14 Powell Peralta Ripper Parodies

Is there any graphic that is more iconic in skateboarding then Vernon Courtland Johnson’s(VCJ) Ripper? Combining the incredible line quality of M.C. Escher with his own uniquely-warped sensibilities the man is not only responsible for the time tested classic imagery that helped launch Powell Peralta and its skaters to become house hold names in the late 80’s but still holds influence with artists making waves in today’s scene. The Ripper has been the focus of many parodies, some by Powell themselves, others by rival skate brands like Blind during the heated and well documented battle for supremacy during the mid-90’s, some just offer tribute while others go for laughs, check out some favorites below…

VCJ at Powell Sharing some graphics with the team.

Powell Peralta Ripper Parodies - slideshow

Video: Kilian Martin – “Internal Departure”

Freestyle street skater Kilian Martin and filmmaker Brett Novak have once again teamed up to create a short film by the name of “Internal Departure,” the latest in their series of collaborations showcasing both their talents. For the shoot Kilian and Brett were invited to work in Austria where they were given free rein to skate an entire art gallery filled with Kay Walkowiak’s work. As always there are lots of whimsical tricks by Martin set to some stunning and dramatic camera work by Novak.

Download: Powell Peralta - "The Search For Animal Chin"

Well here is a little treat, Powell Peralta has decided to give away their 1987 film The Search For Animal Chin as a fee download!  At the time the film was the benchmark for what skate films should be  acting as one of the first skateboarding films to have a "plot". 

The Bones Brigade travels around  California,  Nevada, and Hawaii to different skate spots in search of a wisened old man, Won Ton "Animal" Chin. The movie is of the old-school nomadic, skate-everything-in-your-path genre with interludes of stopping to rip-up a big ramp, pool or kicker. After much searching and skateboarding, they locate a large ramp in the desert. They also find a Chinese character on the inside of the ramp's spine. They conclude that in searching for Mr. Chin, they may have found his spirit.”

Staring Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain and Tommy Guerrero. Download it HERE in exchange for your email address.

Video: TED Talks USC – Rodney Mullen –“How Context Shapes Content”

Rodney Mullen is the bomb, no other skater has done as much for street skating as Mullen and his vast bag of original tricks. Notoriously shy and also kind of goofy it is with excitement that we share this TED talk with the skate innovator at USC campus. Rodney discuss’ inventing some of the most fundamental tricks used today as well as (as the title suggests) how context shapes content. Rodney also likens skateboarding to hacking and open source computing communities where individual’s take something and through a deeper understanding of it make improvements and give it a new context. 

“What do skateboarding and innovation have in common? More than you might think. A successful entrepreneur and innovator, Rodney Mullen is widely considered the most influential street skater in history, inventing most of the tricks used today. By the time he was 23, Mullen had already set new milestones for skateboarding winning 35 out of 36 freestyle competitions. He studied engineering at the University of Florida before co-founding World Industries, the largest skate company of the 90's, which was acquired for more than $20m. He continues to skate, innovate, and design some 30 years after he won his first world championship at the age of 11. Mullen spends his spare time thinking about open source communities, hacking the urban terrain, and transforming the mundane into something new. He'll be featured in the upcoming documentary, "The Bones Brigade: An Autobiography."

Go Buy These: Penis Peralta and Santa Crude

Legendary Skate illustrators Vernon Courtland Johnson and Jim Phillips have been given a humorous remix treatment in the form of their hugely recognizable Ripper and Screaming Hand graphics. Available as a print, tee, or hoodie HERE.

Video: Flying Circle - The Bones Brigade Interview

Last week The Flying Circle hung out with members of the legendary Bones Brigade skate team to discuss Stacy Peralta's latest film "Bones Brigade:An Autobiography." The 35 minute interview staring the crew’s core members Lance Mountain, Mike McGill, Rodney Mullen, Steve Caballero, Tommy Guerrero, Tony Hawk and Stacy himself finds the group discussing a wide range of topics ranging from the inception of the team to fame and beyond. Rodney really comes off as a Master Yoda type figure with his insight into skateboarding, his influence on the technical aspect of the sport really is untouchable. 

I really can’t wait to see this film, Powell Peralta and the Bones Brigade really are such an important part of my youth as they were the gateway into a lifelong love of the sport for me, but even going past that, a huge cultural and professional inspiration as well.  Bottom line, I studied graphic design because of the old Vernon Courtland Johnson graphics that adorned the Bones Brigade decks, I was swept away in the imagery before I even stepped on a deck so if you are anything like me this is a must see.

Stacey Peralta talks Bones Brigade film

On Monday the Sundance Film Festival announced that Stacy Peralta's new film "Bones Brigade: An Autobiography" will be one of eight out-of-competition documentary films getting their world premiere during the 2012 festival, which will be held January 19 through 29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah. The film reunites the Powell-Peralta Bones Brigade skateboard team, who for my money are the most talented and influential team in sports history, far outreaching the world of skateboarding to influence culture as a whole.  Acting as the melting pot that brought Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, Lance Mountain, Tommy Guerrero, Mike McGill, Steve Rocco and many more the film looks back on a pivotal moment in skateboard history and in Peralta's own life.

Colin Bane over at ESPN interviewed Stacey recently about the film and more, check the sample question below and make sure to reads the full interview over at ESPN.

"The guys in the Bones Brigade went on to become the biggest names in skateboarding, but in the beginning it really was just a bunch of kids.

At the time it was very common when you started a new company just to steal professional skateboarders off of other teams and start a new team of riders that everybody already knew about to get your brand established. I didn't want to do that. Instead, I started going all over the state of California looking for skateboarders at all the little amateur contests, kids that were 13 or 14 who I could see that within two or three years they were going to be the next generation. I got to choose whoever I wanted for my team because at the time nobody else was there doing it."