Emerica have unleashed the brand new Justin Figeroa Laced shoe this week. If you missed the various Laced reviews over the years on this very mag, then you will know that Emerica have a classic skate shoe here that have always been awarded the love they deserve.
Talking of awards, will Figgy take the Skater of the Year 2012? Hype says he is in the mix for the big one but time will tell the story very soon. This Baker Figgy collab from Emerica comes in black green and white, has a strapped tongue, full length EVA midsole, gum rubber outsole and a zigzag tread pattern to hug your grip tape. Look out for them this winter and supprt skater owned companies.
With 10 days to go before Pretty Sweet drops onto premiere screens across the planet, Kansas born, Girl Skateboards pro, Sean Malto spills some beans on his trips to the UK, what’s coming from Pretty Sweet and a little bit more.
How different has this year been, knowing you started 2012 wearing a pair of Nike‘s?
Man, it’s so crazy. I’m just starting a different chapter in my skate life. I’m just grateful for the opportunity that I have to skate for some of the best companies in the world. With that though, it creates much more traveling for me.
This was your second trip to London in 2 months, what’s your take on the terrain we have here to skate?
It’s tough, but I love the way footage looks in London. I’m a big fan of all of the Blueprint videos.
Have you found how rough our streets are a hindrance or a challenge?
It’s definitely a challenge. Getting stuff in London does not come easy! It’s a lot of walking and skating just to get to the spot. Then you have to deal with the weathered ground. I have a lot of fun in London though so I try and go there when I can.
Have you managed to film any footage for Pretty Sweet in London’s streets?
I got a few things in London that are in my part. Feds (Girl Filmer) and myself came out and skated around for 10 days and filmed kinda everything from skating spots to taking the tube. I’m not sure how they ended up editing my part but I’m sure some of that footage is in there.
Any particular UK spots that you enjoyed most?
The bench that turns into a flatbar is amazing. I’ve never skated anything like that in my life.
What about the culture, the people and the food. Some Americans hate our food…
I’m the least pickiest eater. I like all types of food, so that doesn’t bother me at all. The people are always nice and I definitely enjoy a good pub every once in a while!
Growing up in Kansas, did you have any knowledge about the UK skate scene at all?
I didn’t know a lot about it, other than the Blueprint videos. When I started hanging out with people that have visited the UK, everyone always mentioned that Nick Jensen was killing it.
Which UK skaters do you rate the most?
There’s so many talented people. Neil Smith, Nick Jensen, Danny Brady, Jerome Campbell, Paul Shier…..they’re all so awesome to watch skate.
Is your Pretty Sweet part finished yet?
Last day of filming was October 15th, so I’m all done!
Where was the majority of your footage for this production filmed?
Kinda a little bit of everywhere. Over the past few years I’ve spent time all over Europe, China, and the US, so it’s just a collection of everything I’ve filmed.
Which trick was the biggest pain in the ass to get down and where?
I filmed one of my last tricks a week before the deadline of the video. It was one of the scariest tricks I’ve every put myself through. It sucked so bad. When I landed it, I was more happy that I didn’t have to try it again than I was about landing it!
Did you have to go back to any spots to re-shoot tricks you didn’t particularly like?
There were a few things I had to go back to. Towards the end, it was more about trying to do tricks I’d been putting off until the deadline.
Did you manage to get any NBD’s down in this section?
Haha! I’m not sure. I’m not the best at skate history. I’m sure there’s a couple tricks that seem to be NBD’s, but someone probably did it at EMB 20 years ago.
We always discuss the skateboarders, but the filmers are equally important to mention when it comes to film productions. Out of Ty Evans, Federico, Ryan Lovell, Sam Newman and Roger Bagley, which one person gets the very best out of the team for their parts on the day, which filmers do you like working with mostly, and who filmed the majority of your part?
I love all those guys. Ty Evans, Ryan Lovell, and Feds filmed the majority. To be able to work with all those guys has been an amazing experience. I did work with Ty Evans a lot for Pretty Sweet. He’s so motivated, and knows what it takes to get a video done. I’ve never been on more productive trips than Ty Evans’ trips.
Sean hits up a bs nose blunt at the Ladbroke Grove rail, poached by Matt Anderson’s phone cam.
Do you know what other names came up first before they chose the title Pretty Sweet?
There was one other name that I really liked, inspired by Keenan Milton. I don’t know if I should say it, because I think it could be used for another video somewhere down the road!
Brandon Biebel mentioned in a recent interview that Guy Mariano’s part is going to blow minds. Have you been on any filming missions with him for this production?
I’ve seen a few things on trips, but Guy is a very talented and motivated person. His part is going to exceed any expectations. To me, his part is going to be one of the best parts ever in skateboarding.
Who is everyone hyped on for this video from the Chocolate camp?
Obviously MJ is the man. All the new guys on the team killed it as well though! Stevie Perez, Elijah, Raven, and Vincent took this video to a whole new level!
Any words on Gino, Koston and Howard?
Watching Gino is, and always will be amazing. No one makes it look better than him. Rick Howard is a big reason why Girl is so awesome, and why this video is even happening. I have so much respect for Rick and always have such a great time hanging out with him. Koston’s the best skater in the world! But you guys already knew that right?
For all the new skaters out there who may not have seen classic Girl Skateboards videos, Mouse or Goldfish. If you had to choose a section from each film, which ones would you choose
Koston in Mouse and Jeron’s section in Goldfish.
Tell us something about Pretty Sweet that we don’t know?
Trunk Boyz are always fun and funny to hang out with. If anyone from London wants a dose of the Trunk Boyz, I would suggest going to the premiere in the UK! They’ll be there, and in full force!
Last words….
Don’t piss into the wind.
Pretty Sweet premiere’s in the UK at the Richmix Cinema, London on Monday November 19th. Girl and Chocolate team riders Raven Tershy, Elijah Berle, Rick Howard, Cory Kennedy, Vincent Alvarez and Stevie Perez will be in attendance on the night. Pre-order the deluxe DVD boxset from your local skate shop this week.
Watch Sean’s latest footage for Kansas City skate shop Escapist, whose latest video ‘Red and Yellow’ just dropped this weekend. This part also features footage of Tyshaun Johnson.
Watch this clip of how Sean was sponsored by Girl too.
He was once quoted saying that “I skate when I’m asleep.” There’s no denying it this morning as Louie Lopez smashes all expectations and rolls out one of the very best video edits of the year for Volcom as if he was asleep. The 5ft ripper ups the game today with a huge box of tricks topped with a seriously happy ending. If this doesn’t warrant a name on the bottom of a piece of Flip wood at the end of the year then ams of the world will be up in arms.
The youth is rising once again. Get the teas on and watch our nominated Skate Edit of the Week now.
In the lead up to Metallica’s 30th birthday party celebrating the legendary ‘Kill Em All’ album, Vans have put together a special, limited edition Half Cab as a tribute.
Featuring ‘black to the floor’ black suede and toughened canvas upper, this exclusive pair of Vans goodness should be a must have for all Metallica fans. The sole even hosts the ‘Kill Em All’ album artwork encased in a clear rubber vulcanised sole! It also has the lyrics to classic track ‘Motorbreath’ etched onto the sole too.
When can you get a pair of these on your feet? Well, Slam City will have them in from Monday 22nd October, so if Nothing Else Matters, get some over at www.slamcity.com
Recent Sub Pop signing METZ have made all their previous works available for FREE download via their bandcamp. The back catalogue download will give new fans an idea of the musical journey of METZ leading up to their incredible self titled LP, due out on October 15th.
Catch the band live as they embark on a mini tour this autumn:
OCTOBER
21st – Leeds, The Library
22nd – Glasgow, The Art School
23rd – Manchester, Kraak Gallery
24th – London, Old Blue Last
Watch this trailer of a new Polish skate video that will be airing in November this year.
‘Grey Area’ is being stitched together by Kuba Kaczmarczyk & Paweł Piotr Przybył and will have footage of Danijel Stankovic, Pontus Alv, Michał Juraś, Krzysiek Poskrobko, Łukasz Kuza, Eryk Gaj, Hjalte Halberg, and many more.
IRON MAIDEN today announced that they will headline Download Festival on Saturday 15 June 2013, bringing their triumphant “Maiden England” tour to Donington Park on the 25th Anniversary of their first headline performance at the legendary home of rock in 1988 when an astounding 107,000 fans turned out to see their spectacular “Seventh Son” show, still the highest ever attendance there.
This will also be a record FIFTH time that the multi million selling British rock pioneers will have topped the bill at Donington, following two Monsters of Rock performances (1988 and 1992) and two spectacular Download Festivals (2003 and 2007).
Frontman Bruce Dickinson says “We’re absolutely over the moon to be headlining Donington again. The idea of returning exactly 25 years later with a show inspired by that same 1988 “Seventh Son” Tour, was too good an opportunity to be missed! And, thanks to modern technology, we’ve been able to update and improve on the original production. We will be bringing a huge new lightshow, stage set, various incarnations of Eddie, plenty of pyro and all kinds of other exciting stuff for the fans. And of course treating the fans to lots of their favourite songs from that period! We’ve had many great times at Donington and there is always a wonderful mix of bands and a really wild crowd who love their metal, all of which makes for a memorable show and fantastic party atmosphere!
Fearless Records are currently giving away their 2012 sampler through Amazon, for FREE! It features Crossfire favorites Pierce The Veil as well as 10 more Fearless Record artists ranging from the poppiest of pop-punk bands Go Radio to the obscurely dressed modern-metalcore heroes Motionless In White!
Below is the track-listing:
01 Pierce The Veil – ‘King For A Day’
02 The Word Alive – ‘Wishmaster’
03 Motionless In White – ‘ Immaculate Misconception’
04 blessthefall – ‘Promised Ones’
05 Go Radio – ‘Collide’
06 Every Avenue – ‘Fall Apart’
07 For All Those Sleeping – ‘Mark My Words’
08 Upon This Drawing – ‘Of Human Action’
09 A Skylit Drive – ‘Too Little Too Late’
10 Mayday Parade – ‘Miserable At Best’
11 Tonight Alive – ‘Little Lion Man’
American band Circa Survive have announced the release of their fourth full-length album, ‘VIOLENT WAVES‘, due out on August 28th. The five-piece band recorded and self-produced the eleven-track album earlier this year at Studio 4 in their hometown of Philadelphia and will be self-releasing the album using direct-to-fan distribution, a step away from thier previous endevaours with Equal Vision and Atalntic Records.
In conjunction with Topspin Media, The Uprising Creative and Firebrand, the band has built a web delivery system that will allow them to deliver their new album directly to fans without any record label or distributor involvement. The band – who’s style is rooted in progressive-rock and punk- have a close relationship with their fans and believe this method as the best way of connecting with them and establishing the future of Circa Survive in the current economic climate.
Guitarist Colin Frangicetto comments:
“Collectively we’ve run the gamut from working with really small DIY labels to big indies all the way to a major label. The band has learned a ton from each of those experiences and at this point feel confident in our ability to successfully produce, release and promote a record on our own. There’s really nothing more satisfying to us then bringing our vision to the world in this way.”
Vocalist Anthony Green added:
“By choosing to download our music directly from us, you are choosing to give our band a future and directly supporting us and our families.”
A variety of bundle options are available including deluxe vinyl packaging hand-painted by the band members, or for just $5 fans can purchase the digital version of Violent Waves.
Orders can be made directly through the band here.
Expect an album review and UK/Euro show announcements to follow here at Crossfire.
With 10 days to go before 
Recent Sub Pop signing METZ have made all their previous works available for FREE download via their 
Watch this trailer of a new Polish skate video that will be airing in November this year. 
Fearless Records are currently giving away their 2012 sampler through Amazon, for FREE! It features Crossfire favorites Pierce The Veil as well as 10 more Fearless Record artists ranging from the poppiest of pop-punk bands Go Radio to the obscurely dressed modern-metalcore heroes Motionless In White!
