Girl meets Oi, Girl comes to Edinburgh

05/06/04

Thursday started off in typical Scottish fashion with much rain and dark clouds, not good we thought what with the Girl team on their way. But lo and behold the pavements dried and the sun came out. First stop was Focus for autograph signing and beer drinking. Present and correct were Mike Carroll, Rick Howard, Brandon Biebel (who incidentally likes his beer), Brian Anderson (on his second visit to Edinburgh and wearing the same shirt as hew was three years ago. Seriously!!) Jereme Rogers, Ty Evans (He of yeah right filming..), Sam Smyth (crailtapper) and holy shit!! Is that Marc Johnson? It is Marc Johnson! Over 300 hundred filed through the shop and had T-shirts, Decks, Posters, Arms and legs signed. Overall everyone was stoked and no one lost an eye.
After that it was off to Bristo for an impromptu session. For the few who were there it was a privilege to watch.
Food was consumed and then it was off to Dynamic Earth for a low key seesion on the bottom set. The generator was set up, the lights were on and the session commenced. But woah hold up here come the police... Not to fret though, the cops were super mellow and ended up watching the mad skills for some time.
Highlights were Jereme Rogers- Switch Nollie, Switch Heel, Brian Anderson- Waist high kickflips and Mike Carroll skating the flat. As Ben Powell of Sidewalk Mag said "That is a thing of great beauty.." and he was damn right.
After that it was off to the Pub for an Inter-continental Table Football match and suffice to say Scotland came last.

Pictures coming soon....

Friday.....
First up we want to say to everyone who turned up to Bristo on Friday hoping to see the Girl team skate that we appreciate your disappointment and hopefully we'll find out what happened. As far as we were aware they were going to be there at some point and for one reason or another they didn't make it to Bristo. The decision was made to go to Livingston and Glasgow instead and at the end of the day it was up to them where they went.

But on a happier note we have spoken to the Osiris Team manager and we can guarantee that the Osiris team will be at Bristo (weather permitting) on Wednesday 14th July. read all about it below. Plus we are trying our hardest to arrange another demo from a top US team. More news to follow hopefully.

14/07/04 is the date you want to put in your diary.

For years nobody visits Edinburgh then we get two US teams in one month. Following on from the Girl team are the full Osiris team. Jerry Hsu, Louie Barletta, Ali Boulala, Diego Buccieri, Brandon Turner, James Brockman and Scotlands own John Rattray will be in Focus on Wednesday 14th July at 2pm for a shop signing then off to Bristo Square at 4pm. We have also arranged a special night in conjuction with Edinburgh club Motherfunk where the new Osiris video will be premiered along with the quite excellent Salt and Sauce video.

Phone 0131 229 9009 for more info.

Sayonara....

All Go!
5/5/04

Ok, new news coming up, but first of a word about the 'Skatepark of Edinburgh'. We are still working as the ESP Action Group with the Council to try and end up with a quality outdoor skatepark in Edinburgh. So far, over the past 2 1/2 years, we have designed the park twice and have been shifted around locations numerous times. Now, for the record, we are still within a chance of getting a park. The funding is still there, although extra money is being applied for from Sport Scotland, so the total is looking near to 1/2 a million pounds.

The hold up is the problem of location. At present we are about to site visit Inverleith Park, which is looking like the most likely venue. We are trying to get this and get digging as soon as possible. We are aware that Edinburgh needs a skatepark now, so are trying our hardest to push.

Edinburgh council is full of back slapping and golden handshakes, so there are a few who don't seem to see this as a priority for the city which may be holding the project up. Corruption is everywhere, and i'm not going to waste my time trying to crack Edinburgh Council, there are bigger fish to fry.

So..rant over, big thanks to the whole of the ESP group, who meet fortnightly to talk over developments.( Not very exciting at all) and Mike Frazier for all his time. Keep up the support.

Anyway, some skateboard news... Stew Graham got a phone call from some people about something good. We'll keep you tuned.

There are some top spots turning up in Edinburgh. I've been checking oot loads of stuff. Try Sunny Leith and the west end areas.

Unabomber has a new site...check it out here.

There are some new Focus decks in the pipeline as well as wheels. Keep tuned for that one.

Static 2 should be here soon.

A warmer welcome to some much needed news!
29/03/04

There is alot of stuff to report on here. I've got it all for you. Click the links and check out some of the stuff thats been going on!

Team News:

Mr Mark Burrows has been repping up the new range of Adio shoes that will be available later this year. As well as this he's looking forward to being a Dad and always looking forward to the next sesh.

Stew Graham is ready to explode right now, he is super excited. Watch out for some things in a certain magazine over the next year.

The infamous Commmander is on his way back from Canada after a trip to see our Scottish/Hick brothers on the East Coast. Reports of some good pool skating going on. He'll be back soon, have your couches ready.

Bryan Jones has been back in the shorts and still killing it for Clown. We'll be getting a bunch of Clown decks in soon, which are part of an art project with Adam Neate. Also check out Bryan's musical outfit The Penpushers. Well worth checking out.

Edinburgh News:

The ongoing saga's in Edinburgh continue. We still don't have a skatepark, but could have the go ahead soon. A letter was sent to all the departments of the Council about a month ago, which stated that the skateboarders are up to speed with the project and that Clive Bowman is ready to get digging. So hopefully we'll have some positive news for you soon. I will tell you that the park is looking sick. The pool combo is similar to alot of the Oregon parks you'll have seen in Are You Alright? As for the 'street' area you'll love it. It's got alot of clever parts to it! I was actually trying to find a photo of the famous China Banks in SF, but i can't find one, so make do with the photos of Mr Reed getting creative. Anyway, head's up, there may still be a park in Edinburgh before we're all too old.

Bristo has and will still see alot in the future. Mr Niall Barlow is looking forward to a supply of fresh product soon.The place is full of rippers....and some news just in is that the blocks may be seeing some action from ? ? ?. Watch this space for the facts, soon. There are loads of other spots all over the city to check out, so get a trip up to Edinburgh soon.

Here at Focus we always have a steady flow of information about goings on in Scotland, so if you know of any comps, parks or spots drop us a line with your news.

Meantime, if in the Lothian area get to Sighthill on Saturday 3rd April for a jamathon all day. Don't forget your sandwiches.

Check out this link to a very productive bunch's website.

Oh in conjunction with Colin Kennedy and all round good bean Mr Josh Stewart we are getting a premiere of Static II which will be amazing. This is the latest project to come from Josh. It features some of my personal favourites and should be showing in early may. We'll get back to you.

Info about all this and more coming soon on Jock Steady which we all know is better than Crailtap.

Merry New Year etc!!

It's been a long year here at Focus, the first Video was finished, the team hit up many spots and we sold many a deck.We'll be back in the New Year once the hangovers fade. But we'd like to thank all our friends, family and most of all our customers for their continued support. Have a good one.

Focus 2004 Baby!!!

More ramblings..
17/10/03

Tuesday the 28th of October is the date for the ESP AGM (Thats the Edinburgh Skate Park Annual General Meeting in case you were wondering) check oot the website for more details and turn up if you want to have your say in this uber important project.
Whilst a spanner has been thrown in the Edinburgh indoor skatepark works, no such problems can be found at the Unit 23 skatepark in Dumbarton, you should go and check it out. Good work those boys!!
Our mate Seb down at Sumo in Sheffield has a top notch site which is worth a look... and we hear that he's very excited about Justin Timberlakes forthcoming visit to Edinburgh for the MTV awards.
Speaking of things Yorkshire related, found this URL of interest.
Ex Focus employee and all round art boffin Sam Griffin is now residing in London and as well as appearing in the current issue of Creative Review is currently designing the new Silas catalogue. Go on my son.
Current Focus manager and part time veggie Mark Foster is off to Barcelona with Colin Kennedy to partake in skateboarding goodness and tapas I would expect.
And finally some horrifying news- Lee Dainton and Matt Pritchard are in Edinburgh to film the new series of Dirty Sanchez at the start of November. God help us all!!!

Ramblings...
02/10/03

Allo, allo! Summer has now bid us farewell but by eck it's been a good un. Can't quite remember such a great summer, I guess we'll probably be punished by the grumpy old man known as winter.
Good but sparse news reach the Jock Steady Crew about a new indoor park opening in Edinburgh in the near future which will make those wet, cold months bearable. Bring it on!!
The first Focus Video is now only a couple of months away and rumour has it that a sneak preview may be appearing on Sky TV sometime in December.
Found this quality website dedicated to the sticker, speaking of stickers Focus have just bought a share in a sticker making machine. Oh yes! I'll be remaking all my old stickers and selling them on E-bay. Ho ho.
The Government hating BBC have created a new website called Airtight and it's pretty good. Featuring skate articles, product reviews, skatepark guides and interviews with some of Scotlands top skaters. Watch out for a forthcoming interview with two goons from an Edinburgh skate shop.
That's all for noo, just remember to support your local skateshop.

Focus team news?
10/09/03

There is some news on the various team riders to let you know of...

Stew Graham has now almost recovered from his foot injury, has his pro board out and is treating Livi like a small training facility!

Where's the Leyden i hear you shout....well i'm afraid to tell you that Ben is no longer with us, which is a real shame. Good luck to Ben and especially Kaos.

The Commander, or John Anderson has been back skating after a wrist tweakage, you've got to witness his figure (of 8) skating in the pool.

The big friendly beast, Mark Burrows has been proudly skating Public Skateboards over the past while. There has been plenty park attacks by the big yin, did you like that handplant over the spine photo in Doco? Good Work.

Shop manager, Mr Foster is now finishing off his section with Unabomber boards under his feet. Lots and lots of skateboarding has kept him busy this summer.

The invisible penpusher Brian Jones is finishing the final touches to a new LP. Check out the current one, Last vestige of holism, at the link at the bottom of this page. His skateboarding still comes easy, as has a section for the video...watch oot.

More news soon....

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