Jeremy Wray and Salman Agah

Pretty Sweet Goodies

After a full belly of Pizzanista we rolled up to the Orpheum which was a short mile away. Just as expected, the line was wrapped around the corner with everyone super hyped to see what has been in the works for Pretty Sweet. First off, what a great spot for a premiere, the Orpheum is super fuckin’ dope. Old 1920’s architecture that was put under a full renovation in the late 80’s and still looks pristine today. As expected, every industry head in the world was there ready to get this film rolling.

What a great venue! The Orpheum is amazing!

Erica Yary killing it and hustling hard as usual.

VanStyles and Scotty.

Theotis and his homies!

TransWorld homies, Mike Fitz and fellow Rad Collector columnist, Blair Alley.

Herman, Reno, Don’t Know and Beagle.

After everyone was finally sat the whole Girl and Chocolate crew popped onto the stage for the opening dialog. Oddly and sadly enough, it wasn’t Spike, Carrol, or Howard leading the intro to the movie, they had Tyler from OFWGKTA lead everyone in the movie. Why? I have no idea. I’m a fan of all the OFWGKTA music and hi-jinx, but felt like they were trying to impress someone by having him up there, Tyler was even kind of weirded out about it which he stated on the mic. I could understand doing that if it was only young skate rats in the theater for the WOW factor, but it was all industry dudes that know OFWGKTA is a part of the industry in some way or another and has nothing to do with the brands other than friendly associations. It would have been more interesting to hear Spike or someone else from the Girl/Chocolate family tell us what went into this video since they have their blood, sweat and tears behind it, what ever that’s just my opinion.

333 Live in L.A. for the after party.

As expected the video came out hitting hard with the opening intro and then slid into Vincent Alverez’s part. FUCK, definitely one of my new favorites, I appreciate when skating doesn’t looks so “perfect” and his skating has a super raw feel to it. In my opinion, it should have been an ender, but I get it. As the video kept moving it was very apparent that this video was to propel the young bucks. Tershay, Perez, Berle, Kennedy, Fernandez all had super solid parts along with pro stand-outs MJ, Mike Mo, Malto, Anderson, Beibel, etc. I could go into what, where and how, but fuck, first off BUY the video and support skateboarding, DON’T YouTube it, and make your own distinctions. There were also plenty of comedic intros and and Hollywood effects WOW, along with Jack Black and Will Arnett comedic skits that kept the movie moving without any lull periods.

I will say that ending the flick was a shard part by Guy Mariano and Eric Koston that was awesome with Guy taking a big chuck of that part, but……..I heard plenty of rumblings at the premiere that who ever had last part was going to be the next Thrasher SOTY! If this really happens and Guy win’s it that will be pretty fucking wack in my opinion. I mean, I get it, I grew up in the same era as Guy and know that he is not only a rad fucking dude, but is, and has always been amazing, he was due. But, not this year or possibly ever. Just because you were due, next in line, to have a SOTY does not mean you deserve one. At least that is how I always looked at the prestige of SOTY until the Cole repeat in 2009. I mean fuck, GONZ never had one, he fucking totally deserved one. Busenitz was way more deserving than Silas in 2008 or Cole in 2009, etc. Justin “Figgy” Figueroa is HANDS DOWN the most deserving skateboarder for SOTY 2012. He fucking has passion, kills it, almost literally died filming his Bake and Destroy part, pushes skateboarding to the fullest everyday and is just a rad happy dude every time I see him. Figgy’s the perfect example of what a SOTY should be, pushing skateboarding, life and is not lazy. I’m pretty sick of seeing dudes live off of parts for years when there is plenty of dudes that would give their left nut for the notoriety and paycheck.

Ending the night was another “Try Too Hard” moment at a bourgie-ass night club in L.A. $9 beers $11 cocktails and Riff Raff, who to me is this generations Vanilla Ice, nuff said, I saw most of my friends, had a great time while I was in the night, but bailed early. I would like to thank the Girl and Chocolate families for a great night and amazing video, hopefully no one downloads a bootleg/free copy and buys it so skateboarders can actually keep doing what they love through skateboarding paychecks and not only through energy drink sponsors!

Again these are just my opinions, so chill out that I’m not being a sheep and following the approval herd. Have you ever heard of journalism and opinions?

Photos and Words by Jones

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I blew it and missed Wu Tang Clan assuming that they were going to go on last to end the night, but they went on at 4 pm because Method Man had to take a 7 pm flight out to another show. Lesson learned, check the concert schedule before you lag all day. I did get to see Odd Future which was pretty dope, they put on a great performance reminiscent of a punk show because they kept stage diving, hyping the crowd up, encouraging mosh-pits and pissing off security. Poor security, they actually had to do some work with crowd control instead of sit on their fat ass all night. Anyway check out some photos from the day/night below and you can also check out some legit shots from Van Styles blog here.

Pre-Drinking with my lady. Why spend 8 bucks on a beer when you can buy a 6 pack for the same amount? Learn your lessons, kids.

Crowd chilling at the entrance away from the stages. I think they were Wu’ed out as their set just ended before I got in! SHIT!

Just cause it’s a rad shot!

Murs and some fans. He had a line that was at least 150 people long for over an hour just to meet him and get a photo.

It helps to know the girl who runs all the bartenders! Kayla Vava, my lady Alisha and Eladio Correa Marketing Director at Freshjive

Main stage

Super Fan of Emerica and Baker, he had ‘em both tatted and this Emerica plate is all mini beads that took him 30 hours to create.

Hieroglyphics on the main stage, they pretty much killed it.

You have to do a crowd shot, right?! Note there were three stages going on at once and they were all this packed!

Living Legends came on right before Odd Future. They got a new fan named Brian Jones, they were super dope…check them out, it’s worth your time.

Living Legends and Van Styles creepin’ on the stage doing what he does best.

OG Street Culture Creator, Rick Klotz from Freshjive. WTFIRGO??!?!!

WTFIRGO! Only 25 made by Freshjive and I am the proud owner of one of them.

The American Flag Bandana out of his hat made me do it!

Tyler the Creator from Odd Future. OFWGKTA!!!!

Shitty photo, but that blur in the middle is Tyler the Creator after a heavy stage dive!

OFWGKTA!

You can’t argue with carney food! Now onto Coachella!

Photos and story by Brian Jones

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