dubmanandstreylock

Pressure Drop Graffiti Jam

Posted on September 11, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

Incredible scenes down at Fleets Bridge Skatepark with the Pressure Drop Graffiti Jam in full flow. What a great event to have going on. Massive respects to Simon Frankland and Shane Clowery for organising and to all the talented artists involved. Lets hope this can be a yearly event.

Pressure Drop is the first and hopefully a yearly graffiti event featuring many of the UK’s finest writers such as Astek, Bonzai, Tizer, Turroe, Kemster plus many more and a few surprises, hosted by South Coast pioneers “The Outkastz”

I took the family down around lunch time to see the pieces starting to take shape. Then returned at 6pm to see the finished works. Really enjoyed it. Brought back loads of memories from my old writing days before I hung up the old trusty cans.

Here’s a pick of random pictures but as I took a lot, the rest are up on my FLICKR page.

Hope you enjoy, all the best and happy vibes…. Mike Dubman

Check my FLICKR for all the snaps I got if you wanna see more.

Here’s a post featuring some of the past pieces at Fleets Bridge HERE

York Nuclear Bunker

Posted on September 4, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

On a family pilgrimage trip to Yorkshire to see the wonderful scenic sights it would’ve of been silly to miss an opportunity to visit York’s Nuclear Bunker. So I took my two children along for some Cold War history. Worked out well to be honest Nyah is studying that era at school and Kofi related to all the information via his Xbox game Fallout 4. All boxes ticked……

Quote info from Wikipedia

The York Cold War Bunker is a two-storey semi-subterranean Cold War bunker in the Holgate area of York, England, built in 1961 to monitor nuclear explosions and fallout in Yorkshire in the event of nuclear war.

One of about 30 around the United Kingdom, the building was used throughout its operational existence as the regional headquarters and control centre for the Royal Observer Corps’s No. 20 Group YORK between 1961 and 1991. It is an English Heritage Scheduled Monument and was opened in 2006 by English Heritage as a tourist attraction.

You get about an hour of a guided tour with just amount enough time to fire a few photos off. There’s a short film with information and questions at the beginning to get you started. Worth picking up the guidebook for only a few pounds as a souvenir.

Please see the links at the bottom for all information on the bunker.

On looking for some info I came across a short music film from an event of music by the original lead singer of the band Ultravox John Foxx and Benge. Put on by creative group Vespertine – Seeing York Through New Eyes.
Would of loved to have been there for that. Experimental electronic music in a perfect setting.

Loads more pictures on my Flickr

Hope you enjoyed the pictures
All the best
Mike Dubman

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Links
Wikipedia

English Heritage

Subbrit

Vespertine – Seeing York Through New Eyes

Red Arrows Ready and Waiting

Posted on August 21, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

Here’s a majestic sight. The Red Arrows all lined up ready and waiting for their next time to shine in display formation. Nine plus one spare. The iconic jets in red and white with the union jack on the tail poised to entertain the crowds at this year’s Bournemouth Airshow 2016.
They rest up here at Hurn Airport and with getting a heads up from a friend (cheers Karen) I headed off there this morning. With a bit of arm acrobatics with your camera over one fence and lens through the second fence you can get off a few photos. Really a beautiful sight seeing them together like that and a proper big smile was planted on my face. A nice start to Sunday morning ready to go see them in action later on.

All the best
Mike Dubman

Red Arrows Bournemouth Airport 2016

Red Arrows Web Page

Streylock’s Red Arrows Bournemouth Airshow

Posted on August 7, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

With the upcoming return of the Bournemouth Air Show this month I thought it would be apt to do a little compilation of Streylock’s (Spreaders) photos from 2014. He always had so much passion for Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team aka Red Arrows. A silly big grin beaming from ear to ear as the Hawk T1A display team roar overhead in formation before breaking off to start their maneuvers twisting and turning into the south coast skies. Going through his archives I’ve picked out these ones which show his love of the jets. It will be bittersweet to see them flying this year but they will always remind me of him.

Hope you enjoy the pictures
All the best
Dubman and Streylock

His Flickr page is here Andrew Streylock Spreadbury
I update when I can so please check back.

The Magical Rock-A-Nore Hastings

Posted on July 7, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

Hastings is a truly beautiful town on its own but hidden down in the old town as far as you can go by car you emerge into a magical mythical cove full of whispering sea ballads and shanties, the bones of sea creatures, old sea salt sailors with tough beards and the wonder if the Kraken is watching you with his beady eyes from under the waves. Amongst the shingle beach is a wonderland of custom tractors and twisted metal machines that pull and push things like dilapidated boats and catamarans. Fishing tackle and nets hang swaying in the ocean wind, blooming seagulls everywhere like hooded gangs hanging out waiting for their next score. A place where lost souls wandering in surfmist searching for the lighthouse home.

Quaint little houses built within the rocks, tall tar black smoke sheds looming together in different sizes. Things are broken, things are covered in rubbish but this fantastical place with the fairy tale story name is a wonder to behold. This is Rock-A-Nore

I’ve been twice to this treasure chest of curiosity and always feel the call to return. On the second trip I went with Streylock. This was part of a south east coast 5 day photography trip we took back in May 2012.

This is a picture heavy post but as you can see there’s a photo at every turn and even Wolfman came out to play.
Hope you enjoy the images and be sure to place this curious haven on your to do list.

All the best

Mike Dubman & Streylock

Soviet Spy Boat?

Techno beats play all day at the Rock A Nore

Wolfman Chills Out On His Sofa

John Deere’s Brother From Another Mother?

Krusty Attacks Dubman At King Tubbys

Streylock Deep In Photoland

Seagull Thugs

Wyndham Court – Brutalist Southampton

Posted on June 28, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

The following pictures are of Wyndham Court in the city of Southampton. Designed by architects Lyons – Israel – Ellis this impressive and astonishing concrete brutalist building was constructed between 1966 and 1969. A complex of 184 flats and 16 retail outlets. Having a passion for block grey concrete and squares, brutalist design has always been a love of ours. This is the best example of the style near us in the south of England. Unfortunately the other stunning complexe was the Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth but the council twonks pulled it down in 2004. Lucky Wyndham Court has been given a Grade II listing and should be safe from bulldozers and being flatten into a Tesco car park like the Tricorn!

It’s a complexed design, featuring shaped hexagon corners, block balconies, lift shafts, walkways, shops and open spaces. Many tones of grey block concrete with splashes of white bleeding through. Brutalism gets a knocking sometimes for it’s so called ugly look but you can see the beauty in most things and for us this was an exceptional wander around in concrete heaven. Not sure the locals would see our fascination for their home but it’s really quite impressive.

If you are in Southampton and wish to see this battleship of a structure then it’s just a short walk from central train station. There’s few links are at the bottom of the page which will give you some proper information on this modern piece of architecture.

Enjoy
Dubman and Streylock

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Some links for further reference.

Wyndham Court Southampton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyndham_Court
Tricorn Centre Portsmouth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricorn_Centre
One of the best Brutalist blogs http://fuckyeahbrutalism.tumblr.com/

High Down Rocket Test Site

Posted on May 22, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

Hidden on a cliff face next to the Needles on the Isle Of Wight was Britain’s answer to NASA. A secret rocket site at High Down, where the Black Arrow and Black Knight rockets were tested to launch the Prospero satellite. Not much remains apart for the giant concrete structures used to channel the flames of the rockets into the sea and that lovely big rusty blast door. Oh I do love a bit of rust. There is also a little museum dedicated to the history which is quaint but well worth a look.

This trip was in September 2013. It’s a very recommend walk from the Needles car park around the cliff road leading to the High Down Test Site and the Needles Battery which I will upload photos at another time.

For all info on this wonderful piece of history please see the links at the bottom of the page and watch the very informative video on Youtube.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.
All the best….. Dubman and Streylock

This is how it looked back in the day

Streylock’s face says it all. Very excited.

Sure theres a blast door around here somewhere!! Ooooo hello.

Streylock in action

It’s really beautiful there.

Cardboard computer set up project. Great idea and effective.

Shia Labeouf on the control dials

Black Arrow Rocket

The Prospero satellite, also known as the X-3

Suited and booted.

Dubman checking the concrete

Spreads (Streylock) and Dub 28/09/2013 Cute or a tad gay hehe can’t decide.

Awesome documentary on the whole project. Very recommended

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Links
http://www.spaceuk.org/ba/blackarrow.htm
http://www.spaceuk.org/bk/bkvehicle.htm
http://www.spaceuk.org/bk/hd/highdown.htm
Research report of site PDF

Swanage Coastal Wander

Posted on May 7, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

At last the sun is shining and managed to get the first sun tan of the year. A trip to the picturesque town of Swanage down on the Isle Of Purbeck with my brother Dan. Swanage is a small town but packs a lot in especially if you take in the scenic walks around the coast line. Just on this small trip we saw a wandering pirate, murals on a derelict building, a superb piece of street art by my good buddy Dare and his friend Bonzai in the local skatepark. The Swanage lighthouse, the brilliant named Tilly Whim Caves, Durlston castle and the most serene and blissful sea views.
To add to that you get some diverse architecture, ranging from modern design that wouldn’t look out of place on the Mediterranean to some very quirky and grand victorian buildings.

There are also a few left over gun placements from WW2 up at Peveril Point next to the National Coastwatch Institution Lookout building. The point is also home to the Swanage lifeboat organisation.

Still missing Streylock like crazy and it’s been hard to get motivated to get out there but it has been really brilliant to be spending some quality time with my good brother Dan and it has helped to get that buzz back again.

Will be going again sometime and will fill in the gaps which were missed. Plus next time we will go more prepared with provisions so we can walk on further.

Hope you like the pictures. Fill free to tell me of places of interest to see.
All the best
Mike Dubman

This mural has been there for years and it still looks great.

Pirate drinking water not rum!

Skatepark graff by Dare and Bonzai

Victorian Pier with Old Harry Rocks in the background

Coastwatch lookout tower

Seaview from Peveril Point with rock reef.

The lonesome yacht

Swanage Lighthouse

Tilly Whim Caves

Valley View

Durlston Country Park

The Grand Globe (Really they could of put it in the center of the steps hehe)

Few examples architecture

Last one has to be pirate man again.

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A few links
Durlston Country Park
Tilly Whim Caves
Swanage History

American Gas Station Forecourt Oxfordshire

Posted on April 24, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

This amazing looking derelict petrol station isn’t quite what it seems when you get up close to it. With its once grand petrol pumps left with their hoses lying on the floor and one or two with their facades removed. You can see something different just by the shape of these pumps. Look closer and the money currency is in Dollars. This gas station was used by the US Air Force and the base at Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire. I love the American red, white and blue sticker design at the top saying AAFES (The Army & Air Force Exchange Service) with the star and 3 red lines.

I can image it was once very busy as it has 8 x 2 pumps. 16 cars could of filled up at one time in it’s heyday. A lot of the area is now being demolished and new housing taking it’s place. It will be pretty much making a new town, so maybe this station will get a whole new refit and a new lease of life but those iconic looking pumps will unfortunately be heading to the scrapheap. That will be a shame.

This article and photos a few metres down the road should be of interest too. The US Shopping Mall which was used as a film set for World War Z.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. Let me know if it is still there if you know. These photos were taken in December 2011.

All the best
Dubman and Streylock

Here is the trusty mission car, filled with dents and bits of duct tape holding things on but the old girl did good. No chance of filling her up there though!

Fleetsbridge Skate Park Graffiti

Posted on April 19, 2016 by dubmanandstreylock

The graffiti scene is still strong in Poole and Bournemouth with many artist expressing their feelings in style and colour with street art. Since being a graffiti artist myself way back in 1985, it still excites me seeing a new piece of graff and someone’s creative flare placed on a wall for all to see.

The graff looks superb up on the concrete slabs of the Fleetsbridge flyover in Poole, and with the skate park as surroundings it’s an excellent gallery for the community.

Up high in big bold letters is a tribute piece “SPREADERS In memory of Spreaders Forever with us in our hearts” A lovely dedication to Streylock aka Spreads by my good friend Trev, love you bro.

Big respects going out to the artists and crews. Sorry if I missed anyone.
Outkastz, Dare, Crease, Boer, Also, Nerk, Fugue, Cel 1, Shun, Drome and Mumra.

These photos were taken in February 2016 but keep popping back as it’s forever changing. So if you in the area pop on down for a look. You can park in the B&Q car park and then go over and get yourself some sweet fried chicken from KFC after!
Happy vibes
Mike Dubman