Bob Burnquist's ramp and mega jump

Recently had a chance to skate, take some pix, and hang out at Bob Burnquist's place with Bret Banta and Dave Smith of Ipath.  Bob's place is somewhat of a vert skateboarders playground.  Having an assortment of cool ramp constructions that prove as quite a training ground for any professional skateboarder.  You get a good sense at what it takes to be a pro skateboarder in this day and age.  Seeing what Bob skates on a normal skate session you can see how he is definitely one of those innovating and progressing the sport of skateboarding.     

Panoramic view of the mega jump.  I still can't believe he owns one of these and has the yard space for it.  

View from the top of the Mega Jump.  Once you commit to dropping in on this there is no turning back.  You will have to at least commit to a 20-30 ft. leap and then if you make that you've gotta prepare for a 30ft. vert quarter pipe that will launch you at the least 10ft. above the coping even if you try and slow down.  Jake Brown and Pat Duffy are reason enough as to the dangers of skating this leviathan.   

View from the garden.  Bob grows his own veggies and edible organic goodies.

Bob and daughter Lotus giving me a ride through the compound.

Bob's old decks, probably a future ebayer's treasure.

Bob's gotta loop too!

Ipath Art Director Bret Banta standing in the mini 8ft. section of the vert ramp.

Bob B. and his Mega Jump.  To find more info on Bob check out his website at www.bobburnquist.com

The Night Marchers @ Alex's Bar and All Star Lounge 02/10 & 02/11

John Reis of Pitchfork,Rocket From the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, & The Sultans just unleashed his new musical creation The Night Marchers on Southern California the weekend of Feb. 10th.  I caught two of the shows on the 10th and 11th at Alex's bar in Long Beach & All Star Lanes in Eaglerock.  Teaming up again with fellow Hot Snakes Gar Wood and Jason Kourkounis and newcomer Tommy Kitsos of the CPC Gangbang's.  Its always cool to see a band that looks like their having as much fun playing as I'm having, listining.  Hearing tones and sounds that sound familiar in a Bo Diddley to Captain Beefhart way, but always staying true to a sound that is very John Reis.  The Night Marchers are definitely a band that I look forward to seeing more of in the future.   Be sure to catch them if they pass through your city or town.    

Alex's Bar 02/10/08

All Star Lanes 02/11/08

Aquabat's TV Show Pilot

Just finished a week of working on the production set of a new TV Show Pilot for the Aquabats.  If you're familiar with their hit kid TV show Yo Gabba Gabba, you'll get somewhat of an idea of what's in store.  The TV show will follow the Aquabats on live action and animated adventures, with plenty of fun and humor thats similar to their live performances.  Whether its battling cool monsters like The Toxic Tortilla, Kitty Litter, or The Sand Fleas.  You know there will be plenty of entertaining fun, lead by MC Bat Commander and fellow Bats Crash McLarson, Jimmy The Robot, Eagle Bones, and Ricky Fitness.  Get ready to become a future fan of these neat creative dudes. 

Team photo, is that a Toxic Tortilla on the top of that mountain?

MC Bat Commander. 

Eagle Bones battling the Toxic Tortilla with his trusty Axe.

Crash McLarson summoning his power to GROW LARGE.

Its raining Tortilla chips, time to party!

Another authentically cool product from the Aquabats merchandise catalog, The Insta Bro.

Bat Fans and Cadets.

Catch the Aquabats live in a city near you.

The Smells 10th Anniversary Showl

On January 06, 2008 The Smell celebrated its 10th year anniversary.  One of the few cool spots to see underground music in LA.  Its great to see that newer generations are still able to experience live music in a small place where you can really get up close and personal.  Here are a few of the Smell's local favorites Abe Vigoda, Mika Miko, & No Age.

Little plastic pooches, I think they stayed up there for a whole set without being knocked down.

Always good to see some audience participation.  

The original weirdo rippers.

Highlights from 2007

From Monuments To Masses

Shot Dim Mak band From Monuments to Masses for Giant Robot.  Really good live band.  Francis, Sergio, and Matt gave a rocking show at Safari Sams in LA.  Good to see bands play all age venues when they can.

Opening for FMTM was the great Don Caballero with Drum virtuoso Damon Che.  Still a super drum ripper.

Sounds of the SF underground

Here are some cool new sounds from SF that I recently checked out at some little LA room, club, art gallery?  Check em out on myspace for a sample.

Burmese, sounds of Death Metal and Grind, doing their best to abuse your eardrums.

Fuckwolf, not just another band with the word wolf in it.

Death Sentence Panda, bringing the experiment back to experimental punk rock.

Skating with Ray Barbee at the Channel St. Skatepark in Pedro

Ray doing a sick Frontside rock on a tight vert wall .  

T-Pain and Jeff Dodes for the Cover of Billboard Magazine

Carbon/Silicon live at the Troubadour

Shot some portraits of Mick Jones and Tony James for Giant Robot.  They have a new band together called Carbon/Silicon.  If you've ever liked the Clash or B.A.D., then you won't be disappointed.  They only played two shows this time around one in LA and the other in NY.  Hopefully they will do a longer US tour next time around.

Clash city Rocker are still rocking.

Hawaii trip Oct. 2007

Went to Hawaii for vacation.  ALOHA spirit still alive in Oahu.  Makes our going back to Cali. like going back to Minnesota.  

I gotta get back to Hawaii!