= Links:
Afternoon in the Life: Eric Koston
On the Download - Sammy Baca
Lizard Mega Passion
In Depth Chet Childress Parts 1 & 2
Fatback Friday with Chet, Gravette, etc.
Sascha Daley ripping Black Box

SlapMagazine.com has part 1 of a 3 part article featuring the art, photography, and skateboarding of Chet Childress complete with pics, slideshow, sequences, audio interview, and video.

Koston asked me if Leo Romero rode for Indy. "He does now", I said, "and eventually they all will". "That's kinda cocky", replied Eric. "But true", I opined. Ha ha, we had a laugh- then silence.

Oh yeah, Figgy turns on Indy's now too.

And keep an out eye on updates from the road in a few weeks. The crew is heading to the Grand Cayman Islands for a ride on The Black Pearl. Frosty, The Boss, Leroy Tomato, Weirdily Beardily, The Crow, Creepy Pete, Senator Cranston, The Retired Cooter Slayer, Doughboy, G.T. Performance and Corpsy. Give the real names to this crew and win a set of Indy Stage 10 trucks.

Final results:
1 Torey Pudwill
2 Eric Koston
3 Eero Antilla
4 Zered Bassett
5 Kerry Getz

Looks like a hot comeback in progress from Matt Beach at 11th... check his interview in the new Transworld.

In depth coverage from P-Stone over at Thrasher:


Finals & Best trick coverage from TWS

Part 1 of a 3 part series on skateboarder, photographer, Indy lifer and all around great guy Bryce Kanights.

Bryce Kanights- Part 1 of 3 from Nemo Design on Vimeo.

Transworld 2009 Best Transition Skater

Hilarious Cranny-ness from Saints and Sinners... "Stay hydrated boys..."

O.K. off to my home land to meet up with the Saints and Sinners Tour. 6:25am San jose flight. Gotta pick up Leonard, Lee, and Ron @ 4:45am. Lee, no problem, Leonard " heavy meds", questionable? Ron...hasn't even gone to bed yet! I already know where this trip is going.


The Flying Pharmaceutical AKA: Sexy Scumbag. He got put on the terror watch list
right after this photo was taken.

Good'ol Midwest. It's like your favorite sweatshirt. Warm and cozy. So much Love and Bad Ass Skateboarders.


This is Mike's leg, him and his wife, Rachael F&*$ing rule! They showed the boys a great time! and made great egg sandwiches @ midnight. Thanks Mike.


This is my man Nick Weaver, owner Rise FTW. It was Demo day, the shops anniversary,
Nicks B-day, and a full moon!+ Jeff Kendall is here! Five signs of the coming Apocalypse. Thanks to Nick for throwing a great Jam. The kids where hyped.
Click me to check Thrasher video


The Bone doing what the Bone does! A true professional on and off the court.


Classic


Double classic.


Disgusting river race for free product. Triple Classic!



After the Jam, Ramp Jam @ Mikes' house.


Indiana Son and one of the many Bad Asses shredding that ramp. Beanie doing it up.



Entrance to the private VIP ramp lounge. Nav's keeping security tight.

That was a quick 48 hours in my home town. Thanks to Dan B., Josh, Beanie, Nick, Mike, Rachael, Chris S., Cody, all the Ft. Wayners, that shit was fun.
But the Gods aren't done with us yet. Our Airplane got taken out of commission so we got to meet the Boys up in Chicago for one more night of debauchery. Thanks Jimmy for the Bar hook up. Disco lights and dress codes are right up our ally.



Silas joined the fun in Chicago. Heavy hotel skate conversation.
I gotta say I have a renewed respect for everybody on this tour. The level of skating and partying is unmatched. The Vets always rip, Sam, Al, Alex, Nav, Nilton, Eman, so sick. The young guns are going next level. Mikey Curtis, Taylor, Gravette, Adrain, can't get enough.
Also, thanks to DAF Noah, Rhino, and P-stone for holding that shit down tight.
Gotta say job well done to this man.

Jordan kept the ship rolling. Rock star manager, drunken cat wrangler, driver, do'er of things, the Brown Bouncer. Click me now! for more photos.

Last Friday, Transworld Skateboarding hosted their annual Awards ceremony to celebrate the best voted skaters, teams, and videos of the year with Independent Team Pros taking 4 of the 6 individual categories. Here's how it broke down:

BEST ROOKIE
Sean Malto (Girl, etnies, Spitfire, Escapist, Thunder, Diamond, Fourstar, Gatorade)

BEST STREET
Heath Kirchart (Alien Workshop, Emerica Apparel, Emerica, Independent Trucks)

BEST TEAM
Alien Workshop

BEST VIDEO
Mind Field, Alien Workshop

BEST TRANSITION
Peter Hewitt (Anti-Hero, Spitfire, Independent Trucks, Vox)

BEST VIDEO PART
Anthony Van Engelen, Mind Field (Alien Workshop, Spitfire, Independent Trucks, Vans shoes & apparel, Reflex)

TWS READERS’ CHOICE
Chris Cole (Zero, Fallen, Thunder, G Spot)

TWS LEGEND
Christian Hosoi (Hosoi Skates, Independent Trucks, Quiksilver, Vans, Nixon, OGIO, Ninja, KKSM)

Here is Heath's acceptance speech as well as Skin's photos from the evening.

Saints and Sinners Chicago>
santacruzskateboards.com
and some more in-between comedic mid-west schralping>

From Saints and Sinners

Here's the video from TWS:

It's been awhile. So many real things happening that there is no time for cyber space.
First off, I don't know if you heard of this thing called Wall-in-berg?? Anyways went to that shit and it was crazy! I've never seen so many black fold over beanies in one place at one time. Not to mention the cameras!






The only way to see anything!


The best worst shot I got. It was still cool to be there. Love him or hate him Phelps + Microphone= Comedy Gold.

On to other shit. I gotta say Congrats and all the best to
5boro on there 13th Anniversary.
I think they got a Party on June 5th in the NYC. Don't drink too much because on the 6th it's Back to the Banks. You boys have fun!

On the subject of this weekend..I'm so excited I might piss myself. Me and the boys are headed out to my hometown of Ft Wayne, Ind. to meet up with the Saints and Sinners Tour

Gnarles will be there


Creature Lee


Nerd. AKA: Tailslide terrorist AKA: mini Salba



Sorry Ron, only photo I had . I know the Bone will be in rare form.



Miles of miles
If I live thru this I should have some serious dirt and incriminating photos to share!
If you're in the NorthEast portion of Indiana, watch out! Lock those doors tight.
Sunday the 8th @ Rise Skateshop
Total slash fest and B-Day bash for Shop owner Nick Weaver.



Marty I promise when I get back I'll run my interview with you. I know you are dying to read about yourself!

3rd Lair Skatepark in Minneapolis hosted this weekend's Damn Am contest where Chris Mendez took honors. Indy team rider Taylor Smith came in at 5th–comin' up baby... Local Santa Cruz ripper Tommy Werner (SC, Krux, DC, Bill's Wheels) came out of the finals at 11th.

Independent Trucks hosted this year's best trick which got taken by Matt Miller from San Francisco with a nollie 1/2 cab switch 5-0 on the bump to couch.

For full results check out SPoTlight Productions .

Peep TWS coverage here:


Also, if you're in Minneapolis on June 13th, don't miss the Creature / Santa Cruz Saints and Sinners tour, which is already underway!

-

As you may already know, JR Neves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania died late last week. No details are available. Our thoughts and well wishes go out to his friends and family. JR was non-stop; always full speed–having a blast or blasting out. Rip in peace my man.

...in case you haven't seen it.

"This shit went off! Marissa Dal Santo gave it 11 tries and was as close as you can get without rolling away. This is what went down in order: Chris Cole - bs 360 (second try); Lizard King (Mike Plum(b)) - bs 180 one foot; Nick Merlino - switch heel; Lindsey Robertson - bs heel; Lizard King - (anti)-airwalk, ollie onto last stair; Jordan Hoffart - varial heel (hand drag, caught last step); Cody McEntire - big spin, Chris Cole - sw fs flip; Andrew Pott - hardflip."

ThrasherMagazine.com is reporting the passing of "Street" Scott Terveer. Details are unknown at this time. Scott was a Independent Trucks team rider in the early 80s and appeared in this 1982 advertisement forging new ground by taking vertical maneuvers to the streets of San Francisco with a stylie 5-0 grind. Rest in peace, ripper.

One of the few ads to ever run in multiple issues (05-06/82)

SkateDaily.net reporting results from yesterday's Pro-Tec Pool Party with Indy legends and pros like Christian Hosoi taking 2nd in Masters with Cab, Salba, Ngoho just outside the top 3.

A full Indy sweep in the Pro division with Bucky taking 1st, Omar Hassan 2nd, and Rune Glifberg 3rd.

Watch all the schralping on Fuel TV HD

Women
1. Julie Kindstrand
2. Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins
3. Megan Brown

Masters
1. Chris Miller
2. Christian Hosoi
3. Nicky Guerrero

Pros
1. Bucky Lasek
2. Omar Hassan
3. Rune Glifberg

Round 2 of photos from our NHS "Backyard Bash" from Holly Anderson.

Click here for the full size slideshow.


Some pics from last night's open house at NHS. More to come... Thanks to all the shops and distribs and skaters for coming out! Click here for the full size slide show.

Well, well, well... NHS open house coming soon. All I know is that there are limited spaces for the NHSinked. 2 guns, some waiting. Here is my latest addition to the flash wall.


Classic tribal. Good for arms and ankles. Man up and get a crappy tattoo.

Just got handed the new Concussion?! CONCUSSION! Thought Devoud was out, but Klien is in!? Anyways welcome back? even though you didn't go anywhere.
Check Concussion out.

Where was I? Oh yeah. Sick new colors coming out. I hi-jacked these images, hope K-Dub don't get mad I leaked them. I'll only show a a little piece of both.

Anodized Gold and Anodized Maroon. Offered in Stage X 129 lows, 129, 139 Standard

I said I was going to do it for 2 years and today I finally made the films to make a very limited # of these beautiful T-shirts.

I'm not sorry I did it.

Before I forget, our good friend Nat over at AXL sent me a link to War of the Thistles 09, day 2 in Aberdeen. Some very heavy shredding going down. Just when I thought nobody could go faster and gnarlier, along comes Stu Graham. My least favorite person to Texas death match with.
watch this!

Now on to my weekly 10 questions with " PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW"
This week it's our buddy in sales, Ramon. Very sharp dresser. He's always got his shit
together.

what do you do here at NHS?
R.A.: " SALES"

What makes you angry?
R.A.: " TRAFFIC"

What's inside your fridge right now?
R.A.: "BOHEMIA BEER, BACON, BOTTLED WATER, CAPRI SUN, AND COLD PIZZA"

Best NHS related story/ event?
R.A.: "GOING TO TOP SHOP IN MINNEAPOLIS WITH CREATURE CREW.

what's for breakfast?
R.A.: " NOTHING YET. OATMEAL LATER."

What's your personal set-up?
R.A.:" PARTANEAN VIKING, 139 INDY'S, 53 OJ SCREWDRIVERS"

What's your worst habit?
R.A.: "SPENDING MONEY ON SHOES"

What would you do with a time machine?
R.A.:" GO BACK TO THE 70's AND JUST HANG OUT/ EARLY PUNK ERA"

Knife fight or bike chain fight?
R.A.:" BIKE CHAIN, NO REACH , JUST SLASH"

Fav. part of working at NHS?
R.A.:" THE PEP's /FREE PRODUCT"



Ramone hard at work pushing paper.

Wow! That was kinda a psychotic blog. Way too much typing for one day.
I'm bushed.

Hey blogosphere tech nerds! Does anybody want to seed the bit torrent for the Indy Euro 30th DVD burn file? We're having server issues posting it straight up on the site. The file is 1.38GB. If you're down, click the "kdub" link below to email me and we'll figure out how to file transfer it.

I think I'll start with a little business and move my way into pleasure.
We got a lot of shit happening over here in the Fun Factory but I am just going to hit you with some select Hottness. Check this Rowley out!


Brand new and moving out the door quick! Yellow and Black! $%&* good shit!
There are some cool ass new colors coming down the line for trucks so keep an eye out.

Next up is one of the Photographer series T-shirts. Holmes and Brittain are flying out of here. Only 300 have been made so there can't be many left. And don't forget to check the rest of the series out as well. Some real limited shit here. I mean it this time.

That is this Months select Hottness. Go out to your local skate shop and DEMAND INDEPENDENT!!

Finally!, on to pleasure. NHS has a little open house coming up on the 12th and we here at NHSinked are ready and open for business. If you're coming out be sure to check with your Rep. to set up a Shitty Tattoo appointment. Limited space so get on it. Lee and myself will be giving horrible Tattoos for anybody who is brave enough to bare some skin.
Not sure what Lee has cooking( something spooky) but here is a taste of my flash wall.




Classic!

On to something I've been wanting to do for awhile. I bring you a 10 question series of
PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW!

We've got a great bunch of worker Bees around here and I thought I would start asking questions and see what I got. Since I'm lazy I thought I would start by turning my chair around and talking with our SC head head, my buddy Lucas.

what do you do here at the NHS?
LM: " DRAW SKULLS, BOOBS, AND MAKE PIE CHARTS."

What makes you angry?
LM:" INEPTNESS"

what's in your fridge right now.
LM: " YOGURT,CORONA, MOTTS FOR TOTS, 3 DAY OLD LASAGNA, AND A DOG MEAT LOG."

best NHS related story /event?
LM: "SKATE TRIP TO DAMN AM WITH NHS CREW, SKATING , DRINKING, HANGING OUT."

what's for breakfast?
LM:" DIET PEPSI, EGG WHITE/ HAM SANDWICH."

What's your current set up?
LM:"CREATURE 8" DEMON DECK, INDY STAGE 8, RICTA 54."

what is your worst habit?
LM:" GUN EXPENSES, STOCK PILING GUNS."

what would you do with a time machine?
LM:" GO BACK AND STOP EISENHOWER FROM FIRING THE GENERAL WHO WANTED TO DROP A NUCLEAR BOMB ON CHINA TO END KOREAN WAR."

knife fight or bike chain fight?
LM:"KNIFE FIGHT, INTIMATE AND CLOSE UP!"

fav part of working at NHS?
LM:" DRAWING SKATE GRAPHICS AND HAVING PRO'S GETTING STOKED ON THEM."




The man himself hard at work. A cool dude you'll never know.
More to come, and I promise it won't all be Art Dept. dudes!

Burnout has a couple nice pics and a solid video short with Indy concrete rippers Bucky Lasek, Omar Hassan, and Rune Glifberg. They also call out their pics for the upcoming Vans Pro-Tec Pool Party on May 16th at the Vans Skatepark in Orange, California. Consensus amongst the 3 guys is that Hewitt would be, "who you'd most like to see skate the event but never will". Hmmmm...

Hey, if you haven't already seen the New Thrasher video pages get on over there and start watching. They've got a larger default aspect ratio, full screen, and embed options.

Let's give the embed code a little try here... Here's a couple recent web gems with Indy heads Eman, Hewitt, D Navs, Mumford, Mallory, and even a Rhino cameo... Go FULL SCREEN!

I can't even tell you half the shit that is happening around here. All I'm saying is that the Creature video can't come out soon enough! So much good shit waiting to explode on your face! 9/9/09.

Well it's been awhile but the NHSinked shop is back up and running and today we had a busy schedule.

Open for Business!
Lee was up first and oh so down! The best example of Garfield related tattoo work around.


The crap tattoo section of your body is looking great. Pretty much sums up your life. The wife is going to be happy!

Next up, "The Web Sapling" Mad Dog Marty.


Showing us his toughness with the Toe Tat's.
Hope you can skate tomorrow!
This is what I wanted him to get.


Just a little love for your boy Kram.

And since you're just clicking around looking for Porn. Why not take a break and check the New Indy Tees for Summer Shit is Hot! and only getting hotter!
Also coming very soon a contest to win Gold (real gold) leaf Danny Way 215's. Only ones in the World! Keep checking back for official rules and regs. Very soon!!!!

O.K. it's Friday and time to go skating. Here is a little inspiration. Mondo Loco for life.

Three years ago today Independent Truck Company and Thrasher Magazine co-Founder Fausto Vitello died at the age of 59.

So, do yourself a favor today and go skate. Do it for yourself, because you love it, and never forget the reason why you do it.

And... if you need some trucks you know where to find 'em.

...Zarosh; great guy, great skater, different approach.

A'ight... so good times on Saturday at Santa Cruz Scion who hosted a bevy of skateboarders and localites along with Santa Cruz Skateboards and Santa Cruz Boardroom. Wow that's a lot of "Santa Cruz-ing"...

Anyway, peep the slide show below or click HERE for a larger version.

More coming soon over at CRUZ NEWS

OK, you've stuck it out through 8 parts... Here's the 9th and final part of the Indy Euro Tour video. Not only do you get some credits that include some really good comedy but you also get the Grosso surprise; a 50 foot long boardslide board breaker at 3:00 am in Spain. Enjoy!

P.S. If I get 10 emails from different people requesting it, I will post up next week a "Download and Burn your own DVD" link to an ISO file so all you tech nerds out there can burn a DVD and watch the video on your television at full resolution. Click "kdub" below to email me.

Up now on StrangeNotes.com is Part 8 of 9 total Indy Euro tour parts. This is actually the last main part but not the finale... You'll have to wait until Thursday (2 whole days people) to get the Grosso surprise and credits. Until then enjoy the ripping of Olson, Hewitt, Alain, Navs, Grosso, Stu, and others here>


While you're with us, peep this new park in Santa Clarita. Lookin' pretty damn fun!

Well that lasted about 2 hours. I am happy to say that Amie Alton got both questions right. Correct spelling and all.
MOFO= Morizen Foche
Oct 82" ad= cop is none other than Ermico founder Eric Swenson
Those T's and trucks are on there way. Enjoy!
Keep checking for more Pop quiz's to come.

O.K. here we are, POP quiz time! The first person to correctly answer this question gets a complete hand numbered (all 6) set of the new Photographers series T's. Major dudes from the last 30+ years of Indy/ Skate history. Photos from Brittain, Kanights, Tanju, Terrebonne,Swift, and Mofo


speaking of MOFO... What is Mofo's full name???
hint: check your Indy BUILT TO GRIND book.

Because I am feeling fine on this Friday I am going to throw some extra credit your way.
This shit right here is hard. I just learned this the other day, so good luck.
The correct answer for this question gets a shiny new set of Independents!



Here we go. Who is this guy dressed like a cop for the Oct. 82' Thrasher ad???
I know that was way before most of you were born but here is a hint: FOUNDING father.
Good luck everybody. Just push the KRAM button below if you think you know the answers.

Getting a little behind in the blog and these parts are flying out like a kid a your local park doing benihanas! So lets get you caught up...

Following Germany is Austria:


Then Spain Part 1:


And now Spain Part 2

There's some sick spots out there! Dang!

Coming on Tuesday you've got the Finale and then on next Thursday, the Credits... well wait, they're not just credits because Jeff Grosso has a little 3:00 am surprize for you.

Get Some!

We are dropping a series of 6 very limited (300 each) Photo T's. Each with hand numbered postcard of the photo with the photographers notes on the image. These are images from the last 30+ years of Indy's history. Try to collect all 6, I dare you. Later in the week I will be hitting you all with a little POP quiz. Winner gets a complete set of the same numbered T's. ALL 6! Keep checking for more info.

Mofo shot of Alabamy



Swift shot of Alfaro


Jai shot of Brauch


Brittain shot of Hosoi


Terrebonne shot of Moore


Kanights shot of Peters

So good! You want these so bad. Keep checking here for the pop quiz to win!

Yup... just 44 seconds long. Euro Indy Tour Germany.

Party like it's Tuesday!

I only have a quick product to review. The Web Wizards apprentice, Marty, apparently has his own line of mini-pillows. Sold exclusively with his image on them. Very nice, we need to get you a new Hobby quick!

That's right, we're rollin' em out every Tuesday and Thursday... Part 3 of Indy's Euro 30th featuring Stu Graham, Chris Haslam, and Alex Olson... demo style... wait, this wasn't supposed to be a demo tour?!

Peep the featured video on Strange Notes this week; the 2nd installment of 9 total parts from Indy's 30th Anniversary Euro tour.

For the Slap Magazine coverage of this tour click HERE.

Hey big oops on the first installment of the Indy Euro 30th tour footage on StrangeNotes.com. My apologies go out to my man Carl Wilson who I mistakenly labeled as Ben Raemers in the UK part currently posted. I'm sure they look different in person but they look exactly the same on video to me... like in this previous UK Indy tour spot from 07. Hell, they're both regs too!

More Skateboarding >>

Don't miss the first of nine parts on StrangeNotes.com of Independent's 30th Euro Tour. Today's release is in the UK featuring Chris Haslam, Ben Raemers, Alex Olson, and Jeff Grosso. Watch for the next part on Tuesday. Enjoy!


If you've been asleep since November, don't miss out on the 52 minute Indy 30th Anniversary US Tour video. 6 1/2 weeks of madness.

Hey all you art fans out there in the Northern California area!

Malintzi Gallery in Santa Cruz is proud to present a solo show featuring the artwork of long time Independent Truck Co. Art Director Mark Widmann entitled Random Doodles and Scratchings. The show features a range of mediums including a series of sculptures made from blue painters tape and a variety of paintings that delve into Mark’s unique vision as an artist.

Come join us opening night this Friday with music from DJ RS2!

Friday, March 6, 2009 – 6-9 pm
Malintzi Gallery
Santa Cruz Art Center
1001 Center Street #15
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-1306
info@malintzi.com