Motto: TrailCap

CURRENT ENTRY
1/31/11

This week's Guest Front Page Poster is The Art Dump, whose website has just been relaunched, redesigned, and redumped.

The Chocolate Fluorescent Series. Eye catching to say the least, and, I think I just did.

McCrank, Kenny, and Cory can now add Poler camping gear to their already impressive list of sponsors/hookups. We better be looking kitted up for the next Beauty and the Beast, Crank.

Rickk getting some major BGPs.

Don't you hate it when someone turns the Hubba calendar a day early in the boys' bathroom?

Q & A Section
From Kawika,
Q: I have a question for Justin Brock: How do you keep your glasses on when you skate?
A: What I do to keep my glasses on when I skate is when I get a new pair of glasses I make sure the arms bend so I can bend them around my ears. That works most of the time. They only fall off if I slam really hard whiplash style.—Justin Brock

Send your questions here

FYI, Carroll rode shotgun on today's post.

FYIer, That's a Wahoo's one free taco flier in his hand.

QUOTE:
"I gotta be drunk at a party to come up with the good Tweets."—Daniel Castillo @DlakaStan

CURRENT ENTRY
1/28/11

The Mini DV Drawer. Again, back to the early days of Fully Flared. Probably '05. Carroll downtown. MJ, Brad, BA, and Biebel up in Sac. Olson and Howard in the schoolyard. Guy on the quarter. Shit, even got a Brezinski clip in here. Additional filming by Cory Weincheque.

Q & A Section
From Blake Lindsay,
Q: I am not sure if this has been asked or not but how did MJ get so ripped? It is like Brad Pitt, Fight Club status. I know it is a New Year and I was planning on getting that 'As Seen on T.V. -The Perfect Sit Up' to maybe get the beer belly off. Plus does he still drink and smoke cigarettes?
A: I don't know if I would refer to myself as 'ripped'. Biebel says I'm more 'cut' because I have no body fat. As to how this current, strapping panther physique evolved, I skateboard six days a week, and maintain a vegan diet. I don't eat very often, but when I do, I eat like a horse with a feedbag strapped to my face. I'm that skinniest fat guy you'd ever meet. A total pig. But it's all healthy and mostly organic. No meat, no fast food, no candy, no bullshit from 7-11. I don't drink booze, but I do smoke. I smoke like hell. All day. Wow, some amazing ladies just walked by, dipped up to go out for the evening here in Hollywood. I dance. They probably work out. I sleep in a tree 18-hours a day and bust out some Tai-Chi before I shower and hit the streets. Lay off the beer if you want to get rid of the gut. My ways are my own. Find out what works best for you my friend. Be well, love yourself regardless, and laugh as much as you can.—Marc Johnson

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
1/27/11

Crailtap's Year in Review. Carroll said as long as we got it out before February we're good. Clip of the Days, shit out back, tours, international jet setting, if it happened in 2010 it's in here.

CURRENT ENTRY
1/26/11

It had been a while since Carroll had a Fourstar ad. But blue hair? Gonz 3-D shades? Crail snatch on the Crail Couch window? Had to be done.

Active filmed their own Girl Open House video and I gotta say that the artistry of Spike and Ocatvio's Air Dancers really comes to life when shot in Black & White.

Never smoked cracked here, like some of my friends, but I did see Koston BS NBS it.

I know we've been going toe to toe with Brimley over market share ever since they pressed their first boards, but we just couldn't deny the brilliance of their video trailer any longer.

This is pretty much perfect. But you couldn't turn the cross of the "A" into a skateboard.

Saw Rip yesterday. Still enjoying his life.

QUOTE:
"How am I going to get TMZ' jokes if I don't do my research?"—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
1/25/11

It's been a while so we're putting it right here at the top. #36.

They go nostalgic on Rickk at the C-Baller.

Kenny Anderson goes down river at Skateboarder.

 

The New Crail Board Contest. Smyth is dying to pack you a box (or at least send Jordan in the warehouse an email to do it). Read the post from 1/18 for full details. Send your YouTube or Vimeo link here.

Pretty much see Carroll Monday thru Friday these days. Kinda nice, kinda nice.

Q & A Section
From Russell,
Q: Hey, I am a longtime Tapper and was wondering where a good spot to get a skate tat is? I know the Lu has had some time under the needle, is there someplace that she could recommend? I went to this spot on Melrose and the dude had no idea what I was going for and it was very awkward. I do not want this man touching me.
A: I get tattooed at Black Heart in SF. if that's too far, try Yer Cheatn Heart in Gardena.—Lu Blando

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I'm trying to slow down my intake these days."—Rickk

CURRENT ENTRY
1/24/11

Not sure if sunny side up or fried OG would work, but Scramble does.

The New Crail Board Contest. Adrian Gephart sets it off right with a Benjamin Hana and shows that this thing works up on 'dem ramps too. Thanks fro sending Brandon Lahee. Upload your entries to YouTube or Vimeo and send here. Here's what you can win. (Read the post from 1/18 for full details).

Alexandre Phillips gets in on the Big Heads fun.

Q & A Section
From Ethan,
Q: Hey Atiba, what's it like to have Panda Bear name a song after you and are you looking forward to Tomboy, if it ever gets released?
A: Noah aka Panda Bear is a very good bro. The story is I started the song for the video and was having trouble. Noah being the coolest dude said send it to me I'll help you finish and he made a whole song. When I got it I knew it was a perfect fit for the video. It's the biggest honor having that track named after me. I'm a big Animal Collective and Panda Bear fan and psyched on all of the positive fed back of the track. The record drops April 19. Go buy it!—Atiba

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
1/21/11

Mini DV Drawer. Fully Flared tapes #44-47. Guy, Koston, Mo, MJ, Smyth, and Carroll, back in the year of our Lord 2007.

Sorry so short, but have to go watch a dear friend ride an elephant. Bye.

CURRENT ENTRY
1/20/11

Clip of the Day. Carroll is pretty hyped on his new 8mm App, and Sean Malto is his muse.

It only took a Golden Globes win to make us realize that this Facebook thing is for real. Please come "like us" because we love you.

Ty talks trials and tribs for Woodward.

Hersh, you owe your fans some Greatest Misses.


QUOTE:
"I personalized it with multiple personalities."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
1/19/11

These never-been-seens and second angles in Lakai's Extra Voltage edit show how hard the fellas were ripping in Europe last summer. Guy, you gotta make that hurricane flip out.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Our Receptionist, Lu Blando's, Top 5 most polite skaters that call Girl:
1. MJ*
2. Carroll
3. Eldridge
4. Rickk
5. Jeron

*Usually when MJ calls, I'm on the phone with him for a while because he loves to chat

The New Crailboard Contest. Read yesterday's post for details. Bring the pain and send your YouTube or Vimeo links here. Winner gets a complete of their choice set up by Smyth. And if you guys don't win it we're giving it to Cory.

Carroll, return Alex's call to go skate. You're starting to piss him off. Not that he's not already pissed off already.

Somebody tell Rudy to start cutting the sleeves off his T-Shirts. At least wait until June, Rude. February just doesn't seem right for that look.


QUOTE:
"They're showing a lot of quads, dude."—Rudy Johnson on people wearing OP shorts again

CURRENT ENTRY
1/18/11

New Contest. Best Clip on the New Crailboard. That's this one. We've done this before. Be it a line, a single trick, or a whole part. Winner gets a complete of their choice, packed personally by Smyth. Post your entries to YouTube or Vimeo and send us a link.

In the first 20 secs. of Part 3 there's some classic Gonz and the rest is all Guy with some classic stories.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Top 5 things Rudy Johnson has been trippin' on lately/always:
1. If you try to get to a certain level of consciousness and you're slightly racist, then you're light years away from getting there
2. Vibrato and pitch harmonics, look here
3. When people preface something by saying, "In the real world..." What other world is there
4. I'm trippin' on people trippin' on that new Zodiac sign stuff
5. Carroll

Q & A Section
From Mike Deming,
Q: Meza, what are the Top 5 responses from Carroll when you ask him to give you a Top 5?
A:
1. Doesn't think the subject is good enough
2. Too busy working on a remodel to think about 5 of anything
3. Let the younger guys shine
4. Too busy stretching
5. Usually too busy staring at his phone to even get a response—Aaron Meza

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"My immune system is age 12, again."—Rudy Johnson

CURRENT ENTRY
1/17/11

Atiba and Ty wrangled some Girl and Chocolate dudes and some other friends to put their new Panasonic GH2 to work.

The other day Alex Olson lied to me and said Heath Ledger once called him and begged for Alex to be in a movie with him. And I believed. I'm no Heath Ledger, but I had to call and beg him to be this Guest Front Page Poster too, but, for real.

Our boy, Jensen on ice!

Q & A Section
From Carlos Stich,
Q: What up, that red up and down box that you guys built and skated in Fully Flared looks hella sick. And I plan on building one at this DIY spot in New Orleans. I was wonder if you have any tips or pointers.
A: Don't use latex house paint if you want to paint it. Use spray paint. Slides better. Make a mock-up out of scrap wood and get it dialed before you commit to building the form. 7 degrees incline. Before you pour, fill the majority of the form with old wood, junk, rocks, cinderblocks, anything, so you save on purchasing and using actual concrete. You'll be pouring around and on top of all that junk so it will still be stable. Mixing concrete is a pain in the ass. Once you pour, use a trowel or a float to smooth the surface, then leave it alone for a week before you remove the wooden form. Concrete takes about 28 days to fully cure, so keep that in mind. And use Quikrete. Much easier for DIY. Once you figure the whole thing out, go hog wild. Make all kinds of different shapes out of concrete. We just barged it and it worked perfect. It's easier than you think. Hope all this helps, man. Have fun.—Marc Johnson

CURRENT ENTRY
1/14/11

Mini DV Drawer. The Chocolate Years, when our biggest concern was if we were going to go to Koo Koo Roo's or Subway for dinner? Featuring Mike York, Keith Hufnagel, Stevie Williams, Mike Carroll, Tony Ferguson, Eric Koston, Scott Johnston, Rick Howard, Rob Welsh, Sean Sheffey, Dimirty, Danny Gonzales, Mic-E Reyes, and Tim Gavin.

BA talks about his video part songs over at A Visual Sound.

QUOTE:
"That was a great time in my life. Broke, stoked, and just about to go pro."—Brian Anderson

CURRENT ENTRY
1/13/11

Clip of the Day. From the pages of Wallride 21, Cory Kennedy on the new Crail Board.

When White Boys Get Bored, or, Mo and Vince Gigglefest.

Q & A Section
From Lucas Lipowec,
Q: To Brad Staba, I found a stack of old skate mags today, I flipped through them and came across the "Am I  Am" article in Slap March '95 featuring 15yrs old Staba. He answered the question, "What do you see yourself doing in 15 years? Still skating? " "Yeah, Totally." Since it's 2011 he obviously achieved his goal more or less. So Brad, let me now what's up with the next 15 years?
A: If Staba says he's going to do something, Staba does it! I'm not a big fan of letting people down. As for the next 15 years, I want to give back to skateboarding as long as I can. It's given me more than I could ever have dreamed of. I've said this before, but people who think skateboarding owes them something can fuck right off. From the minute you step on a skateboard you're on skateboarding's terms and in some sense indebted to it. Sink or swim. I would like to start a few more brands so I can filter some ideas I have that don't fit into Skate Mentals vibe. Can't always be shits and giggles. JK. Unfortunately at this time in my life there's no off switch in my brain. It's a blessing and a curse. But I hope in 15 years I'm alive, skating and thinking about the anniversary of you asking me this question.—Brad Staba

CURRENT ENTRY
1/12/11

Clip of the Day. Roger sent in this four-man ledge tickle.

Maybe you were there and maybe you weren't. But if you were and you took a photo with the Girl/Alva posse then you're in here:

New Poll. What New Year's Resolution have you already broken?

Q & A Section
From John Genes,
Q: BA, what are your favorite music albums of all time?
A: Appetite for Destruction by Guns n Roses, Birth of Cool by Miles Davis. James Brown. Elvis. Van Halen's self titled first record. Wu Tang's Enter the 36 Chambers. Motley Crue's Shout at the Devil, Joni Mitchell's "Blue" and Tina Turner, all of it.—Brian Anderson

QUOTE:
"Believe me you never made any grammatical mistakes in your life."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
1/11/11

If you've always been a fan of portraits of the Chocolate riders but just wanted them slightly altered, then the Altered Portraits Series is for you.

No doubt the In-N-Out truck gets the phattest, and fattest, line at our annual Open House, but this year Lu's Tattoos gave it a run for its money, free tats of any of our glorious logos for anyone over 18, done by Lu's friend Cody.

Here's Tackyworld's Colin Clark's angle of the Open House.

Biebel shares his Year in Photos over at Biebel's World.

Our boy Shane O'Neill is in the running for Australia's Skater of the Year, and we'd be astonished if he didn't take it. At this point he could probably take it on just about all seven continents. If you care to vote for Shane, or otherwise, go here.

Q & A Section
From Paul Johnson,
Q: How did Brandon Biebel get his Medical Marijuana Card?
A: Went to The Weed Doctor and got a prescription. I love weed!—Brandon Biebel

QUOTE:
"I don't know if I have seen any good interwebbing lately."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
1/10/11

We took a much more editorial approach for Wallride 21. Its got videos, articles, photos, a sequence of a cat, and even a Ringer Top 5. Hope you have as much fun looking at it as we did making it.

Open House #9. Cocks were pet, skin was inked, burgers were grubbed, and the kids went nuts!

CURRENT ENTRY
1/7/11
Brought to you by Smyth

Debuting online Monday will be our Wallride 21 catalog. Just in time to miss your Christmas lists. Hopefully you got some gift cards to your local skate shop.

On the Crail Couch with Mike Mo Capaldi, where he talks Carroll, two-ways, and COD.

Mini Top 5 Rick McCrank's New Year's Resolutions:

1. Get the ankle all the way back and do switch again.
2. Mad yoga.
3. Be a blogger (in the works).
4. Film a video part for the best people in the world, with the best people in the world.
5. Hopefully learn some more stuff

Guy and Rudy get together with those other guys from that classic, most influential of all time, old ass video. The years have been kind to them all.

Are you gay? Whether you are or not it's hard to deny skater boys are hot dudes. You might want to pick up a copy of this and see, if you are, or not.

Have you ever dreamt of a partially nude Mez gracing the wall of your home in 20" x 24" glory? Of course you have. Pop into the Pretty Pretty Collective and purchase this one-of-a-kind print. Many other beautiful images available as well.

CURRENT ENTRY
1/5/11
Brought to you by Smyth

No Christmas set up here. Vincent rides his till the wheels fall off. Waste not want not.

Kenny and the El Wood squad take it up the Mississippi. Looks to be some of the best in parks, DIY and make-that-shit-skateable spots. Killer cruiser action from Silas.

Q & A Section
From Peggy Day,
Q: How come the Crailtap crew never has pictures of the girlfriends of skateboarding? I think that would benefit the viewer's pleasure.
A: For the same reason you don't know who Usher is dating. Would a single lady buy a Justin Eldridge deck if she knew he was taken?—Smyth

QUOTE:
"You know who's a trip? Your boy with the blue hair drinking the double tequilas."—Sean Smyth, my brother

CURRENT ENTRY
1/4/11
Brought to you by Smyth

Are you watching this? Amazing television. Or I mean internet. It could be on TV, if Brandy and Ray J are.

Really thought I was going to see a sequence per the ad. Never the less, wherever he's going, a macho ollie by TNT.

We lost! Stay classy, San Diego.

CURRENT ENTRY
1/3/11
Brought to you by Smyth

More Beasts and Beauties in P-Stone's Year in Rebru. One hell of a skate season.

Thank you Preston for all that you do.

Mini Top 8 MJ's New Year's Resolutions:

1. Get some tricks for this video.
2. Spend more time with animals.
3. No meat, no dairy, no sugar for one year. Love the body, the mind will follow.
4. Vanish
5. Reappear
6. Get my fat ass to do a flip trick over a table off flat by sheer will of love.
7. Do some yoga, and meditate myself into a parallel reality where my video part is already done.
8. Be a good dude and keep bringing the love to my endeavors.

I'm sick today and won't be picking up on any of the brilliant shit that goes down around the office. Hope you never heard of Thrasher and I totally put you on to some shit.

I did however hear Carroll met Juju of the Beatnuts in Rome on New Year's Eve. Supposedly the explanation of Mike using that song in the Virtual Reality video went nowhere.

CURRENT ENTRY
12/30/10
Brought to you by Smyth

Transworld reminisced on some of their best webclips of 2010. Vincent kicks it off nicely.

Kevin & Bean's Miss Double D-cember got a bitchin' stick for Christmas.

Mini Top 5 Mike Mo's New Years Resolutions:
1. Not miss a kick-flip on flat all year
2. Quit drinking energy drinks
3. Learn how to skate
4. Get the Girl/Chocolate video done!
5. Anything. Just can't wait for 2010 to be over. This year sucked!

CURRENT ENTRY
12/29/10
Brought to you by Smyth

Meza thought the Christmas break would be the ideal time to have a baby. So yesterday afternoon Oscar Anderson Meza was welcomed to earth. I, Smyth, will handle the Randoms while he's up to his elbows in poop, puke and not sleeping very much.

Had enough of EA on the front page? Good. Cause BA is going to unknowingly grace the next 5 days with his most recent texts to me.

Lardog sent me over his New Years Resolutions: 1. Learn magic / levitate 2. Start a band 3. Front rock the executive quarter pipe at Girl.

The funny part is 1 and 2 are more likely to happen before 3.

Frank recorded butt-loads of tracks on our Beauty & The Beast European Vacation Tour. Stoked to see they've created a music video for one of the. It just sucks MTV doesn't really play music videos anymore. Thrasher is the only place you'll see this one.

The Step Brothers get invited to pretty hip parties.

CURRENT ENTRY
12/27/10

When it rains it pours skaters here at Girl. Here's what went down one wet afternoon. Featuring Justin Eldridge, Daniel Castillo, Kenny Anderson, Yaje Popson, Raven Tershy, Danny Montoya, David Loy, and Vincent Alvarez.

 

QUOTE:
"Shane O'Neill is like a skate Robocop video game if there was a hidden level after you beat the main boss."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
12/23/10

The Q&A Section was never intended to carry the whole column, until we got this one from Liv A. Send a photo next time.

Q & A Section
From Liv A.,
Q: Why isn't Mike Carroll married? Anyone can answer. And I'll marry Mike.
A: He has to do playlists for about three other events a year so a wedding would just be too much for his schedule.—The Ringer
A: Cuz last time I checked the trend forecast blue hair is SO NOW and marriage is SO 2000 and late! Steadily stayin' 2 steps ahead. Deuces.—Mike Carroll

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"You want to see the other edible art I've made."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
12/22/10

Girl Skateboard's Big Head Series: The Movie featuring Rick Howard, Eric Koston, Mikemo, Sean Malto, Jeron Wilson, Brandon Biebel, and Guy Mariano. Roger Bagley made this!

The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Drum roll please...the winner is John Marshall and his chest shaving Mike Carroll.

We're also sending Paul Mihailoff a runner-up prize for his excellent, and no doubt, laborious entry. Thanks for playing everyone.

CURRENT ENTRY
12/21/10

Tis' the season for company gatherings, father and son artshows, double baked potatoes and free booze. Here's a gallery from the Girl Skateboard Company's Christmas Party (thanks Rickk, Meg, Mike, and Spike!)...

And a gallery from Boom Boom, Alex and Steve Olson's artshow last weekend, shot and captioned by Ben Colen.

Q & A Section
From Edwin Arcilla,
Q: I have a Crail Couch request. J Casanova, that is all.
A: Don't want his feet on our couch.—Aaron

Send your questions here

Oh yeah, Gif Animation contest winner? Let's do it tomorrow.

CURRENT ENTRY
12/20/10

Mini DV Drawer, more Mouse. Featuring Rick Howard, Eric Koston, Mike York, Guy Mariano, Chico Brenes, and Ben Sanchez. This is right when them ledge tricks were getting spooky.

Malto hops up on a big switch 50, and onto the cover of The Skateboard Mag.

Gif animation winner will be called tomorrow.

CURRENT ENTRY
12/17/10

The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Dusty Constantinopoulos makes this old Girl ad even creepier. We're announcing the winner on Monday, maybe Tuesday. Read yesterday's post for the details. Here's what you'll win. Send your entries here

Hershel gets ready for his close up for the Danny Way doc. Why not?

Steve Andel posted this footage of Malto skating a contest seven years ago when he was 13. Tell you the truth, he hasn't aged all that much.

What bummed you out more, The Prince of Darkness wearing lace or Priest putting color in their leathers?

QUOTE:
"You gotta run before you walk."—Carroll

CURRENT ENTRY
12/16/10

Clip of the Day. We got a few new things outback. Big bank, double sided marble hubba, and a new rail and bowled China bank corner just off camera. Elijah, Vincent, and Jaime (from sales) point 'em out.

The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Chris Panza animates one of Carroll's favorite pastimes. We're announcing the winner on Monday, maybe Tuesday. Read yesterday's post for the details. Here's what you'll win. Send your entries here

Alex Olson and Steve Olson (that's his father Steve Olson, not the Shorty's Steve Olson) are having an art show a the Known Gallery on Fairfax this Saturday titled Boom Boom. But if they could just have gotten the Shorty's one in the mix, they could have added an extra Boom to the title, in more ways than one. Next time guys.

QUOTE:
"If you compared my week to a skate contest, it's jam format."—Staba

CURRENT ENTRY
12/15/10

Vincent Alvarez is a company's art director/marketing department's dream. He has a photo for an ad, on call, at anytime. You know Lakai appreciates it.

The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Jason A. with the best one yet. Timely too. We're announcing the winner on Monday, maybe Tuesday. Read yesterday's post for the details. Here's what you'll win. Send your entries here

I wonder how many times Miley Cyrus has uttered the phrase "Snitchin' ass bitch!" in the last week?

Smyth was talking today at lunch about an episode of The Real World/Road Rules Challenge being the best one ever. Something about bringing CT back. So it's not like the interest isn't still there, so how do we persuade Sam to stop being polite and start getting real.

Q & A Section
From Krzysiek Kerry Jakubczyk,
Q: For Ben Colen, Nikon or Canon and why? I saw you with Nikon D3 in Berlin but whatever, just asking. Hi five!
A: My first good camera was a used Nikon f3, and I started buying lenses for it a long time ago, so I've stuck with them mostly because I don't feel like buying a bunch of new lenses. Digi wise, they're usually kind of behind Canon, but when they do come out with new stuff it's always really good. Plus they have awesome lenses and I think they feel a lot better to shoot with. They seem like everything is designed better. But that's probably just cause I'm used to them.—Ben Colen

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I just realized I don't like tiramisu."—Smyth

CURRENT ENTRY
12/14/10

Cory Kennedy is really good. And he gets good for Royal.

The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Art Weingartner brings this Gonz/Johnson/Johnson graphic to life. Read yesterday's post for the details. Here's what you'll win. Send your entries here

Lakai has compiled their viral content (Am I Am, Getting Nordical, Lakai Voltage, Lakairomania, all commercials and more) onto DVD. Find it in copies of Sugar, Limited, and Sidewalk mags or as a gift of purchase item from your local shop in here in the US.

35th North is hosting their All City Showdown next week, featuring our own Cory Kennedy. Here's the details if you're in the area.

 

QUOTE:
"I don' know how to do that shit."—Carroll about shopping for groceries

CURRENT ENTRY
12/13/10

The Mini DV Drawer digs further into the annals of Girl's Mouse. Featuring Chico Brenes, Mike York, Eric Koston, Tony Ferguson, and Rick Howard.

In other old, and unearthed, shit, here's some never before seen footage of Gino Iannucci, circa the Yeah, Right! days.

 

The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Did Chris Toone make the Crail board gigantic or did he shrink the dudes? Read yesterday's post for the details. Here's what you'll win. Send your entries here

Just in case your browser window doesn't open very tall, there's a new Ben There, Done That post. Smurf Juice and Street Knowledge.

QUOTE:
"I guess wearing a Polo collar shirt and some Girbaud Jeans is a fucking crime nowadays, not to mention a shaved head."—The Gav

CURRENT ENTRY
12/10/10

On the Crail Couch with Lurker Vision's Animal Chan, where we decided to ask him some of the questions he asks y'all. He had just gotten done skating so he's a little moist.

The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Our first entry to be showcased, Judd Hertzler, not only once shared a part with Omar Salazar, but he's also gifted in the art of gifs. Read yesterday's post for the details. Here's what you'll win. Send your entries here

Brezinski with more Cheeks, and a Kenny bonus.

Just found out that Rudy really likes the voices that do voiceovers on TV. Really likes 'em.

QUOTES:
"Geometry wise there's a lot going on there."—Rudy about a Nugget sequence

"I don't like reading stupid shit that I shouldn't have to read."—Rudy

CURRENT ENTRY
12/9/10

Shop Survey #14. Willy's Workshop. Wonder if they still give haircuts.

New Comp! The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest. Make us an animated Gif using some classic skateboarding imagery. Could be an ad. Or frames from a video. Or a graphic. Click on the examples below. Guest Celebrity Judged by Alex Olson. That's the real cute one with cool hair and just enough acne.

The grand prize for The Crailtap Gif Animation Contest will be this setup that Carroll left in my office months ago. That's an out of print, limited Kitty Carroll, skated by the man himself. Send your entries here

Hershel and his Hairwolf make it to #7 on Complex Magazine's Top 10 Skateboard Artist Right Now. Told you Hersh, that when you miss you miss beautifully.

 

Double Dream Hands, a level of enthusiasm I may never reach as long as a live.

QUOTES:
"He is so good that there is even a feature over on Crailtap dedicated to his 'bad' graphics."—Complex Magazine about Hershel

"Nobody cares about me anymore."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
12/8/10

Biebel, Mikemo, Carroll, Howard, MJ, Mariano, Alvarez, JB, Cairo, Espinoza, Raven, Jesus, Hawk, Brady, and Jensen in Lakai Voltage.

QUOTE:
"I'm at a vegan restaurant in Brooklyn. The music is so vegan."—BA

CURRENT ENTRY
12/7/10

While shooting something, Malto has the habit of asking the photographer advice on landing a trick. In the case of his new Girl ad, that would be Ben Colen. Well, here's our advice Sean. If you need answers on whether your D&D character should have Leather or Plate Armor, go hit up Ben. But for a nollie ns blunt down an 11-stair, you're on your own.

The highly anticipated Lakai Voltage video will be live on their Vimeo page, tomorrow. That's the entire team, in Europe.

Brezinski and that Twitter cam of his captures one of his favorite subjects, The Cheeks. Daniel is his other muse.

Q & A Section
From Chris,
Q: McCrank, just wondering, did the Fuel TV episode with the cycle trip in NZ ever get made, did it come out and if so where can I see it?
A: It aired on Fuel and is now playing at various bike film festivals, maybe search and see if it's playing in your area. Or you could just reenact it.—Rick McCrank

Send your questions here

QUOTES:
"I'm boycotting the internet until I get to dress up!"—Marc Johnson

"No more mas Four Loko?"—Carroll

CURRENT ENTRY
12/6/10

Mini DV Tapes. Last week it was The Chocolate Tour. This time it's Mouse. Sheffey, Mulder, Rickk, York, Keenan, Gino, and Koston. Filmed by Tim Dowling.

In lieu of his Greatest Misses, Hershel will be providing this week's (and possibly next's) Guest Front Page Photos.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Nick Diamond's Top 5 tricks he still has on lock:
1. Cutting my own hair perfectly
2. Doing all my graphics on my laptop track pad, never use a mouse
3. Annoying Carroll every time I see him
4. Nollie Heel
5. Tricks are for kids

Congratulations to Eric Koston for being inducted to Skateboarding's Hall of Fame. Well deserved Eric, though I don't see a public speaking hall of fame induction anytime soon.

Q & A Section
From Holden K.,
Q: Alex, whats the song used in your NYC stuff video? Also, I love you (no homo).
A: It's a mix tape from MSTRKRFT it's called I Mix In The Kitchen Vol.8.—Alex Olson

Send your questions here

QUOTES:
"I'm 20-years-old and I just had my first omelette."—Mikemo

"Hershel looks like a rapist with that mustache."—Lu

CURRENT ENTRY
12/3/10

Mini Top 5. Being a hot shit am ain't all gravy. Especially when you throw head lice into the mix.

Checkout, in seizure vision, how Alex Olson spent the last two months in New York.

Q & A Section
From Ernest,
Q: Ben, I can't help but notice that you like some metal bands. Can we get a top 5 metal bands according to Ben Colen?
A:
1.Slayer
2. Black Sabbath
3. Pre Black Album Metallica
4. Iron Maiden
5. High on Fire—Ben Colen

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I feel like the 40-Year-Old Virgin when I hangout with you guys."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
12/2/10

We've had the good fortune to see The Lakai Voltage video, so believe us, young Raven Tershy's got a heavy presence throughout, on all terrain. Here he takes on a vert ramp in Teaser #3.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
The Gav's Top 5 random people he's bought a Lemon Drop for:
1. Mark Wahlberg
2. The entire Osbourne family
3. My dad
4. Daniel Castillo, because he's under age
5. Matt Schnurr

New Poll. What was your favorite Girl and Chocolate production? Of all time, bro.

Q & A Section
From Billy,
Q: Keith Hufnagel, I happened to watch the Will Ferrell holiday classic "Elf" this weekend. How did you land that sweet product placement (from Santa) for your board?
A: Through Jon Favreau. It is always good to have friends in the movie business. Jon is married to my partner's best friend's sister. Real was supposed to produce the board for the movie but there was a lot of miscommunication during that time. I think they missed a big opportunity, but who is looking back. We only look forward. Check out the trucks, one is backwards. That's what you get for having some guy on the set put it together.—Keith Hufnagel

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"Things mean things to me."—Cory Kennedy

CURRENT ENTRY
12/1/10

(Skatepark) RED. Mike Carroll, Marc Johnson, Eric Koston, and Vincent Alvarez turn Biebel's park (RED) for World AIDS Day (which is today). Special guest appearances by Elijah Berle and David Loy. Go here to learn more about World AIDS Day.

 

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
11/30/10

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Kelly Bird's Top 5 things about working for Rickk and Mike for over a decade:
1. Ask Carroll for ad photos at least a year in advance
2. Don't worry about reviewing the budget with Rickk
3. Always include socks in the line
4. Don't cheer for the other team when Rickk takes you to the game
5. Work for people you believe in

Surely you've seen Ty's Bratwurst edit, but here's Tapper Ryan's angle of the Berling demo.

The DVS film dept. put up a quality video of this years Copenhagen Pro featuring Vincent Alvarez' first contest runs as a pro. They also got Trujillo, Lucas, Nugget, Malto and even The Cheeks in there too.

As far as internet sensations go, this one is sensational. Enjoy, Ben.

Q & A Section
From Robbie,
Q: Carroll, I noticed you were wearing the Vancouver 2010 mittens during your most recent time on The Crail Couch. Did you visit the city during the Olympics, or did one of the Rick[k]s give them to you? My Dad, Mum, and both brothers have their own pairs, but not me; my mum is looking everywhere for extras.
A: They were Aaron's and it was super cold that day. I also have a pair but they were sent to us from our good friend Peter Sullivan at supra dist.—Mike Carroll

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I love meetings."—Alex Olson

CURRENT ENTRY
11/29/10

The Mini DV Drawer goes way back to the late '90s for some "Chocolate Tour" era boardin' from Mike Carroll, Eric Koston, Mike York, Stevie Williams, Chico Brenes, Richard Mulder, Guy Mariano, and Scott Johnston.

Malto's KC pride runs deep, as evidenced thru the latest Escapist trailer.

Guy Kicks and Clicks over at TWS.

Q & A Section
From Shannon Dixon,
Q: Andy Jenkins just quoted Banksy [on the 11/24/10].
A: You solved the riddle! Jenkins=Banksy. Shhh, don't tell anyone!—The Tap

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
11/24/10

As a way for us to give thanks, here's a couple of turkeys on The Crail Couch.

Ben There comes thru with a Shit Sandwich.

New Poll. What are you thankful for?

Q & A Section
From Adam,
Q: Yo Staba, is that honey bear bong Skatemental graphic a shout out or anyway inspired by Randy's bong off the Trailer Park Boys series? Anyways, I'm off to smoke some dope, get drunk, and eat some pepperoni.
A: That graphic was inspired from one I owned myself a long time back. Just reminds me of every head shop I've been in. Every stoner on earth can connect with the image of a Honey Bear Bong. But getting older I'm spoiled by glass. So I try not to smoke through metal. But I'm always down to torch the back of my throat smoking out of an aluminum can. I'm drunk and stoned right now and its around 3pm PT. Skateboard companies don't create themselves. Everything needs fuel. Be safe! Don't blow it!—Staba

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"It's easier to apologize than to ask for permission."—Andy Jenkins

CURRENT ENTRY
11/23/10

Clip of the Day. This weird, even for us.

Clip of the Day, again. When he's not fuckin' with mimes, Eldy is scoring two in the Tech Section.

Mikemo and all his little b-buddies in this 8=D montage.

Malto doing the text thing at Eric and Berra's.

Among her many talents, she can also skate.

Q & A Section
From Jack Wilson,
Q: Sam, is Hubba Hideout still knobbed? And are the stairs skateable or are the bricks all torn up? I'm going to SF in December and I wanna go there for sure, even if it's just to admire its beautifulness.
A: Good thing you asked me. Although I like to think I've got my ear to the pulse of SF, I've lived in LA for the past 12 years. Secondly, as high as I've been in the vicinity of it, I never dreamt of jumping on that fucking ledge. I don't think there's any bricks at the landing, in which case knobs wouldn't matter. But please go ahead and take a look. It's the namesake of all ledges off stairs. Think about BA's front blunt, Koston's back nose blunt, and Carroll's feebles, both ways.—Sam Smyth

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I did two demos with the Ipath team this weekend."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
11/22/10

Der Brat Wurst Tour Ever video featuring Girl and Chocolate riders Kenny Anderson, Sean Malto, Vincent Alvarez, Eric Koston, Chico Brenes, Cory Kennedy and special guest Lem Villemin touring Germany.

CURRENT ENTRY
11/19/10

Girl and Chocolate's Der Bratwurst Tour Ever, from earlier this year, will be getting the full web video release treatment on Monday. Until then be teased.

In other touring abroad news, here's esteemed British photographer, Sam Ashley's view of Lakai's Getting Nordical tour that recently appeared in Kingpin Magazine.

You may know Feds, also unknown as French Fred, the Italian One, as quite an astounding filmmaker. But did you know he can sing you a terrific birthday song too?

Love Gap back on the map.

Friend of The Tap and Where The Wild Things Are suit performer (he played Alexander), Sonny Gerasimowicz has an artshow tomorrow on Fairfax. Care to join him?

QUOTE:
"The trick is to make it comfortable."—Smyth about uncomfortable phone calls

CURRENT ENTRY
11/18/10

Girl's last round of One-Offs for Wallride 20.

Shane O'Neill on some flip in shit over at Biebel's World.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Top 5 ways in which Hershel is going to start being fun again:
1. Start shooting bottle rockets at Rickk instead of being shot with bottle rockets by Rickk
2. Turn my office into a cabana
3. Make the internet bigger
4. Dye my hair blue
5. Become the content vessel I once was

You guys remember Hershel, right?

Q & A Section
From Alex Nguyen,
Q: Chomp On This 2. Is it still happening?
A: Why do you think I've gotten three ankle surgeries in the last year and a half? Chomp 2!—Ty Evans

Send your questions here

QUOTES:
"You're supposed to have fun, and grind a 20-stair at the same time."—Marc Johnson

"I'm going to take this company hostage."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
11/17/10

Looks like Lakai's Voltage tour vid is going to be a banger. Here's teaser #2..

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Mike Carroll's Top 5 things about having blue hair:
1. I pretend that every hot chick is staring at me and not just my hair
2. Made me the best Juggalo for Halloween
3. When I'm out skating people who don't know me think I'm going thru a midlife crisis
4. All the girls at the Goth clubs are finally starting to take notice
5. Matches my pubes

Just found out that Alex borrowed Spanky's shirt for his latest Girl ad. Too cute Alex. Too cute.

Remember how fun Hershel used to be?

CURRENT ENTRY
11/16/10

Mini DV Tape 54. Some classic skateboarding from Marc Johnson, Mike Carroll, and Eric Koston. Circa '07-ish.

Malto gives that back overcrook the Trickipedia treatment.

QUOTES:
"It was rad. Three good meals."—Smyth about his trip to SF

"I like that he has a butt now."—Hershel about the Toy Machine monster

CURRENT ENTRY
11/15/10

Mini Top 5. Theotis Beasley's Top 5 songs to lip sync to. D-D-D-D-D-D-Damn!

This week's Guest Front Page Poster is images captured at one of the South Bay's premier sporting events, Girl Skateboards' 5th-ish Annual Softball Tournament, where we put the  "error" in comedy of errors.

Finally someone sculpted Koston's back noseblunt down Hubba!

Brezinski tweets Daniel at Stoner.

Q & A Section
From Michael Lance,
Q: This question is for Mike Carroll: At what point is a frontside flip really a mystery flip (or pop shove-it body varial)?
A: At the point that it even ends up being questioned. There shouldn't event be a debate. If you got a buddy that swears he's flippin his board, ask to see evidence of wear and tear on his shoe from flipping his board.—Mike Carroll

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"Yeah, you be Bob K and I'll be Raymond."—Staba

CURRENT ENTRY
11/11/10

We've seen the whole thing and Guy does show, as well as the rest of 'em.

Clip of the Day. Getting to know Atiba Jefferson. I mean like really know him.

If you're going to go to only one photo show in SF this weekend featuring a picture of Rick McCrank and a slightly out of weight blogger dripping wet and wearing only their boxers, then go to this photo show featuring the photography of our very own Ben Colen and Sam Smyth, as well as some of our dearest friends, Reda, O'Meally, Morf, and Whiteley.

Check out today's Quotes, and then guess who bought lunch. See ya Monday.

QUOTES:
"Rickk's face barely fits in the Prius."—The Gav

"He wants a small novel for lunch."—The Gav about MJ

"Get me on the voting committee."—The Gav

"All you have to do is say what sucks and what doesn't."—Rickk

CURRENT ENTRY
11/10/10

When times are tough and things are going slow, we'll always have Staba. Click below to read the whole interview.

Lakai and Utility have teamed up for this killer MJ contest.

As for today's Front Page Photo, I usually have a strict no photos of me on The Tap policy, but man, that's a pretty good hair day.

Q & A Section
From Krzysiek Kerry Jakubczyk,
Q: Can you tell me what camera did Eric Anthony use to do his Front Page photos?
A: It's a Voigtlander Bessa R3A, 40mm 1.4 lens & Illford Delta 400 film. Long live film cameras!—Eric Anthony

Send your questions here

Heading out to go meet Koston. Sounds a lot more fun than it is.

CURRENT ENTRY
11/9/10

This Watercolor series rounds it out for Chocolate for Wallride 20.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Chris Roberts Top 5 reasons he wants to put on 10 pounds:
1. I've weighed 145lbs for the last 15 years
2. So I can start calling my abs "The Situation"
3. I'd like to skate with my shirt off at least once in my life
4. So when I get a desk job I'll blend in with the work force
5. Always wanted kankles

Today is one of those days where I'm really hoping that Thrasher, The Skateboard Mag, or The Berrics have something new of one of our riders. And...they got nothing.

QUOTE:
"Those are the kinds of look-alikes I like."—Chris Roberts

CURRENT ENTRY
11/8/10

Mini DV Tapes 48-51. Some classic skateboarding from Eric Koston, Alex Olson, Rick Howard, Jeron Wilson, Mike Carroll, and Guy Mariano. By the looks of that phone we're talkin' circa '06.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Daniel Castillo's Top 5 things about shaving his head:
1. When you get out of the shower you dry quicker
2. Don't have to comb it
3. Easier to hide the grays
4. Makes my friends do a double take
5. I look even younger

Rob Harris made an edit of Yaje and Brady skating Astoria.

Q & A Section
From Alex,
Q: Is Guy Mariano Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ? Just asking, because he had Holy Mary graphics on decks and trucks.
A: I'm definitely a believer in higher power.—Guy Mariano

Send your questions here

 

QUOTES:
"How are they going to know if it's good if they haven't seen it themselves."—Rudy on people who listen to movie critics

"I'm a good subject."—Daniel

CURRENT ENTRY
11/5/10

Devine Calloway on the Crail Couch.

Clip of the Day. Bye Bye TV.

From the mind that brought you the Gino Mixtape. Now here's one of his best friend.

 

QUOTES:
"I have been bringing flies to work with me."—Hershel

"I like Cory Kennedy with a fro. He looks cool."—Rudy

CURRENT ENTRY
11/4/10

The Mini DV Drawer. I have this drawer next to me full of Mini DV tapes spanning from 2004 to 2007. Lot of Lakai stuff and various other Girl/Chocolate trips. So from time to time, I'm going to dig into a couple of the tapes and post some of the timeless boarding that a lot of internet trolls seem to appreciate. Or to put it in much simpler terms, I believe Thrasher calls it "Classics...uhh."

Nick Jensen skates it. Henry Edwards-Wood films it. And it's all going down in London.

A Crail Couch like no other is about to take place.

 

QUOTE:
"After I left, that city was for sure going to be walking funny for a week."—Staba about Amsterdam

CURRENT ENTRY
11/3/10

Clip of the Day. More Core. Thanks for sending Sean!

Take the tour of Biebel's skatepark.

Take the tour of Gonz' skatepark. Thanks Goods!.

Can't believe Smyth didn't take the day off.

QUOTE:
"How would Street League judge that?"—Rickk about Todd Congellierre pissing his pants during his vert run in the early 90s

CURRENT ENTRY
11/2/10

Clip of the Day. Cory's friend (at least I'm assuming they're friends) Sean Motaghedi put together a little park edit. And no, that's not Beagle, that's Cory.

Alex's new Girl ad. The long way.

It might not be up to snuff with, say, a Street Dreams, but man this Todd Falcon vehicle seems to have all the narrative elements and hot moves to tell an epic tale of boardin' and beat downs.

Q & A Section
From Alex,
Q: Brad, now that you've won the world series and defeated the bad guys, what are you going to do next?
A: I'm going to do what I know best. Skateboard, smoke weed and talk shit! Then most likely invent something mind blowing, create above average skateboard products, and pull trim. Staba's gotta do what Staba's gotta do. And answer questions for Crailtap. I'm here for you guys! I give back! Staba's a giver!—Brad Staba

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"They re-raved last night."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
11/1/10

This week's Guest Front Page Poster will hopefully be some of our team riders in costume. Halloween costumes that is. So far, outside of Mo's Kid Rock, all we got are a Pauly D and a Sid. Send 'em in boys

Mini Top 5. Mike Carroll and Scott Johnston play a little cat and mouse.

Jer brings some of that Stay Gold hype to our latest Royal Ad.

Not sure if this entry from longtime Tapper, Zach Doe's Fourstar Caption Contest was late or just slipped thru the cracks some how, but we think it's pretty great. Thanks Zach!

I don't know about you, but for dudes my age, this could have changed our entire childhood.

Lance Mountain and Torey Pudwill are here. Separately, of course.

QUOTE:
"This time of year is really bad for business."—Smyth concerning his vending machine in the warehouse

CURRENT ENTRY
10/29/10

As is tradition we had our Halloween lunch party here today. But in a very untraditional turn of events, Smyth didn't win first prize for best costume. Gallery below.

Then some dude from 'Peg stopped by in search of a killer quarter.

Have a good Halloween. Thanks for sending Ernie.

CURRENT ENTRY
10/28/10

Mini Top 5. Top 5 tricks Justin Eldridge does at Girl to start his day.

Chocolate's second round of One-Offs is shipping to stores this week.

New Poll. On a team teeming with talent, which off board ability would you most want for yourself?

Q & A Section
From Turd Magazine,
Q: Senor Staba, if you got kidnapped by aliens and they forced you to travel back in time and prevent one of the two Brian Wilsons from being born, which one would you pick?
A: Beach Boys Wilson would be gone in a second. Fear the beard!—Brad Staba

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"Sometimes I think I'm Buddha."—Feds

CURRENT ENTRY
10/27/10

Clip of the Day. A few leftover clips from up North. Malto, Mo, and Guy.

Are you wondering what your favorite Chocolate and Girl riders are up to today? Wonder no more. We sent out a mass text simply saying, "What are you doing today?" Some never got back and most seemed pretty suspicious answering with a "Why, what's up?" Here's what we got:
Alex: Looking for photos and taking them
Chico: Heading to San Jose with Kyle Camarillo to skate, then watching the Giants game with the fam
Koston: Going to Amsterdam. What's up?
BA: I'm in Portland 'bout to get on a plane to SF
Justin: Going to go by Girl
Jeron: Doctors appointment at 11:30 then coming by Girl
Devine: What's up, who is this? I'm supposed to do some stuff at Sole
Carroll: Coming down to shralp Girl
Kenny: Skating in Puebla, Mexico
Howard: Dentist, then the plant
McCrank: Physical therapy then having a hot water heater installed, then yoga, then maybe a movie
Roberts: Go skating
Malto: I'm flying back to Kansas City
Daniel: Not sure. Maybe I'll kill you or something or skate some shit

Celine Deon? No problem. But he struggles with John Candy? C'mon Alex!

CURRENT ENTRY
10/26/10

Shop Survey #14. The Denver Shop. Sorry Denver, had to edit that one part.

Another public service announcement from Brandon Biebel

The Fourstar Caption Contest has found a winner. And we've decided to award the prolific, Chris Costello with this prize for his efforts. Thanks for playing all. View Chris' entries below.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Top 5 people Chico would bring to the World Series if he had 5 extra tickets:
1. Alex Brenes
2. Jasmine Cardenas
3. Tim Gavin
4. Brandon Biebel
5. Sam Smyth

QUOTE:
"You got something for me to bite on? Like a nacho chip?"—Mike Carroll

CURRENT ENTRY
10/25/10

Clip of the Day. A quick dose of SF. Again, best for later.

The 25 to 30 plus set is going to love this Gino mixtape.

And if you're even older.

QUOTE:
"A little toe tap on Crailtap never hurt anyone."—Guy Mariano

CURRENT ENTRY
10/22/10

Biebel's rain dance worked, looks like we're going home.

Did we say we're announcing the winner of The Fourstar Caption Contest this week? We meant next week.

 

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
10/21/10

Clip of the Day. Where there's a bank, there's bonelesses.

QUOTE:
"In some ironic way I used to eat off those Lockwood tables. They used to feed me. Now they look just like a big plastic bear trap."—Guy Mariano

CURRENT ENTRY
10/20/10

Our friends at Hardcore Australia are celebrating all things Chocolate On November 1st.

We can't pull it today.

 

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
10/19/10

Clip of the Day. Here's what we did yesterday up here in Sacramento. We're saving the best for later.

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
10/18/10

Clip of the Day. Biebel brings us up to speed on our first stop in Sac, while Vincent and Mo cruise around.




Part two of Modus Operandi's Behind the Music.

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
10/15/10

We're headed to SF!




We'll call the winner for the Fourstar Caption Contest next week.

 

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
10/14/10

Over at Biebel's World they got something called "Super Sick Rope Swing," and they're right, it's super sick.

Biebel's got Atiba glory bound too.

Fourstar Caption Contest. We're planning on announcing the winner tomorrow, but we're experiencing some email problems here at home base. So if you've entered the contest and you haven't seen you're entry featured here already, please resend them as soon as you can. Thanks. Here's what the winner gets! Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Tony Trujillo gets the Chrome Ball service.

Happy Birthday to our man, Devine Calloway!

QUOTE:
"He does a flip, right? I knew it! That's how I met the dude. Flipping."—Rudy about Cardiel while watching the rope swing video

CURRENT ENTRY
10/13/10

Fourstar Caption Contest. Whenever there's three dudes you get one of these. Jimmy Miller fulfills the obligation. We're calling the winner this Friday. Here's what the winner gets! Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Ty talks Modus in TWS' Behind the Lens.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Top 5 things Bill Strobeck hates about filming:
1. Not working with woman enough. The job deals with all men
2. Poaching is at an all time high in the day of the ipod, digital camera and mobile uploads
3. Someone being "over it" after I skated 60 blocks to get to the spot they wanted to film at
4. Hitting a crack and not only falling in front of 40 people, but having to save the camera and taking the slam
5. Following a 15-year-old kid down the street with a camera at age 32

To see some of Bill's videos go here.

Only days separate you from owning some authentic Girl art pieces as well as contributing to a great cause with our Girl & (RED) Art Auction. Don't be late.

Q & A Section
From Andrew,
Q: Was the decision to turn Vincent Pro finalized after his carnage delivered during BATB3? This gentleman is the definition of a skateboarder. If all goes well with his health I believe he will be Crailtap's next SOTY!
A: Beast 3 wasn't the first time it was brought up, but it certainly solidified it. We told Vincent to enter the CPH Pro. He said, "Naaaaw, yeah?" as he does to most things. He wound up taking 6th which was rad. He's a true original, in every way. If you get the chance to see him skate in person, it is a must.—Sam Smyth

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
10/12/10

Clip of the Day of Foundation rider and Mikemo's new BFF, Elijah Berle. You better watch it Loy!

Fourstar Caption Contest. Matthew Lingenfelter takes it to Isengard, much to the delight of Ben Colen. Here's what the winner gets! Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

If Photoshop is not your thing but you still want to win some Crail prizes all you have to do is go to Caught in the Crossfire and answer this McCrank related question. Hint: it rhymes with flair manly.

And at that very same site, there's a review of Beauty and the Beast 3 by the best pen name in 'boarding, Bellend Sebastian.

The Anaheim International Film Festival will be screening Lakai's Fully Flared this Saturday at 4:00pm followed by a Q & A with Ty. Click below for more details.

Q & A Section
From Cedric Junior,
Q: Mr. Ben Colen, how do you feel about the Celtics signing Shaq?
A: I think it's either gonna be awesome or super annoying. But since Perk is out for a while it seems like as good a replacement as you could hope for. Definitely can't wait for the season to start.—Ben Colen

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"That's why I'm not struggling, because I'm not an artist."—Feds

CURRENT ENTRY
10/11/10

Clip of the Day. Beauty and the Beast, unused Beauty footage

Roger's back, roger that, for this week's Guest Front Page Poster.

Imagine how cool you'll look at your school, first date, planned parenthood clinic, marriage counselor session and every other Saturday visitation day with court order chaperone if you have one of these Girl Faded boards.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Top 5 people Brad Staba is teammates with because of Diamond:
1. Jack Curtain
2. Julien
3. Of course, Carroll
4. Huf
5. Rick Ross

QUOTE:
"There is a lot of bored motherfuckers out there. YouTube is banking on it."—Smyth

CURRENT ENTRY
10/8/10

On the Crail Couch. We evaluate the much talked about friendship between Chris Roberts and Justin Eldridge as mentioned in Chocolate's 2004 release "Hot Chocolate."

If you missed out on the Girl & (RED) Art Auction not to worry, we're re-listing the remaining items starting now.

Chocolate's Chunk of Sorts series is sort of shipping to shops as we speak.

Fourstar Caption Contest. Xvegan meats innovation. Get it? Here's what the winner gets! Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

If you've wondered what Tony Ferguson has been up to, I know I have, then read this interview with Tony Rone here.

Happy 30th birthday Hershel!

QUOTE:
"Phat...I mean fat."—Smyth

CURRENT ENTRY
10/7/10

Clip of the Day. We know you've always admired Sean Malto's 'stache from afar. But now you can enjoy it up close, and in HD.

Enrique and Guy have a cool clip over at Biebel's World, which we have been told has been killin' it this week.

Brandon's got Carroll ripping on there too!

Ty put together a teaser for Neck Face's Halloween show.

New Poll! What lengths would you go to skate like The Champ?

Fourstar Caption Contest. Benny asks, "Can't we all just hit a bong?" And we'd have to agree. Here's what the winner gets! Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Thanks to all who participated in the Girl & (RED) Art Auction! The money raised is going to go a long way. Learn more at joinred.com.

Q & A Section
From Shanna Leviste,
Q: Went to the Bad Brains show at House of Blues awhile back and accidentally creeped it up hard when I took a picture of Atiba shooting them to share with my friends. Anyway, since Wu-Tang played Rock The Bells the other day, I gotta ask cause I could never choose, Wu-tang or Bad Brains?
A: I saw the Wu with ODB back in the day, and I have been listening to the Bad Brains since I was 13 so I got lots of history with both. It's a tough one cause both are music royalty, but I'm going with Bad Brains because with reggae and punk I get two for one. And they never made a song I didn't like. It's good to see they both still killin it. I would have went to Rock The Bells but saw Bad Brains at Sunset Junction with Fishbone opening, it was amazing.—Atiba

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"You got a get rich quick plan. All I got is a get fat slow plan."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
10/6/10

All things Beast are now up and running. We promise (with fingers crossed behind our backs). Thanks to Thrasher for the added tech support

Fourstar Caption Contest. Kevin Brown with a timely and appropriate entry. Awesome Kevin! Here's what the winner gets! Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From A. Kanderson,
Q: Tell Brad Staba FUCK THE GIANTS! GO PHILLIES! NL EAST CHAMPS THE LAST 4 YEARS IN A ROW oh yeah BACK TO BACK NL MOTHERFUCKING CHAMPIONS! Best recognize you fucking buster. FUCK THE PADRES, ANGLES AND THE BUSTED ASS DODGERS (I'd mention the A's but.)!
A: Haha! I'm always up for a challenge so only time will tell how long the Phillies will last, or the Giants. As for me being a buster, guess my buster ass will be eating hot dogs and drinking beers at all these playoff games in Frisco. I hope you can check a game live man. Maybe you work a 9-5 job and have been saving up or have rich parents or friends in high places. I wouldn't know anything about that job part since I'm 31 and have never had a job in my life. And if somehow we meet you guys down the line. I'll fly to Philly to watch the games there and get far beyond amazing tickets because it's that easy. SHIT, I'll buy you one too! But that buster part was pretty funny man, haven't heard that one in awhile.  At the end of the day it's all in fun so I do accept your challenge and I do agree about fuck all those other team but I'm going to have to add the Phillies to that list. Now get back to work, or school or whatever. I'm going to Chief Chronic all day and skate. Gotta go. Xoxoxoxoxo.—Brad Staba

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I only like my skateboarding edited, not my words."—Chris Roberts

CURRENT ENTRY
10/5/10

Sorry for the tech difficulties on the Beauty and the Beast 3 site yesterday. Shit should be ship shape by now. Emphasis on "should."

Mo's king of the world with his new move the Titanic Flip.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Top 5 ways in which Pro Skaters and Porn Stars lead similar lives, by Chris Nieratko:
1. No one uses their real name. Try calling 411 and asking for Lizard King's or Belladonna's home number
2. Bang bus/tour van; same difference. Equally creepy
3. If you're ever gonna make it, you better be able to throw down backside tailslides on command
4. If either puts in a real hard day at work today, chances are they're going to see the doctor tomorrow
5. Both world's eat 'em alive and spit them out young. You're a cougar before you turn 30. The movie The Wrestler could have just as easily been about a pro skater or a porn star

Check out the video from Skateboarder Magazine's Sunset Rampage for some of the finest multi-generational boarding on 'net today.

Fourstar Caption Contest. Devin Wiles reads the headlines. Here's what the winner gets! Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From Matt K.,
Q: Just spotted Chris Roberts ad in the new Eminem/Weezy video.

A: I signed that poster for Eminem at a demo in Tallahassee, I guess he was so hyped on it that he threw it in his new video. I don't know who's the bigger fan, me or Em'.—Chris Roberts

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I like their direction. No wheels. No clothes."—Mettee

CURRENT ENTRY
10/4/10

Beauty and the Beast 3 videos up now!

With a plethora of scheduling issues and dubious obstacle designs, as recently as week before last, it was iffy if we were even going to be involved in Vans' Downtown Showdown. But with a little determination and very low expectations and one of the baddest Griptape teams in town, we pulled through a glorious victory as team Pretzel Grip (TNT, T-Mo, Pfanner, and Vincent) took it overall with Vincent winning for Best Pro. Watch the Time Trials here:

And Vincent's win at the Zero-Cano here:

Lakai's got a full scale product update and new team pages with Daniel, Hawk, and Raven.

Tony Trujillo pontificates on all this KOTR.

Q & A Section
From Darrin Lee,
Q: Malto, is your street league 150 G's completely tax-free or is the IRS jackin' that like lottery winnings?
A: The IRS is getting a big chunk. Shit sucks.—Malto

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"Learned a vicious lesson about nursing a hangover with a baby in the house. That shit does not work."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
10/1/10

Clip of the Day. I truly believe that you couldn't have a Beauty and the Beast without Tony Miorana. Here're a couple of quick outtakes of T-Mo's from BATB3 European Vacation. Full videos go up on Monday.

If you ever wanted to own a piece of Girl history or been a fan of The Art Dump or just want to help a good cause go to The Girl and (RED) Art Auction and get bidding.

Fourstar Caption Contest. Devin Wiles reads the headlines. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Here's the Caption Contest Grand Prize.

On Tuesday night Skateboarder Magazine hosted a mini ramp at The Standard hotel on Sunset Blvd. It was a real fresh jam.

I know the Crailboard and The Street Pirate have adorned the skin of a lot of our friends and fans, but this Girl OG takes the cake.

Q & A Section
From Patrick,
Q: Was Brad Staba at the Giants game on 9/29? Cause I was watchin' the game with the old man and I swear I saw him proudly showing off a tie dye Tim Lincecum shirt.


A: That was indeed Staba. Staba has tickets for the rest of the season as well as playoffs WHEN we make it there. And I'll be...I mean Staba will be wearing that same tee shirt to every game he goes to going forward. Call me a jock or call me Staba, your call.—Staba

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"Now he's all soft. His third eye is exposed."—Rudy about Kirk Hammett

CURRENT ENTRY
9/30/10

Here's Bagley's angle of Vincent Alvarez' Double Rock session. Or as we refer to it, Double Rog. Got some BA and Smyth in there too.

If I had five mics and if they had the patience, it would have been one hell of a Crail Couch. Lets at least enjoy the photo

Poolside at the The Hard Rock is a trendsetter's dream. Make that a wet dream when Rickk and Smyth are on the scene. But it only begs the question, Who Wore It Best?

Fourstar Caption Contest. It's not a Caption Contest until there's a "Dude Where's My…?" Thanks for making it official Christian Hammer. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From Cory,
Q: Vincent, I have a job and I know you did too, but I barely find time to skate anymore. I skate when I can but how did you do it? Congrats on going pro!
A: I think one thing that kept me pushing was not having a car and skating everywhere whether it'd be to work, the market, skate spots whatever. It helped me get places quicker and if I thought of a trick all day at work, I got my board right there with me to try it right when I got out! Thanks a lot man.—Vincent Alvarez

Send your questions here

QUOTES:
"They have their boners way up high in the air."—MJ

"Oddly enough he ends up going home probably alone."—Fat Bill

CURRENT ENTRY
9/29/10

The Vincent Alvarez saga continues. This is how he do Double Rock.

Also, here's Vincent's latest Royal ad.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Brian Anderson's Top 5 songs used a video part:
1. "Traneing In" by John Coltrane from Mark Gonzales' part in Video Days
2. "Weakness" by McShred from the Rubber Boys' part in Public Domain
3. "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock from Guy Mariano's part in Mouse
4. "Brave Captain" by Firehose from Natas Kaupus' part in Streets on Fire
5. "The Local Yocal Ho Down" by man on the street in Antihero's Fucktards

Hershel's Greatest Misses #35. As goo goo for Gaga as Carroll is, this is pretty disturbing.

Fourstar Caption Contest. Dave puts one up for the Hulk-A-Maniacs. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

QUOTE:
"I don't care about evil. I like evil shit."—BA

CURRENT ENTRY
9/28/10

Clip of the Day. Winner of the Band of Horses Skate Contest, Cole Wilson from Louisville, KY, redeemed his grand prize last week and was flown out to LA to hang with the band and skate Girl. And he killed it. Thanks to Creighton and Steve at BOH and Matt Ballard for filming and making the edit.

New Poll. How are you coping with this heatwave?

Fourstar Caption Contest. Riley Murphy covers some ground with his entry. Topics discussed? Shoeless 180s, Chronson Lambert, Bledsoe, and the new Zero kid. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

BA reminisces on all things KOTR over at Thrasher.

Q & A Section
From Peter Amerkhanian,
Q: Atiba, did Reynolds leave you hanging on his roll-away at Hollywood High in Stay Gold?
A: Reynolds did that four different times so he could ride past the fence. The reason you know that ain't me by Rule #1 don't mess with another man's ride away, let them high five you. That was Ako. I brought him so he could shoot a sequence and I could shoot a still. Also, you can tell that's him by that small t-shirt. I'm straight hip-hop XL!—Atiba

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I guess beauty school is a real thing."—Rudy after butchering his son's hair

CURRENT ENTRY
9/27/10

Girl & (RED) Art Auction. If you weren't able to make it out to the Girl and (Red) Art Show back in late July here's a chance to purchase some of the art via this auction. All proceeds from these auctions go to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

Clip of the Day. Staba and Koston get an ISX score of 7.2 in the Creative Section at the St. League.

Also from this weekend's League, Tapper Tom points out some similarities to Jordan's teammate with his Air Koston photo submission. And finally we'd be remiss to not congrat Shane O'Neill on the bit win. Spend it all!

Thrasher's got a Vincent Alvarez Firing Line up with more to come this week.

Girl's second round of One-Offs from Wallride #20 are happening this week.

Funny how a Chocolate hat can make any situation seem fashionable. Thanks Vice and Chris!

They scare us too.

Q & A Section
From Matt,
Q: To who ever plans trips, why is there almost never any trips to the northeast. Boston has millions of great spots but teams never come here. What's up with that?
A: I usually plan the trips around sandwich sampling. Boston got any good ones?—Sam Smyth

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I better have a laminate. Don't embarrass me."—The Gav

CURRENT ENTRY
9/24/10

Big week for Vincent Alvarez. And this Top 5 just might be putting him over the proverbial top.

Fourstar Caption Contest. A very timely entry by James Bonney with his Street League Dreams. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

CURRENT ENTRY
9/23/10

Clip of the Day. Rudy, Fabian, Rickk, Hershel and, Band of Horses contest winner, Cole Wilson go five ways on the flatbar. See if you can guess by the voice who filmed it.

Guy meets innovation in Salbaland for his latest Girl ad.

Fourstar Caption Contest. Tate G.'s entry. It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an Eagle! By the way we got plenty of Double Rainbow entries, surprise, surprise. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Ben Colen's Top 5 things he misses about being straight edge:
1. I was a lot skinnier
2. Saved a lot of money
3. Enjoying the lyrics non-ironically
4. Celebrating positivity
5. Nothing really, wasted a lot of good party time

More Biebel at The Berrics. This time he's got the phone in his hand.

Q & A Section
From Ryun Rich,
Q: Biebel, who was that girl that you had in a sandwich in your Chomp on this part?
A: That was waaaay back we were in front of a skatepark and that girl rolled up faded. She was FIIIIIIIIIIINE!! dog. We were young and my boy had a camera and she just turned into a freak on the sidewalk and started showing us her tits. She was dancing and letting us grind up on her. It was fucking awesome! My boy still has the tapes, might have to throw that up on Biebelsworld Thanks four reminding me about that bro!—Brandon Biebel

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"You're my horse. I'm betting on you."—Rudy to Mikemo about Street League

CURRENT ENTRY
9/22/10

Chocolate's latest twin tips, the Stars and Bars Two are now shipping to shops.

Fourstar Caption Contest. Koston, according to Yannick Stechmeyer-Emden, you need to phone home. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

He might not have been on the TeeVee but Mo was at the League.

Koston was there too.

There's an awful lot of familiar looking clothing in this Steriogram music video. Directed by Ty's homie Ryan Reichenfeld.

Q & A Section
From Cory,
Q: Malto, I was watching that show Food Wars and it was about KC BBQ. It  was Gates vs Bryan'ts and Bryant's won, but what's your take on the two? 'Cause your the only one who matters.
A:

—Sean Malto

Happy Birthday to longtime friend of the The Tap, Karl Watson!

QUOTE:
"That's a bummer. That place sucks."—Rudy about the dentist

CURRENT ENTRY
9/21/10

We set Vincent up for a Crail Couch. He didn't know we were going to surprise him with the actual planks.

If you got your hands on the Girl Outbackwards DVD then you got to check out the Outbackwards Outtakes. If you didn't now you can.

Fourstar Caption Contest. Like they said at Woodstock, "Watch out for the brown stuff!" Thanks for the entry Matt. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read the post from 9/17 for details. Send your entries here.

This week's Guest Front Page Poster is Sam Newman, a young, talented filmer who came into our lives and left too soon. He didn't die or anything, he just moved back to Chicago. Thanks Sam!

Kevin Wilkins points out the woes of copying and pasting your column each day as the Mini Top 5 attributed to him on 9/17, concerning the Top 5 Girl and Chocolate riders to party with, should have been credited to Daniel Castillo. Nevertheless, Wilkins let us know that he'd add The Gav and Rudy to that list.

Biebel does quite a few fakie nosegrinds over that The Berska's.

QUOTES:
"I quit today. I'm going to go home and start my YouTube career."—Hershel after seeing The Black Ninja

"I can tell the 'nese apart."—Daniel Castillo

CURRENT ENTRY
9/20/10

It is our privilege to announce that Vincent Alvarez is now Pro for Chocolate Skateboards. Click below to view Vincent's webpage featuring video, ads, and more...

CURRENT ENTRY
9/17/10

Fourstar Caption Contest. Make sure you actually do some photoshop work for this one. No more just sending us the text. Follow Dugie Howser's entry for some guidance. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Read yesterday's post for details. Send your entries here.

Since Sanger is out of town, and The Ringer already ripped Sanger's Style, I'm moving in on SKATE THIS, just for today.

From Dillon Donovan.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Daniel's Top 5 Girl and Chocolate dudes to party with:
1. Jeron
2. Eldridge
3. Carroll
4. Animal Thug, aka The Cheeks
5. Devine

Just because you declare, via mass email, that this Friday is to be "Tieday," it doesn't guarantee that you're not going to be the only one showing up in a tie. Right Hersh?

Our friends over at Exit Real World have a Shane O'Neill interview on their site?

We have a big announcement on Monday.

QUOTES:
"Pass the moisture."—Rickk about whipped cream for a chocolate cake

"Boom, I'm on the internet again!"—Daniel Castillo

CURRENT ENTRY
9/16/10

Fourstar Caption Contest. You know the drill. Caption this photo of Brophy, BA, and Koston taking in the view at Canadian truck stop. Note: Those aren't Fourstar clothes they're wearing. Winner gets a nice, nice Fourstar Prize Package. Send your entries here.

Here's a fan-filmed link of the last demo of the Lakai Voltage tour.

The homie from AZ, Mark Carroll, has a sponsor suggestion for you Mo. People have skated for worse, Mike, believe me.

QUOTE:
"I don't skate when I'm not at work."—EA

CURRENT ENTRY
9/15/10

We're working on it. Until then enjoy this Daniel manual.

QUOTE:
"We were on a major croissant program."—Rickk

CURRENT ENTRY
9/14/10

The Capaldi's Eight Equals D goes behind the scenes on Lakai's Skate and Create.

Hershel's Greatest Misses #34. Takes some word for word inspiration from the head of Slash Skates.

Daniel neither texts himself or wrecks himself.

Our good friend John Pike from Eastern Supply is doing his best for this good cause.

The Lakai Voltage squad is back (except for Carroll and Feds who are on Raver Island) and from all accounts it sounds like it was one for the ages.

Q & A Section
From Cole,
Q: Hey Austyn, where did you get that ankle exerciser that you use in your Habitat Day in the Life? My shits jacked and that looks like a lifesaver.
A: You can go to amazon.com and search up "fitter fitness wobble board," not rocker board. Next step would be to also buy Arnica Gel. Ice for 15 minutes and then massage Arnica Gel into thee ankle, never fails. Get healthy my friend and stay healthy!—Austyn Gillette

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
9/13/10

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. It's been a fun one but it's time to shut her down, as we're all out of boards, with the last one going to Jon Bones and his autotuned opus:

Previous big winner, Evan Rissi, has one last quality entry that I thought would be a nice way to close it out. Thanks to everyone for entering.

Girl's Road Rash Series will make all your boo boos go away.

The perfect young man just got...perfecter? Malto buzzer beats his way to a win at Dyrdek's brain child, stop 2.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Kenny Anderson's Top 5 skaters he would like to see breakdance:
1. Marc Johnson. He's got good balance and always has a fresh bic'd head. Might help his toppling for headspins
2. Mike Carroll. It would be cool to see what kind of flamboyant outfit he'd put together. I've never seen scarfs, sunglasses or Hello Kitty on the break floor
3. Matt Schnuur. I would love to see a backspinning shitball. I think I speak for everyone who knows
4. Raymond Molinar. Oh wait...I did see him break in Berlin
5. John Rattray. He majored in Physics and he's got impeccable rhythm. Sheer perfection

In other Kenny news, it seems that having that Nikon FM2 dangling around his neck has finally paid off as he's to part of a photo show documenting his recent trip to the Amazon. Good job Ken.

The Skate with Band of Horses Video Contest has announced their winner as Cole Wilson. This kid's a ripper. To purchase the Horses latest album go here.

RIP 2Pac.

CURRENT ENTRY
9/10/10

Chunk of Chocolate. Vincent Alvarez heads up to SF for a few days.

New Poll. What is Mikemo's greatest contribution to skateboarding?

If Carroll is feeling sketchy this vending machine has got him covered.

Gino picks his favorite photos over at Chromeball.

QUOTE:
"There's no hierarchy. You're either loud or your not."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
9/9/10

Clip of the Day. Vincent's homie James Valdez goes to work on this bump. Vincent got his too, but we have to hold that.

Lakai has linked to different versions of their Berlin demos.

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. Diego's email for his entry was simply titled, "Beebs scares away an escort." There's only one signed Biebel board left to give away. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Kenny goes to the Amazon and beyond for his Firsthand.

Happy Birthday to the perfect young man, Sean Malto!

Q & A Section
From Peter Davis,
Q: What's the Girl camp's take on longboarding? It's wildly popular here in NYC with douches of all shapes and sizes, and I truly hate it.
A: Girl's is making a long board, we all can and live as one my friend.—Alex Olson

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"Cairo, you ever get a backside press on a major?"—Rickk on the way to a rail

CURRENT ENTRY
9/8/10

Shane O'Neill came by last Friday to grab some Fourstar clothes so we sat him down for a quick Crail Couch.

Here's photo evidence that being persistent pays off. Loyal Tapper Royce Steenerson's collection of all 20 hardbound Wallrides. Most of us in the building don't even have that. Thanks for caring and sharing, Royce.

That Board is a Sword. Part 2 of Kevin McDonald's epic saga features our own Spike Jonze and Dimitry Elyashkevich, who we're claiming as our own also. I feel sorry for anyone who never got the chance to go on a skate trip with Demeech.

Q & A Section
From Harry,
Q: Did Mic-E Reyes really get arrested in the UK for stealing a ball from some little kids in that clip in the bonus footage from Krooked Kronichles [starts a 1:30 in]?
A: Yes, and much more. I was playing with the soccer ball, trying to keep the kids out of the bowl, cuz Drehobl was trying to film a trick. They would kick the ball in the bowl while he was trying to skate. Then I would get it and skate around the park with like 15 kids chasing me. I did it like 10 times. Then they mobbed me, and this girl tried to hit me with a board. She took a full overhead swing and I blocked it with my board. She broke her arm. They called the cops, told them I hit her with the board, so I got arrested and taken to jail for assault. Lucky for me our filmer checked the tape, came to the station and showed the cops. All the kids who made statements lied. Then the cops watched the tape and showed it to the dad and the kids! It showed her taking a full overhead swing at my head! She hit her forearm on my rail, and snap, broken arm. Then I was set free! Amazing!—Mic-E Reyes

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I'm trying to get wet, you guys are trying to keep my dry."—Alex Olson

CURRENT ENTRY
9/7/10

Mini Top 5 with The Gav. We'll give him the back three, but that's about it.

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. In Thomas Vandercruysse's entry, Biebel fields the call from a smokey who can't handle his smoke...or brownie. There are still two of these singed Biebel boards to give away. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Happy birthday Staba! As a present this...

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Staba's Top 5 reasons why he hasn't had a video part in 9 years:
1. I knew HD was coming 8 years ago so I just chilled till the quality level was upped
2. Skateboarding lasts forever in our hearts. But sometimes you have to upper deck it for awhile to really like it again
3. Hard to film when you're busy ruling it
4. Just waiting for the top pros to get full so I can come in and go Sizzler all you can eat
5. I just don't like people pointing stuff at me sometimes. And if that sometimes turns into a decade so be it

QUOTE:
"Snookie is NOT whack. I could kick it with her, eat pickles and whatever."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
9/3/10

Chunk of Chocolate. Kenny, Justin, and Chris find themselves at Marc's mountain home.

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. Tim Savas knows Biebel is R&B smooth. There are still three of these singed Biebel boards to give away. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From Erick Plummer,
Q: Gino, you been over to watch any of the U.S. Open tennis matches and if so who are you wanting to win?
A: I haven't been over there but me and a friend are looking into tickets for week two. I want Nadal to take it. US Open is the only major he hasn't won yet.—Gino Iannucci

From Nathan Bratt,
Q: For Smyth, where did he get that shirt he was wearing when he was with his mom?

A: BA's twist on a Skull Skates classic. Not gonna find it in any shop. Just made a few samples.—Sam Smyth

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"It might throw off my style. I might be a T-Dog now."—The Cheeks about his dislocated elbow

CURRENT ENTRY
9/02/10

How come on the Mayan Calendar, on today's date, 9.02.10 or 90210, there ain't shit about Brandon and Dylan both boning Kelly?

Smyth goes Top 5 on his hometown.

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. Endo Rosales pairs up Biebel and Dynamite. They don't have to all be soundboard mash ups. We'll take some good ol' fashion prank calls too. There are still four of these singed Biebel boards to give away. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Hershel Miss #33. I wonder why.

Mini Top 5 (trad.)
Kevin Wilkins' Top 5 things about being a vert skater in the 80s:
1. Stealing Plywood
2. Big ramps were 10-feet tall
3. Pro Designs elbow pads
4. Fausto's Midwest Melee
5. Jeff Phillips

Q & A Section
From Jacob Gehnert,
Q: Following up on G B's Jesus' song inquiry, did Ty get the song and concept for the 6 Squares skit in Fully Flared from Amelie?
A: My friend Sam Spiegel (Squeak E Clean/ N.A.S.A.) made the song. I wanted it to feel Euro so he came up with the accordion theme. Thanks Sam! Maybe it was Amelie inspired? As far as the concept, Greg Hunt and I tried to get a very ambitious project off the ground back in 2003 with Spike. The 6 square idea was originally for that. It was going to be the same concept but in a bigger image size with more squares going on. The project never ended up panning out, and I ended up using the idea for the intro to the Euro section for Fully Flared. Thnx Greg and Spike!—Ty Evans

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
9/1/10

Daniel Castillo's Top 5 reasons to shoot with Reda, because there're easily Top 5 reasons not too.

You don't have to have a pack a day habit to enjoy Chocolate's new Matchbook Series.

Mini Top 5
Top 5 pro skaters Alex Olson met before he even started skating:
1. Scott Oster
2. Christian Hosoi
3. Tony Alva
4. Dave Hackett
5. My dad

Being surrounded by so many handsome men in his formative years, it's no wonder that Alex grew up to look like a young Eastwood. Thanks for the submission Eggs.

Q & A Section
From G B,
Q: Yo, Ty did you get the song for Jesus Fernandez part in Fully Flared from the movie Bottle Rocket?
A: Owen Wilson gave it to us when I filmed him blunt slide the rail for Yeah Right!—Ty Evans

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I'm losing my boyfriend."—Carnahan about EA

CURRENT ENTRY
8/31/10

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. We put the word out for some quality entries and Evan Rissi answered it. Big time. Biebel fields a call from a certain disgruntled celebrity. We like it so much we're sending you three of these boards, Evan! That means only five more to go. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Joe Brook's got hella cameras. Here's his Top 5.

Corey Adams and Alex Craig's "Machotaildrop" featuring our very own Rick McCrank is screening for free, today, in Downtown LA at 4:30. Click on the flier below for details.

Q & A Section
From Mike,
Q: Carroll, if you can get the rights, are you going to skate to Gaga in your Chocolate video part?
A: Even if we got the rights to Lil Miss Gaga, I don't think I'd get any footage that would be good enough to compliment her awesomeness.—Mike Carroll

Send your questions here

Today is our fearless leader's birthday. And no matter how many times he may have lit off a firework in your face, slapped the back of your neck really hard or caused physical harm to you in some other "accidental" way, you can't help but wish Rickk the very best every August 31st. I know I always do. Happy birthday bud!

QUOTE:
"It doesn't matter what happened before or after. It's called a moment."—Reda

CURRENT ENTRY
8/30/10

How thoughtful of Lakai to be departing on a trip and posting a nine minute web clip from their previous trip all on the same day? Getting Nordical tour is up now.

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. There are still eight of these singed Biebel boards to give away. Waiting for some more quality entries to do so. Come on people. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From Andrew Chuchvara,
Q: Koston, I nerded out and got this free Skate Trivia iPhone app. I answered this question "H-Street" and they said it was wrong. It states 101 is the correct answer. Wasn't H-Street your frist board sponsor?

A: Well, you were absolutely correct. H-Street was my first board sponsor, 101 was my second. The fact is, that's a "Free" app and you know what they say, you get what you pay for and unfortunately that app is only going to be as correct as the dipshit who made it.—Eric Koston

Send your questions here

 

QUOTE:
"My life is rendering."—Roger Bagley

CURRENT ENTRY
8/26/10

The Best Use of the Biebel Soundboad Contest. Tom Swift couples the Biebel Soundboard with a Fat Joe beat. You got a board coming your way, Tom. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Remember you could win one of these boards. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

New Poll. Why aren't you landing shit?

Mini Top 5
Kelly Bird's Top 5 things you can count on from Carroll on tour*:
1. Everyone is in the lobby ready to go, run to his room to grab him and he's still in gym shorts doing a downward dog
2. Some kind of "lost the wallet" meltdown
3. Will himself into an injury that sidelines him for the rest of the trip
4. Kill a demo and complain afterwards
5. Several photos involving sunglasses, a scarf and a weird hat

*To catch any of this firsthand (and if you live in these locations) go here

QUOTES:
"It's Sunday, but plug me today anyways."—The Gav when asked if it was his birthday today

"Probably every time she has sex with her husband it's a write off."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
8/26/10

Steelee Faltis calls the local Salon for a funny call and gets himself a signed board. Nine more to go. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Remember you could win one of these boards. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

New Fourstar ad. Guy's been blasting proper backside airs since childhood.

Mini Top 5
Daryl Angel's Top 5 Tilt Moders:
1. Chris Black
2. Matt Evs
3. Chris Patton
4. Jesse Erickson
5. Smoke Dat Wes

CURRENT ENTRY
8/25/10

Mini Top 5. Paul Zitzer gets to tell jokes about vert skaters because he's a vert skater. Kind of how Jerry Seinfeld gets to tell Jewish jokes or how Kramer gets to say the N-word...wait, that's not right.

Our latest Royal ad has Daryl Angel going over and down.

Brandon spends some quality time over at El D's on Biebel's World.

Don't forget to enter Biebel's Soundboard Contest. Read the post from 8/23 for the details. Remember you could win one of these boards. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Wonder if Carroll is up right now?

QUOTES:
"What happened to censorship?"—Chris Roberts

"That's when you know you're getting old, when you're asking for censorship."—Mikemo

CURRENT ENTRY
8/24/10

Hershel's Greatest Miss #32. It's been a longtime since Hersh graced us with a Miss (#31 was over two months ago), so it's only fitting that #32 be an homage to another infrequent poster. Step it up boys!

Today in Tap History, Aug. 24, 1975: VP of Girl and '94 SOTY, Michael Shawn Carroll was born in SF, Ca. Happy birthday Mike!

There's also a New Poll for the Birthday Boy. What are you going to get 'em?

Mini Top 5
Ako Jefferson's Top 5 reasons why Chomp on This 2 still hasn't come out:
1. Waiting on Kenny Fucking Powers' part
2. Ty's needs to quit fucking with Lakai dudes (congrats) and fuck wit real G's
3. Lee Dog is to busy hurting feelings on Twitter
4. Atiba rolled his ankle sticking his thumb thru a beer can (thanks Jerry)
5. I'm suffering from Call of Duty addiction (thanks Mo)

The Lakai Voltage Tour heads out this Sunday. Sixteen deep, it's gonna be a rager.

Biebel's Soundboard Contest. Read yesterday's post for the details. Remember you could win one of these boards. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From Chris Costello,
Q: Yo Malto, give us the skinny on what exactly happened here?

A: That dude, the owner of the building we were skating at, fucking lost it. He pushed me and my friend, threw a sign at our car, and kicked the camera gear breaking a lens. So my friend Dillion stepped in and almost whooped his ass. We got the whole thing on film so I'm sure it'll be on the web or in a video soon.—Sean Malto

Send your questions here

QUOTES:
"That's what you do when you're hurt, you dance it off."—Mikemo

"Just got a random urge to stoke people out."—Staba

CURRENT ENTRY
8/23/10

Lakai's Skate and Create video entry "Lakairomania." Congratulations boys!

Girl's Woodies Series goes with the grain.

Biebel's Soundboard Contest! In conjunction with our friends at Biebelsworld.com we'd like you to come up with the best prank calls, animations of the existing prank calls, songs, remixes of songs, or anything that uses the sound bites from Biebel's World Soundboard. We'll pick ten winners with each winner getting one of these signed Biebel boards. Limited to the continental U.S. Send your entries here.

McCrank talks, well I don't know what, over Caught In the Crossife, because when you get to my level of jadedness and vanity, you just scan the interview for your name and move on. Bet it's a good read though.

An unsolicited photoshop submission goes a long way over here at The Tap. So it was with much delight when we opened Peter Cameron's email containing this Koston and Malto homage to a Wu classic.

CURRENT ENTRY
8/20/10

Lakai's Getting Nordical Teaser.

Caption Contest. We have a winner! Kind of reeks of an inside job, but so be it. Thrasher's own Mike Burnett takes the top spot. Just a reminder that anyone is eligible to win here at The Tap (except Hershel, of course). Thanks for playing everyone. And Burnett you'll be getting your prize in the mail. I think You're gonna learn nollie flips on this thing.

Coleman and company are busy putting the finishing touches of our latest La Brea Wall. Full reveal coming soon.

Thrasher does some ask Malto?

The Creators Project goes deep Lakai's Andy Mueller.

CURRENT ENTRY
8/19/10

Mini Top 5, or not, with Rick McCrank.

Here's how The Perfect Young Man does Caymen.

Q & A Section
From James H,
Q: Anyone going or ever been to Burning Man?
A: Nope. Been talked about. Totally down to loose my shit and run around in nothing but body paint. Carroll would probably have to shave down before we go.—Smyth

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I like the sun, it's pretty cool."—Rudy Johnson

CURRENT ENTRY
8/18/10

A Very Special Crail Couch with Alex Olson and his lil' bro.

Caption Contest. Blake Gilley (Ben's brother?) goes Jaws week. We're calling it next Friday. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

We here at The Tap are giving Stay Gold four out of four Ponyboys.

Q & A Section
From Peter Amerkhanian,
Q: Chris Roberts, did you get the jam in your new montage from the Entourage credits a few episodes back?
A: Dude, Entourage is my favorite show! My friend actually played me the song the day before it aired on the show. Vince and Drama are switching roles, Vince is going to become the has-been and Drama is going to blow up. You heard it here first!—Chris Roberts

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I had Dave Duncan's 40th birthday party in my hotel room. So pretty much anything could happen."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
8/17/10

Mini Top 5. It's a shitty job, but Scuba's gotta do it.

Usually when we put out a request to one of our team guys to handle the Front Page Post they're crippled with the workload, anxiety, and fear. But somehow Chris Roberts continues to post on his on blog and make cool iPhone vid montages. You go Chris!

Caption Contest. Edwin Arcilla with a very timely entry. We're calling it next Friday. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Frequent Girl Films collaborator, Squeak E Clean will be doing some trippy shit tomorrow night at the Standard Hotel NYC.

Q & A Section
From Casey Daisey,
Q: What kind of glasses does Scott Johnston wear? I'm a big fan of his optical selection and I'm looking for a new pair of bifocals.
A: These days I’m wearing some from Salt Optics. The pair that I ran for ever was by Matsuda, they were actually sunglasses that I switched out the lenses.—Scott Johnston

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
8/16/10

Chocolate One Offs #1 from Wallride #20.

Kenny cruises the streets on his Miller graphic.

Chris Roberts has put together something of a Hot Chocolate retrospective for this week's Front Page Posts. Here's Chris' part from said video.

Lakai's Skate and Create offering will be up on the TWS site in a week. Until then stare at this cover thumbnail and watch Gonz, Lem, and Busenitz.

Malto fires a line for the Trashmen.

Caption Contest. Erik Lehmann's gotta go back in time. We're calling it next Friday. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

QUOTE:
"Let the mystery hang over that one like a fart in an elevator."—Marc Johnson

CURRENT ENTRY
8/13/10

Shop Survey #13 Familia. Trippy, right?

Caption Contest. Sherm might be a blessed skater, but Michael Stoffel knows he can't pull Moses' best trick. We're calling it next Friday. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

New Poll. On this unlucky day, what skate superstitions do you pay heed to?

Q & A Section
From Dave,
Q: McCrank, what's going on with Machotaildrop? Looked pretty cool.
A: It's in the market for distribution, the guys that made it are doing screenings all over the world right now. I think there is a facebook page for it, just search Machotaildrop and check to see of there is a screening near you or request one.—McCrank

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
8/12/10

Girl's first round of One-Offs from Wallride #20 are now shipping.

Frames 8, 9, and 10 of MJ's new Chocolate ad are ridiculous.

Kenny got Chrome Balled.

Caption Contest. Not so much a caption, Ralph Lloyd-Davis makes a simple adjustment instead. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Did you know that that is Hershel starring in the YouTube sensation, "Worlds [sic] Hardest Skateboarding Trick"? This predates his tenure here at Girl, otherwise we would have forced him to put a Crailtap logo at the end of it. That's a lot of hits, like a Mikemo a lot of hits, Hersh.

Wallride collector, Royce Steenerson, apparently dabbles in amateur nature photography as well. Always bring your board.

Q & A Section
From Jole Bricker,
Q: I saw in the Hidden Champion Lakai or Die book, A first look at the summer fall 2010 shoes. And some of them are pretty sweet. When do the new models come out?
A: The Summer/Fall line is in stores right now. Some of those shoes in Hidden Champion are Japan only SMU's, so you'd have to book a flight to get those.—Kelly Bird

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
8/11/10

Biebel's World is now live. This might be a game changer.

Lakai's Lakai Voltage Tour tours Europe this 2010. Looks like the whole gang is in. Should be of epic proportions.

Caption Contest. Another one for Genesis Giocada. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

It's been a while since we've posted a Street Pirate tat, but they have to still be going down. Koston found one...with an eye patch!

William Wong shows that these are still a hit too. Wonder if Kat Von D has done one yet?

New Poll. Who from the Crail Camp could have pulled off the African medallion back in the 80s?

Q & A Section
From Carlitos "Dirty",
Q: Mikemo, what was your parents reaction about dropping out of high school?
A: They cared for sure. This question should be sent to almost everyone on Girl. Only a couple of us graduated.—Mikemo

Send your questions here

Now that his remodel is done, expect a bountiful of ripping coverage from Carroll. Right, Mike?

QUOTE:
"Just ruling it without hurting peoples' feelings."—Staba

CURRENT ENTRY
8/10/10

Clip of the Day. After the NBA finals some of Ben Colen's co-workers decided to upgrade his office for the occasion. Since his true office is the mean streets, it wasn't until yesterday that Ben had actually, finally seen the thing. Here's how he reacted.

If you can't find your favorite Lakai Shoe at your local shop or preferred online retailer, now you have the option to shop direct with Lakai's Online Store.

Biebel, Snoop. Snoop, Biebel.

Mini Top 5
Alex Olson's Top 5 things about going to rave with Carroll last Saturday:
1. He's down to listen to that kind of music
2. Him telling me, "This is sick!" while watching Soulwax
3. Only time I'm down to get drunk with him
4. Seeing him watch 18-year-old girls dance in their underwear
5. The rave was called Hard Summer

Caption Contest. Art Weingartner calls on one of Andrew Allen's favorites for this nugget of comedy gold. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From Kevin King,
Q: This is more a statement than a question. Those new Girls Girls Girls boards are fuckin' genius! What else do you wanna shred than some fine ass girl? I guess if I had a question, it would be if the skaters got to pick what girl was on the board? Brian Anderson has a good eye if they did.
A: Actually Brian picked his right away, and it's one of my favorites! Not everyone picked theirs though. I don't think Malto even knows who Patti Smith is? Sean?—Hershel

Send your questions here

A round of applause for Smyth's takeover last week.

QUOTE:
"Can you blur my face or put some kind of youth filter on me."—Ben Colen

CURRENT ENTRY
8/9/10
Brought to you by Smyth

Caption Contest. Joel Forsyth got these fools trippin'. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Mini Top 5
Jake Vogel’s* Top 5 Smyth memories:
1. Smyth was always down to dub the latest skate vids for the homies
2. When Think put him, Karl Watson, and Nick Lockman on the Missing Children board
3. He was always a picky eater and gave me whatever fixins he didn’t eat
4. When this thug he had beef with caught up to him at EMB, Smyth still fought even though he was out matched
5. Becoming TM at Girl and keeping me skating with a board every now and then

*If you’ve never heard of Jake Vogel that just means you’re under the age of 30 and never skated SF in the 90s. He’s an EMB original, who had a short skate career with Real and Planet Earth. Still shredding in SF, he sends me unsolicited Top 5s by text.

Mini Top 5
Jake Vogel’s regrets:
1. Not going on tour with Real
2. Some of my best skating that Meza filmed never came out
3. Not kicking Kelch out of my house sooner
4. Becoming a basehead
5. Quitting skating in 1994

Not doing a Real World review this season, but just to let you know, in The Sco, Ryan would be known as a dude with hoe emotions.

Q & A Section
From Smyth,
Q: Capping on your friends. Is this a lost pastime?
A: Capping on your friends is the most exercised past time in all of San Jose. There is nothing more exhilarating than pointing out the shortcomings of your loved ones.—Dave Ashley

Thanks, Dave. Not sure where these sensitive fools came from.

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
8/4/10
Brought to you by Smyth

Spike and Koston were in the park the other day. They should come by more often. We need more shenanigans like this.

Caption Contest. Alex Verney brought over the whole posse to check this one. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here

One of my early trips to LA happened on this day, August 4th, 1998. Flew straight into Keenan’s birthday party. It was a b-day for the books. Miss you, brother, today and always.

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
8/3/10
Brought to you by Smyth

Snapped some flicks at the Girl & (RED) art show this weekend. If you weren’t there you blew it, but at least you can take a peek here.

Beastly Beauty T-Mo, skating like an American. Or a Brazilian if you consider the switch over the rainbow rail.

The Perfect Young Man has a lil write up here. Hear his vibe on contests and various other shit. You have to scroll down a bit.

 

Val Surf is giving away Girl gear Don’t sleep!

Caption Contest. Morten Westh sees an irie haze in the air. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here

Q & A Section
From Duncan
Q: Biebel, you got ups! What’s your vertical leap?
A: 40” – Brandon Biebel

Capping on your friends. Is this a lost pastime?

Send your questions here

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
8/2/10

This week’s guest front-page poster isn’t a snitch or a bitch, Federico Vitetta. Feds is reporting live from the Lakai Getting Norical Tour currently in Sweden.

Speaking of guest posters, I Smyth will be holding down the Randoms this week while The Mez is kicking back, sipping Arnold Palmers at the family time-share in SJC.

Eldy shows you how to rip local, and broadcast it global.




Caption Contest. Joseph O’Neal has Jer Boogie and AO bout to get wet. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here

 

Etnies has a feature on Fourstar rider and all around awesome dude Tyler Bledsoe. Welcome to the pro ranks, T-Bone.

 

Staba reports two new members to UZI Crew, The Nepchaws

Help Christian’s dream of a mini in his loft come true. He will be shredding it from the hereafter. Rip in peace.

QUOTE:
“If I had 3 wishes, I’d wish I was a dope ass b-boy, I had an ill windmill, and Nas rapping skills.” – Gerwer

 

 

 

CURRENT ENTRY
7/30/10

First Try Guyday.

Be there or be square.

Our friends from a Band of Horses are having a contest with a trip to skate the Girl Skatepark for the grand prize. Shit, you might even meet Hershel.

Caption Contest. Elvis Segarich writes a little banter between the boys. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Q & A Section
From Jack Wilson,
Q: Brian, what made you decide to do the X-Games this year after not doing one since 1999?
A: I didn't really have the "points" to be invited, but now that the circuit is being a bit saturated with big comps, the roster is dwindling, and I was invited again. I'm so happy. I tried, hard slept good, and am happy with my skating, and always good to be around my friends, and skate family. I had good time, thanks for asking. Sk8 on bro!—Brian Anderson

Send your questions here

You ever trip on how the internet is kind of boring on Fridays?

QUOTE:
"Last night I wished I was vegetarian."—Roger Bagley

CURRENT ENTRY
7/29/10

Andrew Allen on the Crail Couch.

This Saturday night, outside of being all right for fighting, is also the Girl and (RED) Art Show featuring Girl Wodden OGs by The Art Dump, photography by Lance Bangs, the premiere of Carroll's new (RED) Special Edition board, and much more.

Caption Contest. Mason Machado with Alex as K-Bakes and a very unfortunate Sherm. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Dude Looks Like Dude. Ever wonder how Roberts would look as a Trekkie? Wonder no more. Submitted by Christof Mueller. Send yours here.

The Total Package gets interviewed over at Fuel.

If you'd like to support the artist behind Wednesdays with Winston you could go here and vote for the Tony Tave edit.

Carroll's still got it.

QUOTE:
"Yeah, dude I'm going camping."—Rudy on why he picked out only earth toned clothes from the warehouse

CURRENT ENTRY
7/28/10

Spike joined us for the Copenhagen leg of the Beauty and the Beast tour and sent us these photos for us to make a gallery out of.

If you should find yourself so fortunate to be in Vancouver, B.C., follow this handy guide of McCrank's Best...

Caption Contest. It was only a matter of time until we got a Double Rainbow entry, but Genesis Giocada was the first. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

And finally a somber message from warehouse Jordan, "Our dear friend and Hawaiian legend Kenny Brimer passed away 7/23/10 from Graft-versus-host disease. He was a 100% Skateboarder and inspiration to all. RIP in peace Kenny!"

CURRENT ENTRY
7/27/10

Clip of the Day. Chico gets his at the newly erected Stoner Park.

Chocolate's Color Line series is what's up.

Caption Contest. Lakan de Leon goes Star Wars remix. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Our good friends Colin and Bucky filmed a commercial outback a few months ago featuring Vincent Alvarez, Austyn Gillette and other Tap friendlys.

Chico does hella fakie bigflips, and to manual too, over at The Berrics.

QUOTE:
"I'm not the best fine artist."—Hershel

CURRENT ENTRY
7/26/10

Wallride #20 is now live.

Lakai Clip of the Day. Marc, Biebel, and Guy got a place of their own.

Mini Top 5
The Gav's Top 5 deep-fried treats
1. Nothing like Fried Chicken. I don't eat much food cold, I'm more of a re-heater, but cold Fried chicken reminds me of the ole lake days with my family. Best cold food out there. Please note that salt is critical for this item
2. Jalapeno Poppers are smoking, no pun intended. Be cognizant of the amount you consume in one sitting. I did 14 from Jbox they other day and all hell broke loose hours later
3. Mozzarella Sticks. I have a 9-inch rule with these and good one's have a melted cheese pull of at least 9 inches from your index finger/thumb and your mouth. Anything less is bad product
4. Fried Shrimp. These little devils need to be breaded and fried in order to have a good sitting. Cocktail shrimp are good if you shave your legs but nothing like a cocktail tarter dip with some fried little gems from the bottom of the sea
5. Crunch Roll. Middle of America probably is not too familiar with this but it's sushi deep-fried. Probably one of the biggest oxymoron's in the world of cuisine but makes the most sense when it hits your lips

Caption Contest. No stranger to the Crail contest, Joel Forsyth sends Sherm and Alex over the falls. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Cory with his way-homer part 4.

Carroll's got a wrist cast.

CURRENT ENTRY
7/23/10

Clip of the Day. Platform Skate Shop, located in beautiful Pomona, CA, came by for a skate night out back.

Lakai tat on the neck?! MCs down there?! Door knocker earrings?! This girl's got it bad for Carroll.

Photographers the world over are trying to bite Ben's shit. Thanks for the link Mark Carroll.

Caption Contest. Charles Harrington knows that a little bit of photoshop goes a long way. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

QUOTE:
"Has anyone had sex on the Crail Couch?""—A Hubba Girl

CURRENT ENTRY
7/22/10

Mini Top 5. Damn, another ankle roll for Devine Calloway, get well soon bud.

Girl's Girls Girls Girls series is our latest offering.

 

Caption Contest. Josh S. with an excellent entry. Read the post from 7/20 for details. Send your entries here.

Dude Looks Like Dude. Loyal tapper, Chris Godefroy, thinks Smyth looks like Kobe's biggest fan. Maybe because they're both a little hip-hop. Send yours here.

Cory Kennedy on I guess what they call a "way homer," because you only get it on your way home.

Q & A Section
From Matt Kime,
Q: Scott, do you think we'll ever see the Mad Circle videos released on DVD or are we stuck forever more in a pixilated nightmare, watching your parts on YouTube?
A: You would really need to find Justin Girard for that answer. I would have to say your stuck with the YouTube version. Sorry.—Scott Johnston

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I'm going to have an art show on Fairfax."—The Gav about his Hipstamatic photos

CURRENT ENTRY
7/21/10

Mini Top 5 with a ripping but reluctant Shane O'Neill.

Caption Contest. Getting a ton of entries for the caption contest (read yesterday's post for details). Make sure you photoshop the caption on to the photos. A lot of you are just typing the caption out. That ain't gonna cut it. We need some production here. Again, watch this for what we're looking for. Daniel Cruz has the first entry we deem fit to show you all. Send your entries here.

Dude Looks Like Dude. Some dude simply named Mike sent us this. Not sure if that's him or his bro but either way dude looks exactly like Jeron with a blonde wig. Oh, and Gav, this counts as a plug.

Q & A Section
From Tim,
Q: Anybody in the Crailcamp play the Words with Friends app?
A: I play that one all the time. It's super addictive. As far as the guys on the team go, Justin and Roberts were both on it for a minute but I guess they're over it now. Koston was killing me on there for a bit, and Rickk signed up but I don't think he ever actually played it. I think everyone over here is pretty much on to some new app I don't even know about yet. They're really on top of that shit over here.—Ben Colen

Send your questions here

Carroll just called me overly sensitive.

CURRENT ENTRY
7/20/10

Mini Top 5 with Chris Roberts and those pressure flips.

Caption Contest. It's been a while since we did our last caption contest. But we gotta banger of a photo from Ben There so here we go again. It's from our '06 Badass Meets Dumbass tour. Best caption gets this new Alex board plus some other shit. You can grab the photo below and send your entries here.

Channel 4 News knows that Malto is the perfect young man. You're welcome Kansas.

Q & A Section
From Philip Estrada,
Q: Was Ako or Atiba at Pitchfork Music Festival on Saturday seeing Raekwon? I thought I saw one of them in the VIP section. I'm sorry, I still have trouble telling them apart, but I think it could've been Ako. Either way, Wu-Tang forever.
A: It was me there. Raekwon was sick. I really liked Panda Bear, Dam Funk and Big Boi. Wish I could have seen Jesse Neuhaus. The way you can me and Atiba apart is he has a beer can stuck to his thumb and I'm out on golf courses hitting holes in one.—Ako

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I do have a four pack, just that lower pack where the beer gets stored is hard to get rid of."—Staba

CURRENT ENTRY
7/19/10

Girl/Chocolate and Product (RED) will be teaming up for an art show on July 31st.

Mini Top 5
Jaime Owens' Top 5 Skateboarder Magazine covers featuring Girl and Chocolate riders
1. Guy Mariano, July/Aug 2000
2. Gino Iannucci, Nov 2004
3. Alex and Steve Olson, Nov 2007
4. Guy Mariano, March 2007
5. Mike Carroll, whenever it happens*

*Koston and Gonz, June 2008

Dude Looks Like Dude. Andrew Chuchvara puts together a Heavy Metal Parking Lot Edition of Dude (and Dudette). Send yours here.

Q & A Section
From Sam,
Q: Cory Kennedy, how do you feel about having an "internet celeb" with the same name as you? Alex  Olson, have you ever partied with her?
A: I guess it's pretty cool. I hope Alex can introduce me to her!—Cory
A: Yes, she's not a very good drunk.—Alex

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"I'm like Kenny Reed with a family."—Eric Koston about the amount of traveling he's being doing with his wife and daughter lately

CURRENT ENTRY
7/16/10

We'll be doing a web release for the next Beauty and the Beast video. Should be up in a few weeks. Until then, here's a tickle.

Dude Looks Like Dude. Jack Percival found a dead ringer for Atiba. Send yours here.

Q & A Section
From Chris Costello,
Q: Can I have Sam's job?
A: You ain't got the palate.—Sam Smyth

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
7/15/10

Clip of the Day. It might not be the Europe Element Team, but it is our Team Manager in Europe, Sam Smyth getting his during practice at CPH.

Just in time for the blistering heat. The Chocolate Skater Pops series.

Dude Looks Like Dude. Not sure if this ran last time, but our man in the warehouse, Jordan, thought Gerwer resembled the bane of The Smurfs' existence. Send yours here.

Nerd beats Rickk in TWS' Skate Nerd.

Q & A Section
From Andrew Cunningham,
Q: I was wondering what those relaxing Buddhist style jams you guys seem to be playing in your tents during Beauty and the Beast 3. Heard them coming out of Gerwer and Hewitt's tents?
A: That's some Timothy Leary shit. DJ Chavez mix.—Peter Hewitt

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
7/14/10

In a very "life imitating art" sort of way, MikeMo sent us this last night.

With a small but potent SF contingency in the building it was only right that we sent this up North for a rebuttal.

Dude Looks Like Dude. According to Øyvind K. Svendsen, Gainsbourg and Gerwer's peculiar proboscis look peculiarly similar. Send yours here.

Somewhat of a Guy retrospective over at the Chrome.

The Awful Truth lives one.

Q & A Section
From GB,
Q: Yo Sam, what happened to Maurice Key?
A: When FIT folded in 98, Mo explained to me that skateboarding was no longer a profitable venture for him. He's always been a levelheaded, mature man. He still lives in the Bay Area and is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.—Sam Smyth

Send your questions here

QUOTE:
"Just plug me every now and then."—The Gav after being thanked for lunch

CURRENT ENTRY
7/13/10

Girl's Big Girl 7 series is now in shops.

Daniel's got tricks and he's got tips. Nollie 180 heels filmed by the homie John.

New Poll. What will happen if Alex Olson moves to New York?

Dude Looks Like Dude. Matt Gehl thinks his boy Jay D looks like a bulked up Kelly Hart, adding, "He even talks like Kelly." Send yours here.

Kelly Hart has been mentioned on The Tap two days in a row. Trippy.

CURRENT ENTRY
7/12/10

Clip of the Day. Beauty and the Beast 3 teaser 2.

Dude Looks Like Dude. Face Brown (that's what it says on the "From" line) eludes that Malto and Justin Long of  "I'm a Mac" fame have a similar look.

Mini Top 5
Chico's Top 5 favorite people to clown:
1. Kenny
2. Brenzinski
3. Carroll
4. Roberts
5. Kelly Hart

Yet, another photo example of someone in Lakai shoes getting attacked by wild beasts. Keep it safe out there kids.

Q & A Section
From Cedric,
Q: Just wondering who that is with the skills on the big half-pipe (in the green shirt)? I canny make them out! p.s. Rudy is the man!
A: That's Robbie Russo pre head-on collision with Rune.—Aaron

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
7/9/10

Clip of the Day. Rickk's Beauty and the Beast 3 mpeg edit.

You can't buy international exposure like this. No bullshit.

Dude Looks Like Dude. Christof pairs up 60's teen idol Paul Anka and Omar Salazar for a match. Send yours here.

Q & A Section
From Cedric,
Q: Carroll, now that Beauty and The Beast 3 is over, witch one would you say was the best?
A: Take away having to go home early because of infected bee sting and getting laid up in a hospital for days on the 2nd one, and they were all the best.—Carroll

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
7/8/10

The Fourstar site has been updated with its Fall 2010 apparel and new Photo Feature.

A quality chunk of the Lakai team will be touring Scandinavia towards the end of the month.

Dude Looks Like Dude. From Chip Grozdon, "I was watching that movie 'Adventureland' last week and I instantly thought 'This dude looks like Cory Kennedy!' The actor's name is Matt Bush." Well Chip, we agree. Send yours here.

Might as well...

Kenny decodes the modern day Sanskrit that is your text messages over at Berra and Eric's.

Skater Brian Dinonno with the A.skate foundation that brings skateboarding and autistic kids together are in the running for $25,000 grant and need your votes. Go here to help.

Q & A Section
From Paul Johnson,
Q: Does Mike Mo still listen to System Of A Down?
A: I never listened to them, but it definitely is one of those songs that always put a smile on my face cause it's so awesome!—Mikemo

Send your questions here

CURRENT ENTRY
7/7/10

Dude Looks Like a Dude. Willie Loof offers this, "What Spike might look like when he's old, Carl Bennet (Swedish business man)."

Guess Whose Tent

Burndog gets to the bottom of the Cory's Merlin flip.

Slap just posted an article covering Kenny and Chico's recent trip to Nicaragua. Your guess is only as good as our's as to how much fried cheese Joe Brook ate.

Q & A Section
From Dan,
Q: Smyth shoes?! Lakai turning you pro, or what?
A: Lakai stopped making the Coda Hi with the padding. But they're my shit. So Scott Johnston made these up for me special. Start campaigning. Let's get 'em in the stores.—Smyth

Send your questions here

Carroll, I want a divorce.