Dave Navarro Examines Gang Culture with Film Director, Stacy Peralta and Reformed Gang Member, Skipp Townsend on New Episode of Spread TV

On an all new episode of Dave Navarro's Spread TV, Dave and Todd get a special visit from director Stacy Peralta and gang intervention specialist, Skipp Townsend for a thoughtful look into their new documentary "Made in America". Peralta, who is well known for his influential documentaries involving skateboarding and surfing in the Los Angeles area, is also a former professional skateboarder and team surfer whose effort with the Z-Boys in the 1970's helped popularize skateboarding worldwide. Skipp Townsend is an inactive member of the Rollin' 20s Bloods, who after nearly being convicted of two life sentences, turned his life around to become one of LA's best gang intervention specialists. Their new documentary, "Made in America", is a first-person look at the notorious Crips and Bloods, and the conditions that have lead to decades of devastating gang violence among young African Americans growing up in South Los Angeles.

Dave and Stacy begin the episode by discussing Peralta's history as a filmmaker, skateboarder, and surfer, and the difficulties that went into creating the documentary "Dogtown & Z-Boys". According to Peralta, the documentary, which chronicles the history of the Z-Boys in Santa Monica, ultimately required the services of a detective who was used to track down specific people throughout the city who had various pieces of lost footage. They then discuss Peralta's newest documentary, "Made in America", for an introspective conversation about LA's gang problem, the effect it has on the people involved, and what needs to be done to solve it. Both Stacy and Skipp explain that the gang violence in Los Angeles will not be solved using police force. Using a quote from football star Jim Brown, Stacy points out "if police could solve the problem it would have been solved already". Stacy and Skipp believe instead that the factors surrounding the gang problem in LA will not go away until there is more of an effort by people like themselves to make a difference. As Skipp Townsend explains, "these are the only people who gang members will listen to and respect".

To see this new episode of Spread TV, go to maniaTV.com

About Stacy Peralta

Stacy Douglas Peralta was born October 15, 1957 in Los Angeles County, CA. He grew up on the water as a surfer, and soon after became a skater for the z-boys. When Stacy was 19 he was one of the world's best skaters. He also started the Powell-Peralta skateboard company. He started his directing and filming career when he started the "Bones Brigade" which featured skaters like Tony Hawk. In 1991, he quit the skateboarding career to take directing on full time. With skateboarding still on his mind, he started the documentary of "Dogtown and Z-boys," and he later wrote "The Lords of Dogtown" He recently directed "Riding Giants," which deals with the surfing culture. And he is now working on "The Baron Davis Project" about LA gangs (opening in 2007), and also "In Search of Captain Zero" which is about a surfer looking for his lifelong friend.(opening in 2008)

About Spread TV

Dave Navarro's Spread TV is a weekly web television show focusing on arts and the human condition. Executive Produced by Navarro and co-hosted by Todd Newman, Spread TV was created as the first of its kind, avant-garde talk show that includes special performances and intimate conversations with intellectuals, celebrities, and artists in an unpretentious setting. Spread TV is filmed on location at the maniaTV studios in Los Angeles, CA. To see past episodes with guests such as Gene Simmons, Margaret Cho, Ben Lee, Moby, Elvira, Whitley Streiber, Janice Dickenson, Angie Everhart, David Faustino, Sasha Grey, Matt Zane, and many more, go to Spread TV. 

About maniaTV

The maniaTV Network launched in 2004 as the world's first Internet TV network. The company produces, sells and distributes made for internet programming targeting the 18 to 34 year old audience while delivering innovative branded entertainment opportunities to leading brands and advertisers. With a state-of-the-art production studio in Hollywood, maniaTV produces groundbreaking, award-winning programming for 8+ million viewers each month. maniaTV's programming slate ranges from music and comedy, to drama, video gaming, and action sports. Leading shows include Dave Navarro's Spread TV, National Lampoon's Lemmings, Arcade, and All Access. maniaTV delivers unique brand experiences within each show and has served over 50 of Advertising Age's Top 100. Through its visionary market leadership and focus on premium content and distribution partnerships, maniaTV is redefining television for the 21st Century. We like to call it "Television 2.0".For the latest maniaTV news and updates, go to http://blog.maniatv.com/.

Contact: Fabric Media 917-279-8706 maniatv (at) fabricmedia.net