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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Unless you’re living under a rock today or in some car, plane or train in the U.S.A. traveling for Thanksgiving, you’de know that Leo Romero was named Thrasher Magazine’s Skater of the Year (S.O.T.Y.) today! Everyone that gives a rats ass about skateboarding knew it was between him or The Boss Man, and with Leo’s Toy Machine Brainwash part culminating to be completely different from his epic Emerica Stay Gold part but just as fucking rad and gnarley, it was a no brainer decision! Side Note: Don’t watch that shit on YouTube, support skateboarding you idiots and buy that shit, they are both well worth the coin it costs. Congrats again, Leo, lets go rage in San Francisco on the 10th to celebrate your radness!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s the Phelper bringing Leo the news!

-JONES

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This is the shit that makes your blood run cold, makes you want to punch the cement until your fists are filled with blood, the kind of determination you have when nothing else in the world matters except the moment you’re in. Fuck the world, fuck you, fuck that rock that just tossed you, fuck that weird bump before you ollie, fuck that stupid bird that won’t shut the fuck up so you can concentrate, fuck that twitch in your face from nerves, fuck the pain in your leg, fuck this dumb hat!!! If you skateboard, you understand this philosophy of “Fuck Everything” because of frustration. It’s the inner determination and perseverance that drives you to overcome these demonic thoughts in your head and when that time comes and you nail the trick you have just tried for the last four hours straight, the world becomes the most beautiful place in the universe again. The frustration, anticipation and determination that comes out of Jerry’s scream is enough to get you freaked out yourself, but you understand what he is going through and you just want to sit quietly and let him work through it.

The highly anticipated Stay Gold – The Emerica Video, Emerica’s first full-length feature since 2003’s This Is Skateboarding, features groundbreaking skating from the Emerica Team – Andrew Reynolds, Heath Kirchart, Leo Romero, Bryan Herman, Kevin “Spanky” Long, Jerry Hsu, Braydon Szafranski, Aaron Suski and Brandon Westgate – along with breakthrough parts from Young Emericans Jamie Tancowny, Justin “Figgy” Figueroa, Collin Provost, Marquis Preston, and friends.

Stay Gold will be Available September 1st, but I’ll be at the premier with all my homies that have had multiple moments like Jerry’s, and give them a congratulatory high-five after I watch their monumental video parts that they put their blood, sweat and tears into.

-JONES

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Drinking The Kool-Aid reflects Templeton’s punk rock, DIY asthetic with a series of personal photos. The material not only delves into his “personal relationships, but also the outside streets and the activities surrounding the skate culture” to reveal a “phantasmagoria of images contextualizing a broader vision of contemporary youth culture.”

To go along with the display, Ed worked with his long-time sponsor, Emerica and his skateboard company, Toy Machine to create these special products for the Emerica take-over of Slam City.

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The Goat Record Release Invite

- JONES

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Through all these great times, I have a plethora of images that had no home to go to, now they do. I’ll throw up a few every now and then, but for now, here’s a small handful from a trip I took with the Emerica team in 2006 for Emerica’s Wild Ride and Wild in the Streets. The Emerica team took an 11 day trek on the Wild Ride from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL on Harley-Davidson’s (Well most did at least, others RV’ed it.) for Wild in the Streets on Go Skateboarding Day. All of these photos are from Chicago for Wild in the Streets, I will upload the Wild Ride photos another time. Enjoy!

In 2006 and 2007, Emerica had a collaboration with none other than the Archbishop Don “Magic” Juan himself, so fresh off our flight, me and the Bishop had to head over to the Man Cow radio show to be there by 6 a.m. for a radio interview. Yup, he rocked that kit that early in the morning! Respect the game fool!

This is the Boss himself, Brandon Westgate and Matt Allen waiting to exit the RV for our long-ass 5 mile skate in the Chicago summer heat for Wild in the Streets.

Notorious B.O.B.

Heath Kirchart signing for fans.

When we were waiting for the rumbling skateboard wheels to take over Chicago, Ed took a seat on Heath’s bike so I had to snap a shot. (Probably the first and last time you will ever see Ed on a motorcycle.)

Braydon sat with Ed for a tender moment.

And then tried to eat my camera!

This is about 2 miles into our skate. Ed was one of the leaders of the pack…

… of about 5,000 skateboarders! If you have never been a part of a Wild in the Streets event, I highly suggest you try it, it’s pretty intense!

Good friend and one of the Founders of Brixton, David Stoddard made the trek too.

As did Dustin Beatty from Anthem, Janae Twissleman and Altamont Brand Manager, Justin Regan.

And then, after a noted “kit change”, Bishop took over the skate demo! Dudes nuts, but awesome!

– Look for Randoms Part 2 soon….

- JONES  -

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