DOGPISS MAGAZINE
ISSUE 11
DOGPISS MAGAZINE Edited & designed by Ben Haizelden Contact: dogpissmag@gmail.com
CURBSIDE DIY Photographs and Interview by Joe Tricker
Artist Features
& Daniel 'Chez' Moon
Kenji Goto Milo Brennan Stevie Thompson
instagram@kieranbanksart
Liamm Fowler Dave Plews Annabel Warley
Banks
Videographer Interview Nathan Page
Illustration by Kieran
& The Mash Life Video 'Foothills' Interview by Ben Powell Photographs by Tim Smith
CHRISTOPHER 'BAMBI' PRICE Photographs by Simon Bernacki Interview by Mark Vasey Illustration by Dave Bevan SNAIL Photographs by Danny J. Parker Interview by Andy Crayton Illustrations by Trav Chris Wardle
Cover Photograph: Otis Harding-Hill Slappy Front Crook by Ben Haizelden
BAMBI PRICE
Skateboarder Feature
CHRISTOPHER
Interview by Mark Vasey Photographs by Simon Bernacki Illustration by Dave Bevan
Bambi first things first, what’s the story behind your nick name then?
Hahaha! when I was 13, I got some rollerblades and I was all over the place on them. I used to rock them with denim shorts and because I’ve got stick legs my mate started calling me "Bambi" and it stuck ever since then. Later on it was kinda fitting because I was skating and slipped on ice and dislocated my shoulder.
Frontside Noseslide
Haha! I can see why the nick name stuck! Long Eaton, Notts born and bred right?
Yes, I still work in Long Eaton too, I have moved a few times, I’ve lived in Manchester, Barcelona and Germany but always found my way back to Notts.
Nottingham’s always had such a strong scene, from what I can tell from down in Bristol it’s as strong as ever up there?
Yeah, Nottingham is the centre of the country so it’s pretty easy to travel about. We also have about 4 plazas to skate and loads of skateparks only 20 mins driving from the centre. There's also the indoor Park, Flo which is super cool. I reckon Nottingham is one of the best places to skate in the country. We have Fortytwo skate shop and Skate Nottingham which have really contributed to keeping the scene healthy too.
It’s always good to meet up in
Fortytwo and get advice on spots or go to one of the events that are held by Skate Nottingham, they're always keeping everyone engaged young and old alike.
Yes, both Fortytwo and Skate Nottingham do great work. When I lived up there and we skated together you were always up for a mission somewhere across the county in your little fiesta, do you still travel a lot to skate? Any favourite places, scene to skate with?
Ha that car went everywhere, remember when we nearly crashed in it and I was sliding out of control on the A52.
5050 up
Spanish Grind
Gagh! I remember that! Terrifying but expertly saved.
I haven't travelled as much like I said earlier Notts has everything to offer but I still like to get out and about and explore new towns etc. I prefer the random little towns up north to find spots than big cities lately just because there are more interesting spots to find that haven’t been rinsed.
Now that you’re in your late 30s how have you found any routines that help with the demand that skateboarding has on the body?
I got into yoga (ashtanga) because my friend Qpit did a class. At first, I did it solely for skateboarding but over time I find its more beneficial for your mental state, obviously, it’s good for the body too. Although the classes have stopped, I still practice it 2 to 4 times a week depending how I feel, I’m not on a strict routine and I try and keep it enjoyable. I also stretch after a skate as it kinda feels the same as skating so when it rains, I do the full primary series sequence.
I see that you found a stink horn mushroom the other day. You’re interested in mycology? Google tells me that means “the scientific study of fungi” what does mycology mean to you?
Like most people I got into mycology through looking for liberty caps lol. They're so interesting and so many varieties it's such a good contrast to skating like being in the woods or a field but it’s also like skating for me like how I love looking for new skate spots and looking for ceps or chanterelles gives me the same feeling.
Wallie Nosegrind
I think psilocybin mushrooms are good for mental health, but you need to know what you are doing, and I can reach a similar clarity through yoga to be honest. but yeah, I also love learning about mushrooms and the symbiotic relationships they have with trees etc, there’s so much information out there.
I will have to investigate Ashtanga and Mycology some more; fascinating stuff. Thanks Bambi any final shout outs to friends and family?
I’d like to thank you guys for this interview, Fortytwo skate shop for all their support they gave me and the scene. Also, the same applies to Skate Nottingham, thank you! skateboarders everywhere!
Contact Information
Bambi: instagram@bambi_price Simon Bernacki: inatagram@simon_bernacki Mark Vasey: instagram@markvanvasey Dave Bevan: instagram@ironhorseislife
Crooked Grind
Artist Feature
Interview & Photographs by Ben Haizelden
Artwork photographed by Daniel Benson
MILO BRENNAN
Hi Milo? So how old are you? Where are you from and where are you at now?
Hi Ben! 40 next year lad. Black Country bred to northofthe riverLondon via a good stint in Bristol moin.
When did you start making art? Is it something you’ve always done?
I remember making miniature gardens with my brother and sister in the garden. Recording fake radio shows on a little tape machine. Making a Fun House race track for our gokart with Connect 4 tokens to grab as you flew round. Career peak right there. I suppose secondary school is when you get nudged towards certain pathways though. My art teacher was pretty antiestablisment, I thought that was pretty cool. He’d give me de Chirico stuff to look at, and bring in photocopied essays stapled together. Anarchic grooming!
How did the Isle board series come together? What's the connection?
I’ve been working with beer towels for a while. The ones they don’t really make anymore. Bleaching, cutting, stitching, turning them into paintings or waistcoats. I think Casper’s was the first one I made up. Maybe the Carlsberg spoke to me. I sent a pic to Nick and he was hyped. It went from there into doing the other boys. Finding colours and letters from my big towel sack was a giggle. Siftin’ for gold! For the other boards me and Benson (the fucking legend) dragged my lifeshite through to composition stage via the alchemy of chance and nonsense. Then papped it onto film through magic and his skill. Particularly stoked on Chris’ board. That shredded Nirvana tee has had several lives on the backs of different humans before this incarnation. Now it’s getting smeared on curbs. So it goes.
Untitled, 2020. Photographed by Daniel Benson. Chris Jones Isle Skateboards graphic.
What do you think are the defining aspects of your work?
Shepherding detritus through our likkle bit of the universe. Christ, kill me. I try not to think about it. Or more precisely, to analyse it. Talking about it kills it. That’s why they wouldn’t let me into Big Art School. The world does present infinite moments, then it’s just coaxing them on a little bit maybe. Sometimes the camera, the stitch, the photocopy, the glue stick, sprinkle a bit of dust, let it near the computer, have it fester a month, four years. Then let it slop out again, onto a skateboard say.
What’s the fascination with found objects? Do you look for specific things?
Can’t really help it. Being a human animal in a contemporary metropolis places too much chaos in the line of vision. Broken stuff > working stuff.
Ollie up the planter at Showcase. instagram@themichealwebsites
http:/michealwebsites.bandcamp.com
Contact Information:
Place holde
er image
How's wizz-planking going at the moment? Word on the grapevine is that moving to London has done wonders for your skating.
Ha! Buzzing on skating maybe more than ever? Yes I am in love with skateboarding. Last year was a perfect storm of enforced leisure time, my pal Nadia teaching me Pilates (thank you!) and the basketball hoops coming down at Hackney Downs. Last summer was ludicrous there, daily stoke. 21 months off the sauce too. Flicking the noggin switch from negative to positive. Swiss bearings. Plus loads of beautiful people just up for skating all the time. Gorgeous humans HAVING A FUCKING LAUGH WITH THEIR MATES ON THE RODS. Time is a biggie though. I can see it slipping away a bit now, hate it. Remember that old Howies tshirt, Fuck Work Before It Fucks You? Fuck working to buy new shit. Consumerism is the biggest racket going. Get back on that Naomi Klein tip. And backside 5050s. 25 years to learn them. Making up for lost time. Skating is funny like that.
Untitled, 2020. Photographed by Daniel Benson. Casper Brooker Isle Skateboards graphic.
Good Year, 2018. Photographed by Jack Symes.
Who do you skate with these days?
The friendship networks in skating are incredible. Cross pollination, positivity and stoke from all angles. International brother and sisterhood. Nottingham lifers, 3310’s, Nelson and his lot, Bristol gang, so many different London heads, my brother once a year, Super Eczema Bruddas, Mad Eddie, Danny New Mexico, Switch Mongos, Blackberrys, Canaries, whoever’s about and up for going down new/old alleyways with candles in pockets.
In addition to your artwork you also sing in the band Micheal. How's that going?
Sick. Just the other weekend played the Windmill, our first gig since locky d. Lovely people having a lovely human time. Sweatbox shenanigans. Band and audience and… begin. Great to pull the pin and see what the half hour grenade is saying.
Untitled, 2019.
I’ve been listening to your album ‘Tell Your Friends’ which is excellent by the way! It must be rad collaborating with some like minded souls. Are there any parallels between your art and your contributions to the band. Or is it a different kettle of fish?
Cheers Ben! Bless the lads, they let me loose with how things looked for the record. Got the shampoo and the boot and the Jaeger out. Into the light box. Snap snap.
Any shout outs or thank you’s?
Nah. Everyone who’s not a prick x
Ollie up to New Deal. No funny business.
Skateboarder Feature
SNAIL
I dont think it's possible to do an interview with Snail that would convey the energy he radiates. He's bouncing off the walls & itching to skate, if his shit knees permit, at a moments notice. Slams are repeated until tricks are made, no weak excuses are given. Just fucking land it! An inspiration to us all. Salut Snail, you're one of the good ones XX Ben H.
Photographs by Danny
J. Parker
Interview by Andy Crayton
Illustrations by Trav Chris Wardle
Introduction by Steve Moyle At the forefront of existing with continuous pain on a daily basis, coupled with the acceptance of an inevitable end of that which he loves most (SKATEBOARDING). Snail is an absolute diamond of whom I wholey cherish as an ultimate friend. Like a brother I have never had, relied upon daily by many and deeply creative in countless ways. A hidden gem, harbouring a timeless continuity that holds so much spiritual and tangible existence together within the set confines of a broken society. Indirectly gelling that which most who pass him by, may never understand. Oh yea, I forgot to mention he utterly rolls off of any known scale, carving himself paths that most would naturally avoid! Finally, in my opinion Snail is an airborne, shredding, articulated cornish granite statue of himself, that you would regret cutting up! Because there are literally "nokneesleft" and bailing for him is not an option. Long may his wild passage continue for him and for us,Peace be upon you buddy :)
Crayton: You started skating quite late compared to most who are skating in there 40s. What got you into skating and what age would you say you started.
Snail: Ive always had a board. I just did'nt know about all the intricacies and history. Fuck I still don't to be honest haha.
I just knew I liked bombing hills and flying off shit.
Don't want to blow smoke up your ass, but meeting you in the last year of school I think. That's what got me into skating, the rest is history.
Crayton: Growing up in Cornwall and surfing from an early age, would you say surfing had an impact on your approach to skating.
Snail: Yeah for sure it had to. That's what was around me. My approach to Surfing was mainly about survival, I guess you could say i bought some of that into my skating haha. Getting stoked without the possiblity of drowning was pretty appealing. I was a hyperactive little shit and something about the noise and intensity and immediate feeling of throwing your board down sucked me in.
It wasn't a hard transition to make.
Snail smashing the fuck out of his back graden ramp. Frontside Air.
The neighbours love it really. Who would'nt?
Crayton: What's your favourite terrain to skate.
Snail: Anything withg a fucking slope man!!! Pushing around hurts the old bones nowadays.
Snail: Anything withg a fucking slope man!!! Pushing around hurts the old bones nowadays.
Crayton: I know you have had a lot of injuries. How many knee surgeries have you had and how do you keep coming back?
Snail: Still just about standing!!! I've had 5 knee reconstructions and 3 or 4 Keyhole on my knees. A hole bunch of other stupid shit but my knees have caused the most grief. As far as coming back, it hurts a lot more not doing something you love! Ha i've got to throw in the old "till the wheels fall off"..
It's fucking true!
Crayton: You have got one of the best and longest standing backyard ramps I have ever skated. How did this come about and do you have any plans to expand it?
Snail: Don't know about the best, but it's still going! It's been rad, 10 years this year. It's taken some time and effort though, and a load of good people.
There's bullshit that come with it. Turns out not everyone likes the sound of skateboarding.
Crayton: What's the best park you have ever skated.
Snail: That's a difficult one. Other than the glorious Tucking Mill. I can't say which is the best. There's so many parks being built all the time, you can pick and choose depending on what you feel like skating. What I do know is there's Nothing Meaner than the Deaner.
No two frontside airs are the same. Especially the way Snail does em. Frontside Air - Tucking Mill.
Crayton: Ah the glorious Tucking Mill. What do you find so appealing about Cornwall finest glory hole?
Snail: It's grotty and crusty as fuck. The ground is rough as shit and the locals are rougher than the surface. I love it.
It's all about the big bowl though! Tight and fast, dirty hips and rad corners to grind around. Other than that it's shit so don't bother coming.
Crayton: You went on the trip of a lifetime to America a few years ago. It's you; there must be some stories?
Snail: Well it was a few years ago now. It was amazing. The hills in San Fransico are way more insane in real life!!! Skating the Vans combi bowl on my own, that was pretty scary to be honest. Had a few sketchy moments. It was so rammed. Then suddenly a massive fight broke out. Some kid had skated into a huge dude and it all kicked off with people flying in from both sides. I think somebody shouted about a weapon or something, the whole place cleared out. To me that was an opportunity to skate it while it was empty. My wife wasn't impressed that I'd left her amongst the chaos though.
Crayton: I'm sure you've had enough of my shitty questions by now. So we will let the skating do the rest of the talking. Any shoutouts, anything else you want to say?
Snail: Yeah I have. I'll forget someone if I start mentioning names. You know who you are! Big love. Now go skate. Contact Information Snail:
Trav Chris Wardle:
instagram@no.knees.left
instagram@backdowntrav
instagram@illogan.arty
www.backdownwarchild.co.u k
Danny J. Parker:
www.realfakebrand.com
instagram@danny.j.parker www.danny-parker.com
Andy Crayton: instagram@satancrayton
Snail in his back graden; doing a tailblock amongst the birds and the bees.
Artist Feature
KENJI GOTO Interview by Ben Haizelden
Contact Information:
instagram@kenji373koto
So Kenji, could you tell us a little about yourself to start? How old are you and where are you from and where do you live?
Thank you!
I’m 47 years old this year!
I was born on Amami Island; a small
island 400km south of mainland Japan. And then we moved to Tokyo.
Currently
I live in Nagano prefecture (mainland Japan; I've been here for 10 years.
I remember when I started skateboarding that my friends and I embraced the outsider elements of skateboarding. We were weirdos before we skated so to find something like skateboarding felt like we had finally found a home, somewhere we could be ourselves. Did you have this same feeling?
I really think so.
I started skateboarding at the age of 14. Everyone
around me was crazy about baseball and soccer so I skated alone in the harbor near my house. parentheses.
I was the only one who was skate punk in
Because it's a small island.
But I wasn't lonely at all, I skated every day and everything else was fine.
Frontside Air Photograph by TPS OGU
What was it like to be a skateboarder in Japan when you started? Was it frowned upon?
Because it was in the countryside, the people around me thought I was a weird guy skating in clothes with a picture of a skull.
But my mother was
understanding, she was happy I got hooked on it.
How do you think most Japanese people perceive skateboarding now? Is it becoming accepted? Have you seen any change in attitude to skateboarding in society in general since the Olympics? Normal people respect Gold medals right?
How about that?? Before and since the Olympics I haven't seen many people; because of COVID! However, a normal person at work said, "The Japanese skateboard gold medal is amazing." Did you have the same experience with normal people?
I think more people
will be like that from now on!
I guess people's attitudes to skateboarding are changing. It's been validated by a committee hah hah. I was so stoked when I came across your work. Though it's not simply related to skateboarding, the works of yours that did reference skateboarding really resonated with me. You definitely have a reverence for skateboardings past. How do you feel about skateboarding as it is now?
I'm very happy to hear that, thank you so much! For me there is only art, music, a way of thinking, gratitude and respect; influenced by skateboarding both now and in the past!
Sometimes I get injured
and depressed, but ... that's great!
What do I think of skating now? It's the best!
Even if the
technique evolves, it is cool that young kids evolve the old tricks further.
I don't know
what I mean ... Anyway, skateboarding is the best !!
Skateboarding is love!!!
What is your favourite part of skateboarding? What do you think it is that has kept you involved way past when most people call time and join ‘adulthood’, whatever that is?
What I like about skateboarding is ... the sound of trucks grinding!!! The raddest thing ever!!! I'm sorry about the stupid answer; but that's it!
There was a time when I quit skateboarding But I started again, and it was so fun!
I won't quit again!
I swore!
It’s just too fun, that's the reason to keep going.
Are there any artists out there that inspire your own work? Or is your work more influenced by real world experiences ?
Neil Blender has been very influential to me. There are many other artists who have influenced me; too many. I love 80s Hardcore record sleeves and old Japanese manga; which cannot be shown here.
I sometimes draw with real
experiences as motifs, but most of my art comes from old horror movies, delusions and skateboarding.
One Footed Tailblock Photograph by Zen
the Father
Any people you would like to thank? Any friends you’d like to?
Thanks to Tochka Bowl Crew, Amami Island Skate Shop, Amacma Crew! Amami's family! understand
Thanks to
I am very grateful to my wife Yuko and my son Seo; they
my skateboarding sickness!
My son has recently learned the joy of skateboarding and is now asking to go skating every day. There is nothing like this!!!!
I know of plenty of skaters that have claimed this spot to build stuff on but the rough ground always seemed to stop anyone from making the first move. I’m so stoked that the BMX scene here in Bristol got things going.
It is amazing to see a space that sat unused for a long time finally find a life and a purpose. This space and the work that has been done here has demonstrated that when a group of like minded individuals pull their resources and labour amazing things can happen.
We caught up with a few members of the crew there to find out how things came together and what their plans are going forward.
Ben: So can we start at the beginning? Who was the first to start building stuff down at Curbside? What was the first thing that was built?
Chez: So there was already a little sub built from years and years before we built anything which was pretty battered. The first build we did was to rebuild that sub to be a bit bigger, that day was Me, Dave, Dom, Emerson, Richie, Homer,
DANIEL MOON
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY
JOE TRICKER
PHOTOGRAPHS BY
CURBSIDE DIY BRISTOL
Daniel 'CHEZ' Moon & Joe Tricker by Ben Haizelden Interview with
Raivis and Russ I believe. There were likely a few more who chipped in money as well. Sorry if I forgot anyone. It came out pretty good considering we were largely winging it.
Ben: For those unfamiliar with the spot could you explain how it came to be called Curbside?
Nik Bunin-Raris Footjam
Sam Cunningham Downside Tailwhip Joe: Curbside’s is right next to Daveside DIY, and before anything was built there was the massive manny pad curb, so I guess someone just mashed up to the two, but for as long as I remember that spots been called that
Ben: Are there any stories about the spot you’d like to share? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen happen down there?
Joe: A lot of weird things have happened at Curbside haha. But the top one for me is watching a dude get gaffa taped to one of the pillars as he couldn’t hold himself up, at the jam. Whilst throwing up.
Chez: 9am Riding from The Arches to Curbside in the middle of a lockdown with a 15ft long and 3ft tall flat rail was definitely a highlight, huge thanks Tom Mansfield for welding toxic galv for everyone's benefit.
Ben: Have things changed much since Steve Barrow joined the build team? I know he’s a very positive influence on getting shit done. The things he and the Spot Locals acheived in Tottenham are incredible?
Joe: Yes! Steve’s enthusiasm for BMX and building is one of a kind, he brings the thumping tunes and works at such a pace doing multiple tasks at the same time.
Chez: The absolute abomination of a 1/4 we tried to build in 1 degree temperatures in the middle of winter has finally been demolished and replaced with an absolute beauty. Shit always got done but having Cronos' expertise means we aren’t blagging it so much anymore. Big love Cronos, the maggy and the spot locals. You know the bunch of fucking losers.
Kris Bunnage Crankarm Grind over the Rainbow
PHOTOGRAPHS THIS PAGE BY DANIEL MOON /CHEZ INSTAGRAM@MOONANDBMX
Ben: How do you fund the building?
Chez: For the first year or so everything was bought and paid for by us except a few rails which we found, there was about 2030 of us putting in £20 or so each a month which was unreal. Shows what can be done if enough of you get behind something. There's too many people to name but everyone involved knows who they are. Eventually plans were becoming a bit bigger so we did a fundraiser which did surprisingly well. Once that was sort of bled dry Dave designed some T’s and we sold them through Crucial.
Joe: Chez put the work in making some videos for rideuk and setting up a gofundme page and that massively stepped up the amount of materials. Hayden’s also done a few runs of T shirts and stickers that always go down well.
Chez: Also at the jam we sold some more shirts and set up a bar and had a little donations box, full side hustle and again that did really well.
Ben: What’s next?
Chez: We have the money from the Jam left and some extra. Got big plans to change up the driveway so it's a 4 hip kind of thing with a half pipe on the back.
Joe: There’s talk of a volcano, there’s talk of a A frame ledge.
Chez: Also there is probably 15 other plans in the backburner, its a lot easier to make plans than it is to find money and people to build them haha.
Kris Bunnage Disaster
Cronos
One Handed Footjam Fufanu
Ben: And any plans to make the ground smooth? Asking for a friend haha.
Joe: As for the ground I think that would be to big of a task, just have to put on some bigger wheels and push harder.
Chez: We do sweep left over cement over it at the end of each build in a hope to fill the divits in slightly. Give it 5 years who knows aha. For now big love to all the skaters putting on fat wheels and sending it through the mess that is the floor.
Ben: Thanks for taking the time dudes. Anybody associated with Curbside that you haven't mentioned that deserves a shout-out?
Chez: All of the scene down here has chipped in in one way or another really but honorable mentions, Jack Stumper for always being up for it and loading his car with a dangerous amount of cement every build. Also Mayer, Edge, Hayden, Sterms, Dave, Richie, Yog, Dyl, Dom, Dan, Rhys, Fin, Scott and Crucial BMX shop for smashing it out and everyone who comes at 10AM and doesn’t leave until it’s all done.
Contact
Daniel Chez Moon
Joe Tricker
instagram@moondanbmx
instagram@trickerphoto
GALLERY
ARMON DABEER jumps onto a 5050 laid out by Ryan. PHOTOGRAPH BY BEN HAIZELDEN
BEN BROYD'S Frontside Grab BOURNEBROOK DIY BIRMINGHAM Photograph by ROB WHISTON James Woodley supports
MACEY
He calls this a 'George Micheal'
CURBSIDE BRISTOL Photograph by
ROB WHISTON
JAMES WOODLEY
Noseslide BRISTOL Photograph by
ROB WHISTON
CHRIS WEIR Tailblock ARCHES DIY ROSS MACPHEE
Photograph by
ANTHONY MCSORLEY Smith LIVINGSTON Photograph by ROSS MACPHEE
MYKE TROWBRIDGE Smith Grind NOTTINGHAM Photograph by TOM QUIGLEY
HARRY WATSON Layback Nosepick NOTTINGHAM Photograph by TOM QUIGLEY
NATHAN NEAL Hippy Jump Drop Down BRISTOL Photograph by
TOM LEIGH
HARRY WALSH Polejam Backside 180 BRISTOL Photograph by
TOM LEIGH
JED
Nollie Backside Disaster HOTWELLS BRISTOL Photograph by
JODI ROGERS
DANIEL SANTOS Five O LISBON PORTUGAL Photograph by RUBEN MORAIS CLAUDINO
GUI LIMA Nosegrind LISBON PORTUGAL Photograph by RUBEN MORAIS CLAUDINO
ARTIST FEATURE
STEVIE THOMPSON
Interview & Photographs by Ben Haizelden
Contact Information instagram@shunter.s.thompson instagram@thefourcorners_
Hi Stevie. Let's have some basics. How old are you? And where are you from?
Hey. I am 46, born in London and currently living in Glastonbury after two decades in Brighton.
How long have you been skating for then? Can you remember your first board?
I have been skateboarding since 1989, so 32 years. Pretty stoked I caught the end of the 80s. I did however get my first skateboard in 1983 for my 8th birthday when I was living in Malta, where i grew up, which was a great symmetrical double kick banana board. Then the year I moved back to England in 1987 I got a Pacer Mad Dog, which I messed around on for a couple of years before discovering the Ollie. After a week or two of actual skating my stripped down Mad Dog i got hold of a thrashed Powell peralta Mike McGill from a kiddie at school for 7 pounds of saved up dinner money. That was in Cheltenham, So that's the board I call my first and I remember it very well.
Can you tell us a little about your art? Do you have any themes that you feel reappear in your work?
I make collage art. Which I got into accidently really, after framing a bunch of silly stuff for my girlfriend. Definitely not what I ever saw myself doing.I wouldn't say they are traditional collages either. I kinda
Bastard Plant the volcano at St George. It was raining a bit.
like to make the image make a bit of sense as opposed to a bunch of images all over the place, sometimes I only use two images. A good foreground and a good background are all you need sometimes, and they are by far my favourite ones. As for themes, yes there are some, I do like to try and mess with history a bit and love a good juxtaposition. Also I love mixing black and white images with colour and enjoy using just black and white.
I think some people undervalue collage work. While there may not be a demand to be the best artist,technically, a different demand is placed upon you. There’s definitely some similarities to the struggles faced by photographers when making work. You have to find the subject; or elements in the case of collage. Do you have a process for this? Do you look for certain types of books and magazines?
Well I don't really use magazines but I do have a ton of books. I used mostly old encyclopedias at the beginning which I still try to use as much as possible now. They have a nice vibe. I have all sorts of books now ranging from animal books, books on churches, magic and the occult, art books, mysteries. As long as they are fairly old and have good big images I'll buy them. Well, not so much now as I have a fair few. I have pretty much everything covered now. Now I need more specific books like ufo books, a good few dragon books would be good, things like that. I need to be more refined. As for finding subjects I have cut out a lot of pages with images that have a lot of potential and that I would like to use. They are all grouped in folders and boxes which I have out all the time and go through regularly and mix up, so usually the subject and elements kind of come together and find themselves amongst all the potential images.
What is it about making this work that you enjoy?
Well definitely really not knowing what the end result is going to be. I do also enjoy the cutting out with a blade most of the time, can be quite frustrating and easy to mess up, but very satisfying.
Also hunting for books has become a nice sideline,
and going through all the wonderful books is very enjoyable. But putting the finished collage in a nice frame is the best bit. Bringing an old frame that had a crappy picture in it back to life with something that I made is pretty cool, which is the way it all started. The frame is a very important component. I have a box with all the old stuff from the frames too; which aren’t actually all that crappy that is pretty epic. The other thing I love about my work is that it makes people laugh on the whole.
Wallie into the bank at St George, Bristol.
What's the crack with Wardenclyffe Tower?
Aka the Tesla tower was supposedly designed and built by Nicola Tesla right at the begining of the 1900s, was a tower that transmitted wireless electricity which was intended to be free to the people. It also produced its own electricity by gathering it from the magnetic field surrounding us also know as the aether which is said to be the fifth element. It was quickly deemed
dangerous and inefficient and swept under the carpet and forgotten about ending the potential of free energy for the masses. I personally don't think he invented it, just revisited an old, or more likely ancient technology that had been suppressed and still is till this day. We are all paying for something that is all around us in abundance that is not being harnessed.
You spoke a little when we were out shooting the photos for this interview about some research you have done into the power or energy present in certain buildings. Can you explain it?
I haven't done my own research, more like researching other people's research. It's the theory that old buildings such as cathedrals, churches, castles, mosques, palaces etc had a different purpose and function and have been repurposed. Like the tesla tower they gathered energy and stored energy from the aether through the massive copper or gold covered domes adorned with unmistakable antennas along with towers and spires,arches, collums and windows,
all built using sacred geometry, and built
on grids pretty much identical to modern day electric circuit boards across the whole earth. From Tazmania to Scotland to India to every state in America. All connected. If you break down the word electricity you get electriccity! An advanced technology just like ours, but we do not recognise it. These buildings which are all most likely much older than they say they are have on the most part been partially buried, windows blocked up, stripped from their tech,
partly demolished and refaced and obviously
don't function any more. That's not even mentioning whats been completely demolished or bombed in the many wars we have had in the last 200 years or so. Thousands have survived though and thousands of people are looking at these magnificent buildings and cities with new eyes and the subject really fascinates me and resonates with me.
Cheers for chatting mate! Any thank you's?
I would like to thank you firstly for this. Thank you very, very much Ben. A massive thank you to my girlfriend Hannah for everything. You are the bestest. I have no sponsors to thank, but massive thank you to the mighty Lovenskate. Shout out to all my Brighton boys, I miss some of you a hell of a lot! And a big shoutout to all my news friends up this way, here in Glastonbury and Bristol. Much love.
I can't lie, I love Dave. When it comes to good eggs; he's cream of the crop! He always brings a positive mindset to the session and solid bag of tricks. If you've ever skated Daveside (DIY in Bristol) you need to thank Dave and Slasher Sam for the work they've done down there; DAVESIDE RULES!!!! What follows is a little chat with Dave about his art and some photos of him whizzing about. Enjoy.
Artist Feature
DAVE PLEWS
Interview & Photographs by Ben Haizelden
Hi Dave. Thanks for chatting. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where you from and how old are you?
Hi Ben! Im a West Country chap, born in Bristol but grew up first in Trowbridge then the wonderful beach resort of Weston-SuperMare. I moved to Bristol in 2001 and have been embedded in South Bristol ever since.
I'm a big fan of your art. There's a lot of references going on in there. Can you talk about the stuff that gets you stoked to draw and the subjects in there?
Ahhhh, man, thats tough; I love Album art, comic books, wierd 50's n 60's art and music, Skateboard art too.
70's sci-fi, cartoons ,of course
Heres a few names in no particular order:
Ed roth, Gary Baseman, Jim Flora, Futura 2000, Edgar Cuvette, Jim Phillips, Geoff Darrow, Tim Burton.
Unfortunately, I've not honed my skills to paint or draw half as good as any of those influences so I try and draw stuff that makes me smile, like the wobbly zombie type dudes. I imagine them to be a little scary at first but when you get to know them they're just goofballs like everyone else!
Did you study art? How did that go?
Yeah I studied illustration. It was lush, 3 years of meeting really interesting diverse people, exploring ideas, creating, skating and partying. Everyone should go to art school. I didnt really learn too much about the technical side of things though ha.
A lot of the drawings that people get to see are usually on Daveside t shirts or the releases you put out with your band 'Los Savages', has your work been used elsewhere?
FRONTSIDE ROCK N ROLL IN THE SLASHER BOWL.
Not really. I did some awful illustrations for 'Bizarre Magazine' at the turn of the century. I just dont have the hunger or confidence to sell my work to other people; I feel it never looks professional enough or deals with big enough issues. I did some stuff for the all round super-rad and ridiculously talented Henry 'Swampy' Moore
for one of his folky music
releases which came out pretty good I think. I'd love to do more but I'm crap at putting myself out there but oddly enough Los Savages and Daveside give me a perfect outlet for my scruffy art...it all links together in my mind.
If it makes any differnece to you I love your work! Always stoked to see a new Daveside shirt or Los Savages release!
Any new music coming out with Los Savages any time soon?
We're workin on it!! We've got a tonne of stuff but its the usual thing......time n money man, time n money! Its tough recording a jazz masterpiece.
Thanks for taking the time to chat Dave. And massive thanks to you and Sam (and your helpers) for the work you've put in at Daveside. Slasher Sam is due an
instagram@lossavagesband
Contact Information:
interview I reckon!
We scraped up many pairs of soiled boxer shorts to make this wallride skateable. If you go there now the pants are probably back in-situ.
Artist Feature
LIAM FOWLER Interview and Photographs by Ben Haizelden
AKA
BARRY PEACH
So Liam, or should I say Barry? Thanks for getting involved. Before we move on can you tell us how you came to have the nickname Barry Peach?
I wish there was a more interesting story behind it, but it’s just my name on Instagram. I was bored at home years ago watching telly and that show Police Interceptors was on, there was a cop called Barry Peach and I just thought it sounded funny. It seems to have taken place of my real name now which is quite odd, I’ll get to the local and all I hear is “Alright Barry?”. I guess it could be worse and I could have some awful nickname, there was a guy at my school called Dan Thomas and because his initials were DT his nickname just became Dog Turd.
Your work is pretty psychedelic huh! You don't strike me as a acid lover though. What inspires your art?
I’m not sure if I make a conscious effort to create something psychedelic, it just sort of happens. I guess it’s what I’m naturally drawn to and enjoy. When I first started making art I was at uni in Liverpool, there was a graff crew up there called The Fishy Bandits, and I just really loved their style lots of wobby lines ,lazer beams, crazy characters and funky letters. I guess I just soaked that up and it’s always stayed with me a bit. My friend who made art aswell would talk about this approach called “Mind Piss” where you just get really loose and draw/ paint the first thing that comes to mind, just be very free and don’t think about what you’re doing too much. I like taking that approach and putting it alongside a concept I have, and I guess that’s now become my style (if you can call it that).
Are there any artists that you are particularly influenced by. Or is your work more influenced by experience?
I guess being in Liverpool when I first started drawing had an influence on me, the artists that are about up there like Kev Grey, his stuff is very tattoo looking and all in black and white. I like Petro aswell, the way his stuff is bold and fun with lots of flavour. Theres a crew of artists from Paris called PAL (Peace and Love crew) who I rate, there’s something about that French flavour I dig, very loose and funky.
I’m into
tattoos aswell people like Liam Sparkes, Teide, Witchgatherer people that take traditional kinda stuff and turn it on it’s head.
instagram@barry_peach
Contact Information:
Maybe subconsciously I am influenced by experience but I don’t know if I can pinpoint any particular ones that have shaped the way I draw. Bristols a good place for being creative, there’s a lot going on just riding round the city on my bike I get to experience so many weird and wonderful people, scenes, buildings, situations, and smells.
Word on the grapevine is you used to skate before abandoning your board for a BMX. Any chance you'll be picking up a board any time soon?
Haha, no comeback planned any time soon. I still think skateboarding is quality though, Bristol has an amazing skate scene and there’s always loads of quality stuff going on. I really like the way Bear skates Deaner, he rides it like no one else, like some kind of tropical hurricane in a concrete ocean.
Wallride Hop Out
I know you've put out a few t shirts and hats recently. Any plans to make that into a proper brand or you just gonna keep it loose?
Yeah I’ve made a couple bits, going to make some different stuff later in the year, keep it fresh and try something different. It’s kind of a low key thing at the moment so I just make about 30 pieces at a time, I don’t want to be sat here with hundreds of unwanted t shirts filling up my bedroom and no way to pay the rent. I’ll make stuff as long as I’ve got a good idea for something and people are into it. I guess that’s the main thing, keeping it fun and interesting. I don’t want to make stuff just for the sake of it, cos in the end it’ll just look tired and haggard. Working on the next fresh thing is what keeps me going I guess, that’s where I get a real buzz.
Thanks for taking the time mate. Any shout-outs or thank you's??
Big thanks to Manny, Mark, Covert Ninja Transient Squad, Everton Egg Club, YateTape, BS3BMX, Crucial, Beige, Easy D, Ali, Dom, Tess, Jamie and his family, Nice one to anyone who buys stuff or shows an interest in what I do, very much appreciated. Biggest thanks goes to you Ben, for making such a quality magazine and getting me involved.
Artist Feature
ANNABEL WARLEY Annabel is a Bristol based skateboarder & Youth Development Worker (currently working at Campus
.
Skatepark)
"Bella's refreshing perspective on the eccentricities of the trivial daytoday, remind us all that we are not alone. We are all human and subsequently, all ridiculous. If nothing else, they allow us to find comfort in the shared commentary of the daily embarrassment we all feel.."
Seb Vincent.
Contact Information
instagram@bellasdailysketch
Contact Information:
Ben Powell:
instagram@beeps1973
Tim Smith: instagram@timo_smitho
Nathan Page: instagram@natedawgpage
Videographer Interview
Nathan Page & Mash Life's 'Foothills' video
Interview by
Ben Powell Tim Smith
Photographs by
Nathan Page has been the man behind the lens for over a decade of video output from Huddersfield. His documentation of his local scene began with him filming his mates and 10-year-old kids in helmets leaping down the now defunct Leeds Playhouse stairs. Over the years his work became inextricably linked with the much-missed Endemic skate store and saw him putting together a number of excellent shop full-length videos, alongside contributing numerous one-off edits and event clips to all manner of outlets. His drive to document his friends and his scene is as pure as it comes and as such his hard work and dedication deserves the attention and recognition that the interview below with hopefully provide. Keep doing what you’re doing mate: skateboarding needs people like you.
(Nathan’s latest video Foothills will be out by the time you’re reading this/looking at Tim Smith’s brilliant photos. Do yourselves a favour, locate it and immerse your eyes into the Huddersfield of dreams.)
Ben: It's 2021 so there's no escaping the 'C' word - how much of your new flick Foothills was filmed during lockdown and the bizarre ‘28 Days Later’ environment that came with it?
Nathan: We started filming for Foothills in Spring 2019, but the scene was in a bit of flux at the time. Endemic (RIP) had just shut and we were struggling for drivers so everyone was a bit over skating the same old Huddersfield spots, you know how it is. I was actually pretty nervous at the start of the pandemic and had no idea what to do with the video, we even thought about cutting it short right there and sticking it on Insta at one point. Just before the first lockdown, I passed my driving test and we started heading out on low key missions to spots we knew we wouldn't get bothered at. Once the 'rule of 6' was introduced, it was game on again. Speaking of ‘28 Days Later’, you know the opening scene in the second one where Robert Carlyle is sprinting towards the boat being chased by zombies? We had something similar while filming one night in Blackpool, just substitute the zombies for bored, feral youths. Be careful on those Lancashire streets, folks!
Ben: Did Covid unlock a bunch of otherwise inaccessible spots in Huddersfield?
Nathan: A little but what it did give us was the time to go exploring the villages and reservoirs and drainage ditches that surround the city. There are so many reservoirs here and I think I managed to drag my girlfriend around 90% of them in that first lockdown on the eternal crust hunt. I'd often get sent photos too, usually from Josh and usually of a tree or a mud bank or some other non-skateable terrain that he wanted to try skate - some didn't come off, but most did as you'll see in the video.
Ben: Ditches, (alongside fullpipes) are something of a Holy Grail of skateboarding, (even more so in the UK where they are super rare) but for whatever reason there have always been an abundance of them within a kind of 30-mile radius of Huddersfield. Have you been searching out new ones on Google Earth or re-visiting some of the
Kieran McDonnell K-Grind Huddersfield. older ones?
Nathan: Yeah, we're definitely pretty lucky in that respect! Apparently, there are 135 reservoirs in West Yorkshire and that's not even including the ones over Manchester and South Yorkshire ways, so there are a lot of run offs and drainage ditches to explore round here. We hit some of the classics for Foothills for sure, but at the start of lockdown 1, I used a site called Geograph.org (thanks Tim). On there you can just search for whatever/wherever you want and it collates all images for you, like Google Images but just for British geography.
Ty Gearing Bean Plant Huddersfield.
Reservoirs, dams etc being the feats of engineering that they generally are brought up loads of results and there always seems to be a photo of the top and bottom of the run off. Once I'd got a list of possible ones, I just started heading out to them to have a look. Some of the sickest ones are constantly wet though, even in summer, so hopefully we get lucky for the next project!
Ben: How many different ditches have you hit up during the filming of Foothills?
Nathan: We've definitely tried to hit a fair few, but with the Northern weather, some of the missions have been write offs and some of the surfaces just too crusty to get anything done of note. That didn't always stop the session though, there is a clip in the video of Josh doing a ride on tailslide into a run off in the pissing rain with water streaming down the bank whilst wearing walking boots. He’s a nutcase.
Ben: Does the video's title relate to the fact that Huddersfield is almost unique in so far as being a fairly big city surrounded on all sides by complete wilderness?
Nathan: Yeah, that's absolutely it! We're basically on the edge of the Pennines and the Yorkshire Moors, so if you drive 10 minutes out of town you're in some of the best
Kiwi Andy (Andy Wood) Front Nose Stall out of Bank. surroundings this country has to offer, probably biased but definitely true. I wouldn't want to get stuck in the Moors overnight though, that'd be fucking scary and there are definitely a load of bodies buried up there. We've also branched out too and some of the newer faces in the video are from elsewhere Halifax (basically the same as Hudds but slightly nicer), Rochdale and there is even a section from our Barrier Cvlt mates up in lovely BarrowInFurness as Kieran moved up there a few years back. We've got Ben in London, Alec in Essex and Rory in arse end of nowhere USA too. Worldwide, baby! but definitely true. I wouldn't want to get stuck in the Moors overnight though, that'd be fucking scary and there are definitely a load of bodies buried up there. We've also branched out too and some of the newer faces in the video are from elsewhere Halifax (basically the same as Hudds but slightly nicer), Rochdale and there is even a section from our Barrier Cvlt mates up in lovely BarrowInFurness as Kieran moved up there a few years back. We've got Ben in London, Alec in Essex and Rory in arse end of nowhere USA too. Worldwide, baby!
Ben: You mentioned that you started working on this video just as Huddersfield's long-standing and much loved skater-owned store Endemic had closed down. What effect did that have on the scene both initially and in a longer term way?
Nathan: It had a profound effect for sure and still does, especially for us, as we'd essentially become one entity over the last few years of the shop being open. Andy and co put in so much work over the years with Endemic; helping kids; running jams; everything you'd want from a shop really and we're eternally grateful. Big love mate. I'm sure every skateboarder round here misses lurking in the shop too, chewing his ear off while he's trying to update the website or whatever. The shop also allowed us to hit events that I for one, had no real right to be at and I think the other guys will feel the same, some great
Felix Owusu-Kwarteng
memories.
Ben: Has your motivation for filming and making videos changed at all since the demise of Endemic or are the root reasons why you do what you do still the same?
Nathan: I'd been around it for ages, but I got in to actual skateboarding pretty late by most standards at 17/18 in 2008 /2009 and started filming straight away as it was pretty obvious from the get go that I had no discernible skateboarding talent but I'd already fallen in love with the culture. I'd say from then up until about half way through this Foothills project, my motivations have always been the same getting to travel
Andy Wood
around with your mates, getting their names out there a bit, helping to push the wider Huddersfield scene and getting to throw a massive party at the end of a project. I obviously enjoy the essence of filming too and I remember being fucking stoked when Andy asked me to film the first proper Endemic project that was a banging feeling, working out what we wanted to achieve and trying to make it happen. The only thing I'm not into is lugging the camera bag around. I've got one with wheels now and even that's a pain in the arse, but that's a rant for another time. Lately though, my motivations have definitely changed, I turned 30 this year and although we've brought some young guns in to the fold
Paul Silvester
(honourable shout outs to Ty, Harry and Benson who have occupied a seat in my car almost every week since they could), most of the crew are about the same age, if not older, and alongside the usual responsibility changes and pains that growing older brings, it's been a pretty transformative time for all of us. We've all been through some pretty tough times recently, pandemic aside, and had to deal with some personal losses my mum passed away in 2020 and we also lost a local skateboarder and friend, Joe Beaumont earlier this year, (amongst many other losses felt by the crew, love you all), so it's definitely made it more about posterity, a way to remember the good times we've had blasting around on this daft toy. Also, Andy mentioned to me that he wants to film a full part before he turns 50, so I'm saying that here in hopes that it makes it happen!
Ben: Huddersfield has produced a bunch of notable skaters over the years - how up on Huddersfield skate history are you? Were you around to see much of Paul ‘Man’ Silvester in his Huddersfield era? Rooney was a member of Mash life crew before he moved away too - was it you that filmed a street part with him wearing a helmet back in the day?
Nathan: Sadly, I don't think I caught much of Man in person or Wisdom for that matter as I think he'd already moved to Canada via Scotland at that point and Wisdom had shut (giving birth to Endemic), but his and the shop's importance to West Yorkshire skateboarding is pretty much unparalleled. Silvester’s Pulling Teeth Part is sick and his Headcleaner one too, they've both been known to get a play or two on trips.
Opposite page: Fred Halsey K-Grind Huddersfield.
This page: Joshua Whitehead Frontboard Shuv Huddersfield.
Myles Midgley Tail Drop Wakefield.
As for Rooney, he started skating with us when he was like 11/12 I think and is a Mash Life OG for sure. The part you’re referring to, where he wears a helmet throughout his street part, was filmed by me and I'm stoked that I got to capture Rooney at that point and for the years after. It was in our first ever video, which was actually called ‘Mash Life’ which has gotta be the origin of the crew’s current name I reckon. I don't think that video ever made it to Youtube, but it's still on an old Vimeo channel somewhere, he probably
George Sinclair Tailblock Blackpool.
won't want you seeing it though and will message me to take it down if he sees this.
Ben: What about Huddersfield's other legend Felix Owusu-Kwarteng? Is he ever involved in your missions or does he have footage on the video?
Nathan: Oh man, I absolutely love Felix, I always see him running up the many hills of Huddersfield after work and I don't know how the fuck he does it. Probably all the wild swimming he does now! At the time of writing, he doesn't have any clips in Foothills, the timing just hasn't been right to get him on a mission, but hopefully we can sort that out before deadline. The video is definitely missing a nearly knock your head straight off your neck sweeper manoeuvre. He's a scary person to film fisheye and that's part of the charm.
Ben: You and the crew have always held premieres for each video - I've always thought that in a lot of ways, the premiere is the pay off for all the hard work everyone puts in, do you agree?
Nathan: Yeah absolutely, just sticking a video online is all well and good, but it's definitely impersonal and after the amount of time it takes to put a proper project
together, actually seeing reactions in person and just vibing with everyone on the night is on another level, it's definitely a big part of why we do what we do. It makes you appreciate the footage again too I reckon. Foothills is our 5th premiere, including the stuff we've done with Endemic and we always try to make a big party out of it too, so it's not just watch the video, talk about the video, go home, we'll always try to get a few bands on too. My favourite one so far was definitely the Endemic 10th birthday bash, the shop pulled out all the stops for that one we had Serious Sam Barrett play in the boozer, Arcade Beers next to the shop, Andy brewed a special lager with Arcade Beers/Vocation Brewery and the video was played in the Byram Arcade, which is a 3 storey Victorian shopping arcade. It was dope. The entire street outside the shop was packed too, pretty much closed off to cars, the turnout for that one was definitely insane much love to everyone that has attended an Endemic/Mash Life premiere, we appreciate it more than you know.
Ben: Skateboarding is experiencing its biggest boom since the first wave at the moment - are you seeing the effects of this boom locally?
Nathan: Most definitely yeah, there are always a lot of new faces down the park now and it's so sick, as you say, skateboarders of all varieties too hopefully they all stick around! We hosted a jam just after lockdown ended and the turnout was insane, so I've got good feelings about the future of our little scene. I don't really think we've seen the effects in a monetary sense locally yet though, getting new stuff built etc, but maybe it's a bit soon after the Olympics for that and Kirklees aren't exactly known for having much spare money, so we'll see. There also seems to have been a changing perspective towards skateboarders in the streets, definitely less negativity and we're seeing more people just stopping to watch and having a chat.
Ben: You mentioned earlier that your motivation for making videos these days revolves around posterity and capturing memories: what do you think the purpose/function of skate video content is in a wider sense in an era where there is such a barrage of it constantly?
Nathan: It's so hard to keep up these days, isn't it? I got in to skateboarding just as the Internet was first starting to blossom, so I had access to some video streaming and magazine
Harry Shackleton Half Cab Heelflip Huddersfield.
sites etc and never experienced only having access to VHS/physical magazines but I can imagine the excitement when you heard a new video was being released back then was palpable. Everything definitely seems to have less value these days, and that's in a societal sense too. Social Media has got kids addicted to the instant gratification they offer and I can only see it getting worse to be honest. Skatecontent wise, company full lengths are still being released, but they're already becoming more rare. I guess you have to move with the times though to survive! Scene and homie videos definitely seem to be on the up though which is sick and if I'm honest, they're what I want to be watching most of the time anyway. No pretence, lots of post trick cuddles and no brand identity to adhere to, that's the good shit.
I don't know if it's post lockdown, but premieres are popping off left,
right and centre. I think in Leeds alone, there were 3 over the period of a month, which would have been unheard of before I reckon.
Ben: From your own perspective - what are the three best tricks to have ever gone down in Huddersfield that you've either witnessed/filmed or have become part of local skate folklore?
Nathan: We were actually talking about this the other day actually and discussing who had passed through Hudds on trips over the years.
Before I give you my three, Rooney has to get a mention for basically anything he threw down in the mid 2010's he's still the only person to conquer Newsome skatepark kinked handrail (why build a fucking kinker like that in a skatepark?). From the crew, everyone has killed it over the years, but Josh and Kieran have consistently filmed local bangers
Kieran finds inner peace.
and both deserve a shout out.
Ben Bostock Ride on 5050. Three tricks wise: Blinky noseblunt rag in off the wall at Ramsden reservoir, taking the road less travelled off the huge wall at probably the most famous local ditch spot. Technically Holmfirth, but we'll allow it. Horsey noseslide the hubba at the old Tech building, from a Big Push trip I think. 14 stairs, tall and steep fucked. Ben Bostock tried to ollie that set back in like 2009 or something and completely blew his groin to pieces, fun fact, (but not for Ben). Tom Harrison 5050 the black rail at the uni. Absolutely fucked, that thing is long. I don't think anyone has stepped to it and come away victorious since either. Other honourable mentions to Man for switch ollieing basically everything in town and Nick Remon for blasting the civic centre rail 5050.
Ben: Convince people reading this to come and visit Huddersfield and its foothills - what has the place got to offer a skate-minded visitor?
Nathan: Nonrinsed spots, as much crust as you can handle, spectacular countryside, loads of swim spots for après skate, the famous Yorkshire sense of hospitality and it ain't far from Manchester or Leeds when you want to make a speedy getaway either. We're always down for showing people around and sharing spots too, there ain't any spot hogging round here, that attitude is so lame and I'm glad skateboarding on a whole has become friendlier in that sense. If you want spots, get at us; we'll hook you up. The only thing we don't have much of round here are decent ledges, but the town centre is due a major overhaul soon, so hopefully the council can bless us with something.
BY BRUCE MCCLURE ILLUSTRATED BY HENRY MOORE
THE STRANGEST PET ON EARTHS POEM
In The Desert With A God
It starts on a trawler, Red rusted and maritime blue, Leaking from its metal pores, Nets wrapped round the ocean’s neck, Whale song struggling from the motor, The men are arranged on the deck like skittles, Arms and legs lopped off, For kids to find on foreign beaches, A massacre under a blazing sun, Flies stuck to blood, black bodied eyes, The radio playing rock n roll.
instgram@swampcrust
instagram@thestrangestpetonearth
Inland, Forestry razes the tree people’s city, To the ground, An explosion of earth and bark and oil, Mechanical arms flexed, They bash and brawl, Slugging wooden citizens, Standing proud on caterpillar tracks, Truck noise eating the nearby loch, This silent body pitched on its side, It slides into a grave, Leaves a hole for you to see, Sat upon the viewing bench.
At the shore, Postman’s at his paper, Loving sandwich on the dash, He reads about a birth, A child with extraordinary powers, Mother signing network deals.
In the home the walls are moving, He’s painted them with octopuses, His face is burning in the light, Crustaceans crawl along the floorboards, The cacti slowly leave this planet, He drops a cup, it shatters birds.
All this makes you want to go off into the desert and pat a dog. (Nothing more.
Just sit there and hold the animal.
Hold until it’s time.)