Bad Slam

Mike V and the Brooklyn Banks

Short documentary about Mike Vallely's final trip to NYC to skate The Brooklyn Banks, as well as touches on Mike's history with the Banks. Shot in December of 2009 before the Banks were closed down... Watching the footage, I remember my brother watching those videos like Future Primitive and It is when I started skateboarding in 1986.

what's cooking for fall 2010?

Here is a new model from DC using a new proprietary technology called Impact FX, which is an air bag with three different air densities in each chamber, dispersing the shock impact from big drops and landings. I don't really want to see my feet to look like a disco club, so those colors are not really for me. But here is the link to check out what the other brands are doing for the fall season.

Graphics on skateboard

I started skateboarding at 6 years old and kindda stopped when I moved to the States. However I clearly remember my differents fashion moves.
Some months I would start incorporating the fashion style of a pro I liked; while other times I would dig board graphics.
I think there are quite a few brands that have been really consistant with their graphics while still being relevant and fresh.

"It all started with Powell Peralta who developed a signature art style with a skeleton motif and their artwork stood out in the market. Arguably, they were the most popular skateboarding company in terms of deck and wheel sales throughout the 1980s. They produced the now famous Tony Hawk Iron Cross deck, as well, as the McGill Skull and Snake, the Caballero Dragon."


"The graphics for World Industries changed the industry because they were different than the usual skulls and gore that were popular at the time. Artists Marc McKee and Sean Cliver introduced an element of wit and pop-culture commentary that would take the entire industry in a different direction." In the 90's WI took a new direction with their devil, flameboy and wet willy graphics, which I am not really keen on.


"Toy Machine is widely known for their unique and twisted, alien-like graphics that are created by Ed Templeton."


"Alien Workshop Skateboards is known for its artistic graphical style with themes of paranoia and futurism often used."

"Almost Board designs may vary considerably from theme to theme, but all are unified by the consistent use of complementary colors and elements that come together as a pleasant manifestation of contemporary art. Designs range from clip-art figures to logo treatments, all displaying a creative mix of black, white and vivid pigments."


Element's graphic style is generally simple, with crisp clean imagery with complementary colors.

"Hook-ups are a brand of skateboard that relies heavily on the manga style of cartoon art.



Girl's logo is the same as the symbol on many women's restrooms."


"Zero probably owns the strongest punk graphic style among the skateboard brands with its trademark white-and-black colors emblazoned with blood and skulls. The brand has incorporated color into the graphic designs as well, but has maintained its dark theme with well-crafted spooky characters, imagery resurrected from horror stories, and with the takeover of Thomas, stark Gothic tones. Zero skateboards definitely have a marketing edge based on what they look like alone."



"Although largely dark, foreboding, and with a hint of violence, the graphics on Blind decks portray meticulous skill in coloring and drawing in characteristic street-graffiti style. Most deck pieces portray a cute little reaper frozen in various angles of sickle-wielding. Or, if not, the reaper relents to a formal pose against a harmless backdrop, all the while emanating a tiny but sinister presence. The artworks mostly appear to be carefully thought out and are pleasingly color-complementary."



And here are others decks that I liked very much, I recommend anyone interested in the skateboarding art to check Disposable and New skateboard graphics.

Driven to lead and inspired by action sport (Etnies)

I am going to be honest, they are a lot of good brands out there with sick design adn patterns.

I think Etnies is out there but why I like them goes beyond the shoes.

First of all it was created in 1986, just when I started skateoarding. Etnies is the only brand owned and created by a former world champion skateboarder.

In addition Etnies under the main company Sole Technology is looking at green materials and use green energy for the headquarter.

The owner also created a lab institute to study the impact of skateboarding on the human body. I got so many injuries while skateboarding that I am proud to say that those shoes are not only exclellent for style but also for great protection.