Skatepunk

Well, it's already the 24th and I haven't written in this thing all month. There've been some other things added and fixed on the site, some new links, to Sessions, and to Britt Parrot's M.E.S.S. (that's Mid-Eastern Skateboard Series) site, and the Sten Guns micro-site, and we're working behind the scenes on a couple other things, too. Between that and skating, playing music, traveling, and other stuff it's been hard to make big strides, but I'm getting there!

First, congratulations and good luck to Phil Esbenshade, the notorious Phil E., who had his first born a few short weeks ago. Although a conversation about names ensued, "Max" won out over "Sweeper." Good job, Phil! Get some sleep!

Same for Terrin from Boilermaker, whose wife just had a baby! Don't know the details--or even if it's a boy or a girl-- but congratulations, Terrin! Good job!

Sten Guns are playing with Powerflex 5, The Hunns, and the Faction at the Transworld Skateboarding twenty year anniversary party. Should be a lot of fun, but probably pretty nerve-wracking, too. And of course, all of this is contingent upon Lance Jr. getting his grades up! No music unless he gets a C Minus on the next progress report. We should be called C Minus.

Anyone care to start a pool on who will be Thrasher's Skater Of The Year?

Independent Trucks is doing a coffee table type book which should be out towards the end of next year. With the history of Independent Trucks and pretty much every good skater ever (except T. Hawk) being part of Indy at some point, expect good things.

I have to write once again about how good the Locust is live. Although last night's show wasn't as spectacularly funny as some of the other shows I've seen recently, they are always so tight and on that it's frustrating, as a guy who wants to be that good. It must be hard for them to constantly top themselves, but they always do. And (International) Noise Conspiracy was great, too, although they definitely suffered from poor house sound at the Glass House. It got better a few songs into the set, and then stayed there, not sounding too good, especially when the second guitar player was playing, as opposed to when she played keyboards. But they wowed the crowd anyway, and it was pretty amazing.

The new Digital Video is out, and Mark Appleyard has another amazing part. To think it's all stuff that was either not used in the Flip video or filmed since is to realize that Appleyard is definitely prolific, even at 19. Whew...

Found a good new guitar store near the house, which is always nice--don't have to go to Guitar Center anymore! It's called Rockit Music, it's in Brea right off Imperial Highway, and it's a good shop! Lots of good Gibsons and Fenders, a decent selection of amps, really good prices, and they're willing to order anything. Plus, no Guitar Center hassles with depressed failed rockstars. (Although, I do have to admit, that the people at the Brea Guitar Center are the best staff of any GC I've ever been to. Nice, actually helpful, and mostly without attitude. The girl Kelly at the door is hot, too! Was that sexist?)

One more thing to add: certain people just make me feel so proud to be part of whatever this little scene is. People who are nice, warm, and just full of goodness, doing kind things for others. Sometimes I get warm and fuzzy all over, and it makes me want to be that way to others. Niceness is contagious. Try it sometime.

The city of Upland built a park for SAlba. It's got a perfect halfpipe, fullpipe, and bowl, along with a completely sub-par street area. But don't go there for the street course--the full pipe and bowl were designed by Steve Alba and are amazing. Well worth the visit. Skate the fullpipe, kiddies!

There's also a really good street park in Asuza that is worth skating--lots of ledges, stairs, banks, and rails. Definitely worth checking out, even if there's not a lot of tranny.

Babies, Indy, The Locust, etc Check Out