Jul 6th, 2008
Three Years Of Defgrip!
It’s hard to believe, but three years ago yesterday, I made the first post on Defgrip! We have had an amazing time running this site, we’ve meet some incredible people, and we can’t wait to keep going! It’s crazy to think about where I was three years ago and how many people I’ve become really good friends with just because of this site. It’s also crazy how easy it is to forget about all the content we’ve produced for the site and how much of it has just got lost in the archives. I’ve been having a blast going back and checking out some of the old stuff and it’s definitely got me inspired to do work on new projects! I compiled a list of some of my favorite features we’ve had on the site over the past few years and I’d be psyched if you guys want to share your favorites in the comments. I’m also going to work on some “best of” lists for the regular posts… If I haven’t said it enough already, I’ve had an amazing time running the site and I really want to give a huge thanks to everyone for all their support, especially everyone who has contributed and most of all, to the guys who help post on a regular basis… Nuno, Mike, Rich, Chad, James, Andrew, Josh, you’re the best and the site wouldn’t be what it is with out you.
Check out some of my favorite features after the jump -
Ricky Adam Autophoto - It’s always rad to get to see what a BMX photographer is up to when they are not shooting BMX and Ricky’s Autophoto was a perfect example of this. Ricky is by far one of the best BMX photographers and it was an honor to do an Autophoto with him.
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Walter Pieringer Autophoto - I seriously never knew Walter shot photos until the Ride UK photo issue came out last year with his photo on the cover. I’m not sure if Walter got really good, really fast, or I just never payed attention, but his photos are amazing and I really love how much he shoots film. Walters Autophoto was definitely one of the best ever and it got me really inspired to shoot more medium format.
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Jeff Staple Interview - This was our first non-BMX interview and going back to it really makes me want to star getting a wider range of content on the site. Nuno put this whole thing together and it was really great that Jeff Staple agreed to spend some of his time to answer questions for a small BMX site. He even had some amazing things to say about the interview on his blog!
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Brian Foster Interview - Brian Foster? How could I not be psyched. As a kid, Brian Foster was by far my favorite rider and he still is today. One of the nicest and most fun guys to hang out with and thanks to Nuno, we were able to put together this interview for the site.
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Give D San Francisco photos and video - The Give D guys know how to have fun and this feature was a great example. I really enjoy putting together the video/photo features because I feel it gives you move of a in depth view on what goes down and it’s also fun to see photos, then a few minutes later be able to see a clip of the actual trick going down.
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Chris Harrison Interview - The thing I was most psyched about this interview was how psyched everyone who read it was… Chris is a rad guy that has a pretty cool story that I thought could inspire kids and after seeing all the comments, I’m pretty sure we accomplished our goals!
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Jake Seeley Defgrip Edit - Jake hadn’t had too much exposure before this. He had some clips floating around and his name was definitely out there, but I was super psyched to be able to post this full part. He had some amazing clips in there and I really like to think that having this part on the site has helped Jake out with his career, if even just a little bit… I was also super psyched on the Keith Romanowski photo and the whole layout… 3d colors are fun!
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Spot Check at the Igloo - As it sits right now, the Igloo is one of the most interesting riding spots I’ve been to. Every time I go there, there is more random crap pasted up on the walls or painted on the ramps. Denver Eastman shot the portraits of Chris Smith and his brother and they turned out great… Those guys definitely know how to have fun and I really think it came out in this feature. There were some comments from people hoping for some riding photos, but you get to see riding photos every day. This was my chance to show everything but the riding.
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Shad’s O.G. Rad Vans - I had heard stories of Shad’s Vans for years and when the re-issued Rad Vans were coming out, I knew we had to do something on his originals. The shoes are dope and the photo turned out great, leading to a fun design project that I’m still super psyched on… Simple and bold…
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Elevation 07 photogallery by David Lang - Elevation 07 was one of the first times I got to hang out with David Lang. He was there shooting photos for Red Bull and we were lucky enough to get a bunch of leftovers for the site. That first photo of everyone riding the sea wall is so amazing and this set has to be my favorite photogallery we’ve had on Defgrip. David has influenced my photography in so many different ways and it’s funny how many times I’m looking to take a photo, thinking “how would David shoot it”… Haha… Thanks for the inspiration David!
P.S. I don’t know if this post was too much for only three years… but fuck it. It never hurts to say thanks!
Congratulations guys, your website has been a daily check for me as well as a huge well of inspiration. Please keep up the good work.
the best website in bmx…my favorites about defgrip:
1. when everyone was posting a fairly even amount of content (ie early defgrip) it’d be so rad to see every guy involved posting stuff on a regular basis.
2. stew johnson interview…”if i see another manual to barspin on a foot tall ledge im gonna puke”
3. design dumps (bring them back)
4. having a link to an interview i did on the crossroads site
5. getting pyshced on making bmx look good.
Stew interview was soooo good.
Large ups. You guys have a good thing going here. I like the Morales & Zielinski interviews. Autophoto is cool. I haven’t really dug into the archives. That said, whenever I pull through there is consistently something I was glad to peep. Stay up, Defgrip.
Props! Defgrip is a daily check for me, I really enjoy coming back to check out all the new posts and almost always go back to the old ones.
Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work. Keep it up.
Congrats, dudes. Diggin’ the site, fo rilz.
Hell yeah! Real cool to look back on.. I hope I can say the same in 2 years and a few months haha
Defiantly one of my faviorte sites. I check it every day and it never disappoints. Always good content and it seems to stay above all the anonymous shit talikng and over-rated drama/rumors (cough cough thecomeup). Some of my faviorte things on this site are the web vids (all of ‘em), Autophotos, Interviews with industry dudes, and the non-BMX posts. Congrats guys! Keep up the good work!
First thing I do when I wake up…..
1. Here alarm clock.
2. Open eyes.
3. Roll out of bed.
4. Check time.
5. Walk to computer.
6. Check DEFGRIP !!!!!!!!
Seriously guys, you’re doing an awesome job, keep things so positive and keep all of us designer/filmers/photographers/artists/bikers fed with amazing media, art and news.
I can’t thank you enough for the Autophoto spot, lets keep it going for another 30 years !
Marko
Congratulations Harrison and the rest of the guys involved! Here’s to countless more years!
best site on the internet, hands down…
Good work guys, Old Lotek interview about 18 months ago got me psyched , keep it going.
definately been a great couple of years! even my non-bmx’ing girlfriend got stoked on the site. I get handed the best of the stuff I’m passionate about - bmx and photography, with a hint of interviews with interesting people, and much more!
back 2y ago when I found this site I instantly got stoked. I still am. Props from Sweden!
Congratulations, fellers. Keep up the good work.
I’ve been a fan of the site for a while. It just keeps getting better and better every time I visit! Keep of the good work dudes!
Happy Birthday bros!
the autophotos are some of the best around, gave me plenty of ideas to steal…haha
defgrip or die!
Congrats! It’s always good to see the positive things in BMX, such as Defgrip, stay strong. By the way, I’m out of Defgrip stickers. Ha-ha
I’ve been a fan of the site since 2006 and I’m still today. Keep doing it!!! Congrats!
keep keepin’ it real real
i remember the post where you fellas said you were going to put out a new shirt every couple months. so far 2 have come out, out of 5. Im anticipating the other 3.
Defgrip is TB.
Harold: what about the Lotek Defgrip shirt? That might be one of them but idk, good shirt either way, I got one.^^
Defgrip rules. First Site I check everyday and numerous times throughout the day for that matter. Keep it up dudes! Always stoked on The Grip!