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OK, the past month or couple weeks really in action sports has been nuts.  History being made over and over and over again with new tricks blowing everyone’s minds. 

Today we have the Flinstone Flip.  Flynn Novak will walk you through the 8 years of creating the first fullly landed backflip on a surf board.

Today the new Deftones album ” Diamond Eyes” came out after the previous album “Eros” was shelved due to bassist Chi’s accident leaving him in a coma.  While Chi is still recovering and making small progress from an accident more than a year ago the rest of the Deftones went out with the bassist from the band Quicksand, Sergio Vega, and made a record that captured all the emotions that have been revolving through them.

Chino, the bands singer, had mentioned the album was made in similar manner to their old albums and you can definitely feel a much more collected band on this venture from the Deftones.  Every album from the Deftones is different and some people either hate it or love it.  I am a fan of their progression on each album and this one seems to capture the vibe they had going on in White Pony. 

Stephen Carpenters guitar has gone back to the deep, gainy sound with simpler riffs as the first two Deftones albums had.  Chino’s voice sounds great and you can really feel all the emotion being carried from song to song throughout Diamond Eyes.  This is a rare occasion for artist and maybe a first for the Deftones where each song really tends to lend itself the the previous and following track making the whole record a nice journey.

There is a obvious missing piece to it all which cannot be covered up.  Either because of the emotion being project from the band or the simple fact that Chi’s presence was so strong vocally and musically on the albums, but you can truly hear a difference due to his absence.  Not a bad one but it is something that for true Deftones fans will radiate through the album for both good and bad.  It is sad to not hear him on the album but is good that the rest of the Deftones gathered this energy and made a great album. 

Recommended tracks: CMDN/CTRL , Royal, and You’ve Seen the Butcher

Tracks can make for a good mix of getting pumped up for a race or for simply flowing through the slopes or park.   They are known for being involved in the skate scene in the 90′s.

To find out more or how you can help Chi go to the One Love For Chi website

We know that music plays a huge part in action sports.  Either getting you ready before a race or listening to your ipod while skating around the streets.  So on Tuesdays we are going to be putting up some of our music recommendations to either get you listening to new music or better music depending on what you ipod is filled with.  And even though Justin Bieber skateboards you won’t find us reviewing that here, sorry.

The Long Island band Envy on the Coast is an amazing group.  If you don’t have their new album Lowcountry go an pick it up at your local music store or off itunes.  (Try not to be a jerk and download it illegally)

I was lucky enough to go and see them live at Toads Place in New Haven, CT Sunday night where they killed it and did a great cover of The Animals “House of the Rising Sun”.  Their new album is one of the more refreshing sounds I have heard from a band in a long time and reminds me of music that was coming out around 2000.  There is a definite feel of old Incubus in the music and lyrically with Rage Against the Machine on the mind.  The opening track “Death March on Two, Ready?” is truly asking if you are ready because this album lyrically and musically is about to take you on a trip. They have altered their sound from the previous album to a much more southern/hard rock feel.  This helps bring singer Ryan Hunters voice to really stand out on this album.

There is a lot to this album that brings together big parts of music that have been absent in many of the new “rock” bands coming out.  Abstract and creative guitar riffs (harmonics and slides being used which I’m not sure many new young bands are aware exist anymore), lyrically driven songs with a message, and a group of guys that have created a sound that is forming to be their own.  Of course there will be the comparisons but how else to explain to someone what to expect when getting new music. 

My personal favorite track off the new album is “The Great American T Shirt Racket”.  The chorus line is “My scars, now I have a T Shirt, to go with my scars.”  This is HEAL’s new anthem.  That line alone is perfect for what HEAL is all about. 

So pick up the album.  Catch them live on their next trek.  And enjoy some new music that rock has been missing for a few years now. 

Other recommended tracks: Numb, Southern Comfort, and Clean of You.

Other albums: 2007 Sugar Skulls

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Over the past year Stimilon International put on a handful of events revolving around the motocross scene.  DB Studios was at the majority of them to film and document the events as well as the participants involved.  Some of the coverage comes from the Masters of Mini series which took place around the Northeast part of the country, coverage from the Stimilon parties, and Southwick motocross event. 

HEAL was lucky enough to be a part of these events and crazy parties that took place between them.  It was filled with Motocross, Minis, Metal, Mayhem, and MORE!  Ride day at the famous Southwick MX338 track, hanging out with Shadows Fall and Kobra Kai, to trashing the lobby of a upscale hotel. 

This DVD captures all of this plus much more.  For all of you that took part in any of these events its definitely something worth picking up and for those of you that have no clue what I am talking about should pick up a copy and see what you are missing. Pick up your copy at the DB Studios Online Store here.

Thanks to Stimilon and DB Studios for having HEAL a part of all of this and look forward to next year.

Here is the Trailer for the DVD.

Stimilon: World Domination 2009 – Trailer from DB Studios on Vimeo.

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In this months issue of Motorcyclist Magazine (Jan 2010) Doug Henry and HEAL Clothing are mentioned in a small story about Doug riding again.  They also used HEAL’s photo taken of Doug riding which is a nice plus as well!  Here is a photo of the page from the magazine but I suggest you get out and go pick up a copy.  I got mine from the local Stop and Shop so I am sure you can pick one up just minutes from your home. 

Nice write up and thanks to the guys over at Motorcyclist Magazine for the coverage on HEAL!!

As the hurricane season comes to an end, it makes me pause for a reflection on all the great days of surf that hit New England beaches.  If you were one of the many that rode to the coast for Hurricane Bill you were fortunate enough to see the ocean at it’s most impressive.

For those in the Newport, RI area there were the likes of Ian Walsh (big wave charger from North Shore Oahu) absolutely shredding top to bottom on Ruggles ragged cliffs. Followed up with Garrett McNamara dropping in on some Bombs out the back at Marines on a stand-up paddle board!  Whether a surfer or spectator it was a great day.

Hurricane Bill seem to set in motion a great season of Tropical Storm Danny, some early Nor’easters and a last dance of the season with Ida forming a nice Nor’ester when slipping into the Atlantic.

If you were a fortunate person with reliable transportation there was surf to be had in Cape Cod, Rye Rocks NH, and some friends of Heal even made it up to Maine.  So here’s to you Hurricane Season, it was good, it was fun, but now I gotta move onto the Winter Season and all it’s glory!!! Pray for Surf!

Nov. 2009 in RI

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It is finally here!!!  The video of Doug Henry riding again.  After becoming paralyzed from the waist down in a supermoto accident Doug has built a bike with the help of many friends and sponsors for him to be able to ride again. Pictures were posted a few months ago of Doug riding and now we have a full video of him riding his motocross bike as well as his snowmobile.  The cage on the bike is to help if he were to crash since he is strapped into and onto the bike.

A man whose determination and heart is bigger than any of us could ever imagine.  There will be 2 new Doug shirts coming very soon as well from HEAL Clothing to help Doug by donating to the Road 2 Recovery.

Enjoy!Doug Henry shirts donate to Road 2 Recovery!! Click on image to purchase

Doug Henry 2009 from DB Studios on Vimeo.

Here is an interview done by DB studios of Doug Henry.  A look into his career of how he changed the world of Motocross and earned the title as the most determined MX racer to ever throw a leg over a bike.

Even if you are not a fan of Motocross or familiar with Doug Henry his story will inspire you and will continue to do so as he keeps pushing himself to this day.  

The full Doug riding again video is coming soon so check back for it shortly.  And we may have some very big news for the Doug fans as well in the coming weeks. 

Enjoy!

Doug Henry Interview from DB Studios on Vimeo.

Over this past weekend I had the chance to go up to the Henry Farm and go riding with Doug on his new hand controlled motocross bike.  The bike has thumb shifters, rekluse clutch, and rear brake where the clutch lever once was.  The bike itself is enclosed by a very custom roll cage to help protect Doug.  For anyone that is not familiar with who Doug Henry is he is a past Motocross Champion and due to an injury is paralyzed from the waist down.  

To say only after a few weeks of riding that Doug is fast would be an understatement.  He is flying on this thing and once he has it fully dialed in the way he wants it, it is going to get to be harder and harder for someone to keep up with him that isn’t an A class rider. 

Here are some pictures from the day and there will be more in the near future of riding with Doug that will be added. 

All photos are CR property of HEAL Clothing