Words by Andrew Vargason
Photography by Matt Vargason, Tom Beckman, Abdel Carlo, and Bryan Reynolds.
The GrindWorks BMX Jams, both the Pittsburgh Street Jam and the Binghamton Jam, are in their third year running as sister-jams. Both take place at the same time of year, typically only weeks apart, and share organizers, sponsors, and prizes. Being 300 miles apart, it’s also interesting that they share a lot of the same riders.
Read More “Photo Gallery: 2018 GrindWorks BMX Jams”
Tom Nguyen’s new video “Sorry For Partying!” premiered in Philadelphia on Friday, June 23rd. After the release of the videos trailer online we expressed our interest in the video and a private link of the final cut was made available to us for review twenty four hours prior to the videos premiere.
“Sorry For Partying!” was filmed by Tom Nguyen using a VX2000 / VX2100 over the past two years and features a cast of fifty five BMX riders from all over the East Coast and beyond. The run time is on par with most full length BMX videos with a duration of just under twenty two minutes.
The videos party theme provides a great vibe and the intro sets the pace for the following sections. “SFP” does a great job in wasting no time building it’s momentum. The intro is a blend of random party footage, slams and teases of some of what is in store throughout the video. From start to finish the video is consistent in the level of riding being presented and the flow of each of it’s sections. The video is composed of four well structured mix sections, and a full length closing section from Andrew White.
Adem Gunaydin – 60/40 Grind
Photo: Chris Girouard
“Sorry For Partying!” is packed with diverse street riding and a wide array of styles due to the large cache of riders it showcases throughout each of the videos four mix sections. It would be impossible to talk about this video and not acknowledge the work that Adem Gunaydin put in for his footage. I went in watching this video anxious to see Adem’s footage and he really delivered. Adem closes out the second section of the video with one of the most creative and impressive rooftop moves I have seen.
The fourth mix section of the video is a Philly mix which features riding from the Chocolate Truck crew and friends. Although a lot of the Chocolate Truck crews footage has been seen through Instagram clips filmed on cell phones, it was refreshing to see those clips in DV format and edited together.
Some other highlights throughout the video include Fateem Williams who shuts down the third mix section, the LFS guys, Brett Tocco who provides some of the videos most creative riding, Brandon Bunting who drops a big three down a stair set in the first mix section, Breyon Woods for closing out the fourth mix along with the Chocolate Truck crew, Dave Raffa, Pat Schlitzer, Baboon, Court Freeman, Colin Varanyak, Chase Dehart, Jersey Joe, and too many others.
You can check out more photos from the “Sorry For Partying!” world premiere right here.
The final section of the video belongs to Andrew White who closes out “SFP” with it’s only non mix section. Andrews section is made up of a lot of technical street moves, bangers and his own unique style of riding. Having the closing and only non mix section is pretty heavy but Andrew manages to come through with some of the videos best riding. The final trick of the video is on a setup that literally has everything wrong with it and watching Andrew roll away is near perfect. Cue the credits.
Tom Nguyen did a great job all around with this project between the filming, editing, promotion, Everything was on point. I’ll be very interested to see more works from Tom in the future. Easily one of my favorite aspects of this video is how many riders it’s drawn my attention to that I was previously unaware of. “Sorry For Partying!” is a must see / own video for any East Coast BMX enthusiast. Copies of the DVDs will be available for purchase in the coming weeks. Special thanks to Tom for setting up a private viewing of the video.
In order of appearance:
Mix Section One:
Mike Ware • Sean Guest • Brandon Bunting • Matt Mazzone • Josh Vodopija • Jared Manganelli • Luke Gajtkowski
Mix Section Two:
Chris Girouard • Adem Gunaydin • Pat Cregan • Chris Schaeffer • Jake Grelli • Drew Quinlan • Chase Dehart • JD Whitehead • Matt Krumins • Court Freeman
Mix Section Three:
Old Man Dirt • Victor Behm • Menardo Simon • Eric Tkacz • Jersey Joe • Nick Maltese • Pat Schlitzer • Mike Verdecchio • Kenny Shoulders • Andrew Lettieri • Eeshond Kirk • Tenzin • Baboon • Chris Aceto • Arty Barrera • Steve Jones • Mikey Almodovar • Dave Raffa • Brett Tocco • Tenna • Colin Varanyak • Marnold • Eddie Muscle • Fateem Williams
Mix Section Four (Philly):
Joe Niranonta • John Yoh • Steve Tassone • Joby Suender • Mike Swift • Kevin Vannauker • Breyon Woods • Nick Barrett • Cody Neiswender • Chris Carter • Ryan Niranonta • Herman McCracken • Twinn
Andrew White Closing Section
The world premiere for Tom Nguyen’s new video “Sorry For Partying!” will be taking place this Friday, June 23rd in Philadelphia. The premiere will be hosted at PhilaMOCA located at 531 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA between 8-11pm. There is no entry fee for the event which will also feature art galleries by Freako Rico, D’ana/Itscovl and music by Astro 8000.
“Sorry For Partying!” was filmed by Tom Nguyen over the last two years and features riding from Adem Gunaydin, Andrew Lettieri, Andrew White, Arty Barrera, Baboon, Brandon Bunting, Brett Tocco, Breyon Woods, Chase Dehart,Chris Aceto, Chris Carter, Chris Schaeffer, Chris Griouard, Colin Varanyak, Court Freeman, Dave Raffa, Drew Quinlan, Eddie Muscle, Eeshond Kirk, Eric Tkacz, Fateem Williams, Jake Grelli, Jared Manganelli, JD Whitehead, Joby Suender, Joe Camp, Joe Niranonta, John Yoh, Josh Vodopija, Kevin Vannauker, Luke Gajtkowski, Marnold, Matt Mazzone, Mcthuggin, Menardo Simon, Mikey Almodovar, Mike Swift, Mike Ware, Mike Verdecchio, Nick Barrett, Nick Maltese, Old Man Dirt, Pat Cregan, Pat Schlitzer, Ryan Niranonta, Sean Guest, Steve Jones, Steve Tassone, Tenna, Tenzin Nyandak, and Vick Behm.
You can check out the trailer for “Sorry For Partying!” after the jump.
Read More ““Sorry For Partying!” Premiere”DIG has been uploading sections from Dave Raffa’s scene video “Roc Bottom”. Matt Smith of The Yea spent a brief time living in Rochester and filmed half a section for the video. This week DIG uploaded the section so make sure you check it out. You can also read some words written by Dave Raffa about the section and Matt over on DIG.Don’t forget to keep it locked to DIG or subscribe to their YouTube channel to catch the rest of the video.
