Issue02
AUST RRP $10.00 | 2011
Note From The Editors
Editor Trav Horsfall - trav@heelsidemag.com Co Editor Kurt Nischel - kurt@heelsidemag.com Advertising: www.heelsidemag.com Digital Media: Bundaburg, QLD | Photo: Kurt Nischel
Trav - What a crazy, busy, HECTIC time we’ve had since the launch of the first issue. We were so stoked at the positive responses we got and just showed us the need for a good quality local skate magazine. Big ups to everyone that dove right in to contribute and our subscribers! I’ve read this issue a million times and I’m still excited about it! We hope you all enjoy it just as much (or more). Kurt - So I’m sitting in a pub having a Tooheys beside the skatepark in Bundaberg (QLD), a week after Bathurst and 4 days after my 37th B’day and I think to myself sk8boarding has been with me for 30 years and I just love it still like I did when I was a megagrom. It doesn’t matter where or when, I am stoked to sk8! It is my life, and now bringing the Downhill Family closer together with this mag is so Rad!
www.heelsidemag.com
© Heelside Magazine ISSUE 02 | 2011 All rights reserved. All due care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers, staff and contributors cannot be held responsible for any effects arising therefrom. Reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements but no responsibility can be taken for any resulting transactions. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited materials.
Renton Millar | Photo: Travis Horsfall
07 State 2 Skate 12 Evren Ozan 16 Newtons Nation 24 Paul Carey 29 Yvon Labarthe 31 Action Ape 33 Nice Advice with Dr. Spice 34 Across the Andes 37 Sydney Exploration Sessions 42 Merrick Wildash 46 Nuria Roman Rodriguez 48 Gear Review 50 South Africa 57 Wefunk - Interview with Alex Luxat
INSIDE
61 Gadget Review 62 Random Global Lens Flare 73 I’m a DownhillSkater and I Fucking Love it! 75 New Zealand N-tense D-Sense Tour 81 An Indestructible Allegiance
Predator DH-6 Helmet
• New injection moulded visor • New machined aluminium visor bolts • Now CPSC approvedd
Rider: Dave Price Buffalo Bill Downhill, Golden, CO Photo: Christopher Lagace
Australian Inquiries Timeship Racing Tel: (505) 474-0074 info@timeshipracing.com Predator Designs sales@predatorhelmets.com www.predatordesigns.blogspot.com 6
GADGET REVIEW
So if your any sort of film maker or photographer, you should definately have one of these killer lights in your kit, period. Deez Lights allows you to shoot crystal clear video or stills in any situation, and we mean any situation… =) So we thought we’d give it a go and see just what this little baby can do. Shooting at night this powerhouse throws some serious light and an unintentional perfect ‘vignette’ look. Pumping out at least 20ft of strong light, using Deez Lights will guarantee your going to get that crisp shot you’ve been hunting. With 126 bright-ass LED lights, this light dwarfs all other ‘on camera’ lighting options when it comes to clarity and strength. Unlike most lighting equipment used for skateboarding, Deez Lights thought about how strapped for cash most of us are and threw in three gel filters for free! Just to make it even more appealing, Deez Lights have catered for all you photographers- wanna-be-film makers (and vice versa) and fitted the light with a standard hot shoe that suits nearly every type of video and DSLR camera on the market. 100% guaranteed, 100% adjustable in every direction,100% controllable lighting - complete with a variety of batteries options, including Li-On batteries and the old AA battery; this baby is tickin’ all the boxes! However, the icing-on-the-cake feature has to be the all important battery meter; this will save your mates and your girlfriend from copping abuse from you when your lighting dies and you don’t have any spare batteries on hand and you’ve missed that EPIC ‘shot of the day’. Our advice, if you want to be taken seriously, you need to be shooting with Deez Lights - crystal clear lighting every time!
www.deezlights.com
Words & Photo | Melissa Uren
Sector 9’s Newest Downhill Division Rider
Good things come to those who wait? Ah, yes... finally some downhill boards from Sector 9. It’s no secret that we’ve always had a Downhill Division, and we have been promoting the downhill race scene since its’ reemergence in the early 90’s . However, we’ve always held to the belief that riders need to be of a certain caliber before aiming themselves down a hill, especially in a race. In fact, we still believe this, which is why you won’t find these boards built as completes and just might be drilled with 20 questions about your ability and safety knowledge before purchasing one. You’ll find a variety of boards here, from the Ginger Carbon Drop board, to the Annika, with the “Swedish Torpedo” double concave. Whether it’s a top mount or a drop through, there is something for all styles of riding. Our roots are the race scene, and our combined experience on the course exceeds 100 years. From draft and pass, to speed checking corners, let our expertise guide you to the podium.
STIKMANFILMS.COM MUSICIANS
| BOARDRIDERS |
FILMMAKERS
32
Owner / Operator Glenn Mills Photo: Trav Horsfall
Agent Orange Bad Religion Cam Bridge Choc Reagan Flatliners The Gas Light Anthem Gob Good Riddance Gorillas Guttermouth Incubus Jack Johnson Jurassic 5 Less Than Jake The Loved Ones Lynyrd Skynyrd The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Nine Inch Nails No Fx / My Favorite Band! Not Quite Sober Operation Ivy Pennywise Primus Propagandhi Raised By Apes Rancid Rebel Spell Reel Big Fish Rise Against Sam Roberts (My Girlfriend Stephanie Coles Band She Plays Bass) Slush The Smashing Pumpkins Stray Cats Subb Sublime Krooked Vultures Thrice Tiger Army Tim Barry Tool Tragical Hip A Wilhelm Scream (Currently Playing) 1208
Scoot Smith’s ipod
The Shrugs
56
SUBSCRIBE
AND WIN! Go in the draw to win a Daddow custom T p Mount when you subscribe before 06/05/11
www.heelsidemag.com
Sorry but Subscription and this offer are only available to Australia & New Zealand only. International Subscriptions coming soon. Flavio Biehl | Photo Kurt Nischel
0n Tour with Suicidal Tendencies Photos and Words By Luke Sorensen
81
“Do you have a passport?” A simple question for most but when the voice on the phone is Suicidal Tendencies frontman Cyco Mike Muir, it instantly sparks visions of chaotic mosh pits, brutal punk and metal riffs and a defining era of music that even today stands alone within a world of rock star fallacies and commercial confusion. With little hesitation my answer was ‘yes’, ambitiously savouring the moment and contemplating what lay ahead; a rare window of opportunity to witness these masters at work on some of the biggest stages in the world, blowing the minds and ears of the masses that make up the Suicidal Army.
Mike Muir | Phoenix Arizona Photo: Luke Sorensen
For nearly 30 years Venice Beach based legends Suicidal Tendencies have continued to outlive and out perform just about everyone in their chosen realm, originating a style, sound and standpoint that has now been emulated a thousand times over by bands worldwide. The band spawned in 1981 from the heart of California’s Dogtown on the coastal fringe of Los Angeles, an area that saw a stark mix of the wealthy and poor, the talented and the washed out, an area that was rich in skate and music culture, an area that only offered success for those willing to want it enough. Mike’s older brother Jim ‘Red Dog’ Muir was an original Zephyr Team rider, instilling some of his skate life philosophy early on into Mike. Jim says, “It doesn’t matter how many times you fall down, it’s whether you get back up,” which rings true now more than ever - as both brothers still push the boundaries each day, constantly overcoming the common hurdles faced in life that would see many of us cower and retreat. Jim (Dogtown Skates owner) recently suffered a serious neck injury whilst surfing, defying the odds to eventually make it back on to his feet. Mike took time out a few years ago for back surgery that saw a brief hiatus for the band but they were back again soon after, firing on all cylinders, and I was about to see this come to life on stages across Europe and the USA. Never falling victim to cheese laden trends or overt commercial pressure, they’ve influenced the lives of so many including myself, leaving a positive and powerful mark anywhere they’ve been. So with camera in hand I set off to document the next chapter in the Suicidal story, the rolling resurgence by arguably the former heavyweight champions of the alternative music world. I began by boarding a few planes and seeing a few countries, not knowing that by the end of 2010 it would see me lose count of the flights, the shows and the places. From Paris to Frankfurt, Spanish heat and the frozen French Alps, from Sweden to Serbia and California to New York I watched each night as the band tore up the venues, delivering a devastatingly solid serving of the finest metal, punk, thrash and funk this planet has ever seen. 82
Jason “Clown” Brown and Candice from ST Tattoo in Venice Beach | Photo: Luke Sorensen
Whilst it could be perceived that a band holding down a career like theirs would nowadays travel with an armada of personnel and truck loads of ridiculous high tech equipment, the reality is that this band is still the epitome of genuine working class musicians, a tight knit crew with little time for the smoke and mirrors that others use to peddle their act. For months at a time the tour bus becomes home for a dozen people, we’re locked in for thousands of miles, immersed in its belly like passengers on a submarine and each day surfacing momentarily in a new city or country to the roar of the crowd who have waited months, years or even a lifetime to witness the band from Dogtown shake the very earth beneath their feet. Until then I had only ever seen Suicidal Tendencies in smaller venues here at home, most notable being their rawkus shows during the nineties at the infamous Playroom on the Gold Coast so now it was great to see them destroying huge stages at some of the biggest and best festivals in the world, standing out amongst mega bands such as Slayer, Faith No More, Muse and many more. Quickly it became very clear to me that Suicidal Tendencies are still the benchmark standard by which thousands of household-name bands today use to evolve and gain notoriety within the industry, a standard of integrity, unsurpassed ability, individuality, intelligence and respect. Just ask any one fan who has seen them live and you’ll get the idea.
The tour bus, know by all as the “Submarine” | Photo: Luke Sorensen
Suicidal Tendencies has endured many changes over the years, the coming and going of band members and crew, the push to independence from major record labels and the ongoing development of new directives. The current line-up features some of the most talented craftsmen in the industry, passionate and precise masters of their trade who are able to turn the heads of even the most critical sceptics. The latest edition to the band is the formidable Eric Moore on drums, a former winner of Guitar Center’s Drum Off competition, the world’s largest drum competition. Eric is a powerhouse big gun, stunning audiences every night whilst remaining solid and true to the Suicidal sound; his skills really have to be seen to be believed. Like many I believed that none could match or best Robert Trujillo on bass within the band, until a young Stephen Bruner stepped up. Well engrained nowadays, his sheer ability is simply astounding, comfortably dissecting and renewing sounds that incite a riotous response, a true master capable of performing anything you’ve ever heard before and even more that you never thought possible. Along with absolute legendary guitarist Mike Clark, the intricate shredding by Dean Pleasants and of course, frontman Mike Muir, the current members have forged an indestructible allegiance that still makes my hair stand on end every time I hear them play. Before long I suddenly found myself locked in for a third tour of duty with the Suicidal Army, a grand journey across their homeland, from coast to coast with all stops. We departed from Santa Monica for a string of dates that would see the band hammering out the old
Mini ramp at the FUN FUN FUN Fest in Austin, Texas | Photo: Luke Sorensen
Mike Clark Photo: Luke Sorensen
and new to a well-versed and critical crowd of past and future fans. As the tour progressed it became apparent that the band and crew share a common driving force from within, unwavering and committed towards making sure that each show is as good as the next. Supported by the somewhat politically fired up (Hed)P.E. it was yet another wild ride, tearing apart venue after venue with the Suicidal live set. Skating late at night on a stolen skateboard in Marseille, France Photo: Luke Sorensen
Skateboarding is still deeply rooted in the core of the band, with guitarists Mike Clark and Dean Pleasants both brandishing boards for the tour, rolling whenever time permits. A selection of limited re-release original design Possessed To Skate decks are strung from the merchandise desk at each show, and catch the eye of almost everyone who walks by. I am lucky enough to momentarily absorb some of the skateboarding culture that exists in the States, whether it’s people sliding to work in the city or the dust flying inside a warehouse skate park bowl, it is easy to see how skateboarding is a way of life for so many Americans, in a land of happiness and freedoms, sometimes shattered by indifference and class division. So with a final night out in Hollywood to watch the iconic Faith No More’s last ever US show, Dean then drops me at LAX, onto the flying kangaroo and headed back to Queensland. In May this year Suicidal Tendencies will return to Australian shores for a capital city tour. Leaving nothing to chance, their intentions are clear; to bring one of the most original, standard smashing and hard core live shows on this earth into the faces of those who feel up to it. With a new album in hand, some insane fresh material, the resurfacing of some classic fret shredding No Mercy tunes and an honest desire to deliver the very best to everyone, they couldn’t be more amped to smash down the precedence and shake the cages of the many who make up the ever growing Suicidal Army. For me it’s been a tough challenge keeping up with it, away for so long from one family and thrust into the midst of another, but like any great experience this one has been filled with moments of pure stoke, difficult challenges, brotherhood, tragedy and triumph - a journey that has taken me far but also brought me closer to home.
Sold out show at Terminal 5 in New York Photo: Luke Sorensen
SUICIDAL AUSSIE TOUR - MAY 2011
Suicidal official site www.suicidaltendencies.com Suicidal Tendencies are: Mike Muir - Vocals Mike Clark - Guitar Dean Pleasants - Guitar Stephen Bruner - Bass Eric Moore - Drums
THURSDAY 12 - GOLD COAST, COOLANGATTA HOTEL ( 18+) www.oztix.com.au FRIDAY 13 - BRISBANE, THE HI-FI (18+) www.thehifi.com.au SATURDAY 14 - SYDNEY, THE METRO (LIC A/A) www.ticketek.com.au SUNDAY 15 - MELBOURNE, BILLBOARD ( 18+) www.ticketek.com.au TUESDAY 17 - ADELAIDE, FOWLERS (LIC A/A) www.venuetix.com.au WEDNESDAY 18 - PERTH, THE CAPITOL (18+) www.moshtix.com.au 87
Ben Hay
Photo Michael White
Master Of the Hill hopkin.com.au
READ THE FULL VERSION WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TODAY! YOU GOTTA TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT! SO SUBSCRIBE NOW!