Pre Ordering Madness for 2007

Are you fed up with bringing bananas to work or school only to find them bruised and squashed? This unique, patented device allows for the safe transport and storage of individual bananas letting you enjoy perfect bananas anytime, anywhere.

The Banana Guard was specially designed to fit the vast majority of bananas. Its other features include multiple small perforations to facilitate ventilation thereby preventing premature ripening and a sturdy locking mechanism to keep the Banana Guard closed.

The Banana Guard is of course dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Get your order's in for 2007. Nano Nana.

New shop t-shirts.......

Just arrived on our doorstep via the screenprinting genuises at Mission Print are the all new Focus T-shirts. The black and green T-s were designed by Edinburgh's Josimar who is currently enjoying the Christmas sun in Australia.

The second print sprouted from the mind of Zero and Focus teamrider John Rattray. Both shirts are available in limited quantities and will be available to buy online and in both of our stores very soon.

Pizza the action.

To all who attended the Nike Italian Collection Launch Party on Thursday night, thanks for your company! It was a messy but fun night with beer supplied by Moretti and pizza by Mama's who came up with the edible swoosh above.

Looking forward to the next one in 2007.

When the moon hits the sky like a big pizza pie......

If you didn't already know we're hosting a night in our Edinburgh store to celebrate the launch of Nike SB's Italian Collection. We'll have the full range for you to view and buy including the very limited Goodfellas Dunks, plus giveaways, free Pizza, Wine and Beer and best of all Sam from Nike SB will be present.

The date is Thursday 21st December and everything kicks off at 7pm. We'd love to see you all there and if you want to come along just drop us an e-mail here.

Team news ahoy!

Halloween is over but thought this picture had to be shared. The Back to Front dude is Colin Adam who is now on flow from Etnies. See if you can work out who everyone else is. Other team news....Benson is now on the UK Emerica team and Big Mark Burrows has just finished shooting some stills with Graham Tait for the 2nd issue of new mag Trisickle. The 1st issue has decks to be won by sending in your skate photo's and will be available instore very soon. This months Sidewalk has good Focus coverage of the invasion of War of the Roses from Andy Scott, Div and Benson. Also featured is cover star John Rattray's trip to Scotland this summer with Keegan Sauder, Tony Cervantes, Conhuir Lynn and Rick McCrank. Surrogate dad Alex Irvine took the kids, Benson, Div and Colin Adam aka Young Mince down to Blackpool for the Death Race last weekend, all parties involved killed it and themselves. Finally Stew Graham is going to be a dad again and coming home in March, stoked.

Sticker Monkey

Bit of a shameless plug for our friend The Sticker Monkey's latest creation. Add some 80's Arcade styling to your bathroom, car, kitchen or anywhere you like with this super cool Pacman sticker set.

Check out the Monkeys E-bay shop by clicking here.

Gone but never forgotten.

Gus Gillard. 1965-2005.

UARM is now in the building!

Just landed on our doorsteps is the Fall '06 collection from our favourite New York label UARM. As well as regular artists such as The Gonz, Faile and East River Drive we also have some exclusive pieces from the world famous Space Invader. We're stoked to be one of only a few stores in the UK to stock UARM and if you want to have a closer look and maybe buy something just click right here.

Cheers!

Raise the cover bar.

In 2003 both Colin and John ended up sitting together on the magazine racks with the covers of Skateboarder and Thrasher.
In 2006, they have once again managed to co-ordinate another sitting. This month Colin has the cover and interview in Document and John has this month's cover and interview in Transworld.

Hey Seb, does Colin get double incentive because of the size of his hoofs? Hope so, he's done a grand job on them pic's.

Have Percy and Skin been talking or have Colin and John been co ordinating?

It's really because the Scottish are the best and a'body wants them on their cover's. C'mon DIV. Rather C'mon Alex Irvine- get that shot...

Friday top 3's

1. The new Tom Waits LP disc 1
2. The new Tom Waits LP disc 2
3. The new Tom Waits LP disc 3

Uncle John and Whitelock's Last Rites.

Make a point of going to one of these gigs. GFM.

My Stalefish for a Dromedary.

'My Llama for a Dromedary' is a collaborative book by Scottish writer/musician Jamie Bolland and German visual artist Inga Streich, both of which live and work in Glasgow.

On the basis of fictional and real characters and stories 'My Llama for a Dromedary' is a journey through fragments of secular everyday life.
The constant switch between the two authors - and consequently their viewpoints as well as their adopted forms of expression in text and image - takes shape as a suggestive juxtaposition that encourages individual interpretation.

For purchase or further information have a wee gander a Inga's website and don't mess around- they are selling fast.

The opening was last night and was a great time. Thanks Yates, you were a great host. Where the Monkey Sleeps rules. When in Glasgow go get a sandwich from WTMS. Try a 'Taxi for Browne', ' The Bolland' or a "Stalefish' which isn't as bad as it sounds...

Landscape Gardening.

Back in stock today, we have the best selling Landscape boards in the Glasgow shop. The new Skyline series that you can see will hopefully be on our shores before Christmas.
As well as the new Pro series, there are Landcrusier boards, wheels and a special Guest board all coming soon. (The guest has a beard is the only clue.)
Also in today are a bunch of Heroin decks, magically coloured wheels, a Death Melcher deck, Death Ricky Oyola guest deck's and a full range of Landscape tee's, hoodies and Heroin T-shirts.
The current Heroin Tee's are amazing, the next lot to be released are BRUTAL. I think French is having an effect on Fos.
We got some more Indy Low's in as well. The first lot went quick and people seem to be stoked on them. Koston rides them and so does Shuggy- must be up to scratch.

The Abercrombie V

Let's lighten the mood here with a new post dedicated to one of our viewer's- Mr Sebastian Palmer. (That's him in the mask back left. The girls are there to keep this post interesting)

Let us introduce him to you...
He once owned the best skatestore in the north of England- Sumo Skate Store ruled Sheffield for years and served the community very well. Henry, once the manager of Sumo, now works in Slam City Skates.

Seb is now the boss of the Nike SB programe in the UK. The mighty swoosh has some rippers on there- think Colin Kennedy, Joel Curtis, Snowy, Chewy and the unstoppable Neil Smith to name a few.

Seb is also known to us as 'Snake Hips'. Motherfunk in Edinburgh was the venue and the hips would shake all night till the lights came on! The term snake hips is also known as the Abercrombie V.

Here's what the Urban Dictionary had to say Seb-
"omg that guy is so hot."
"have you seen his snake hips?"
"he has snake hips?" *drools*

Drool indeed.

Anyway folks, that's the first dedicated post. Leave some suggestions. I would like Bingo to step up...

More Nike SB's will be with us before Christmas and will be very special. Read this newsletter and sign up for part 2.

What a mess.

A lot of the towns and cities in Scotland already have skateparks. Some are crap, some are average and some are excellent.

This is Dunblane- it's not even finished yet but as you can see it's not looking too hot.

Why are things like this still getting built? Is it Clive Bowman's fault? Is it because experienced skateboarders aren't being consulted? Is it because we need an organisation that CAN step in and make sure that Councils money is being used wisely?

If you can or even already have, go to the small community style skatepark in Drumchapel. You can tell the budget was small, but they still managed to built something good. Although the street area isn't great, they did well with the transitioned part and have something to be proud of. More expensive examples include Dundee, Blantyre and Kemnay. All three had skateboarder design/advice and are great skateparks.

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear what people think......

The VaVa Man

Another one for your weekend fix.

This is the The Vava Man It's another Scott Malcolm creation and it's an Aberdonian video staring Andy Dobson when he was known as Yellow, Steve Park who is the best, Kenny 'Al-la-fu' Aitken and someone most people will know as Whitelock.

Oh and it also has a very young John Rattray in it- ripping from day one. Please check right here for John's latest CV entry of a 540. With some technique pointers from Alfonzo Rawls it was landed. There he is on the platform just beside JT. I hear rumours of Cubic wanting to notch one too. 540 at 40. Dae it!

Vavavava vavavava vavavavavava, watch it you'll understand- you'll be repeating over and over. Classic. Thanks again Rick.

Straight down your interpipe.

The Lord Mayor Of Southbank, Lev run's things over at My Skate Or Die. Today see's another Palace Waywards team video coming straight down your interpipe.

How much do Scottish people need a warehouse like this? At least Londoner's have Southbank which is undercover. NCP carparks don't really cut it. I overheard a young skaterat in the shop say "I'd rather no skate than skate a NCP." Well said young man.

Anyone's dad's, work mates etc know of an empty warehouse we can hijack for winter? 01415488777 NOW!

OK, watch the movie Waywards.

DHSS

Rick Curran has posted up the very first DHSS (Dundee Hardcore Skate Squad) video made by Scott Malcolm in 1990 during the first Factory era. I was taken there by Colin Paten (who sadly passed away recently) and was instantly sold on skateboarding.

With my Deathbox Rocker board that went up to my chin I skated there for about a month before it closed down. This video was made in the glory days.

Take note of the DHSS members- Daryl Smith, Nick Johnston, Scott Malcolm, Rick Curran and Aaron Woolley. Also pay attention to some of the guests like Steve Park-who is the best, Martin Bernard and Craig McKnight.

The memories indeed. Thanks Rick.

Now this is what freedom is about.....

Whilst America votes in the midterm elections the rest of the world can only marvel at products like this.

This, wait for it, is a sausage on a stick wrapped in a chocolate chip pancake. Let me repeat myself. This is a sausage on a stick wrapped in a chocolate chip pancake. Not only does it come skewered on a handy stick for easy consumption, but it's also available in a Blueberry option and they're fully microwaveable.

I'm not American but when I see culinary advances like this I really wish I was.

Things you should know.

Easy peasy it's bloody Chris Pulman ( say it in a Welsh accent). I guess he's pretty famous. I bet he goes down a storm with all the Japanese Heroin fans with his wee glasses and no comply's.

Watch the video of Charlie Young. As Chris says "he absolutely smashes at skateboarding". Switch feebles bitch.

Side note and link- watched 'We jam Econo' the Minutemen film again last night and I'm always hyped on Mike Watt. So listen to his show now whilst ratting round the internet.

Ah Huf and ah puff

Righto, here's a wee link to another blogger out there.

Keith Hufnagel is a legend. Full stop.

He maybe needs a little help re-sizing his photo's looking at his latest post, but hell his ollies are huge so why can't his photo's be.

Coming this week, 'Famous Folk who have blogs'. Tomorrows is a Welsh man who's good at nae comply's.

Gid Premiere

Bristo Square local Chris Wilson's new DVD "Gid" get's it's first airing this evening at 6.30pm instore in Edinburgh. Featuring the man himself Chris, Nyall Barlow, Wee Gav Gillon, The Hoyland brothers and a load more.
The copying process has been in full effect and there will be copies available on the night. Come along and get square eyes.

And now for something completely different.

Some information for those who may be interested in looking at the World at a slightly different angle.

The Commander is putting on a screening of Alex Jones' new movie 'Terrorstorm' at The Bongo Club in Edinburgh on Sunday 5th November at 2pm.

Go down and check it out and have a wee look at Info Wars website for more information.

There will also be a talk about the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder 'plot', and a Q&A session with some refreshments I'm sure.

Crail(tap), not in Fife.

Keep an eye on Crailtap all this week for Mr Rattray's front page guesting. Had to replace yesterdays with this....tooo good.

Coming soon to both Focus' East and West is the John Rattray T-Shirt designed all by himself. Quite the artist these days.....watch out for that coming soon.

Want a date with these two?

Look who's on the cover of the Thrasher 2007 calender....if it's not Old Dirty Div and Big Stu together sniffing around the scum line of the pool. Double's photo's rule and especially when they are on Thrasher calenders. Well done baw bags.

Also check out this months Thrasher for Focus' Mr Andy Scott's 'never done ever before' kickflip egg plant in the contents page. Andy Scott has ripped for a long, long time.

And finally have a wee look at this months Slap for documentation of another Focus rider, John Rattray's trip tae Scotland with Rick McCrank, Tony Cervantes and others. Old school Ricky up there too with a tattoo shot.

Monday Quiz-
Has the kicky egg been done before, hence making it 'lesser spotted' rather than never been done?

Everything will be alright...promise.

Coming this winter we will have the complete works of Heroin Skateboards on DVD.

Featuring Good Shit (1999) and Everything's Going to Be Alright (2002) , and Osaka Daggers Infection video (2004) as well as all the trailers, adverts, Day in the City projects and more!

Should be out December 1st.

'Everything' from Heroin Skateboards....very soon!

Ah love Supreme

Supreme, for those who don't know, is a shop come clothing brand from New York. Supreme opened in the mid 90's and have continued to pioneer the small independent shop market with their own clothing brand, unsuprisingly called Supreme.
Have a wee look on their website and look under the Fall collection. It's pretty wild stuff right? Well I'm telling you that collection sold out within 3 days! Focus pal Deak was in NYC when it all went on sale reporting back that it was pure mental. They have major restriction's on what you can buy and how much you can spend....imagine that eh?
They have opened 4 or 5 shops in Japan to try and clamp down on fake product. Also you may be familiar with the Supreme bowl that was built in the LA shop which opened a couple of years ago. If you click on the 'store' button on the website you can see it. Can I get one?

Anyway, if you go back to the website and click on 'random', watch A Love Supreme- a film made by Thomas Campbell with the then shop team riders Keith Huf, Peter Bici, Chris Keefe, Quim Cardona etc. It's great.

Lesson of the day- It's amazing what you can do with a very simple logo. Have a look at some more here and check out who's numero uno.
Link of the day- Buy some of the world's number one logo's product right here.

War of the Roses 2

Well this years Scottish invasion down south was a riot again. Due to the late departure the alcohol was getting nailed early and first toilet stop was Harthill in between Livi and Glasgow, a good start. We made Burnley in time for things warming up inside. The bowl there is huge, Focus boys Div, Colin Adam, Benson and Andy Scott were ripping. The Blueprint team were killing the street course as well as Craig Smedley and Daryl Cashman, oh so solid. Cash prizes were flying left right and centre. The sleepover didn't involve much sleep then we were off to Leeds to the just finished virgin pool with concrete coping. The street course is a beauty, nice mini ramps (watch the wax!) and a quality bowl with a 13ft vert wall. It was a treat to see Dave Allen skate, fast as f**k. Highlights in the pool were Rob Smith, Div & Col Adam, Benson, Mark Churchill and Andy Scott. Special thanks go out to Skateboard Scotlands Ali Menzies and Neil Currie for driving, Ben Powell, Bob Sanderson and the infamous Sprocket for constant entertainment. Perry Kruger was behind the lens all weekend and here's the edits here and here. Enjoy!

Longueur visuelle de Mark Foster mangeant une banane et exécutant quelques arrêts de planche à roulettes.

Mark Foster has uploaded some footage of the recent Landscape trip to Paris which features another Mark Foster. Peep it right here and have a look at this amusing snap of one of the Mark Fosters here. Does any of this make sense? Answers on a postcard to "Who is Mark Foster? c/o Focus Skateboard Store"

Mark Gonzales Show.

A wee post to show off this picture nicked off Scene Beers or something like that. Have a gander.

This is what the gallery said- '1000 of these pieces will be on display, each and every single one has been customised by Mark himself and is totally unique. Each figure is signed and numbered by Mark, most of them being hand engraved. Online sales start 7pm UK time this Friday 20th October' and here is their site.

Is it too early to mention Christmas?

Not quite SECC tunnel desperation time just yet, but flying through here makes you feel like you're on a waterslide and rules.

Meantime, in preparation for Christmas- (I know, I know, but it is soon) Focus Glasgow has got it's self some new opening hours.

Monday - Friday 11-7 (Thurs 8)
Saturday 10-6
Sunday 1-5

Help yourself to the later hour and come on down for a visit. ('Hey the Forge is open till midnight!')

We've also got some new boards in from Landscape, Death, Heroin and Consolidated. All £40, including a very sick Steve Bailey 'Surf' board.

Hope a'body had a guid time at THE WAR.

Working on a new look blog...watch this space because this is where it'll be!

War of the Roses 2

Right then here's the lowdown for this weekends trip down South to Englandshire. Please could everyone that is confirmed on the trip (if you're not sure phone before Sat.) be at the shop in Edinburgh for 10am. Make sure you have all the provisions you'll need for the weekend, sleeping bag, money, packed lunch, extra socks (that means you Div) and most importantly your skateboard! We'll have a couple of stops on the way down, hit Burnley about 2-3pm, sesh till you drop, sleepover in the skatepark, Leeds the next morning, sesh then try and get home to Edinburgh for before midnight. Everyone will be dropped off back at the shop so please organise your own way home from there. See y'all on Sat.

The Great White get's a Neck Face

Dying for some Stu Graham news? Thought so, but any jobs here's some info.....

He just came 3rd in a wee mini ramp comp run by RVCA clothing. Here he is with Mark Appleyard and Ben Schroeder better than huddling round the bowl with Ben and Benson eh? How times change. Here's the link to watch the footage. Watch the Appleyard trick- Holy Shit!
Stu also had a web interview over at Transworld. Read the disclaimer at the start... ho-ho.

Slightly related- Check out Ivan, who's been going off uploading some very old Livi clips.
Try here for Cubic. Cubic says that Livi 'is possibly the best park in Europe'- and that was without the extension. Still is the BEST.
Double Egg Cube.
Peep the Santa Cruz Demo here- that's how you're meant to skate the bowl.

And here's one mare. Not Livi related. Easy to swallow 9/11 movie.

Movie Quote of the Day- 'Look daddy-o, I told you already we don't sell alcohool around here'
(Think goatee beard and very small part)

Tell me who it was and win a prize.

Get Real and Obey

Here's a collaboration from Obey's Shepard Fairey and Real Skateboards which are just about to reach our shores. Shepard's attitude of question everything through his subversive approach has put him to the forefront of artistic culture where the medium has always been the message. The new range of Obey clothing is instore in Edinburgh and looking real nice with plenty attention to detail. Obey the Giant!

War of the Roses

The War of the Roses weekend trip to Burnley and Leeds is now fully booked. All of those who have booked a space and not paid must do so before this weekend or lose your space. Phone the shop on 0131 229 9009 and get those credit cards out or pop into the shop. There are loads of people still wanting a space so be quick.

Fresh out of that.

Thanks to everyone one who turned up last night at the Glasgow shop for the Dist. art show. For those of you not there here's a look at his work and the man himself with our Heineken rep Ian. A few pieces got sold super early, way before the ridiculous amount of beer kicked in. Our own Mark Foster even provided some home made salsa for the tortillas with the healthiest kick ever! All in all good show and here's to the next one.

112th Post.

'FRESH OUT OF THAT' - Dist.

Here's the man at work today.

The show is up and ready for your eye's aye. Come down for the back of 6pm and enjoy.

Good to see Brian Elph today. Have a wee gander at his interknocker site here. He drew the Focus Robot around 2002/3. Seems like many moons ago....
He also designed a Pro Series set of boards for Unabomber around 2003 when Pete Hellicar rang ting's.

Enough about him, Dist show, Saturday Night, Back of 6pm in Focus Glasgow.

Chocks Away

Here's Captain Sammy reporting from Focus West Airbase for your weekly knowledge-

Get on the blower if you need to book a place on the WOTR Buses. (01312299009)
Mr Dist will be landing on Scottish tarmac this very afternoon to get busy with Russ N' Rolls in the Livi Pool and hanging, painting and building his show. The opening night is this Saturday the 7th October, 6pm at Focus Glasgow, this is going to be a good one for sure. Get down with some FREE booze too. Early bird get's pissed first AND get's it for free. Clever Birdie.
Both shop's are now fully stocked with FSU boards, trucks and wheels. Also Landscape Pro Paisley Pattern decks and Soy Birds model in too.
Nike SB USA team are demo-ing in Leeds on Saturday and GhostFace Killa is playing the Sub Club on Monday. Bring da Ruckus sackus.

There's a few things to keep you in line this week and more updates on the Dist progress to come...

Chocks away, over and out.

War of the Roses

After the success of last years event we are planning another Scottish invasion down South. There has been 3 mini buses booked and all the drivers have been delegated!

It's a little more expensive than last year but still a bargain. Interact at Burnley (the first leg of the weekend) are allowing a sleepover (if that is humanly possible with Div's flatspots rumbling into the wee hours) for an extra fiver.
The prices are as follows - £43 including travel and entry to the parks on both days with a sleepover in Interact, bring a sleeping bag & earplugs!
or £38 including travel and entry to the parks on both days (only advisable if you have somewhere else to stay in Burnley)

The wagons will leave around 10am from Focus Edinburgh. There will be a couple of stops on the way down for refreshments and toilet stops but beware start drinking beer early and you'll have to hold it in!

Please note you must be over 16 to join this trip and there are limited seats so book now.

Payment is required in advance - book your seat now by phoning 0131 229 9009 with your payment details. E-mail Stew if you have any problems.

Come and get Dist!

Our mate Dave Dixon (headhoncho of The Harmony) aka artist Dist One is having an art show on Saturday October 7th at the Glasgow store. Dist will be hanging loads of artwork, selling some zines and building some skate obstacles for folk to session. The event is kindly sponsored by Heineken so come along, bring your eyes and a thirst.

We call it Autumn in this country!

The summer has well an truly left the building, but don't fret people we have now taken delivery of some fine product to get you through the Autumn months.

Now available instore and online we have our first collection of Addict, Supra Footwear and the highly anticpated Adidas Skateboard range. Plus we've got plenty on offer from Volcom, Fenchurch, Delphi, Vans, Enjoi and Lakai. And in the not too distant future expect stock from Stussy, UARM, Nike and the very first drop of New UK footwear company Mcarta.

Online at www.focuspocus.co.uk or call Glasgow on 0141 548 8777 or Edinburgh on 0131 229 9009.

Viking Invasion

Following the footsteps of the ancient Vikings, the Nike SB team will invade the northern part of Europe. Paul Rodriguez, Brian Anderson, Reese Forbes, Todd Jordan, Danny Supa, Wieger van Wageningen, Omar Salazar and Lewis Marnell are expected to attack your local skate park or skate shop between September 30th and October 8th. If their navigating skills don’t let them down expect them here on the following date : Sunday 8th October 16.00. The Works Skatepark, Leeds. Norse outfits and blond pigtails at the ready.

You're A Winner!

Thanks for all the entries for the Delphi competition. We have 3 winners who are drrrrrrrrrrum roll...

Mr Solero from Edinburgh ( Added team member was jazzy Ali Low)
Mr Lawrence from Glasgow ( Added team member was Ocean Howell)
Mr Adam Logan from Somewhere ( Added team member was Jason Dill or Karl Watson)

Well done and those not in Glasgow, please send me your address to glasgow@focuspocus.co.uk and we'll get them sent out to you.

Correct answer was:

Mike Daher
Ethan Fowler
Mike Frazier
Greg Hunt
Jason Lee
Chris Pastras
Matt Rodriguez
Carl Shipman

and I said Julian Stranger for the tie break although quite a few people said Shuggie.

Thanks and come and check out the rest of the Delphi line- it's going fast.

Win Delphi Collective T-shirts!!

*UPDATE- Entries will be put into a hat and pulled out at random on Monday. It's very easy (use google). Check out the linkage from Mr Delphi himself. Spoked is getting reconition too. Check out this months Kingpin for the first documented piece by Glen Bolland.

Coming in for it's second season with Focus Edinburgh and Glasgow we are proud to present Matt Irving's Delphi Collective.

'A clothing company headed up by Matt Irving (who helped run Stereo and Element). Contemporary designs on organic cotton T's made in non-sweatshop situations with non-toxic inks. Super comfy and durable so you can look fly and live fly.' Quoted from Slap Magazine.

We'll have the new styles in for your pleasure this week in both stores so come and check them out for yourselves.

Meantime we're going to have a competition for you to win 1 of 3 Delphi shirts we have to give away!

The question goes like this.....
*Tell us who the original Stereo (A Visual Sound) team line up was?
*Tiebreaker question is- Who would you have added to that line up if you had the choice?

Please note - there were 8 people on the team. Keep the tiebreakers coming-very funny.

Good luck and send your answers to glasgow@focuspocus.co.uk

New York, New York

GFM Productions have left the country sucessfully and are now deep in the city of New York.

Uncle John and Whitelock have a full 10 days of gigs and radio shows.

Check out East Village Radio and click on current show. The presenter is all over UJ&W. No bad thing love! Just try and work out your cd player!

They are meant to be on the show today before they play the Sea Port gig tonight. Watch out for that.

Let's all send some Bless to GFM.

Friday Favourites-

1. UJ&W - There is Nothing Else LP
2. The Skinny Mag article on Focus (shame about the photo)
3. The new Blueprint Lakai
4. The week late Landscape package-Will it arrive today? Doubt it!
5. New stock coming daily!