steve Turner‘s musical CV it would list lead guitarist of Mudhoney right at the very top being his most famous role over the years. Then as you worked your eyes down the list of other credible projects such as the grunge catalyst Green River, and the rawkus Monkeywrench with Mudhoney singer Mark Arm, the scuzzy garage skills of The Fall Outs, the wonderfully named The Thrown Ups and others, you realise that Turner has kept to his routes from day one and has never fallen down the bad music hole once.

With the addition of a further 3 solo albums to boast about since learning how to play guitar and sing at the same time, Turner is back with another project released this month on Funhouse Recordings that needs your attention. ‘New Wave Punk Asshole’ is a 16 track long player that creaks garage soul and punk prowess that you could possibly associate with the solo projects of one Graham Coxon.

If you look at the influnces of both of these musicians you can hear that UK Punk played a role in the spikyness of the Brit’s songwriting and likewise with Turner with the psych garage sound the 60’s.

Mainly though the one simple 2 things they both have in common is that they both come from popular bands and they both have the songwriting skills to keep us all happy with amazing music.

‘New Wave Punk Asshole’ does not spit noise down your ears though, despite it’s roots in punk. Kicking off with the attitude filled ‘No One Gives A Shit’, this record keeps it’s superfuzz big muff quietly in the mix to deliver standout tracks ‘Reject the Future’, ‘Everyones an Ex’, ‘Cold City’, ‘I know You Scorpio’, the wonderful ‘Pushing Up Daisies’ and ‘The Partys Over‘ that has more in common with Coxon’s songwriting than any other tracks on this album.

Turner’s 60’s roots reflect best on ‘Baby Baby Baby Baby’ that has more in common with The 13th Floor Elevators than Mudhoney, so if you are looking for ‘Touch Me I’m Sick‘ you will not be finding it on this record but that is what is so great about Turner’s solo projects, as you are always going to get something different when it’s released on August 24th.

Chuck Bangers

Skateboarding News

Mystery blocks spotted

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 15, 2006

So, with the addition of the new blocks at Southbank, the old ones needed a new home, but where did they go?

We can tell you that they are not in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, nor the side of the OXO building, and not even on the Uxbridge Rd…

But we can tell you that it took 4 hrs for the first one to be transported by van to this mystery location in London but where can u find them?

It’s this weeks BIG QUESTION..nothing like a game of ‘spot the spot’ is there…

Live Reviews

Flogging Molly – Live

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 15, 2006

London – Mean Fiddler
25/7/06

Sonic Boom Six seem to have been supporting just about every band and their dog lately, but with performances as animated as tonight’s, they really ought to be headlining venues of this size by now.

Still, livewire vocalist Laila Khan and the boys don’t seem too bothered, as they serve up a gloriously colourful collage of rap, ska, dub and hardcore with an enthusiasm not seen since the days of their much-missed kindred spirits King Prawn. A welcome treat for the early birds.

Swedish quartet Two Point Eight provide the perfect soundtrack to a cider-fuelled moshpit with their raw street-punk anthems, but it’s hard to overlook the fact that songs like ‘Red Eye‘ and ‘Cop Kids‘
are virtual Rancid rip-offs, right down to vocalist/guitarist Fredrick Bjorck’s Strummer-esque drawl. For all the bile and conviction in their performance, there’s precious little to get excited about.

Flogging Molly, however, are a band to believe in; and as ‘Screaming At The Wailing Wall‘ incites mayhem amongst the sold-out crowd, it’s clear that the converted are out in force. Having been written off by many as a ‘bar band’ in their early days, Flogging Molly’s present popularity is a victory for authenticity and passion in the face of an increasingly cut-throat music industry; and the sense of celebration is almost tangible as Dave King and his crew rip through folk-punk crowd favourites like ‘Drunken Lullabies’ and ‘Selfish Man‘. Fiddle/tin whistle player Bridget Regan is the unsung heroine of the band; her studied presence a perfect foil to the chaos that surrounds her, and by the time they close with a barnstorming ‘Seven Deadly Sins‘, the floor is a sea of sweat-drenched smiles. A triumph, no less.

Alex Gosman

Music News

Boy George sweeps the streets

Post author By Crossfire
Post date August 15, 2006

Pop singer and DJ Boy George has started his 5-day community service in the US this week.

Cocaine was found in his New York apartment last year by cops after the 80’s star reported a burglary at his luxury Manhattan home last year.

If you are reading this and indulge in a bit of “schwingy” now and then, you may want to make a note of this alarming self tragedy of how to not get yourself busted!