Tag Archives: skateboard legend

That time I was in RAD magazine

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Back in the late 80s and early 90s, RAD magazine – or Read and Destroy to give it its full title – was the absolute bible of UK skateboarding. 

Covering all the news and events across the British skate scene, from competitions, info on pros and amateurs, trick tips, locations and more, RAD was an essential publication. 

Don’t forget, there was no Internet or social media to immediately grasp the latest developments, nationally or internationally.  All we had were occasional video productions and dedicated monthly magazines.

So RAD was a big deal.  A trusted source for everything in skateboarding within its hallowed pages.

And in one issue, there was a photo of me in it.

Well, sort of.  Issue number 79, from September 1989, had a feature about the Hot Tuna sponsored Skate Masters at Morfa Stadium, Swansea – and I had been there on the day. We were on a family holiday in mid Wales and I begged my parents to take me the rest of the distance to attend the competition.

So, on the first page of the published feature, I can be spotted in the audience, watching the vert competition.  That’s me, sat down wearing my yellow Thrasher Puszone t-shirt.  Not exactly a mind blowing photo of me landing one of my many incredible tricks (ahem…), but technically I was in a photo in RAD magazine.

When the mag was out, I don’t think my vague, tiny appearance impressed anybody.  I thought it was kind of fun, though.

As I remember it, all these years later, the competition was a great event.  Top professionals from across the UK were there, plus some from further afield.  There were street and freestyle events as well as vert, so I was able to see some great skateboarding.

So there you go.  I appeared (sort of) in a legendary skate mag.  Well I didn’t, but this old publication brings back some happy memories.

I have plenty more old magazines in my skateboard museum, I’ll feature some more if there’s any demand (and it’s not illegal to do so…).

Comic Con Midlands 2026

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Comic Con Midlands

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July 2026

NEC, Birmingham

Much time has passed since I last attended a Comic Con at Birmingham NEC. However my good buddy, Adam, and I decided to venture back to the cavernous halls of this huge venue, to visit Comic Con Midlands, organised by the Monopoly group. These same guys run the huge Liverpool convention that I’ve been to several times recently.

The reason for our trip was because Adam had convinced me to go halves with him on a photo with a celebrity. This is not usually my kinda thing. I’ve queued up for signed autographs from actors etc in the past, and often (though not always) been very underwhelmed by the experience. For a big cash outlay I’ve been left with a colour pic and heaps of embarrassment. It would take something major to drag me out of my celeb-meeting retirement.

Something big would be the cast of cult 90’s comedy Mallrats, including Jason Lee, Renee Humphrey and Ethan Suplee. The cultured amongst you will know that Lee and Suplee also starred in legendary comedy series My Name is Earl, of which I am also a huge fan. Of course, the really hip cats out there will also know that Jason Lee is also an ex-professional skateboarder – one of the greatest to ever do it and a living legend.

So it didn’t take too much persuasion to sign me up for the My Name is Earl duo photo with Jason and Ethan.

Doors opened at 9am, and we were there bang on time. That meant a very early start for me on a Saturday morning, which is NOT a good thing. Waking up at 6.30am at the weekend? That’s pure criminality. Never mind, there would be plenty to keep us occupied till our photo op at 3.15pm.

Well, you would assume so. Usually these events (and certainly based on previous experience at the NEC) have hours worth of merch stalls to wander round. Merch stalls there were, but not enough – we’d completed a circuit by 10.30am. What??! Absolutely crazy. I mean, OK – I picked up a few comic books for my collection. Action figures were a scarcity, however (this would’ve been unbelievable in the past) – so it was relatively slim pickings on the merch front.

With hours to kill, we did some more circuits of the merch and explored outside the events hall to find refreshment. It was like a ghost town out there – even the Wetherspoons was shut.

Eventually it was time for the Mallrats Q&A session, featuring all three of the guests. The panel was very entertaining and informative, each of the cast members came across very well. They all seemed relaxed, happy to be there and divulged some interesting and funny stories. I later decided to quickly say hello to Jason Lee at his signing station. We had a really quick chat about skateboarding and I got a fist bump from the master. A very cool and memorable experience.

Later (much later) it was time for the photo op. Adam and I waited in line on our best behaviour, and soon enough were ushered in to have our photos taken with Lee and Suplee. Both stars were friendly, greeting us warmly with handshakes. The assistants barked orders at us and the photo was taken, then milliseconds later the same assistants barked at us to get out.

I was left feeling embarrassed and as if I’d been rude to two of my heroes. But the assistants were just doing their job, Jason and Ethan were lovely and I got a cool photo of us all together.

After that, it was time for the journey home. It had been a successful day – my experience of the Mallrats/My Name is Earl stars was very positive and I got a bunch of Marvel comic books. In future though, a later start wouldn’t hurt. I learned to my cost that no one needs to be in Birmingham at 9am.