Supreme's "Cherry" - A REVIEW

Supreme is a brand which provokes strong reactions. Some people believe creator Bill Strobeck's company is one capable of liberating men's style from the flanneled, bearded "urban lumberjack" drudgery of the early 2010s. However, the brand has also begun to face accusations of selling out, particularly after gaining patronage from celebrities such as Rihanna, Odd Future and, more worryingly, Justin Bieber. Indeed, it often seems that Supreme's nine worldwide outlets now resemble little more than consumer battlegrounds between wealthy tourists and thirsty hypebeasts.

Shoppers queue for Supreme's London branch

"cherry", Supreme's first full-length skate video in its 20-year history, then, can be seen as an attempt to return to the company's roots. Supreme opened as a skate shop in Manhattan, New York City in 1994, and as Strobeck himself recently pointed out, "Supreme is still a store where people go to set up a board or get a bearing". The line-up of skateboarders featured in "cherry", however, is far more formidable than the usual shop squad, with the likes of Eric Koston, Alex Olson and Guy Mariano appearing alongside a new wave of insanely talented New York youngsters.

These young ams, namely Nakel Smith, Tyshawn Jones and Aidan Mackey, provide the video's most surprising section, in what must be the first ever Chief Keef-soundtracked part in a major skate film. The famous New York courthouse drop-off gap is handled in daring new ways, along with the usual array of handrails and ledges. Kevin Bradley, too, develops from the irritating Odd Future swag kid seen in Cliche's Bon Voyage into a sort of mini-Ishod Wair, all huge kickflips and kamikaze front crooks.

On sale now. YouTube availability to be confirmed.

While the almost daily technical progression of modern skateboarding means that these stunts may be bettered within a few months, Strobeck's artistic touch sees "cherry" distinguish itself the from the deluge of HD-filmed web footage through unique presentation. New York's hectic atmosphere seems to permeate throughout the film, with montages and shared sections usually preferred to strictly defined "parts" for named skaters. A wealth of lifestyle footage, ranging from interviews with models to practical jokes on crack smokers, is interspersed with the skateboarding too, often via surreal split screens. The soundtrack is similarly schizophrenic, lurching from The Cure and Raekwon to pan pipe solos.

The picture is largely shot in black and white, which recalls East Coast classics such as Dan Wolfe's Eastern Exposure 3. The video's most effective throwback, however, is the presence of Jason Dill and Anthony Van Engelen. Dill is Supreme's talisman, whether standing on street corners deriding "white people with dreadlocks", posing for fashion shoots with Chloe Sevigny, or spinning through another mind-bending manual combination. There's around three minutes of Dill footage here, and it is as captivating as ever. Van Engelen, meanwhile, remains about power and precision, with that all-time great switch 360 flip still going strong.

Dylan Reider and Bill Strobeck (photo by Jonathan Mehring)

AVE is a clear influence on his former Alien Workshop teammate Dylan Reider, who skates to INXS's 'Never Tear Us Apart' with fellow #teamgoodlooking co-captain Alex Olson. This section is low-impact skateboarding at its finest, as Olson and Reider attack New York spots with speed, style and no small amount of creativity. Forget about stair counts and appreciate the quickfire wallies and smooth smith grinds. Olson hastens his march into skateboarding folklore by fighting a man over a rail and earning membership of Snoop Dogg and A$AP Rocky's exclusive Men Who Can Pull Off Pigtails Club.

It is this mix of skateboarding excellence and aesthetic bravery with makes "cherry" so captivating. While the video has made me no more likely to spend £40 on a five-panel cap than before, Supreme's first full-length skate film is much more than an advertising ploy. It is a wonderfully disorientating celebration of urban youth, which needn't die out when you pass the age of 22. It is a vindication of style and expressionism which laughs in the face of staid conformity. Bill Strobeck might prefer it if you go shopping at Supreme after watching the video, but "cherry" has convinced me that that's not all his company cares about.

FIVE STARS              

More than Peerless Pirlo for England to Fear

With less than ninety days remaining until England begin their World Cup campaign against Italy in Manaus, Roy Hodgson is likely to have been encouraged by the performances of Liverpool's six English players on Sunday afternoon, as they dismantled Manchester United at Old Trafford. England captain Steven Gerrard converted two penalties, and youngsters such as Jon Flanagan and Raheem Sterling turned in assured performances in English football's bitterest derby.

Optimistic: Roy Hodgson 

However, Hodgson's optimism may have been dampened later that evening if the former Inter Milan manager took the time to look over results in Italy's Serie A. Along with Parma claiming an Antonio Cassano-inspired win over AC Milan, the most notable result came at Genoa's Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where Andrea Pirlo's 89th minute free-kick secured a 1-0 victory for Juventus over I Rossoblu. The win saw Juve go 14 points clear at the top of the table, and extend an unbeaten run which stretches back to October.

Pirlo, who so tormented England in their exit from Euro 2012, has been instrumental in Juventus' formidable domestic form. The 34-year-old playmaker has defied his advancing years to feature in 21 league games already this season, supplying four goals and four assists as Juve chase a third consecutive Scudetto. Pirlo remains equally important for Cesare Prandelli's national team, featuring in each of Italy's last three friendlies, and was shortlisted for the Golden Ball in last summer's Confederations Cup.

Pirlo may return to haunt England in Brazil

Hodgson will be particularly wary of Pirlo's ability to dictate the pace of play when England face the Azzurri in the sapping heat and humidity of Manaus, where June temperatures hover around 30 Celsius. Even in milder temperatures, Pirlo's sharp movement and deft first touch make him hard to close down, as James Milner and Scott Parker learned in 2012. What little pace Pirlo possessed in his youth has gone, but the veteran midfielder's game has never relied on athleticism, and his eye for a pass remains as keen as ever. The former AC Milan star remains a menace from dead ball situations, too, with all of his goals this season coming from direct free-kicks.

Five days after their opening clash with Italy, England's second game in Group D will see them take on Uruguay in Sao Paulo. While Luis Suarez's goalscoring exploits are well known to fans of the Premier League, his strike partner Edinson Cavani is also a serious threat to England's backline. Cavani, who has already plundered 21 goals in 33 games for Paris St Germain this season, is a tireless runner who will be content to play second fiddle to Suarez. Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez called Cavani "the perfect son-in-law", and the forward's honest work rate makes him a perfect foil for the more flamboyant talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Suarez at club and international level respectively.

Uruguay's Diego Godin has excelled for Atletico Madrid

Uruguay's defence, meanwhile, will be marshalled by 28-year-old centre back Diego Godin, who is enjoying an excellent season at Atletico Madrid. As well as a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, Atletico have the meanest defence in La Liga, and Godin has the pace necessary to cover for aging Uruguay captain Diego Lugano, who has been in indifferent form since joining West Bromwich Albion last summer.

Costa Rica, who England face on 24 June, appear the least threatening team in Group D, but England should guard against any complacency in their final group game. Joel Campbell, the striker on loan from Arsenal to Olympiakos, scored against Manchester United in the Champions League, and has the pace and flair to cause problems for England's defence. Bryan Ruiz, the mercurial Fulham forward currently on loan to PSV Eindhoven, is also finding form back in the Eredivisie, with three goals in his first eight games.

Keylor Navas makes another save

As anyone who witnessed England's demoralising 0-0 draw with Algeria in the 2010 World Cup will attest, even draws against lowly opposition can feel like a defeat, and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas could be the man to ensure a stalemate. Nobody has made more saves in La Liga this season than Navas, who plies his trade at Levante and has been linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool. He was particularly impressive against Barcelona in January, as Levante held the reigning Spanish champions to a 1-1 draw.

Considering the talents of these individuals, then, it may be best for Roy Hodgson and his squad to temper their optimism ahead of the World Cup. While Liverpool's youngsters, along with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke Shaw may inspire whispers of a golden generation, England supporters should realise that qualification from Group D will be an impressive feat in itself.                

Eagulls - EAGULLS (album review)

Leeds post-punk fivesome Eagulls proved in January 2013 that they aren't here for a good time, when they published their now-infamous open letter decrying the raft of "beach bands" who were "rubbing the press' clits" that winter. Their debut album, released last week on the aptly-named Partisan Records, will determine whether they'll be here for a long time.

Thankfully for frontman George Mitchell and his cohorts, their self-titled debut packs enough memorable hooks and choruses in to ten tracks to sustain interest in the band's bleak subject matter. Songs about heroin ('Amber Veins') and thalidomide poisoning ('Tough Luck') match their lyrical content with hypodermic-sharp riffs and a furious rhythm section. Opening track and lead single 'Nerve Endings', meanwhile, builds an acute sense of dread as Mitchell recounts a panic attack over effects-laden guitars. Eagulls covered Killing Joke's 'Requiem' as a B-side to 'Nerve Endings' and their influence can be heard throughout the album, as Eagulls construct a visceral, gritty sound befitting their post-industrial hometown. 

The album's artwork features a burnt out car on a council estate, and the songs within evoke the frustrations of 20-somethings toiling far from Britain's metropolitan "recovery", particularly on the embittered 'Soulless Youth'. It's the sound of a betting slip in your right hand and a Sam Smith's ale in the left, as opposed to an iPhone and a Starbucks latte. Mitchell himself has admitted in previous interviews that he sings as "an outlet... a primal scream", and this is most apparent on the outstanding 'Possessed', as he bellows "I don't want to know you / Because I'm something else".

For all the band's impressive energy and technical ability, however, there are occasional moments when Eagulls' eponymous effort can feel like a chore. 'Fester / Blister', in particular, is a charmless track which falls short in aiming for the chaos of American hardcore bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, instead sounding more akin to a punch-up at a youth club. Indeed, while the high proportion of new tracks on the album can be commended, surely fantastic early singles such as 'Council Flat Blues' are worthy of inclusion.

Despite these flaws, Eagulls have backed up their abrasive image with an accomplished debut record, which hints at much more to follow. Mitchell may sing of gloom and despair, but the dynamism of his band ensures that their debut album is oddly euphoric. Self-degradation has rarely sounded so fun.

FOUR STARS                

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