In keeping with the head/skull theme of the last three posts, here’s a pic of the “Grateful Shred” Matix tour poster. Uggh. Johnny Rotten said “Never trust a hippie” and the Didjits have a song called “One Dead Hippie.” What else is there to say besides we’re grateful Jerry’s dead.

As you may recall, there was just too much to make fun of in one single post, so I bring you part two of the FU Boards saga. Aside from marketing plastic skateboards, somebody apparently did a little market research because some of the their tactics are incredibly on the mark.

This late 2004 press release is old news but I can’t find the NHS press release from June of this year online. Basically, NHS is supposed to distribute new exclusive skateboard helmets, including a new Tony Hawk signature model that was promised way back in 2004. Let’s hpe it looks like the one onthe far right. I don’t have a pproblem with Bell Helmets making a skateboard helmet. They’ve been making them for motorcycles for years. If you are going to wear one, you might as well pick one that works.

PD’s Hot Shop, Canada’s oldest skateboard shop and home to Skull Skates celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Famous for not following industry trends, they have released version two of their beach cruiser bike which, near as I can tell, doesn’t look any different from version one… Anyway, if Santa Cruz can do it, why can’t Skull?

Remember Santa Cruz’s ill-fated foam core decks? After they sat on the shelf for months, our local shop basically sold them for the cost of Naked Decks to get rid of them. Let’s go back to the future. Somehow I ended up on the CCS email list. I don’t know how or why. I’ve never bought anything from them. I save all the catalogs becasue I like the pretty pictures of all the skateboard graphics. They even got me on email. The newest email is all about Hi-Tech Decks. Since I’m still waiting for that scan of the Wheelieboard I need to amuse myself with current wacky skateboard technology instead of retro chic. Besides, I’m gunning for a Gizmodo.com comments invite. They have a skateboard category for crying out loud.

V-DAY features rare and never released footage of Santa Cruz Veterans Tom Knox, Eric Dressen, Jason Jessee and Keith Meek from then and now with guest interviews and footage from Geoff Rowley, Jim Gagne, Donny Barley, Alan Losi, Brain Lotti and more. Include a bonus Soundtrack CD featuring Cacti Widders (Tom Knox on drums), The Highway Murderers owned by Jason Jessee, The Adolescents, The Rabies, Excel and others to make this a must for every skate movie Collectors Library. Hey, what about other notable veterans such as, oh I don’t know, Natas, Jeff Kendall, Roskopp, Salba, Olson, etc..? I guess they don’t have new models out, but the first three are still working for or with NHS in some capacity, if our sources are correct. Press release makes it seem like the video is done, but the trailer says it’s coming out this fall. Hey NHS! How about floating us a review copy? The rent’s not gonna pay itself.

plus more skaters on the red bull ramp 2 days before summer x games. crazy access. crazy photos. plus there are some photos in the site of ryan sheckler partying with lil jon at the oakley party. the photos are free so enjoy. just mention the site. thanks and enjoy. And that’s not an excerpt. It’s the entire email. Crazy Access! Crazy photos! Ryan Sheckler partying! Nuff said. If you are into it, there are some pictures of a practice session on a big vert ramp complete with another Steve Steadham sighting. And lots of pictures of drunk people at promotional parties. Oh yeah, I’d like to mention a web site named Everythingtoeveryone.com

The Slasher has a new model on the Santa Cruz Veterans Division. I guess they are going to stick with it after all. Looks like a good shape, though the graphic certainly reminds one of a certain Rick “Spidey” DeMontronde board. See them both after the jump. The press release also mentions an upcoming SantaCruz video titled V-Day “which traces the influence and contributions of Santa Cruz Vets Eric Dressen, Tom Knox, Jason Jessee to the skateboarding community.” Meek’s web page & bio is still M.I.A. from the Santa Cruz Skateboards web site.