Whenever we hear that a former pro surfer has a “new album” coming out we automatically begin cringing. With the exception of Donovan Frankenreiter (and we admit to cringing a little at the start) the road most surfing troubadours walk is not paved with critical acclaim or booming success.

Into this milieu drops three-time world surfing champion Tom Curren (right). His debut EP Summerland Road goes on sale October 16, 2012.

Still one of the most well known, beloved and legendary of professional surfers, Curren has a mystique that was enhanced by his musical aspirations and abilities. During his years on competitive surf circuit, Curren always found opportunities to create and perform music, developing bands with names such as Skipping Urchins and Plankten. His sound reveals musical influences ranging from jazz to African music to acoustic guitar melodies, reflections of a world-traveling competitor. His diverse repertoire made such an impression on Jackson Browne that he asked Curren to join his touring band last year.

If the bluesy smooth title track is any indication, the Summerland Road EP is set to push him right in there on the successful side (a positive mention in Vanity Fair can’t hurt). For the official word follow the jump. Continue reading ‘Tom Curren Actually Sings Well’

Jereme Rogers is still rocking his rapping alter ego J. Casanova and this is the video for his song Damn. Not bad, J. Not bad at all.

[Link via Digital Skateboarding]

San Diego, California rockers Rocket From The Crypt reunited for an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba performing “He’s A Chef” to promote the TV show’s new product collab with Volcom, according to a story on The Punk Site.

“He’s A Chef” will be available on a limited edition 7″ as part of an apparel and accessories collaboration between Volcom Clothing and Yo Gabba Gabba. The 7″ that also features a collaboration between hip-hop/bizarro artist Biz Markie and Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. It is being given away to 100 lucky winners here and will be available on September 21st at select Volcom retailers as a free gift when you purchase any of the collaborative products.

How punk rawk is that?

[Link: Volcom via The Punk Site]

Not only can he skate, Leo Romero also blows harp and plays guitar at the same time. And does it well. Here Leo plays live with Chris Segura at a San Deigo benefit for Milk & Honey – Hope For India.

Here’s a little sip of Absinthe’s 2012 offering Resonance. The film (which premieres in Zurich with a Santigold concert on August 27, 2012) ) features: Nicolas Müller, Scotty Lago, Brandon Cocard, Danny Kass, Cale Zima, Gigi Rüf, Mat Schaer, Manuel Diaz, Eric Jackson, Blair Habenicht, Sylvain Bourbousson, Patrick Burgener, Wolfgang Nyvelt, Lucas Debari, and Bode Merrill. How’s that for some heavy hitters? Get it on iTunes on September 25.

[Link: Absinthe Films]

According to a story on Eonline.com, the Beastie Boys have filed a lawsuit against Monster Energy Drink “claiming the [company] tried to create “an association” with the Beastie Boys by using several of their hit tunes in a promotional campaign without properly licensing them.”

First up, the plaintiffs don’t want to see Monster Energy’s promotional video for its 2012 Ruckus in the Rockies event, which the suit claims was posted to the drink’s website in May, in its current incarnation ever again. . . According to the complaint, the video is “comprised substantially of excerpts from the Beastie Boys Sound Recordings and the Beastie Boys Musical Compositions totaling more than three minutes in duration.”

Looks like the group is sticking to the letter of Adam Yauch’s will in which he stated that “in no event may my image or name or any music or any artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes.”

All this and being investigated by one state’s attorney general? It would appear that Monster is beginning to reap what it has sown.

[Link: EOnline, Boston.com and Forbes]

The story of Sal Masekela’s relationship with his musician father Hugh could be hitting the big screen in a feature film from Olympic Pictures and Paul Haggis, according to a story on Deadline.com.

South African filmmaker Mukunda Michael Dewil has been hired to write and direct the film. The project follows a son emerging out of the shadow of his successful but troubled father set against a backdrop of music, surfing, and South Africa’s racism. The untitled Masekela project will be produced by Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech of Olympus Pictures, Haggis and Michael Nozik of Hwy 61 Films, and Selema Masekela.

We’re looking forward to this one if only to see the Hollywood version of Sal’s autobiography.

[Link: Deadline]

Songstress (and former Transworld Media intern) Tristan Prettyman has come a long way since IMing MP3′s of her home-recorded tracks around to friends and family. Now, the Wall Street Journal takes us all on a tour of the place where she wrote most of the songs from her upcoming album Cedar and Gold (which drops September 25, 2012).

After . . . Tristan Prettyman’s engagement to pop star Jason Mraz ended in 2010, she retreated to the cedar bungalow where she’d lived as a child. Her father, a former carpenter, had renovated the house months earlier, hoping it would be a place for the couple to live in after they married.

Sounds like Tristan has all she needs: a great place to live and the continually broken heart that inspires her best work.

[Link: Wall Street Journal]

Will Smith’s latest money making scheme (his son Jaden) puts down a small bit of skateboarding skills in his newest video Pumped up Kicks (Like Me). filmed entirely at The Skatelab in Simi Valley, California. And yes, that was Chris Cole and Theotis Beasley all over the place. Nothing like keeping the family business rolling.

Thanks to some nice work by 2012 US Open of Surfing security and the kind, loving people of Southern California, this little scuffle at the TV On The Radio show on August 3, 2012 didn’t get out of hand, exactly.