“Here’s that fucking book you wanted, you better write a good review! Why the hell doesn’t it have any pop-ups?”
-The Emperor
The new Thrasher book, Epic Spots, did indeed show up on the Racket doorstep the other day. First of all, let’s be honest, it is doubtful that any Thrasher book will live up to Skate & Destroy. That book was just too f’ing good. Epic Spots, however, does not hope to be another Skate & Destroy. What we’re looking at here are old mag photos, usually one per page, of famous people skating famous spots. The text is short and details on the spots are sparse in typical Thrasher fashion. Epic Spots won’t change your life, but it is solid coffee table reading. A few random thoughts before we depart:
First of all, much respect to Pete the Ox’s Japanese Smith grind…especially since he is obviously battling some intense oops poops. Spiky ones too, it would seem. Strangely enough, it would seem that Peter Hewitt seems to have fallen victim to the same dilemma all the way over in Astoria, Oregon – though I imagine that my bowels would likely vacate as well if I found myself in a six foot stalefish. Despite all of this, I believe that I was the one who truly soiled my loins when I turned to page 156 to find a photo of Benji Galloway at Washington Street. Benji Galloway in Thrasher?!?! No way, Jake Phelps is gonna shit his…oh, that says “Sam Hitz” doesn’t it? Okay, okay, for a minute there I didn’t know whose book I was reading. (Let me clarify here, I am a Benji fan. I have met him on several occasions and have found him to be extremely friendly, considerate, and a ripper among rippers. I have nothing but respect for him. I am, however, aware of Jake’s prejudice and I was merely expressing my momentary shock.) In happier matters, Hammeke took a gorgeous photo of the Algorta park. Shane Cross has six photos in this book. As for me, I’ve only visited 8 of the spots in this book. I suck. Thanks to Joshua from Universal for sending this our way. Over and out.
-Wesley Miller (wesley @ Racketmag.com)