So I got the flu on the way to Tim O'Connor's roast on Wednesday. Hoping to have an uncensored version of that thing for you soon. Anyway, I didn't do shit at ASR but cold sweat in hotel rooms and film Lord of the Lines (mostly Bobby Worrest for éS) with a pocket cam. Boo fuckin' hoo. It was actually quite liberating to watch a contest with my actual eyes for once instead of a through a viewfinder of sorts.
I mostly shot photos... so they are coming soon. This is all you get from Tampa Am '08 on the video front. Featuring Chris Gregson, Taylor Smith, Chazz Ortiz and Theotis Beasley.
I never thought I'd see a combo Neil Blender/Ryan Sheckler tribute/diss in a single circumstance, but in skateboarding, I suppose anything's possible. In a time when every kid is stock as fuck, Ben Raybourn rips.
Caswell Berry
By Rob Brink The Skateboard Mag February 2008
Apart from his obvious prowess on a skateboard, Caswell Berry's got an amazing ability to take a good honest look at himself and others to figure out what makes things tick. With every candid confession he made to me, a near complete stranger, during this interview, I seemingly didn't have any qualms about revealing something equally personal in return. And it lead me to believe that perhaps Caswell's greatest gift is the ability to help us all embrace our inner weirdness and just put it all out there shamelessly for others to enjoy. After all, that's what makes us us, instead of them, right?
Put simply. Caswell Berry is most likely a mental case. A wise one at that. Refreshingly, he doesn't particularly care to hide it.
What do you hate about interviews?
I tend to be contradicting and redundant and kind of, the worst. Always, you know what I mean? So whenever I'm trying to prove a point it just basically turns into this weird circle of a conversation that wraps around doesn't go anywhere and fades away or something. You know, it's hard to stay on topic. It's really hard just to like… I dunno. That's about it.
This guy just flat-out blew it. Sat there like a moron while Bob Dylan ass raped him. And he was from Time magazine no less. Regardless, Dylan spewed gold for six-and-a-half minutes at his expense and the outcome was amazing. Maybe not for the Time article... but for us at least.
Jena Malone...
And her Orgy of Talents
By Rob Brink
Missbehave January 2008
Much of what you've heard about Jena Malone is super five minutes ago. Yes, she was raised in and out of trailer parks by her mother and her mother's girlfriend. Yep, she then emancipated herself from moms and barely started high school before never going back. Sure, she was in the infamous Donnie Darko. Absolutely, she killed her role in Saved. And, she made out with Hayden Christensen onscreen in Life as a House and you didn't. Talking about all this old stuff is played.
Be up on the new shit, would ya? These days, Jena lives in Tahoe creating art, making music with her band, Jena Malone and Her bloodstains, and working with superDILFy Sean Penn. She's also recently discovered that being pretty doesn't mean people think you're boring, what being a woman actually means, and why being typecast as the weird cutter chick who lives in the bell jar is maybe the happiest thing in the world.
Festivus: Volcom's Damn Am '07
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag February 2008
Right behind Tampa Am and Phoenix Am, respectively, Volcom's Damn Am in Costa Mesa seems to be the other Am contest to attend every year. And rightfully so. Who doesn't love seeing all the up-and-comers going for the gusto and caveman bomb dropping off RVs into banks while "Party Tents" are being destroyed and classic heavy metal music is played and whatnot?
Yet, contrary to the others, Damn Am somehow manages a smaller, hometown contest feel and charm. It's never overly crowded or hyped or dramatic. There's no fighting for a spot to film or shoot or see from—in fact, there are actually folding chairs to sit in. Volcom even sets up a little street course for non-competitors to skate at and an inflatable jumping ring for the kiddies to play in. Not to mention free barbecues and giveaways from the sponsors. So accommodating! The scene is mellow and friendly and inviting.