Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Not Dead Yet
So for whatever reason the creative juices haven't been flowing so much...Or I just haven't felt like i had much to say lately. I plan to get back to the blog this month and do at least a monthly update and so on. Just happy to be healthy and skating a bunch this summer. Thanks for hangin' in there.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A True Legend
Matt Hensley will be honored with the 2010 TWS Legend Award at the 12th Annual TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards show June 15th in Hollywood. Hensley, most widely known for his accordion playing with the Celtic punk band Flogging Molly, will be honored for his many accomplishments in skateboarding over the years.
Congratulations Mr. Hensley
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Building on a theme
The Post Dispatch gets on board with another article on Skateboarding, that makes two this year. Hopefully all of the positive press and attitudes will open up some good things for a new DIY spot that we can plan on having forever. I admire all those who have decided to take things in there own hands. Keep Building!
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/6752CB89AD9ACDC78625772A007CBF98?OpenDocument
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/6752CB89AD9ACDC78625772A007CBF98?OpenDocument
Friday, May 21, 2010
Under The Bridge
A nicely done piece of video on the local St. Louis DIY spot. Living so close to this spot, it's always fun to take a ride over and see whats new and watch the young guns ripping. It's refreshing to see the city embrace a project like this. The hope is that the once the bridge is torn down, the city will be on board to give us a nice spot under a bridge to start over bigger and better.
Friday, April 30, 2010
THESE SKATEBOARD SUPERSTARS AREN'T JUST POPULAR…
Editors Notes~
I couldn't resist re-posting this little piece i found written out on the web. I gotta admit way to much of it is spot on to be ignored. So please enjoy... I can't remember where it was I found it so sorry for the lack of credits. Enjoy, The Feeble Knee
When you're popular, chances are there are just as many people out there in the world who absolutely hate your fuckin' guts. No, these skaters have something much more than plain popularity. Their fame is perpetual, multi-generational, and embraced by their peers and the kids alike. In other words, these skaters are loved. All 15 of 'em.
Neil Blender~
Crazy cartoon dogs, cryptic utterances and exquisite trick selection have made this seldom-seen park-era pro the hottest shit on eBay since Beanie Babies. Goes to show you don't have to be friendly or up in everyone's grill to be loved.
Lance Mountain~
The first hero of the video age, Lance was the anti-jock ripper all the misfits in the Midwest could look up to. He's also one of the few '80s heroes whose reputation (or frontals) haven't soured significantly in his "legend" years.
Mark Gonzales~
Slap's Mark Whiteley has written over 60,000 words describing this man's greatness in 2004 alone. He's quite simply the most revered and worshiped dude to ever step on a stuntwood. It's not the list of tricks he's done, but how he did them.
Geoff Rowley~
Everyone likes the little guy, especially when he consistently puts himself in the fire and comes out unsinged. Tough as nails, crazy as a fox and ready for more.
Lee Ralph~
This Grizzly Adams stormed American vert skating in the 1980s, invented 10 or so tricks (many with his shoes off), and then disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived. People have been talking about it ever since.
Jason Jessee~
In Streets on Fire Jessee told us he "liked to fall on his face," and his head-high methods to fakie proved he wasn't just whistling Dixie. Retiring early, his overt weirdness and strange TV and film appearances have kept the legions intrigued
Jeff Kelch~
All who met Big Dirt were infected with second-hand coolness. He might swipe your girl, sell you a cracked board or sip from your drink, but with Fonz-like charisma it was almost a blessing if you were on the shit end of any of the above.
Matt Hensley~
Got an entire generation to shave their heads and buy chain wallets. Retired at his peak, though his subsequent comebacks have lasted longer than his initial run.
Eric Koston~
When you're the best and everyone wants your attention it's easy to be jaded and grumpy. Frosty is neither.
Ray Barbee~
All smiles and magic feet. Everybody loves Raymond. A remarkably deep bag of tricks with casual smoothness.
Ed Templeton~
A major propellant of the modern street era and DIY white trash artist gone big time, Ed's done it his way throughout skating's ups and downs. He also inspired a generation of skaters to scribble down their dreams and get their dicks out.
Time Gavin~
So much fun, no one even noticed he stop skating three years before his model got pulled. Today this bloated barbarian signs checks and buys the rounds after laughing all the way into a six-figure income as president the DVS empire.
John Cardiel~
Pure power, cat-like craziness and a peerless positivity, Cards is the skater that we all wish we were half of. He's earned across-the-board respect.
Phil Shao~
He could do whatever he wanted and didn't care if anyone knew it. He was a pure skate. We miss you, Phil.
Jeff Grosso~
His Madonnas and graphics are so good you'll forgive him for stealing your VCR to score smack.
5 MOST LOVE-STARVED SKATERS
Simon Woodstock~
The Gallagher of skating, Woodstock drove his early-'90s peers insane with his costumes and prop comedy. His antics earned him a shoe on Vans, his own company, and a record deal before an (inevitable) crash into born-again Christianity.
Josh Kasper~
What do you call someone who invents his own fan club and pays out of his pocket to get flown into demos by helicopter? Well, whatever it is, it ain't good.
Nate Sherwood~
P-flipping savant, Sherwood accosts everyone in his grasp and calls magazine editors to let them know they've hurt his feelings. Sorry, Nate
I couldn't resist re-posting this little piece i found written out on the web. I gotta admit way to much of it is spot on to be ignored. So please enjoy... I can't remember where it was I found it so sorry for the lack of credits. Enjoy, The Feeble Knee
When you're popular, chances are there are just as many people out there in the world who absolutely hate your fuckin' guts. No, these skaters have something much more than plain popularity. Their fame is perpetual, multi-generational, and embraced by their peers and the kids alike. In other words, these skaters are loved. All 15 of 'em.
Neil Blender~
Crazy cartoon dogs, cryptic utterances and exquisite trick selection have made this seldom-seen park-era pro the hottest shit on eBay since Beanie Babies. Goes to show you don't have to be friendly or up in everyone's grill to be loved.
Lance Mountain~
The first hero of the video age, Lance was the anti-jock ripper all the misfits in the Midwest could look up to. He's also one of the few '80s heroes whose reputation (or frontals) haven't soured significantly in his "legend" years.
Mark Gonzales~
Slap's Mark Whiteley has written over 60,000 words describing this man's greatness in 2004 alone. He's quite simply the most revered and worshiped dude to ever step on a stuntwood. It's not the list of tricks he's done, but how he did them.
Geoff Rowley~
Everyone likes the little guy, especially when he consistently puts himself in the fire and comes out unsinged. Tough as nails, crazy as a fox and ready for more.
Lee Ralph~
This Grizzly Adams stormed American vert skating in the 1980s, invented 10 or so tricks (many with his shoes off), and then disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived. People have been talking about it ever since.
Jason Jessee~
In Streets on Fire Jessee told us he "liked to fall on his face," and his head-high methods to fakie proved he wasn't just whistling Dixie. Retiring early, his overt weirdness and strange TV and film appearances have kept the legions intrigued
Jeff Kelch~
All who met Big Dirt were infected with second-hand coolness. He might swipe your girl, sell you a cracked board or sip from your drink, but with Fonz-like charisma it was almost a blessing if you were on the shit end of any of the above.
Matt Hensley~
Got an entire generation to shave their heads and buy chain wallets. Retired at his peak, though his subsequent comebacks have lasted longer than his initial run.
Eric Koston~
When you're the best and everyone wants your attention it's easy to be jaded and grumpy. Frosty is neither.
Ray Barbee~
All smiles and magic feet. Everybody loves Raymond. A remarkably deep bag of tricks with casual smoothness.
Ed Templeton~
A major propellant of the modern street era and DIY white trash artist gone big time, Ed's done it his way throughout skating's ups and downs. He also inspired a generation of skaters to scribble down their dreams and get their dicks out.
Time Gavin~
So much fun, no one even noticed he stop skating three years before his model got pulled. Today this bloated barbarian signs checks and buys the rounds after laughing all the way into a six-figure income as president the DVS empire.
John Cardiel~
Pure power, cat-like craziness and a peerless positivity, Cards is the skater that we all wish we were half of. He's earned across-the-board respect.
Phil Shao~
He could do whatever he wanted and didn't care if anyone knew it. He was a pure skate. We miss you, Phil.
Jeff Grosso~
His Madonnas and graphics are so good you'll forgive him for stealing your VCR to score smack.
5 MOST LOVE-STARVED SKATERS
Simon Woodstock~
The Gallagher of skating, Woodstock drove his early-'90s peers insane with his costumes and prop comedy. His antics earned him a shoe on Vans, his own company, and a record deal before an (inevitable) crash into born-again Christianity.
Josh Kasper~
What do you call someone who invents his own fan club and pays out of his pocket to get flown into demos by helicopter? Well, whatever it is, it ain't good.
Nate Sherwood~
P-flipping savant, Sherwood accosts everyone in his grasp and calls magazine editors to let them know they've hurt his feelings. Sorry, Nate
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A true heart and a kind soul....
Since 1986 Mike Vallely has been an inspiration and hero of mine. I can't think of any one pro skateboarder that hits the nail one the head of what "skateboarding" is and should be about. He skates from his heart and isn't afraid to speak his mind of the industry that supports him. A true revolutionary in a time when the status quo is to fall in line and pick up your check. His skating speaks for itself, his music and poetry speak volumes about the man and his beliefs. I'm happy to have been able to see him skate in person and shake his hand when I was a busted up sixteen year old kid from the midwest. Thanks "Jersey Mike" for caring about the soul of skating...
Friday, April 2, 2010
Old Man Skate Cartel on the road
For a few days in May I'll be hitting the road with a few Old Man Cartel members to check out some of the mid-west finest concrete. It looks to be a great string of parks and some amazing places to check out. Have a look for yourself...
Concrete Wave Country ~ Nashville TN
Did I mention it has a Cradle?
Skate Park of Bowling Green ~ Bowling Green KY
Louisville Extreme Park ~ Louisville KY
The closest thing to riding the Upland Pipeline I'll ever get to skate.
Concrete Wave Country ~ Nashville TN
Did I mention it has a Cradle?
Skate Park of Bowling Green ~ Bowling Green KY
Louisville Extreme Park ~ Louisville KY
The closest thing to riding the Upland Pipeline I'll ever get to skate.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Deckades Skateboard Exhibition
This is simply to awesome not to post, the collection of original decks available for this show is just obscene. England's Shiner Distribution is opening up their vaults and having a putting together a show, featuring some 200 classic boards. The rumor is that they kept at least one of every deck that ever went through there building. That seems almost unheard of, but for guys like me it's amazing that someone had the forethought to do it. The video posted is a walk down memory lane and a warm glimpse back at my childhood.
Deckades skateboard exhibition trailer from howies on Vimeo.
The show is running for a month at Howies in Bristol. Opening day is Saturday, April 17th.This is a sneak preview trailer for a one off exhibition of 3 deckades of skateboard art that howies and Shiners Distribution are curating at howies 62 Queens Road store in Bristol running from April 17th. Chris Allen of Shiner has kindly agreed to let us have access to their whole archive of decks. We’ve chosen over 200 favorites which will be on show for a month. With boards from every deckade that Shiners have been distributing the biggest names in skateboarding to the british public it will be a treat for any skateboard fan and graphic freak .
Deckades skateboard exhibition trailer from howies on Vimeo.
The show is running for a month at Howies in Bristol. Opening day is Saturday, April 17th.This is a sneak preview trailer for a one off exhibition of 3 deckades of skateboard art that howies and Shiners Distribution are curating at howies 62 Queens Road store in Bristol running from April 17th. Chris Allen of Shiner has kindly agreed to let us have access to their whole archive of decks. We’ve chosen over 200 favorites which will be on show for a month. With boards from every deckade that Shiners have been distributing the biggest names in skateboarding to the british public it will be a treat for any skateboard fan and graphic freak .
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Handshakes and Smiles
It’s no surprise to anyone that knows me very well that I have a fondness for nostalgia and things from my past. I have always been a collector and tend archive memories. I enjoy having pieces of my own history and being able to look at them years down the line. Coming back to skateboarding has got me to open many old boxes and look at where it is I’ve come from. One thing I have noticed by looking thru those many photographs and clippings is how accessible the heroes in my life have been. I’ve been able to meet punk rock icons like Ian MacKaye and Henry Rollins..skateboard legends like Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain and Mike Vallely.
Today I had the chance to meet another one of my heroes, granted it did take a little coaxing from Beth to get me out the door to go. So at 4:30 we set off for the Delmar Loop and Vintage Vinyl. Flogging Molly were set to do an in-store signing before tonight’s show at The Pageant. So there I was standing with hipster teens and twenty something’s waiting for the band to arrive…My ‘Hokus Pokus’ DVD in hand I lined up.
To some, the guy with the accordion is just one of the many members of the band. To me he will always be an OG member of the H-Street Skateboards team. Matt Hensley was one of the many young gun skaters that legitimized street skating in the late 80’s early 90’s. His video segments in ‘Shackle me not’ and ‘Hokus Pokus’ were studied by myself and my friends for hours. His mastery of the ‘No Comply’ is still something to behold. To be honest I bought my first pair of Doc Martin’s because of Matt had done for a wheel ad that Matt had done. Heck, he is also the main reason behind my decision to pick up a chain wallet as a 15yr old, something I still use today. So getting a chance to say thanks for the inspiration seemed fitting.
As I approached the end of the line I decided to bypass a few of the fellas and walk straight over to Hensley. I walked over extended my DVD and said “I’m not sure if the get to sign these much but…” He stopped and immediately stuck out his hand and gave a firm handshake and said “no, not very often” and smiled. He almost seemed taken back a bit and humbled. I told him thanks and he signed my DVD as Beth snapped a few pics. I’m sure I had a smile ear to ear, he smiled and gave me another hand shake as he thanked me again for bringing it by. I know it’s a silly thing to get a handshake and autograph… But it sure made me feel like a kid again and that’s worth it’s weight in gold some days. Thanks to Matt for being so humble, gracious and an inspiration.
Today I had the chance to meet another one of my heroes, granted it did take a little coaxing from Beth to get me out the door to go. So at 4:30 we set off for the Delmar Loop and Vintage Vinyl. Flogging Molly were set to do an in-store signing before tonight’s show at The Pageant. So there I was standing with hipster teens and twenty something’s waiting for the band to arrive…My ‘Hokus Pokus’ DVD in hand I lined up.
To some, the guy with the accordion is just one of the many members of the band. To me he will always be an OG member of the H-Street Skateboards team. Matt Hensley was one of the many young gun skaters that legitimized street skating in the late 80’s early 90’s. His video segments in ‘Shackle me not’ and ‘Hokus Pokus’ were studied by myself and my friends for hours. His mastery of the ‘No Comply’ is still something to behold. To be honest I bought my first pair of Doc Martin’s because of Matt had done for a wheel ad that Matt had done. Heck, he is also the main reason behind my decision to pick up a chain wallet as a 15yr old, something I still use today. So getting a chance to say thanks for the inspiration seemed fitting.
As I approached the end of the line I decided to bypass a few of the fellas and walk straight over to Hensley. I walked over extended my DVD and said “I’m not sure if the get to sign these much but…” He stopped and immediately stuck out his hand and gave a firm handshake and said “no, not very often” and smiled. He almost seemed taken back a bit and humbled. I told him thanks and he signed my DVD as Beth snapped a few pics. I’m sure I had a smile ear to ear, he smiled and gave me another hand shake as he thanked me again for bringing it by. I know it’s a silly thing to get a handshake and autograph… But it sure made me feel like a kid again and that’s worth it’s weight in gold some days. Thanks to Matt for being so humble, gracious and an inspiration.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Another Z-Boy gone...
"Not only did you have to skate, but you had to have the attitude, too." - BOB BINIAK
The legendary Z-Boys may be the most influential group of skaters to ever set foot on boards... Without them the birth of vertical and pool skating may have come along but it wouldn't have been as rebelious or dangerous. The Z-Boy attitude and style still shows in today's skaters, guys like Jason Adams, Navertte and many others bring an attitude and style born in the mean streets of Dogtown. This week marks the passing of Bob Biniak a Venice original and OG Zepher Skate Team member. A true original and aggressive rider bar none, Rest In Peace...
BOB BINIAK R.I.P. - Original Z-Boy, Bob "The Bullet" Biniak, suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday and passed away on February 25, 2010 at 12:51 EST. Biniak charged at everything he did in life, from bombing down hills at 63mph to scaling full pipes in the desert to attacking Dog Bowl pool coping with a passion. Faster than a speeding bullet, Biniak pushed the boundaries of what was possible early on in the formative years of skateboarding. As one of the most competitive skaters of the early '70s, Biniak left you with no choice but to bring your best to every session. His energy and enthusiasm impacted people all over the world, and he provoked the fun in every moment. For those who had the privilege to share in his company, you will remember how quick he was with a joke and how he kept you smiling even afer he left the room. His legacy in this world survives through his wife and daughter. He'll be much missed by many. Rest in Peace, Biniak.
(re-posted from JUICE Magazine.com)
The legendary Z-Boys may be the most influential group of skaters to ever set foot on boards... Without them the birth of vertical and pool skating may have come along but it wouldn't have been as rebelious or dangerous. The Z-Boy attitude and style still shows in today's skaters, guys like Jason Adams, Navertte and many others bring an attitude and style born in the mean streets of Dogtown. This week marks the passing of Bob Biniak a Venice original and OG Zepher Skate Team member. A true original and aggressive rider bar none, Rest In Peace...
BOB BINIAK R.I.P. - Original Z-Boy, Bob "The Bullet" Biniak, suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday and passed away on February 25, 2010 at 12:51 EST. Biniak charged at everything he did in life, from bombing down hills at 63mph to scaling full pipes in the desert to attacking Dog Bowl pool coping with a passion. Faster than a speeding bullet, Biniak pushed the boundaries of what was possible early on in the formative years of skateboarding. As one of the most competitive skaters of the early '70s, Biniak left you with no choice but to bring your best to every session. His energy and enthusiasm impacted people all over the world, and he provoked the fun in every moment. For those who had the privilege to share in his company, you will remember how quick he was with a joke and how he kept you smiling even afer he left the room. His legacy in this world survives through his wife and daughter. He'll be much missed by many. Rest in Peace, Biniak.
(re-posted from JUICE Magazine.com)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
What’s this feeble knee thing all about?
For my thirty fifth birthday I decided to revisit a part of my youth that had a profound effect on the rest of my life. The Skateboard… It’s been a nine month journey so far and I’m having a great time rejoining the skateboard army. I decided it was time to chronicle my journey and my love of the skateboard and it's culture.
Feeble - In this maneuver, the back truck grinds a rail while the front truck hangs over the rail's far side. Likely invented by Steve Douglas around 1988.
Knee - Joint that connects the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations; one between the femur and tibia and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest and most complicated joint in the human body
Feeble - In this maneuver, the back truck grinds a rail while the front truck hangs over the rail's far side. Likely invented by Steve Douglas around 1988.
Knee - Joint that connects the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations; one between the femur and tibia and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest and most complicated joint in the human body
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