… this is Doc Skaterock a.k.a. Flow writing from Germany. Kilwag asked me, if I wanted to be an author for sna, and hell yeah, I want to be a part of that site. What an honor, thank you Kilwag!! So what am I going to write here about? Skaterock? Yes! Skatesploitation? Yes! And for sure some other trash, too. We will see. For those who don´t know me so far, I´ve been writing about my passion Skaterock for more than one and a half decade now, starting with my own fanzine in 1996 (simply called “Skaterock”) and then writing and photographing for the German skatemag Boardstein from the beginning (2000) till the end of it (2008 or was it 2009?). This year I finished and self-published my book about what I dared to call “Vintage Skaterock“, the skateboard music that was performed and recorded before the term “Skaterock” was officially created. I hope you are also interested in that kinda stuff. Please fell free to comment, sent tips, leave feedback, give away your record collection….

… enjoy life!

yours sincerely
Dr. Skaterock

This is a detail from an advert for the Sony Xperia Ion phone. It’s from the August 2012 edition of Wired Magazine, but the URL is already bad and there doesn’t appear to be an Ion in the Xperia lineup anymore. Shortest product lifecycle ever!

When I first heard of this book (before it was published) I was skeptical. I couldn’t believe there would be enough material to fill a book of any size. Then I was excited. It seemed like someone was writing a book (or playing a practical joke) just for me. Then I was pissed. Why didn’t I think of this idea? I quietly watched this, because I was not expecting it to actually come to fruition. When I saw that Dr Skaterock’s Vintage Skaterock had been published, I bought a copy without trying to hit the author up for a review copy. I figured the audience was going to be really small, so I wanted to support it. Upon receiving the (reasonably priced) book, I geeked out. It was a lot more scholarly than I had thought. I had assumed it was going to be a small coffee table styler book focusing on album covers, but equal (if not more) attention has been paid to release dates, record labels, alternate pressings and the sort of minutia that made me think, “Man, this guy is a geek!” – fully aware that I am the same caliber of geek. Then I thought, this is exactly the kind of geek I want contributing to Skate and Annoy. I have dabbled in skatesploitation music here on SNA. I’ve considered it a pet project of mine, even though some friends can’t understand why I even bother. However much of an “authority” I fancied myself as, Dr Skaterock has completely outclassed me in this area. That’s why stoked to welcome the (other) Doctor to the list of authors at Skate and Annoy. Look for him soon!

Durable plastic. Wheelies and spinouts! Goes forward! SkateBot from Playtime, circa 1986. Robot. Varibot. Frontside Indy! Radical? ebay!

…when I saw someone else had already done it. This first half of the sentence is a direct quote, but the second half isn’t, although it should be. The creator of BabyDubz even managed to get a patent out of this. Maybe it has something to do with the pouring method, maybe it’s just a clear cut case for patent reform. The creator looks a lot like McLovin’ which works to his favor I guess, because it makes me want to cut him some slack against my better judgement. They also come in a gold plated version, because nothing makes more sense than spending a lot of money on something you’re going to throw out in 3-6 months. Maybe they can sell some to Lil’ Wayne. I shouldn’t have to mention this, but of course there is a Kickstarter page. Also awesome: Dad, can I film my video in your office? I wan to look like a bidness man.

– Thanks to playa Seth Levy for the 411.

We did Black Flag earlier today, so why not 7 Seconds?

ver the past ten years of having this ramp in my yard, I’ve had many amazing skaters come through and rip it. It’s a really hard ramp to skate. It’s not tall, has very tight transitions and it’s all pool coping. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is the diversity of rider’s styles and different approaches to the ramp, so I just decided to start making short edits of the different people that come by to skate it. These videos are intended as nothing serious, just short, loose edits of a lot of fun and ripping! Then I figured, let’s give back to a band that has burned out many of my tape players over the years. And that’s why it’s called 7 SECONDS and will rightfully so always be edited to a 7 Seconds jam. Good music and skateboarding, that’s the way I like to live it.

So there you go, 7 SECONDS AT SVITAK’S. Rip it up!!
Kristian Svitak

It’s not actually 7 Seconds, or even 7 seconds, but it’s fun. Courtesy of Regulator Distribution. Make sure you stick around for the end.

The Rip City Black Flag commercial has been on youtube for a few years, and it always fascinated me. I pictured some scroungy teenagers with a stolen/borrowed video camera and a six pack, so seeing these old guys on screen in the first couple of minutes kind of bummed me out a little. I’ve got nothing against old guys (I am one) but it made me wish I had left it to mystery. It’s a bit slow going at first, but it does end up being a pretty interesting glimpse into Black Flag and the skateboarding “industry” as it was back then. As with a lot of the more interesting tales, Skip Engblom makes a cameo (in the story, not the video). Jordan Schwartz (Co author of We Got Power) and Jim McDowell of Rip City Skates wax nostalgic on Black Flag and skateboarding after the jump.

[Source: Cvlt Nation(sic)] – Thanks to Dr Brad for the tip.

Appearing in various social media outlets of the Israeli Defense Forces. From the looks of that kid’s skateboard, it’s either Hamas or a sinister network of vintage skateboard collectors trying to drive up Ebay auction prices.

– Thanks to Seth Levy for the tip.