Greg Romero's new video 'I Aint Mad at Cha' has hit the BMX scene with a bang. It is possibly the first time anyone in BMX has used fully utilize BMX websites and e-zines world wide to market a new video, or any BMX product for that matter.
When
a top professional BMX racer comes out with his own video you can be sure
it's going to stir up some interest. From riding to filming to the final
edit and marketing, Greg Romero, formerly of the Auburn/Robinson/GT stables,
is doing it all on his own...with a little help from his patriotic NorCal
friends.
Unlike many videos, this one isn't 60 minutes of product advertising,
there is no corporate sponsorship, heck this video isn't even for the
general public. It is easy to see that the aim of this video wasn't to
make Greg a rich man. The content includes what many people would find
offensive language and a little girlie action, restricting it's viewers
somewhat.
To be honest there is nothing on this video that you won't see on evening
free to air television. No sex, violence or drugs actually there is an
underlying anti drug feel through the film.
Music
When I heard the soundtrack was mostly hip-hop I guess I got the wrong
idea
of how it would sound, that was until I watched it. Although some of the
names weren't too familiar to me, many of the tunes were and they worked
very well to complement the footage. The soundtrack includes bands like
DMX, Mos Def, Dr.Dre, Gangstar, Lavish Green, Ice T's Bodycount and Dan
K Harvist, who also rides in the vid. Will "Redneck Battle Truck"
be the war cry of all BMXers by the end of the year? Only time will tell.
Riding
IAMAC includes all facets of BMX including racing, dirt jumping, skate
parks and street. There is also a little MTBing and a couple of riders
cutting loose on cruisers.
The dirt jumping in this video is hardcore, the NorCal guys really know
how to build jumps, and as Greg puts it those trails are "world class".
There is an amazing piece of footage where there must be about 40 riders
in a train riding the trails.
Many people would never get to see the inside of the Vans Sk8park let
alone get a snapshot of some of the great riding that goes on in there.
You even see Greg out in the bowl.
Racing
Greg Romero has been one of the most dominating AA Pros for many years
now and you get to see him in action on the track taking on the likes
of Christophe Leveque pulling moves in corners many of us wouldn't even
think of and displaying his incredible skills, leg speed and strength.
There are also some funny interviews with Wade Bootes and Christophe Leveque.
The NorCal boys have Wade Bootes lost for words...is Wade on the Sause?
You will need to watch it to find out.
NorCal/SoCal Rivalry
I don't get it, what the hell is it with NorCal and SoCal rivalry anyway?
I'm told this is done for fun but these guys look serious, very serious.
There is nothing like it here in Australia...well not to that extent.
It's nothing short of total war.
Fun
The Cecil TV voice over antics are worth looking out for, Cecil Johns
grabs the microphone and takes to some of Americas finest TV commercials
playing on Greg's huge wide screen TV. These sections of the video had
me laughing more that Eddie Murphy's Delerious.
There is a very anti GT vibe to this video, personally I don't care either
way but there is one positive amongst it all, it does find a new use for
a 99 model XXL GT box series frame.
There will be mixed reactions to IAMAC, regardless of the fact, it is
a great video and a must for any BMX riders collection. There is a good
mix of music, and great riding, plenty of action and a bit of goofing
around. As a racing purist I prefer to watch only racing videos, but IAMAC
has everything, it is the perfect BMX video.
In the near future Greg will be producing more videos, BMX components
and frames. If 'I Aint Mad At Cha' is any indication you should expect
nothing but high quality product with a hell of a lot of street cred.
If we had to give this video a rating it would get a 5 out of 5 on the
bmxultra.com meter.
It's available from at www.premoproductions.com or premoproductions@aol.com for $US18 (NTSC format) or $US20 (Pal format).