MOTHER RUSSIA

At some point this summer, I came across what can only be described as "the best synthpop/new wave EP of all time." by a Russian band called TESLA BOY. The cover art alone is enough to justify this claim. According to their Myspace page, they have recently finished work on their debut full length which will be out in early 2010. They have just recently released the music video for one of the songs off of their EP. And while I don't think it's the best track, the video is essentially amazing. I'll let it speak for itself. Go find everything you can by this band.

ELECTRIC LADY BY TESLA BOY from FIRMA on Vimeo.

MY GIFT TO YOU.

Ok, it's not really *my* gift. But, if you haven't already heard of them, DELPHIC hail from legendary Manchester, UK. The town that produced the likes of: Morrissey/The Smiths, Joy Division, & New Order among others. That's a serious fucking crowd to hang with. And anyone who knows me knows that those three names happen to also occupy slots on my top 10 artists of all time. Well, with the release of DELPHIC's debut and highly anticipated full length "Acolyte", I am going to have to find someone to bump off the list. Because DELPHIC just gave me an eargasm. For serious. This record honestly fits the bill. And there was no hurry either. These lads took their time with this. Releasing a few singles in 2009, most notably "Counterpoint" which was featured on THIEVES LIKE US Volume 1. So when Acolyte comes out on January 11th, you people had better be in line to get it. I promise it won't disappoint. Here's a teaser:

KRIS KUKSI UPDATE

A few posts back, I mentioned that art of Kris Kuksi. Which is essentially mind boggling. I came across this video, which gives you a more 3-dimensional idea of just how utterly INSANE his sculptures are.

So impressed right now.

Kris Kuksi - "The Plague Parade: Opus 2" Walkthrough from Arrested Motion on Vimeo.

IT CASTS A SHADOW

Last night, it was 7 degrees out. The windchill was -2 due to the 34 mph wind gusts. I rode across town to meet some friends for dinner. It was, to be certain, the coldest bike ride of my entire life. My hands were essentially hypothermic and bordering on frostbitten when I arrived at the restaurant. My body worked so hard so fast to get heat and blood to my extremities that I essentially passed out when I walked inside. It was utterly insane. The best part was that I knew that I had to turn around and ride home. The snot froze to my upper lip, and my skin was on fire by the time I returned home. So serious. Weather like this is definitely grim. It makes you understand how those Norwegians can be so totally evil all the time. This type of weather definitely makes you want to sit inside and listen to dark moody music. Or at least, that's how I get.

Which brings us, dear readers, to the matter at hand. THIEVES LIKE US Vol. 6. I present it to you in all of it's cold, frostbitten glory. 25 tracks to sit at home alone next to the space heater to.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE MIX

TRACK ORDER (by artist):
1] Fever Ray
2] Ulver
3] Kite
4] Assemblage 23
5] Destroid
6] Bella Morte
7] Cold Cave
8] Former Ghosts
9] Monumentum
10] The Mary Onettes
11] The Cure
12] Bauhaus
13] Danzig
14] Gerard McMann
15] Carpathian
16] Gothminister
17] Psyclon Nine
18] Wumpscut
19] Sisters of Mercy
20] Sixx
21] White Lies
22] Editors
23] SunnO)))
24] Joy Division
25] Nine Inch Nails

Oh, and speaking of riding bikes and black metal....in case you missed these....it's pretty great/horrible/hilarious/embarrassing/awesome/awful.

THE FRIGGING SHIELD

OK. I will admit it. I am a climbing addict. I may not be the strongest. Or the boldest. I might not have the greatest climbing blog in the world. But damn it, I love this stuff. I get a little obsessed. A tad wacky perhaps. Fixated. Etc. A couple years back, I saw some footage of Jason Kehl climbing a beautiful face at Little Rock City (now Stone Fort), in Chattanooga, TN. He ended up calling it The Shield, and the bugger goes at V12. It became pretty evident to me straight away that this was a world class beautiful cumshot of a boulder problem. Later on, some Sportiva ads surfaced featuring Kehl on the very climb. The photos made me even more interested. This thing looked freaking amazing. The beginnings of my obsession surfaced around this time. A little later on, rock climbing legend and sexiest man alive John Glassberg posted a video of his ascent of the boulder. That was it. I wanted in. Badly. Maybe it was John's ravishing good looks, and my insane jealousy at my inability to ever be as unstoppable handsome as he is. But either damn way. I needed to climb The Shield. There was just one obvious problem. I live in Boston. The Shield is in Tennessee. Well, this past month I went to the Southeast to see my family (read: TO GET MY HANDS ON THE HOLDS OF THE SHIELD.) So what did I do in the few weeks leading up to the trip? I tried to ignore my back injury and get my finger strength up to par. I closed my eyes at night and saw this freaking boulder in my sleep. Ridiculous.

Day one: Straight from the car ride from Grovetown, GA to the boulder field. Waste lots of times on old favorites like the Cleopatra-Cinderella traverse (v9), Super Mario (v5), Redhouse (v7), Tri-star Crack (v3), Deception (v7), etc. Finally, I work my way back to The Shield. It's really a sight to see. I was a little giddy. I took a snapshot with my iPHONE and sent it to anyone whom I foolishly thought might actually give a shit. (If you were the recipient of one of those picture messages, I'm sorry ok? I WAS EXCITED. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME????) I toyed around on a couple of the moves. But my companion had to be to work, and I knew that if I sat down to give it real effort, I would not be able to drag myself away. TOMORROW SHIELD. TOMORROW.


Day two: We had to semi-sneak in to the boulder field on this day because a bunch of uptight, elitist hillbilly fucking retards think they own the boulder field. And that's all I'm going to say about that. Warm up. Head straight for it. Not much time today. But amazing temps. Worked out the opening/easier moves in two attempts. One I got in to the crux, I was utterly baffled. I had use a "lifeline" as if I was in some game show to call John Glassberg for some beta. Jesus, old school rock climbing purist types would have been embarrassed to see me on my iPHONE at the foot of the boulder discussing the nuances of a heel-hook versus a toe on the crux move. But you know what I have to say to them? Technology is freedom mother fuckers. It's fall. Decorative gourd season. Now you're either ready to reap this freaky-assed harvest or your not. Get out of the way, I'm trying to find some 3g network service so I can watch the video on YOU TUBE dammit. Must. Get. Beta.

At any rate, I worked out the crux. Which is very, very difficult and involves a long ass throw off a heel hook that is at about chin height. And you're moving in to a completely shitty flat hold. Sweet. A little dismayed at this point, sun was going down and I had not yet stuck the crux.


Day three: After some snow, and fighting through about 3564529812 climbers to get back to the boulder, I much anticipated a send. The conditions were great. If anything, it was too cold. Something asinine like 27 degrees. I made it to the crux with nearly no effort and almost stuck the move my first attempt of the day. I was having a hard time keeping my fingers warm. After a few solid efforts, I was left by myself with just 1 crashpad. A less than ideal scenario for this thing. I eventually stuck the crux move, and nearly did the boulder, only to have my foot pop sending me flinging from the boulder. GAHHHH! NEXT ATTEMPT IT GOES.

I waited too long. 30 minutes of spotting my friend on Deception proved to be too long in the hideous cold. I got back on and it became clear very quickly that I was done for the day. My muscles were utterly and completely frozen.

I admit it, I am an addict. I will buy a plane ticket to bum-fuck USA to climb on a rock. AND FAIL. But is that failure? Is traveling with visions of standing on top of a physical and mental challenge failure? Is it crazy? Am I demon? Etc.

I think not. I'm going back. The Shield will fall.

THE SOUTHEAST IS ESSENTIALLY FUCKED.

Ok. I'm sorry. But seriously? The Southeastern United States is a pretty awful place. I love the climbing there. And I have some dear and sweet friends whom (for reasons beyond my grasp) still reside there. I spent about 10 days kickin' it down there in the "red states". I flew in to Asheville, NC to visit my family. I have to say that Asheville, NC seems like one of the more useless places I have ever been. Then, it was off to Augusta (technically Grovetown), GA to see my favorite family in the universe: The Cones. I got disgustingly and violently ill at their house for 24 hours. I am at least 95% certain that I almost died. Then, it was off to the main event....5 days of climbing (in a row. OOF.) in Chattanooga, TN. Which is decidedly the only place in the Southeast I could even consider living.

My goal: To climb The Shield (V12) at Little Rock City. Or Stone Fort. Whatever the hell they are calling it these days. My secondary goal: to climb the most beautiful lines I could find. More on goal #1 later. For now, let's tackle the pesky business of finding gorgeous rocks to touch.

Right up the road from some of the more well-known bouldering areas is a small satellite area called Pep Boys. This place boasts some of the most incredibly scenic climbing I have seen since the Buttermilks and Rocklands. I crested a hill at one point to see a lone football-shaped boulder leaning right over the creek.

WHOAH.

"Oh dear god that thing had better have climbable features on it.", I proclaimed as I scrambled down the slope toward it. I hopped across the creek on some rocks to arrive at the foot of what is, to be certain, one of the most gorgeous climbs these tired old eyes have ever seen. Not too hard. Maybe V7. But holllyyyyy smokes was it a looker. Three holds to the top. And a big, committing last move. All the while a gurgling creek whooshes behind you. Beautiful.

In almost a hurry to get on this thing.

First move is a really nice drop-knee on subtle feet to cross to the first crimp.

About to set up for the last move to the lip.

There were some great little warm ups and moderates scattered throughout this boulder field as well. Kaleigh had committed herself to a really fun little roof problem with a pretty heinous top out.

Roof!

It seems tall when you're from FL.

HEY ASSHOLES

I'm gonna go ahead and say it: "Because it tastes good" is no longer going to fly. Here is what you're supposed to think you're eating:

What are we, a nation of 6 year olds? Throw a happy cartoon of a jolly turkey ready to be eaten and we actually go for it? Embarrassing.

And here is the fucking reality:



I'm off to North Carolina and Georgia and Tennessee to see family, friends, and boulders. Eat like you actually give a damn people.

MIND OFFICIALLY BLOWN

I came across something. An artist by the name of Kris Kuksi. There are really no words that I can add to these sculptures.

(Click on the images to enlarge them and also have YOUR mind blown.)

I can only assume it takes approximately ONE MILLION HOURS to complete one of these sculptures that is some manner of 3-D hybrid of H.R. Giger and Hieronymous Bosch. Truly amazing. Art man. Art.

I'M A PERSON JUST LIKE YOU...

Thought I would share this. Last night on FOX News, they did a segment on Straight Edge. I'm not sure what the weird-o phenomena is with major news randomly wanting to do segments on SXE, but it seems to happen every couple of years. Lots of local people here like Sweet Pete from IN MY EYES, and Chris Wrenn of BRIDGE NINE RECORDS.



In addition, the EDGE movie is making it's rounds. Having just finished it's US premier tour, it's now on it's European leg. I was out of town for the Boston premier, so I haven't even seen it. I am eagerly awaiting the DVD. Has anybody seen this? Is it any good?



I fucking LOVE what Ian says in the beginning of that trailer. So good. It's cool to see old SXE dudes growing up, being old, being Edge and being psyched about it. Whether it's Chris Wrenn who is definitely giving more back to the hardcore scene than he probably ever got out of it. Or whether it's Sweet Pete whom simply states that he will always be Straight Edge. Or even if it's the guys who made the EDGE movie taking their time and energy to document the scene. I'm glad to have been a part of the hardcore and straight edge community.

HIGH FIVES AND STAGE DIVES!

ANTI MOVEMENT, ANTI-ANTI

I hate to be "that guy", but please help out my friends and go vote on the ANTI-SWEDEN jeans. ANTI SWEDEN JEANS are on the competition called ISPO brand awards.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

On the left side, you see the list of "WHO`s HOT" , scroll down, click JEANS, and you will see this image above, click the red square on the left, "RATE IT!"

Also, check out the ANTI-SWEDEN site for more darkness.

DEFEND THE DARKNESS HERE

Here we have it. THIEVES LIKE US VOLUME 5. As usual, I am keeping a theme of sorts. Twenty five tracks of metal. From MANOWAR to AOSOTH. IN FLAMES to BAPHOMET'S BLOOD. The grim, the fast, the slow, the sludgy, the dark, the evil. Enjoy.

TRACK ORDER (by artist):

1]MANOWAR
2]KATATONIA
3]SENTENCED
4]IN FLAMES
5]SAMAEL
6]DISIPLIN
7]KHOLD
8]GLORIOR BELLI
9]ABSU
10]IMMORTAL
11]ENTOMBED
12]VEER
13]I.C.E.
14]AOSOTH
15]KATHARSIS
16]TYRANT
17]BAPHOMET'S BLOOD
18]ANAAL NATHRAKH
19]FUKPIG
20]ROTTEN SOUND
21]AGRIMONIA
22]WOLFBRIGADE
23]CELTIC FROST
24]COLD WORLD
25]JESU

*NOTE: Please do not waste your time telling me how IN FLAMES is not metal, or how ABSU was wayyyy better before they "sold out", or that Left Hand Path is a superior ENTOMBED album to my choice from Clandestine. I don't really care. I am not trying to impress the metal elite. If you want to have a conversation about the KVLT and the GRIM, ask me about "LEFT HAND PATH" (not the entombed album.)

CLICK HERE TO GET THIEVES LIKE US VOLUME 5

UNTIL THE LIGHT TAKES US

In keeping with my metal mood as of late, I bring to you the trailer for the documentary UNTIL THE LIGHT TAKES US. This movie is sure to knock the socks off. There has been a ton of interesting coverage of the Norwegian black metal scene. Whether it's Peter Beste's photographic journalism, or VICE magazine (barf.) doing some rather candid interviews with Gaahl. Plus of course the controversial book LORDS OF CHAOS, which is supposedly also being turned in to a documentary.

This film is opening in Providence on December 4th. Who will go see it with me?



Also, I found this little interview with the filmmakers.

Until The Light Takes Us * AFI Film Festival Los Angeles * Aaron Aites * Audrey Ewell from RealTVfilms on Vimeo.

PRODUCT REVIEW:TIMBUK2 Hemlock pack

So my friend at TIMBUK2 sent me one of their new HEMLOCK backpacks. What instantly struck me is that this bag is damn good looking. By far one of the best looking rolltops out there. The second thing I instantly noticed is that there are no waist or sternum straps. This was incredibly dismaying. I basically wrote the thing off and figured it would be uncomfortable. I was wrong. Really wrong. This bag is hands down the most comfortable pack I have ever ridden with. I have loaded that thing up with groceries, bike parts, climbing gear, coats, etc. and even when it clocked in at about 38 pounds it was still massively comfortable, didn't shift one bit, and sat right where I wanted it to. The minimal strap design turns out to be this pack's blessing rather than it's curse. I took it on a 50 mile ride with about 25 pounds in it and loved it. And the fewer the straps, the less shit there is to flap around in the wind. The HEMLOCK is a standard bucket style rolltop, with a few added bonuses. There is a padded laptop sleeve that you can access without having to take the entire pack of or open the rolltop. There is also a nice little stash pouch on here too. Cinch straps on the side have proved to be useful for me too. I was a little worried initially that they were excessive, but I have cinched down my load, and even used them to strap a climbing rope to the outside of the bag. The external pocket has pretty basic organization in it for pens and other random things.

One of many trips to the farmer's market
where I stuffed the bag to the brim with produce.

Here are my issues with the HEMLOCK: The outer pocket is really poorly designed. The closure system on it (velcro) coupled with the shape of the pouch and shape of the flap DO NOT integrate well, and if you want an even remotely tight seal, you have to put some effort in to it and fold the sides in before you velcro the flap down. The light hanger on the back is too near the bottom of the pack. Every time I sat the bag down, the light lifted right off the hanger. If any of you have ever owned a bike light, you know those damn things are hard to keep around. Always getting lost, broken, etc. Anyhow, the rolltop has the same issues as the outer pocket: weird integration between rolldown, velcro, and extra fabric that needs to be folded in. Also, that main strap on the top is wayyy too long, I cut about 4 inches off the strap to keep it from flapping around. Lastly....why the hell is this thing not waterproof? Seriously. Put some vinyl on the inside and call it good guys.


All in all, this is my current go-to pack. Just the right size (they sent me Large), sleek, sharp looking, and comfortable as hell. It's a shame I'll have to revert to my Chrome if I want to ride in the rain. I'd like to see some of those minor revisions made, then they can rename the pack the "Gavin".

AYN RAND WAS FUCKING DUMB.

Alex Honnold trying not to lose his shit on Half Dome

I have come as close as I want to epic climbing disaster. I have seen my life flash before my eyes free-soloing. I have taken horrifying falls. I have made my own stomach curl up in to my throat on the top outs of higher-than-high boulders. I have been lost as hell in the woods of the high country above Yosemite Valley at night trying desperately to find my way back to the car. It has been said that climbing is a selfish pursuit. Whoever said that is either A] Not a climber, B] A complete jackass, or both. Climbing is only a selfish pursuit if the person climbing is selfish. Saying that climbing is a selfish pursuit is like saying buying a car in your preferred color is a selfish act. FREE-SOLOING is a selfish pursuit. The things you put at risk doing such a thing take a certain measure of "fuck you world" in order to swallow deep and grab those first holds. Which is all at once an honorable and courageous act, while at the same time about as childish and stupid as running around yelling "mememememe me me me!". Which isn't to say I disapprove, or have not dipped my hand in to my chalkbag and took off up something without being tied in. It's just to say that when you do so, YOU BETTER MAKE FUCKING SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

Why am I talking about this? The topic of free-soloing has hit home (literally) lately, as my best friend, climbing partner, and roommate has just broken his ankle in an attempt to solo Supernova (5.14b) at Rumney. Max wrote all about his epic experience on the Boston Rock Gym blog. It has since been linked on ClimbingNarc. Free soloing seems to be getting a shit-ton of press lately. Whether it's the recent death of world famous ropeless climber John Bachar or all the rave of Alex Honnold, and I think it's really important that we keep all this shit in perspective. People like Honnold are definitely asking for it. I'm sorry, but he is. I wish him the best of luck in all of his climbing endeavors. His free-solos are awe-inspiring and downright impressive. But they are also mind-numbingly stupid. Dying doing something you love is in a way amazing. But really only in a cheesy poetic way. Outside of that, it's actually pretty ridiculous. I mean, wouldn't you rather CONTINUE to do what you love?

That said, it is extremely important to note that on the topic of free-soloing, my opinion does not matter. Much like when I told Max the night prior to his accident "I don't think it's a good idea.", I am sure that if someone whom cared deeply for Alex Honnold told him not to do what he does, he would likely smile and nod, and go do it anyhow.

When trying to explain Max's injury to a non-climbing friend of mine I was asked "why the hell would you do that?" While I couldn't speak specifically for Max's motivations, I could answer the question:

"We as climbers want to push the limits. Our limits-both physically and mentally, we want to push the limits of what is possible as a climber, we want to reach new thresholds and hew heights-literally and figuratively."

"But why not just tie in?" my friend asks. I had to put it in terms he could understand:

"When you and I get on our fixed gear bikes and go tearing through the busy streets of Boston without brakes people think we are insane. But we get it. We know our limits, we feel in control of our bikes and the situation we are putting ourselves in. We love the exhilaration and pureness of the fixed gear bike. The simplicity of it, and yes, at times, the riskiness of it all."

He nodded. Now it made sense.

Steph Davis well in to the "no fall zone" sans rope.

And that's just it. Us weirdos out on the lunatic fringe of society are always pushing our own limits. Whether it's to increase our heart rate, boost our own egos, or simply because we think-and have sometimes convinced ourselves-that we are invincible. Steph Davis once said that "free-soloing is the ultimate display of control." I can't say I disagree. But it's important to recognize that the potential for accident-which is to say-things that are *outside* control is not finite. Shit can, and certainly will happen. The more you free-solo, the more you put yourself out there to push those limits, those physical and mental bounds, the closer you will get to that scary edge. A scary edge that falling off of can land you in emergency surgery with a smashed ankle, bug-eyed and laughing with your friends at how close of a call you just had, or dead.

The late Mike Reardon.

One important thing that Max touched on in his little screed about his experience is something that I have as of yet to see mentioned in any other public forum on the topic of free-soloing is how it affects those around you. In his case it was his employer, friends, roommate, etc. The Reel Rock Tour fails to mention in it's heart-warming interviews of Alex Honnold and his mom just how awful it would be if he died. How it might devastate those around him. Those stories are saved for the obituary issues of Climbing. Where numerous people chime in to tell their stories about John Bachar or Derek Hersey. It seems as though we maybe glorify the acts of free-soloists until it's too late. Perhaps more articles should have been written calling Mike Reardon a moron. Perhaps not.

Climbing is not a selfish pursuit, it's an amazing and fulfilling lifestyle and activity that can bring people together, form the strongest of bonds, and teach you a million lessons. It is also inherently dangerous. The lesson of injury or death from free-soloing is not a climbing lesson, it is a life lesson. Cherish what you have, love what you do, and don't be stupid.

Maxim asleep in my car on the way home from the hospital. Glad you're ok pal.

THE PURGING WIND IN MY HAIR

As the past few months have been somewhat of a living hell I have come to depend on late night bike rides. They are a gorgeous thing. Particularly as the weather has gotten to be my favorite. Cool and sunny during the day, and downright cold at night. Crisp fall air in my lungs is one of the most refreshing things I can imagine. This month's mix is intended to be plugged in to on a bike ride. I made this specifically to fill my ears (and yours) with an epic crescendo of riding goodness. So grease your chain, put on your helmet, plug in your headphones and ride hard.

TRACK ORDER (by artist):
1] Assemblage 23
2] Styrofoam
3] The Fauns
4] The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
5] The Jesus and Mary Chain
6] Doves
7] Tesla Boy
8] Editors
9] Lola Angst
10] Frankmusik
11] Discovery
12] Infadels
13] Fugazi
14] Third Eye Blind
15] Misfits
16] Paint it Black
17] No Friends
18] Doomriders
19] Watain
20] Air

A few notes:

a] Yes, that IS a Third Eye Blind song stuck right between Fugazi and The Misfits. No, I am not trying to be ironic. I love that band.

b] Tesla Boy is by far the greatest thing to happen to synth music since THIS RECORD came out.

c] No Friends are the best thing to come out of Florida since the Averkiou album. If you are unlucky enough to be trapped in Gainesville, FL for "The Fest", No Friends are playing. Go see them. And make fun of all the assholes in flip flops drinking PBR.

d] Doomriders "Darkness Come Alive" gets my vote for greatest album of 2009. Go buy it.

e] The Jesus and Mary Chain *still* kick ass.

f] This video for Air's "Sing Sang Sung" makes me want to die it's so good.

AIR MUSIC VIDEO SING SANG SUNG from MATHEMATIC SAS on Vimeo.

DOWNLOAD VOLUME FOUR HERE.

TOO GOOD NOT TO STEAL

I love my friends. And I love climbing. The fact that I get to hang out with the goddamn geniuses involved in this video makes me the deepest and most sincere kinds of happy.

Max: BRG V13 from David Wetmore on Vimeo.

OPEN HOUSES + INJURIES

That's me out front. BECAUSE I AM SO FAST.

I meant to get some of this stuff up earlier this week, but the week has turned in to some kind of evil beast that I have no control over. So here it is late Wednesday night and I am talking about last weekend.....At any rate, this past Saturday, I awoke to a splendid fall day. Crisp air, sunshine, light breeze. Holy wow. What to do, what to do? Go to Rumney*** with Max and Dave to potentially make my injury worse? Or do a 50 mile ride out to Holliston with some homies to the A.N.T bike open house. For reasons I will not go in to here, I opted for the ride. It was absolutely fantastic. The New England foliage is totally bangin' right now.

There were at least two hills that my poor little legs did not want to ride up. But I soldiered through and even kept up with the people on Geekhouse's new cyclocross bikes. Upon arriving at A.N.T., we were greeted with plates of vegan brownies, little containers of candy corn (gross), hot apple cider, and friendly smiles. Mike really has an amazing shop, full of character and nice bikes. After some mingling, we all stuffed our faces with indian food and then returned to the plates of cookies and brownies.

The real festivities got underway when the tricycle race and trackstand competition began. The Geekhouse posse threw down with Marty taking 1st in the tricycle race (I came in 2nd), and with Greg, Tom, and myself taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the trackstand comp. Greggles and Marty both had the burden of lugging trophies home in their bags. Sucked for them. The glorious burden of victory I suppose.


After arriving back in to town, we all went straight to The Fringe Movement open house. Because really, what else is there to do besides open house-hop all day and get free drink and food. And maybe even win A COUPLE FUCKING TROPHIES while you're at it? The Fringe Movement is essentially a giant warehouse of awesome. Some good friends have all managed to bring together the most radical and talented and creative people all under one roof. Which is inspiringly insane to me. That lasted most of the rest of my night.

Ian builds really REALLY amazing bikes.

Brian Hollingsworth of Royal H cycles. He makes great bikes. Like this next one in the works with THE MOST BRAZE-ONS of all time ever on any single bike.

***Oh, and max broke his ankle trying to free solo Super Nova (5.14b) at Rumney.

NOSTALGIC

I totally screwed my back up about three weeks ago falling from the final moves of my project at Rumney up in New Hampshire. I also exploded something in my wrist. Naturally, I made the smart decision and went to Bradley the next day and sent The Prow (V10) and tried hard on Suspect Device (V11). Then trained hard in the gym the next week. End result...Maxim woke up early this morning and headed to Rumney with Dave and I sat it out because my back feels like hell on a stick.

After a long and beautiful ride in the breezy Autumn weather, I came home and made the universe's largest salad and toyed around on the world wide interwebs for a while. I came across a video of pubescent phenom Adam Ondra doing boulders in South Africa. These problems are fan-frigging-tastic, and the video quality is awesome. It makes me miss South Africa. Watching these videos made my fingertips sweat for another go on Caroline (7c+).

Rocklands Season is well over with at this point, which means (in my head) that we are on the downside of the hill before Rocklands season of 2010. Max, Dave and I are definitely heading for the boulders next year. And I expect it will be an amazing trip. I can't wait to get back and send some unfinished business.

In other news, Ray of Light in this video....for all intensive purposes looks like it's the Something from Nothing of South Africa. Seeing as how Something from Nothing in Great Barrington, MA is my favorite boulder problem of all time, Ray of Light looks enticing to say the least.

Me on Something from Nothing days before I sent. Photo by Glassberg.

Head over to DEADPOINT MAG to watch the video of Ondra in South Africa in all of it's hi-res glory.

RECORD OF THE MOMENT

This one comes from my friend Justin at THUNDERLIZARD. Some amazingly fun and energetic old school hardcore from....Florida? Ha! There is little information out there about this band or this record. All I can tell you is that it's fucking awesome melodic hardcore. Here are some facts I managed to dredge up: The singer went on to play with another great band Clair-Mel and the guitarist went on to play with End Of The Century Party. Apparently, Steve Heritage from legendary band Assuck drew the cover for this EP.

Regardless, download it here and enjoy it time and time again:

AWAKE!-Beliefs 7"

COMMUNE

Ok, so this video has essentially made the rounds at this point. I think even HYPEBEAST has it. But it's really excellent. An exciting idea that appears to have been well coordinated, well filmed, and well executed. This concept appeals to me because I think this is something fairly new to the (already fairly young) fixed gear scene. As a climber, I have traveled all over. Even to other countries to meet complete strangers. And that common bond of climbing has brought us together and held us together like glue. There is little weirdness, and whatever cultural differences there are become merely an aside to the fact that we love to climb. So it's good to see this being showcased in the urban cycling scene. Not to say it has never been brought to light before, but if NIKE is on board, you know this is pretty huge.

At any rate, enough from me....check out the trailer:

LONDON TO PARIS from Amazing Grace on Vimeo.

MAXIMUM BLACK

So as of late, I have been really enjoying sleeping at night. Granted, I usually get 5 hours of sleep or less. But man, I really *enjoy* it. Part of the experience has been being in MY OWN PLACE after couch surfing and living in my car for over a month. So settling down in my own bed has been a real treat. Lately, I have been very interested in finding what I like to call "freddy music". You know how in all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies...all those fucking kids talk about is how they can't sleep or they'll die. But they always fall asleep anyhow? Well, that's the kind of sleep I want my music to induce. The kind of sleep that I couldn't resist even if I was being chased by a scary pedophile with bad acne and a Cosby sweater.

So this month's mix installment is just that. Music to fall the hell asleep to. Now, let me make it clear, that if you are not the kind of person who likes to fall asleep to music, this is probably going to be no different. So don't whine. I should also make it clear that these are not the most exciting songs on the planet. If you're looking for good exciting jams, check out VOLUME 1 or VOLUME 2.

As usual, the track listing is important. By track 20, you should be engaged in a deep, dream-like sleep. (And maybe getting disemboweled by a dude with blade-fingers.)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FILE: thieves like us volume three

(BY ARTIST)
1] Apoptygma Berzerk
2] Architect
3] Aerosol
4] Asobi Seksu
5] Washed Out
6] Mew
7] The Daysleepers
8] Strip Music
9] Airiel
10] Alcian Blue
11] Kings of Convenience
12] Jose Gonzalez
13] Ola Podrida
14] Vitesse
15] Antimatter
16] Jesu
17] Ulver
18] Anathema
19] Gregor Samsa
20] Bohren & Der Club of Gore

*Disclaimer: Apparently, I like the whole Shoegaze revival stuff.

*Disclaimer 2: I know that Jose Gonzalez song is so cliche' that it even get played at fucking Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods. But fuck it.

CONNECTICUT

Spent the day in the woods near Hartford CT. Beautiful weather.

John "The Hagg" Haggerty came along for his first bouldering experience at Bradley.

Max hung out and shouted at The Hagg a lot for not climbing "smart."

This rock is shaped just like an arrow!