Bloggables
I Am A Motherf***er
No that’s not the name of the next FBM video, but it could be. This is the story of Thomas Bruso also known as Epic Beard Man “whose belligerence has become a worldwide phenomenon”. I thought most bmxers would get a kick out of this guy. Seen on buzzfeed.com. I love crazy people.
Hydro-form Sculpture
Huge metal pillows? Art Work created by “Hippie” of the Hell’s Satans Moped Gang…
Sasquatches, Lumberjacks, and Legends
Dusty Afternoons from jackson allen on Vimeo.
No epic pans and zooms, no instrumental “jams”, just sweet trail riding from Dusty Sampson in the seemingly healthy riding scene that is Santa Cruz, California. Jackson Allen threw this one together and I’m psyched to see what else he has in store for the BMX internet world. To see more from this scene and one of the most consistently updated sites on the web visit Sasquatch Canyon.
And speaking of legends like Sasquatch, when I googled Chris Eimen’s name a recent comment on The Come Up was the first thing to, well, come up. I must say it’s a very “legend” comment to make, if it was in fact him. Chris Eimen, along with other Seattle BMXers, were featured heavily in the Jan/Feb 1998 issue of SNAP Magazine.
Also riding those Seattle trails in the same issue was the Lumberjack himself, Mr. Gary Ellis who had a great interview in that issue. The Lumberjack surprised many with photos of him 360ing doubles and performing other jumping variations. If I recall correctly he was wearing flannel. I can’t recall if this was post mullet days.
Here, Gary Ellis proves he is actually a Lumberjack with his apparent affinity for wood. We also see that BMX Media men were just as awkward then as they are now. Except replace sweaters and scarfs with neon tee shirts from ironic USA tourist traps. The best Holeshot of the week indeed.
Dubs On Film
A new resource for video nerds (like me) just popped on the interwebz: The BMX Movie Database. Anyone can register & add their favorite videos to the site, and even upload sections if approved by the filmmaker. High zoot action…
Eric Holladay- rail ride
Eric Holladay, huge rail ride, filming for an upcoming Voice BMX promo.
Secret Treaties
I just found a copy of “Secret Treaties” by Blue Oyster Cult that I didn’t even know I owned. Someone, presumably me, paid a buck for it at a local record store. That for me is one of the best reasons to own a turntable-getting shit on the cheap, and in such mass quantity that it might take years for my ears to catch up. I was so moved by my discovery that I smoked some resin that I stole from my band’s practice space(sorry bros!) through a 7/32″ deep well socket and put this bitch on.
You might know Blue Oyster Cult from the songs that get lots of classic rock radio play, namely “Don’t Fear the Reaper”, “Godzilla”, and “Burnin’ for You”. As is usually the case, rock radio left out all the good stuff. There is a lot more to this band than those songs, so let me tell you a little about “Secret Treaties”.
This is the third record from B.O.C, released in 1974. My favorite part of any record these guys have done are the song titles, and “Secret Treaties” certainly has that covered. The opening track, co-written with Patti Smith is called “Career of Evil”., and the winners just keep coming with “Subhuman”, and “Dominance and Submission”. Side Two has the highlight for me, a song fearlessly titled “Harvester of Eyes” that I would also consider to be the most “B.O.C.” sounding track on the album. On that topic, let me get into what that sound sounds like.
I hesitate to use the term protometal, mostly because it reveals how much of a music dork I am, but it is rather accurate. There are loads of great riffs with great guitar tones, lyrics leaning so heavily on fantasy that it makes you want to paint a Frank Frazetta on a van you don’t even have, and enough self-awareness to not take it too seriously. And let’s not forget, this slab only set me back a mere dollar, and I’m saying big win on this one.
Go buy some cheap records! -Matt Conner
MIssion of Burma
Hailing from Boston, and playing what’s described as “post punk” since 1979, Mission of Burma’s current tour, of University rec rooms, and small venues, packs in a nice mix of young music fans, and middle age fans that haven’t seen them in 25- 30 years.
The sound at a show this weekend was amazing, filled with timeless energy, and tape loops,transcending 3 generations of indie critics, fans and wierdos.
Check out Michael Azerrad’s account of the the post punk era, from 81- 91 in “Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground”, a great read for music fans.
Hangin’ Tuff
I swear I’m not going to keep posting a bunch of recycled old school news, the New Kids probably don’t give a damn, but nobody else is posting anything today so what the hell. I was trying to explain what old freestyle contests looked like to my friend after he had no clue what was going on in this Josh White photo and I found this video of Carlo Griggs going freaky high (at :18 seconds) with Skyway Tuff Wheels no doubt. We both thought it was the highest air we’ve ever seen on an 8′ quarterpipe. I’d love to see any footage of anybody going higher if it exists.
Hicks in Action!
While I genuinely try to not put anything on a pedestal, I make an exception for the DIRT BROTHERS. Tabletops, ditches, concrete, ramps, backyards, pools, Santee, San Diego, Pelican Banks, burritos, Tijuana skatepark, fuck it, anything that’s cool, the Dirt Bros. have done. So why not join their page on Facebook. I know the Dirt Brothers go together with Facebook about as good as Jimmy Levan and Huffy but last I heard we’re in the digital age. Might as well embrace it. ALL HAIL DBI!
Dirt Bros 1988 – 1994 Highlights from Dirt Brothers on Vimeo.
Daniel Higgs
St David’s Episcopal Church. Austin, TX. February 6th 2010.
Filmed By Sandy Carson
