10 November 27 - December 3, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Urine Trouble North Texas ‘piss bandits’ are going viral for steady stream of mischief. BY PRESTON BARTA S ome heroes wear capes. Others, apparently, just need a full blad- der and a smartphone. This fall, North Texas has been capti- vated — and slightly grossed out — by a bizarre TikTok trend that could only have been born in the digital age: the rise of the “Piss Bandits.” These anonymous urinators are filming themselves relieving their bladders on nota- ble places across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, from universities to public parks, and post- ing the point-of-view videos for all the world to see. It’s a strange, musty calling card for a new generation of digital mischief-makers. Figures like the “UNT Pisser,” “Keller Piss Bandit” and the “Grayson County Piss Bandit” have become viral provocateurs. Their videos, often set to the ominous tones of Dexter’s “tonight’s the night” monologue or the aggressive riffs of Arlington’s own Pantera, frame their acts of public urination as high-stakes crimes. One clip shows the Grayson County Bandit christening a smashed pumpkin on the Tioga High School football field. It’s part performance art, part public nuisance, and it’s racking up tens of thousands of views. The trend seems to be most popular among high school students, turning rival- ries into something far more intense. The Keller Piss Bandit has made a name for themselves by targeting Keller ISD proper- ties, including Keller High School and Tim- ber Creek High School, prompting concerned Facebook posts from parent groups. “This shows extremely disturbing behavior,” one post in the Keller ISD In- formed Parents group warned. “Parents, we must address this now.” But while parents clutch their pearls, TikTok can’t seem to get enough. The com- ment sections are a mix of disgust, encour- agement and location requests for the next “hit.” Some accounts have even created “hit lists” of potential targets, gamifying the van- dalism and inviting followers along for the ride. “Please go to the [UNT] parking officer cars,” an encouraging commenter says on a video of the UNT Pisser’s video defiling a sculpture of Scrappy the Eagle. The phenomenon has also made its way to an equally strange cottage industry: Tik- Tok detectives. These self-appointed sleuths visit the “crime scenes” — a now-infamous light pole or a particularly violated patch of artificial turf — to analyze the evidence with a straight face. Filmed in a noir style, these parody videos treat the puddles with the gravity of a homicide investigation, turning the whole affair into a serialized true-crime parody. Everyone is in on the joke, following a narrative that is as absurd as it is compel- ling — perhaps the perfect reflection of life in 2025. A TikTok creator named MAXLENS has compiled a highlight reel questioning the sanity of it all. He points out that by chasing these bandits, whether in person or online, we are feeding the very machine that cre- ated them. And he’s not wrong. Here we are, writing an article about it, contributing to the cycle. This whole spectacle raises a fascinating question about our culture: When public mischief is treated like a spectator sport and online views are the ultimate currency, what does that say about us? (Other than we’re human.) The Piss Bandits are, in a way, a re- flection of a society that values digital clout over public decency. They are modern trolls leaving their mark in the most literal sense, and watching the chaos unfold from behind a screen. While the acts themselves are ille- gal — a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 — the digital footprint they leave is far more permanent. As we watch these videos, both fasci- nated and repulsed, we must ask ourselves: Are we merely watching the spectacle, or are we part of the problem? Either way, maybe bring a paper towel next time you visit a North Texas football field. You never know. ▼ RECREATION A GALAXY NOT SO FAR AWAY GRAPEVINE’S OLD SKATE TOWN BUILDING IS BEING REVIVED FOR A COSMIC NEW INDOOR SKATING RINK. BY PRESTON BARTA T here’s a specific kind of magic that happens under the spinning lights of a roller-skating rink. It’s a feeling of infinite possibility, propelled by eight small wheels and the thumping bass of a pop song you can’t get out of your head. It’s the thrill of holding hands with your crush, the taste of concession-stand pizza and the shared laughter with friends as you all try to stay upright. For a generation that grew up in the ‘90s and early 2000s, the skating rink was the epicenter of social life. Now, that nostalgic wave is rolling back into Grapevine, and its name is Galaxy Skate. We got a sneak peek inside the nearly fin- ished rink, where the final touches, such as the new sign and fire alarm system, are be- ing installed. Amid the hum of last-minute preparations, owner Ashley Reed radiates a calm excitement. She’s bringing back a piece of her childhood, not just for herself, but for a new generation of kids and the parents who remember what it was like to spend a Friday night circling the floor. Galaxy Skate is a passion project born from an unexpected twist of fate. Reed, a Dallas native and North Dallas High School alum, wasn’t always in the roller rink busi- ness. With a degree in accounting, she was working for the IRS in the small business di- vision. Then, a friend in Georgia stumbled upon a storage unit filled with Moonlight Rollers — a popular brand of skates. “He called me up,” Reed recalls, and the next thing she knew, she was driving a U- Haul full of skates back to Texas. She ini- tially began selling them online, but a bigger idea began to form. “I thought if I opened a roller skating rink, I could use the skates as rentals,” she says. When the IRS announced layoffs, Reed saw her chance. “I threw myself into this,” she explains. By August, she had the keys to a building with a history of its own. The location, which previously housed SkateTown, had sat dormant for four years. Reed and her team have revitalized the space, preserving the classic layout while in- fusing it with a fresh, cosmic vibe. The old red-and-blue school spirit theme is gone, re- placed with a universe of purples, blues and science-inspired decor. “We threw in a girly spin with ‘good vibes only’ and purple everywhere,” Reed says with a smile. The result is a welcom- ing, otherworldly atmosphere that feels both new and comfortingly familiar. The rink itself is the star of the show, a polished floor just waiting for skaters to make their mark. But Galaxy Skate offers more than just a place to roll — it’s a com- plete family experience. There’s a vibrant arcade, a concession stand for refueling and a soft play area for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for wheels. For parties, there are designated tables and two private rooms. One of the most impressive features is the dedicated skate shop. Here, enthusiasts can find different brands of quad and inline skates, parts for repairs and gear to custom- ize their setup. It’s a simultaneous nod to the serious skaters and a resource for beginners looking to get started. What makes Galaxy Skate so appealing is its beautiful simplicity. In an age where entertainment can feel overstimulating, this rink focuses on the core experience. Parents can relax on a comfortable perch overlooking the rink, keeping an eye on their kids while enjoying a moment of peace. This focus on creating a safe, inclusive environment is at the heart of Reed’s mis- sion. Growing up skating at places like Texas Skatium in Garland, she understands the importance of having an offline, recreational space for kids in the digital age to hang out without being glued to their phones. “Galaxy Skate was born out of frustration with capitalism,” Reed says. “I enjoy bring- ing something that I loved growing up to the kids of today.” That commitment is evident in the rink’s design. An “airlock” entry system ensures that everyone signs a waiver and has their bags checked before entering. Security guards will be present on busy nights, and the entire building is equipped with an alarm system. It’s a space designed for par- ents to feel at ease and for kids to feel inde- pendent. Reed plans to keep things exciting with monthly theme nights, catering to a diverse range of tastes. Whether it’s K-Pop or classic rock, she says there will be a soundtrack for everyone. And for the adults who want to re- live their own glory days, there will be dedi- cated adult skate nights — finally making good on the promise that Ride On, Dallas’ much-hyped (and still unopened) adults- only rink, never kept. The journey to opening has had its share of bumps, with unexpected delays pushing back the grand opening. Reed is currently navigating the final hurdles of fire inspec- tions, but hopes to have a soft opening within the next week or so. As she puts it, they are “trying to cater to any kind of par- ent and all kids,” which means ensuring ev- ery detail is perfect. Galaxy Skate feels like a love letter to a simpler time, brought to life by a mother’s passion. It’s a place where families can connect, where kids can discover a new hobby and where adults can turn back time, if only for a few hours. Get ready to lace up, North Texas. The disco ball is waiting. For the latest updates and more informa- tion on the official opening, you can keep up with Galaxy Skate at galaxy-skate.com. ▼ Culture Maxym/Adobe Stock Apparently, some jurisdictions take unlawful peeing extremely seriously.
