Browsing “History”

Since the start of the year I have been working for Skateboarding Australia (SbA) which is a government funded body implemented to promote and grow skateboarding in our country. More about us here. Aside from being head judge for their Am Series and Pro/Am Tour (curated by Aussie legend Andrew Currie) I have been updating their website’s blog and features.

Including:
Feature interviews with Aussie luminaries such as Chima, Tommy Fynn, Steve Gourlay, Reece Warren, Joel McIlroy and Jack Fardell.

Chinwags with Andrew Brophy, Paul Brabenec and Trent Evans.

There are a bunch of video based regulars as well:
A to Bs with Barry Mansfield, and Dave “Battlecat” Harris
Lost Tapes with Daniel Cardone.
What’s Crackin’ with Nathan Jackson
Recons on the new Belconnen and Nimbin parks.

We also do historical pieces like
Flashbacks with Brett Margaritis, Matt Mumford, Davo and Lee Ralph.
and Video Vaults with Al Boglio, Wade Burkitt (pictured above), Cale Nuske, Tas Pappas, Dustin Dollin and Lewis Marnell.

There are wrap-ups on comps such as Shocklands and the Goldy Grail.
Hope you enjoy this little package of top shelf antipodean skateboarding.

Stay tuned at sba.org.au

Below you will find a selection of images from the site.

Room 205 does it again…

The recreation of imagination.

Giant Moa Has A Giant Wishbone by Sarah Larnach

My friend and fellow Element advocate, Sarah Larnach, lives over in New Zealand, where there was some pretty gnarly earthquakes not so long ago. Here is an email that she sent out about this painting that she has donated which is currently being auctioned…

“Hello!

‘The giant moa has been extinct for about 250 years, but these massive birds were once the worlds largest. I’ve painted this moa in the style of a museum taxidermy guide, for my Wonder Cabinet (Wunderkammer) series. The special detail in this painting is the wishbone (which would be about 50cm tall on a Moa) , here symbolically painted in gold for hope and good wishes.  This is the first original piece in this series to go up for sale.

Cerebral Ballzy just released a new music video, entitled “On the Run”, which is an homage to old 80′s skate videos. You’ve got to watch it and see for yourself, as you won’t believe this was shot in modern times. Featuring Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain, Mike McGill, and Steve Alba, the video was directed by Jonathan Rej and Tom Bingham, and shot by the one and only, Ira Ingram.

While organizing some old footage and photos, I came across this gem; OC Road Trip (2004).

This is a video I made of  a skatepark tour we made in 2004, as a sort of “Going Away” party, as I was moving across the country to Philadelphia for a year.

Looking back, everyone is half their current weight, including my little brother Tyler, who must’ve only been 11 years old (and still pushing mongo!).

Other notables are, Dylan Radloff (nose-wheelie to nollie 180 front-foot kickflip) who is the Oakley Team Manager and Socialite Extraordinaire, Ira Ingram (noseslide the big hubba) who films and edits most skate videos you see today, Rick Marmolijo (half kickflip to half backfoot heelflip) is the Design Director of éS, and Ryan Marcus (switch 270º kickflip) who is responsible for directing 411VM and creating some of the most kick-ass motion graphics you’ve ever seen.

This is not only the epitome of what skateboarding represents, but also what it creates… Creative, forward thinking individuals.

Chad Muska is a skateboard icon that seemingly never slows down. His talents have transcended his skateboard status, and continues to amaze and inspire all who cross his path. For a sneak peak into his life, follow Chad on Twitter…

“It is easier to judge somebody’s work than it is to have the confidence to put your own out. Give a compliment, not a critique.” – Chad Muska, via Twitter.

Follow him here:

http://twitter.com/themuska

Photo: By Amber B Dianda. NYC 2010.

Rag doll board designs aside, something made Ray Barbee graphically famous before he even turned pro for Powell Peralta, in 1989 : his yellow, unmistakable “RB Control” cap. The one he wore in every mag and video, the one that no skate shop on Earth seemed to ever be able to ever put their
hands on -prompting a whole generation of disciples to deface any remotely yellow cap in sight with variously successful renditions of said logo.There’s a reason behind this much-coveted accessory’s elusiveness, though: “RB Control was a pest control company”, Ray laughs. “A friend gave me this cap right when I started skating, in 7th grade or something.”
The amusing episode explained, back to business: straight out of Ray Barbee’s car’s trunk, the incredible rubber boy’s five own favorite pro-model graphics are on Memory Screened.

Back in the late Nineties a few friends of mine started Journal Magazine. For us in Philly this was a big deal, energy was high here and all along the east coast, it was awesome to see it covered by the people who were immersed in our local scene. Sadly, the magazine only lasted three issues, but for us it was a cherished moment in Philly skate history. Rob Brink recently interviewed Rick Valenzuela about the story behind Journal. Much to my surprise, Rick even gave me a shout out at the end, I would’ve posted this anyway, but that little mention made my day… Again, I thank you Rick! Check it out! You can also download issue zero now, and issues one and two will be up soon.

The impeccably-scored Brian Anderson comments on A Visual Sound five of the tunes on his own video parts, from “Welcome to Hell” to “Yeah, Right!. And, yes, if you ever were wondering, that does include the crazily Muska beats-infused Modus Operandi section…