The Outskirts of Life

Brooklyn Invitational 2011

2012-01-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

Well this post has been a long time coming, I guess any post has been a long time coming at this point. Brooklyn Invitational was killer this year and I am looking forward to 2012. Was pretty busy so I didn't get photos of as many bikes as I would've liked to but here's what I got.

Tom Fugle

Mike Lucena

Check Dodz site

Make sure to check back, should definitely be able to get another post up before 2012 ends

Fresno on the mind

2011-08-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

Thirteen hours..... Six of them driving solo and seven skating pools.
Back in april I made it to Fresno, now I want to go back.

First I'll start with Rays place

My dream backyard

Pebbles

Matt's Place

Before

After

USA

Thanks Tony & Matt

The Vermont Way

2011-05-08T10:14:00.001-07:00

Got up to Vt for a short trip to see Mom and Dad for mothers day. Was able to sneak out fishing with dad a couple times.I got skunked but dad managed to get 3 or 4 nice rainbows! Good to get out of the city and see the folks.

Good Times in The Cold Weather

2011-02-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

Went Up to Vermont a few months back to grab a Yamaha

1972 DT2 that Keegan picked up for me. Figured first things first

might as well give it a test ride while I'm somewhere there are

trails. We didn't expect to wake up to snow the morning we were

going riding but we said screw it lets go anyways. Ended up staying

pretty warm until I flew over the handle bars and landed face

first in a huge puddle. The almost 40 year old DT2 ran great with

only having to add some oil.Now I am just looking forward to

riding it come spring where I can actually get some traction instead

of fishtailing in the snow every time I accelerate.

A glimpse into my the newest projects

2011-01-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

Here's a few shots of the package deal!

Heres a shot of the new DT2

Still Picking Up Bikes Even With The Snow

2011-01-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

Well I couldn't pass em up, called Keegan up

and asked if he would once again pick up a couple

bikes I found for sale in Vermont.With a couple inches

of snow/sleet on the road he didn't let it phase him, he said

"I just had to put it into 4 wheel drive and take it slow on the

way back home." Couldn't even say how much I appreciate

it.I got a couple months to get them up and running for

springtime. Shit that makes it 6 bikes of mine in the garage.

1968 honda cl350 & a 1971 cl350

Thanks Keegan beers on me next time I'm up

Summer on the island

2011-01-10T17:45:00.000-08:00

I know its been awhile but I figured I'd share whats going

through my mind while I've been freezing my ass off.

Memories of summer 2010

I'm ready for more

1982 FXR ShovelHead

2010-09-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

So I finally made the leap and got a Harley!

I can't even explain how happy I am to own a Shovel,

she's the same age as me. Besides a couple leaks it runs great.

Well I am off to florida for a few days but figured I should post

something since its been all summer since I've put anything up.

Got to say thanks to my Dad because It would've never

happened without him!

Me and my Dad, Damn I don't look happy do I?

There she is

First of many picnics I'm sure, looking forward to the next one.

If You Aint Got It Get It

2010-05-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

When I find new music or a new album I usually

obsess over it until I'm burnt out. This one I've been

obsessing over for almost a year and still obsessing!

Don't think I'll ever get burnt out on this album,

from start to finish its incredible.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Willie and the Poor Boys

1969

Blood Shed

2010-05-26T04:10:00.000-07:00

 Hello to all,

 Please try to join us this saturday the 29th at

Mollusk Surf Shop in 
Williamsburg, Brooklyn (210

Kent Ave at end of Metroplolitan).

Buddy + Rick are screening their skate/horror film

BLOODSHED, along 
with assorted other shorts.

BBQ at 5pm and films start at dark, projected outdoors.

 There is a raffle, tees, dvds, food, etc. All funds

raised will 
benefit the ANDY KESSLER FOUNDATION.

Come out if you can and please help spread the word!

Cheers! Tony Farmer

Forgot One

2010-05-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

Foster's Blowin up on the blogosphere!

Thought this was the shot HashBong put up,

but I realized they used a different one.

Get Off The Couch

2010-05-22T04:17:00.000-07:00

After being on the couch for two and a half days a

couple of friends came into town for the weekend. Knee

started feeling better and gave me some motivation to

leave the house. Took a drive to Owl's Head so Brendan

could skate somethin while in the city. I couldn't skate

but managed to take a few photos with my new lens.

Also I just added another blog to my list check it out

they just posted a photo I took the same day.

Hash Bong

Mother's Day

2010-05-20T05:14:00.000-07:00

Sittin at the computer Mother's day morning drinkin coffee.Got an

Email from Farmer responding to some photos I sent him, "What

you up to today"I asked, He responded with"Possible Staton Isle

pool recon..You in?". That was all I needed to hear, drove to his
place picked up Jocko on the way and met Smithers there. All
and all I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Sunday afternoon.

Brought the point and shoot along and managed to take a few photos.

Farmer also posted some shots/with a much better story on

the Andy Kessler Foundation site.

Thanks again for yet another great north east pool.

First Glance

Pat Smith talking to Jocko about a shallow corner air on the cruiser

Farmer threading the needle over the death

Me doing what I do best BAIL Shot. Had to go back and

get it. Check it Kess-nyc.org

Devo Saw The Future

2010-05-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting at home with an infected knee
and have endless time to waste. I came across
this website while browsing the interweb
reading random Neil Young shit and
came across this Devo article that I
enjoyed. I know its long especially
when you can barely read like me,but its
worth the few minutes it will take.The
website I got it from is called Thrasher's
Wheat and has alot of other great stuff
on it that will probably waste another
portion of my morning.
Here's the article

Devo Saw the Future, But That Was Then

By Eli Attie
Special to The Washington Post

Jammin' with Neil

The truth is, Devo are significant for more than their avant-stupidity -- for more, even, than its stripped-down techno-pop and love of kitsch science fiction. In their decidedly high-concept, low-rent way, these musicians set out to deform and even demolish rock itself.

Consider the band's rendering of the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," that yearning, groping opus of teenage longing. By 1978, when Devo recorded their debut album, such prurient subject matter had become a tired rock cliche. So Devo turned the song completely on its head -- delivering a performance so robotic, so utterly lacking in sensuality or any flesh-and-blood intention that the cliche was all that remained. It can be seen as a turning point in rock: the moment the earnestness melted into irony, the moment the swagger turned to self-consciousness and scrutiny.

In the late 1970s, with corporate culture finally crushing the counterculture, with wanton consumerism on the rise, Devo may have been the first rock band to abandon rock's signature poses, to surrender the very idea of rebellion -- to stop trying to change the world, and simply mock it instead.

It's no coincidence that Devo came together in the early '70s at Ohio's Kent State University, where Nixon-era Vietnam protests had culminated in the fatal shooting of four students by the National Guard. Jerry Casale, Mothersbaugh's creative partner in Devo, not only witnessed the shootings (as did future Pretender Chrissie Hynde, who coincidentally played in a college band with members of Devo), but two of Casale's friends were among the casualties.

"Until then," Casale has recalled, "I was a hippie. I thought, the world is essentially good." Casale claims that the idea of devolution -- that man is regressing, not progressing -- began to take root that very day.

Though it may have seemed like so much goofing around, this was quite a shift in the rock paradigm. Such '60s-era performers as Neil Young, who sang of Kent State in his anthem "Ohio" (and who, ironically, took Devo as the inspiration for his album and film "Rust Never Sleeps"), may have found in the shootings a reason for genuine outcry, for heartfelt emotional objection. Devo turned away from this flower-strewn ideal, pretending to embrace authority and conformity instead of challenging it. As Mothersbaugh says dryly, the band members were "fulfilling our genetic imperative of selling more product so that all the [record company] executives could go on vacation. . . . We were chosen for it." While Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young were searching for peace, love and understanding, Devo celebrated nuclear mutation, heralding a future where everyone wore the same triangular plastic hats.

What is remarkable, especially for a band that existed at the very dawn of the video age, is that Devo's deeper message was carried mostly by their visuals -- in contrast to their generally pointless lyrics ("mongoloid he was a mongoloid / one chromosome too many" was typical). For this reason, the band's videos are essential to any full appreciation. That's not to say that its politics were heavy-handed. From the nuclear-waste workers frolicking in glowing red suits in "Worried Man" to the Barbie and Ken dolls ritualistically dismantling each other in "Love Without Anger," the band revels in sheer absurdity, even while advancing a more intelligible agenda.

In the video for "Girl U Want," curtains part to reveal a fat teenager trying desperately to sip a milkshake while strapped to a vibrating, undulating fat-reducing machine. A commentary on the media's mixed messages? Probably. But on the DVD's commentary track, Mothersbaugh chalks it up to nonsensical abandon: "We were trying to think of: What would a hundred screaming little teeny girls really get excited about?"

Though you might not know it from this DVD compilation, which offers scant discussion of the band's actual music, Devo broke substantial musical ground as well. Of course they borrowed heavily from proto-absurdists such as the Fugs, Captain Beefheart, and the Residents (who, in fact, preceded Devo with their own creepy, noir version of "Satisfaction"). They also built upon the work of German techno-pioneers such as Can and Kraftwerk, recording the first Devo album with producer Brian Eno in Can's recording studios.

What was unique was Devo's fusion of comedy, technology and real pop melody. There's a reason songs like "Beautiful World" and "The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprise" are still worth hearing, far beyond the polemics and the campy antics. But inevitably, for a band that cared more about ideas than execution, Devo's music did not keep up with its manifestos. By the mid-'80s, when mechanistic synth-pop had become a genre unto itself, Devo was little more than a novelty act.

Band members admit that declining relevance and record sales forced them into the very corporate compromises they had set out to parody -- such as one ill-fated record company decision to shoehorn a Playboy Playmate into one of Devo's videos. "We ended up being like the proverbial photographer that's studying Bowery bums," Casale says. "He becomes a bartender and starts dispensing drinks until he becomes a drunken fool himself." It's fitting that both Casale and Mothersbaugh -- sometimes with the help of their former band mates -- have built successful careers scoring TV commercials and television shows.

This was the conundrum of Devo: Rather than hurling Molotov cocktails at the establishment from some angry campus quadrangle, they chose the more subtle weapon of satire, and they brandished it from the comfort of a major-label record deal. They deserve some measure of credit for that. Just as the majors were consolidating their hold on the music industry, Devo offered an extreme vision of uniformity, of corporate rigidity and mass-media domination. When their record company told them they had to put a bar code on their second album, for instance, they plastered bar codes all over the cover and made it a motif. In this age of prepackaged boy bands and digitally corrected performances, it's hard not to find prophecy in that.

But make no mistake, those record company executives were indeed taking the money and going on vacation. Like the iconoclastic filmmakers of the '70s, quickly swallowed up by Hollywood's studio system, or like every significant protest politician from William Jennings Bryan to Pat Buchanan, soon co-opted by the major parties' own platforms, Devo pried open a tiny window. And it quickly slammed down on their hands.

In the end, it's a problem that belongs to rock itself -- which is, let's face it, built on deep contradiction: the notion of popular subversion, of mass-marketed rebellion, of art you can hum along to for 31/2 minutes. Devo had an impact because they lived at that very point of conflict -- like trying to drink a milkshake while strapped to a fat-reducing machine. Laugh all you want, roll those cameras until they're out of film. You'll be lucky to get one little sip.

Escaping Winter

2010-04-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

In the beginning of March a few friends and I decided to

take a break from the cold weather and make our way to Az.

Its the 3rd annual winter escape and the crew seems to be

growing each year. I only shot a couple rolls of film during the

trip, since I realized we had more camera's in the car than

people/skateboards.Tim Stanton and Eddy were shooting alot of

photos and Greg Wilson was filming (Still taking bets on wether

anyone ever sees the footage though!) Dod's posted a bunch of

Tim's photos on his site The Endless Bummer under

Arizona Day 1, 2, and 3 check em out.Oh yeah Greg did

unveil one of the clips he filmed in Az of Al Partanen

on his website. Hopefully we'll all see some other footage

from the trip eventually! Anyways here are a couple of the

photos I shot in my down time on the trip.

I'll post a few more when I make time to scan them.

York,Pa Swap Meet

2010-03-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

So its been over a month since I've posted anything up here.....

Been really busy traveling alot, Az, Philly, York ,Ct and just lazy.

Here are some photos I took from the York,Pa swap a couple
weekends ago. I also have some Az photos that I will post
very soon.

Az Bound

2010-02-27T04:13:00.000-08:00

So we do an annual Az skate trip every year. Last year it

fell apart but we are making it happen this year.

Here are a couple photos from our trip in 2008.

First Two photos by Greg Wilson

See you in a week!!

Happy Birthday

2010-02-26T14:47:00.000-08:00

Legends Never Die

Saturday reading material

2010-02-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

So I accomplished nothing today but did read through

September 1981 issue of EasyRider. Man they sure don't

advertise like they used to, everytime I look through an

old Easyrider I am blown away by the ads and all the amazing

content. Then theres the David Mann atrwork!!!

Well I figured I'd share a couple from todays studying

and take you back to 1981 for a few seconds...

MegaRamp

2010-02-13T07:22:00.001-08:00

Daydreamin

2010-02-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

Keegan and I went out to the Northwest this fall......

wait I think I already said this once here? O'well

now I'm just trying to make it through the brutal cold winter

and Keegan figured he'd help by sending me some photos

that he took while westbound now I'm just daydreamin.Gonna be

headed to Phoenix,Az for a little winter vacation at the end of

the month, hopefully that'll keep me sane through

the rest of the winter here!

Poaching Campgrounds 5am gotta get outta here!!

Damn I need a Harley

4Q

2010-02-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

Just realized I wasted over an hour looking at Max Schaaf's blog 4Q,

seems like that happens every time I visit 4Q. I figured I'd post a

link just in case you haven't been fortunate enough to visit the blog

before.Be careful because its easier than you think to blow

an hour or two just browsing all 4Q's previous posts!

If you like Skateboarding and Motorcycles you'll be happy

you took the time to check it.

4Q conditioning

Heres a shot of Max and a quote stolen from 4Q

Chief Aupumut, Mohican. 1725

"When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home."

Down South

2010-02-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Went down to Arkansas and into Northern Louisiana for the

holidays to visit my girls family. Relaxing and enjoyed every

second of it. I did end up making out to skate a couple times,once

in Little Rock and another time in Bossier city at this weird indoor
park called Holy Roller.You can probably guess what was weird
about it just from the name, I'll just say Bible Study Night with free

seshin.....!I guess thats one way to get the kids to wanna
believe.It was actually a fun little skatepark ,and the one
Local and kid that was running it were really friendly.
Here's a few photos i took while I was enjoying my trip.

Just in case any of you happen to be down in Bossier on the

first tuesday of the month.Here's the flyer!!

Totally.....Finished

2010-01-23T03:56:00.000-08:00

Totally Skateboards

Just finished there new website.

I'll let owner Pat Guidotti explain in his own words.

"A new year, a new decade, a new Totally site!

Just as a quick FYI – with this new design we’re able to combine the

site and blog, which we’re stoked about. That means all news,

photos, etc. that you’d have previously found on the blog

will be posted here. The old blog will still exist but please

bookmark us here so you’re still in the Totally mix moving forward."

Make sure to check it regularly because Guidotti's is

going to be busting his ass keeping the site updated

with all the current knar.

Check it out

Totally Skateboards

Owner: Patrick Guidotti at the Philly Warehouse • photo: Lathrop

SHRED

2010-01-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos I shot about a month or so ago.

This pool is just one of the Gems up here in the north east

that I've been lucky enough to skate this year.

Thanks Tony for all of them

Word From the Wise

2009-12-29T15:47:00.000-08:00

Driving to Long Island to skate vert a few weeks ago saw

this sign at a church along the way.

Figured this photo was fitting!

PIZZA

2009-12-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

Forgot about this shot.

While I was in Burlington figured I had to

to atleast swing by Manhattan's to see Graham

for a Slice and Beer. As you can probably tell from

the photo it was one of the best slices of pizza I've

ever had!! (Graham's original creation)

That's what I like to call Vermont Hospitality

Vermont Turkey Weekend

2009-12-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

Once again totally been slacking on getting my photos

scanned.Anyways I finally got around to it, so here are

a few photos I took during mine & Ash's trip up

to Vermont for Thanksgiving .

The good ol' southern then northern Vermont

tour !!

Oh yeah off to Arkansas for a week as of 4am this morning

probably be a bit until I get another post up so.

HAPPY NEW YEARS

Merry Metal Christmas

2009-12-25T06:49:00.000-08:00

My Pappy Was a Pistol

2009-12-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

Oh Shit

Eddy Started a Blog

M.P.W.A.P.

Endless Bummer

2009-12-20T16:29:00.000-08:00

My friend Dod's has a rad blog .

Pics say it all!

Check it:

Endless Bummer

Vermont in NYC Revisited

2009-12-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

I finally got to scanning a couple of

the photo's I took while Ed & Remy

were in town. Figured I'd post a couple,

seems that it only took me about a month.

The Metal Inquisition

2009-12-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

A couple friends of mine Ryan & Tooth started

a radio show on the East Village Radio called

The Metal Inquisition.If you like metal and aren't

a complete pussy you'll love there show.

Heres the link to there radio show if you click

on where it says First installment it'll play there

show for you.The Metal Inquisition!!

Here's a couple shots of there band

NATUR

They gots a blog to

Owl's Head

2009-12-07T21:50:00.000-08:00

Tooth,Dez,Max,Damien,and I all squeezed into

my truck to get some last grinds in at Owl's Head

before they closed for the winter.

Good Times Good Company

My buddy Max doing the crail

fucked his ankle/leg up this past

weekend.Heal up quick kid it aint gonna

be the same skatan without you

around.

Garage Sesh

2009-12-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Burlington,Vt garage sesh turkeyday weekend !

Couple photo's Peter Troy took of Keegan and I.

BACK TO BACK

Vermont in NYC

2009-12-02T18:44:00.000-08:00

Couple friends decided to take a last

minute trip down from Vermont .Ed just

Emailed me a few shots they took while

in the big city.

Here you go

Photo's by Ed D'Ottavio

Unless Otherwise stated.

Photo: Remy

Photo: Corey "Vato" Rubin

Washington ,Vancouver..... ORCAS ISLAND

2009-11-12T16:45:00.000-08:00

Back in September Keegan and I took a trip to the Northwest

to skate and visit our friend Trevor.We flew into Seattle and

made our way to up through Washington into Vancouver

and then to Orcas Island.Skateboarding,Riding Trevor's

motorcycles and perfect weather made for an incredible trip.

Here are a few shots of the trip, wish I had more skateboarding

pics, but you have to stop skating to take photos and I'm no

good at putting the board aside when there's a seshen happening.

Oh and if it wasn't for the shop keg we would've ended up

spending so much money since its 60$ for the cheapest 30pack

I saw in Canada.

Thanks

Nesco Vintage Bike Show & Swap Meet

2009-11-04T19:15:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago me and my buddy Greg took a trip down

to Nesco,Nj for the 2009 Nesco Vintage Dirt/Street Bike Show &

Swap Meet.We threw the 74 DT360 in the back of the truck and

headed out.We rode some trails on the way down and then headed

down to the track where we were welcomed by Joe,John,and a couple

of Joes other friends as if we had been friends forever.Then we got

the tour of Nesco Dirt Works (Joes museum of vintage dirt bikes)

I have never seen anything like Joes shop he had so many bikes

it was unbelievable and the best part was that money was the last

thing on his mind,he did it all outta love for the sport! Then

Joe brought us to his buddy George's place where I ended up

buying a 74 Mx175 from him. Finally we made it back to the

track where we pitched a tent under the headlights of the truck

and with the help of way to many High Life camo cans we

made it happen.

The next morning we got up and had breakfast and coffee

trackside compliments of John who was camping right next

to us.We unloaded the bike,got ready for the track and then

had the time of our life racing around until 1pm when we

had to head back towards the city for Gregs show. All

in all it was an amazing trip and I recommend that anyone

who is into vintage motorcycles make it to Nesco,Nj

for this event next year.

Thanks Joe,Connie,George.and John for the great time

and the hospitality.

See you in December

The Outskirts of Life

Brooklyn Invitational 2011

Fresno on the mind

The Vermont Way

Good Times in The Cold Weather

A glimpse into my the newest projects

Still Picking Up Bikes Even With The Snow

Summer on the island

1982 FXR ShovelHead

If You Aint Got It Get It

Blood Shed

Forgot One

Get Off The Couch

Mother's Day

Devo Saw The Future

By Eli AttieSpecial to The Washington Post

Jammin' with Neil

Escaping Winter

York,Pa Swap Meet

Az Bound

Happy Birthday

Saturday reading material

MegaRamp

Daydreamin

4Q

Down South

Totally.....Finished

SHRED

Word From the Wise

PIZZA

Vermont Turkey Weekend

Merry Metal Christmas

My Pappy Was a Pistol

Endless Bummer

Vermont in NYC Revisited

The Metal Inquisition

Owl's Head

Garage Sesh

Vermont in NYC

Washington ,Vancouver..... ORCAS ISLAND

Nesco Vintage Bike Show & Swap Meet

By Eli Attie
Special to The Washington Post