Review: Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Little, @kevinmlittle | Photography: Erick Garcia, @esgvisuals, @juicedsuckafoos
Michael Braud has just dropped his newest VOD titled “Kooks”, which was filmed primarily in the beautiful Bay area of Northern California, home to the infamous Juiced Sucka Foos familia, one of blading’s longest-running and most respected crews. “Kooks” is unique in that the majority of the video seems to blend together in one seamless montage that gets you hooked from the first minute and doesn’t let its foot off the gas the entire course of the ride. The video starts off with an all-star lineup of some of Cali’s best bladers that really gets the juices flowing and sets the stage for an epic presentation.
Vince Camarillo in particular is a hammer dropping mo-fo that brings that raw 90s style that shows him stomping stunt after stunt with relative ease. Although Vince is technically an OG based on his many years of skating, it’s safe to say that he has been slept on for some time, but he certainly is on my short list for break-out skater of the year after his recent jaw-dropping skating in “Kooks” and his phenomenal profile that was released by Mike Jimenez earlier this month. (Peep that here)
The video then turns to a mini-profile on Vash, who busts some wild negative grinds, sketchy rail transfers, and some unreal darkside maneuvers that don’t seem humanly possible. Then Kooks pivots to an epic Cameron Talbott highlight, which further extends Cam’s hot streak that he has had since he came back from injury earlier in the year. Cameron’s ability to actualize his mind’s unorthodox trick concepts into seamless lines shows that he has a level of control which was forged from decades of hard work and dedication. Cameron’s visionary eye for spot and trick selection has made him one of inline skating’s most compelling individuals and his clips in Kooks are some of the video’s most rewind-worthy captures. The video has numerous note-worthy appearances such as JSF legends Jayson Reduta, Gene Steagall and Korey Waikiki, plus Alex Sams, Ian Copp, Derek Henderson, Vlad Kocherga, and Dustin Dieter, among many other.
Then and transitions into some clips from “Kooks” creator, Michael Braud AKA Gumby. Now, Gumby is a genius, literally. His level of knowledge is pretty damn extensive. But he is also an absolute comedian and a total nutcase in his own right. You pretty much have to be considering the obstacles that Gumby throws himself at on a regular basis. From multiple story drop-off ledges, menacing spots with little to no run up or landing, stair rails with protruding spikes ready to impel you, no restriction seems to deter Mikey from dropping a hammer when he sets his mind to it. As you will see with his perilous battle with the San Jose Sharks down ledge in “Kooks”, he truly doesn’t give a f**k about self-preservation and that’s one of the many reasons why we love him!
To top it all off, the video concludes with highlights on John Vossoughi and Danny Malm. The pair both are extremely inventive thrill-seekers who pride themselves on skating the most challenging skate spots imaginable. Their creative styles definitely mesh well and the intense build up and climax with Danny’s clips were a perfect way to draw a close to one of the year’s most enjoyable videos. Long story short, “Kooks” is incredibly entertaining through the entirety of the video, so much that I literally watched it twice in a row because I didn’t quite get my fill the first time around. All-in-all, I think I watched it four times in the first day I bought it. It is THAT good! For the cost of a cheap fast-food burrito you can own a copy of “Kooks”, so do yourself a favor and pick up “Kooks” now, as you certainly will not regret it! Throw in a little extra to help Gumby buy some Ibuprofen and a pint for his pains too.
PURCHASE THE KOOKS VOD HERE
VISIT ERICK GARCIA’S SITE HERE
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