Tag: review

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DVD Reviews

Shake Junt Chicken Bone Nowison

shake_junt_chicken_boneShake Junt is famous for making griptape and lumps of wax so anyone who didn’t know better would be safe in assuming their video consisted of cutting room floor clips that conjure up as much excitement as a tax bill. Well, stereotypes are made to be broken and filmer Beagle-Oneism and his buddies definitely smash any preconceptions with Chicken Bone Nowison.

There’s a reason why teenagers around the world are painting everything green and gold and neglect the traditional handshake for a double slap and pound combination. The industry runs on trends and Shake Junt are running the show right now. This is pretty amazing when you consider that all they do is deal hardware and scream obscure phrases, but when you look closer you’re quick to notice that Shake Junt is a subsidiary of the Baker-Deathwish camp which in turn means some of the biggest and best names in skateboarding are riding under their flag. As a result, Chicken Bone Nowison is anything but cutting room floor footage. Beagle-Oneism has gathered new footage, tour footage, off cuts from this year’s major releases and various other hi-jinks to create an hour long trip with some of skateboarding’s heaviest hitters.

Andrew Reynolds, Bryan Herman, Dustin Dollin, Justin Figueroa, Neen Williams, Theotis Beasley, Jeff Lenoce, Braydon Szafranski, Shane Heyl, Beagle-Oneism, Don Nyguen and new recruits Pat “Sinner” Pasquale and Mike White have parts as well as a couple of friends sections thrown in for good measure. The only person missing from the video (even though you spot him lurking) is Jim Greco. I was surprised to see he didn’t have any tricks as he rips.

Rather than go into detail, here are a few things Yays and Nays about Chicken Bone Nowison:

– Neen Williams has some of the most beautiful heelflips in the game.

– Jeff Lenoce finally came through with a real part that should prove the naysayers wrong.

– Even though some might find them annoying, Shane Heyl and Beagle-Oneism display genuine excitement and motivation which can only have a very positive effect on skateboarders trying to get tricks in an anti-skate city like Los Angeles.

– Terry Kennedy handling business like a boss.

– Unfortunately Antwuan Dixon fans will be disappointed especially when they see that his few tricks are twinned with that of Neckface.

– “Look mum, no hands!” jumping out of hotel windows into swimming pools is highly inadvisable. Whoever does jump is merely centimetres away from meeting their maker.

– Spray painting someone’s face isn’t a good idea either!

– Dustin Dollin (interview) proves yet again that you can skate anything and rip it apart.

– A very cynical person might remark that certain skaters are a bit like one trick ponies that filmed every possible variation of a specific trick on various spots. Haters gonna hate…

– With so many skaters and so many styles, the soundtrack is varied. Everything from mixtape tracks to Lemmy set the rhythm for the footage and it’s all-good.

In the category of hardware company videos Chicken Bone Nowison sits head and shoulders above the rest. The skating and positive vibe of the video are the major strengths which should guarantee that you get yourself a copy and watch it several times. If the tricks don’t convince you, the title jingle definitely will.

Ralph Lloyd-Davis
7 December 2011

Categories
Skateboarding News

Nyjah Huston rolls out his 11.11.11 part today

The Berrics were quoted to say last month that Nyjah Huston‘s Rise and Shine section dropping on 11.11.11 was “going to be a defining moment in skateboarding.” Today, you can find out for yourself but expect greatness. It’s only 8.30am when I write this but already the internet has spoken with rumours that this section is ‘bonkers’.

See for yourself and find out more from here later. You can download it for £1.49 from i-Tunes from today or £1.99 in HD.

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

SUPRA Douglas boot

The clocks have gone back, the Autumn has kicked in and inevitably the Winter will be inviting us into the big chill here in the UK over the next 2 months. For some it’s a bleak period, for others it’s a joyful season, but for many of us, preparation for cold, winter nights ahead starts now in terms of clothing and shoes.

SUPRA are one step ahead of the other shoe brands this year and have released a series of boots so you can combat pretty much any weather system when off your board. Question is, are these for you? What do you wear when you are not skating? Are you the commercial sports style person? Do you like a shoe? Are you partial to a boot? If it’s the latter then get ready to be introduced to Supra’s newest range of footwear designed to heavy duty wear off the griptape. A boot that is so durable that you can hike in them, as i found out a month ago whilst visiting Lulworth Cove down on the South coast.

These Douglas boots are all terrain vehicles, designed to tackle hillsides, puddles, dancefloors and pretty much anything that this planet will serve up. So far, they are not even fazed by the tasks that they have been put through so far, they look exactly the same as they did when they jumped out of the box, and when they have got dirty, these boots are so easy to wipe down and clean up.

I have noticed that I have formed bigger calf muscles in these last 6 weeks of wearing them daily, as the Douglas are heavy but not like foot bricks. They are kind of like Black Sabbath, but within the first 4 albums. None of that (debatable) average shit they released afterwards that you can never actually remember. They come with tough metal eyelets, leather laces, heavygauge stitching, a gusseted tongue (ooh missus) and they are super warm and comfy once on your feet.

If you are looking for a winter boot this year, the Douglas could well be your best option. Keep and eye on Supra as they are making some big waves in an area where a lot of other skate brands are just repeating themselves right now. These come highly recommended this winter. Pick them up in the Supra shop as they now deliver direct to the UK.

Zac

Lulworth Cove, October 2011- no problem for the Douglas.

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

Quiksilver Justin Brock Chino

To celebrate Justin Brock turning pro in 2009 Quiksilver released a limited edition chino. I am quite the chino man myself, so I was delighted to receive a pair of these! You can’t go wrong with a classic like this. They are smart but casual, wear them to your Nan’s birthday party or down to your local skatepark and you won’t feel out of place.

These chinos are a straight fit with side cut deep pockets. They also come with a swatch of extra material in case of any patch ups, which I must say won’t be needed. Well, not this week. I was skating home a bit drunk late last week, when I hit some rumble strips causing me to leave my board, become airborne and simultaneously collect some sizeable scabs on my knees, elbow and shoulder. The good news is that not even a scuff was left on these, so maybe worth considering that fact alone before shopping at your local skate shop.

Matthew Bromley

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

Krooked Zig Zagger

The Krooked ‘cruiser’ boards have been around a few years now with three sizes. The Zip Zinger Nano 7.125″, The Zip Zinger 7.5″ and the Zig Zagger 8.6″. They come in many colour ways and alternative themed graphics ranging from classic bold colours to ice-creams, to galactic space backgrounds, oh and the board comes with stickers and a novelty Krooked card crown!

It’s the 8.6″ Zig Zagger that has got me excited though. Mostly at the thought of looking down at my feet riding this board in the street or at Stockwell skidding about pretending in my head that i’m Mark Gonzales! “But its just cruiser board!” I hear you cry. Don’t be mistaken. It has the same concave, wheel base and equal nose and tail as most standard popsicle boards. You will still be able to pop out all your nollie tricks regardless of the boards pointy nose but now with added style!

My personal point to make with this review is that skateboarding is fun. If your enthusiasm for skateboarding is running low I can’t recommend the Zig Zagger enough, take a chance and make it part of your next set up. If you’re still not convinced watch the man himself having fun on one.

Matthew Bromley

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Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music Reviews

Retox

Ugly Animals
Ipecac

Retox-Ugly-Animals_album_sleeveClimbing out of those skin tight nylon body suits and into yet another punk vehicle, The Locust’s Justin Pearson and Gabe Serbain have been making waves in the hardcore scene with their new band; Retox. Joined by Michael Crain and Thor Dickey on guitar and bass respectively, Retox are a more straight-forward band than we’re perhaps used to from Pearson, but if anything it only goes to make this his most focussed and exciting venture in years.

With a self titled EP already under their belts, Ugly Animals is the band’s debut full length, although calling it that is arguably manipulating the facts. What we have here are a blistering eleven songs in thirteen minutes, tearing through your system with all the energy and swagger of their live show. It’s always a difficult task to capture this kind of riotous enthusiasm on record, but this brisk collection will have you reaching for the play button as soon its run through its modest duration.

The LP has something of Head Wound City feel to it, with Serbian behind the kit again delivering a controlled if still exhilarating performance. While the hooks may be somewhat difficult to pick out at first, with repeated listens this at first record really starts to take its pointed shape. Clocking in at under 15 minutes you’d be a fool not to check out Ugly Animals, which, for our money, is one of the essential hardcore releases of 2011.

Sleekly Lion.

Categories
Album Reviews Buzz Chart

Scream

Complete Control Session
Side One Dummy Records

Scream’s place in the annals of US Hardcore History is assured notably for their 4 albums albums on Dischord Records. Formalised officially in 1981, the band comprised brothers Franz and Pete Stahl, on guitar and vocals, with bassist Skeeter Thompson and drummer Kent Stax holding it down in the engine room.

The debut Still Screaming was a rip-roaring collection of thrashers. By their second album This Side Up they were well on their way from straight-ahead Hardcore, throwing in reggae fused jams (on the side produced by Dr Know of Bad Brains (a band whose influence on Scream cannot be understated) and then some heavy rocking numbers on the flipside where they added a 2nd guitarist.

Whilst many of Scream’s peers had discarded their ‘70’s rock albums in the Punk Rock Year Zero, these guys clearly still had their Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath records at the forefront of their collections and in my opinion, were a better band for it. This Side Up was the first album I picked up, in ’84, at Max’s Records in Eastbourne. I sure hit the jackpot there but I was also gutted a couple of years later, whilst overseas, my brother told me that he’d seen them play a show in Brighton. Oww!!

After the ’86 Euro-tour, Kent Stax left, and was replaced by a young DC skin basher by the name of Dave Grohl, who augmented a line-up that would release 3 more studio albums, touring relentlessly, including more trips to Europe (where I finally got to see them again in ’88). The end of the century was also the end for Scream as they fell apart on West Coast during a US Tour. The Stahl brothers headed to Los Angeles and started WOOL, with Pete later forming cult Stoner outfit Goatsnake. Dave went to Seattle, joined Nirvana and paid his dues to his former band by wearing a Scream t-shirt in the Teen Spirit video. Franz would also play in Foo Fighters early on.

The band has reunited occasionally over the years with Dave Grohl drumming, but with global world domination now firmly on his radar Kent Stax returned and these 7 songs were recorded live in February 2011 at Dave’s home studio and capture a band in really fine, fine form. The end result is totally raw and smoking, kicking off with the soulful rock grooves of opening duo Stopwatch and Get Free before the doors are blown open by the blasting Jammin’ at 606. Imagine Lemmy and the Bad Brains going off in the studio! Elevate is fired by a (way) snazzy NY Dolls inspired lead  and tongues are firmly in cheek for The Year Bald Singers Were In which vibes like a lost-track from This Side Up. Move (All Alone) is sublime, scorching riffage and cracking vocals. Demolition Dancing closes with “something’s gonna happen, that’s for sure”… and it really is! I would love to see them play again, let’s hope that they tour soon.

Pete Craven

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

éS Pledge shirt review

es_pledge_shirt_blueThe Pledge shirt by éS should deal with a British summer on 2 levels. Over the last 3 weeks, the weather has blown, hot, cold, hot, cold and somehow this shirt has sat right in the middle of it all and saved my skin. Due to its 100% cotton lightweight design, this baby blue number has provided warmth when the sun has disappeared and has tackled the heat with the sleeves rolled up with ease.

It comes with a double lining so when you get it out of the wash it doesn’t fall apart and is easy on the iron. It also has minimal branding and a tasty front pocket if you need to stash smokes or cards.

éS have some great lines of clothing out right now and this shirt comes highly recommended this summer. Treat yourself this weekend, you only live once.

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

éS Duran review

es_duran-shoesWhen éS thought of the concept of simplicity vs technical, they pulled out quite a few stops to produce a very minimalistic skate shoe that can easily be mistaken for a loafer rather than something you would wear when skateboarding. They’ve released these in a few different versions, but I’m picky and if ain’t suede, I ain’t riding them. Fortunately for me, this model has full suede uppers supported by synthetic leather lining throughout.

Slim shoes should always have a thin tongue, again, a feature apparent on these beauties. A nice added feature I personally like on the modern skate shoe is waxed laces, they look better and last a bit longer. éS have taken the initiative to ensure the laces are nice and shiny to match the slick appearance of the leather lining.

I will admit I wasn’t a fan of the stitch and turn toe cap due to the fact that it might hinder my flips and probably wear through rather quickly, but it really hasn’t influenced my board control in anyway and I was surprised to see it last this long. Professionals, Ams and all kinds of skaters are riding skinnier shoes these days, but they all know a slim shoe still needs a solid sole, which is why these represent a full length EVA midsole with a moulded STI system G2 embedded into it. The rubber outsole is a regular 400 NBS, slightly different to a vulc sole of course, but rather light and really not disappointing at all.

Overall I like these shoes, they’ve been good to me and outlasted their expectancy. I can’t fault them in anyway, but I do prefer a vulcanised outsole which I feel could have given them a slightly better overall performance.

2P

Categories
Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music Reviews

Iceage

‘New Brigade’
Escho

iceage_newbrigadeWhile Denmark might not be known as a goldmine for producing great punk bands, if you’ve been reading the music press in recent months the chances are you may have come across Iceage. Rumblings of this Copenhagen band’s debut record reached the UK at the beginning of the year, as its initial release was picked up by a number of tastemaking blogs and championed in Noel Gardener’s superb punk column over at The Quietus. In his column, Gardener describes the record as ‘basically, perfect’ and ‘one of the best punk rock records released in recent years’, and I would be hard pushed to disagree.

Given that the history of punk has been mined so many times, it’s difficult to make a record that sounds like nothing else around it. Look around at contemporary punk music and you’ll find variations of Black Flag, variations of Fugazi and variations of Wire, but every once in a while something will be released that sounds completely pure. Not that the album doesn’t draw heavily from post punk influences, but everything is so right about this recording, from the songs to the production, that it manages to distinguish itself among any number of copyist acts. It’ll be interesting to see whether this album is a one-off fluke, but New Brigade captures the essence of what makes punk so damn exciting in the first place.

It’s scrappy, energetic production makes it easy to imagine in a live setting, barely held together on record you can only imagine things intensifying at shows. The guitars clatter against each other, almost lost in the muddle of noise, before being dragged out by some hook that comes out of nowhere. While this doesn’t sound like a record made for anyone other than the band themselves, there are standout tracks (‘White Rune’, ‘New Brigade’, ‘Broken Bone’) with choruses that will bounce around your head for days. Albeit sung in singer Elias Rønnenfelt’s signature sluggish drawl. While the band certainly aren’t scared to thrash out a minute long punk jam, their perhaps at their best when these bursts of near-melody jump out completely unexpectedly.

The early excitement Iceage picked up has quickly multiplied in recent months. With a US release for New Brigade on Dais, at the time of writing the band is currently embarking on a full tour of the states. Whether or not they can maintain the often fleeting attention of the modern indie press remains to be seen, but for now we’re just glad to see this record being noticed. A proper punk record from an exciting new talent.

Sleekly Lion.

Video – New Brigade