The Ninja Scootech was the definitive British scooter from this period. My recollection was that they were really responsible for it all… Ninja Nicholls makes his appearance here alongside his fellow team riders of the time. There’s also a roll call of stockists which provides a snapshot of the BMX shops of the day:

Surrey Skateboards were a hugely important part of skateboarding right through the dark ages and on through this period. Their low prices and independant approach caused frequent friction with other shops; they were unique. In contrast, the modular trick ramp is a prime example of the kind of stuff which was churned out without much…

“Dance Freaky and Adjust”. For most skate (and fashion) trivia freaks the 1987 Stussy advert, placed by M Zone, will appear more significant. But for me it’s the Anarchic Adjustment advert from Nick Philip which dominates this page and my memories of the period. The slogan resonates still. Two Seasons from Northampton and Winchester BMX’n’Skates…

Two more shops who were solid players back in the day, and both from Kent by some unfortunate coincidence, I think. Variflex and Powell are very noticeable as well as Brand X and Blockhead. Finger boards are in there as well, of course, and Tracker Ultralights cost just £15.95 each. In amongst the G &…

The M-Zone adverts defined this period of R.a.D just as much as Nick Philip’s design. They captured the energy of the time and their influence was astonishing. Chuckie B was the mind behind them and can be seen in two of the pictures here (in sunglasses). The legendary Curtis McCann started his career with M-Zone,

Buddies was a strange shop. They made a bit of a stir at about this time, trading heavily on the idea that they’d been around a long time (picture of Benjy team riders on the wall to prove it), but most of the London skate establishment were very dubious. I think Sketchy had a poke…

This page contains some key British skateboard advertisers from 1987. Some of them are still around. Rollersnakes appear as “Rollernsnake” (another mistake) offering Tracker, Powell, Vision and Alva — interesting to see a truck company at the front of the list instead of the usual deck brands. Bike City Bromley are there ( “now incorporating…

Out of his box indeed. All of it out of the mind of Nick Philip. This is the authentic “Read and Destroy” original T-shirt. There was also a pure magenta/pink one, of course, this being 1987. Very over the top by today’s standards. Yours for only £10.45 including the 50p for postage and packing. Rare…

Another classic skate shop, Quarterback, get to show their roots. Hills was also a significant player at this point, even though their advert concentrated on the infamous scooters. NHR were sticking to the BMX purist approach, while the Empire Skate Building in Warrington were skate through and through. The Warrington roller rink played a crucial…

Death Box, Hot Wheels and Skate Zone shared this advertising page. The Death Box advert featured Wurzel’s board, but with a teaser mention of Mac’s freestyle and bank model being in the pipeline. At this stage Jeremy Fox was also distributing Flyaway helmets, but the future was in the boards — as he knew then…