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9!$). .)#/, 0(/4/ $(5-0
Available Now
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PHOTO: RUBEN RUIZ
analogclothing.com
11/10/08 10:45:30 AM
THE BALANCE OF OPPOSITES VOLUME 02 | CHAPTER 06 MAKUA ROTHMAN’S 9–5 Makua was having a good day: went on the morning news at 7am, had quick surf at 9:30am, then hit Turtle Bay golf course at 11:00am. After 17 holes, he was on his way to shooting an all time best, all he needed was a par. He was on the green in regulation and had a three-footer for birdie, without hesitation he sunk the putt. Later that night, with the same fortitude, he introduced BJ Penn to a crowd of 8,500 people at the Shell in Waikiki. All in a day’s work…
RVCA.COM/SURF
RVCA.COM | RVCAANPQ.COM SURF: TONY HEFF | LIFE: NOLAN HALL
FOR BEFORE AND AFTER SURFING. VANSSURF.COM ®2008 VANS, INC. PHOTO : HANK FOTO
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ULTRA LIGHT WASTE-FREE OUTSOLE FEATURING VANSLITE速 TECHNOLOGY IN A CLASSIC WINO SILOHUETTE.
11/24/08 12:11:56 PM
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slip-on lowdown ltd Designed and built from the ground up by the Gravis skate team. Look for Dylan’s signature shoe dropping April 2009. Exclusively available at skate shops. ivsk8.com to get connected.
ivsk8.com
11/24/08 4:37:03 PM
Greg Simkins
5574 AAA Junior Hooded Full-Zip Fleece 8oz. 75% Ringspun Cotton/25% Polyester
Alstyle Apparel has 5 Distribution Centers across the USA. For quick product delivery, choose the location nearest you. Also contact us about our re-label program, heat transfer capabilities, and our NEW tear away labels. Anaheim, CA
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF nick kalionzes nick@blisssmag.com
EDITOR joey marshall joey@blisssmag.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR mark paul deren madsteez@madsteez.com
MUSIC EDITOR kimmie bergevin tim@blisssmag.com
SNOW EDITOR jon francis jon@blisssmag.com
OFFICE MANAGER zach baker zach@blisssmag.com
ADVERTISING ads@blisssmag.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Kenworthy, Dominic Petruzzi, Daniel Russo, Toby Ogden, Tom Carey, Brian Beilmann, Jack Coleman, Andrew Mapstone, Adam Moran, Dave Nelson, Pat Eichstaedt, Andrew Miller, Julien Lecorps, Ryan Boyes, Zach Hooper, Tim Peare
CONTRIBUTORS Matt Patterson, Willie Marshall, Josh Spencer, Aaron Astorga, Daniel Russo, Liz Rice, Jason Arnold, Greg Escalante, Tom Carey, Travis Millard, David Choe, Kai Garcia, Mickey Neilsen, Peter Townend, Hamilton Endo, Tawnya Schultz, Mike Murciano, Geoff Shively, Casey Holland, Steve Stratton, Robbie Sell, Andrew Miller, Pat Towersey BL!SSS Magazine 413 31st Street
DECEMBER 2008
Newport Beach, CA 92663 www.blisssmag.com Disclaimer: Although all best efforts are made to avoid the same, we reserve the right to publish unintentional mistakes and/or factual errors which may occur on a monthly basis. No responsibility is assumed by the publishers for unsolicited materials/articles/letters/advertising and all submissions will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright and/or appropriate licensing purposes subject to Blisss’ right to edit and comment editorially. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine reflect the opinions of their respective authors and are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. Blisss Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising matter which may reflect negatively on the integrity of the magazine. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form [print or electronic] without prior written consent from the publisher.
Cover Art : Greg Simkins
If your favorite shop isn’t receiving BL!SSS Magazine please contact zach@blisssmag.com
nixonnow.com
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THE NOMADIC BRING THE NOISE
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21 in 7 in PEETKEGLER ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
WAX ON
VON ZIPPER X SKULLCANDY If you’re in the lineup and paddling behind me expect to get a whiff of some sweet, sweet strawberries. No, my ass doesn’t smell like roses, but thanks to my boys at Famous Wax Company BL!SSS has got our own surf wax. It’s super exclusive and with an extra gooey blend that will keep your feet stuck all winter long. We just got the fresh batch delivered last week so when see any of us suiting up for a session don’t hesitate to ask.
With winter bearing its ugly head once again and snow finally compiling at our local mountains, it’s time to dust off your snowboards and unpack the outerwear. Von Zipper and Skullcandy have teamed up once again this season and have developed quite a few must-haves for the slopes. My favorite is the Feenom VZ Skullcrusher, just plug them into your iPod and you’re good to go. Nothing like some fresh powder and some good tunes to get the season going. Check out your local store or log onto vonzipper.com to find out where to score yourself a pair.
FREE MUSIC FOR GAMBLERS If you’re anything like us these days, you sure could use something free, besides this magazine. Well that’s exactly what the boys from Riverboat Gamblers are doing – giving away a free track off their upcoming album. The single is titled, “A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology” and you can get yourself a free download by pointing your mouse over to theriverboatgamblers.com.
FUEL TV With everyone holding onto their pocketbooks a little tighter I catch myself going out a little less and watching TV a little more. Bad news for the bars (I think they’ll be alright) good news for FUEL. Actually, now that I think about it, most the bars I frequent are airing FUEL TV the whole time anyway; I guess that’s what I get for living in Southern California. My newest fav is a series called Built to Shred, where top skaters get to design, build and skate all types of unique obstacles. If you haven’t already, be sure to tune in every Sunday at 8pm.
COMUNE If you’re not already aware there’s a new company coming of age that goes by the name of Comune. Like the Phoenix, this crew is not new to the game and as it rises from the ashes it has already quite the following. With a skate and snow roster unlike any startup brand of yesteryear, expect to hear things from the Comune camp. Exclusive tees and denim will be released at the beginning of ‘09, so keep your eyes peeled.
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charlie garcia
The 36 billion aluminum cans landfilled last year had a scrap value of more than $600 million. When you toss out one aluminum can you waste as much energy as if you’d filled the same can half-full of gasoline and poured it into the ground. That’s why Mike drinks beer out of bottles.
FOOD COURT GANGSTA
GRAVIS Gravis is taking comfort to the next level. Each shoe in the IV Skateboarding Collection is designed and tested in collaboration with their team. Arto Saari and Dylan Rieder had a ton of input into this shoe, requesting canvas uppers, a super grippy vulcanized outsole, and the Gravis PU Cloud 9 footbed. These shoes skate better than any other shoe out of the box, plus they look and feel damn good.
808’s AND HEARTBREAKS Kanye West is looking to put some more cabbage in his pockets for the holidays as his newest album, 808’s and Heartbreaks, has just dropped. Now I’m not some music critic, I’ll leave that for Kimmie, but I’m sure this album will hit platinum before years end. Yet again proving that this black man who still dresses like a college nerd is much cooler than both you and I.
Most of you probably already know that our Creative Director, Madsteez, is quite possibly the most shameless, self-promoting art fag in the entire universe. He begged and begged and begged that he could get another Randoms write up on his latest creation for Capita Snowboards. I wasn’t going to let this happen but since his pay is getting slashed if this “recession” continues, I figured it’s the least I could do. Besides, the graphics on the Food Court Gangsta Collection are quite dope and there’s also a Qween series available just for the ladies. You can even ride one of these bad boys in the new Shaun White Snowboarding video game.
MOCA BUCKS
SAMBAZON ENERGY Got a visit from the Sambazon dude right before we were sending this edition off to the press. These guys are quite clever and they just stocked our fridge full of their organic energy drink Amazon Energy. Full of antioxidants and made from acerola, guarana, yerba mate, and acai, this drink will heighten your awareness, boost your immune system and not leave you with the jitters. Way better tasting than many of the others out there, so be sure to give them a try.
Since bailout plans are the newest fad, LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art didn’t feel the least bit guilty for accepting a 30-million dollar handout to keep them afloat. We all know it wasn’t the Federal Government (as they only bailout complete, utter failures) but a billionaire art lover named Eli Broad. We personally wanted to give Eli a shout and thank him for single handedly keeping one of our favorite museums alive.
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ROLLIN WITH TERELL
KROOKED CLAYTONS
Terell Robinson is on the move as the Darkstar pro recently inked a deal with Mada. While most brands are struggling to keep what they got, the Mada crew is still busting at the seams, signing talent left and right. Surviving the streets of Compton and a gunshot wound to the ass, you better believe Terell isn’t done yet. Be on the look out for signature Terell Mada gear in ’09.
Krooked Skateboards and iconic pro skater Mark Gonzalez hooked up with the Clayton Brothers (featured April 2008 – booyah BL!SSS) on a set of fresh skate decks. The two-piece set will feature original artwork as part of the Krooked Guest Artist Series. Limited to only 300 pieces, the decks will see a release at select locations while 25 hand signed pieces received even more stenciling by the Clayton Brothers as well as a letter of authenticity, hardware and a special mount. A must have for the skating art fan.
BL!$$$
SURFLINE MOBILE The first ones to bring us streaming cams on the web have now taken things mobile with live cams on your phone. And yes, this is the greatest thing I have ever heard. Now, I never considered myself lazy before but I may just have to reassess things because I now find it quite a task to turn on my laptop to check the surf, never mind actually driving to the beach. I just wake up, rollover and check my phone. Thank you Surfline. Also, if you have an iPhone you may wanna check the surf report app they put out in conjunction with Oakley, another winner.
WATCH OUT Formally known for their insane wetsuits and surf threads, the good folks at Rip Curl have been releasing some really sweet looking timepieces lately. While raiding their wetsuit warehouse my eyes came across the perfect stocking stuffer, the Detroit (shown here). There are quite a few colorways available so swing on over and support you local shop during these times of need and pick one up for yourself or a loved one.
BITE THE BULLITT Though it might not be the brightest time of the year, the voltage is still through the roof at the Electric factory. Out now the Bullitt is this winters hottest shade. Whether you’re escaping into the tropics or just protecting your eyes from the winter glare on the slopes, these modified aviators are a must have. They come in a variety of colors like black, platinum, gold or red - so you know they’ve got you covered.
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WESC + NOKIA
STICKY GRENADES The peeps behind Grenade and Vestal have once again teamed up with local Newport artist/vagabond Robert “Sticky” Shaw to collaborate on a fashion-forward timepiece. Inspired by his one-of-a-kind bracelets, Danny Kass couldn’t pass up the opportunity and the Sticky Bomb was born. Available at all retailers carrying Vestal, be sure to ask for it by name.
DESTRUCTO D2 TRUCKS
Recognizing that today’s cell phones are probably your most coveted accessory, WESC has teamed up with Nokia to collaborate on an exclusive Nokia + WESC Sound collaboration. Only available in select Telecom shops and WESC concept stores in Scandinavia, you would be one cool cat to score a set of these exclusive combinations. Your best bet on scoring a pair is to hunt online or beg someone who works at WESC until they finally give in.
COCO HO I have a new favorite surfer and she goes by the name of Coco Ho. I gotta hand it to Coco Ho - After a highly controversial interference call on Ho during the dying minutes of the Reef Hawaiian Pro, it seems like Coco has been getting quite a bit of flack from the media and all over the net. I think what she did was the most exciting thing to happen to women’s surfing in a long time and it finally brought some long overdue light on the sport. It was quite entertaining to watch and don’t sweat flack BL!SSS mag has your back.
We got a little visit from our boy Jim Shubin over at Destructo, who was literally sweatin’ over the recent fires getting dangerously close to his house in Orange County. Between evacuations, Shubin filled us in on their newest gear dropping this holiday season, the Desructo D2. These new trucks are touted as some of the lightest, strongest and guaranteed for life. The D2’s are also tested and approved by Arto Saari, so really, what more do you need? Put these puppies on your list for Santa now.
ELECTRIC IPONE APP
WALK THE WALK Hurley has had quite the run with the high school “Walk the Walk” runway competitions. Number nine went down this past month in the Inland Empire. Hundreds of people were in attendance including the likes of pro surfer Timmy Curran and actors Paul Walker and Scott Reeves. And though each school was awarded $2000 for their outstanding efforts it was Poly High that reigned supreme and was awarded $5000 for their arts and music program along with the chance to compete at the Grand Championship Walk the Walk going down in mid-May.
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ALEX GREY X OBAMA Last month’s cover artist, Alex Grey sent us over this painting of Barack Obama that he did the day after it was announced that Obama would in fact, become the first black President of the United States. Besides being one of the coolest portraits we’ve ever seen, it is a picture that signals a change in history as we see, live and breathe it. President Elect, Barack Hussein Obama is pure inspiration. Never before in the history of our nation has a president motivated such a large and diverse group of young people to get out there and become involved with the way our country is running. His axiom of change has lit a flame of revolution in the hearts and minds of all Americans. Alex Grey has captured that motivation so perfectly here on this page that we almost ran it without any text at all.
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WINS REEF HAWAIIAN PRO @ HALEIWA At just 16 years of age, Carissa became the youngest surfer ever to win a Vans Triple Crown of Surfing contest when she took home the title at the WQS 6-star Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore. Not to mention, the event marked her return to competitive surfing after taking a year hiatus to focus on school. On her way to the podium, Carissa knocked off many top competitors, including Layne Beachley and Coco Ho in the final. With 11 national titles already under her belt, it looks like Carissa has truly raised the bar another level, and the surf world has taken notice. For her extraordinary talents in the water, Surfer Magazine has recently recognized her as one of the most influential surfers of the year, right alongside Kelly Slater and a host of other surfing luminaries. Currently sitting in first place in the race for the Triple Crown and securing valuable points toward qualification for the WCT, Carissa’s return to competitive surfing has not been subtle. “It is an honor to have Carissa on the 6.0 program,” Jason Kenworthy, Nike 6.0 Surf Mentor said. “Carissa is elevating women’s surfing on a daily basis. Her incredible natural talent, plus her drive and positive attitude make her a true asset to women’s surfing and the 6.0 program. I am looking forward to seeing how high she can raise the bar and truly drive the progression of the sport. Welcome to the team Carissa!”
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So work is fun you say? Well if you happen to be lucky enough to ride for or to be employed by Fox Head Inc., it sure is. The newest addition to Fox’s Orange County Design Center is the much anticipated, super sneaky, private mini moto track. The track was put in to their new facility for team riders, friends, family, and employees to go head-to-head with each other. It’s not a massive professional dirt bike track, but more of a super fun “rider friendly” mini track. BL!SSS has the golden ticket and we get to ride whenever we like. In your face!
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Special Edition Wall Street Goggle
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM In July, famed Los Angeles graffiti artist Revok was arrested on felony vandalism charges. Indio police raided his home, confiscating art supplies, cameras, hard drives, computers - essentially everything he uses to earn a living. This has crippled his entire business and destroyed his income. To add insult to injury, the felony charges are excessive and unjustified, (a potential sentence of 3 years). Revok is a celebrated artist who has dedicated his life to his work, not a criminal deserved of jail time. To fight these charges, Revok will incur great legal expenses. If you would like to help, please come out and show some love. The event will be taking place at GCS in Pomona on the 14th of December, starting at 5pm. Log onto www.gcsclothing.com or www.revok1.com for more info. Words: R. Gastman
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Matte Black Holt Helmet and Black Southbeach Heiress Goggle
Photos & Interview: Peter Morning What’s your full name and age? Gregory Frank Bretz Jr. and I’m 17. Who are your sponsors? Forum Snowboards, Special Blend, Oakley, Utility Board Shop, XRC and Mammoth Mountain. How long have you lived in Mammoth? Well before I lived in Mammoth I lived in Bishop with my mom. Then, when I was about 13 I moved up to Mammoth with my dad and have been here ever since. I know you are one of the founders of the XRC crew, who is in it and what is it all about? Well let’s see here… We got the actual founder Tyler Flanagan, our young grom Brock Crouch, our woman shredder Bryn Valaika, and then we got our overseas ripper Ruiki Masuda. We also have Spencer Link, The Kotsenburg brothers Sage and Blaze, the two Mammoth brothers Jared and Alex Dawoud and me. We got a pretty tight group of friends.
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Last year you went to Japan, tell me a funny story about that trip. Wasn’t it the first time you traveled to Asia? Yeah, Japan is crazy. I don’t really have any funny stories but that trip was a blast. I did get drug behind some random car down the street in a snowstorm. Tell me about some of the other places you went outside the U.S. last year? I did take a trip to Italy with a pretty good group - Matt Ladley, Broc Waring, Luke Wynen, and Spencer Tamblin. A great experience and the first time ever out of the country. How do you manage to stay up with your school while traveling so much? School is pretty important to me and I always have my step mom riding my ass about school so you just got to take some time out of your life and focus for a little bit and power down. You are starting to get a lot of people paying attention to you. Besides this interview, the
magazines are noticing your riding. Is that strange to you or does it just feel natural? When I was younger I used to get little ads here and there and was pretty pumped but seeing more photos in magazines is pretty sick, it’s a good feeling. I know you are always listening to your iPod when you ride. Give me your top 5 bands or artists that you are listening to right now? I have been pretty big with the Beatles, some Ozzy, Jimmy Hendrix, Stones, and Ziggy Marley. I mix it up every once in a while but those are definitely five of my favorites. Your dad, Greg Sr. (aka Big Al),
is one of the top lift maintenance workers in Mammoth and around the world. Has that benefited you? Any special privileges? Yeah, for sure. When I was younger I used to go to work with him in the morning around about 5:45 or 6 o’clock and he would open up the chair lifts. I would beg him so much to let me get fresh cords at like 7:30 in the morning. I was pumped on that, he is always there for me and helps out whenever he can. Shuttling me around the mountain on his sled and a little bit of filming. He does it all. I know you have grown up around the Unbound team and offices, how have those guys helped you and your career?
Well Oren Tanzer, the man, has always helped me get in touch with the people that threw me down some gear. Knowing the staff is a plus because we would just shred all day and whenever a jump needed to be raked all I had to do was go grab a rake and do it myself, or just ask one of the dudes to do it. All your female fans want to know, are you single or taken? At this point I’m single but hey you never know what might come around at any time. Lastly, I heard you LOVE to go to Mule Days in Bishop, CA? Yeah, it’s the mule capital of the world and I just love going so I can smell all the fresh donkey doo. I look forward to it every year, Memorial Day here I come.
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Although graceful in 4-inch stilettos, California native Elicia Perkins also answers to the nickname “Crash.” Friends enjoy her quick- witted humor as much as watching her embarrass herself with daily activities. When she isn’t in front of the camera you can find her baking up a storm of sinful desserts or adding things such as, “get a pet peacock” or “move to Athens” to her long to-do list. With her energetic charisma, the fearless brunette is sure to make you smile and leave you wanting more.
Photo: Dominic Petruzzi // dominicpetruzzi.com // Model: Elicia :: Next Models
Photo: Karpinski
Name, age, town where you are from? Ben Fisher, I’m 20, and I’m from Long Beach. Why, where and how did you start skating? I think one of my neighbors had a skateboard when I was maybe 12 or so? Fuck, I don’t remember but I’m sure it was around that age. I thought that an ollie was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Tell me the funniest story about a girl you once knew? I tend to forget about most girls I know, so I can’t think of anything off the top of my head really. Tell me a funny story about a
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good friend of yours then? A couple of my friends met some random girls through Myspace a few years ago. The girls lived in San Diego, so my friends had to stay at their house when they went to visit. To start the trip off, they got a flat tire on the way down, so they some how managed to swoop a spare from a random parked car and replace it with their flat. So they get there, and one of my friends, James, has a tendency to get down with at least one girl wherever he goes. But the other two, G-horse and Pete, didn’t really care about it. Anyways, I guess it started out with Pete and G-horse throwing each other in the pool with their clothes on still - like right off the bat when they got there. So these girls are
already kinda bummed on the whole situation. Then, as the night went on, G-horse and Pete had an all out war. Anything goes, ya know? They were pissing in each other’s shoes and throwing things at each other throughout the house. Things are breaking; the girls are getting pissed already. Then, I guess as some time passed, James and the girls walked in on a shit-faced G-horse and Pete, who got so drunk that they each had a bottle of bleach and were squirting each other in their living room - a legitimate bleach war. Apparently they ruined everything in the room, including everything they had on. Not to mention one of them pissed in the microwave and turned it on. Luckily, the girls just thought that someone was cooking
hot dogs. Keep in mind these girls don’t know any of my friends really. They were about to kick them out for the night but James smooth talked his way into letting them stay. So they’re all going to bed when the girls started hearing loud sharp noises coming from the other room. They walked in on Pete and G-horse throwing marbles in the ceiling fan, just fucking shit up, ya know? After that settled down, James was trying to make amends with one of the girls who lived there when he heard “FIRE! FIRE!” Everyone that lives there came rushing out at like 4:30 in the morning just to find Pete and G-horse in hysterics, laughing on the ground. I think they still got to stay the night too.
B.S Nose Blunt
Cab Over Table :: Photo: Otto
If you could travel anywhere tomorrow where would it be and why? I would go anywhere outside of the US other than Mexico. It wouldn’t even matter, I just want to travel. I would love to go to Mexico, why not for you? You have a bad experience there or something? Be careful what you say. Haha nah, nothing bad has happened to me there, it’s just a sketchy place to go. People have been dying a lot lately over there. My friend told me a story about how he got lost from his friends and ended up going around to bars with some guys for the night. One of the guys went to the bathroom and the other one told my friend that the other guy was gonna ask him if he needed a place to stay. And being drunk, my friend would most likely say yes. Then he said that his friend is gonna ask if you want to do “things” with him, and even if my friend didn’t want to, he was going to make him do them. Long story short, some guy saved my friend’s life by telling him that this guy was gonna rape and kill him if he stuck around any longer. Are you a homebody or would you like to be away from Long Beach for a long period of time? What do you think you would miss the most by going away?
B.S Nose Blunt : Radison Banks
Switch Big Spin Wall Ride
If I left for a long period of time, which I wouldn’t mind doing, I would definitely miss my family and friends. Some of the local food places will always hold a place in my heart as well, but generally speaking, just friends and family. Do you own a passport? Nah, I have the application filled out, but I don’t have enough money to pay for the processing. Have you ever stolen anything and if so, what was it? Thrift stores only sell things that were given to them, so I don’t
think “stealing” is the proper term. What’s your favorite thrifty item you have got? I have this one collared shirt I’m really hyped on. Lately I’ve been really into collared shirts with the pocket. I don’t know though, I’m pretty down for almost everything I take. If it isn’t worth risking for, I won’t take it, ya know? What’s up with the video you and your boys are making? Oh shit... ZOO TIGER DEATH MASK… Fuck, I don’t even know where to start. I think what
happened was that a group of my good friends realized that we were sick of all these candy-ass jabronies making garbage-ass skate videos, so we took the initiative and bought some filming accessories. What’s gonna happen is that it’s going to make kids stop thinking they need to skate El Toro to have a legitimate good time skateboarding. I won’t go into too much detail, but ZOO TIGER DEATH MASK will make you want to get down in every way imaginable. How did that video name come about?
Well, one day we were driving to go skate, and we brought up the topic of how John McCain couldn’t have a straight head on his shoulders because he had been tortured as a P.O.W. and someone just threw out, “Yeah, the motherfucker wore a death mask, fuck that” and it just kind of stuck. As far as the Zoo Tiger goes, I’m not sure if you’ve heard about this or not, but a while back, some kids were fucking with a tiger at the San Francisco Zoo. They hit it with something I guess and then left to walk around. The tiger escaped from his cage, hunted down the kids and mauled
one of them to death for punking it. After it had killed the kid, it just stood its ground ‘till people came and of course killed him. Fuckin’ brilliant if you ask me. Who’s going to be in it? Zack, James, BP, John, Chase and any real skaters we managed to either go skate with, or bootleg from a distance. Do you have any hidden talents? If pessimism is hidden, then yes. Is there anything in your past you wished you had never done? Yeah, that sex change operation Birdhouse paid for was a big mistake. What you want to be doing 10 years from today? Word on the street is that we only have til 2012, but if that falls through, I just wanna be skating with the friends who haven’t stopped yet. Explain to me a normal week in the life of Ben? Fuck, wake up at someone’s house 5 days out of the week, get coffee, skate for a few hours a day, figure out where to drink, drink, meet worthless women, drunk dial, then regret the drunk dialing. Tell me your best drunk dialing conversation and with who? That’s a good question Paul. For now, we’ll just call her Stoli. But pretty much what happens is: I see Stoli out at bars and what not, but every time we run into each other there’s this sort of quasi-flirting that goes down. Then, when last call comes around, we end up on the phone and I pretty much just end up talking shit to her. Then I wake up with this motivation to skate something that’s going to get me hurt really bad, cause that’s naturally how I feel for even wasting my time with Stoli. But what happens is I don’t get hurt, I usually land something I’m satisfied with, and then I go out and have a celebratory drink, see her again, and repeat the process. I guess you could say, she’s responsible for a majority of my better skate tricks. What do you think of my questions considering I only met you once? I think they’re pretty amazing. I’m glad you agreed to do this, people are gonna think I’m cool cause you interviewed me. What you reading right now? The label of a water bottle, I can’t sit still long enough to read a book usually. Fat or skinny and why? Definitely skinny. That’s what’s up. Thick
girls, not so much. Morrissey or Metallica and why? It all depends on the mood, but if I had to choose between those two, I would go with Metallica. Older Metallica though, none of that newer soft country bullshit. I don’t mind Morrissey, it’s just that all these fag scene kids worship him, so it kind of kills it for me. What do your parents think about what you do right now? They’re actually hyped that I’m out doing what I wanna do, but they get bummed when I have no money and don’t help out around the house. Why don’t you help around in the house? I’m lazy. When was your finest moment? I don’t know if I can think of a finest moment, there’s a lot of really good ones. Maybe when I got my car, or when I found out Blueprint was giving me boards. Oh, I found 20 bucks on the ground, so I went to the store with it and bought a scratcher and won 50 bucks. That was pretty cool. Have you ever wished you had never set your eyes on a skateboard? No. Fuck no. What you think is going to happen come November 4th? I would like to think that by then, this skating ticket I have will be dismissed and I’ll be out skating happily with some friends. I’ll tell you what though, if that worthless pile McCain wins the presidency, I’m fuckin’ outta here. What you got in your pockets right now? My ID, change and pills. What are the pills for? They just keep me relaxed. It’s not like I’m crazy into them, they just mellow me out after a long day of skating or something of that sort. Are you in a band or have you been? If so, what you play? Nah, I have no patience to learn an instrument. Although, I would really like to be able to play classical piano. Have you any people you want to say what up to or thanks? Family, Blueprint, Ortiz, ZOO TIGER DEATH MASK, Ben K, coffee, Feds, Lou, good pants, clean socks, In-N-Out.
Ollie :: Photo: Karpinski
S. Ollie N. Manual N. Flip Out
Photos & Interview: Tom Carey State your name and age? Dusty Payne, age 19. You’re 19? Yep. Ok. Let’s hear your sponsors so I don’t fuck it up later.
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Volcom, Local Motion, Nike 6.0, Body Glove, Dragon, Creatures of Leisure and Monster. Hometown? Lahaina, Maui. Dusty, does it bum you out that your
Dad just rules you and just owns you at the bay? What do you mean? I push him into those waves! How do you push him in when he’s burning you?
Burning me? He never burns me. You gotta get your eyes checked. I’ve seen your dad shit on some big waves at the mill. Is that how you’re so dramatic on
your falls? What do you mean dramatic? I’m not dramatic. You’re trippin’. You’ve had a pretty busy year. After Hawaii, what have you been up to since last winter season? I’ve been surfing a bunch of junk waves all year. Where? Australia, Indonesia, that’s it I think. Oh, the Maldives sucked. I heard you have a pretty shitty part in Taylor Steele’s movie. How can
they put such shitty parts in movies? I don’t know. I’m rattled.
parts to you? Ya know, it’s the most important thing I’d say.
now, people probably won’t remember the CT but they’ll remember the video part.
I heard you got your part in Taylor’s movie, “Stranger than Beef Curtains.” How’d that come about? Umm, I don’t know. I think someone paid him off to put me in the video.
Seriously? What’s better than a video part? Winning the QS?
Good answer. Who’s side did you take in Nicole Ritchie’s and Paris Hilton’s break-up? I don’t even know who Nicole Ritchie is.
Is that how surf people get in those movies by getting paid through their sponsors? I don’t know. Maybe. How important are video
No. Absolutely not. I think that’s worse. Exactly. Would you rather win ‘CT or have a mean part in a video? Umm, I’d probably rather have a mean part in a video. Why’s that? Because five years from
Paris Hilton’s best friend from The Simple Life. They broke up? Are they lesbians? No, they were buddybuddy. Do you think Brittany Spears has a chance at a come back?
“FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, PEOPLE PROBABLY WON’T REMEMBER THE CT BUT THEY’LL REMEMBER THE VIDEO PART.” Nah.
You’re weird.
Why not? Because she’s fat.
Does that help when it comes to signing on the dotted line? Do you think you’re as gnarly as Bruce and Andy or something? No! Are you kidding me?
Was it hard growing up as an albino kid in Maui? Well, once you prove to Hawaiians you’re crazier than them, they usually don’t mess with you. I heard you have the same agent as Bruce and Andy. Does that make you feel warm inside?
Ok really, how did that come about that you have the same agent? Well, we went on a boat trip last year, and I just got along with Blair and thought he was a cool guy.
Does he do your laundry for you? No. I don’t do laundry. Who does? My mom. I heard you only wear new clothes once and then you throw them out. Is that true? Who said that? Everyone. That’s what she said. Your dad was a pilot for Aloha. Do you ever
think about following in his footsteps? I hate flying. And we’re doing this interview on an airplane. So if we crash and someone finds this… What would your last words be? Umm, I love you mom and dad. Good son. We’re just coming back from Cabo. What do you have to say about all the old gringo dudes
that try and get all local on us on all the shitty soft right hand points we’ve been surfing? They’re trippin’ if they think they’re local at the shittiest waves in the world.
I don’t know who Mike is, but Neco’s a legend.
How would you describe your style of surfing? Terrible. I should live in Brazil.
Tom Carey or Brian Bielmann? Brian Bielmann because Tom Carey’s doing this interview.
Neco Padaratz or Mike Lambresi?
Who are you voting for in the next
Right on. Richie Collins or Todd Miller? I don’t know Todd Miller, but I know Richie Collins and he has a dope haircut.
presidential election and how do you feel about Russia’s invasion of Georgia? Russians are invading Georgia? Not the state, the country. Georgia’s not a country! Who are you voting for in the next presidential election? Barack Obama. He’s from Hawaii. He’s from Punaho. What are your plans and goals for 2009? I wanna do some more filming, and get a solid seat in the WQS. And where do you want to be exactly? Top 48 for sure.
How much of the QS is luck? Just getting lucky and getting a good wave, and just making a random heat, and just judges pushing you through? I guess it’s a lot of luck, but good surfers make their own luck. So hopefully next year, I’ll make my own luck. Are you going to try and juggle doing the QS and going on photo trips and video trips and still being in good movie sections? Or do you think it’s one or the other? I think you can do both. People just choose to do one or the other. You just gotta be on the road a lot more. Do you think that hurts people? Hurts their image if they aren’t showing up in magazines and videos because they’re going full boar on the QS? Is that something you think about? Yeah for sure. There are so many good surfers on the QS that you never see in magazines that kinda get lost in the shuffle or whatever. Yeah, a lot of people get lost doing the QS. So let’s say you get a good seed next year, and say 2010, after that QS season, you make the CT. And then say you’re not getting the results you want on the CT, you’re making it each year but you’re just doing average. Is that something you still would wanna do? Or would you look to do something else? I would probably look to do something else. I mean, the top ten guys are the best surfers in the world, and I think if you’re not there, you’re just kinda making up the numbers on the tour. I don’t know. I wanna do something. I don’t wanna just get lost on tour. Either tour. How important do you think is the CT for
You had a couple good results. You got fifth place in the US Open? Yeah. Does that give you some confidence for next year? Yeah for sure. I’ve never really done well in the QS, and that’s only one so, hopefully next year I can get three or four good results. Do you think that you need to improve on your small wave surfing? Yeah definitely. I need to improve on everything. Do you feel more confident on bigger waves? I don’t know. I feel more comfortable. So let’s say if the surf’s like four to six feet in a contest rather than say, chest high beach brakes, you feel more comfortable? Yeah, I get so nervous in little beach brakes. But if it’s like a contest at Haleiwa, four to six feet, I’m a lot more comfortable I think because I know there are waves coming in.
everybody? I think you have to make it at least once in your career just to prove that you can do it. The best surfers do qualify for it, ya know? Do you think that a lot of it’s political though, like where guys are getting pushed through because they think they’ll help the tour? Umm, some of it. I don’t know. I’d say some of it, for sure. Give a percentage. Like 10 percent? 25 percent? 99.9 percent. No, I don’t know. I’m not sure. What do you think about girls surfing these days? Are you in Club MAGS, [Men Against Girls Surfing], that was founded partially by Andrew Doheny? Yep, I joined the club about a year ago. Why is it that guys are so eggy about girls surfing? Because they try and hustle us for waves and then they usually try and steal your chick later that night. Have you heard any good Women’s CT tour love stories? Nah. Can you not go there? No, I’ve never heard any! Yeah, you’ve heard a couple huh? Let’s hear one. No, I’d probably be hunted down and beheaded. Are the girls on all the CT’s with you guys? Or are they all spread out? I don’t know; I’m not on tour. I mean the QS. I think they have a few events with chicks, like chick’s and men’s events at the same spot. I’m not sure about the CT though.
“THEY TRY AND HUSTLE US FOR WAVES AND THEN THEY USUALLY TRY AND STEAL YOUR CHICK LATER THAT NIGHT.”
Is it true that all the older girls on the CT try and turn all the younger girls into lesbians? I could get killed for that too! But yeah, I think so! You’d get killed? Aren’t you bigger than those girls? Are you kidding me? Have you seen the shoulders on some of them chicks? I fear some chicks. They’re gnarly. Who are some of the guys you like to travel with? Well I just did a trip with Laurie Towner that was fun. Just whoever is easy going and down for whatever. I just like to hangout with people who really don’t care. Do you feel like the older you get, the more spoiled you get, like for waves, and maybe like take sessions for granted? If the waves are good, I’m psyched. But if it’s like mushy and average, then I don’t get psyched. I’ve seen you at home psych out over some pretty average two-foot days. Do you still have that attitude? Yeah, but that’s home. If I go somewhere and get terrible waves, I think that’s a bit different. Who do you surf with at home? I surf with Granger Larson all the time, and Wesley, Clay, Ty Barker, Hank and Ola, all the Maui boys. Are there any rivalries or harsh competition that goes on between you guys? Or are you guys really tight friends? I think when we were younger yeah, but now we’re becoming good friends. No real serious rivalries. We all get jealous of each
other sometimes I bet. I get jealous of them. What do you get jealous over? Their sick video parts and that. What’s the best surf trip you’ve ever been on? Pohnpei. I went with the Hobgoods and a bunch of cool kids from all over the world, and we scored perfect waves. Best wave of my life. Tell us about that wave. Perfect right-hander. You couldn’t ask for anything better. You just get barreled for like eight seconds and come out and do a big turn or whatever you want. It’s perfect. Let’s hear about the waves you surf at home. Do you think they’re a good mix of waves to prepare you for everything else? Yeah, we’ve got rights, lefts, semi beach break, but not really. It’s kinda reef. A little sand. And we’ve got points, a bunch of different waves. Big waves. We’ve got it all I’d say. Would you rather grow up on Maui or Oahu? Maui. Why’s that? There’s less people. Do you think your guy’s waves compare to theirs? Some of them, sure. But they have way more consistent waves.
How often are you at home these days? Probably just during the winter months really. Probably four months out of the year. Is that Maui or Oahu? Maui and Oahu. How often would you be on Maui? I don’t know. Probably three months. What do you miss about home? Just hanging out with all my friends from back home, and all the fun waves we have when they break. What do you want to say to the people back home and your friends that are on Maui Fever? Yeah boys back home! What do you think about all the lame TV shows that have been going on on Maui? They’re terrible. They should have never been on TV. It makes everyone from Maui look stupid. They’re terrible. Alright Dusty, you’ve been a good sport and hopefully this interview doesn’t make you look like an idiot. Any last words? Thanks to all my family and friends and to all my sponsors and everybody who supported me. And yeah Tom Carey! No, he wasn’t involved with this. Yes she was.
Words: Jon Francis When not busy chasing Satin Dagger on tour, you can find Lane racing his street bike around the streets of Reno or shredding Kingvale in Tahoe. You may know Lane from one of his many standout parts in any Grenade video, from his own video he produced a couple years ago called The Chronicles of Gnarlia (which has one of the best sound tracks in any snowboard video) or in this years new release of BozWreck 2, where he filmed half of his own part on a tripod in solo sessions simply for the love of snowboarding. Lane is one of creativity, and also one of the many innovators of style in snowboarding. Even two of SoCal’s best and most stylish riders such as Keegan Valaika and Chris Bradshaw would tell you that Lane is one of their favorite snowboarders and would admit that style points were definitely bitten from him. Lane is by far one of the most underrated and overlooked snowboarders and he holds no shame in being the pioneer of the term “Dirty” in today’s snowboard society. We had planned to do an interview over a few drinks at the bar but instead I thought I would write a few words on him myself. Lane still has the talent to put out many more impressive video parts and if you already haven’t, I’d suggest you take notice to his riding if you’re looking to improve or maybe even invent some of your own new trends or tricks, or even just to learn how to really ride switch on rails. Lane is the man.
Photo: Jake Grossman-Crist
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Photo: Jake Grossman-Crist
Photo: Binki Inc
Photo: Jake Grossman-Crist
Photo: Binki Inc
Photo: Bob Plumb
Words: Strato For the 7th year in a row, the Damn Am rolled through Volcom headquarters and brought with it a small army of young and hungry amateurs from all over the globe. Some came with lavish gear, others in tatters, some were focused, and others confused and naïve. All this mixed with excellent skateboarding, the Spotlight Crew’s antics on the mic, DJ Wade keeping the tunes going (despite his records melting in the sun), and you had the classic Damn Am weekend. The weather was great, and the free food was a nice bonus and made for an enjoyable weekend. Volcom put a lot of effort this time around to keeping the event green. Yes, deem it a sign of the times, but in the end, the entire event was run off solar power from the ASEC Sol Bus, a converted school bus that is covered in solar panels. It was the fuel for all those microphone call outs, Wade’s sounds, the web team’s cyberability, and energy to supply Axyss’s youthful rock assault during best trick. The Darkstar best trick was a battle on the double set and rails. There were about 50 guys jostling for position in a place meant to hold about 15. This made for chaos, 5 guys dropping in at once and getting in each other’s way. Those lucky enough to make it through the fray and actually try the trick they intended included Moose, who cab flipped the stairs, Ryan Reyes who did a smith grind kickflip out, and Daniel Espinoza who took the grand prize with a smooth blunt kickflip to fakie out.
Loui Lopez : Hurricane
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David Loy : F.S Air
VCOlogical
Kyle Walker : F.S Feeble :: Strato
Kechaud Johnson : Gap F.S Lip :: Strato
Felipe Gustavo : K-Flip F.S Nose :: Strato
Cody Davis : B.S Smith
Tommy Fynn : B.S Noseblunt :: Mapstone
Timmy Knuth : K-Flip Crooked Grind
Ryan Reyes : Smith K-Flip Out
Rob Maatman : Gap B.S Smith :: Mapstone
DAMN AM 2008 FINAL RESULTS: The contest had too much talent to talk about. There were a lot of guys who ripped, but did not hold it together during their runs, thus missing the cut. The finals were up for grabs. Any of the guys who made the cut could have taken it, which made for excitement. After 2 of 3 runs complete, nobody had stuck a run yet. The first person to do this was Cody Davis, and there were only 4 guys left skate after that. Up until that point, it was too close to call. Felipe Gustavo almost completed one of the most technical runs in Damn Am history (nollie flip noseslide 360 shuvit out in a run), but ended up falling on a trick. David Loy stole the show on his final run, airing the massive gap from quarter to quarter, and annihilating the quarter to flat bank. When it was over and the judges were tallying, it was pretty clear that David put his foot down and took it, for the 2nd time as he won two years ago. All this was made official when the scores were read. David Loy in 1st, followed by Cody Davis and then Felipe Gustavo in 3rd. The kids were hyped, loaded with prizes and pride. This was then followed by the annual promo toss of epic proportions, where the crowd feasted on product until there was no more to be had. All that was left was a mess of post contest debris, all pointing to another successful Damn Am in the history books.
1. David Loy 2. Cody Davis 3. Felipe Gustavo 4. Timmy Knuth 5. Kechaud Johnson 6. Louie Lopez 7. Shawn Hale 8. Rob Maatman 9. Kyle Walker 10. Will Marshall 11. Donovan Piscopo
DARKSTAR BEST TRICK:
Darkstar Best Trick:
1. Daniel Espinoza - $500 - front blunt kickflip fakie on the rail 2. Ryan Reyes - $200 - smith grind kickflip out on the rail 3. Moose! - $100 - cab flip down the double set 4. Cody Davis - $100 - front board kickflip out on the rail 5. Grant “Eggy” Muller - $100 - switch dolphin flip down the double set
Photography: Dominic Petruzzi
dominicpetruzzi.com
Stylist: Conor Graham conorgraham.com Model: Lindsey Hartley :: Next Models Makeup: Audrey Starn audreystarn.com
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Top – RVCA rvca.com Jean – Vans vans.com Belt – Alpinestars alpinestars.com Boots – Max&Co maxandco.com Vintage necklace @ Patina Earrings @ Forever 21 Hat @ Urban Outfitters
Dress – Volcom volcom.com Sweater – Ezekiel ezekielusa.com Jewelry – Stylist’s own
Flannel – Ezekiel ezekielusa.com Tank – Oakley oakley.com Skirt – Fox fox-girl.com Beanie – Hurley hurley.com Boots – Steven stevemadden.com Jewelry – Stylist’s Own
Dress – Ezekiel ezekielusa.com Jacket – Hurley hurley.com Socks/Boots/Jewelry – Stylist’s own
Top – Matix matixclothing.com Hooded Vest – Ezekiel ezekiel.com Jeans – Volcom volcom.com Watch – Nixon nixonnow.com Boots – ASH Belt/Jewelry – Stylist’s Own
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GREG “CRAOLA” SIMKINS
Interview: Jani Lange
Skater, punker, graffiti artists and dad are a few words that describe Greg “Craola” Simkins. Influenced by Caravaggio, Jacques Luis David, Jan Van Huysom, Dr. Seuss, Tim Burton, Salvador Dali, Old Disney, the Zoo, The Bible, Frazetta, Todd Schorr, the legendary South Bay Skate/Punk scene, graffiti and tattoos, Simkins’ art has infiltrated the world of pop culture in many forms - From tee shirts, album covers, back alleys, video games to the Magic Kingdom of Disney, he has earned the respect of his peers on the streets and in galleries across the country. Simkins is one of the lucky few in this world that has managed to turn his passion into a career. After the interview check out imscared.com for more on Greg “Craola” Simkins.
Ok Greg you have to bare with me, I have never interviewed an artist, let alone an artist of your caliber, so please don’t laugh if my questions seem amateur. I have always admired your work and I want to take this opportunity to introduce you and your talent to BL!SSS readers. So let’s start with the basics, I have known you for years and always wanted to ask, what’s up with your nickname “Craola”? I needed a name/alias if I was going to do graffiti, so “Craola” just made sense. The original spelling “crayola” just seemed too long, so I dropped the ‘Y’. Pretty simple. I think alternate stories about getting my name are more interesting though, like defeating a rare mutant race of hedgehogs with just a box of crayons, or climbing out of a well with just my crayons for a grip in the wall. But unfortunately, I just liked the sound of it and the way the letters flowed for me. It was important that I had letters I could bend and abstract, and the “R” and “A’s” gave me plenty of room to play with. I have had the name since 1993 (I also wrote Crum back then, but that is a different story) and it has become a part of me. I have it tattooed on me about five different places and have worked in jobs where nobody knows me as Greg, but just as “Craola”. Ok Craola, fill us in about your graffiti background. When I was 18 a friend of mine showed me a graffiti book called Subway Art and it completely took over my brain - I have been doing it since 1993, you do the math. There were writers such as Seen and Dondi in there and the trains they were painting were complete murals, not just tags, and I was amazed at what they could do in the middle of a freezing New York night. I also had gotten a hold of a magazine called Can Control, which focused on the L.A. graffiti scene and mainly on the CBS crew. I was convinced that if this art could be done with spray cans, then I was going to do it. I started painting different yards and spots with friends whom had the same interests (such as Casl, Circus, Laten, Tron, and others) as well as working on my themes and illustrations in blackbooks, trying to develop my style. Upon getting into WAI and CBS, I was greatly inspired by the guys in these crews. Plek, Axis, and Natoe really schooled me on how to use spray cans and how to hook up a production. I owe them greatly. A lot of graffiti is collaborating, art directing or being art directed, composition and color theory. These are all things I learned painting walls. You meet new artists, you develop a theme or concept for a wall and then you execute it. Hopefully it comes out how you planned. At least that is how my friends and I worked together. There were days that you just grabbed your cans and painted off the head whatever you felt. I did like the collaborative efforts though and made a lot of friends and painted some sick walls with this process. Was it difficult for a “white kid from the beach” to become accepted by established urban artists? Not really. I never really felt any discrimination, not ever. It was more about your heart and talent with graf than skin color. I liked the melting pot aspect of graffiti, and how it crossed racial lines. I never tried to be something I wasn’t
either. I never portrayed myself as an “urban” artist because I’m not. If people dislike me because of where I am from my background as a Christian/nerd/skater/white beach rat/punk (wow, those don’t sound like they go together entirely), then so be it. I am not trying to make anybody happy with the basics of who I am. I am grateful for my friends from all walks of life and how knowing them has enriched my life and broadened my outlook. Graffiti has a tendency to get a bad wrap, how do you answer those critics? I’d say it deserves it in some aspects. Look, for the most part doing graffiti is mainly respected by other writers only when you are getting up on difficult, illegal spots which are almost always someone’s property. The owners of these properties are not going to be happy, it is going to effect their life in some ways. They will have to remove the paint, or replace windows, etc. and in the big picture, if you are one of these owners and have a family and lots of expenses on top of keeping your storefront clean, you are going to be pissed. I have always respected that, and although it doesn’t make me popular, I have always kept my graff in yards, cement river washes and run down areas where it isn’t going to hurt anything, and legal permission walls. I never got into painting walls to be the most up (but I do have respect for those who do and do it well), I just had an overwhelming desire to paint. So to answer your question, I understand the bad wrap it gets, but there is a flipside to it that the critics need to see - that it is an art movement with so much talent putting out so much good art that it can’t all be lumped into one category. There are different degrees to it. You ever get busted? Never got caught, but I have been chased by the police and gangsters. I have had guns pulled on me at least four times while painting. I have had to jump over barbwire fences, you name it. This one time when I had to run I sprained my ankle so bad that I had to wear a cast for a few weeks. I guess I enjoyed the risk factor, you never knew what was gonna happen when you’re out painting in Compton or abandoned areas of LA. Of course those days were a while ago and I have a wife and kid now. It has been weird to see my interests change as well. Before, I would always say that I would always paint walls and do graffiti; but in the last few years, experiencing some bad kidney problems, a bad back, knees and ankles, and mainly getting super absorbed in the creation of my old black book styles into new acrylic canvas, with no limits to creative impetus, I have slowed down on the graffiti; almost to a halt, but not completely. My main focus in art these days is creating the worlds from my head and dreams and making them a snapshot on canvas. I have always been working on these images in some form, through my youngest years, in coloring books outside the lines, then in my blackbooks with markers and color pencils, on walls with spray paint and rollers, in my video game and clothing design years on a computer and with pencil and ink. Now with all that training, some schooling, advice from friends, and a lot of reading, with acrylics on canvas.
That’s such a great story, has your family been big supporters of your art? Most definitely, my dad builds me panels to paint on and he used to buy me spray paint for Christmas. They preferred I painted at home more than on the streets but you know how that goes. They did stress that I get a formal education, and I am glad I got my bachelors degree in Studio Art from Cal State Long Beach. One of the most defining moments in my creative life was when my Grandpa bought me the book
Watership Down by Richard Adams. I was 12 and we were on our yearly trip to San Diego to go to the zoo and I needed a book to read on the drive. I read a lot growing up and still do, but Watership Down holds a special place in my life. It is about of a bunch of rabbits, the runts and outcasts, being held down by the more prominent rabbits in there warren, and there escape from there to find a new home and start there own society where no one would be held down, but all would be encouraged to grow
and excel. Rereading this book several times, especially through my awkward high school years, helped a lot. I used to get nightmares from that book, there are some scary scenes of rabbit death and dismembering. Ya, it’s an impactful story, I have read it at least 8 times. I like to try and sneak elements of the book into my paintings, like Inle, he is the Black Rabbit who takes dead rabbits to the other side. I have incorporated him many paintings in some
form or other. Wow that’s heavy, so aside from your graffiti work you have worked with some big name bands? Definitely, coming from the South Bay punk rock is everywhere; I started doing flyers and tee shirt designs for the Deviates. Then when Epitaph signed them I got the opportunity to do their album cover for Time is the Distance. Since then I have done design work for Pennywise, AFI, Saosin, Gym Class Heroes,
1208, Western Waste and others. I like working with bands, but have had a hard time getting time with the heavy painting schedule we have me on over here. It is always awesome when it works out though because music plays a large part in my life and work. So are you on the “life time guest list” with these guys? Yeah right, that would be cool, I wish I could get out and go to more shows. These days I am changing diapers and warming up bottles at night. I think the last show I went to was Bayside at the Glass House last year. It felt good to get out and feel like I was back in my element. Is it true that you are a video game designer also? A few years ago I did some work for Treyarch/Activision where I worked on a bunch of games including Tony Hawk 2x, Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer, Spiderman 2 and Ultimate Spiderman. They knew my skate and graffiti background and had me make the urban background look authentic. I re-created the legendary Venice Pit for Tony Hawk 2X, which was still my favorite project of all time. You ever sneak any subliminal stuff in the games? For sure, we call them “Easter Eggs.” In Spiderman 2 there is a picture of my wife and I dancing at our wedding, there are all kinds of things in Tony Hawk 2X (disclaimer: all these things were properly signed off on), especially my friend’s graffiti. Who else have you done work for? Disney, Mattel, Hurley, Vans, Converse, Juxtapoz, To Die For, Upper Playground, STRANGEco, Ningyoushi, Kid Robot, Zero Friends, Dark Horse, Iron Fist, Pulse International (and in my early days, the horrible company JNCO, which was a terrible brand but a great learning ground where I made many friends whom helped me along in my life and career) and others that I can’t think of off the top of my head. Any big projects coming up? In February 2009 I will be at Upper Playground’s 5024SF gallery in San Francisco. I am looking forward to this one, as San Francisco
is one of my favorite places to visit. I really love doing art shows, it allows me to be my own boss, and after all they are my bread and butter. I try to have a minimum of 2 shows a year, one on the West Coast and one on the East Coast. I mainly work with Gallery 1988 in LA, Joshua Liner Gallery in New York, and Upper playground/5024sf in San Fran. These galleries have been
so supportive throughout my career, especially Jensen and Katie at 1988 who gave me a real push out of my comfort zone and helped me in transitioning from doing art on the side to doing it full time. In May of 2009 I am making the trip out to Croatia for a graffiti event called Xstatic ’09. I will for the first time in my life be able to paint with a couple of the artists that I first saw in
Subway Art as well as some of the worlds best graffiti writers. I am a bit nervous and don’t feel worthy of painting with them, but couldn’t pass this opportunity up. Well Greg thanks for your time, and shout outs? Yup, hellos and thanks to: Jenn, Isaac, Dad, Mom, and family... Alex Pardee, Bob Dob, Gunnar,
Adam Hathorn, Deph, Matthew Bone, Jeff Page, Joe Ledbetter, Luke Chueh, Steven Daily, Devious, Axis, Ian, Jani, Jason Maloney, Travis Louie, Jensen, Katie, Josh Liner, Elias and Colleen, Nic and Kylee, To Die For, Iron Fist, Upper Playground, CBS, WAI, VT, and Bashers Crews, Guru Tattoo, and big bad Werk for all his help.
Interview: Frankie D’Andrea :: Photos: Kenworthy Dege O’Connell comes from the Hawaiian Islands but is not your average Hawaiian. He does not look like a Hawaiian; he actually looks like he could be the goalie for the Anaheim Ducks. He rocks a 3/2 with no booties in frigid waters, but he does surf with the power of a Hawaiian. With so much talent in the water today you have to be doing something different to get noticed. Dege recently signed with Mada after not having a sponsor for most of 2008. He kept his mouth shut and surfed heat after heat and as a result he made the Explorer Juniors Semi’s at the NSSA Nationals this year. He has been winning heats on the WQS
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and amping up for the North Shore season. With a solid attitude and good head on top of his thick neck, Dege is ready to step up to the big leagues and start swinging. What’s up Dege, are you getting ready to head over to the North Shore? Yup, just after Thanksgiving heading over to stay for the month of December. So have you been spending a lot of time over there in the winters? Yeah I have been going over there my whole life, but this year more than ever I feel confident going into
the season. I have a good quiver of boards that I am stoked on.
because there are no mountains for landmarks.
Where were you born and raised, and where do you currently call home? I was born and raised in Hana, Maui and I still live there.
How old were you when you started shredding the ice rink? You are Canadian right? HAHA. Well, I was born in Maui and lived there my whole life but both my parents are from Canada. I have duel citizenship. As for the ice rink, I am probably the worst ice skater you will ever see. I spend a lot of time on my ass. I rip when I use one of those walker things though.
How is it living on a rock in Hawaii? I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Living on a rock is the best thing ever. You can always tell where the ocean is because of how low the mountains are. I get lost so much in Southern California because I never know my sense of direction
Besides surfing, what else does Dege do? Where I live on Maui there are
mostly always waves to surf so I try to surf as much as I can but there are definitely some flat spells in the summer. All my friends and I are super into spear fishing and night diving so we do that whenever there are no waves. We also like to do adventures, actually camping trips we call “death missions.” We go to some scary valleys down the coast on kayaks. We don’t bring any food; Only water, a liter, a knife, and a sleeping bag and I guess we try to survive for a couple of nights. We catch fish and prawns in the river and make sick shacks from driftwood. I think like 2 out of the 4 times we got scared out of our minds. I guess their pretty fun though. How is it growing up in Maui and who is your crew you roll with that helps you push the limits? Growing up on Maui is the sickest thing ever. When we do the local contest on Maui it’s kind of like all the different sides battle. Then when we do contest inter island, it’s Island rivalries and then when we go out
of Hawaii we are all one big family, it’s cool. Back home I hang out with Makana, Ola and Uila Eleogram, Hank Gaskell, Monyca, Matt Meola, Albee Layer, Billy Kemper, all the Hana Boys. My closest friend is Gabe but he doesn’t surf, he’s just the man. Name one animal, two colors and three words that describe you? Lama; black and blue; surfing, skating, sleeping. And chicks too! What tunes get you amped up from pre-surf to pre-night on the town? I don’t really listen to music to get amped to go surf, but rap and hiphop always gets you psyched to party. Then I throw on the Sublime to mellow it out. Who is your dream girl and where would you take her on a date? Megan Fox. I’d take her to my room first for a little bit, then to dinner somewhere expensive. Then back to my room for a few weeks.
Is Slater a freak? Will he quit or go for ten? Slater is definitely crazy. I think he sold his soul to the devil or something. He’ll probably quit just to mess with people and then come back in like two years and win a couple more titles. If you could change one thing about surfing today what would it be? I would make mental wave pools that actually have sick waves and then surfing could be in the Olympics. What is your super skill? I have a really thick neck. That’s not really a skill but it’s probably my most dominant feature. You know what they say about thick necks? Yup, I sure do. They can pound ya!
Who is helping you these days? Well my mom and dad are always supporting me and they are amazing parents. They’re more like my friends then my parents. My friends are always pushing me and of course all of my sponsors. Frankie and all the boys from Mada are so sick, I couldn’t do it without them. I also ride for DaKine, Macbeth Shoes and Anon eye wear. Nimbus surfboards are making me a sick quiver for the North Shore. Kenworthy is the man and helps me a lot too. Thanks everyone! Any shout outs or last words? Thanks to everybody who’s anybody in my life. Whoever said life is short is lying because life is the longest thing anyone will ever do.
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Photos: Bob Plumb Growing up and learning to snowboard together, Erik Christensen and I had plenty of people to look up to, learning the ropes from distant observation at Brighton Resort. From this observation we figured out what in our minds made a good snowboarder and we wanted in the club. EC and I knew little about all the jumps that were being built up at Brighton other than a few jumps that we built on the run. Together we knew that a lot of this behavior went down at Grizzly Gulch. Erik’s older brother, Ash, knew about all the spots, and one day Erik got taken along for the ride. A couple weekends later EC and I went up to Grizzle Gulch with little knowledge and no plans. Our intentions were perfect - just go shred. As we started our hike we quickly ran up onto some of the dudes we had seen ripping at Brighton. I remember seeing Timmy Ostler and Jason Murphy with a couple other dudes. With their jump built, they were already in full session. Timmy saw us two kids hiking up the mountain and instantly hollered at us to come hit the jump with them. By the way, since then I’ve figured out
that Timmy is one of the best dudes I’ve ever met, but that’s a whole other story. EC and I had never hit a backcountry booter before and I was definitely reluctant to take up the offer. Before I had a chance to think, EC was running up the hill to strap in. I don’t remember hitting the jump, all I wanted was to hang out and watch. Erik survived his first few jumps and I decided to try it for myself. I ate shit my first couple of goes but a few jumps later I managed to land one. In the time it took me to land, Erik was already spinning and shit. From then on that basically was how it went with EC. Erik would learn a new trick and I would figure it out after watching him. After a while I just gave up and figured that it was just better to watch EC. He still amazes me every time I see him ride. He is one of those kids that just got good by default, or should I say persistence. Every time he tries a trick he feels like he could do it better. More often than not that means he’s going to unstrap and hike back up to do it again, no matter what it is. We will be riding around at Brighton and EC will do a grab on his trick that felt funny. He will unstrap in the middle of the run and hike up to get it just right. It’s sweet but kind of annoying when it’s time to leave and you cant get him down to the car. This ambition is why Erik knows way more tricks than you do. Over the years Erik has had more sponsors than a racecar driver. For one reason or another EC has tasted the bitter side of snowboarding, due to injuries and politics. Snowboarding has never given him a free ride. Every dollar that Erik has made in snowboarding, he has truly earned. My idea of what makes pro snowboarders career successful is different from what you might think. It’s not about how much money you make or how many pro models you have. I feel like a successful pro snowboarder is someone that inspires other snowboarders, to try new tricks and find a personal style. In my mind, Erik’s snowboard career has been a huge success. I can name to you a ton of people that have been personally affected by Erik’s skills on a snowboard. To me, that means job well done, even if he is between board sponsors at the time. When we were kids, if we meet somebody that had been snowboarding for more than a couple years, we thought they were old school and wanted to learn all we could from them. Now that we have been snowboarding for ten plus years, I wonder if there are any kids out there that are like us? Thirsty for knowledge from their snowboard predecessors. If so, Erik would be a good one to talk to. You can find him hiking up the middle of the park at Brighton most likely. SFK for life homies - you all know who you are!
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11/20/08 5:22:38 PM
ALEX PARDEE’S NIGHT OF THE TREEPLE
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Words: Alex Pardee // // Night of the Treeple Centerpiece, painted by Alex Pardee // VIP’s from Macy’s and Hurley join Pardee in the festivities // Photographer extraordinaire Jn Dragonette gives his approval // Art by Skinner // Presenting Macy’s with some swag // The “Night of the Treeple” Hurley product was prominently displayed // The night brought out some beautiful treeple, including Dave Correia (right) // Club 6, the scene of the crime // Sculpture by Lucien Shapiro and Brad Isdrab // Art by comic legend Sam Keith // Chris Jehly and friends showed their support by threatening to eat people
I have always wanted to make horror movies. Additionally, I have always wanted to design streetwear. Well, both of my dreams came true this past October, when Hurley released “Night of the Treeple” a Cinematic Apparel Line that was cobranded and designed by me. The concept, though a little weird, was simple. I wanted to create a line of clothing that was both an homage to a genre of film that I love (70’s and 80’s horror/exploitation films), as well as a catalyst to introduce a new way of presenting apparel as a way of telling a story visually. In a way, the “Treeple” line is my own personal and original version of a 1970’s exploitation horror film, as told through my art and Hurley’s apparel. Well, there was no better way for us to launch “Night of the Treeple” than have an actual “Night” full of beautiful people and treeple @ Club 6 in the creepy, foggy alleys of San Francisco, CA.
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Independent hip hop legends Cage, Topr & DJ Quest filled our ears with live music, and along with some new Treeple-related artwork from myself, a handful of some of the best bay area artists and photographers contributed their own Treeple-inspired art to supply the environment while the entire Hurley and Macy’s teams debuted the “Night of the Treeple” line to hundreds of party-goers and fashionistas. The release party, as well as apparel line itself, was an amazing success and I can’t thank Hurley enough for taking a chance and giving me the opportunity to design something unique, fun, and horrific! hurley.com/treeple
WhereRidingBeginsKevinAd_BlissMag_LA_eb.pdf
10/23/08
2:34:35 PM
BURTON SNOWBOARDS FLAGSHIP STORE
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RIPCURL GROM SEARCH
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Words: Dylan Slater :: Photos: Hilleman // Nat Young // Koa Smith // Kolohe Andino // Ian Crane // Luke Davis // Taylor Clark // Nat Young // Colin Moran // Nat Young // Ian Crane
Whether it’s women, gambling, or surf competitions, there’s a quaint little saying that seems to ring true for all pastimes… “When it rains, it pours.” And if that’s the case, for 17-yearold Santa Cruz super shredder Nat Young, he is cruising amidst a glorious combination of a Tsunami, hurricane, cyclone, and Seattle torrential downpour. Just days after winning the 4-star WQS Cold Water Classic in his hometown of Santa Cruz, the smiley, snaphappy Nat made the pilgrimage down
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to Salt Creek for the 2008 Rip Curl GromSearch National Final presented by Boost Mobile with one thing in mind: inflict some more pain on any unfortunate surf-stoked grom to dawn a jersey against him. Not really. Nat’s one of the nicest groms you’ll ever meet. But, that still didn’t stop him from displaying one of the most legendary performances in the Rip Curl GormSearch 10-year legacy. In fact, a couple high 9’s later, Nat Found himself $1000 richer with an all-expenses paid trip to Bells Beach for
the International Rip Curl GromSearch Final going down this Easter in the middle of the Rip Curl Pro WCT.
Official results of the 2008 Rip Curl Gromsearch National Final presented by Boost Mobile:
“I’ve always seen the other kids win the trip every year,” explained a stilldripping Nat Young on the awards stage, “and I’ve always wanted it to be my turn. I’m so stoked… It should be an awesome experience.” With the way Nat’s been surfing, don’t be surprised if the forecast doesn’t clear up by next April. Check out the video highlights on ripcurl.com/gromsearch.
BOYS 16/UNDER: Nat Young ($1000 USD) Fisher Heverly Conrad Carr Kolohe Andino
BOYS 14/UNDER: Ian Crane ($500) Luke Davis Kain Daly Colin Moran
BOYS 12/UNDER: Koa Smith ($500) Andrew Jacobson Kadin Panesi Taylor Clark
MOSTLY SQUARE
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Words: Brad Dougherty :: Photos: Jack Morrissey // Bummy & His Crew // Horse Legs // On Lookers // V-Co Security // Party Peeps // Date Night // SB’s Finest // Nate & Lena // Naughties // Connor & Parker Coffin
It was a nice Friday morning in Newport but we were ready to get out of town for the weekend. Mikey G, Jack Morrissey and I jumped in the Volcom team van and headed north. We were on our way to the Volcom Store in Santa Barbara for the opening reception for the Christian “Bummy” Koepenick art gallery. Bummy is a ripping local surfer who has recently finished photography school and has a keen eye for putting imagination onto film. The evening started flowing and all the locals came out to support. People were impressed by Bummy’s ability and were stoked to see his work showcased in the store. Big Tony’s security guys Brent and Jimmy held down the fort as Wade spun the tunes. We were joined by the likes of Kilian Garland, Nate Tyler, Parker Coffin and Dave Shauber. We all had a great time catching up. It was awesome, we packed the place and everyone was grooving. Out of nowhere, some psycho kid came from State Street running from the cops.
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He had a beer on the streets and decided to run into our store to take cover. His plan miserably failed, as he was pinned head first to the base of a clothing rack. Jack snapped some shots until the cop threatened to take him to jail for shooting pictures… what a joke. The cop brought a few of his buddies into the store to lecture us about what we had done. They thought the kid got the beer from us so they shut it down and kicked everyone out. An art show broken up by cops is not something you see everyday. The party moved on to a local bar that was going off until Jack got us kicked out for lighting napkins on fire! A big thanks goes out to Kyle for handling the details and hooking us up… he’s the man. Like a hurricane, we came into town, had a raging art show and spun out of there in the am. Wade, it’s probably time to go to sleep. To check out the likes of all of Bummy’s photography skills go to christiankoepenick.com
ALPINESTARS.COM
photo Wolcott
NATHANIEL CURRAN
RVCA PRESENTS MAP OF THE INNER WAR BY ED TEMPLETON
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Words & Photos: Liz Rice // Ed Templeton and Matt Leines // Map of the inner war, 2008 // Deanna Templeton, and Emerica’s Brand manager Timothy Nickloff and his lovely wife Janice // Joseph Dugan and Greg Escalante // Ed art installation // Portrait of Mike Mills, 2008 // Ed Templeton’s Head Suffer The Joy Of Being Alive, 2008 // Todd Selby AKA The Selby, Mark Aka theCobrasnake, and Marsea Goldberg of New Image Art // Brendan Fowler AKA BARR, Isaac Ramos, and Dan Monick // Neil Patrick Harris AKA Dougie, Ed Templeton and David Burtka
In mid November, RVCA experienced one of its proudest moments to date – the highly anticipated opening of ANP Artists, Ed Templeton’s show, Map Of The Inner War and Matt Leines’ The Great Gates Of Zenith at LA’s Robert’s & Tilton (newly relocated to Culver City). People from all walks of life came to witness Templeton’s stream of images that decorated the gallery. Corner clusters that saturated in a rich cloud of well over 250 new works, including paintings, sculptures, photography and works
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on paper. Eyes watched as the colossal, amazingly adorned heads (created in the RVCA ANP Gallery and Workshop) got circled in delight by guests. Templeton documented his life, and the lives of people around him – the unexpected moments, the sad teenager, his beautiful wife.... So personal and intense that there was clearly a fond moment in every glance. The Great Gates Of Zenith in the gallery’s project room, consisting of new works on paper by Matt Leines sug-
gested one to imagine a futuristic world in which his creatures dwell. Flags that loop the ceiling above played off the colors of his pieces which hung below, providing an extra luxury for the eye. Dancing as if it were telling the tales of mythological creatures in the turn of the twentieth century when things were simple and not so jaded.
unique artists. Be sure to check it out before it ends on December 13th.
Coinciding with the release of Ed Templeton’s book, “Deformer” and Matt Leine’s “You Are Forgiven” opening evening witnessed two impressive exhibits by these
Hours Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm or by appointment
ROBERTS & TILTON 5801 Washington Boulevard Culver City, California 90232 T 323.549.0223 F 323.549.0224 info@robertsandtilton.com
O’NEILL COLD WATER CLASSIC
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Photos: Prefontaine (unless noted) // Nat Young // Seabass // Granger Larson // Micah Byrne // Mason Ho // Micah Byrne // Nat Young // Seabass // Go Nat // Arrrgghhh // The Lane
Competing at his home break, Nat Young stormed through the O’Neill Cold Water Classic held in conjunction with the Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships; stop three on the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series.
America Junior ratings. At 17 years of age, Nat is the youngest competitor to ever win a Cold Water Classic title - a title that is going to be even harder to defend next year after the Cold Water is upgraded to a 6-star prime event.
Young represents the dawn of a new era for Santa Cruz surfers. This year, he won the Coldwater Classic, which brought the WQS event’s title back to Santa Cruz after five years. Additionally, he placed second in the Macy’s CA Trifecta Series, and finished second in the Oakley Pro Junior division. He also finished the season in second place in the ASP North
Young’s astounding hometown performance wasn’t the only statement made in Santa Cruz this year, however. Mason Ho dominated the Lane throughout the Oakley Pro Junior, and in the final dropped a near perfect score of 19.10 out of 20, which left his fellow competitors in a brutal combo situation.
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Micah Byrne finished his season with a good showing as well. An equal fifth place finish at the Cold Water Classic put him in the history books as the 2008 Macy’s CA Trifecta WQS Division champ, and provided him with a check for $10,000.
O’NEILL COLD WATER CLASSIC 1st: Nat Young (USA) $10,000 2nd: Chris Waring (USA) 3rd: Granger Larsen (HAW) 4th: Sean Moody (HAW)
OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR ASP NORTH AMERICA In the Junior ranks, Sebastian Zietz’s CHAMPIONSHIPS equal 25th place finish in Santa Cruz 1st: Mason Ho (HAW) $3,000 earned the young Hawaiian the title of 2nd: Jayke Sharp (AUS) Macy’s CA Trifecta Oakley Pro Junior 3rd: Bruno Rodrigues (USA) Division champion, and a cash bonus 4th: Matt Pagan (USA)
of $7,000.
MACY’S CA TRIFECTA: WQS DIVISION 1st: Micah Byrne (USA) $10,000 2nd: Nat Young (USA) $3,500 3rd: Asher Nolan (USA) $1,500 MACY’S CA TRIFECTA: OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR DIVISION 1st: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) $7,000 2nd: Nat Young (USA) $2,000 3rd: Fisher Heverly (USA) $1,000
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10/26/08
6:53:29 PM
Words: Tim Bergevin In this age of instant information and access, people and things get blown up into epic proportions with a single click of a mouse. This propagates instant celebrity and notoriety for mostly ridiculous things that would have and should have gone unnoticed. Antics instead of talent are now the precursors to fame and the bandwagon keeps rolling. Unfortunately music artists are now one of the biggest culprits. What you say and do can hide the fact that you have no vision and more than likely no talent. Punk/Hardcore has been homogenized in exactly this same way with fashion core running the scene. Thankfully, north of the border there is one band that for all the notoriety is actually legit. All the misinformation and anarchy that follows Toronto band Fucked Up around is their own doing, and what they want is to bring hardcore back to what it was originally. With major respect and praise being showered on the band in North America, Fucked Up is waging war again with their latest release “The Chemistry of
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Common Life” and the band continues to stretch the limits of everything they do. The outrageousness of some of their artwork and live shows has now catapulted the band into tabloid fodder in the UK and has started a small circus around the band. According to singer Pink Eyes aka Damian Abraham, “It’s weird because of the hype stuff. Every night there are half a dozen freaks that show up who would not have been there before.” Damian is referencing the fact that NME has championed the band, documenting all the wildness and slapping Damian’s shirtless 300lb body on the cover with blood running down his face. “One of the shows I got clawed up by these cougar women. They were literally scratching my back and slashing me up with their finger nails as we were playing.” The bands live shows are a mix of nudity and slamming that borders on total chaos. They have infamously destroyed two different sets on MTV Canada and recently had the plug pulled on them at one show in England for what the club
owner called “indecent exposure”. The basis of the music is hardcore but the band adds elements of noise that are as inspired by Sonic Youth and Minor Threat. “It’s six people trying to make their ideal band,” says Damian. “We all have very different ideas on what makes a band good. It’s a weird confluence of conflicts within the band. My ideal band is different than Mike’s (Haliechuk, guitar aka 10,000 Marbles) ideal band, which is completely different from Jonah (Falco, drums aka Guinea Beat) or Sandy’s (Miranda, bass aka Mustard Gas) ideal band and Josh (Zucker, guitar aka Concentration Camp) and Ben (Cook, guitar aka Young Governor) too. It’s six really weird people trying to do what they would want to listen to. Damian’s reference to six really weird people continues the theme of alleged inter band strife. If the bands dislike for each other is really true or if it is just another of the many seeds of disinformation the band sews it is left up to us to decide. What this web of deceit has done is given Fucked Up celebrity status.
“Last night we showed up to the show and these dudes who were obviously not into the band were asking us to sign stuff for them. They probably thought they could sell it on eBay so when we signed it they were probably thinking ‘ha, ha suckers’ but little do they realize that we are really not that popular so we were like, ‘Ha Ha suckers!’” All this craziness, all this hype and the band still continue to walk down their own path. Whether that path leads to destruction or glory in the mind of Fucked Up that is probably the same thing. Someone casually mentions to me one day that when they listen to Fucked Up it reminds them of what it felt like when they first discovered music. “That is awesome!” says Damian. That is how people really feel about this band. It’s been documented that with tongue in cheek Fucked Up has proclaimed that they are the saviors of punk rock. It might not be a joke.
Words: Tim Bergevin LA has a long history of producing great punk bands. Artists like Black Flag, Circle Jerks and the Descendents set the tone for disaffected youth and were outspoken about everything from the filth of LA to the Regan era yuppies that were populating the South Bay. It should be no surprise then that during the rise and fall of W, LA once again spawned a furious band to resurrect all that was right and good in punk rock and rip apart all the bad that conservative Republicans served up. That band is The Bronx. Having finally been liberated from their major label ordeal, the band released a record on their own label, White Drugs. Singer Matt Caughthran mentions how good it is to be free, “It’s nice to be doing the White Drugs thing full time. I think that next year we will be sitting pretty good and getting some music out.” The bands third eponymous record adds a few new twists on their formula. But even with some classic rock vibes seeping into the songs and more melody coming in from Matt’s vocals, this record is still very much a Bronx record. “This is the band we want to be. We want a lot of different sounds but to have everything still sound like The Bronx. I think it’s a little more of a rock n’ roll record this time around.” And on where this new melody in his vocals is coming from, “Well you know I keep it hidden sometimes but it’s in there and sometimes it comes out.” While the band is taking steps forward adding layers to their musical assault, there is another project on the horizon that is getting just as much heat as the new record, El Bronx. “Fuel TV wanted us to come in and do something stripped down so we decided we wanted to do it Mariachi style. We brought in a few friends and it was really fun,” With a full Mariachi album recorded and set for release in March, the band played Mariachi sets during their run on this past summers Warped Tour, “I don’t know if people took it seriously but after a couple of shows and especially when we played the Fourth of July show in Austin, people really started noticing that it was the real deal. You get kind of bogged down trying to do the same thing over and over again or just playing one style of music so it was real liberating.” Playing every date on what was the band’s first ever Warped Tour was an eye opener for the mass of Emo kids who flood that festival and had never seen The Bronx; let alone a Mariachi set. The band was also a little taken back by the whole scene, “I didn’t realize how giant the Warped Tour was and what a big money making machine it is. I went when I was young but I don’t remember it being anything like that, so it was cool for us. It’s always good to get out in front of people that haven’t seen you but it’s definitely kind of like high school in the way there are cliques. You have your real bands, then the money making bands and then the bands that have no clue what they are doing at all,” he says trying not to laugh. “Overall it’s cool. It still has the same idea it has always had. Get a lot of people together and show them new music. I think the music has definitely gotten worse over the years but at least people are still showing up to watch bands.” Leaping into a place’s outside of their comfort zone seems to be something the band seeks out. Whether the kids that experienced the band this summer realize it or not, they witnessed something real, something with heritage. The last question to Matt was if he thought they converted any kids to the ways and sounds of The Bronx, “I hope so. I think we did a pretty good job.”
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PETER LINE _ DANNY KASS _ EDDIE WALL _ ANDREAS WIIG _ SIMON CHAMBERLAIN _ LAURI HEISKARI _ JONI MALMI _ LOUIE VITO _ SKETCHY D _ TYLER FLANAGAN _ ERRO ETTALA _ ERRO NIEMELA _ TORSTEIN HORGMO _ MARIUS OTTERSTAD
;::?; M7BB WEARING: THE ZEP
9HKI7:;H CASE: STAINLESS STEEL BAND: POLYURETHANE 25MM WIDE BUCKLE: STAINLESS STEEL CRYSTAL: SOLID DOMED MINERAL MOVEMENT: DIGITAL TIME / SECOND / DATE WATER RESISTANCE: 10 ATM / 100 METERS
Words: Tim Bergevin
M83 Saturdays = Youth Mute
Little Joy Little Joy Rough Trade
Late Of The Pier Fantasy Black Channel Astralwerks
Jay Reatard Matador Singles ‘08 Matador
This lush record by French shoe gazer Anthony Gonzalez is a tribute to his youth and his love of the 80’s. Like the soundtrack to your favorite 80’s movie, this record will provide the background of many dreamy nights and hazy hung over days while you’re longing for that girl or boy who doesn’t even know you exist. Tracks like “Kim & Jesse” and “Graveyard Girl” provide two completely different feels musically but are tied together by Anthony’s vocals, which have been missing from your life since your last viewing of Sixteen Candles.
Little Joy is the new side project from The Strokes drummer Fab Moretti, Rodrigo Amarante of the Brazilian band Los Hermanos and Fab’s current girlfriend Binki Shapiro. While the band gets its name from the dive bar in Echo Park that was down the street from the house the band lived and wrote the record at, the songs are anything but dirty, smelly or wasted. In fact it’s a bright, happy, poppy record that would be like a Strokes album had Martin Denny produced it. These songs roll by like a holiday luau and should brighten up even the darkest days of this upcoming winter.
Here is the latest sensation from the UK and it’s full of jumpy angular synth fun! From the opening track Hot Tent Blues this group of youngsters and their multi part songs take the new wave back that has been recycled over the past few years and add a darker energy and side to it. Dirty keyboards lead the charge and after hearing the song “Broken” you’ll know why the Gary Newman references stick to this band like hot body parts on vinyl.
This disc has been out for a few months but was just unearthed from under a pile of shite on Madsteez’s desk. Jay has been around for a long time. From child indie rock prodigy to major label rock star this collection is from six 7” singles he released through Matador this year. Noise punk, pop punk whatever you want to call it the songs on this collection are as punk as one can get while being intelligent and listenable. Jay’s cover of the Deerhunter song “Flourescent Grey” is cool but his own songs like “Screaming Hand Painted Shut” will instantly hook you and make you a fan.
HR Hey Wella DC Hardcore
The Little Ones Morning Tide Chop Shop Recordings/Atlantic
Belle and Sebastian The BBC Sessions BBC/Matador
The latest solo album from Bad Brains front man and punk rock hero; HR lands with a mix of rock, reggae and ska. While not the most exciting work this man has done it’s still HR and worth a listen. The various styles give the record a disjointed feel and the lyrics on some tracks are his best. When the rock songs hit though you remember the man for who he is and the ground he broke. Thank God Bad Brains are back on tour!
This LA band is the best local band that you probably have never heard about. Having been signed and dropped by Astralwerks the band persisted and were finally resigned. Their new offering Morning Tide is sweet pop that drips and smiles. Singer Ed Nolan’s voice floats and mingles with lovely harmonies that bring up visions of 60’s pop classics. It’s no wonder they have been embraced in the UK and heralded by the NME. Support local music, check out The Little Ones.
If you were asleep during the late 1990’s early 2000’s, are afraid of your feelings or beautiful music than you might want to punch yourself in the face for missing out on Belle and Sebastian. Hailed as the best Scottish band ever this group from Glasgow made it ok to sing pretty songs about people, places and things. Two years since their last studio record this is no substitute for new material but a glimpse back on some of their best work that was recorded live from 1996-2001 and also contains four unreleased tracks. Let’s also not forget that Belle and Sebastian took The Shins on tour with them and you know how that turned out.
Rivers Cuomo Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo DGC Records/Interscope
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This second disc of home demo’s from the Weezer front man is a more complete piece than Alone I. The collection of songs here are all-complete and a few of them could have definitely made the cut and appeared on a Weezer album. Songs like “I’ll Think About You” and “Walt Disney” show that Rivers is not only an outstanding songwriter but also a great musician. The liner notes read as a small biography and insight into how the man came to peace with being a rock star and writing songs that were as pleasing to him as to Weezer fans. Once again if you’re big a fan of Rivers or Weezer than you’ll need this in the collection. Be sure to check out the cover photo, which is his senior high school portrait!
AGE: 13 HOMETOWN: SAN CLEMENTE, CA SPONSORS: MADA, OSIRIS SHOES, OCEAN & EARTH, SOLEO SUNSCREEN, DUCK DIVE WAX, CATALYST FAVORITE SURFER: BEDE DURBIDGE
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Photo: Cody Ellis
CHAD OAKLEY 2008 ERGOPHOBIA
HECTOR SANTA MARIA
SHEA LOPEZ | WESLEY DESOUZA | MATT KEENAN | JOSIE GRAVES | LUKE DITELLA | JENSEN CALLAWAY | ALEJO MARIN | BRENDAN BUCKLEY | HECTOR SANTA MARIA
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Photo: Scott Sullivan
AGE: 17 HOMETOWN: CARNELIAN BAY, CA SPONSORS: VOLCOM, ROME, 32, DAKINE, OAKLEY, NEFF, TAHOE FREERIDE COMPANY, PORTERS AT TAHOE & NORTHSTAR FAVORITE RIDER: TRAVIS RICE
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Photo: Ryan Boyes
REAL SNOW. REAL CLOSE.
As a supplement to winter snowfall, Big Bear Lake’s nearly endless water supply for snowmaking ensures a chilly all-mountain snowpark from the early season through spring time. Ride the No.1 Park in the Nation while others are still reading magazines and dreaming of snow. 1000+ snow-guns are locked and loaded, we’re ready for winter warfare. More jibs, more jumps, more fun.
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BEARMOUNTAIN.COM
10/28/08 3:58:21 PM
www.beachfeet.net
The Closest Thing To Barefoot You’ll Ever Wear ™
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11/21/08 11:05:06 AM