MAT LLOYD

The latest episode of the 'Skateboarder And...' podcast is with skateboarder, founder of the ‘Family of UK Skateboarders’ and now published poet Mr. Tony wood.

Not only did we chat about his new collection of poetry ‘Procrastiskate’, we also talked Jeff Jones boards, Steve Caballero, cowboy boots, Guns & Roses, paddling pools, skateboard collecting, life before facebook groups, Rom Skate park, Colchester bowl, Mike Vallely, breaking ankles, Nick Zorlac, turning up to the Death Premier a week early, political correctness, writing poetry and so much more. Grab a beer, sit back, relax and enjoy!

To find out more about Tony’s book check out his publisher on instagram @shookbop or order direct via www.shookbop.com and the artists who contributed can be found on instagram via @jason_hillbilly_cheverall @frizzwizard @danbryantauthor

To find out more about Tony Wood…well you’ll have to find him on facebook….

Episode cover photo by @The_slimmingworld_skateboarder

Stay up to date by following us on instagram @skateboarderand or by joining our Facebook page www.facebook.com/skateboarderandpodcast

All music is provided with permission by Mr. Brown @westaytrue his music is available from all good record stores, iTunes, Amazon and direct via www.westaytrue.com

Stay safe people!

Very proud to bring you the latest episode of the ‘Skateboarder And...’ podcast! This week we changed things up a little and reached out to BMXer, the man behind Bicycle Union and the owner of Volt BMX… Mr John Dye!

We talk about getting into BMX, the 80’s DIY scene, Motorhead, hanging out with skateboarders, the Chingford half pipe, the history of the Bicycle Union, mag wheels, importance of core shops, Ride Magazine, bullies, angry kids, being open in lockdown and so much more!!! It’s another good one (despite my dodgy internet connection)!!!

Find out more about VOLT BMX via instagram @voltbmxlondon and www.voltbmx.com

Find out more about the Bicycle Union via instagram @bicycleunion and www.bicycleunion.com

Stay up to date by following us on instagram @skateboarderand or by joining our Facebook page www.facebook.com/skateboarderandpodcast

All music is provided with permission via Mr. Brown @westaytrue and is from his latest album ‘Magnetic Storage'.

Mr. Browns music is available from all good record stores, iTunes, Amazon and direct via www.westaytrue.com

Listen here:

https://soundcloud.com/skateboarderandpodcast/johndyevoltbmx

#skateboarderand #skateboarding #skateboarderandpodcast #skatelife #supportyourlocalscene #podcast #ukskateboarding #corona

In these strange times we can all feel a bit isolated and in need of a smile or two! My old partner in crime Matt Frodsham and I have been working on a little project that will be released this Thursday which will hopefully make you smile and hopefully make you laugh too.

Why Thursday the 14th? This marks one year since skateboarder Ben Raemers tragically took his own life. His family and the good people at The Ben Raemers Foundation want this day to be full of positivity and have launched #SMileForRaemers Hopefully we can all do our bit to spread some positivity and keep smiling!

This is from the first time I visited the VANS Europe HQ back in early 2017. I’d been asked to write a spoken word piece on the history of a Tribe Called Quest and I was flown out to the Switzerland headquarter to perform it on stage in-front of the whole VANS HQ team. I couldn’t tell anyone (not even my team at VANS) or share what I was doing as the shoe wouldn’t be released until the following year.

I put a lot of time, research and mental energy into the pice as I really wanted it to be perfect. I had three weeks to create it and I really think I didn’t listen, read or watch anything that wasn’t ‘A Tribe Called Quest’ related for that whole time.

I remember getting super stressed out when creating the piece and after a couple of weeks working on it and a few sleepless nights in a fit of desperation I rang my friend Nick @retailwhore on instagram (who also worked at VANS). I told him what I was doing and that I needed to read him the piece and get his opinion or my head might explode! I knew he’d give me an honest answer whether I liked it or not. When I’d finished he said in typical Nick fashion “It’s fucking amazing!” and I new I was on the right track.

The actual day of course went really well and despite all the sleepless nights, anxiety and nerves I got a standing ovation which i will never forget. The photos are from after the performance when I could finally relax and have a well deserved beer. Sometimes when everything feels too much or your head feels like it might explode, pick up the phone, it really is - good to talk.

PS. Here's a video of a live performance I did in London of the piece when the collection finally launched - Beats Rhymes and Phife Live in London