Brain Drain Episode 53 with Forde Brookfield & Toby Batchelor 🧠 Sit back and relax as we dive into over two hours of incredible skateboarding history with the legendary Simon Skipp!In this episode we discuss the history of Romford skatepark, moving too Reading, skating for Adidas' "Research and Development" team, getting on Converse, Howies Clothing and Rookies Skateboards, incredible trips to Marseille with Pete King, Ben Leyden & Matt Anderson, getting hooked up by Rollersnakes, the brilliance of Kevin Parrott, being involved with the birth of Clown Skateboards, meeting Banksy, riding fort Heathen Skateboards, Skipps Ditch, building his DIY, taking a step back from sponsored skateboarding, becoming a father, getting into woodwork and carving and much more!00:00 - Coming up on this episode/intro04:46 - Growing up in Romford, getting into skateboarding, skating Harrow and Southbank & meeting John Haywood...10:05 - Leigh-on-Sea, the insane Powell demo and the current state of Romford Skatepark.21:31 - What's the gnarliest thing Skipp has ever seen at Rom over the years and who where the Romford locals at the time?29:17 - Moving to Reading for University & the Reading scene.34:52;- Travelling and getting hooked up by Rollersnakes.- Meeting Pete Helicar & Andy Peerless.- Getting on the Adidas "Research and Development" team.- Getting on Converse Footwear & Howies Clothing.- Meeting Matt Law and getting on Rookies Skateboards.53:19 - Going to Marseille with Pete King, Ben Leyden, Matt Anderson, Kingy & Percy for Converse Footwear.1:01:07 - Leaving Howies Clothing and the brilliance of the OG Unabomber team!1:09:25 - The birth of Clown Skateboards, meeting Banksy and building the Clown Skateboards team.1:14:05 - The brilliance of Kevin Parrott, searching endlessly for new spots and more history of Clown Skateboards. 1:22:40 - Leaving Clown Skateboards, meeting Woody, getting on Heathen Skateboards and getting back on Howies...1:33:19 - Team cuts and happily taking a step back from sponsored skateboarding.1:41:15 - Getting into carving woodwork and becoming a lift inspector for Wandsworth Council.1:52:00 - What's Skipps warm up routine?1:54:09 - Skipps Ditch and his DIY!2:11:47 - When did Clown Skateboards make a come back?2:14:47 - Credits, farewells and thank you's!Footage used from OG Distributions "Never Been Loved", Yah Bru "Zero" and multiple other skateboarding clips filmed by Kevin Parrott!www.instagram.com/kevinparrott@kevinparrottAlso available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Youtube.https://linkin.bio/rollersnakesSupport The Brain Drain Show by hitting the "THANKS" button under this video.Subscribe to our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BrainDrainShow💰Want to BUY Brain Drain Merch?💰https://rollersnakes.co.uk/search?q=brain+drainINSTAGRAM: 📸 Rollersnakes 📸https://www.instagram.com/rollersnakeshttps://www.instagram.com/rollersnakesshopderbyYOUTUBE: ▶️ RollersnakesTV ▶️https://www.youtube.com/rollersnakestvSupport us by checking out our sponsors:Rollersnakes:www.rollersnakes.co.ukPresented by: Forde Brookfield (@bagheadcrew) & Toby Batchelor (@tobybatchelor) Edited by: Forde Brookfield Audio Mixing: Forde BrookfieldTimestamps: Forde BrookfieldProducer: Handsome Ed (@edward._.pratt)Thumbnail: Michael Wright#braindrainshow #simonskipp

Brain Drain Episode 52 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠 Get comfortable as we dive into two hours of incredible distribution history with the legendary Wesley Morgan of Rock Solid Distribution.In this episode we sit down with one of the UK's most beloved distributors, Wesley Morgan of Rock Solid Distribution. We dive deep into the history of Rock Solid Distribution from it's humble beginnings in a two bedroom flat, all the way unto distributing some of skateboardings greatest brands; Powell Peralta, Bones Wheels, Ace Trucks, Magenta Skateboards, 5BORO, April, Butter Goods, Cortina Bearings, Darkroom, Dear Skating, DGK, Dial Tone, Diamond Supply Co, Doom Sayers, Toy Machine, Foundation Skateboards. We also dive into Wes' history of growing up in Bristol, skating with some of skateboardings greatest legends and much more!00:00 - Coming up on this episode/intro01:57 - Where is Wes from and how do the U.S. brands find his accent?04:07 - Wes' history of skateboarding, growing up in the Downend and asking Bill Danforth how to do a McTwist...13:10 - Becoming a skate nerd and venturing into Bristol and seeing Lloyds for the first time.17:54 - Visiting Skate One for the first time, meeting George Powell, seeing the incredible Skate One Lab and being the ultimate skate nerd!27:22 - The Powell Peralta U.K. tour 31:16 - How where the Lloyds ledges when they where first built and who where some of the first people to do tricks down the Big Three?36:10 - Skin Phillips photo exhibition, Rollersnakes 40th anniversary, the Science Verses Life Book & history of Paul Haynes filming for the Rollersnakes 540 & 720 videos.40:34 - Rollersnakes is now owned by it's employees!(Watch this video for more information: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrSFvhEblFc)43:48 - Moving into the centre of Bristol, it's high standard of skateboarding, Rollermania, 5050 Skate Shop, P-Stone & Danny Wainwright!50:51 - Who was dominating the Bristol scene when Wes moved back to Bristol after finishing Uni in Cardiff?57:03 - The birth and deep history of Wes' Rock Solid Distribution!1:15:27 - How does Wes start distributing brands, lurking on Slap Forum and potentially losing brands...1:23:09 - Skating curbs with John Lucero, Skip Pronier and Ben Koppl & meeting more skate legends .1:27:04 - What's been one of the biggest and most financially beneficial brands that Wes has ever distributed through Rock Solid?1:28:19 - Does Skate One have expectations to how much Rock Solid has to distribute and how did Wes end up acquiring Skate One? (Powell Peralta, Bones Wheels etc...)1:33:32 - What's the day to day duties of running a distribution company?1:37:30 - Has being involved in the skateboarding industry ever dampened his actual joy for skateboarding in his personal time?1:30:19 - What's Wes' future with rock solid and what's his warm up routine for skating as he gets older?1:43:04 - What's the most valuable, rarest thing Wes has collected during his lifetime in skateboarding?1:52:39 - Passing out, getting his face painted, eyebrows shaved off and other hyjinx!1:55:32 - Getting arrested in Barcelona for cycling the wrong way round a roundabout?1:57:45 - What's Wes' thoughts on where skateboarding currently is?2:03:00 - Wrap up, farewells, credits and extended thank you's from Wes!Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Youtube.https://linkin.bio/rollersnakesSupport The Brain Drain Show by hitting the "THANKS" button under this video.Subscribe to our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BrainDrainShow💰Want to BUY Brain Drain Merch?💰https://rollersnakes.co.uk/search?q=brain+drainINSTAGRAM: 📸 Rollersnakes 📸https://www.instagram.com/rollersnakeshttps://www.instagram.com/rollersnakesshopderbyYOUTUBE: ▶️ RollersnakesTV ▶️https://www.youtube.com/rollersnakestvSupport us by checking out our sponsors:Rollersnakes:www.rollersnakes.co.uk

Brain Drain Episode 50 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠

In this episode we sit down with one of Bristols finest, Andrew Makepeace for three hours to discuss his history of skateboarding, living in Bristol, his history and working for  @rocksoliddistribution ,  @keendist63  & Route One, starting  @skateboardcafe  with Rich Smith buying  @slamcityskates86  @slamcitylondon  & Lost Art filming for Bristols Finest, the OG’s and newcomers in the Bristol scene, moving to Oxford, being blind in one eye, conspiracy theories and much more!00:00 - Coming up on this episode/intro03:02 - Where is Andy from, earliest memories of skateboarding and Bristol city centre...13:11 - Early Patchway crew, meeting the Bristol locals and legends & Osiris Footwear.20:24 - The brilliance of Korahn Gayle & Toby's classic Plan B Tour story...23:40 - Getting shifts at 5050 Skate Shop, moving into the centre of Bristol, working at Route One for ten years and the importance of skate shops!38:01 - Where did Andy get the nickname Evil Dorito & Cakepeace from and what's some of his favourite cakes?41:18 - Being blind in one eye and how does it affect his skateboarding?47:40 - What tricks has Andy done down Lloyds big three, losing a sequence and other tricks that've gone down the big three!57:21 - The history of Skateboard Cafe, the brilliance of Rich Smith, artwork & getting Cease & Desist's from Starbucks (continued at 2:02:17).1:07:40 - Thriving on minimal sleep, bath rituals, & bath bombs.1:12:36 - Day to day operations at Skateboard Cafe and early days of independent distribution. 1:16:50 - Working for Rock Solid Distribution.1:22:55 - Working for Keen Distribution and moving to Oxford.1:30:35 - Buying Slam City in London, the employees and it's day to day operations.1:40:19 - How has the industry changed in the last few years and what would Andy's advice be for anyone who's thinking of opening a skate shop?1:54:00 - Buying Lost Art in Liverpool, the employees and it's day to day operations.2:02:17 - More history of Skateboard Cafe, the original full length video by Rich Smith & early team riders (Shaun Currie, Mike Arnold etc...)2:16:06 - Conspiracy Theories, 9/11, pyramids, the moon landing, time travel, 2:55:51 - Wrap up, farewells and credits...Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Youtube.https://linkin.bio/rollersnakesSupport The Brain Drain Show by hitting the "THANKS" button under this video.Subscribe to our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BrainDrainShow💰Want to BUY Brain Drain Merch?💰https://rollersnakes.co.uk/search?q=brain+drainINSTAGRAM: 📸 Rollersnakes 📸https://www.instagram.com/rollersnakeshttps://www.instagram.com/rollersnakesshopderbyYOUTUBE: ▶️ RollersnakesTV ▶️https://www.youtube.com/rollersnakestvSupport us by checking out our sponsors:Rollersnakes:www.rollersnakes.co.ukPresented by: Forde Brookfield (@bagheadcrew) & Toby Batchelor (@tobybatchelor) Edited by: Forde Brookfield Producer: Handsome Ed (@edward._.pratt)Thumbnail: Michael Wright#braindrainshow #skateboardcafe #andrewmakepeace #slamcityskates #lostartskateshop

Brain Drain Episode 50 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfiel🧠 Prepare yourself for nearly 3 hours of skateboarding, art & death metal geekery with the incredible Funeral French!In this episode we discuss everything from his intensive back catalog of artwork, designing boards for  @heroinskateboarding ,  @CreatureFiends ,  @zeroskateboards ,  @blacklabelskates , the birth of Witchcraft Hardware, 1939 and Dungeon Gateway, insane art commissions, being the driver for  @ThrasherMag  U.K. vacation, the brilliant P-Stone, working for  @ShinerPixels , favourite thrash & death metal bands, sketchy Belgium tours, german sausages, growing up in Aldershot, designing pro boards for Eric Dressen and a whole load more!00:00 - Coming up on this episode/intro03:38 - Favorite pastys & the legend of Pin of Werrytown.07:52 - Skating with Colin Fiske and Dave Vey's fur coat...11:39 - Where is French from, getting into skateboarding and his first proper set up!16:20 - Working at Shiner Distribution and the change in board shapes and graphics21:50 - Truck geekery, the decline of professional skateboarders and the first NFT skateboarding brand?30:22 - French's early skate crew and venturing out to new cities...36:00 - When did French start getting into art and his school years.39:58 - French's distinctive art style, using mixed media and his early graphics for Heroin Skateboards...49:24 - What was the first commission French ever got and getting hints from James Jarvis & Mark Foster.1:01:23 - What's the biggest commission French has ever had and working alongside his wife on collaborations...1:09:39 - Who were some of French's biggest clients and obscure commissions! 1:18:39 - What other big brands has French worked for? (Adio, Nike, Adidas, Emerica, Vans, Etnies, Planet Earth, Kr3w, Volcom, Altamont, etc.)1:27:45 - Does French keep one of everything with brands he's collaborated with and getting commissions from Zero Skateboards, Black Label Skateboards, Creature Skateboards, Santa Cruz & more!1:36:49 - Doing artwork for Thrasher and Metal bands, his current favourite bands and where did the name "Funeral French" come from?1:42:28 - The history of Witchcraft Hardware, creating his own shapes and guests artists!1:57:11 - Designing graphics for Black Label Skateboards, talking with John Lucero over the phone and giving away decks and clothing to his friends and family.2:04:03 - 1939 Skates and making graphics for Sleep, Witch, Dinosaur Jr., Earthless, High on Fire & Graveyard!2:11:39 - Car13 Wheels...2:15:13 - Being the driver for Thrasher Magazines 2014 Vacation in England and Phelps being an absolute cock.2:23:49 - Who's got the best Frontside Grinds and Mark Munson impersonations...2:33:09 - What lead up to French and the Witchcraft Hardware team getting arrested in Belgium?2:37:45 - If the world ran out of beans, what would French out on his toast and some absolutely incredible German impersonations!2:42:36 - The origins of the "French" nickname...2:44:36 - Farewells and credits!Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Youtube.https://linkin.bio/rollersnakesSupport The Brain Drain Show by hitting the "THANKS" button under this video.Subscribe to our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BrainDrainShow💰Want to BUY Brain Drain Merch?💰https://rollersnakes.co.uk/search?q=brain+drainINSTAGRAM: 📸 Rollersnakes 📸https://www.instagram.com/rollersnakeshttps://www.instagram.com/rollersnakesshopderbyYOUTUBE: ▶️ RollersnakesTV ▶️https://www.youtube.com/rollersnakestvSupport us by checking out our sponsors:Rollersnakes:www.rollersnakes.co.ukPresented by: Forde Brookfield (@bagheadcrew) & Toby Batchelor (@tobybatchelor) Edited by: Forde Brookfield Producer: Handsome Ed (@edward._.pratt)Thumbnail: Michael Wright#braindrainshow #funeralfrench #dungeongateway #witchcrafthardware

Brain Drain Episode 49 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠 Strap on your running shoes for a marathon of history with legendary welsh filmer and Madman Marathon 5000, Matthew "Dykie" Ryan!In this episode we discuss Pritchard vs Dainton, the early Welsh scene, Dykie's full length videos, meeting Dave Mackey, moving to Liverpool, filming for East Skateboards, starting Crayon Skateboards, NOW: That's What I Call Skateboarding, attempting to cycle across America, his "Open That Door" book, running a marathon on the Gavin and Stacey hill on Christmas Day, Big Push videos and a whole load more 🔥00:00 - Coming up on this episode/intro02:50 - Where does the nickname "Dykie" come from?07:35 - Where is Dykie from, when did he start skateboarding, early memories of skating Cardiff and meeting Pritchard and Dainton...15:15 - How did Dykie eventually end up skating with Pritchard, Dainton and the Cardiff crew?17:42 - Random stories of living with Pritchard & getting into becoming a filmer...25:30 - Dykie's first two videos "Enter the Dragon" & "Four Wheeled Dragons", the tedious editing process and premieres! 35:44 - When was the last time Dykie filmed skateboarding, more history of Dykies early videos & editing processes.40:18 - Dykie's "Underexposed" 1 & 2 videos, losing the entire video project 12 hours before the premiere and the struggles of MiniDV!52:46 - Becoming the filmer for East Skateboards, moving to Liverpool, and filming the "Vapours" video.1:01:45 - "NOW: Thats What I Call Skateboarding"1:17:10 - The end of East Skateboards, the history of Crayon Skateboards, Nick Richards and missing flights with Korahn Gayle and getting into running.1:22:15 - The benefits of running, motivation from Pritchard, the positives of running, his personal achievements and how would Dykie encourage someone to get into running?1:42:26 - Attempting to cycle around America and losing all of his possessions!1:46:18 - Dykie's book "Open that Door", reconnecting with old friends and how it helps with his confidence.1:50:48 - Running a marathon (26.2 miles) up and down the Gavin and Stacey hill for Shelter Cymru on Christmas Day and filming a short film with the legendary Nick Richards!1:59:48 - Document & Sidewalk Magazines "The Big Push" videos...2:07:48 - So long, farewell and credits...Donate to Dykie's fundraiser:hhttps://www.justgiving.com/page/matthew-ryan-1734290099719?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLNick Richards "What's Occur-RUN" documentary with Dykie:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VYZkSaRVCcHelp support Shelter Cymru:https://sheltercymru.org.ukAlso available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Youtube.https://linkin.bio/rollersnakesSupport The Brain Drain Show by hitting the "THANKS" button under this video.Subscribe to our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BrainDrainShow💰Want to BUY Brain Drain Merch?💰https://rollersnakes.co.uk/search?q=brain+drainINSTAGRAM: 📸 Rollersnakes 📸https://www.instagram.com/rollersnakeshttps://www.instagram.com/rollersnakesshopderbyYOUTUBE: ▶️ RollersnakesTV ▶️https://www.youtube.com/rollersnakestvSupport us by checking out our sponsors:Rollersnakes:www.rollersnakes.co.ukPresented by: Forde Brookfield (@bagheadcrew) & Toby Batchelor (@tobybatchelor) Edited by: Forde Brookfield Producer: Handsome Ed (@edward._.pratt)Thumbnail: Michael Wright#braindrainshow #matthewdykieryan #pritchardvsdainton #welshskateboarding

Brain Drain Episode 48 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠

Brain Drain Episode 47 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠

Brain Drain Episode 46 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠

70

Brain Drain Episode 45 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠

Brain Drain Episode 44 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠