Grover’s ego is out of control. He practically knocked over my executive assistant Trixie when he barged into my office and demanded more promotions for Grover’s Video Korner, or he was going to take the whole production elsewhere. He said his people were having talks, and his agent told me unless I start taking Grover seriously, the deal was FUBAR. I sat down with my lawyers and we came up with a one point promotion plan that will knock your socks off. The official GVK on SNA sticker. That’s right, this is the official one, not those cheap knock offs you’ve seen on the bottom of Chinese skateboards. You can see an enlargement and find out how to get yours after the jump.

Concrete Wave looks like it’s going to try and tackle 411, in a round about way. Evolutions Video On Line is going to be the, err… online companion to the annual DVD freebie Evolutions. Where Evolutions is essentially a series of adverts from different entities, the preview of On Line looks to be formatted the same way that 411 is, but with a different content type. As with the printed mag, the tagline is 100% Skateboarding (as long as it isn’t street and rails, actually.) Looks like a lot of downhill, slalom, “freeride cruising”, some bowl/park riding and yes, even a little freestyle, which apparently has been renamed “flatland.” Seriously, what’s with all the renaming? Downhill is now called Speedboarding, Freestyle is Flatland… what’s next? How about coping bumping? I wonder if Rodney Mullen pees his pants with hysterical laughter when he sees that 1- People are still practicing traditional freestyle (sorry, flatland), and 2- Traditional freestyle skating hasn’t progressed any since he dominated it (to death) in the 80’s. The first installment of Evolutions Video On Line is set to hit this summer. You can watch a preview after the jump.

Colin Bane over at Fuel TV has an argument against putting professional vert skating on life support. In his post titled Vert. Alive and thriving? Colin compiles some upcoming professional events and media exposure highlighting vert skating. I wouldn’t mention this, except I don’t want want to let anyone down, seeing as how we can’t shake the image that Skate and Annoy is for old men who like vert. Also, Colin has a shout out to Conahan and his H.O.M.O.S. comics. Hey, does MC know those guys over at Antigravity Press are ripping off his content and passing it off as their own? Image on top is from DC’s backside smith how-to video with Colin McKay.

What if you really like a song on your favorite skate video and can’t be bothered to fast forward to the credits at the end of the video to see who it is? Or maybe you only watch pirated videos on YouTube and you can’t read the the tiny pixelated smudges. Maybe you are just musically illiterate, and can’t recognize Black Sabbath or David Bowie when you hear it. Is this you? Then head on over to Skateboard Soundtrack where they are in the process of breaking it all down for you, sometimes video part by video part, complete with appropriate “buy now” links to Amazon, and what I assume is some sort of revenue share program through an advertising service and iTunes. They have about 50 videos up so far. Sure, Skim the Fat already provides soundtrack information and more, but they aren’t trying to make money off it, and you don’t want to support a bunch of communists do you? I mean, next thing you know, all skateboard videos will be filmed in China (or Vancouver). Skate and Annoy, Nice Skateboard website. Can you please add us to your links page at www.skateboardsoundtrack.com – The Most Extensive Skateboard…

Social Security tax withheld, health insurance, wages and tips, 401k, lunch break, overtime and staying late so some jerks can come in and make a pick up. Work sucks. Sometimes you get to work someplace where the fringe benefits are intangible, as far as the I.R.S. is concerned. You’re even luckier if you can get the benefits without actually working there anymore, as is the case with Nick and his smith grind. Click to enlarge.

I got suckered into leading the skatepark cleanup at Pier Park again. Come on down and help with graffiti removal and trash pickup around the skatepark. Here are the details: Project Date and Time: 4/19/2008 – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Site Address: N. St. John Street & N. James Street Portland Directions to Site: Cross the St. Johns Bridge at Highway 30. Turn left on Lombard and right on St. Johns. The Park will be on your left at North James St. Parking/Meeting Location: Ample street park available along N. James St. Meet at the covered picnic area. Clean graffiti at the skatepark. There will be a small barbeque after the Pier Park Pick-Up for volunteers. Snacks and beverages available during the event. Following are some general items to keep in mind when planning your participation: * Please bring work gloves. * This event will take place rain or shine! Dress appropriately for the weather, but plan on long pants, long sleeves and sturdy shoes or boots, even if it’s warm. * Mark tools or other items you bring with your name and phone number. * Parents/Group Leaders must accompany and supervise children. Hope to see you there.

First Bart Simpson ruined prime time TV (and killed the Cosby Show) with his sassy mouth and disrespectful, underachieving attitude. Now he’s trying to ruin baseball too.Sporting equipment with pictures of people engaged in entirely different sports always amuses me. It’s like they are saying “Look, I know you don’t want to be doing this particular sport at this moment, but maybe you can imagine you’re doing the one in this picture instead.” In today’s fast paced world, it’s not enough to enjoy a single sport at a time.

Flipping through the first few pages of Concussion #37 makes it clear that Concussion is new Concrete Wave. Page 13 – Full page advert for Foundation re-issues, no big deal. Page 23 – full page Art and Steve Godoy advert for Bones Wheels. I don’t know what’s more shocking, the Godoys on a Powell brand or the Godoys in any advert. Where was the hype back when I needed it? Actually, I think they’ve always been on good terms, but they didn’t fit the squeaky clean image of Powell back in the day. Those are Factory 13 boards they are sporting. Then on page 26 there’s a full page Circle-A advert. Oh yeah, Full page OJ’s and and a full page Lester Kasai ad for S One Helmets too. And I’m just kidding about that Concrete Wave comparison Davoud. Sorry, couldn’t resist.