If you’ve been through Cuba then you will know it’s a wonderful country where skateboarding exists but unlike other countries that have a flow of goods. Ishod Wair, Lucien Clarke and Andrew Reynolds paid a visit and met up with the Cuba Skate crew for a Vice docu.
FLAG
The Underworld, Camden, London
August 1st
Respect. That’s the key word here. Respect to Flag for choosing to spread their London debut over two nights at the Underworld rather than spending one night in a larger venue with half the required atmosphere. And respect to the members of Flag for pretty much inventing this thing we call hardcore punk rock, and so much more.
You’re in the presence of true legends here. No, it’s not Black Flag. That’s Greg Ginn’s band. He pissed all over his legacy a couple of years back with that dreadful new album and appalling live shows. I know, I witnessed it at Ieperfest in Belgium three years back – slow, sluggish, terrible rhythm section. Awful. Flag, however, (that’s Keith, Dez, Stephen, Chuck and Bill) play the music right, with energy, passion and power. You’re watching true legends at work here. All of the people involved, minus Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton who replaces Ginn, lived, breathed, wrote and performed this legendary material and when the band come out onstage tonight and Keith whispers into the mic…”it’s not my imagination,” before bellowing. “I’VE GOT A GUN IN MY BACK!!” and the whole band lurch into ‘Revenge’, the years melt away and the true power of the music is unleashed, knocking the crowd sideways.
And from that moment on, they fire off bolt after bolt of perfect hardcore punk rock. It’s a total joy to watch these true masters of the art. The way Chuck Dukowski screws up his face and hammers at the strings on this bass like his totally despises all four of them. The way Keith’s unmistakable vocals are both pitch perfect, snotty, sarcastic and drawling. The way he holds his space on the stage, his small frame shielding off endless stage dives and attempts to steal his microphone and scream along with the songs (he does not like this). The way Bill plays with precision and power, lagging on the beat so the songs never run away with themselves. The way both Dez and Stephen’s guitars manage to summon up the undeniable genius of Ginn’s original vision and noise. It’s perfect.
There’s no need to list all of the songs they played. They performed everything that was important, going as far as ‘My War’ (written by Chuck) and although you can feel the band tiring a little towards the end (‘I’ve Heard it Before’ isn’t quite as intense as it should be), the stamina they hold until that point is totally impressive. These are not young guys. These are people that started it all. Show them some fucking respect.
James Sherry
A new British skate flick, ‘In Crust We Trust‘ is en route for an October airing on DVD.
Put together by Matt Hunt and his trusty Sony VX2100, the promo that is dedicated to the late Jaymie Tangye, will have footage of Harry While, Jack Richards, Eric Wade, Jake Sparham, Adam KeatsPhoenix Luke, Glen Brooks, Chaz Merryweather, Adam Moss, Joe Robertson, Steve Spencer, Josh Webb, Aaron Jago, Eddie Belvedere, Daryl Holcombe, Josh Rounding and hypeman, Dave Rickard.
Enjoy this rad new trailer in the meantime.
Unseen Menace team footage has been released from the archives of 1996. In Enrique Lorenzo’s words:
“Tribute is the name of the video edited by Mario Cano and filmed by Fernando Garcia (L.A.), Enrique Lorenzo, Felix Bollaín and Mario Cano. It includes original and previously unseen footage of the Menace boys Fabian Alomar, Eric Pupecki, Billy Valdez, Joey Suriel, Lee Smith, Steven Cales and Javier Nuñez mixed with the likes of Enrique Lorenzo´s Louw: Octavio Barrera, Felipe Bartolomé, Pol Catena, Carlos Cardeñosa and Juan Virues.”
Head here for a hilarious True Story blog piece from back in the day with Fabian Alomar.
Yardsale are back with a new edit around the release of their new deck range this week. Click play for new footage of Curtis Pearl, Jake Church, Darius Trabalza and new team addition Sam Sitayeb, filmed and edited by Daniel Kreitem.
If the new Hockey promo just wasn’t enough, get on this new Monster Children web doc with Andrew Allen, a beast on a board who lets you into his home to see his cowboy boots.
Tokyo’s VHS Mag released 16 year old Ryo Motohashi first ever full part overnight proving that the future is bright for this dude.
Hockey’s new promo features gnarly new footage from Andrew Allen whose throw-on nosegrinds rip. Another newcomer Ben Kadow gets some minutes with more from Donovon Piscopo and John Fitzgerald.
Volcom’s impressive new full length skate video, Holy Stokes has a 24 hr window of online presence so get the teas on from 2pm UK time and take in the full flick from here.
Polar’s new range of clothing are about to hit your local skate shop this weekend. From jackets and hoodies to tees, pants and sweat shirts and accessories, head to their store for the full monty.
