Dead at 53 from a heart attack, as reported by Fox Sports, among others. Catch a 2008 Interview with Jay after the jump.

Photo: Glen E. Friedman

That’s Ron Cameron looking unhappy in that picture, having recently found himself unexpectedly more or less homeless and looking for a place to store his archive of art, including everything from his Blockhead days. He’s got a campaign on Go Fund Me to get him get on his feet again, and most immediately keep his historic collection from being set out on the curb for the garbage collectors. It’s not strictly charity, there are some cool incentives you can essentially buy with your donations, so check it out. Meabwhile, he’s in cahoots with Dave Bergthold in the planning stages of relaunching Blockhead. Meanwhile, Dave has his own surprises, but more on that later. If you’re in LA on August 22nd, check out his DJ gig at Amoeba Records.

Illustrator Russell Tate has made some mostly functional art boards as part of the Bondi Perspectives exhibition happening not 200 yards from the skatepark. I say “mostly” functional because the ones with steel wheels are mostly just beautiful to look at. The theme of the free show is a Local’s view of Iconic Bondi Beach and it’s place in Australian culture. Check it out at the Bondi Pavilion Gallery September 25th – October 5th.

BCSA Tommy McGuigan annual skate jam on Aug 16 at the Corvallis, OR skatepark, starting at 1pm after the farmer’s market. High ollie, hippie jump, speed track and bowl jam competition. Cash prizes!

I remember New Deal and ATM making Iron Maiden decks in the past, but I don’t think this crappy complete was official Iron Maiden merchandising. I found out this is the design from their 1981 single ‘Purgatory’ and that’s about all I need to know about Iron Maiden. It sold for $99 on eBay after 1 bid. Details of the design after the jump.

Jesse Ramirez with a 16 foot wall ride during something called the Empire Games presented by Converse Cons, sponsored by Volcom and Organika. What are the Empire Games? Where are they? Me thinks somewhere in Quebec, but I’m not sure. Linky, linky, link. Video plus another wall ride contest in Barcelona after the jump.

[Source: Soma]

I’ve been cleaning out a space in my back yard to build a small bowl under two giant pine trees, so it’s got to be above ground. If you know anybody looking to get rid of some cinder blocks (for the retaining walls), please let me know. I’m on an extra tight budget. Yes, Craig’s list. I know. This project will come together as I am able to accumulate materials, there is no schedule. I figured it was time to put up or shut up. DIY or die!

I spotted a pump track video online via Michael Brooke’s Facebook feed, but he was tight lipped about it at the time and I forgot ot follow up on it. Progressive Pumptracks makes modular pump tracks from three different materials, wood, steel, and concrete. The wooden ones seem like they would have a short useful lifespan for a skateboard, even though they are covered with a composite surface. I can imagine the repetitive “thunk thunk” sounds at each seem would only get louder and slower after a season in the rain or snow. The concrete version looks pretty fun though, although technically still reconfigurable, in reality it seems like it would be really hard to move without a good forklift, maybe two.

It’s a pretty exciting idea until you realize that ARC is the company behind it. Actually, it’s still a pretty cool idea, just hard to swallow considering who makes them. A pump track is not really a “skatepark” but more like a skatespot. It looks super fun, and I love the idea of plopping these down on a disused tennis court. Videos and pics after the jump, plus a bonus video of an asphalt pump track someplace called Lake Hayes Estate.

– Thanks to Tim Jamison and Matthijs for the tips

Right after they first came out I remember hearing Thunders were just Indys with different baseplates, but I never had any confirmation.

NEVER BEFORE SEEN: T H I N D Y ‘ S. Prototype THUNDER base-plates tested with INDY hangers.

WHY? I can’t remember. For some reason it was important.
Something to do with checking the geometry.

ANYWAY – – – this is a one-of-a-kind set of trucks, prior to the release of THUNDERS onto the world.

I always loved the baseplates on the old Thunders, with lizards, lightning bolts and skulls and no text to be seen anywhere. If you didn’t already know what they were, there was no way to tell what company made them. UPDATE: Added another Mofo shot of some OG Thunder baseplates in reference to Terry Nails.

– Thanks to MoFo for the photo