OLD SCHOOL FACES... TRACY168 / FLINT
SKATE HARD OR GO HOME..............
12 years old, “it’s just a phase, won’t last long” I’d been told.
Seeing one of the older guys in my school cruising from the North wing to the south, by himself on his skateboard, I had always had a small interest after watching ‘Gleaming The Cube’ and ‘Back To The Future’ as a kid, and seeing it again flicked a switch in my head.
That day I bought R.A.D magazine from ‘Dods’, my local newsagent, this was the first glimpse into the massive world of skateboarding I was so unaware of. At this stage I had no one to share this new found interest with, and no board to ride! I used to stare at the shop adverts dreaming about owning an 'Acme' slick deck with Thunder trucks and spitfire wheels.
Cantaloes skate spot in Camden was the only local place designed for skating I new of at the time, and me and Glenn would go down on our own all the time, and watch little Stevie ollly the hip again and again. When it rained, we would skate to ‘Insane’ skateboards, a shop in Camden that would let us chill and watch videos while it rained, this was were I bought my first ‘Pencil’ deck for £1.50, It was mashed up, but I was so pleased just to have a deck that was shaped like the pro’s.
Me and Glenn started wearing Vans skate shoes at school, even though every day people would dis them, even my so called friends took the piss, "Ha! I could make them in Textiles class". This was one of my first lessons skating gave me, be yourself no matter what people say! You learn to get along with people who you otherwise thought were ‘different’ because of a shared passion for something, and you soon learn that your not that different at all!
Into my second pair of skate shoes, ‘Duffs’ to this day my favourite pair, blue suede with white and a toffee sole, I bump into a guy wearing a pair of Ellesse that were shaped like skate shoes, a chubby kid called Jasper, we asked each other if we skated, he said he was getting into it and that he had a board at home. Slowly, baggy trousers, hats, big chain wallets and crew neck jumpers spread through the school.
That was the beginning of my social life as a teenager, and come to think of it my adult life. When I started skating, it shaped my whole outlook on life, we would travel further than any other kids in our year, to find spots or skate parks, whilst they hung out around the local 7/11 on the Broadway. When we fell, we got up and tried again, an invaluable lesson that I apply to everyday life with my music.
The friends I have, my style, the life I lead, the music I make and listen too, is all thanks to a piece of wood and wheels.
I am forever indebted to skateboarding, and that guy skating from North wing to South at Fortismere School.
Here's some footage of a guy an old friend of mine used to skate with before he went to USA, some of you might have heard of him, Tom Penny.
Happy b-day al,
hope you had a good one...i was working.
couple of images from the Natty Coldtown video shoot:
NHAC...........4TH APRIL
Egs and Jani Tolin are two artists who became friends 20 years ago in
Helsinki’s graffiti scene. Since then Egs has become an internationally
known figure in the world of graffiti with his controversial style. He
has also worked successfully in design and art direction for 10
years. Jani Tolin has worked with his Alfons Helsinki Studio for over
10 years in graphic design, art direction, interior design and video
direction while exhibiting his art in scandinavian and baltic countries.
Northern Lights at the Nottinghill Arts Club present their latest
graphic work as poster and digital canvas prints which are for sale
alongside retrospective video projections, slides and mural art
painted on location.
Music on the night is provided by another collaboration. DJ Anonymous
and Karl D are both DJ’s at the forefront of Helsinki’s burgeoning
modern music scene. DJ Anonymous is the front man of urban sound in
Finland residing numerous club nights in Helsinki and hosting a
weekly show in local radio. He’s also owner of respected Lifesaver
record store and a notorious record collector. Check out
www.djanonymous.fi for his blog and mixes. Karl D is leading the new
wave of DJ/production talent in Helsinki, running some of the hottest
nights and making some of the hottest tunes. Representing London,
Session is similarilly a DJ and producer with bags of talent and a
big future.
Equalizers
A: "REVENGE"
AA: "WIDE AWAKE"
HBPF06. Released April 2008
"Equalizers have been quitely mastering their craft, with each release sounding bigger and bigger, and they started off pretty big in the first place! The B-line in "Revenge" has a great thwacky-bounce to it. The key changes and 4x4 switches devastate the dancefloor as witnessed at the last HB Clockwork party. Flipside "Wide Awake" contains a mish-mash of musical elements, Equalizers trademark... Electro-shock therapy, spooky emotif atmospherics, happy-go-lucky steel-drums. All keeping the vibe alive!" - Ollywood
DOES PANIC KNOW ABOUT THIS?
I'm probably a bit late, but Nick pointed this out to me.......
ugly things
BREAD + BUTTER BARCA........................
Rico Loop's, Reeps 1 and Session having a beer fueled old skool jam. Reep's is rockin’ the Official Victor Cholo LA fitted.
WORTHY WINNERS IN MILAN!
I WAS A BIT WORRIED BY THE TASK OF BEATING MILAN AT HOME, BUT WE STOOD STRONG AND THE BOYS DONE GOOD! G.S.D ARSENAL THROUGH AND THROUGH!
FULL-TIME AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal (agg 0-2)
What a performance from Arsene Wenger's side. Having soaked up some early pressure from the hosts, they stamped their authority on the match - Cesc Fabregas the outstanding player. Goals from the Spaniard and Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal into the quarter-finals.
Bloody Cameras!
13mph over the limit... 13!!!!!!!!!!.. 3 lanes, no cars, north circular.. they are having a laugh. C*NTS.... F*CKIN C*NTS........
SATURDAY...................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPECIAL 4 HOUR DUBSTEP/BREAKS/BASSLINE/BASHYNESS SET FROM ME AND KLOSE-ONE!!!!!!!! GONNA BE ROWDY!!
HEAVY VID..........
Justice - DVNO [NEW]
Inspired by 80's/90's studio/production company logo's at the end of programmes and beginning of films! I'm very jealous, wish I did this first!
Erm........ Yea thats cool?
NO!!.. If you are french and like to dance, you will most probably be doing this.
My cousin just came over from paris and erm, he aint gay or nothing, but.. just loves to wear tight T's and dance like this..
GENERIC??????????????????BALLS
Generic photography shots.com
What’s with the whack photography sites that are kicking around out there at the minute.
Every snapper and his dog are slowing down the internet by posting up new sites and why do they all look the same, I am not holding mine up as the definitive site at all, its too big and rambling and blah blah but at least it’s a bit different.
It’s just at the minute every city or ‘urban’ photographer has.
1. Some writers creeping about in a trainyard. Sodium lighting required.
2. A writer climbing over a fence preferably shot from long wide angle, or close up thru the razor wire.
3. A writer at the top of some ladder, ubiquitous urban landscape behind, preferably shot in the early morning, with the photographer on rooftop.
4. Writer hiding behind some kind of big metal box with a train in the background, choice of early dawn lighting or sodium, but long exposure to get some motion blur.
5. Writer on a covered walkway over a motorway or tracks.
6. Writer in funny mask, ideally sticking V’s up at camera. Its important to note that this is the only time the Writer can acknowledge the presence of the photographer; all other images must suggest a ‘quiet lonely enterprise’.
7. Writer in bandanna shot holding can or paint covered hands close to lens.
Interior shots.
1. Most of these shots are to be in gritty black and white, mainly shot on digital but ideally processed to look like film.
2. Shot of young mother at kitchen sink, looking out window, ideally this is some kind of tower block, or at least one needs to be visible in distance.
3. Shot of ‘yoot’ skinning up on a droopy sofa, or bunning a zoot. Extra marks if there are some cans on the floor, or a cup of tea in the hand. Even more if you get motion blur on one of the figures.
4. Again no acknowledgement of photographer unless swearing.
5. Shot of tower block lifts, even if you have to leave your car at the station, get two trains and a bus, just to find a tower block. Optional person stood next to lift door, either young and in hoody or old and with shopping bag.
6. Living room in tower block with close up shot of ashtray, TV or hand with jewellery
Street and exterior shots (these shots must be colour- with some fill-in flash)
1 Shot of kids stood next to street sign with name of their road on it. Kids should be in grey trackies and one holding BMX or Football. Try and make this look as informal as possible even though it’s set up. Shoot on an overcast day. Try and finds kids that look a bit deprived but have a small sense of optimism for the future.
2 Kid with shaved head, big puffy jacket, preferably in summer, with a dog on a lead. Not any old dog but some kind of pit-bull, staffie or variant on the theme. Gold chain mandatory for dog owner. Shoot on a wide angle, low to the ground to increase feel of intimidation. Bang up the colours a bit too.
3 Some random crew shot, posed next to a brick wall, kinda menacing look, especially if these are your mates.
4 Night shots should really get a section of its own, but take as many urban street corners as you can, ideally where two different light sources meet. An empty stairwell going up out of shot is perfect as well. An abandoned trolley shot works well. A tree juxtaposed with a very ‘town planning’ kind of wall is also good, make the tree appear as if urban is the norm and nature the unreal. Ideal time very early dawn, light smattering of rain would help. If you can then throw in a homeless person a nice wide shot is ace, but if you’re really daring get in close and get them to scream into the camera. It shows that you can really relate to people even if you paid them with beer.
Of course this only really applies to urban photography module one, for module two go to East London and shoot lots of club shots, use a basic Polaroid or side mounted flash, make sure the images are pointedly lacking content. I know everyone can’t be Larry Clark, Gavin Watson or even Glen E Friedman but why are we all running down the same road right now. Get some new ideas, try and shoot something new, if you have seen the shot before don’t take it.
“Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame. When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts.” Garry Winogrand
oh and feel free to add abuse and link this to my versions of all the above if you want, its all fine with me.
oh and on a flip side check this dudes shots l’il pete, fao2 L’il Pete he manages to do some new shit, plus his climbing up buildings and shooting in the dead of night in bristol is just crazy fresh, and a new take on parkour style tricking proper dedicated stuff.
I SWEAR IVE SEEN SOME OF THE PHOTOS HES ON ABOUT,,,WHERE????OH YEAH I TOOK THEM...........
GET IT RIGHT THOUGH THERE 90% FILM.
BEST FEEDBACK,,BETTER THEN MARTIN PARRS,,,SEE I CAN NAMEDROP TOO,,
I THINK IM GOING TO JUST TAKE PHOTOS IN GRAFF PARKS FROM NOW ON, I THINK THEYLL BE MUCH MORE EXCITING
THIS CD PACKAGING IS REAL DOPE...
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
D.E.A. REPORT
FILE:#UBSBTGS/001/08 CASE:140208
CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION & DRUG TRAFFIC
LOCALISATION:EUROPE/SWITZERLAND&GERMANY
God either wants to eliminate bad things and cannot, or can but does not want to, or neither wishes to nor can, or both wants to and can. If he wants to and cannot, he is weak -- and this does not apply to god. If he can but does not want to, then he is spiteful -- which is equally foreign to god's nature. If he neither wants to nor can, he is both weak and spiteful and so not a god. If he wants to and can, which is the only thing fitting for a god, where then do bad things come from? Or why does he not eliminate them?"
-Epicurus (from "The Epicurus Reader", translated and edited by Brad Inwood and L.P. Gerson, Hackett Publishing, 1994, p. 97)
Jazza Crazzo.................
Everyones favourite guitarist Jimi Crayon has a new website up, go and look at it, it's lovely.
John Lennon - Woman is the Nigger of the World
The song is not the best, but he's bang on point with the explanation behind it.
Take a leaf out of John's book Nas, or just copy him.
WIND SUIT BASE JUMPING.........
Saw this on the KUNG FU blog and was so impressed I had to post, closet you can get to flying! I wanna do this out of a plane!
FINALLY..............
Anyone remember my post last year about the TESLA fully electric car? Well it would roughly cost you $100,000, and the only other option was a bloody G-Whizz! Well someone was listening!
The environmentally friendly ZAP Alias is a three-wheeled electric car that claims to go faster than a Porsche. It does 0 to 60mph in just 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 156mph. But what really makes it stand apart is that is a three-wheeled car! Sporting a futuristic look, this two-seater is being developed with the help of British car company Lotus. The car employs two electric wheel motors to drive each of the car's front wheels. Together the Alias's motors generate an impressive 321.85 horsepower, which is the same as the Porsche 911 Carrera.
ZAP Alias will probably go on sale next year, though speculation is rife that the launch of the vehicle will be delayed. It will cost £15,000 or almost $30,000. This will be the first car I buy!
barry wet towel
hugo daydream network,,do not leave a voice mail, i repeat do not leave a voice mail..
Official Comp.............
From the OFFICIAL BLOG
After much deliberation we have developed a MySpace page to act as a more personal complement to our current website. For our social network inauguration we will randomly choose a friend a month for the next three months to receive a premium fitted of their choice from the Official Online Store. Beginning February 1st, all new friends will automatically be entered into the monthly drawing and will stay entered for the entire 3 months. The first drawing will be March 1st so visit www.myspace.com/theofficialbrand now and see what it means to be an Official MySpace Murderer.
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