MAT LLOYD

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

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

The latest episode of the 'Skateboarder And...' podcast has dropped and I got to sit down with, well talk on the phone with, skateboarder, owner of Freestyle Skate Store, Rad Dad, Martial Arts face kicker, lead singer of the band Cruel Prank, Yeah Buddy Wax CEO, and stalwart of the welsh skate scene Mr. Darran 'Grim' Ward!!! This ones a good’un!!

We talk about the history of Freestyle Skate Store, getting skate parks built properly, motorbikes, first boards, transition skating, the Welsh scene, dogs, tattoos, Zero trucker hats, depression, Carve Wicked, skaters smelling wax, the coronavirus, business rates and all sorts of other random guff!!!

Worth noting we recorded the episode before the government put outs its latest advice on the coronavirus, stay safe people.

To check out more from Freestyle Skate Sore visit them at

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 and is from his album 'Beats for Days 2', available from all good record stores, iTunes, Amazon and direct via www.westaytrue.com"

Dropping this Friday the 3rd of May - ‘Short Poems Mixtape’ really stoked how it’s turned out and looking forward to sharing it! More info to follow!

Original 📸 by James North

Some students represented the sentencing of idiot and used handcuffs to do this as well as prison bars and chains. A lot discussed the subject of consequences and the repercussions of your actions as well as the characters situation. The current issues of UK knife crime, gangs and youth violence came up when analysing the poem as a class. Described by them as a dark and deeply emotional as well as a poem which could be used to inspire others and conveys a very important message. A lot of our students thought that alcohol was most probably to blame for Idiots actions, as well as bad impulses and peer pressure from friends. A lot of the work made had links with the miss use of alcohol and the sadness and brutality of death. I think a lot of our students related to the poem and we thank you for writing such a raw and realistic piece of work. I hope it inspired my classes and makes them question the decisions they make in life." Sara Prinsloo

If you like to get your skate video fix from; Thrasher, Transworld, Pixels or Sidewalk to name but a few, you've probably seen this guys work. And if you're a Manchester local you've definitely seen it.

He may be the youngest guest we've ever had on the podcast but his work ethic and back catalogue is packed full of radness! For the second episode of series three we have the man behind 01 Fuckin 61, Black Sheep lensman, skateboarder and Videographer, Mr. Isaac Wilkinson.

We talk about how he got the filming bug before skating, being told he sucks, video blogging, putting together 01 Fuckin 61 and plenty more...

Follow Isaac on instagram via @isaacdw42
And subscribe to his YouTube www.youtube.com/user/idw42/

Title track provided by Mr. Brown from his album with Confucius MC the 'The Art Form' and the outro track from his album 'Beats for Days 2', buy them from all good record stores, iTunes, Amazon and Mr Brown direct via www.westaytrue.com