Hank St. John In Focus

Those who have had the opportunity to witness Hank St. John climb already know his amazing strength and abilities on the wall, but what do we know about Hank off the wall? Recently Rock V5 Role had a chance to sit down with one Billy Hank St. John, climber and artist extraordinaire, to ask a few questions about climbing culture, fashion, and music. But most importantly, to find out what Role climbing plays in his life on and off the wall. This is Hank St. John in Focus. Rock V5 Role: How long have you been climbing? Hank St.John: I...

Addison Kim In Focus

       As a member of Team Southern Rock and the infamous Dirty South Climbers, Addison Kim climbs, trains and competes mainly indoors but has an affinity for outdoor life as well. After a training session preparing himself for a coming up National Competition in Atlanta, Rock V5 Role had a chance to sit with an endorphin hopped Addison and ask him to share with the readers a little about the role climbing culture plays in his life off the rock. Rock V5 Role: What’s your favorite brand of climbing clothes? Addison...

La Sportiva Futura, Love at First On-site

       There comes a time in every climber’s life when they meet the perfect shoe. Based on a general consensus the perfect shoe is a blend of aesthetic attraction, functionality, comfort, and most of all compatibility.                First off, the Futura’s top suede/leather/Lorica design has the perfect balance of and flash and natural beauty with curves where they need it and the ability to draw the eye for a double take without being obnoxious.          ...

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

          The sophomore album by the self-proclaimed hippie group looking to have derived from the depths of a 1960s commune hits back to their roots of folk country by crooning nine tracks centering on love, god, and church. The introductory song into the minimalist concept brings flavor of the Johnny Cash taste by stating he is a “Man on Fire” burning through the faux-1960s hippie communal roots. The entire band as a whole is apparent in the first few tracks of the album by integrating Alexander Ebert (lead...

Do's and Don'ts for a Fun Concert Experience

If you are new to the concert or festival scene you and you do not know what to bring, what to wear, or how to act, this guide is for you. I will put all the knowledge of my past concert going experiences to use and show you the best way to have a Fun time at your next show. First, lets start off with the Do's 1.Do miss the opening act, It will show how cool you really are and guarantee a great spot to enjoy the headliner. 2.When seeing Spoon at the Granada, Do go with a group of three to six. Remember...

The Shins - Port Of Morrow

Listen To - Port Of Morrow The long waited fourth album by the universally respected and recently reassembled  Shins offer the customary cryptic lyrics layered over airy guitars, familiar folk progressions, and hints of twang.  The album at times can be lulling but never boring, loud but never obnoxious. Producer Greg Kurstin sends specs of Sixties style gold and Nineties indie pop through a folky psychedelic digital blender producing a very drinkable embellished concoction.  Mercer, lead singer and songwriter,...

The Dusty Desert Dream

I had the unexpected chance to climb Hueco Tanks over spring break this past week. I dropped everything, packed up, and set out to find myself in the desert mountains of El Paso. I left the jobs, the gyms, the schools, families, cars, beaches, concerts, traffic, internet, cell phones, and everything in between for a pile of choss and the chance to temporarily live the luscious "dirt-bag" lifestyle. Living in the city is not enough. I had to take from the barren land of west Texas to fulfill my void. My comfortable bed...

What Would You Do for a Sharma Shoe?

                                 The Evolv demo at Exposure this Wednesday was a tempered success.  The decision Exposure and Evolv made to present to the gym and its members the opportunity to test the quality of product created an obligation for curious climbers to attend. Having the demo on ladies night and week one of March Madness comp was well played.                   ...

So Far, So Hard

March madness at Exposure is currently underway. The guys over at Exposure are doing things a little differently this time around. Upon paying your five dollar entrance fee to compete you are given a score sheet to record your performance. The sheet divides scores by the four problems and the four weeks of competition. The classes of climbing are Novice (v0-v2) Intermediate (v3-v5) Advanced (v6-v8) and Elite (v9+). The scoring is based on an honor system in which you record your attempts on a problem and have a witness initial....

Storm a-brewin'

The classroom was silent except for the gentle downpour of tapping which crescendo'd into a hail storm of clicks and clacks . Kids to my left diligently typing , a window to my right. Boredom struck me like a bolt of lightning telling me to run to the shelter of Facebook. I saw the march madness post on the Exposure wall, and like a role of thunder, I cracked out a deep and powerful "YES!". I was immediately drenched with unwanted attention as the typing stopped and all gazes flooded my way.  Design by Lou Rodriguez March...