Somehow, a couple of years ago, I ended up with a spare deck. I was going to put it on the wall as a display item, but recently I changed my mind.
The deck in question was this Death Benson Devil Woman. I think I decided it was too wide and set up a different deck to skate – an 8.25″ Patrick Melcher Mermaid deck. I wouldn’t normally buy a deck just to display, so I must have skated one set up for longer than anticipated to end up with a spare.
Whatever the reason, this 8.5″ Benson was put aside to mount on the wall. Recently, my current set up was starting to get really worn out – I obviously needed a new one. As I’d been considering going wider, this 8.5″ deck was brought out of retirement and set up, ready to go.
I used some older Independent trucks that just about fit OK, and moved my current Slime Balls wheels across to this set up.
The result: a great new skateboard. It has that nice poop that new decks have, it feels awesome. I’ve really enjoyed skating it, slightly wider was a good move.
I’ve had one of these decks previously, though in a smaller width (you can read about it here). I’m still a big fan of Death skateboards, and of course the amazing artwork of Liane Plant!
New wheels may be an option in the near future, and definitely new bearings.
And there you have it: just another little post celebrating these rad skateboards that I’ve had the pleasure to ride over the years.
All of this stuff was bought from the extremely brilliant Native Skate Store.
Wow, was I asleep or something there? How did I manage to miss Uncle Slam back in the late 80s/early 90s heyday of crossover? At that point in time, I was 100% in this bands target demographic: young skateboarder with a love of hardcore punk and thrash metal. And yet Uncle Slam and I never crossed paths till now. Thanks to Dissonance/Cherry Red records, we have this double album compilation of the bands second and third albums, and I can fill in some gaps.
The obvious starting point here is Suicidal Tendencies. It’s a lazy option to begin here, but the similarities in sound and style between Uncle Slam and ST are so abundant that we can’t ignore them. Both bands are from the Venice, LA scene, with various members of Suicidal appearing within the ranks of Uncle Slam at one point or another. Anyone (like me) just arriving to this mosh pit will be astounded how the Slam guys seem to have been largely forgotten.
The first album, “Will Work For Food”, features a satisfying metal crunch along with the punk energy. To be fair, the influence of ST, early COC and DRI mingle with the classic thrash of Testament and Nuclear Assault pretty seamlessly. Fans of any of those bands will dive straight into ‘Left for Dead’ and ‘Roadkill’ right from the off. The rest of disc 1 follows in a similar frenzy of crunching metal guitars and aggressive pace, and it’s all great fun. The only oddity is a re-working of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Dazed and Confused’, barely recognisable as it’s been reimagined so drastically – but brilliant for it.
Disc 2 presents us with Uncle Slam’s third and final album, ”When God Dies”, released in 1995. By this time, dominant musical genres had fluctuated, and this record shows Uncle Slam developing their sound. The title track opener thus delivers more chunky metal, but shoe-horns some funky breaks in the style of (Suicidal off-shoot) Infectious Grooves. It’s a less thrash, more punk and alt rock influenced sound, but although something of a departure, it still works for the most part. As a result, songs like ‘Procreation’ still rock, but ‘Summer in Space’ is just silly.
For some, this collection will be too similar to good old Suicidal Tendencies to stand on its own merit. I would disagree: there are plenty of other influences here, not just the main offenders. And who cares, anyway? This isn’t just a sound, it’s a whole vibe – Venice beach, Dogtown, punk rock and skateboarding on a never-ending summer vacation. Uncle Slam deserve their moment in the spotlight, and I’m not gonna deprive them of it. Neither should you.
There’s some Uncle Slam on Spotify for you to check out.
This review is presented by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.
As a teenaged skateboarder in the late 80’s, Boston hardcore legends Gang Green were definitely on my playlist. They appeared on a Thrasher Skate Rock tape, what more do you need to know?! Merging hardcore punk with a more metallic edge, Gang Green added a technicality and rock’n’roll, beer drinking party vibe to their unique take on crossover/thrash. It was mostly fun, though sometimes dumb, times – with a fast and crazy energy. Eventually finding a home on Roadrunner records in 1987, the albums Gang Green recorded for that label are collected here by Cherry Red Records.
Working through the discs chronologically, we’ll start with the first Roadrunner release, “You Got It”. Featuring what is possibly the worst album cover all time – the band in a sewer? Why is (vocalist/guitarist) Chris Doherty jumping through a fence? And where are his legs?! This atrocious shot always bothered me, so I’m delighted I get to bitch about it now (though it only appears as a small pic!). Music wise, “You Got It” is chock full of belters: the storming thrash of ‘We’ll Give it to You’ setting out Gang Green’s goods; ferocious hardcore with ‘LDSB’ and ‘Born to Rock’. There’s even a surprise social conscience (and mellow intro) on ‘Another Bomb’. Plus, bonus track ‘Skate to Hell’ is worth the price of admission alone.
If Roadrunner were relieved they’d done the right thing signing this bunch of unruly punks after that first record, ‘Older… Budweiser’ went even better. Armed this time with a great cover/title (thankfully), Gang Green delivered more of the same, but amped up even further. ‘Church of Fun’ bolts out of the gates; ‘Just One Bullet’ and ‘We Can Go’ show exactly how to meld hardcore and thrash into a furious, fun time. The rock’n’roll edge that began on the previous record becomes more prevalent, adding a distinct flavour to the band’s sound (see ‘Tear Down the Walls’). The humour misfires on ‘Bedroom of Doom’, but the does-what-it-says-on the-tin ‘Ballad’ is a nice attempt to branch out musically before closing time.
On disc three, we have the live album “Can’t LIVE Without It”, recorded at the Marquee Club in London in 1990. Most of the live tracks appear already on this compilation, but it’s a solid recording of an energetic, relentless show. There are a bunch of non-Roadrunner tracks which add value for money; plus, the inclusion of the “I81B4U” EP and ‘Living Loving Maid’ single, which is great news for obsessive nerds like me.
Finally, the compilation album “King of Bands” rounds out the collection. If you’ve not had enough of hearing some of these songs twice already, prepare to experience some of them yet again with this “greatest hits” set. Although, there are two new tracks and three from Gang Greens first album on Taang! Records for VFM. The two tracks – ‘Thunder’ and ‘Rub It In Your Face’ are OK, but not up to the standard of older material. Still, this last disc seals the lid on this barrel of good times very nicely.
The history of Gang Green proves to be a fascinating tale. Predating Jackass by some years, the party hard doctrine of the band remains resolutely in place. Some of the lyrics are juvenile at best, out right sexist at worst (‘Cum In You’, oh dear); but if you can forgive that, the attitude and fun remains infectious. Yes, it’s all about partying and beer, but the music is still great. Not as metal as COC, or as punk as Circle Jerks, Gang Green added a rockin’ flare to their brand of crossover and brought the party home.
A great compilation featuring tons of interviews, info and photos, “We’ll Give It To You” is a comprehensive guide to beer-soaked thrash punk. It’s time to get out on your skateboard, rock out to Gang Green, and celebrate with a few beers. Afterward, that is. Ever Metal wants you to take care: don’t drink & skate.
Continuing my ambition to document all of my skateboard decks, here’s my latest set up for 2021. My Death “Script” in red got worn out through a load of skating (or attempted skating, ha!), so I needed a replacement.
To take over as my day to day skateboard, I ordered another Death deck, the Benson Devil Woman from good ol’ Native Skate Store. It’s 8.5″ wide, great concave and a spectacular graphic from the legendary Liane Plant.
So amazing is this graphic, that I had second thoughts about skating it.
I already had a Death Patrick Melcher deck that I had bought and was planning to hang on the wall. Fantastic mermaid graphic (by L. Plant again, of course) which I’ve shared before on the Virtual Hot Tub, and I thought it would be great as a display piece.
I was in a pickle: do I set up and skate the Benson as intended, or switch to the Melcher? Both great graphics, great shapes and great boobs – but as classic as they are, I needed something to ride.
As the Melcher Mermaid is 8.25″ wide, that was the final deciding factor. Slightly less wide than the Devil Woman, I felt that this would suit me better. I’ve been right so far – the mermaid feels slightly more “me” than my previous 8.5″ Script deck.
The Patrick Melcher is set up with my Independent trucks and Death wheels – and I love it.
Which means that the Benson Devil Woman will go on the wall as an art piece. At least for now…
Rather than just write a post about my latest set up – as I have done in the past – I decided it was time to shake things up a bit. You see, I’ve inadvertently become a collector of skate art. I don’t have a lot, but I have a few pieces. Though I’m destroying this art on a regular basis, so who knows how my collection will develop – if at all.
Regular readers will already know that I’ve been partial to equipment from Death Skateboards for a long time. UK based company, great ethos, cool and durable products. You may have also seen my previous blog about my Richie Jackson pro-model. That was where the addiction started.
The art for the Richie Jackson deck was drawn by an artist called Liane Plant. I loved it’s detailed, clear and defined lines – a realistic portrait of Richie the master, done in an art nouveau* style. Very clever and quite beautiful. At least it was, till I skated it and shined the graphics off.
Liane has also produced other graphics for Death (along with other skate companies, bands etc). Last year when I needed a new deck, I picked up the Patrick Melcher model, which has a fantastic mermaid graphic. I was all set to stick the trucks and wheels on, then shred it – when I decided not to. This amazing creation will go on the wall instead.
I’m not a deck collector – they’re too expensive – and to be frank, in a house already cluttered with vinyl, toys and other collections, I just don’t have room. The only deck I have on the wall is a reissue of the classic Santa Cruz Rob Roskopp face, drawn by Jim Phillips. If I had the space and the cash, I’d have loads of skateboards on my walls. But for now the Melcher mermaid remains something of an anomaly.
Then this year, I bought another Liane Plant graphic – Eddie Belvedere‘s iron maiden model. Again, another intricately detailed work. It’s bold and grim, a very heavy metal deck graphic melding hot chicks and medieval torture. Totally in your face. But like the other graphics, I love it because of the realism that Liane has created in the characters.
I set up the Eddie Belvedere deck with my Indy trucks and Death wheels, and I’ve been skating it for a while. Great deck, lots of pop, now with a messed up graphic. Never mind, that’s what skateboards are for.
I am slightly regretting shining the graphics on this one though. Let’s see what my next deck will be. I’ll need something to skate, but will I be vulgar and unrefined enough to defile another work of art like this??!
You can see more of Liane Plants work here and on Instagram.
We’re going back in time in this week’s edition of STYLE. My never ending odyssey to explore the secrets of STYLE journeys to a fabled corner of my wardrobe. We may not reach Narnia, but we do arrive somewhere very special indeed…
Gateway supermarket car park, 1989. Yes, you wanted it – nay, DEMANDED it – and so have I provideth: Skateboard STYLE, circa late 80s.
Amazingly, some late 80’s skate merch still resides in my possession. The pinnacle of awesomeness in this collection are my original Powell Peralta sweatpants. Originally purchased from Split Skates in Manchester, by some miracle I can still (just about) get in them.
You see here the Rat Bones design, with rodent skeletons crawling up the side of each leg. Oh, how I coveted these pants for months before I owned a pair: they cost a bloody fortune, but eventually Mum relented and I got a pair for my birthday. They got some heavy use back in the day; amazingly they still exist (but in a pretty tatty state up close).
Another relic from the past is my Santa Cruz hooded top, again a purchase from Split Skates (on a different trip). This dates from the days when hoodies were a fresh sight on UK streets and were yet to be adopted by chav scrotes. Hoodies are an essential part of any gentleman’s wardrobe, regardless of unsavoury stereotypes. I love this SC dark blue number.
In these photos, I’m wearing a Santa Cruz Road Rider wheels t-shirt. In the late 80’s, I actually only owned two skate t-shirts: a bright yellow Thrasher Pus-zone T and a red Vision Street Wear one with a manhole graphic. Both are long gonenow.
On my feet are a pair of hi-top Vans, which despite being stylistically accurate are actually a more recent acquisition. I could never afford Vans when I was a kid, I had one pair of red Converse and then had cheap Chuck knock-offs for years (‘cos I’d shred ’em in a month).
But God bless Vans, a deeper look into their wonder will no doubt grace a future edition of STYLE.
The look is completed by a Vans trucker cap (again, a newer rehash of 80’s style); a Casio digital watch and a Quiksilver hip-bag. The hip-bag was absolutely necessary as the sweatpants had no pockets (probably would’ve pushed the price up even more). I had a Hot Tuna one back in the day.
As I recall, skaters in the late 80’s pioneered a few fashion items ahead of them becoming part of the mainstream. As well as hooded sweatshirts and hi-top trainers we wore knee length shorts (thus dragging the human race away from budgie-smuggler short shorts). Hip bags became “bum bags” and were fashionable for 5 minutes with everyone, before everyone decided to dump ’em (bring them back!).
As a result, my adoption of skate STYLE did little to reduce the ridicule received from my peers that I had suffered previously. But I didn’t care ‘cos I was a skater and outside of their world by choice. Plus, I always had the last laugh when six months later, they were all wearing Converse, knee length shorts and surf wear.
Sometimes we stumble upon STYLE. Sometimes STYLE just happens along when we least expect it, enraptured by something else. We just need to roll with it and remember that fortune favours the brave.
NOTE: Yes, I look a bit chubby in these pics – but how many clothes from 30 years ago can you still fit in?!
You can read about the Santa Cruz Street Creep shown here on this blog.
A few weeks back, I got a new deck and (eventually) set it up to ride. I took some photos to commemorate the beautiful graphic and general awesomeness of the full, set up skateboard. Here it is, for our mutual enjoyment.
Again, I opted for a Death deck – and again a Richie Jackson model. Great company, inspirational skater. This is an 8.25″ wide model.
According to the graphic, it’s a Richie Jackson “Collectors Shred Sled” – but this particular baby ain’t going on the wall. Oh no, it’s for shredding, not collecting.
The deck was ordered from Native Skate Store. The merchandise arrived with no problem at all, everything was perfect.
I also ordered a set of 53mm Death wheels from Native. Together with a new set of ABEC 5 bearings, and my previous set of Independent trucks, I was able to piece together the work of art you see here.
It’s a great set up and I’ve really enjoyed riding it so far. No complaints whatsoever. The deck width is perfect for me for me these days, so I’ll stick with that for now. The wheels are rolling well too, I’d forgotten how nice a feeling it is to ride a new set.
These photos were taken a few weeks ago, and this skateboard doesn’t look as fresh as it used to. There are quite a few scrapes from concrete and the number of those marks is growing. But hey, that’s the way it goes. It’s great to skate and that’s all that matters.
Still, it’s nice to be reminded of that brand new, virgin set up in these photos. There’s just something incredibly rad about getting – and skating – a new skateboard. I never get tired of it.
Platinum Al's Virtual Hot Tub 