Another year is in the bag so we took a minute to reflect on 15 of the most memorable videos of 2015. It’s amazing to watch the progression that continues to happen year after year and I couldn’t be more stoked to be a part of it. Take a look below and see for yourself.
1. JOHNATHAN BALL + BOMBTRACK (TO BE CONTINUED)
If you ride FGFS and never watched this video then you must have spent the last year living under a rock. It’s the only explanation. Johnathan Ball went all in on this one and came through w/ a shit ton of tricks that have never been done on a fixed gear before. Even the BMX community recognized his insanity by posting the last trick and full video on The Come Up. I can’t tip my hat and say enough positive things about this dude. He’s done a lot for the community over the years and continues to hold the torch/light the way for the next generation of riders. Head over to Suck My Cog to keep up with the day to day happenings in the FGFS scene.
2. WHO IS MIKE SCHMITT
Maybe I’m biased, or maybe it’s the fact that there are only four clips in this video that aren’t grinds, stalls or peg related tricks. Trust me I counted (4/32). We had a hell of a time filming for this video, searching for spots and cracking cans at every stop along the way. Mike Schmitt once shared with me a story that Torey Thornton told him long ago. I’m sure I’m going to butcher it so I won’t even try, but he basically encouraged people to come up with a unique name for their videos instead of the standard name/year/summeredit formula that is used far too often. Mike nailed it w/ the title & opening clip of this video, and for that I gave it the number two spot in this list.
3. JACKSON BRADSHAW – TECHNIQUE FLEEK
Jackson Bradshaw is a wizard with an endless amount of tricks up his sleeve. He’s by and far one of the most creative riders out there and is always pushing the envelope of what the definition of a “trick” really is. It’s for that reason that he rightfully secured the number 3 spot on our countdown. Shout out to the rest of the homies at F.O.A.D.
4. SPIKE PARTS | STEVEN JENSEN
The next name on our list needs no introduction, but incase you need to brush up on your history, Steven Jensen has been blowing the lid off the place since he released his first video in the Summer of 2009. Since then he’s dropped a multitude of jaw droppingly brilliant videos, most of which have Big L playing in the background.
5. MATT REYES – WELCOME TO BOMBTRACK
This is weird, so I’m going to hand the Mic off to Mike Schmitt. When Matt asked me to do the write-up for his 2015 Bombtrack video I immediately said yes because I had such a large roll in filming it. But now that that’s said I’m not sure what to else say. It’s not like we went out with the intention of planning shots or tricks for most of it. This video shows what riding for us was like on normal days doing what we love the most. Riding and filming; composing tricks and how they look through a viewfinder. Matt has an uncanny amount of bike control and really knows his shit when it comes to editing a video. Having said that, if you haven’t seen this I hope your hungry
– this proof is in the pudding.
6. CONGO | ONE HUNNA
If our list went to 100 Justin “Congo” Mitchell would be at the top of it. He came out of the woodwork with this video and it’s undoubtably one of my favorites from this year. Maybe that’s because they went all in on the theme and came out with something truly memorable, or maybe it’s because it’s a two parter with multiple bangers sprinkled throughout it. Whatever the reason Congo is a living legend in the scene and is someone you can always count on to deliver the goods. Hit that button.
7. TURF WELCOMES RAMON ANTONIO
I don’t even know where to begin with this one, so I’ll start with the end and work my way backwards. Ramon Antonio blew the lid off the spot when he pulled a double peg to hard 180 for the banger of his video. It was the first time I’ve ever seen someone do it in person and it was an honor to be a part of the filming process. I can’t say enough good things about this guy and can’t thank him enough for always getting me outta the house and onto my bike. That’s what homies are for.
8. 여수 END FGFS X BOREAS GEAR 여수 투여 영상
When it comes to production value, few do it better than the dudes at END FGFS. The opening shots in this video are a seemingly effortless example of that. If you’re not familiar, then go ahead and get acquainted by checking out some of the other videos they’ve released throughout 2015. Personally, I’m really amped to see what they come out with in the coming year.
9. CHASE DAVIS – 2015 JAMS
I love indulging people who have something to say about how your’e riding. This video opens up with the famous “I’m going to call the cops” line we all know and love, but it appears the lady has to go home before she can do so. Some people have good times, while others try and squash em. Aside from the usual civil unrest, Chase Davis delivers with his famous bar spins and snappy half cabs that we’ve all grown to love him for. I personally really enjoyed seeing all the winter clips of him riding in the snow, now that’s what I call dedication.
10. FGFS THAILAND – BOMBAY CHAKRIST, KY ISSAWAT
These two make one hell of a duo and came out with a real feel good video even after dealing with some copy right issues from the original song selection. Bombay Chakrist is one of the best photographers I know and does an amazing job showing FGFS community in Thailand. Ky Issawat has some of the most ridiculous balance and bike control in the game. His hang five combos are off the charts, his bar spin variations are limitless, and just the shear fact that he can do tail whips is what sets him apart from a lot of other riders. Check out one of the other split videos they’ve made in the past.
11. FGFS – SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 2015
Nothing says football like a bunch of dudes drinking beer while shouting catch phrases like: “first down”, “go team”, “he put the team on his back tho” and my personal favorite, “there’s shit everywhere”. Loitering around the city while dodging piles of human shit is all part of the beauty of riding street in San Francisco. It’s a constant reminder that keeps us all on our toes but if I’m being honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. Somehow out of all the videos we worked on and released this year this kicked back day video is my favorite.
11. WESTFIXED – PEDRO OLIVEIRA
For the most part people run 26″ wheels on their FGFS builds, but Pedro Oliveira is one of the few riders pioneering new frontiers by making the switch to 24’s. He just got picked up by Nemesis Project and is now riding a frame designed around the 24″ wheel base. The best part about this video is the shit load of the switch and regular tricks he has tucked up his sleeve. Keep an eye on Pedro for more content coming out of Portugal.
13. TADASHI NAKAMURA SUMMER EDIT 2015
I was so pumped when I saw that Tadashi Nakamura dropped this video. We had the distinct pleasure of hosting him earlier in the year, and managed to release a video of him shredding around San Francisco in January. By the looks of it, he came back from his trip fully motivated and definitely one-upped himself with this video. Check it out.
14. NATHAN SANI WELCOME TO NATHAN SANI
The names says it all. Both on and off the bike, Nathan Sani has always been one of the most creative riders in the scene. He’s one of the few dudes that goes the extra mile in the editing booth and creates all sorts of trippy visuals with hidden easter eggs throughout his videos. This one is definitely worth a couple plays, and I’m pretty sure I watched it close to 6 times while writing this.
15. MARCO ‘15 SCRAPS
Last, but most certainly not least we have one of the leading authorities and kingpins of the FGFS scene in Japan, Marco. Marco once helped us fund a trip to ride with him in Tokyo and for that I am forever grateful. He’s easily one of the most humble dudes on the planet and is always doing what he can to help grow the community. His aggressive bike control and power through determination is an absolute riot to watch.
