Brien Kielb

bad knees, palm trees, nascar, pool drain, die-cut, light carve, wizard smoke, thrashard

Posts from Brien:

Go Fast, Turn Left

It’s not often that the worlds of BMX and professional sports coincide(uhhhh), but 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne owes an inkling of his success to the family of Standard legend Bobby Fisher. Bayne’s first hometown sponsor was Knoxville’s Fisher Tire, which is owned & runny by Bobby and his family.

bobbyfisher

*Thanks to Dixie for the trivia. Turns out that Trevor still lives in Knoxville, and last night the two bumped into each other. Stephen told Bayne a tale of an irate fan attempting to hit him with apple cores(yep) after winning the 10th anniversary of “The Final Right”, and he laughed it off, so he’s alright in my book.

Countdown to Extinction

Native Bikes rolls our their 2nd edit of the year, this one documenting the chaotic New Years countdown at the Casselberry house, and the trails sesh that went down after the hangovers wore off. Featuring the Native team, and guest appearances by Mark Mulville, Trey Jones & our own Korey Kryder.

Check out Korey’s feature for more photos from the trip.

Casselberry Trendkillers

The cesspool of BMX brands seems to grow almost daily, but few fresh companies actually focus on keeping their products USA-made. James Covington, however, seems to be bucking the system with Native BMX. Their first frame, the “Trendkill”, is handmade by Solid Bikes, and all softgoods are hand-printed by Casselberry’s own GGSB Screenprinting. James & Aaron recently finished this mini-documentary explaining the process of creating a shirt from scratch, and also to prove that James didn’t put himself on a t-shirt.

Case Mag’s Mike Netley

Slowly, but surely, Case Magazine is starting to permeate themselves into the world of BMX media, but in the most grassroots way possible: giving out free mags to kids though shops, at the trails & in skateparks all over the world. While winding down his annual trails trip with Sputnic/Wasted Youth’s Mike Cottle, I was able to sit down & chat a bit about the trials & tribulations of starting a print mag in 2010. Thanks to Cottle & Ryan Hoey for the pics.

LM: What was the first BMX magazine you ever picked up?
MN: Probably Ride UK, late ’99 with Jason Aliano’s front garden on the cover. It was pretty sweet.

LM: Were you already pretty engrossed in BMX at that point, or were you just getting into it?
MN: I actually picked up that magazine at a King of Concrete event in Southsea. I was there with my parents, looking through the fence, saw people riding the vert ramp and was psyched, just went in, checked out the comp and got a copy of said mag.

LM: Did you already have a bike by then?
MN: Nah, nah, I was just, fuckin… saw BMX and was just like, “yeahhhh that was rad!” That was late August, and I think I got a bike for Christmas that year.

LM: A lot of kids our age, we got into magazines when there were still a bunch of ’em running. I’m guessing magazines were a big reason why you got into BMX; is that something you’re trying to recreate now with Case?
MN: When I grew up, there was only magazines. I’d rather see everyday content on the internet, and decent articles in magazines. I used to look forward to reading somebodys interview or a scene report, rather than just reading it on a 15-inch computer screen.

LM: What’s the motivation to do print, during a time when print seems to be dying?
MN: I enjoyed working with Ride UK, taking photos and stuff, and I just wanted to do more and more. I don’t really like the internet, or looking at photos online. I’d rather see a nice big picture printed.

LM: Where do you feel Case fits into the current BMX media spectrum?
MN: I think the fact that it’s free, and every single kid can pick it up, it’s kind of like how the interent is free. You don’t have to spend $5 on a magazine, you can just go in a shop, pick it up & enjoy it.

LM: Has it been possible to make any money, or break even doing Case?
MN: Nearly impossible. Well, not impossible, but I’m still putting in a fair bit of money each issue myself. The 2nd issue doubled from the 1st one, the 3rd one has almost doubled from the 2nd. Hopefully the 4th will be even better. It’s still not…. it’s getting there. slow but steady progress. I’m happy.

LM: You’re on your annual trip to ride trails in the US; what got you started coming over here?
MN: Old videos & magazines of Posh & Push, Suffield and all the crazy spots; old FBM videos of Bakers Acres & “Welcome to Pittsburgh”. It just looked like a fun scene to be involved in.

LM: What was the first year you came over here?
MN: This is the 5th year, so summer 2006.

LM: How do trails here in the US compare to trails in the UK?
MN: Not dissimilar in the slightest. There are certain spots in England that are perfectly groomed, like they are here, and there are shady spots as well.Huts, BBQ’s, cookin’ out & all that sort of stuff, it’s pretty similar. Just a different atmosphere.

LM: Are UK trail builders as salty as US ones?
MN: Ha! They used to be, doesn’t seem so much anymore. Certainly a few years ago, there was that whole “no dig, no ride” thing. I’ve always been fairly welcomed at most spots and it’s cool. It seems pretty lighthearted now. That doesnt mean you can turn up and take the piss. If help is needed, help.

Cottle: Do you guys have flathead shovels in England?
MN: We have to order them(laughs). Just shitty, 4ft long… shitty shovels.

LM: Being a heavy trail rider, did you ever want Case to be more of a trail-orientated magazine, or do you feel like you’d be pigeon-holing yourself?
MN: I wouldn’t say I’m a ‘heavy’ trail rider first off. And i wouldn’t say it’s “pigeon-holed”, but that’s certainly where my first love of BMX resides, but I have as much respect for Tom White riding street & Garrett Reynolds winning park contests as I do J-Bone or Stauffer shredding the trails, and people like Mullville still doing it today, killing it. Even flatland is impressive; those King of Concrete events when I first started riding, flatland was one of the main disciplines and i loved it. I’d always go for both days, sit in the stands and watch all day. Vert, flatland, street; Effraim (Catlow) shredding the flatland & Jerry Galley shredding the vert ramp, stuff like that, it’s all cool. Trails is what I like to ride most, so I’m probably shooting more trails than anything else.

LM: How did you meet Mike Cottle?
MN: Ahh, sent him a message on MYspace, seeing if we could come hang out in Pittsburgh. That was about 5 years ago.

LM: Do you really trust this kid helping out on your magazine? I’ve seen him misspell his own name.
MN: He’s keen to support the cause, which is sweet. He’s as psyched as I am on the magazine, so it’s cool.

LM: Is Case going to have any other type of media presence? Are you going to incorporate videos or web stuff for any future Case projects?
MN: I’ve spoken with a few people about doing an exclusive web-edit for a full-on rider interview in the magazine, so when a magazine comes out, there’s a web-exclusive video to go with it. It’s not happened yet, but it’s certainly something that I want to do. I know, obviously, that the Internet is huge, so Case does need a decent-sized web presence. It doesn’t at the moment, but it’s soemthing that I’m working on. Just a lot to take on at one time.

LM: What are your thoughts on other magazines right now?
MN: Dig is sweet, and it always has been. I’ve always had a soft spot for its ‘close to home’ and arty feel. Not to mention that Ricky Adam is the best photographer out there. Ride UK, Ride US… every other issue, there’s a decent article. I don’t think it’s consistent, and I get bored looking at 30 pages of ads at the beginning, but I understand from making a magazine that they need to do that for revenue. I think that some issues are good, but on a whole… I don’t know, I still buy them every month, and I’m still interested to pick them up. I struggle to do a magazine every three months so god knows how they chuck them out month after month. Props to Banners and Chris at Ride UK. They’re working their asses off and it’s awesome what they’re doing.

LM: Have you had any sort of editorial pressure from any of your sponsors to change content, or focus on a specific rider/spot/etc?
MN: Nothing at all, no. I’ve said to potential advertisers that we could feature their riders, but I’m as interested in their riding as I am the company advertising. It’s not gotten to that stage, and I don’t think it ever will. I’ve been on a couple of trips with companies, and that’s been fun. They’ve been psyched to see the magazine, and I’ve been psyched to go on the trip, so it’s all good.

LM: Have you ever used the line “I run a magazine” to help get you laid?
MN: Nope! I don’t talk to girls as it is, so…(laughs). I’m probably too modest.

Cottle: How many girls did you have sex with in one week in Pittsburgh last year?
MN: Ha, umm… 4 chicks in 3 1/2 weeks, which i think is pretty good..?

Cottle: And did your mates from England have any sort of sexual run-in with them before you?
LM: Probably not, but probably (laughs). Stirring the porridge, stirring the porridge.

LM: What would be your dream interview or road trip for the magazine?
MN: East Coast trails trips are up there. I’d like to do something with Ben Lewis; that dude is amazing on a bike. Still trying to do the whole “legend on the cover” of each issue. Would love to do something with Bestwick riding vert at some point. I’d like to get a decent portrait of somebody for a cover at some point, like when Dig had that one cover of Bestwick that was just him holding the vert ramp made from light trails. That was awesome. All stuff that’s in the pipeline.

LM: What’s been the biggest general ball-up in starting the magazine?
MN: Not keeping everyone happy; you cant please everybody all the time. Some contributors getting pissed off that their articles didn’t make the cut, but that’s just something that happens. You can’t do much about it. Sorry to those few.

LM: In doing my research, I noticed you used to rock a platinum kizzy wig. You get over to the states now, and you’re rocking the creeper moustache. What’s next, a bowl cut?
MN: I had a bowl cut a couple of years ago, which was fun for a while. I’m a little bit of a sucker for trends; not too badly. More of it’s just… like, the whole blond hair thing, I don’t know where that came from; just a change after 24 years. The moustache is pretty popular at the moment, thought I’d try to rock it for a bit(laughs).

Stop Laughing, I’m Not Done

When LSD Riders first came out in 2006, I struggled to find the words to describe the video to friends; 4 years later, it’s still just as difficult. Bloody, graphic and borderline exploitative, this is easily the most fucked-up bike video ever produced. Where else will you see someone fire out a kinked rail, followed by someone shooting up in broad daylight?

This video came out during the height of Jackass’ popularity, and somehow, Dave Krienke was able to gain some national notoriety with his LSD clips, selling footage to cable outlets like MTV and Spike. However, the stunts of Bam and Knoxville seemed downright wholesome compared to eating fireworks & stabbing yourself in the foot (with a sword, no less) while under the influence of high-grade hallucinogens. The riding is par for the course for that era; fufs, sprocket chunks and ledge feebles make up a good portion of the clips, but lets face it; this video isn’t infamous due to the BMX footage. Krienke passed away a few years back, and after you watch this, you might not be surprised.

Suffice to say, this video is not for the faint of heart; if you want the trippy vibe without footage of the tripping itself, check elsewhere.

Gak Attack

Burns & Ferbet released this glob of an edit right before leaving for FBM’s 3rd annual Gypsy Caravan tour. No clue where they’re at, but I know the Team Major Air guys are currently getting weird in Boston. Watch out for flying Four Loko cans & assorted smoke clouds at various Northeast spots throughout the week, and pick up Surfin’ For The Ugly Broads at your local shop.

Banned 4 Premier

Anyone in the Orlando vicinity should make their way to Mr. Bikes & Boards this Sunday for the premier of Banned 4 Life. Video starts at sundown, so Kyle Painter should be home before his bedtime. Watch the Banned blog for upcoming premiers in your area.

Catching Up: Bobby Fisher

When I was approached about doing this, my first thought was, ‘I don’t think Bobby knows how much of a legend he is.’ And maybe that is what is so good about ol’ Robert Lee Fisher…he’s been humble since the day I met him. We’ve known each other since my days in middle school when I would skate and he would ride flat and do sprocket chunks on anything he could find. Coverage always seemed to find Bobby, be it the local paper, a photo in a magazine or a small part in a Baco video riding a Homeless Soul Bro that sort of catapulted this whole thing for him. The salad days on Standard were fun and fast…and when it was over, Bobby just went back to busting tires and helping run the family business. But BMX is still intertwined in much of what Bobby does. Riders work at the tire shop that bears his name (hell, even Alex Magallan worked there for a summer) and if there is a bike with pegs nearby, Bobby will bust out some flatland moves in the bays during lulls in the action. These days he does more camping and howling at the moon than riding, but he still gets around town on a twenty inch. He’s been a good friend not just to me, but to southern BMX. And if you find yourself at Fisher Tire, ask Bobby to check your Fetzer valve.

1. If you had to do it all over again, would you say anything to the stunned Crandall when he dumped that ketchup on your shoe in Greenville, NC?

No, that was pretty funny though. That’s funny you remember that. That was forever ago.

2. Do you still hold a grudge against me for doing a shit job of filming for your part in “Standard Country”?

I hold no grudges. It was a good time filming Standard Country with you and the way it was edited it didn’t matter. My part was too long, though.

3. If you ever have kids, will you show them your Props bio, or will you have finished destroying all vcr’s by then?

Not unless they wanted to see it, I would probably show them some magazine shots or something instead. Hopefully I will still have a vcr because most of my bmx videos are on vhs. I only have like 3 or 4 bmx dvds. I guess I am old school.

4. Do you think you could have produced banging web-edits on the regular in your prime? Do you think that the new breed could put together a full-length part as opposed to the quick edits or is that a thing of the past?

I always hated long video parts, so web edits are better to watch. To me web edits would be more fun and less stressful. I might could have made a few decent ones. These kids are real good now I am sure they could put a full-length part together no problem.

5. If someone handed you a Shaman with a freecoaster, 4-inch pegs and six-piece bars, how many whiplashes could you do?

I did 11 once. Probably 3 or 4. That’s funny you ask that. I have been wanting to put a flatland bike back together for a while now. I think you just inspired me bro.

Thanks to Stephen Horrocks for the interview!

Jumpin’ Dubs

Anytime I’ve seen Jack Hartje ride, he’s either pulling something huge or eating total shit. nofucksgiven!

Dead Reckoning

Going to a funeral is easily one of the creepiest experiences any of us will ever have to go through. I’ve never been able to understand what sort of comfort a family member or friend would get upon viewing the lifeless remains of a former companion, cold and clammy, stuffed in a fancy box before meeting its final destination, six feet under in a random countryside plot. However, if I had to choose a lasting mental image for my survivors to carry with them for the rest of their lives, being perched upon a sportbike beats the alternative.

From The Web

My buddy Stephen runs a blog called Unskilled Labor out of Knoxville, TN. Stephen is a BMX rad dad, helping document his local scene while raising a family of 4 kids & working full-time. He sent in a shot of Tim Lewis from a local birthday jam at the trails:

I’m outta the contest!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDed_JQ8_kg

The fact that most of this was shot at the last Brawlin’ at the Belmar is stunning and confusing. Is this a step up or down from Rad? You be the judge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyW9864AXVk