Michael Vockenson is a good man, I was lucky enough to meet him after his gold medal efforts in the slay the rails jam last year. He is a true athlete! he just got back from a temperd bikes trip to canberra and i had a few words with him:

words : rhys newling

First up you are mr crispy. How long has crispy stream been running for?

Yo my dude, Crispy started out of pure boredom during the glory days, summer 09'. I got the idea from a mate to start a blog and basically just wrote things I was into and posted videos I enjoyed. Then I got a digital camera and shit got out of hand.

What are future plans for crispy?

Were going global, taking over the world Jimmy Mac style. There are a number of world renowned blog makers who are doing a new site design. In addition, a few sample shirts have been made and the plan is to gradually create more designs and more batches for the kids, you know. Apart from the product side of business, myself and the rest of the team are just going to be putting 110 % into blogging the shit out of crispy.

Crispy: Supermega Goodness from Crispy Stream on Vimeo.

So you also ride bikes too, where is your favorite place to ride?

Street, anywhere. I think the most satisfying aspect of BMX is putting in work searching for a spot, finding it, destroying it and getting a clip/photo. I basicallly, spend my weekends riding street on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. There is still so many un-tapped suburbs.

Cool, how is tempered going for you, there stuff is so hot right now.

Hell yeah babe! Lawton has been putting in the hard yards behind the scenes and will continue to do so. Just got back from a rad trip with the team to Canberra, it was the first time I've been on a road-trip with all the guys and it was amazing, can't wait for more to come. There is also a number of exciting developments to come out of Tempered this year, stay tuned for that.

I saw you just built up a new back wheel, what is it and how did you destroy the other one?

Certainly, well a little while back I was at this school in Brisbane riding with a bunch of dads when Sam Illman pointed out this gap over a rail to flat. I left it alone and came back when I had a photographer and gave it a lash, unfortunately it turned out unsuccessful with my wheel folding on impact. The next day I went to LUXBMX store and Mitch/Evan hooked me up with a fresh Alex Supra-E 48, its big and chunky and I love it. I also just broke my front wheel too, so I think a front 48 is in the works.

Crispy: Scarps from Crispy Stream on Vimeo.

Say u look in iTunes, what is the number one played song?

The Electric Prunes 'Sold to the Highest Bidder' & Pink Floyd 'Speak to me/Breathe'.

Mike Vockenson from TEMPERED on Vimeo.

This seems to make it into all our interviews, what's for dinner?

Good question babe, dinner is a lovely little spice fried mince pork stir fry what I made last night. Really cool.

Crispy X DVRSTYBMX Exlusive: Carol Park Ramp Attack from Mitchell Wood on Vimeo.

Now your also a filmer, how long have you been behind the lens and what is in your camera bag?

I wouldn't classify myself a filmer per se, Stu Monro on the other hand. I basically bought a camera about 2 years ago because I don't have anyone to film with around here and I need a camera to film for web delights. I did have a VX2100 with MKii deth however, someone else decided they needed it more. Nowadays I shred on a DVX100p with Opteka deth. Other items in my bag include, tapes, cords, lens wipe, zinc, lip balm, wax, polarizer lens and billions of dollars. To check out my filming, hit up the Crispy vimeo, groundbreaking stuff.

What other blogs/websites do you hit on a regular basis?

Well on my Mac the top sites are Yahoo, Facebook, Crispy, Focal Point, Diversity, TCU, Tempered and Isohunt. Apart from that I check a shit tonne of others, TRT, Dougphoto, NYRM, Oneloveonelife, Anchorbmx and a thousand tumblrs for Crispy inspiration and links.

Sweet, cheers mike! Are there any people you would like to thank/shout outs?

For sure babe, Matty at Tempered, Mitch & Evan at LUX, Chris Harrison at Triple 6, all my Crispy homies, Biggie Sals, parents and most of all, my saviour, my love, your love, Jesus Christ.

I remember when i first started rideing about 4 years ago i met doug, he was the cool older rider who could fly-out superman. Always friendly and super chilled and could take a photo! Now a few years down the track he is still takeing photos Not just for myspace anymore. Doug has shot photos for FOCALPOINT and 2020 and has evan had a write up on defgrip!

I thort id have a few words with him and this is what has come out of it...

words: Rhys Newling

photos: Doug Taylor

Doug, I've known you for many years now. You have always been into

Photography, how did you get into it?

Rhys, you most probably have known me for years now! I got into it through just taking pictures of Wild Boars with my dads camera back in like year 12 I think, maybe a little before. I soon figured out boars were dangerous, so I just started hunting them and started taking photos of different things. Over that past year and a half I suppose I have been getting more into it, it’s been really fun, it’s an amazing interest.  

What has been you main influence with photography?

Obviously fishing, boar hunting, outdoor camping, Winchester bullets, Knives, Hunting dogs, Being out in the bush, Bundaberg rum, XXXX Gold, Sunday cricket, schoolyard politics, Richie Benaud and The Channel 9 Wide World of Sports Cricket commentating team, Metal Mulisha, Hot Fours Mag, Wheels Mag, The Summer Nats, Marv Walsh, Sam Hamilton, Static X, Banana Bread, Hommus, Disturbed, Euro Techno music, Industrial Metalcore music, Riverdance and the culture of Riverdance, Northern Territory National Park, Albury Commercial Club Pokies, Going to the Gym, eating way too much protein shakes, Tribal Tats, Picture Mag, FHM, Zoo….Obviously I could go on. Hardcore Dancing, Footy shorts, Showers With the Boys, Danoz Direct, Tinbum, Rhys, Windows Media Player, Ms Dos, Thumpsters, ARD, FRMX, Cubby houses, Comics, ROI bar, The Lighthouse, Attack Attack, Bendigo Banks CEO, AVOCADO!!!!!!!

Besides that, I really enjoy just searching through flickr, Magazines and random things I come across on the Internet. Not only that just random things in life that I find interesting most defiantly influence my view of photography, I would be lying if my main influence in photography was riding bikes. Riding is what really got me interested in photography, and I think if I didn’t ride I would most defiantly not be into photography, or have the interest in photography that I do now. Lately I have been really interested in lifestyle kind of shots as well. Friends that are also into photography such as my brother, coops, and many other people I seek advice from influence me as well. That was a long answer hey.

You just started shooting more film, do you like it more

Than digital?

Indeed, just brought a Bronica SQ-A! Medium format Camera’s just seemed to be so interesting, so as soon as centre link hooked me up with some cash I just had to buy one to get it out of my head and see what the fuss is about. I wouldn’t say I like it more than digital at this stage in time, digital is so convenient and it is great coming home from shooting photos to immediately go through and edit them. But I can say, the experience and process of using film is an amazing way to take photos coming from digital, it’s so different. It seems like it gives more emphasis and feelings towards my photos (for me at least), and I am learning so much about film and photography which I wouldn’t have if I stuck to digital. Its fun! I like both for different reasons

You moved to CBR a few years ago, how is uni going for you/what are

You studying?

Yes I did, I moved there last year to study Marketing Advertising at University of Canberra and I am in my 2^nd year. Uni is amazing, I don’t think I would rather be doing anything else at this point of time, it is just the perfect lifestyle haha, you got parties, you got lots of people, you can just chill, and of course learn some interesting things about your course. If you can, go to Uni, it is good!!!

Now besides the Rad Theory what are some of your fav websites that you

go on?

I don’t actually really like or go on the Rad Theory, but if you want to think that go ahead.

Well I suppose the regulars, Flickr, Facebook, Hotmail and all those personal websites, oh and twitter…it is a phenomenon! Defgrip is most defiantly my Favorite these days, I check stuff like FocalPoint and Ugzine websites, shops like Sanction and Backbone, also lots of Different blogs like Chris Coopers, FCAS along with the large amount of photography websites I stumble across in my travels. Go to these ones and click on the top banners, pretty decent sites.

http://www.fujitsugeneral.com.au/

http://www.boaritupya.com/

I was pumped on your latest run with rurel, how is that going for you?

Bonza! I don’t know hey haha, im really lazy with that! I don’t really push it much anymore, if you want a shirt buy one! This could possibly be one of the last batches ever! I have got a bunch of blanks at home that need to get printed, I don’t know if I can hack another batch with my current personal Economic crisis. Who knows what will happen, I don’t that’s for sure.

What's for dinner?

Last night I had rice, I was sick! Tonight? Who knows what will happen, I don’t that’s for sure. Maybe a big T-bone steak, or some battered carp with avocado paste.

What are your thoughts about stingray getting all this attention?

Recently? Are you jealous the Murray Cod hasn't had any full page?

Adverts?

Mate! Have you read the ACB newsletter this week? It was just announced that I am the skipper for the Ashes stingray is the 12^th man. Now if that aint getting attention then what is, I tell the team what to do, its all me, not him. If I want stingray out left gully I will put him there, he listens to me. To be honest I have never been interested in the limelight, I am more for helping the kids out with the sport, as you saw last year when I started up the family yacht club, bringing kids and parents together, offering yacht lessons, industry advice, sausage sizzles, free Winchester Bullets (for Carp hunting) and RM Williams Vouchers along with so many more benefits for the Australian yacht foundation. Stingray lives his dream through me anyway. Nah mate he’s aight.

Where can all the cool cats reading this find your stuff?

I suppose you could go onto

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougphotograph/

http://dougphotograph.blogspot.com/

I need to shoot more!

Cool, thanks for the good words, any shout outs?

Thanks a lot to you Rhys for the questions; I suppose cheers to all my friends/family. Have fun people

P.S. I would love you guys to check out these (peoples) websites, thanks to these people I usually seek advice from or simply talk shit to, I appreciate it.

http://www.rowtaylor.com/

http://crcooperphoto.blogspot.com/

http://oneloveonelife.net/

http://www.jamesdwade.com/

http://www.nickgascoine.com/

http://rainephoto.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41623303@N03/

http://rhysnewlingvideo.blogspot.com/

That will do…Im sure there is more, sorry if I have forgotten anyone.

Peace life!

So chris, ASL?

17 / male / werribbee

sorry man i was cookin dinner

Whats for tea?

some microwave meal,beef carrots, potatoes and gravy

sounds shit.

nuh its lovely

How are circa shoes treating you?

okay, im riding adidas at the moment tho.

fs board

your riding for circa and adidas?

nuh im on circa flow i think but i havent got any shoes yet so im just wearing adidas'.

what is your best trick?

well my best trick that everybody knows are front boards and half cab heels.

what is your favorite pokemon?

um thats a tough one...pikachu goes alright i guess.

if you had a pikachu would you evolve it into a raichu with the thunderstone?

nuh pikachu is more lifestyle hammers.

does pikachu have any qualities you'd look for in a babe?

i guess, pikachu is yellow and i like blondes. also im single and my msn is chriscraig1234@hotmail.com

half cab heel

who is your least favorite skater?

probably sakazi but sometimes he can be my fav sk8r too.

whats your thoughts on zered bassett?

hehe well he dont got shit on you tinbum thats for sure.

i dunno id think hes probably better at sucking dick and just generally being a faggot than i am.

true

who is your fav olsen twin?

i cant pick. id have sexual intercourse with both of them

seperatelly, or the same time?

at the same time

your place or theirs?

probably theirs because my place is shit.

what song are you listening to right now?

yeahyeahyeahs - soft shock

so u werent secretelly listening to venga boys and lied about it?

you got me, i love the venga boys <3

bs board slide

that should just about wrap it up. any shout outs?

the rad theory, tinbum, steve mcinnes, sakazi omar, dale mcdermot, dean brookes, alex gilbert and anthony davie and plunj.