Concrete Jungle

Fuck yeah!!

2011-06-01T10:06:00.002+12:00

Don't know about you but I'm totally feelin the new vicki park design- building starts soon as I believe.

Get off your ass and do something

2011-05-23T09:47:00.002+12:00

Some skaters in the Point Chev area are doing something about the lack of a skatepark in their area instead of just wingeing about it. Get behind them and sign their petition here

So.... its been a while.

2011-05-20T09:44:00.007+12:00

Wow, it's been so long since anything has been posted here. The last few months have been hella crazy for me: getting married, a trip to Paris and Kuala Lumpur and getting a new job! Shit's been wild! If you win lotto I highly suggest flying you and your mates over to Kuala Lumpur for a skate mission! So many marble plazas over there!!
The weather has definitely changed in the last week or so for the worse so get building those grind boxes and jump ramps, shove them in the back of the station wagon and hit some dry spots! Rain is no excuse not to skate!
Here's a fun little spot to hit in Onehunga. Its a small mellow bank outside a school that could be quite fun if you pile on the wax at the top. You could even jam a wooden pallet on top to make a vert wall ride! Its on Arthur Street outside Onehunga Primary School field. Just turn left on the roundabout next to Dick Smith on the main Onehunga Road.
Score: 2.5 /5

Pfanner and TNT and AVE!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!

2011-02-04T08:57:00.003+13:00

Museum.

2011-01-24T08:06:00.004+13:00

I still haven't got my ass to this spot but regular contributor Jacob sent these pics in of the famous museum ledges. This looks like a fun spot to get some lines going. Check it out! Thanks Jacob!

Ruru huhu

2010-12-06T11:18:00.003+13:00

Bang it down Ruru Street (off New North Road) and you'll find this sweet bank with concrete curbs on top to hit. Def a weekend spot- Score 4/10

Skater of the year....

2010-11-25T09:05:00.000+13:00

and this years SOTY is....................

Come get some!!

2010-11-17T13:21:00.003+13:00

Support the scene and get behind this guys!!! Go check it out and be part of something productive!!!
For more info email:

jacobsced@hotmail.com

HEATH

2010-11-09T08:57:00.002+13:00

Pretty cool little thing on the legend that is Heath on the Emerica site (click the pic):

Marble Madness

2010-11-01T12:38:00.004+13:00

If you can tear yourself away from the new Aotea Square ledges, benches and stairs head south to this spot CJ13's favorite southsider Jacob sent in. It's pretty epic! Marble stairs, ledges and manny pads and even a water obstacle can be found here. It's in Papakura on the Elliot, Broadway and Great South Road junction next to the center clock tower thing. Peep the pics then hit it up outside of work hours!
Enjoy! 6.5/10

Hello strangers!

2010-10-18T14:06:00.003+13:00

Okay so its been aaaaagggggggggggeeeeeeeessssssss since my last real post. No excuses, no apologies just had heaps on.
This is what I think you guys need to check out:
1. Aotea square remodel- simply amazing... go..there..now!!!!
2. Aotea square remodel- simply amazing... go..there..now!!!!
3. Aotea square remodel- simply amazing... go..there..now!!!!
4. Heath Kirchart's cycling blog- http://werereallydoingit.com/
really inspiring stuff- even had a fake quitting post!
5. Summer and sun!
6. Street league?...hang on
7. Delete all your facebook friends- your REAL friends will contact you back and ask whats up- keep the rest deleted
8. This place:

Decent runup and landing, metal edged ledge to drop. It's on Ruru Street off New North Road by Kingsland. 4/10.
9. Slap magazine forums- great skate geek forums!
10. New Toy Machine video.. I hope!
11. Building backyard minis ready for summer- beers and BBQs on the platforms!!!

2010-09-17T12:41:00.000+12:00

Nats bro

2010-09-15T14:31:00.000+12:00

Please support this...now!

2010-09-09T14:45:00.003+12:00

Please use the interweb for something useful and productive today- take 5 minutes off facies- better yet put thhis up on facies- Click on the pic to participate.

Back in June, Julian Collender, a 25-year-old skater from Brea, CA, was shot and killed by local police in front of his home. Despite being unarmed and with no prior record, he was shot with a military-grade assault rifle after being surrounded by police as he returned to his home. Read more about the incident at the site dedicated to Justice For Julian .

It's official

2010-08-31T09:57:00.003+12:00

One of skateboardings all time greats (I mean that 100%) Heath Kirchart is officially retiring from skateboarding. Like his whole carreer he has done this with style- leaving at the top of his game- not milking the industry or culture for a single thing. His small part in stay gold will sadly be his last video part. Check out his interview in the latest Thrasher for confirmation (never believe what you read on the interweb :-).
We will miss you Heath.

Dylan Rieder Gravis Promo

2010-08-24T15:13:00.001+12:00

This Gravis promo video of Dylan Rieder (Alien Workshop) is so so so so sick!!!!!!! Check it out ASAP then go skate!

See you there!!

2010-08-23T14:42:00.000+12:00

Attention Skate nurds!

2010-08-19T14:43:00.002+12:00

This site is so freakin AMAZING! It is the most comprehensive database/library of skate videos and info I've ever seen. Seriously, you could spend HOURS on this this watching all the videos- check it out and have a good explore! sick!! Click here.

Stay Gold Spoilers

2010-08-19T12:42:00.002+12:00

I know a lot of people are really looking forward to this vid.
It premiered in the states last night and all the feedback is REALLY positive- sounds like Leo, Westgate and Reynolds had the best parts, Hsu had a 100% switch part- Heath had a retrospective intro and about 5 new tricks with one REALLY INTERESTING final banger (I won't state what it is in case of spoiling it for you). Word on the net (sooooooo reliable!) is that this will be Heaths last part before retirement?? with Transworld Mag stating 'Heath, we will miss you' at the bottom of their article on the premier. Fuck the web tho- who knows? The next Alien and Emerica flicks are bound to be a long way away though so maybe there is some truth in it? Fingers crossed for another amazing Transworld part before he retires? All the spoilers on the tricks, spots and music of Stay Gold are on the slap forum for those who can't wait till the release- click here

I hate you Billy Marks

2010-08-19T12:41:00.002+12:00

This latest video at the Berrics is pretty crack up but also depressing how good this dude is without even trying!

Rhys Campbell

2010-08-18T08:33:00.002+12:00

The always awesome manual website has a cool interview with one of my all time favourite NZ shredders- Rhys Campbell. This dude has always been super cool and down to earth and does the raddest stuff on the board. Super fast, powerful and killer selection of tricks that I love to see done at spots and well rounded is what comes to mind when his name comes up- and the raddest sponsors even! Read the interview, he has some really good things to say.

Break yo self!

2010-08-16T08:55:00.001+12:00

interesting dude

2010-08-12T14:20:00.001+12:00

Cheap DVS tees

2010-08-11T12:10:00.001+12:00

Head over to one day tees for cheap as chips DVS tees.

Malloof cup

2010-08-10T13:20:00.003+12:00

Check out Chris Cole winning the finals of the Malloof money cup in sunny California. How much would you like to skate that course with your homeys!!!

Dicks

2010-08-10T09:59:00.003+12:00

Lately I have seen so many cases of skaters being super productive, creative and positive people but last night I was reminded that some of us are also total dicks. Recently I spent about $150 making a pretty sweet grind box to keep at the undercover carpark off Normamby road (as seen in CJ13 a while ago) in Mount Eden for skaters to use.
The idea was for us all to have something to skate when its wet. The box had been used by heaps of skate crews over the last month or so and the people who used the car park were pretty sweet with us skating there as long as we kept the box in a tidy place( they even used it for a 'smoko' seat). Basically, it was a super fun thing to skate for everyone when it rained. Me and some mates rocked up last night for a skate to find the box stolen by some fucktards.
If you have the box from the carpark stop being a selfish fuck and return it to the carpark so EVERYONE can use it- not just your selfish anti-skating crew.
Grow up and stop being little bitches- if you want a box make one yourself- it only takes a few hours and it's always more satisfying to skate something you built yourself.

Over at the Berrics

2010-08-09T08:44:00.001+12:00

New games up:

Womanly Dancing

2010-08-05T14:38:00.003+12:00

Aotearoa is FAR from perfect but this article about Sudan makes me thankful for the freedom we can enjoy here and probably take for granted- I can't imagine the punishment I would recieve for my dance moves over there- womanly is an understatement! Click here to read.

Josh Solomon

2010-08-05T11:35:00.006+12:00

Josh Solo is an awesome dude. Its as simple as that.
He keeps himself busy working at Cheapskates KP and is doing more and more tattoos at 'Two hands' in Ponsonby everyday whilst tearing shit up at New Lynn Bowl. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for CJ13 recently but first I jotted down ten things I know about him:
1. He can grow a beard like a wizard so amazing I wouldn't be surprised if a family of birds nested in it while he was asleep.
2. He has so much love for New Lynn Bowl he has NLB tattooed on himself.
3. He is one of the few genuinely kind, friendly and most positive dudes you'll ever meet.
4. He has killer old school tricks ready at his disposal as soon as he steps on a board.
5. PMA tattoo- nuff said.
6. Has excellent musical tastes.
7. Has played in bands such as 'snake run'.
8. Is an excellent artist and becoming an amazing tattooist.
9. Is a vegetarian (vegan?) straight edge wussbag! ha ha no disrespect !
10. Has a filthy mouth that would make a sailor blush and some very creative spelling on the 15KP blog he does ;-)

Ok here's his answers:
1. Name- Josh Solomon
Position- Skateshop guy at cheapskates Khyber and tattoo apprentice at 2 hands tattoos
Where do you live- PT Chev

2. Current setup and why- Slave deck 8.25, thunders super wides (boards like my broads loose and wide ), traffick bearings abec 7 !!! deathwish wheels

3. Top 3 shoes to skate in Vans authentic black, black O.G Rowelys on vans, Ed Templetons on Emerica

4. 4 fav tatt flash or original pieces Bob Wicks

5 fav tricks to do Dogpiss no-complys, b/s lips, bombing hills or doing wallrides

6. 6 all time fav NZ spots NLB

7. 7 best albums you own right now Darkthrone Penzafel and DOOMRIDERS the live one 7 seconds and M.D.C

8. 8 all time fav NZ skaters Chey, Jdubs, Curtis Osborne, Jeff sanders, Matt west, B-foo, Bryce Mills(rip)

9. 9 fav international pros/ams Scott Bourne, Donny Barely, Ed Templeton, Heath Kirchart, Geoff Rowely, John Cardiel, Pappalardo, Jason Jesse- way to many to think about

10. 10 best things to do in Auckland / North Island bombing hills, NLB, seeing bands, tattoos, mean feeds ?

Truckstop

2010-08-05T10:24:00.005+12:00

Cj13 has been busy the last few months helping create or improve a few spots around the city- Grind boxes have been put in car-parks, concrete laid to create ledges- all sorts. Now its your turn! I recently skated the infamous 'Truckstop' in Henderson at 38 Paramount Drive and thought it was a pretty sweet spot. This place has so much potential- its undercover, skateable almost anytime and already has the skeleton of potential ledges, wedges, manual pads and gaps.
If you have ever looked at burnside and the skate plazas in the states and been jealous then do something about it!
Get your mates and take a bag of cement down there and get creating! If you don't wanna get those $400 jeans dusty build a grind box/jump ramp/ anything and take it down there- anything helps!
I have a great cement contact so keep an eye on CJ13 over the next few weeks for details on a potential working bee in the near future.
Its still plenty of fun as it is so go check it out next time its raining- remember if we want to keep this as a non-bust spot don't tag, leave trash or park in the local businesses carparks.
Score 4/10 with the potential of 9.9/10.

Stoked!

2010-08-04T14:51:00.002+12:00

We love CJ13!!!!!!

Real fun!

2010-08-04T14:24:00.004+12:00

Ha ha this is so stupid but so fun! Can Real do no wrong?

Racist Fucktard

2010-08-04T09:00:00.003+12:00

I am so sick of this racist fucktard!
It disgusts me that as a country we have chosen to employ this useless bigot to help make the important decisions in government and excuse his comments and actions time after time.
I am sure there is other 'anti brown' racists in Parliament as well and I can give him credit for saying how he feels instead of being a closet bigot but why do we as a country excuse these blatantly racist comments.
He has been busted using tax payer money for a European holiday, a surfing trip in Hawaii, calling New Zealanders 'white motherfuckers', stating he wouldn't be comfortable with his children dating white people and more.
Why is our tax dollars paying for this guy to be employed!
Just imagine if a white, Asian, Pacific Island, Australian etc politician publicly used language such as 'brown motherfucker' ' I don't want my daughter dating a brown boy' - his or her career would be over.
DON'T confuse this post as 'anti- Maori'- that is the absolute opposite of my sentiment and intention- this is simply anti- racist, anti Hone! Please don't condone this type of behaviour and don't let this shit into your world.

Here is a comment I thought was well said:

Ngapuhi leader David Rankin, who is a relative of Mr Harawira, said he was embarrassed by the apology."Harawira has disgraced our iwi with his gutter language and has caused more racial division in New Zealand society than any other single person in a generation," he said."As an MP, we expect certain standards, and instead Mr Harawira has dragged down all of Ngapuhi to his level."

TWS Hallelujah download.

2010-08-03T10:27:00.002+12:00

For those of you impatient bastards who can't wait... here's the link to the download-
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P95D3BCN
if you dig it head to KP Cheapskates and purchase.
Click here to watch the trailer.

Over at the Berrics

2010-08-03T08:46:00.003+12:00

First try Friday with Guy Mariano, Chris Cole, J-Lay, Koston, O'Neil. Plenty of cool stuff over at the Berrics. After you visit The Berrics re-watch Marianos Lakai part and go skate!!!!

Real street comp

2010-08-03T08:23:00.003+12:00

This whole espn thing still feels kinda cheesy and like normal sports dudes are organising it but I do think the idea of sending in your competition video is kinda an unique approach to comps... I think? Anyway Nick Trapasso took it out with a pretty impressive part. To check out all the profiles and video entries click here.
Stay classy Auckland city.

Want want want!!!

2010-08-02T08:43:00.002+12:00

I want one of these boards soooo bad! Check out the story behind them here.

Sick!

2010-07-30T08:33:00.002+12:00

Photography Blog

2010-07-27T08:46:00.001+12:00

Check out Bear from KP Cheapskates photo blog here.

Burnouts in the pit!

2010-07-27T08:38:00.002+12:00

Motorbikes in the pit and then fighting police?? Ha ha crazy, crazy times at a Hardcore festival. Click here and here for the full story.

Mike Giant pic

2010-07-20T10:21:00.002+12:00

Cool illustration! I like all the old school board graffics!

By the sword

2010-07-20T10:18:00.002+12:00

Read about Mike Vs reasons for leaving element and check out his new board company- by the sword. Cool name I think. Here.

New Berrics games

2010-06-28T10:05:00.001+12:00

New games up on Berrics 3. Get tech yo!!

Cheap Plan B & DVS

2010-06-28T08:29:00.002+12:00

Be in quick at 1 day deals

Undefeated

2010-06-25T09:49:00.002+12:00

The mighty All Whites have finished officially undefeated in the world cup. Their final game was a slow, grinding slog and certainly not as exciting as the last game but we remained unbeaten. Unfortunately due to other games (in particular Italy) we won't be moving to the next round but we have done incredibly well! We need to remember the world cup for New Zealand is like you and your mates challenging Chris Cole, P-Rod and Mike Mo to games of skate and not losing AND getting letters against them. Word to our goalie MARK PASTON who had an amazing World cup- the Pfanner of NZ soccer.

2010-06-25T09:30:00.004+12:00

Regular spot contributor Felix has sent in a link to his utube vid of his shredding- peep it!

Pfanner burning the witch

2010-06-25T09:27:00.003+12:00

A cool short euro video from Thrasher- you gotta check Pfanners 180 at the end! Turn this dude pro anti-hero! Gotta say this dude is so so amazing!

Remember thESe?

2010-06-21T11:22:00.001+12:00

Next update is up: Check it here

Lizard King

2010-06-21T11:01:00.002+12:00

Fans of the lizard should head over to the Thrasher site to check out the Epicly Later'd episode featuring old eagle nose.

Battle of the snoz- lizard vs Gerwer

Kill yourself

2010-06-21T10:42:00.002+12:00

These two dudes are so good it's depressing. So many difficult tricks popped so high- all bolts baby!
So, so sick! Anyone else predicting a P-Rod vs Cole final?

Heroes

2010-06-21T09:13:00.002+12:00

One all against Italy.... un-fucking-beliveable!!! Congratulations All Whites!!! This was NZ soccer's finest moment! AMAZING!! Just play earlier next time!!!!

Bee Pee

2010-06-18T14:10:00.003+12:00

Hey there readers, sorry about the lack of posting lately- works been crazy but stay tuned for plenty of goodies coming soon...real soon!
I know this is a skate blog but I really want to urge you all to educate yourselves, or at least take some interest in, the oil crisis over in the states.
This whole situation is completely fucked and is a terrible, unnecessary disaster for our world. BP have lied, broken numerous laws and continue to do so as this disaster continues- this is not just a natural disaster but the result of a mega corporations unnecessary greed by drilling deeper than laws dictate and not having contingency plans of what to do if things go wrong (even after alarm bells were ringing months and months before the spill).
To get some idea of the size of the spill check out the really cool site: http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com/
You can choose any destination in the world and it will show the relative size:

PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR OPINION ON ALL THIS AND USE YOUR POWER AS A CONSUMER TO DO SOMETHING----BOYCOTT BP and spread the word - lets stop giving our money (and the power) to people who seem intent on FUCKING UP OUR WORLD!

For INDEPENDENT and easy to read coverage on this and many other social and political issues head to http://www.truth-out.org/ to find out more.
I have personally almost given up on New Zealand mainstream media after the absolute SHIT they have been reporting on for the last year or so and it just seems to be getting worse and worse. (How can a story on Jennifer Aniston's new rom-com possibly be the third most important news story on the 6 o'clock news!!!!! I TASTE VOMIT IN MY MOUTH!!!!!)
Sorry about my ranting but hey, thats what the interwebs for isn't it?
...skate or die!!

2010-06-11T13:41:00.003+12:00

Love em' or hate em' Nike has made a pretty cool little website to celebrate Koston and Andersons new shoes. It features cool little videos on BA creating shoe displays and a mini ramp session with Koston, BA and friends- worth a squiz

Holy Moley!!!

2010-06-08T14:21:00.003+12:00

POP Central

Chris Cole

2010-06-04T15:24:00.002+12:00

A quick interview with ZERO destroyer Chris Cole about his preparation for the Maloof comp.
Click here

B.A again and again and again

2010-06-04T13:00:00.003+12:00

This is kinda old, and its from ESPN but....
it's a pretty cool interview with B.A who many will agree when I say has one of the best styles out there and 'ledge melting' eyes as he rolls up to stuff. Enjoy!
EAST COAST POWERHOUSE
here

Spots spots spots

2010-06-04T10:28:00.002+12:00

Thanks to everyone who has been sending in spots, especially prize winners Felix and Jacob, I won't be posting many new spots until the second week of the school holidays as I am waaaaaaaaaay too busy to get around to take pics till then.
That's good news for those of you with a camera wanting to win a prize- easy pickings!!! Find your new spots take some pics and send them in and you could be a prize winner!!
Otherwise send in the location and description of the spots and I will get the photos done in the holidays.
Keep em coming- give back to skateboarding!!!

Street League

2010-06-04T10:18:00.005+12:00

An interesting approach to street comps 'Street league' organiser and financial backer Rob Drydek is collecting many big name pros to 'sign paper'. My understanding of the idea is pros are invited to join the league and then exclusively skate these comps. The courses are more plaza orientated inside huge arenas and I don't think competitors skate by themselves but more of jam session type heats. Could be quite cool? Check out the website here.

Defy Skate store

2010-05-31T11:23:00.002+12:00

Hamilton heads... remember Defy? Remember F.T.D? Ha ha There's a mail order in the states going by the same name with a similar logo.
p.s. officially most stupid and pointless post ever!!

Roh- Sham- boh

2010-05-31T10:58:00.004+12:00

Love it or hate it Battle of the Berrics is a big part of professional skateboarding in the 2000's and BATB3 has just started, BATB2 winner Chris Cole battles Joey Brezinski and Toy Machine shredder Johnny Layton plays Danny Garcia.

Place your bets for BATB3 winner in the comments section below and you may win a prize when the final game is played.

Barack 'slam dunk da funk' Obama

2010-05-27T16:09:00.004+12:00

CJ13 concreter, collaborator, contributor, choice guy and basketball nerd Dale sent this link in. A really interesting interview with US president Obama (They finally have a decent president!!) about basketball and politics------

click here
Allen for three.....ITS GOOD!!! go boston 2010 finals!!!

Stroll down memory lane

2010-05-25T10:37:00.004+12:00

Over at the es site there is a really cool historic retrospect of the label/riders/shoes etc. This brought back memories of the first Koston's, Muska's and the iconic SLBs. Check out Kostons floatly grab rocking a Foundation board and much much more. Click here

Toy Machine

2010-05-20T12:09:00.001+12:00

Some sick Toy Machine photos over at Thrasher.

It's back!!!!!

2010-05-20T08:47:00.002+12:00

Battle at the Berrics fans- head over to the berrics site to view the choosing of the first 4 quadrants. Chris Cole will be kicking things off again- Bring it on!

Woodward Beijing

2010-05-17T09:49:00.002+12:00

Pretty epic park/plaza! Bring on Woodward Kingsland I say!!!
Click here for a walk through video.

Holy Ponsonby hole batman!

2010-05-14T11:41:00.000+12:00

Productive, creative individuals willing to take risks have always been essential in the skate scene. The actions of these individuals at times have helped shape this culture and provide important footsteps in our history and have been the catalyst for some our our best (and worst) memories.
Grey Lynn's Dale Sutton is one of these individuals trying to create some memories and add another interesting chapter to New Zealand skate history by creating a temporary, skater built skate park in the unused 'hole' in Ponsonby.
Skaters have a uncanny sense for turning something unusable to others into something that means so much to another group of people- some of you may remember skating the abandoned waterpark (pools) on Leisure Island at the mount, skating the unused 'oriental markets' the list goes on and on.
On a smaller scale I think street skating is based on using your environment in a different way be it from dumping a wooden pallet on the ground for a manual pad to mixing up a bag of concrete at 3am to create the perfect bump to ledge set up. You can also look overseas for examples of larger scale projects such as Burnside. This is what keeps skateboarding fresh, original and most importantly dangerous.
This is a chance for us to come together as a scene, culture, community (call it what you will) and work together on something productive, make some friends outside of Facebook for once, (I heard its called 'networking' nowadays), share our ideas and create something killer! Its a chance to prove to others that skaters are not just lazy, unproductive kids but a community with ideas and the balls to make them happen.
So, close Facies already, meet your homies and get building something to bring- even if its just a old sheet of plywood in your dads garage (we are creative- we will find a use for it) and email Dale at: ponsonbyskatepark@gmail.com and share your ideas with him.
Get behind this and one day you may just be sitting in your wheelchair in the retirement village telling your Grandson skaterat how you were part of NZ skate history popping nollie flips in 'THE HOLE' .

Let us pray/skate

2010-05-14T11:32:00.004+12:00

The church opposite price cutter and Dizzengof cafe on Ponsonby road (not K road end) has some pretty cool stuff to shralp. You should know the deal about respecting spots by now... enjoy. Thanks again Felix

Point Chev

2010-05-14T11:23:00.004+12:00

Felix has been busy sending in some spots- here's the first bunch of em. (the rest should be up next week)
In Point Chev kinda opposite McDonalds, outside the video shop is this sweet set of 6 stairs with a super long run up and smooth landing.

Next to the stairs is this fun low flat bar with a cool bent corner that makes is super fun for corner slides/grinds

BA at Double Rock

2010-05-14T11:17:00.004+12:00

More Brian Anderson madness. This dude is proof that sometimes less is more. A fast BS smith done with style will always beat a sloopy mob flip in stall flip out trick. Click here

Nike team at S.P.O.T

2010-05-13T11:40:00.003+12:00

Heres a quick vid of the Nike Team at Tampa. Always good to see some Brian Anderson Footy! click here

BA kicks

2010-05-13T09:29:00.003+12:00

Brian Anderson's kicks click here

Koston Blog

2010-05-12T11:29:00.003+12:00

This is actually pretty good. Check it!

Rollins and Danzig

2010-05-12T10:21:00.004+12:00

If anyone knows somewhere selling this comic please let me know- looks crack up!!!! Who would win a fight- Glenn or Henry? Click here for more

worst...

Stupidest...

post...

EVER.

Skate 3 Intro

2010-05-11T13:46:00.002+12:00

This is a pretty funny watch, bring on rainy nights!!
Click here

South Auckland WHAT!!! PART 2

2010-05-11T09:14:00.005+12:00

Jacob from Mangere has been busy taking photos and sending them in. Here's another spot from him: It is outside the Nuplex factory building on Great South Road heading towards Sylvia Park, Jacob assures us there's a lot to get into at this spot, heaps of gaps and banks and a smooth car park for a nice game of skate. This spot is for weekends only.
Score: Funx2/10

South Auckland WHAT!!!

2010-05-11T09:00:00.004+12:00

South Auckland ripper Jacob Sced sent in this nice little warm up spot on Coronation Road heading towards Mangere. It's next to the bottle shop/vet/Wanderers club. This spot has plenty of gaps, ledges, stairs, a concrete wedge ramp and wall ride opportunities. Jacob warns not to hit it at night (south ak gangsters!!) and to look out for rocks, cars and drunks. Thanks for the pics Jacob!
Score: fun/10

Things are brewing....

2010-05-11T08:54:00.002+12:00

Watch this space.....

Keep em coming!

2010-05-10T11:32:00.004+12:00

SPOTS SPOTS SPOTS! Keep sending them in, I am posting a few new spots sent in last week (as soon as I have taken the photos) over the week but we need more! Just click the email link, give me the address and I'll do the rest!! Support skateboarding and win prizes!!! DO IT!!!

Frank Turner

2010-05-07T14:42:00.003+12:00

On Tuesday night I found myself with my Fiancee and some close friends with a cold beer in my hand at the Kings Arms enjoying the talents of Mr Frank Turner. CJ13 music reviewer Shane Cairns had this to say about the show:

Arriving fresh off the Revival Tour (bring it here next time!) Frank Turner, a leading light in the new generation of English acoustic guitar toting troubadours, was here to play his first gig in the land of the long white cloud.

With very little setup (a guitar and a mic don’t require a great deal of setting up after all), and a brief introduction, Frank kicked off with the lead track from his second album, Love, Ire & Song, followed swiftly by Try This At Home , the second track off his newest album Poetry of the Deed.

From there, with Frank as our garrulous tour guide, we were led through a selection of songs from all of his albums, a few covers (an accapella rendition of traditional folk staple Barbara Allen being a highlight) and even a couple of new songs (called Steve and Dave respectively).

While his last two albums have been mostly full band affairs the songs translated well into the stripped down context of the show, the band only being missed when we were informed that Sons of Liberty and Reasons Not to be an Idiot couldn’t be played without them. But, apart from those minor omissions, the set consisted of everything (I would imagine) the audience was there to hear

Thousands of miles from home in a room full of strangers Frank’s constant touring is evident in his comfort at being on stage and his ability to engage with the audience. From dragging an audience member and one of the opening acts on stage to play harmonica solos (he’d forgotten his neck brace), to sharing stories from his deep dark anarchist past, his charm and humour (and dimples) kept the audiences interest throughout the show

Smiles were aplenty throughout the night but it was only towards the end of the show that the crowd really found their voice. Photosynthesis found Frank encouraging a sing along, and it was all the prompting the audience needed. Hands raised and punching the air we bellowed along with Frank, lost in the spirit of the song and the moment; forgetting briefly that it was nearly midnight on a Tuesday and we had work early the next day, or that a two hour drive home still loomed. And while there weren’t as many of these beer in the air, arms round strangers, sing yourself hoarse type moments I’d hoped for the ones that did occur more than made up for it.

So, with the final lines of Ballad of Me and My Friends ringing in our ears, it was over; out into the cold Auckland night, smiling with the experience and memory of what one man, his passion, talent and guitar are capable of. Thanks, Frank.

Another Leo Interview

2010-05-06T11:44:00.003+12:00

Keeping on the Toy Machine news here's a interview with Leo about grinding up El Toro, fighting Andrew Reynolds and learning how to ride a motorcycle.
Click here

Matt Bennett pro for Toy Machine

2010-05-06T11:39:00.004+12:00

What happens when you turn pro for Toy Machine? - you get a giant cookie and an axe from Leo stupid!
click here for more pics

Sustainable Art

2010-05-06T08:59:00.005+12:00

Hey I saw this link on the Manual site this morning- soooo damm cool. Some sculptural artwork made from old skate decks by skaters. Nice work Manual!
click here to be blown away.
It got me thinking about how broad skateboarding culture can be. You have individuals doing motivated, original and creative things like this and then at the other end of the spectrum you have Jereme Rogers rap career (no disrespect to hip hop/rap intended) and Ryan Sheckler in pop videos that can't help me taste vomit in my mouth when I see it.
But then again who am I to say one is better than the other? I guess it's all just personal opinion, you like what you like. It's just so hard not to be cynical of peoples intentions and motivations at times... or maybe I'm just getter old and bitter.

Jereme Rogers...He's back!!!

2010-05-05T14:49:00.004+12:00

um... yeah.
This dudes back...
with some park footy....
and a rap....
sorry.
Click here to see the video... or not.

PHOTOS

2010-05-05T12:41:00.004+12:00

The photos have started coming in for the CJ13 photo comp. Scott sent these killer Polaroid ones in today- thanks Scott! (NB: not sure if these are 'real' Polaroid pics? - there is a really cool free application you can download from the Polaroid website that lets you drop normal pics into the application and it spits them back as dope looking Polaroids) Just remember though, the winning entry must be at a spot that has been featured on CJ.

Hank review

2010-05-04T14:01:00.003+12:00

Last Monday my good friend Shane and I went along to the Henry Rollins (author, former Black Flag vocalist, vans sponsored cult icon) spoken word performance and were blown away yet again. This was the third time I had seen him on a spoken word performance over the years and as always it was awesome. Shane has written a review of the show for a music site but has also passed it onto CJ13 for your reading pleasure, enjoy!

Monday night. Not widely regarded as the best night of the week but, much like the Warriors, it can occasionally produce a stunner. And last Monday night was that proverbial stunner.

This was due mostly to a spoken word performance by one Mr Henry Rollins (although good company and a mean Mexican feed beforehand certainly didn’t hurt either). Here on the back of his Frequent Flyers tour, nearly two years to the day after he last graced these shores, Mr Rollins delivered a fantastic two and half hour set of spoken word mastery.

Blue collar and high school educated (even making jokes about going back to cleaning toilets when he finally runs out of words) Rollins is, by his own admission, an ordinary man. What make him extraordinary are his drive and his burning desire to know, see and do. Working a schedule that would exhaust a person half is age you have to wonder how long he can keep it up (and hope to God he finds a way to make sure he does!). You inevitably leave a Rollins show feeling both inspired and disheartened. Inspired because his ideas, enthusiasm and energy are contagious. Disheartened because tomorrow you know you’re getting up and trucking off to another day of routine while this 49 year old dynamo will be tearing life a new asshole.

If you’ve been to one of these performances before you know pretty much what to expect. Henry clad all in black and taking his attack stance (which looks like he still thinks he’s in Black Flag; ready and willing leap off the stage and attack the entire audience if they give him the slightest provocation), diatribes on war and intolerance, pot shots at well known republicans (along with some fairly hilarious impressions), travel anecdotes and touching human interest pieces.

In the hands of a less skilled speaker knowing what to expect could easily equate to boredom. Fortunately Mr Rollins is not a less skilled speaker, always finding ways to take these expected themes and personalise them, making them relevant to his audience.

Take war for example, he could easily speak on the wrongs of Iraq (and does) but heck, he’s down under, so he throws in a piece about ANZAC day. Intolerance, why not throw in something about a mongrel Aussie calling the First Lady a monkey? (This, sadly, isn’t even a blip on the radar of things she gets called in her own country). His monologues are always well researched and show some understanding of a country’s history, cultures and tradition. And it’s this sort of effort that makes the difference.

But it’s not all serious stuff. Rollins knows the value of humour and sprinkles his set liberally with it. Whether it’s a strange tour guide from Laos yelling mangled English phrases like “What’s your life!?” and “Make biologic on tree!” Or discussing his masturbation habits (in almost uncomfortable depth) he’s got the experience and stories to pull humour from almost any situation.

An overarching theme of the show, and one which really struck a chord was that we should view this decade as our child. It’s only ten at the moment and, while it has some bad habits and has been hanging with the wrong crowd, it’s young enough that with care and positive influence it can be helped to grow into something we’re proud of. Engaged effort on our part can rid it of bad habits (racism and intolerance, injustice and inequality, y’know, all the bad stuff) and make sure it’s exposed to people who are a positive influence (Obama (and shit, Henry too) being a good start).

So gone are the anger and cynicism of youth, replaced by a respect and the arms wide open world view of an elder statesman. Rather than have our differences keep us apart he wants to find out what we have in common and use those to bring us together. The passion remains, but, rather than punch you in the face, Rollins wants to assault your brain with his words. It seems strange to say it folks but Henry’s become a hippy. And damn if it isn’t good.

Place your bets gentleman.

2010-05-04T10:22:00.006+12:00

So how many tries did Coles legendary 360 flip down Wallenberg take? Place your bets and put down the cash before you click play, just ask Kenny Rogers!
Click here
DEDICATION

Transworld best of April

2010-05-04T10:19:00.003+12:00

The good folks over at Transworld have a post of their most popular stories of April- check it!
Click here

Photo Comp!!

2010-05-04T08:58:00.003+12:00

A new feature on Concrete Jungle is the photo comp.
Every month I will be sending out a prize from ABC or Cheapskates Khyber for the best photo sent in each month from a spot featured on 'crete jungle. The winning photo will be posted on the blog so fame and riches will surely follow for that lucky dude!!
Get clicking and good luck!!!!

WE NEED YOUR SPOTS!

2010-05-03T14:43:00.004+12:00

Concrete Jungle HQ has a big box full of prizes (ranging from tees, hardware, wheels, posters etc) from ABC and Cheapskates KP waiting to be sent to readers but there's a problem... no ones sending in spots any more (I know you haters are loving this!!!)- lazy bloody skaters!!
On average over 80 people check out the blog everyday and on a busy day over 100, one of those 80 people must have at least one spot to send in!!
If you have ever learnt about a new spot from here its time to give back to the scene... all you need to do is email me the location of the spot and I will do the rest- you just sit back and wait for your prize. Simple.
For the next few months I will be sending out prizes for the following:

Top 3 spots sent in each month

Best skate photo taken at a spot that's been featured on CJ13

So if you use this blog it's time to give a little back- sent that shit in!!!

Plan B United Nations

2010-05-03T09:55:00.003+12:00

Concrete Jungle is back! Sorry nothings been posted for ever! but shit should improve over the next few days and CJ13 will be back to its former glory taking over the interweb!!!
Check out the Plan B team at the berrics. This is kinda like watching someone play video game skating (skate 3 demo up in playstation online store by the way nerds!) with all the flip in flip out tricks. Enjoy! Bring on Berrics 3!
click here to watch

Tuarangi Road Flat Bar

2010-04-01T12:59:00.004+13:00

This flat bar/carpark was sent in by furniture designer extraordinaire Mark (check out his blog: http://madeprogress.blogspot.com/). This is a classic square low flat bar attached to the side of a nice carpark perfect for games of s.k.a.t.e (don't forget about solos s.k.a.t.e comp!!) and plenty of weird concrete block things to do tricks over. Its in Grey Lynn on Tuarangi Road (click here for wises maps link)
Score: 4/10

Hallelujah

2010-04-01T10:00:00.003+13:00

The folks over at Transworld have posted the Trailer of the new film by Jon Holland and Chris Ray starring Ryan Decenzo, Pete Eldridge, Taylor Bingaman, Tyler Bledsoe, and Torey Pudwill. This should be out later this year and looks promising. The backside tailslide to flip out at the end is so freaken ridiculous!!!!!
Click here to watch the trailer.

Inspiration

2010-03-31T14:02:00.003+13:00

Check out this really cool little video showing that sometimes it just takes a good idea and some hard work to create something amazing! School holidays are almost here so go out and do something creative and productive when you're not on the board. Click here for inspiration.

Converge

2010-03-18T15:32:00.006+13:00

photos:Marms
My all time favorite band CONVERGE played three shows here in Aotearoa in the weekend. I watched them destroy the Kings Arms on Friday night, then hopped on a plane to catch their Saturday night show at Bodaga Bar in Welli. The highlight of the Welli show for me was the super extended version of their epic Jane Doe song at the end of their set. So sick! I was fortunate enough to take their bassist Nate for a skate at the Wellington park then a push through the streets. Nate has a pretty sweet layback frontside rock and the loosest trucks this side of Boston!!
I hear the Sunday night show in Hams was pretty mean too.
Shows of the year...decade...ever!!

Point Chev School

2010-03-05T13:13:00.003+13:00

Thanks to Matthew for sending in this spot (you're this months winner!! Well done and your prize will be in the mail soon). Point Chev school on Te Ra Road has some dope new wooden ledges built that are perfect for slides etc. There is even a small fun set of stairs. Keep to weekend sessions and PLEASE RESPECT THE SCHOOL. NO tagging, dropping rubbish etc. If teachers are there working let them do their stuff in peace and come back later. Look after your spots and they will be around longer for us all to enjoy. Score 5/10

2010-03-05T13:06:00.009+13:00

This is an interesting ledge to small road gap on the corner of Ponsonby road and Anglesea Street. It has a smooth but kinda skinny run up and then a small ollie over a garden then drop to the road. Just don't get hit by a 2010 BMW.
Score 4/10

End of Sandringham Road

2010-03-05T13:06:00.008+13:00

You will find this painted ledge/block along Sandringham Road Extension number 755 outside the community center (check this out too as there is a long set of three here too). Its a bit chunky but pretty fun for nose/tail slides etc.
Score 3.5/10

KHYBER PASS CS / CJ 13 COLAB!!!

2010-02-22T13:32:00.005+13:00

I saw this awesome bearded KP/CS employee at the girl demo swamping the pros for autographs! Say hi to this hairy chin next time you're in CS he's a awesome dude!
KPCS / CJ13 COLLAB fool!!

Girl Demo Part 4

2010-02-22T13:29:00.003+13:00

Girl Demo Part 3

2010-02-22T13:27:00.004+13:00