SKATE NEWS

Check out the second half of the “Hot Seat” interview with legendary skateboard artist Todd Francis. In this interview Todd delves more into the early days of Stereo and discusses some of his favorite board graphics, what it is like creating graphics for very diverse brands and more.
Also check out some photos from our recent roadtrip to San Diego to meet up with John Lupfer in his hometown.

Todd Francis has part 2 of his Hot Seat interview up at the Sound Agency. has done some of the most influential graphics of the 90s, gracing the undercarriages of Real,Stereo, Antihero, Element and New Deal. His work centered in a comic book style, but he ran the gambit between twisted toon drawings (see Antihero above), 60s beatnik-style art (Stereo graphics), vibrant print art (Element) and quirky, almost Akira-style caricatures (New Deal).

Stereo
He's back talking with the Stereo crew and they have an interesting interview getting into his work, Stereo's legacy and vision and some of the funny insider info you'd never know unless you had the history Dune and Jason Lee have had with him. Peep the interview, then check his site at www.toddfrancis.com.

Venice Skatepark

No Hurrah-ta Just Yet

RRM Design Group
Maybe Chris Roberts and Joey Brezinski are just fine with the Santa Monica ledges and Venice manny pad, but other people may be jumping for joy over the new skatepark proposed for the beach front of Venice. The project has been given to RRM Design group and the plans look pretty legit, except for the little section that says "Skate Dance Area." What is that anyway? Will there be rogue clans of oddly dressed people skate/breakdance fighting like the lunging gangsters from "Bad"? I'm waffling between excitement and indifference, since these beautifully drawn plans can so often be butchered. On one hand, Frank Hirata's not involved, so that's good (click here and scroll down to the bottom). On the other hand, the idea that there's an area called the "Skate Dance Area" makes me suspicious. Innocent until proven guilty. I hope it's nice. I'm not too far from there.

SUPPORTS LOCAL SKATESHOP PROMOTION SINGAPORE

SUPPORTS LOCAL SKATESHOP PROMOTION
INTERSTATE BOARDSHOP SUPER SALES
Event Info Host: SINGAPORE SKATEBOARDING HISTORY (FACEBOOK GROUP)
Type: Sports - Pick-Up
Network: Global
Time and Place Start Time: Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 2:00pm
End Time: Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:00pm
Location: INTERSTATE BOARDSHOP. EXCEELSIOR SHOPPING CENTRE, #02-12
Street: COLEMAN STREET.
City/Town: Singapore, Singapore
Contact Info Phone: 97995896
Email: www.interstateboardshop@gmail.com

Description-Invite all old school n New school skateboarders to join our group. Once a skateboarder , forever a skateboarder.
NEVER TOO OLD TO SKATE. never too young to start.

SKATE NEWS

A 100 person collective of creativity relating to contemporary art, skateboarding, and street culture. All organized by the unstoppably productive Bob Kronbauer. TransWorld’s own Eric Stricker, Blair Alley, and Mike O’Meally are up in it. Check it out!

Here’s an interesting one in the NY Times about the massive amount of home foreclosures and how it’s stoking out pool skaters around the world. Read on.

Here’s a secret… If you pick up next month’s (February) issue, you might just see one-half of the cover devoted to the one and only Christian Hosoi. What’s the other half all about? Check out Fuel TV’s Daily Habit on Wednesday (New Years Eve) at 6 p.m. pacific time and let guest host, TransWorld Surf’s very own Chris Cote, and featured guest Holmes tell you all about it.

Etnies announced via its Web site that Rune Glifberg is no longer on the team. For more on Rune, stay tuned to the Flip blog as the Extremely Sorry deadline quickly approaches.

Political

Black Label

Lance Conklin, Ron Paul supporter

Skating got even more political this year, but not in the typical sense of interview-pulling power moves or team transitions (although those did happen—see Arto Saari leaves Flip for Alien, bunch of dudes get on Converse, Nyjah leaves Element). No, I meant nationally in the presidential election. People stated their allegiance in ads and on the internet. A few of the guys at Black Label threw their support behind Ron Paul and John Lupfer got a photo with a Ron Paul sticker on his board. The Berrics put out the Koston Dope logo, Lakai released their Election series and every pro or am interview featured questions about who he interviewee would a) go and vote for, b) vote for if they were old enough or c) vote for if they were to theoretically vote (even if they clearly didn't plan to). All in all, the skate community was on the right side of history, generally backing political candidates that stood for people other than rich old white guys.

We Lost Some Greats
The Story of J-Grom

First there was Ray Underhill in August, then Van Wastell and Johnny Romano in September. It was hard to see them all go. Ray was a staple of the 80s Bone Brigade, Wastell was a skater with impeccable style and friend to many and Johnny Romano reminded us just how grateful we should be for the life we get. There is so much more that can be said about them, but if you knew them or were inspired by them, their influence will live on in your own life. Here are some sites to remember them by: Romano's Blog , a Matix tribute to Wastell and a site devoted to Ray Underhill.They will be missed.

SOTY

Silas Baxter-Neal showed there was no need to dress up. He was what he was and what he was, was impressive. He was the epitome of skating everything. Check the interview.

The Bottom Fell Out

This review of 2008 may seem like a depressing reminder of all things sh*tty, but eventually good will come out of this year's economic decline. First, where there is loss, there will be a new opening to build a greater and stronger skate industry. Second, while pay may suffer, we'll have the constant reminder that skateboarding is fun (often more fun) when there's no money and it's just you and your friends spending hours by a ledge in a back alley or pooling your money to get a little bit of food to share in the middle of the day. The best memories, it seems, are borne out of the moments that don't work out seamlessly. Lend your hand to others. Bring friends and acquaintances together. It's time to remember how great we can be. Grapes of Wrath

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

HAPPY NEW YEARS 09 n best wishes 2 all friends n your families.
Great years ahead. HUATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

SKATE FOR LIFE. ENJOI SKATEBOARDING SINGAPORE.

SKATE NEWS

Randy Laybourne’s solo show of 20X20 work is finally here. The first ever showing of all 20 images will be at Swiv Tackle Circus in Oceanside, Califoria. The series was a big labor of love and took over 2 years to finish.

The opening is Jan 17, 2009 starting at 6 pm and goes to 10 pm.
It will be up for a month, till Feb 16, 2009

Randy, Dustin Koop, John Antoski, Mike Carter and others will be doing a Zine Work Shop Jan 25 (12 pm to 4 pm). It’s open to the public and everyone can stop by to cut/paste/photocopy and raise heck all over the place.

For more about Randy, check out his site: lookforwardtothepast.wordpress.com

Sometimes it's easy to be annoyed by antics, whoever the court jester, which is why the switch needs a good flipping to off when I've watched a few too many Rob & Bigs. This may suit MTV well, since I have an attention span, which lasts longer than the time it takes to melt butter, or my brain, in a microwave (about 15 seconds) and don't require the acne-fighting services of OxyClean Pads (unless I ate some really greasy pizza the night before). However, so many of my non-skateboarding friends think this guy's the coolest thing since whatever reality TV show was hot before. They seem to realize that he's all tongue and cheek—a skewering of traditional reality TV (albeit, a sometimes unbearable skewering, in my eyes)

But, his MTV pursuits—the mini horse, the boy band alter-ego and the scripted feel of every episode—aside, you have got to give Rob Dyrdek his respect for his origins. The other day, I looked him up, after I saw the above clip of the Fantasy Factory, and thought back to the days of Alien Workshop, when they staked their beginnings on a little Dyrdek who shredded everything (before I even skated). As always, I'm happy for the man. Like I've said before, get some (First sponsored writer, Josh Brooks? Monster, follow up on this one). While I'll chuckle through a few of his reality shows, before I go insane, his part in Memory Screen will always root him in greatness (Note to devout Rob and Big fans: his part is wedged into lots of artsy footage, so I suggest upping the Ritalin to get to Dyrdek's part).

Check Up Your Mind Field

Alien Workshop
Always committed to the quality of their products, Alien Workshop took a break from updating the AWSfilmworks site, more concerned with a finite release date of Mind Field (02/06/09). But, they have thrown a few more lines up on the site of Omar Salazar and Mikey Taylor and some odd packages from Arto Saari. Check them here. There's also a link to an interview between former AWS pro John Drake and Mikey Taylor.

NEW PRODUCTS

Last week, we let you know that you could purcase some of the Nike SB January shoes at Flat Spot, now we have the full collection of shoes and clothing. Beanies, hoodies, tees, belts, socks, and a clean brown/tan houndstooth jacket (above) are part of the mix. Get a look at all the pieces below as well as a rundown of the new Veloce model and expect the gear to hit a select SB retailer near you.

Skate magazine Thrasher got together with Gallery 1950 on a capsule collection. The line consists of a series of logo t-shirts, mugs and a Porter travel bag. All pieces feature the infamous Thrasher logo. The collaborative collection will be released on 3rd of January.

NEW PRODUCTS

2009 is going to be a huge year for Mr. Kennedy, not only is his Supra “Society” Sneaker releasing, Fly Society is taking off! Check out the latest offerings from Baker as they selected Skateboard Photographer Atiba for their Photo Series decks. Head over to Baker Skateboards for more information.

It’s finally here, the Lakai Final Flare DVD is currently available for purchase at Active Mailorder. This Final Flare includes 5 hours of bonus footage and never before seen scenes. Head over to Active to cop this DVD, you will not be disappointed.

We’ve seen the Rogue Status x Silver Gun Show and Money Shot trucks in the past, now Rogue hooks up Rob Dyrdek’s pro model with their mean Insurgent logo and script “RD” logo all in a clean white/silver color-up. Oh yeah, throw on this Estate x Rogue Status Fleece Fitted and bang, that half-cab crooks will look that much meaner. $39.98

SKATE NEWS

Element Europe is proud to release the teaser for “Travel Well,” a full-length video coming Fall 2009.

The teaser introduces Madars Apse and Phil Zwijsen and features the rest of the Element Europe team including full parts from Pirkka Pollari and Michael Mackrodt.

Watch it now.

The Element Europe team includes Madars Apse, Phil Zwijsen, Michael Mackrodt, Bas Janssen, Evelien Bouilliart, Gauthier Rouger, Guillaume Mocquin, Janne Saario, Jo Lorenz, Lucien Clarke, Pirkka Pollari And Ruben Rodrigues.

Visit elementskateboards.com/team/ for more info.

NEW PRODUCTS

Stop your whining. Active just received a few key Diamond Supply Co. T-Shirts that will make you instant-cool this holiday season. Included in the mix is the Diamond x Girl Tee (above), that hard-to-find Diamond x 10 Deep “Immortality is a Fool’s Dream” Tee, Diamond x Crooks & Castles Tee in new colorways and the Diamond “Heist” Tee. View the tees below and hit up trusted online shopping hub Active to purchase your favorites.

SKATE NEWS

SKATE NEWS

Stereo is proud to announce the first annual Stereo “Shop Video Contest.” All shops are cordially invited to submit ONE video entry produced between 2007 and 2008 to the film festival. All submissions must be received by January 30th, 2009. On February 6th, we will announce the shop with the best overall video and post it up on the Stereo website for all to see. The winning shop will also receive $1,000 worth of Stereo products. Goodluck to all and may the best shop video win!

MERRY XMAS

MERRY XMAS and Bests wishes to all BROTHERS and Sisters

HAPPY SKATEBOARDING

www.skbsg.blogspot.com

www.interstateboardshop.blogspot.com

www.healthylifesg.blogspot.com

SKATE NEWS

For the first time ever, this past April the Zoo Crew embarked on a week-long South African skate safari to session spots in Durban and Johannesburg. Making the lengthy transatlantic flight were ZY Officials Zered Bassett, Forrest Kirby, and Brandon Westgate. Also on tour were ZY team manager Seamus Deegan, photographer Sean Cronan, and videographer RB Umali who was filming for Zoo’s upcoming full-length video, “State of Mind.”

Check out exclusive footage from the South Africa Tour on the ZY Media Channel, and download a free podcast from the iTunes Store.

South Africa Tour on ZY Media Channel:
http://www.zooyork.com/media/

South Africa Tour on iTunes:

"Tony Hawk is my hero. He really is. He's amazing. I want to be just like him."—Andrew Reynolds in Thrasher Issue #339

Still killin' it…All 80s All Day Event
Birdman's got an interview up on ESPN Sports Nation, which is entertaining. I know, I know what you're thinking. For years, seeped in the all-consuming high horseness that is street skating, I remember really laying intoTony Hawk. I would tell people that he was not real skating and that I was not a huge fan and go off on long diatribes about how he was ruining skateboarding. I hate to say it, but no one person can ruin skateboarding. Sure, there's some question about how pure it can remain when there are so many alterior interests, like snack food and energy drink endorsements. But, it's easy to talk sh*t on these things when you're mom's still serving up Poptarts at your parent's house under the warmth of a fully paid heating system.

Pretend for a moment that, after two years of living in squalor on your friend's couch and skating so hard you nearly tear your meniscus, an energy drink calls you up and goes, "Hey so-and-so, we want to buy you a house if you'll represent our product…wear our hat and shirt with our logo on it." Do you think you could turn that down? Think about it.

In the fickle business of skateboarding, even if you do end up snapping that little meniscus of yours in a year or so and disappear into oblivion, you still own a house. Furthermore, you can rip as always. It's not like your big backer is so influential in the way you skate that you'll have to do the skateboarding equivalent of Modest Mouse throwing Johnny Marr in their band while some record producer keeps trying to beat another Float On out of you.

I think of that time I used to bash Tony Hawk and laugh. Some of the things he does are silly, but I don't necessarily blame him. If I had an amazing, eye-catching ability as a writer (and a company cared enough), I would most definitely accept a sponsorship from someone like, say, Monster (hint! hint!).

When it comes to Tony Hawk, the dude's just getting his and i's a little known fact that most skaters, even if you think they're the most down, underground dude, are exactly the same. They might not have Club Med knocking on their door, but Reynolds clearly would do what Hawk has done (see above). And, Ellington, for example, is the principle inventor of the handboard (click on the preceding link and read the "more info" on the right to read about it), the sort of mainstream toy store Tech Deck thing you would never associate with him in any way. But, I say f*ck it. Get it while you can. All of these guys rip and so does Hawk. After watching him recently at the n 80s Quiksilver event, he even swayed that small part of me, deep down inside, that still has the urge to talk trash. But, I don't care what you say, me, I think the Birdman's awesome.

King of Handrail ( Malaysia Skate comp)

King of Handrail

1st - Geng Jaarin (THA) - FS Bluntslide Shuvit Out (R)
2nd - Rasidil bin Rasem (SIN) - FS Tailslide Big Spin Out
3rd - Sutat Sirawat (THA) - Kickflip BS 50-50 Grind
*(R) = Round handrail


Mini Ramp
1st - Muhammad Feroze Abdul Rahman (SIN)
2nd - Muhammad Farris Abdul Rahman (SIN)
3rd - Johari Fitri Khairudin (MAS)