SKATE NEWS

ASR equals Actions Sports Retailer. In the past, that meant yo-yos, hula-hoops… Basically anything that was “action”-related and available from manufacturers to shops. Now, ASR stand for A Sorry Reality. In skateboarding, we need to collectively take ourselves away from these greedy bastards and throw our own show. We tried it here in 2002 with the Bayview Rumble, but there wasn’t enough space for everyone—and besides, the industry was fat then. Now, when things are lean, we got to stick together and support skateboarding, the shops, the real brands… Doing all of this with some killer ripping thrown in and, well, check the vid. It was a hell of a lot of fun. Good people, nice weather, skating for everybody, no laminates, no security goons—it was a true start towards getting skateboarding and the economy back on its feet. I say the more the merrier. ASR, retire my number. I’m over this bullshit. —Jake Phelps

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SKATE NEWS

Putting together a skate video is not easy. I've seen it done. But few have come close to the kind of project Greg Hunt had in his hands when he began Mindfield. You ask anyone right now what they thought of the video and they might make a humorous remark about how handsome Rieder looked or comment on parts they wished would have been longer. But, everyone, deep down, can't imagine a better video this year.

Whether that opinion holds up in this era of vanishing memory, Mindfield has gotten progressively better in the last three days that I have watched it. The video, no doubt, will be a classic that most skaters add to their collection, in part for its amazing skating and in part for the care put into the flow of the whole project. We have Greg Hunt to thank for the latter.—Josh Brooks

It took three and a half years to edit a video with thirteen skaters in it. It seems like a lot. Did you film at least a portion of every one of the guys on the team or did anyone just send in their footage from another filmer?
I filmed everyone on the team—some more than others. We had a couple guys filming full time for us during the last 2 years so they shot a lot of it also.

I'm sure you take pride in the video as a whole, but were there any parts in there that you were particularly proud of because of the way they came together? Anyone's part that you look at and think, "that came out exactly as I wanted it to"?
Every part came together differently. I don't know if I ever feel like a part comes out exactly how I want it but there are some that seemed to fall into place with this video. All of the ams had interesting parts to work on. Grant Taylor's came together really quickly and I didn't change it much after the first edit which is unusual for me. Jakes part took a lot of time—especially with the visual intro—and the song we used for him was amazing but also a challenge to make work. But it came together in the end. Tyler's part came together really fast as well—with the skating and the visuals—but we didn't get the rights to the song until almost the last day so that was a total nightmare. So I'm happy with how all those parts came together. I'm happy with most all of the parts in the video. Everyone worked super hard and it's great to see them getting such a positive reaction.

Did you also have a hand in shooting any of the photos or doing the layout for the 50 page book that's included with the DVD? If so, how long did that take to layout?
Yeah I shot a lot of the photos in the book and worked with Mike Hill as he laid it out. I can't remember exactly how long that took…I believe it was about three weeks altogether. I happened pretty fast.

Skateboarders, especially sponsored skateboarders have an overwhelmingly strong connection to cameras, whether still or video. They're kind of necessary to how skateboarding shows itself. But, are there times, or were there times when you were out filming with everyone and there was a sense that you should just put the camera away and everyone started skated without worrying about getting a trick?
No. I've got a job to do, plus I'm always either filming or shooting photos. Most guys are used to it. I like shooting the non-skate stuff also…there's always something happening. If the mood is weird then sometimes I'll just skate, but that's not often.

I think I read that you worked 50 hours straight editing the video at one point. What are your plans to decompress after all this?
I'm in Norway right now. I'll be out here for a month. I'm still going to work a lot while I'm here, but on different stuff at a different pace. It's definitely nice just watching the snow fall.

A private premiere for MIND FIELD in Singapore

We fully supports LOVE SKATE PARK a private premiere for MIND FIELD! Probably one of the most anticipated skateboard films of all time!

All you have to do to recieve an invitation is register an account with us! If you are already registered, you should recieve an email invitation with more details on the venue in the next couple of days.

Help us spread the word guys! In less than 2 weeks we will have probably the first ever skateboard film premiere in Singapore!

It time 2 sk8 n spread the love of skateboarding, start posting all your sk8 photos n sk8 every Sunday at somerset sk8 park at 10am.

www.interstateboardshop.blogspot.com

www.skbsg.blogspot.com

SKATE NEWS

San Diego, California — Pig Wheels would like to formally announce their new professional team: Corey Duffel, Billy Marks, Johnny Layton, Don Nguyen, Josh Harmony, Louie Barletta and Nick Trapasso. The new teams signature product will be available April 1st 2009.

Don't forget...
COME CELEBRATE WITH US! It's finally here, THIS IS PROGRESS- a 280 page book
Q & A, pictorial on Matix as a brand through the eyes of our contributors; Daewon Song, Marc Johnson, Rick McCrank, Rudy Johnson, Mikey LeBlanc, Giovanni Reda, Anthony Acosta, Richie Knapp, Paul Park & Colin Kennedy.

BOOK SIGNING (with all contributors); 6-8pm
Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

AFTER PARTY (industry invite only); 9pm-12pm
Kim Sing Theatre
720 N. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(please RSVP for the after party)
PROGRESSBOOK@MATIXCLOTHING.COM

www.matixclothing.com

SKATE NEWS

JESSUP GRIPTAPE ANNOUNCES NEW DC GRIPTAPE COLLABORATION

Jessup Griptape and DC are pleased to announce the new DC branded griptape collaboration. The DC branded griptape will feature various screen-printed DC logos styles and come in a co-branded custom designed box. Jessup Griptape, the leading griptape brand, has been producing premium skateboard specific griptape since 1975 and is widely revered by skateboarders’ world wide as the best griptape in skateboarding.

“DC is the perfect partner. They have a long-standing commitment to skateboarding and unbelievable team. We continuously seek to align ourselves with the core brands that continuously build skateboarding,” stated Bud Smith of Jessup.

The co-branded griptape will be available exclusively through DC. The collaboration is the one of a few for select core skateboard companies that will have Jessup Griptape offered as their own griptape product.

DC and Jessup team rider PJ Ladd put it quite simply, “The original skateboard griptape. Perfect grip, no holes, plain black.”

Check out the Jessup griptape and DC website for additional information:

GRIPTAPE.COM

DCSHOES.COM

Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation To Open Its First Skate Spot in Los Angeles


The Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza foundation is pleased to announce it has begun development of its first “Safe Spot, Skate Spot” in Los Angeles’ Lafayette Park this January. The Lafayette Safe Spot Skate Spot will be completed by late February 2009.

The Safe Spot Skate Spot is a program developed by The Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation to support legal and safe skate spots for communities interested in developing skateable terrain for their skateboarders. Based from the skate plaza concept, the Safe Spot Skate Spot program will provide an alternative option for communities to develop real legal street skating locations given limited budgets or space restrictions.

The Lafayette Safe Spot, Skate Spot was developed in partnership with the Foundation, Newline Skate Parks and California Skate Parks. At just over 7000 square feet of skateable terrain the spot will contain ledges, benches and stairs that flow through the park’s natural landscape. Funding from a generous donation by CKE Restaurants, Inc., parent company of the Carl’s Jr.® hamburger chain to the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation secured the development of the Lafayette skate spot.

“I’m excited to see the first Safe Spot Skate Spot come to life,” said Rob Dyrdek, the Foundation’s Founder and Director. “We realized that cities want to help their skateboarders but are often lacking funds or space and this concept provides the perfect solution for both. Skateboarding has always been defined by great spots and I hope that we are on our way to creating the next great, legal spots for skateboarding.”

Lafayette skate spot is expected to open in late February 2009. For more information and updates on the Lafayette spot, the Safe Spot Skate Spot program and The Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation, visit the new updated website at www.skateplaza.com.

The Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation seeks to promote the sport of skateboarding by assisting municipalities with the design, development, and construction of locations that maintain the integrity of terrain occurring naturally in urban environments and where the sport of skateboarding in its purest form is encouraged rather than discouraged.

SKATE NEWS

SKATE NEWS

Black Label pro Jason Adams is diving into the art world with his exhibition, “Stencils Aren’t Art”, currently showcased at Flogging Molly frontman Matt Hensely’s pub Flying Elephant. Paintings include Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie), Duane Peters, and Johnny Cash, just to name a few. Catch more of his work below as well as the full flier. Stop by the show and pick a piece up - word is it’s selling quick.

In a somewhat strange mix of cultures, the ultra-talented Girl skateboard team, hip-hopper Kanye West, and famous producer Spike Jonze recently got together for a special movie shoot. Pictured above (from left to right) is Eric Koston, Kanye West, Spike Jonze, Rick Howard, and Mike Carroll - check Carroll’s coat! Wow. According to Kanye West’s outspoken barber Ibn Jasper:

Kanye and Spike Jonze shot a short film a couple weeks ago and Spike had the the guys from GIRL Skateboards come down to the set. They were in the “Benjamins Remix” video as extras, but this time they actually played real parts in the film…

“Read more” to see other entertaining photos, like Koston hitting the dance floor, then visit F.M. Phenomenal for a breakdown of the event.