Golden Years

Those fine gentlemen at The Stereo Sound Agency have finally seen fit to re-release the truly classic videos "A Visual Sound" and "Tincan Folklore" on DVD, and about time too.

In this correspondent's misty-mind's eye, these videos epitomise all that is truly great about the practice of skateboarding, and along with other seminal SF releases around the time (Real's "Non Fiction", FTC's "Penal Code 100a") transformed this era into the embodiment of skateboard perfection - in the humble opinion of this somewhat aged skateboard enthusiast, at least.

However, we are at present omitting one particular classic of this time; let us remedy this.

Those of a similar vintage to this correspondent will surely recall Deluxe's video, entitled "Ride On" - if not, you were probably all over "20 Shot Sequence" or practicing your wallies in time for "Eastern Exposure 3"

'Ride On' has that quintessential SF vibe going on; mellow, classic music, Super-8 footage, Dickies, Half-Cabs... and comes across as the halfway point between "A Visual Sound' and 'Non Fiction'.

See for yourself:

Hooray For Hollywood

Many years ago, when this and other gentlemen affiliated with The Herald Lifestyle Clique were young, skateboard media was harder to come by than these fast-moving times; skateboard videos were rare, expensive and only available from the exclusive realm of few-and-far-between skateboard shops.

However, on occasion skateboarding would make excursions from the underground and into "youth" oriented American cinema, and even became the focus of several films, allowing those unaware of skateboarding and its culture a distorted glimpse of what was possible.

An early landmark of this movement, 1978's Skateboard is before this correspondent's time (in skateboard years, at least); therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to remind the few readers there may be of the following classic movies , some of whom may have been inspired to take up the practice of skateboarding by these films:

Thrashin'



Starring none other than retiring President of the United States of America, Josh Brolin, rising son Christian Hosoi, TA and Steve Steadham, amongst others...

Gleaming The Cube



Starring former professional Jack Nicholson impersonator Christian Slater and various members of The Bones Brigade, who also feature in this seminal sequence from the mighty Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol:



Having become a little misty-eyed, no reminiscence would be complete without a viewing of these two sequences:





We do hope you have enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. Thank you for your time.

Chardy.

Chris Hardy Spring 2008 from littletee on Vimeo.

In the interest of showing a degree of cultural breadth, Herald Cinema is deviating from the norm to show the above short featuring the not-inconsiderable BMX skills of one Mr. Christopher Hardy. A gentleman of excellent breeding, Mr. Hardy is no stranger to a ponytail or jazz-funk and can on occasion be seen sporting one of the rather marvellous Herald T-shirts designed by living legend Mr. Lee Rozee.

In a reciprocal gesture, we would like to showcase Mr. Hardy's bicycle antics and the editing skills of Our Man in London, Herald Lifestyle Affiliate and all-round good egg Mr. Tristan Summers, whom we have to thank for this little creation.

Quicktime version here.

Carts of Darkness

The above trailer is for a new documentary entitled "Carts Of Darkness" directed by a gentleman named Murray Siple, and if you would be so kind as to excuse our profanity, it looks absolutely fucking amazing.

Mr Siple is something of a trouper; as he himself explains, he was a skateboard and snowboard filmmaker until a car accident and surgical complications left him in a wheelchair. Now this in itself would be enough to level even the stoutest of hearts, yet Mr Siple also suffered the indignity of degradation to his manual dexterity, leaving him unable to operate a camera in the way he used to. Undeterred, Mr Siple has rebuilt his life and rediscovered his love of the moving image, and has constructed the aforementioned documentary for the edification of the general public. Mr Siple has also recruited renowned skateboard photographer Scott Pommier to provide some truly stunning still photography for the project.

We at the Herald Lifestyle Clique believe that the very least we can do for Mr Siple and his documentary subjects is to remain interested and keep our eyes peeled for the film upon its release. Please join us in this action.

Terminal Velocity

Adam Kimmel presents: Claremont HD from adam kimmel on Vimeo.

A new short, entitled 'Claremont', from former Beastie Boys cohort, filmmaker, photographer and skartist Ari Marcopoulos exploring one of the more esoteric regions of contemporary skateboarding culture.

Following Mr Glass' advice, we strongly advise you to click through and watch this incredible film at full screen.

Skateboard Kings

For your viewing pleasure, the rather rare and exceptionally good "Skateboard Kings" film from the 1978 BBC series, 'The World About Us'.

Watch and learn.

Dirty Sunshine

Following in the theme of recent postings, we would like to bring your attention to this sun-drenched short documenting a weekend away in the company of friends of Cleveland, Ohio based lifestylers The Skate Kitchen.

Featuring some impressive beards, and soundtracked by the not inconsiderable enigmatic charms of Mr. Devendra Banhart, these happy few minutes of distraction can be found by clicking here.

We do hope you enjoy.

What We Did This Summer

We at the Herald Lifestyle Clique wish to extend our sincerest apologies for the paucity of updates of late; we have been a little distracted by other ventures.

'Normal' service will be resumed shortly.

Gay Paris

The information superhighway is abundant with visual delights; one such example is the rather elegant short film featured below. Starring none other than Landscape Skateboards' professional Frenchman Monsieur Soy Panday as he spends what looks like a rather splendid day out amid the sights and sounds of the French capital.

PARISien (Version Longue)
Uploaded by prospective

Vive la difference, as they say.

Epicly Later'd

Following the previous entry, we would like to bring your attention to this piece of work for the composition 'Comfy In Nautica' on behalf of the entirely unique Panda Bear by Mr Patrick O'Dell.



It would seem that Mr O'Dell has been broadening his horizons recently, as he is also responsible for the latest promotional short for Mr Steven Patrick Morrissey ; however, it would be ungentlemanly to hold that against him.

California Dreaming

A pleasant distraction has been provided this morning by the rather lovely new promotional short for 'Caravan Girl' by Goldfrapp.

This correspondent has yet to ascertain who directed the film*, but we are secretly hoping that it is the final part of a trilogy of videos for Miss Goldfrapp by a talented young gentleman by the name of Dougal Wilson , who has produced some very fine work over recent years.

*It has since come to light that this piece has been directed by top lifestyle documentarians The Malloys.

Prompted by this, it also seems a reasonable time to show this beautiful piece by Californian genius Mr Mike Mills.



This correspondent is a highly enthusiastic supporter of Mr Mills and his work. If you are unaware of his abilities, we humbly suggest that you do some research.

Be Like Mike

We at the Herald Lifestyle Clique strongly advise one and all to take a look at the Blueprint website as the kind gentlemen in charge have decided to run a small competition featuring Mr Michael Wright, esq. of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Mr Wright is a stalwart of the Herald Lifestyle Clique, a jolly decent chap to boot and can be seen performing feats of derring-do in the short film accompanying the competition. Additionally, included in the prizes of the aforementioned contest is a much-coveted Herald t-shirt, this season's must-have garment for the lifestyling young gentleman about town.

We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Mr Wright for the image accompanying this post; at the time of writing it is late, and it was simply the easiest option.

Karma Exists in Everything

A brief trawl through the wonders of YouTube can reveal this short piece of promotional work by Mr Jason Lee on behalf of purveyors of formerly respectable skateboard footwear, Airwalk.

Dating back to 1995, this somewhat surreal 16mm short makes this particular Herald correspondent misty-eyed for the rather marvellous Jason Lee Signature Shoe.

Sigh.

T-Mossian Technology

The more astute and well-informed cultural viewer will have no doubt been enjoying the Cardiel series of Mr O'Dell's films over at VBS, and rightly so.

However, we at the Herald Lifestyle Clique are a multi-disciplinary bunch and have been watching the equally interesting Hi-Shredability.

Of particular interest are the episodes pertaining to Mr Thomas Campbell, esq. Again, the more astute (or perhaps older) among you will remember Mr Campbell's written work for Transworld many years ago, and some may even have followed his flourishing career as a visual artist. Mr Campbell has, as part of his erstwhile endeavours, made many beautiful films in his time, including Sprout and the classic 'A Love Supreme', which can be seen over at the virtual headquarters of heavy New York lifestylers Supreme.
The Herald Lifestyle Clique heartily recommend that you watch the Hi-Shredabilty episodes dedicated to Mr Campbell.



Mr Campbell's work can also be seen gracing the cover of the latest Concrete to Canvas which also features the work of Herald Lifestyle Executive and all-round good egg Mr Stephen Ashton.

Herald Cinema

If you Google the phrase "herald cinema", this is what you find.

Not strictly Herald, but informative nonetheless.

Love Power

Fauvism

Herald Lifestyle colleagues Bad Sneakers recently requested the services of the Herald Cinema arm of the Lifestyle Clique to promote the endeavours of four fine young Cumbrian gentlemen, collectively known as Wild Beasts.


The video posted above is the result of this collaboration. We hope you enjoy.

Modern Times

Attention.

In deference to these fast-moving times, the Herald Lifestyle Clique has established a YouTube channel.

How very modern.