Tuesday, April 24

The Sound and the Fury Preview

By Press Release

Prepare yourselves for the fourth annual "The Sound and the Fury" world amateur skateboarding competition and musical extravaganza. In its fourth year of production, "The Sound and the Fury" has grown to become the largest amateur skateboarding competition in the United States. With over 3,000 spectators and more than 300 competitors, this event has become the most highly anticipated skateboarding contest and concert combination in the Pacific Northwest. This year's contest, once again held in a spacious hangar at the former Sand Point Naval Air Station in north Seattle, promises the hottest music, most popular pros, intense competition, and entertaining atmosphere for spectators ever.

As the title implies, "The Sound and the Fury" focuses on musical accompaniment as well as competition. This year's line-up consists of at least 12 different groups and DJ's from all over the country. "All the bands that play at the 'Sound and the Fury' are either skateboarders themselves or they are down with skateboarding," explains event producer Marshall "Stack" Reid. "We're really excited about having Ray Stevens' band Clay Wheels come up from San Jose. He's one of the founding fathers of skate rock." Joining Clay Wheels on Sunday, April 29 will be San Jose's Odd Numbers as well as Seattle's very own showstoppers Zeke, along with their polished prodigy Youth at Risk. DJ Peanut Butter Wolf will be providing soundtracks during contest runs making for a more animated competition. On Saturday, April 28 the line-up consists of local underground hip-hop acts such as Verse Omega, Balcony, Subdwellers, Chapter 29 as well as turntable operators Dynomite D, Topcat and of course, the legendary King Otto. All this and surprise musical guests on both days.

This year will feature an added day of qualifying on Friday, April 27 from 3:00 to 10:00 PM (competitors only). The entire field competes during Saturday's elimination round. The top 20 athletes from Saturday's contest enter the Sunday finals, along with the women's division and a highly intense "best trick" contest at the end of the day. The custom built course features a crowd pleasing car jump, do or die steel banisters, and street style obstacles housed in a 30,000 square foot airplane hangar. Skaters will compete for customized trophies and product prizes provided by sponsors like Etnies, Lib Technologies, Jones Soda, Rusty Clothing, Globe Shoes, Foundation and Black Label Skateboards. The top finisher last year, Mark Appleyard of Toronto, is now widely recognized as one of the world's skateboarding deities.

There will be regularly scheduled professional demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday. Top touring pro skateboarders such as Chet Thomas, Gershon Mosley, Quim Cardona and X-Games qualifier Dan Pageau will be on site, as well as Kareem Campbell (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 video game character). Jaime Reyes, the world's top female skateboarding pro and last year's girls division winner (when she still maintained her amateur status) will be joined in daily sessions by local sensation Scott Yamamura, who also designed this year's course. Countless pros are expected to make appearances on their way to the "Slam City Jam," a professional contest staged the following weekend in Vancouver, B.C.

All ages are invited to attend both days, and a special area will be designated for non-contestants to rage. Door prizes, including snowboards, skateboards and clothing, will be awarded throughout the weekend. Sponsor booths will display the latest gear and a food court will provide a relaxing atmosphere for weary boarders and spectators. All this for the incredible low admission price of $7 on Saturday and $8 on Sunday.

For further information visit www.raincityskatepark.com

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITES

Location: Sand Point Naval Air Station, 7400 Sand Point Way N. E., Hangar 27

Performers: Saturday, April 28, noon to 6:00 PM, Admission $7 (all ages). Subdwellers, Chapter 29, Balcony, Verse Omega, Dynomite D, Topcat and King Otto and special guest.

Performers: Sunday, April 29, noon to 6:00 PM, Admission $8 (all ages). Zeke, Odd Numbers, Clay Wheels, Youth at Risk, Peanut Butter Wolf and special guest.

Pro Skaters (both days): Chet Thomas, Gershon Mosley, Kareem Campbell, Ed Templeton, Jayme Fortune, Quim Cardona, Malcolm Watson, Dan Pageau, Jaime Reyes, Daniel Haney, SAD and many more TBA.

The Sound and the Fury graciously acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Etnies, Lib Tec, Rusty, Jones, Globe, Foundation, Black Label, The Stranger, World Industries, Darkstar, Vonzipper, Savier, Volcom, Speed Demons, S-one Insoles, Capix, Tensor, Manna, Gallaz, Rain City Skate Park, Marley's, Johnny Wanna's, Lost Boys, Trickwood, Extremely Board, Crescent Downworks, Snowboard Connection, Zumiez, BC Surf and Sport, Quicksilver Boardriders Club, Northwest Snowboards, Ride-On, Faction, 35th Ave, Alliance, Trailer Made, Subvert, Spirit Skateshop and especially the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation/Sand Point Division.