Ed Tempelton Welcome To Hell cover.
The elusive Julien Stranger floating one.
All hail Cardiel.
The burly early Anti Hero Sean Young.
Cheers Tobin these came out sick.
Happy holidays from your friends at Sure.
We’re loaded with fun stuff and open late all weekend. Drop past!
Thu 10-9
Fri 10-9
Sat 10-9
Sun 10-7
Mon XMAS!!!
Decorations Andy Murphy
Photos Bryce Golder
Christmas carol The Descendents
That was the vibe in the air last weekend at the Vans Skatepark for the Bones Brigade Experience, at least for me, I was beyond thrilled. The Bones Brigade skateboard team defined skateboarding in the 80’s.
The videos, combined with Powell Peralta’s iconic graphics and advertising was the perfect multimedia manifesto to kids across the globe to repurpose their local town, big or small, into their own personal skateparks.
They taught you how to make the mundane suburban life we were presented with exciting. How to adapt, be creative and never forget about having fun. Abandoned buildings, urine stenched loading docks and any formation of concrete with a hint of a incline became a portal to the smoothed paved paradise’s of California and beyond.
Their individual personalities and styles, combined with genre defining graphics, seemingly superhuman skateboarding abilities turned a group of upstart skaters into icons that still shine and inspire today.
They say “don’t meet your heroes”, I think you should just pick them better. Thank you Stacy Peralta, George Powell, Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, Tony Hawk, Tommy Guerrero & (bonus) Christian Hosoi for the immeasurable joy and inspiration you continue to give.
Enjoy the full Q&A on our YouTube channel and hit the store for a full range of classic Powell Peralta gear. And never stop searching!
]]>If you’ve been drooling over the pics from the 3 Decades Of Girl Deckaid show, don’t fret. Sure has the worlds only* Eric Koston & Owen Wilson autographed Yeah Right photo right in our store!
* We assume no one else would be goofy enough to obtain this
(If you have no idea why this is of interest, swipe to the next photo)
Close to 2 decades back I was making my weekly pilgrimage to Jam Factory Boarders to consume imported magazines and coffee, when I happened upon a pretty lightly attended premiere event for a forgettable (well I literary can’t remember) Owen Wilson film.
Instantly it hit me. The just released Yeah Right DVD had a insert slip with a behind the scenes Koston and Owen Wilson shot from perhaps the greatest celebrity skate cameo of all time. Hansel dropping insider skate chatter whilst the pros visibly struggled to not break out in hysterics was just perfect. Kids the world over recited “Back salad, front salad” and whatever he said about Spanky, an instant classic.
I hit a very enthusiastic pace home and back to retrieve said photo and found a spot at the red carpet whilst FM radio hosts readied themselves with beaming anticipation.
“Ohhhh wooooowwww, I’ve never seen this!” Owen exclaims. “Did you like it?”
He was shocked and delighted to hear that I’d overheard several skate shop debates if it was actually him, “well he didn’t become a pro skater because of acting, that’s why he’s friends with them”.
“That’s so cooool. It was fun to do”.
Not long after, Eric Koston was back in town so I could “collect them all”. I do recall Eric being pretty amused and seemed very interested about what Owen had to say about his warm recollections of the day.
And now it sits happily in our store.
“Is that actually Owen Wilson’s autograph?”
“Yeah right!”
(This is a really good watch if you're into this sort of thing)
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Not only would you long to skate around the world along with the godlike pros, but it gave you a key to view the seemingly mundane world around you with a exciting new lens. What the areas the rest of a small town viewed as eyesore, disused and discarded, could be repurposed into a wonderland. Inevitably, they would pave paradise and we would pray they’ed put up a parking lot. That could provide some fun too. Put something in our way, we’ed learn to jump it like, these pages empowered us find a way to adapt, become ill fitting panted cockroaches.
It’s gratifying that our wall, a tribute to everything that was contained on those pages is featured in Closer, a skateboard magazine. Each issue celebrates the rich past and present of that same culture, whilst fittingly helping keep the flickering flame of printed skateboarding burning.
As trivial as it might sound, seeing it printed on the same pages that feature the iconic images of Rick Howard, Kareem, Eric Dressen & Gino that I stared at decades ago is quite the cool little thing.
As pointed out in the mag, I estimate the wall has about 4000 stickers which took probably around 500 hours to edit and place over a span of 10 quite intensive months. A grueling marathon at times, but also a jumbled journey through the history of the coolest stuff of all time. So much art, humour and creativity. Very inspiring.
The entire experience has been so fun. I can’t tell you the relief I felt when it actually worked. I’m not ashamed to admit my eyes definitely swelled up as the wallpaper was applied… I’d never have to explain what it “was going to look like” to a puzzled glaze ever again!
The countless stories and memories that each of these promotional adhesives conjure are just priceless. I’ll tell you some of them on here soon!
Thanks Jamie & Closer this was tight.
(Collectors we have all restocked all 5 issues, in now!)
Pro models incoming.
One of the best things about stand up, similarly to skateboarding, you get brought together with a lot of vastly different people that share a common unifying interest. I met Ronny at one of his very first few gigs, when he was "the real life" Ronny Chieng International Student. Even from the start he had "something" that made him shine out. His delivery and cadence was so good. It was like he was cheating. Plus the fascinating angle he viewed the world was just so entertaining.
Best of all, he was very polite.
He quickly eclipsed everyone on the very competitive Melbourne open mic scene and it was pretty clear he was going "to make it". But to see what he has achieved with that "something", to become one of the very best in the world, it's been awe inspiring to watch.
Best of all, he's still very polite!
(except on social media)
We shared countless gigs in the grimiest of Melbourne pubs and giggled like idiots making podcasts in my apartment. They were some pretty fun times in my memory with a lot of excitement and energy.
However our friend Jonathon Schuster reminded me the other day, after an "all time" gig whilst all the other comics patted each other on the back for the great night, reassuring each other we were "killing it". Ronny gazed over the venue, which admittedly was not shy of cockroaches and lamented "If I'm here doing this in a year, kill me". I'm laughing again just typing it. This dude.
However, in looking for old photos, I found this clip... it all made sense.
We were mucking about in the playground while Ronny was eying the Olympics.
In retrospect, it shouldn't be a surprise he returned to Melbourne and performing here. But either way, it's pretty sick.
Ronny has always loved the various Sure t-shirts of Melbourne landmarks that Callum Preston has done for us over the years. After some heated WhatsApp sessions we nailed down what Ronny would like.
(Unfun fact : Ronny HATES grey t-shirts).
A few emails later, Callum comes through in record time with this beautiful rendition of the arena.
"It's what I was envisioning, but better" - Ronny
"Exceeded Ronny Chieng's expectations" should be Callum's entire bio. It's all you need to know.
Fixed it.
It's a bit of a badge of honour for a Melbourne Comedian to have their show advertised on a tram... having extra trams to get to your show is hilarious.
(I'm almost certain no Spencer St tram, as pictured above, goes anywhere near Ronny's gig though)
My main concern for the project was just making sure Ronny thought the t-shirt was cool. So he would be proud of it. An added bonus was that at the show the T's were a hit.
One long term employee of the arena was kind enough to let me know it was her favourite t-shirt anyone had done for a show there, "No one has done anything like this before, I can't believe it".
Even had some previous customers in the line up! Sorry for the creeping photo mate. Cheers for the support.
Started at the bottom, now Ronny is here. So rad!
To cosign our project together so hard literally brought a tear to my eye.
Another Sure regular, Nick Cody killed it opening for Ronny.
Thanks being so generous with your incredible success Hannah & Ronny. It's very appreciated.
]]>I was thrilled to be able to babble on the 3000 Podcast about some super fun adventures that led to the founding of Sure.
Almost causing a riot at Highpoint with Tony Hawk, somehow walking the streets of Tattooine with Obi Wan Kenobi and life changing days like the first time I saw proper skateboarding in real life behind the Rye Peninsula Surf Centre when I was around 8 or 9...
I highly recommend checking into the 3000 Podcast, some great chats in there.
This one with Melbourne skate legend Jaff Curtis is all time...
Cheers Maloney! Was such a fun night.
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The bubble popping in skateboarding’s late 80’s boom along with the rise of increasingly difficult technical switch and flip tricks left only a handful of skateboarders at previously packed hot spots worldwide.
Amongst the remaining hardcore, those that could adapt to the precise techniques required for the surge of new tricks were scarcer still. More often than not, they were outnumbered by swarms of freshly minted Rollerbladers.
In Melbourne their spot of choice and social melting pot was the aging Prahran bowl and vert ramp. The best of best skated for the Snake Pit skate shop just around the corner on Chapel St.
The store's first video Tongue Biters cemented that a new generation were closing the gap with the pro standard in the promised land of California.
Still looking for their second video Nancy Squad but more rarities coming. Holla if you have tapes!
Enjoy.
]]>Stickers, everyone makes them, everybody wants some and everyone has an old shoebox filled with them. “Sticker Toss” pays tribute to the 1000’s of brands, bands, magazines, shops & pancake restaurant chains that fought for the prestigious promotional space on our board, car, case or wall over the years.
A year in the making, filling the wall was a laugh filled journey through brands past, rummaging through boxes with old friends and connecting with new ones who shared their stash from other parts of the world. 100’s of hours scanning, Photoshopping, arranging. At times it seemed overwhelmingly never ending, but it was rich in fun.
Much thanks to our sticker hording mates Ed Croll, Jason Rothmeyer, Tony Hallam, Stealth, Gary Skinner, Callum Preston, Ben Harriss, Barry Mansfield, Hans D.C., Anthony Mapstone, Andrew Wood, Darren White, Matto O’Brian, Tobi Stanley, Adam Davies, James Fosdike, Andy Murphy, Adrian Demain & Zach Miller.
Thanks also to Powell Peralta Skateshop, Fasttimes, Brooklyn Projects, Supreme LA, Marriage Skateshop, Ichpig, Snakehole, Diamond LA, Closer Magazine, Vans, APB, & HUF LA for helping out with additional stickers.
The stories behind the stickers that make each person smile is what it’s all about, drop past sometime and let’s hear yours.
Can’t wait Steele Saunders / Sure Melbourne
Meta stuff captured by James James.
]]>We're thrilled and exhausted to announce our new store is now open in the heart of the CBD at 273 Little Lonsdale St.
Keep popping in as we still have some new things to reveal in-store and a grip of new product dropping in the coming weeks.
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Take a trip down memory lane. 13 lucky years in Manchester Lane.
]]>And that’s a wrap from Manchester Lane. Thanks for a the great vibes and good times over the past 13 years.
See you at our killer new location at 273 Little Lonsdale St (just across from the State Library) next week.
]]>After over a decade on Manchester Lane, Sure is moving uptown to Little Lonsdale.
The last couple of years definitely didn't go to plan, so we're ecstatic to embark on a new era for Sure.
The last couple of years definitely didn't go to plan, but like the entire city, we're rising like the phoenix.
To help with the move & help create the new store we're clearing out a grip of stock, left over sizes and even some super cheap blank stock.
Check the webstore for a tonne of sale items and drop past the store for even more random warehouse finds.
Cheers!
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On this episode of #Sure11 we’re into the vaults with some action from the PSC Frankston Skatepark contest in 1998.
Enjoy a classic Sunday afternoon of horn honking skateboarding with Anthony Mapstone, Jaff Curtis, Renton Miller, Jason Ridgeway, Matt Hill and way more.
Coincidentally, the Sure "Pea Ess Sea" t-shirt is available now!
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My tourist checklist included skating famous skate spots, buying Starbucks (it was 98!), meeting Mickey Mouse and acquiring a pair of Nike’s that clearly looked like they were from the future…
Shiny as hell, air bubbled out, possibly NASA endorsed.
Over the period of 2 weeks dozens and dozens of major and minor sneaker retailers were visited, but nothing met the criteria.
But on the second last day with “Nike shoe from the future” budget yet to be spent, in a random LA mall, there they were.
Nike Air Max 97’s, black and reflective silver. Hints of royal blue and orange, glistening on a foot encompassing massage with every step giving Air Max. Guaranteed to consume the flash from any late night party photo.
Now there is nothing better than new sneakers and socks on a plane, at least give your feet a cheeky little upgrade. So I saved cracking the box open for the grueling 18 hour transit home. Plus if I saw anyone when arriving at Tullamarine they’ed peep them… and word would inevitably begin to spread about my obvious shopping trip in the future.
As I strutted through the airport metal detector, half expecting the reflective heat from the shoes to set it off, the security officer quickly glances down to my feet.
“Woah!”
As unbelievable as it seems, back then if you took your shoes off through airport security they probably would question letting you on the plane. So it wasn’t that. Shoes on, totally on the 1998 LAX security thumbs up tip.
My nano second of compressed tension quickly exploded into joy…
“Those shoes, they’re tight!”
He gets it! These shiny as hell, air bubbled out, possibly NASA endorsed shoes, “They’re tight!”
Not only will it look like I’m returning home via Delorian, now I have the equally “impressive” current day Angeleno colloquialism in which to describe them with to my friends and family. And boy, did I.
Now years have passed and fun we did have. But eventually, sadly, inevitably, there are times in your life when at Camberwell Market, on a winters morning, $20 seems more fun than your beat up old shoes.
But there are also times in your life where you get to order shoes for your sneaker shop. So we’ll always be down to run the latest seasonal takes on the Nike Air Max 97.
Cause you know, “Those shoes, they’re tight!”
If you're wondering this is about the closest I've come to finding my long lost colour.
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I recalled to Ed the phone call I received all the way back in 1991. My highschool friend Matt Black rang me to say that he’d just seen the New Deal 1281 video where Ed had taken the previously curb only noseblunt slide to a top speed attack that slid a 15 foot school bench. As trustworthy as Matt seemed, I still didn’t believe it until I witnessed the tape.
Ed counted with a story of his friend ringing him to try to explain him seeing Mark Gonzales do a then never before documented noseblunt slide at a local spot, “he noseslide the inside of the curb!”
Ok you win that round of noseblunt slide stories Ed.
I always loved the track Ed skated to in 1281 by San Diego based band 411 and listening to it on the way home, it struck me how the lyrics really clicked with pieces in Ed’s show.
So I made this little clip to it for you to enjoy.
Hope you like it.
And to reiterate what I told Ed as I surveyed the room…
“Congrats on how good you got at this!”
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Greeting visitors from around the world, the Melbourne International Gateway always gives me a warm glow. The first true Melbourne landmark before reaching the city.
Whilst to many it’s the Cheese Stick or the French Fry, the Gateway’s 70m long gold beam actually represents the Victorian gold rush of the 1850’s, whilst the 36 smaller red beams represent the states wheat industry… but you knew that the moment you saw it, yeah?
Unbeknownst to all but a few, below the 1000’s of cars racking up CityLink beeps is the North Melbourne drains which has given skateboarders a bust free natural skatepark for decades. Providing clips to iconic videos from the likes of Girl & Baker and classic local tapes from Xen & Blank.
It continues to till this very day.
Also, it makes for a sweet new logo. Enjoy.
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Your 2 favourite T-shirts are now at Sure!
Father and son in a 2 pack about nothing.
Here's to a ripper summer of seeing the lane like this again!
WE HAVE SO MUCH NEW STUFF TO SHOW YOU
Pigment dyed fleece and 1/2 zips feature in the Manchester Lane Collection.
Embroidered goodness.
Daria has worked in the store for a few years now and makes the jump to one of our designers with her first t-shirt for Sure.
"I wanted something kinda cute, something fun and light."
This stuff went lightening fast with some designs currently on limited preorder.
If you need some listening, hear Daria chat about the design on our podcast Manchester Lane Radio.
The Hang In There T is back in new season colour ups.
Embroidered art by Andy Murphy.
GIANT NIKE RESTOCK CHECK YOUR SIZE
We're just unpacking a huge restock a grip of red hot Nike footwear & apparel including a full Air Max 90 Restock. Running hot!
Grab a Sure T with any new season Vans!
Use code "VANST" with any new season Vans to grab a Sure T-shirt of your choice on us!
Thanks so much again for your support of Sure. We beyond appreciate it.
]]>Daria has worked in the store for a few years now and just this week made the jump to designer with her first t-shirt for Sure which also sold out of several colours in the first day.
We catch up, chat about the process of developing the print, her most looked forward to post lockdown activity and so much more. A really fun chat!
Check out Daria's range HERE
VISUALLY ENHANCED YOUTUBE VERSION
ITUNES
RSS
YOUTUBE
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
Hosted by Sure's own Steele Saunders.
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Get the lockdown hook up!
We need cash and you need a deal.
Grab any Sure item of your choice at 50% off when you drop over $99 on the site.
Treat yourself to some new shoes, fresh tracksuit or 10 keyrings, if that’s your thing.
50% will come off a Sure item at check out.
Stay safe, look after yourself & your mates.
David Quirk is a critically acclaimed comedian, veteran skater and neighbour to our store.
He's also a longtime friend!
We chat about David's disgust at doing zoom comedy shows, classic skate photos and his time behind the counter at some legendary Melbourne stores.
Plus we pay tribute to the Variflex Voodoo go into Quirk's rouges gallery of contrasting friends.
Very fun!
VISUALLY ENHANCED YOUTUBE VERSION
ITUNES
RSS
YOUTUBE
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
Hosted by Sure's own Steele Saunders.
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