It’s amazing how unsophisticated skateboard graphics were in the early 80’s when companies first started to explore designs that were more than just a small logo on the bottom. Believe it or not, some people are going to be pissed off that I posted this picture of a rare old Neil Blender deck that is currently up for auction on eBay. They will say that we are somehow affecting the outcome of the final price, blah blah blah. I’m just using it as an excuse to embed a few Neil Blender videos from YouTube. Notice there is no link to the auction. I don’t want to encourage any (more) of the “Hey, check out my auction!” emails that we already get. After you are done watching these videos, head on over to Neil’s official web site The Heated Wheel.
Neil Blender on YouTube
This is by no means an exhaustive listing, just the first couple that popped up. Give me a break, I have to do some work you know.
Starting off with a bang, here’s some infamous spray painting street style contest footage from a Vision video covering something that I can’t be bothered to look up the details on. If you think my laziness is bad, the person who posted this video made the transfer to “digital” by pointing a camera at the TV. Classic.
Below: 1985 Great Desert Ramp Battle footage from an NSI video. Although this poster didn’t point a camera at a TV, you still get to see him go through the onscreen menus for the VCR to turn off the counter while the program plays. Great voiceover too.
Below: Assorted Neil Blender footage from Powell’s Ban This. I think Neil holds the record for most appearances in videos made by a company other than his sponsor. He was a regular bit character in the old Powell vids.
Below: Neil in the NHS Speed Freaks video. Bonus Sadlands footage!
11 comments
Kevin P
Anybody remember his G&S board w/the mannequin/puppet thing falling off a grid type building thing, my first real board and I can’t find images anywhere.
Grant Phillips
I skated in O.C. Md in 88′ or 89′ with Neil Blender in a pretty big session on vert. He style stood out from the rest. 3D handplants stalled forever asking for coffee break,lo backside laybacks2tail covering 32ft of ramp. When he skated you didn’t know what was next. One of the most underated skaters, I think people were always looking for big air, they didn’t realize the difficulty in his tricks.
kimberly
hey guys wats up???
neil blender is the coolest guy in the world and also happens to be my cousin. how awesome is that.. just wanted to show come love to the greatest man alive..
keep on skatin cuz!!
Mike Decamp
Speed Freaks! – burp!
So classic.
Abusing the norm.
tar babies
So much good skating
🙂
brad
…wasn’t the Great Desert Ramp Battle in ’83 or ’84?
Troy in Halifax, NS
Neil Blender was and is such an influence. Creative, funny, smooth, original. Every time I do a Lein to tail I think of neiL. Post more footage, please.
houseofneil
the graffiti one is from the Streetsyle at Tempe video.
oldfatjeff
Wooly Mammoth! the no-comply, general weirdness. We owe these things to Neil. Rocking Dog. Classic.
moe29
Lien Air.
…looks good on the ole resemae.
Mac
Donner Party!
nweyesk8
i always liked neil blender’s style. he could make some of the weirdest things look super smooth.