Team Pain recently broke ground on a new concrete skatepark in Steamboat Springs. They are moving fast, and they have to because they could see snow in October, even at lower elevations. I lived in Steamboat for a couple years in early 90’s. One of my fondest memories was arriving there on Halloween, just in time for a party out in the country somewhere, probably Stagecoach or something. At the party there was a barn with a miniramp. One of the guys skating had shaved his entire body (eyebrows too) and was wearing full bondage gear with a codpiece. Suicide Mike was his name, but that’s a different story. When I lived there the city had a crappy little skatepark consisting of a couple of small mediocre ramps and some crappy street obstacles on a slab of concrete. It was smaller and crappier even than their current setup at Howlesen Hill. Howelsen had a ski jump that some Olympic hopefuls used to practice on. I used to see that thing and ponder hitting it on a snowboard. Of course I had no idea people would skateboard these things one day. Before I get back on track here, Team Pain’s own James Hedrick is getting a model on Conspiracy. Get back on track by checking out the construction pics after the jump. Looks like a beauty. If this park had existed when I lived there, I might never have left.

This is a shot of a Salem local named Billy who was visiting the Redmond, Oregon skatepark at the same time we were there over the weekend. Enlarge-o-rama.

This here is Bacon Skateboards rider Eisei Sugimoto from his recent visit from Japan. Enlarge-o-Rama. Oh yeah, there’s some sort of weird thing called the Portland Baconfest on October 3rd. It has to do with a radio show or something called the Meat Show. In any case, there will be some sort of crappy miniramp with the Bacon team doing a demo. I think it’s a 21+ event involving alcohol. I’m sure it will all become clearer as the event draws closer. check out another visiting Japanese teenager after the jump.

I can’t remember which one I saw first, the Trendependent t-shirt (I don’t skate, I’m just a kook.) or the Conscience Sakteboards parody of the World Industries Rocco/ Winnie the Pooh board. Wish I could find a picture of that now. It may not seem like much now, but at the time it was pretty topical. Think back to the beginnings of the industry shift to Chinese manufacturing facilities. I almost bought one of those boards. I came close to pulling the trigger on one of those Trendependent shirts too, but never followed through when they actually became available. I think it was one of those things on Concrete Disciples where he took vague pre-orders. “Hey, who wants one of these when I print them up?” And when they were available I was broke. Both of these parodies were the brainchild of Jesse Geboy. I guess Jesse eventually ran afoul of Independent’s lawyers. Check out a profile of Jesse done by Dave Carnie over at King Shit. Hey Jesse, how’s it going? I thnk it’s been about five years since we conversed. Midwest Uber Alles!

– Thanks to Luke Leonard for the tip.

Hewn from a solid chunk of wood, as seen at Axhead Wood Carving, where you can also find hefty boards carved out of old table leafs, weighing in at 11lbs. Oh right, and also spoons. Ryan carves spoons too, usually out of wood that has fallen off of trees on his property.

My friend is going to burst a gasket if I don’t post about this Caustic Defiance/Negative Element split CD release. It seems a Japanese label called Akashic Records has decided to release his 80’s hardcore band’s demo tapes. It happens to everyone doesn’t it? House of Neil and I are still waiting for a very polite call… Caustic Defiance rings a bell, you say? That’s because their promo shot was featured as a Shot of the Week here back in 07. Why Dr. Brad is “up in my grill” about mentioning it here is a bit of a mystery. It’s not like he needs the buzz to get laid or anything. I mean he’s a grown man with a wife and responsible job. Maybe it’s because 80’s skate legends have recently been spotted chatting up his old lady. The CD of C.D. is getting good reviews on PunkNews.org, PunkVinyl.com. You can pick it up at Interpunk.com or preview some tracks on MySpace. Can a Caustic Defiance model on Backstage Skateboards be far behind?

Man, that kid looks stoked. This is called the GX Skate. I stared at these things in the store for about ten minutes trying to figure out how they worked and what they would do. Then I saw the video and all made sense, until it didn’t make sense after all. Turns out these things are an offshoot of automobile-based toy. Someone thought to themselves, “Hey, skateboards are hot with the kids, lets turn those car toys into skateboards.” The movement is fun to watch, but it doesn’t really corollate physically to a skateboard.

– Thanks to Hung Chang for the tip.

I totally spaced this interview I am doing with John Doe Zine. Call 347 633 9578 at 4:30pm Mountain to get in on it. It’s one big party line. You’ll meet dates too.

I am a master of self promotion, obviously. Actually, I blame Colin, he was supposed to write up the John Doe interviews story.

UPDATE: Well, it’s over now, for better or worse, you can listen to it online at Blog Talk Radio, or catch it after the jump.

Another Powell Ripper tribute, this time in the opening of the Teenage Bottlerockets video for “Skate or Die.” Catch it after the jump. Shut, and get rad, because now it’s time to skate or die.

Joesf Heffner, AKA NWeyesk8, sent in some pictures of concrete floats he made to fit the tranny on a new backyard project he’s undertaking. Check ’em out after the jump.