Special Special Feature:
>Joe Castro on Deviantart

Entry #723
Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July everyone.

Entry #722
Thursday, July 3, 2008

The nice folks over at Mumble Magazine have posted Plan B's groundbreaking 1992 video, Questionable, in it's entirety, for free. Rick Howard's part's a personal favorite as is Rodney's, D-ways and Duffy. Hell, there's not a bad batch in the bunch so get it before it's gone. Also - looking forward to catching the Little Giants doc on Don Pendleton - should be out soon.

Entry #721
Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Photo of the Wednesday

This week's photo comes from the other "JC", Mr. slowmotoiontrax and was taken at a Sky Drops gig in May 2007 at Johnny Brendas. Click the thumbnail and live large.

Entry #720
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Sometime around 1989, a group of friends and I started a small DE skate team called One Factory - we made a few hand painted shirts, a zine called Damn the Defiant and a couple of underground skate flicks which usually premiered at some insane party at FatMarc's parent's house. Anyway, my brother Mike recently dug out some dust covered VHS tapes full of old footage and recently posted some clips online. So, embarrassing as it might be, here's my freestyle skate part from One's Useless Footage, which we filmed around 1990. Yeah, I said "freestyle skateboarding" - I ain't ashamed. Please keep in mind this is pre-iMovie/Final Cut and we edited that thing with two VCR's going back and forth. And yeah, I dropped that Charlatans track in there 17 years before the Lakai video. That album was a personal favorite at the time.

He also posted FatMarc's parts from Useless Footage and Let It Ride as well as Mike's freestyle BMX part. Enjoy. Hopefully we'll get Rob Cocco's parts up there soon.

And looking back on it, the fact that some of the best times of my life were late night curb sessions in some strip mall, hanging with the bros, dirty, sweaty, bleeding and broke but sharing a gallon jug of jungle juice between us and everyone is ripping hard and pushing each other - speaks volumes on the power of skateboarding. Those were the days Archie Bunker.

Entry #719
Monday, June 30, 2008

Random Notes From the Road to Ohio
1. The Tom Waits show was magic and not something to be explained or dissected, just experienced. Here's the set list.

2. Tee Jay's Country Restaurant makes a mean grill cheese sandwich, at least by late night standards.

3. When you get a speeding ticket in West Virginia, they don't tell you how much it's for. You have to call the city court to find out and, unfortunately, they don't take too kind to haggling.

4. Good luck grabbing a sandwich in downtown Columbus after 7PM 'cause it's a ghost town after 5.

5. Starbucks is slowly taking over every rest stop along the PA turnpike.

6. I think we should paint all the broken down cars found on the side of the road like the American flags and then write "This car don't run" on the side. It would go over big in the heartland for sure.

Entry #718
Friday, June 27, 2008

Running around doing errands this morning, I had the windows down and the Joypopper's album cranked loud and it just made me realize what a great and under-rated band they were. In their mid-90's Newark, DE heyday, I went to see them anytime I could - and not just because I was super friendly with the whole group, but because live, they were explosive and more times than not, something crazy was gonna go down. Good times for sure and stories a plenty but we'll save those for another time. Anyway, it got me thinking that it's a real shame the full length never saw the light of day, 'cause there were some good tunes on there. So, since it's Friday, I thought I'd take this theme and run with it straight into this week's Mighty Top Five. So here's...

Joe Castro's Top Five Tracks Off the Never Released Joypoppers Album

1. Afraid to Fly: My favorite track by the band - high energy, great lyrics sung with passion and a nice switch with the dance outro. Almost has a rockabilly vibe to it. Top shelf all the way.

2. Lightbulb Baby: Just a fun pop song with lots of hooks. And watch out for the blistering solo homeboy.

3. Lousy Stinking Town: sounds like The Smiths doing Sinatra, a killer combination with some stand-out guitar work from Lance. Proof positive that the band was much more than some pop-punk outfit.

4. My Disheveled Car: A song of love about your first car, which for many of us was a run down bucket of bolts with a broken cigarette lighter and a sagging ceiling. A true rite of passage that Tim nails right on the head.

5. New Lost Hope: Never played live, this album closer hinted at a possible more experimental direction for the band.

To Ersk, Tim, Vince and Lance - thanks for the memories and the music. Enjoy the tracks everyone.

Anyway, I'm off to see Mr. Tom Waits in Ohio. Have a great weekend.


Entry #717
Thursday, June 26, 2008

Don't front - you know you loved Teen Wolf when you saw it back in the day. Don't even try to play too cool for school - it's classic 80's and you can't beat it, Michael Jackson. The next band I'm in will be covering this song, for real.

Anyway, good news my son - The Sky Drops are finally returning to the live stage with a gig at Mojo 13 on September 5. And as an added bonus, they're playing with Spindrift who're about to drop a brand new disc and are swinging back east coast for a little promo tour. Not to be missed for sure.

Entry #716
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Photo of the Wednesday

35 is one half of seventy.

Entry #715
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

I've seen more than my fair share of skate videos over the past 20 years, and after a while you start to get pretty burned out on seeing the same old, same old. So I got really excited when I recently discovered Pontius Alv's The Strongest of the Strange online. Just a great vid with lots of weird, arty super 8 footage mixed with dude's skating full on, super fast. Scott Bourne's part is a highlight for sure. Check it out if you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary.

Other than that, it's pretty quiet here on the eastern front so why not crack yourself up with Dee Dee Ramone's alter ego, super bad B-boy, Dee Dee King. Easily one of the worst ideas in the history of rock-n-roll.

Entry #714
Monday, June 23, 2008

RIP George Carlin. I saw Carlin sometime in the early 90's in Wilmington and he was funny as hell. The guy called it how he saw it and, even though you might not agree 100 percent with everything he said, you had to respect him 'cause it got you thinking. He pushed the envelope for sure and never softened as he aged either. He'll be missed for sure.

Entry #713
Friday, June 20, 2008

Caught up with Laz last night who, as always, is taking the higher road and is striving to go 21 days straight without complaining or making sarcastic remarks. Apparently, 21 days is the minimum amount of time it takes to break a habit and he's trying to rid his life of as much negativity as possible. Hats off to you brother - I don't think I'd have a shot in hell of hittin' that goal. Laz is still the coolest dude out there.

So, since today is officially the first day of summer, I figured why not kick it off proper with some Mighty Top Five action (yes, we still do that here from time to time.) This week's guest is one of the nicest people I know, she's got a great sense of humor and is always up to get down to action, whether it's busting out on the dance floor or hitting the pavement for some road trip spontaneity. To put it simply, she's good people. So, I present to you, here for the first time on MJC.com, the always classy, Miss Liz. Take it away homegirl.

Liz's Top 5 Summer Pleasures
5. Rolling down the windows on a sunny day, turning up the volume on the radio, and singing Mo Money, Mo Problems (RIP Biggy) at full voice.

4. Hittin’ up the mint chocolate chip at the Dairy Treat!

3. Adding more freckles to my collection.

2. Road trips with Justin.

1. The triple threat in Ocean City, New Jersey:

a. Mac n Manco Pizza
b. Bob’s Boardwalk Fries
c. Kohr Brothers

Thanks Liz! See you at the Treat fo' sure!

Well, that's it for me. Have a great weekend everyone.

Entry #712
Thursday, June 19, 2008

You can be sure that anyone who's ever riding a skateboard and wandered into a water park at some point thought, "damn, how cool would it be to skate those slides." Well, no worries homeboy 'cause these guys just did it for you. Watch and salivate.

I'm not sure who's got the baddest reputation, Joan Jett or Thin Lizzy, but I think I'm leaning toward the lads from Ireland. I mean, Phil Lynott's afro and mustache combo is deadly. Look out!

Entry #711
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Sitting around the other day, just sipping some coffee, I realized I know a lot of talented photographers who really don't have a place to show off their work, other than flicker or something like that. So, I started thinking, well, Wednesdays are pretty dull - I mean, it's called Hump Day right? - so why not liven things up a bit and start a new photography-based MJC feature? No brainer. So, I present to you....

Photo of the Wednesday

This week's photo comes from man about town, the infamous Nick P, and was shot with a Polaroid land camera at the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. Click the thumbnail and live large.

And feel free to send any photos you have lying around for consideration.

Entry #710
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The baby birds have fled the nest and our cactus has three full blooms shining among it's spears - looks like summer is officially here bro.

Anyway, saw Control last night and it did not disappoint. A real power house with some great Corbijn black/white cinematography. Easily one of the better rock films out there - it avoids many of the cliches that plague the genre. There's some great live performance scenes and Sam Riley really did Ian Curtis justice. I don't know what else to say - it was on point all the way. Now, I haven't seen the new Joy Division doc yet, but it's on the list for sure, as is this Lou Reed performance film. Berlin is one of my favorite Lou records and I can't wait to see what Julian Schnabel does with it.

And, being somewhat of a super 8 enthusiast as well as a Bob Dylan fan, I was super stoked to find this video online, shot by Bennett Miller (who directed Capote) and starring Scarlett Johansson. Well played my son.

Entry #709
Monday, June 16, 2008

You know, I always get into discussion with people about the environment, and yeah, it's been on the news a lot recently but personally, I think they're pitching this whole thing the wrong way. They talk about it like planet is a starving orphan in some distant country who needs our help. I mean, in all reality, the planet Earth doesn't need saving - when humans finally go the way of the dinosaur, this planet will still be floating along in the cosmos, dealing with some other kind of life form that's worked it's way up to the executive office of the food chain. I think people need to start talking about it like "We need to save the human race now " because it's not about "it" or "them", it's about "us" when it all comes down to it. We need to save "our environment." No matter how much concrete we lay down or walls we put up, we're still a part of nature and not above it in the least. If you can get that through to the average person, I think they'd start taking this whole crisis a bit more seriously.

Anyway, gotta run - this soap box's starting to break under the weight of my own pretensions.

Entry #708
Friday, June 13, 2008

Usually I don't post on Friday the 13th because, you know, it's bad juju and all but Laz sent over this film about Count Smokula which just seemed to appropriate not to post. You gotta love Los Angeles.

So, I was gonna post a Top Five Best Jason Vorhees moments this week, but then I found this Top Ten on youtube, so I figured why reinvent the wheel? So here's Jason Vorhees Top Ten Kills. Not for the squeamish bro so consider yourselves warned. And yes, there's plenty of horror-cheese in there.

But don't forget tomorrow - Saturday the 14th. So bad, it's super good.

That's it for me. Have a great weekend everyone.

Entry #707
Thursday, June 12, 2008

I've noticed that as the baby birds get bigger, so does the mound of birdie-poo that's been slowly building up on the porch below the nest. At this rate, we should have a nice little mash potato-esque mountain ala Close-Encounters by Monday.

Anyway, Guantanamo Bay prisoners have finally been given the right to a fair trial by the Supreme Court and Dennis Kuchinich is continuing his push toward impeachment - looks like it hasn't been the best of weeks for George W. About time on both counts if you ask me.

And Lynnette Shelley recently started her own art-realted blog entitled Pen and Think. It's generally a pretty good read so check it out here.

Entry #706
Wednesday, June 11, 2008


Well, for those who may've been wondering, the two birds that've been shacking up above our doorway are now the proud parents of four little babies. It's been about a week now and that little nest is seriously running outta space. They grow up so fast, don't they?

Got to peep some of the much anticipated new Nas album today and, even though he caved into pressure and changed the album title, he ain't holding nothing back content-wise for sure. Peep Black President and get a little taste. The guy's on fire. And did I mention he's got the Dap Kings/Mark Ronson on a track? Can't wait for this one.

And with all these ho-hum skate graphics companies have been churning out the past few years, it's good to see Sean Cliver back in action and bringing that classic early 90's World Industries flavor to some limited edition Supreme decks. And if you dont already have it, I recommend picking up Cliver's book, Disposable, about skateboards graphics. Hands down the best book on the subject.

Entry #705
Tuesday, June 10, 2008


For those who missed it, this is the other new painting I showed at the Come and Get Some art show - it's entitled The Return of 4+5. Click above for the bigger picture.

Anyway, with this disgusting heat wave that's been engulfeing the northeast the past few days, I've been staying as close to the air conditioning as possible and catching up on some movies, including Iron Man, which didn't blow me away but was definitely entertaining. I don't know - I think I'm over modern action movies. I'm not a fan of all this super quick, what's-going-on-now, video-game-fight-scene editing, nor the deluge of CGI effects. Robert Downey was great, though, as was Jeff Bridges, and the dialog was well written. Definitely one of the better comic-based films of the past few years, although I can't claim to be an expert on that genre or anything.

Also caught The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, which was amazing. I was double impressed to learn that all the strange, blinky, out of focus camera trickery was done in the camera, not in post production. The whole "filmed-in-the-first-person" thing really drove the story home, and the cinematography was top notch. Well done - Schanbel nailed it with this one for sure.

Entry #704
Monday, June 9, 2008


Thanks to everyone who made it out to the opening of Come and Get Some this past Friday night - I hope you had a good time. And special thanks to all the artists who donated work and to the kids who came out and skated. Click the thumbnail above to view one of two new pieces I had in the show.

Anyway, I need to fix the air conditioner in the attic before I start to look like a California Raisin. Back to our regularly scheduled nonsense tomorrow.

Entry #703
Thursday, June 5, 2008


Sorry for not posting yesterday but we were busy hanging the Come and Get Some art show at the Opera Delaware Gallery. Thanks to Mark and Bryan for all their help. Click the thumbnail above for a sneak peek, then make plans to come out, relax, sip a few drinks and have a good time. Tomorrow night - attendance is mandatory. Click here for more details. And you can get directions here.

Enter the 36th Chamber - the Wu-Tang Clan now has their own chess site. No joke. Protect your neck son. No wait, I mean protect your king, kid.

And for your listening pleasure, here's a little Vacation by the Go-Gos. I hear ya, Belinda, I hear ya.

Entry #702
Tuesday, June 3, 2008

So I finally broke down and got myself a facebook page because, well you know, sometimes myspace, youtube and deviantart just aren't enough. Hit me up if you're into that kind of thing.

You know, I've seen Mike Sanchez pull of some amazing covers over the years (his take on Pretty in Pink comes to mind) but I have to admit I was still fairly surprised to hear him do justice to Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Leave it to him to create a total buzzkill outta an upbeat girl-power anthem. Check it out for yourself here.

And for all you Tom Waits fans who have time to kill, you gotta check out this Tom Waits TV site. I mean, they've got everything on there - full concerts, talk show appearances, the whole bit. Grab a drink and waste the afternoon.

Entry #701
Monday, June 2, 2008

Damn, Bo Diddley passes away and rock-n-roll loses another great. A pioneer for sure - I mean, how many people bit off his beat and rhythm? George Michael, U2, Bow Wow Wow, George Thorogood - the list is endless. I saw him live a few years ago and the man still had it. I guess I better see Chuck Berry and Little Richard asap while they're still kickin. Rest in peace Bo Diddley.

So, I've been locked away in the studio the last few days trying save myself from embarrassment and finish a few paintings for Friday's art show, and I never got around to posting last week's Top Five. Well, bro - better late than never right? Anyway, Dave Symons sent over this nasty photo of his super hipper (actually, is it really a hipper if it takes up your entire leg?) after a hard slam on Rob Cocco's mini ramp, which got us to talking about some of the worst slams in skateboard history. This one's not for the squeamish so view the links and stare if you dare.

Dave's Top Five Worst Skate Slams
1.Tied for first place: Jake Brown X Games Super Ramp 1/4 pipe and Pat Duffy Super Ramp 1/4 pipe at Danny Way or Bob B's training facilities
2. Miller in Upland
3. Cardiel head slam on that rail that Jake told him about in SF
4. Neil Mims face ripper in Modus Operandi
5. Ali Boulala arm break in his early 411 part

Thanks Dave - and as a side note, I always though the Welcome to Hell slam section was full of some insane carnage. Keep on keepin' on - us old rippers need to stick together!