Pala Skate Park. Music by Lazy Cobra

The second installment of http://www.BoardPusher.com's THI3D THURSDAY Skateboard Design Contest is now under way. Each month we are running a design competition in which the winner will receive $100 and a skateboard with his or her winning graphic printed on it. Winning designs will then be featured in the BoardPusher THI3D THURSDAY shop alongside other winners with a limited run of 10 decks of each design available to the public. BoardPusher will not be using the graphics for branding purposes, so the rights to the winning artwork, as well as all entries not selected, will be retained by the original artist. To enter, or for more information, go to http://www.boardpusher.com/contest. Further questions can be directed to info@boardpusher.com.

http://liveskateboardmedia.com/en/article/notes-from-the-black-box-premiere

http://typicalculture.com/wordpress/typical-culture-issue-4/

I always looked at this spot...

http://www.theoriesofatlantis.com/site/news/polar_nyc_art_show_exclusive/

Cool.

This No-comply at The Fulton Mall is insane

http://chromeballincident.blogspot.com/2013/02/chrome-ball-incident-869-out-of-step.html

Super rad interview, talking about skating in Visalia backin the day.

Get in if you can.

Wish I could be there with you guys , but I can't so insted I'm just going to steal photos of DLE's facebook.

http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000172547/photos/pioneer-salman-agah-full-interview-the-sultan-of-switch/1/

So sick...

Red

Whoever wrote this is a douchebag.

So So Good

 I headed up to Encinitas to check out Typical Culture's new video Hype Train. 

 Some of the first people I see are Frank Shaw and Vagrant Mike.

Mike was there, no bike.

 OB in da house!

 This is Chris and this is what his ender part looked like.

 The crowd started to get hyped about 7:45, they had some sort of ridiculous bracelet rule which didn't make any sense since it was a free event.  Whatever, I think everyone got in.

 Glen Wagner, Washington Street Founder, and his wife.  Damn, how would you like to have that on your resume?

 Once again OB.

 Before the show they played a really cool slide show and there was some partial WWF shows while we waited for the video to arrive.

 Open season.

 Dowdy came on stage, dedicated three years of his life to the homies and it was on.

 Post show Chris Russell, He had the first and in my humble opinion the best part.

 Lurkville, Zack Dowdy and his lady friend,  the brains behind it all.

I cruised out but I'm sure the after party went off.

The video really is hype, a 'skateboarder's' skateboarding video if you know what I mean.  Get it on DVD when it comes out.  Thanks to Dowdy and Typical Culture for making it happen.

Brandon Biebel is so funny.

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tstqNq49rxs&list=PLECF07635982E0411

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tstqNq49rxs&list=PLECF07635982E0411

Some really cool Venice history in this one...

Shockus has got a Timelapse Tuesday over at EpiclyTrife.  Check it.

One of my favorites right now, Ben Raemers shredding Zombieland...

Hell Ya!  New footage from Adidas.

Big Ben is stuck across the ocean with a hurt leg so Gullwing trucks got this benefit together this Sunday in San Diego.  Buy some raffle tickets and let's get a brother home.

Vagrant in AZ from VAGRANT SKATES on Vimeo.

Sick!

Shutting it down.   Part 2 below, here is part 1

Typical Culture's newest video is gonna drop on 1/24 in Encinitas.  Check out the new site.

Jon's been really throwing down lately like these sequences for example, that's why I'm stoked he's gonna have a full part in #buzzworthy the first ever Central Valley Steeze video coming in Fall 2013. He already has a list of bangers we went over and trust me, shit's jaw dropping. Back lip, back tail, & back nose blunt he definitely slayed this rail in such a short amount of time. Random fact, he actually had to do the back nose-blunt twice because I fucked up and chopped off his hand in one of the frames, sorry Jon this one came out better anyway!

He's still got it.  Seeing Cardiel in this pool is inspiring.

Anythng with Gilbert Crockett I'm backing

http://site.48blocks.com/anthony-pappalardo

http://issuu.com/stepdadmag/docs/stepdad_4_winter2012

I can't believe Ron Allen is 50.  What a shredder.

HOAX mfg proudly welcomes Portland Oregon ripper FRANK SHAW to the team! Frontside grind on the oververt cradle. Washington St., San Diego. Photo: Steven Levas

MMMAAATTSSSOOONN

FIREFLY from samadhi production on Vimeo.

I actually see this catching on.

Video Link:

http://vimeo.com/51333291

fat bill/bill strobeck yah or nay ?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="<a href="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XV7spl0ufEo">http://www.youtube.com/embed/XV7spl0ufEo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://diy209.blogspot.com/2012/12/been-busy.html

From a few years back.  Danny Johnson Sanger CA

Looks like fun

Dude looks gnar.

Get in the Jeep... from lowcard magazine on Vimeo.

Lifeblood X Blood Wizard Summer Tour - Part 3 from Lifeblood Skateboards on Vimeo.

S-One commercial:

S-One Helmet Co. // Chris Russell // Combi Pool from s-one helmets on Vimeo.

Zach Hudson is ready to bring out HDY Issue 20 on 12-7. Be there.

Sickness

The most Free Lunch Ever!

These two have put in so much work and basically sacrificed for the cause.  This is a good interview from a suprising source.  Maybe the tide is turning.

The Hype Train - Trailer 2 from TYPICAL CULTURE on Vimeo.

http://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2012/11/26/how-corporations-are-changing-skateboarding-and-why-it-matters/

Visalia has such a rich skateboarding history, there's no way we can let it die.

Anthony "T-Rex" Vela keeps it alive with a F/s Boneless tonight. I have a feeling this guy will go down in the history books of Visalia.

Photo by Lucas Davenport

Vagrant Skateboards Demo/BBQ on December 8th.  These guys are guaranteed to put on a good show.

Lucien Clarke & Steph Morgan - City Of Rats from Slam City Skates on Vimeo.

Blue Line (extended) from Brian Lotti on Vimeo.

Mike Chin has been so below the radar for so many years.  This dude is OG.  Check out this new clip from Tribute.

Rick Fabro channel st ShralpTage from carlos vargas on Vimeo.

Skeletor, John Morgan, Steven Reeves, Mason Merlino, and Cody Lockwood.

The rollin at China Banks is insane. I don't get it.

Introducing Jerry Gurney from Lucky Bearings Co. on Vimeo.

Serously one of my favorite skaters

Don't know what's up with the music, but here is 2012...

Typical culture has a really good interview with skater/publisher/photographer POD.  Check it out.

Friday November 15, Gelato Vero, SDCA

Some old photos of The Potrero Skatepark when it was a mere 1 year old.

Robin Baker, Switch FS 180 to fakie

Zak Gonzales, Nollie Flip over the channel.

Josh Mattson, FS 360 boneless rolliin

The Illusin comes through again...

IThey say it's going to be in theatres.  If it plays around here I am going.

Unheard Distro out of Portland just let their new webite out into the filthy burrito world.  Check it out.

Confusion has some footage of the Wonderland bowl in Christiania, Denmark getting ripped.  Skaters include Dannie Carlson and Narlieman, Julien Benoliel, Jake Collins, Sox, Mason Merlino, Frank Faria, Brian Genrich, Zack Dowdy and Tom Lawson.  Check out more photos and the rest of the story here.

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39275.html

Confusion Magazine Issue 5 has hit America.  DIY for life.  We're so big in ...Europe.  All kidding aside. Confusion is a super sick 8.5x5.5 out of Germany, made by an American, confuzed by a surfer.  Issue 5 features Dan Cates, Scott Walker, Seb Daurel, Jesse Martinez (yes THAT Jesse Martinez), Christian Petzold, Russ Pope and a bunch of other goodness.  Find it online if you have to, or be real man and get a real version here.

This could quite possibly be the greatest story ever told...

10 Years under the 110, fuckn' skatejam!

This dude is hilarious!

ESPN has  reall cool interview with NorCal shred master Brad McClain.  Check it out.

http://espn.go.com/action/skateboarding/blog/_/post/8532425/mcclain-there-only-one

Skatesauce has a new part with the ever elusive one.  This is legit.

Ricky Flip just finished cutting together his vision of what it feels like to be up at Sequoia Lake for the summer. You are all cordially invited this eve to take a virtual visit with him to the Element YMCA Skate Camp. *Premiere next day in East Bay at Metro skate shop as well! Invite your friends! Share this event with everyone! Thanks!

Who else but the venerable Larb could express the hacksaw curves.  Jason's art is a big deal and is currenlty on disply.  If you haven't checked it out yet, you should now.

http://www.thelarb.com/1/post/2012/10/haksaws-utilized-at-jjessees-art-shoe.html

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25596015#26260196/theater

Can't figure out how to embed Ustream videos, heres the link.

If your in the 559/209 are this weekend be sure to be here.  Gene is throwing a jam to raise money for concrete.  Details below.  Wish I could make it.

Ran across this rad Gypsy Skate site.  Some Euro Shit for sure, but worth checking out.

Funny article I did with Mike Ridgway back in issue 19...

Keith Hufnagel is going to be on Skatetalk tomorrow.  Should Be good.

The Kobrah Video featuring Iceman, Derek Elmendorf, Wastelands, Jack Given, and Cody McEntire

Don't know what to expect, but I'm gonna be here for sure.

Slap Magazine did a write up of the Kobrah Video Check it out here

http://www.slapmagazine.com/articles/videos/kobrah-video-premiere

Inspiring episode...

Johnny meets back up with BART Tour at Karl Watson Day/ Hood Games at Town Park in Oakland. Then it's back to the city for the last session at Potrero Park and the after party at Hotel Utah.

Late for Work: It's a Rough Life Season 2, Episode 7 from TeamJaded on Vimeo.

Up now on Push.ca

Check it out.  Issue 3, out of Cleveland Ohio

Condensed Flesh Issue 3 from Noid Films on Vimeo.

Super epic Shredding at FDR during the Drunk Vs. Sober jam

WTF?

Here's a video.

The terrifying moment a skateboarder hit a deer while hurtling down a road at 65km/h during a race in the US has been caught on video.

The incident took place at the Buffalo Bill Downhill race in Colorado over the weekend — an event that gained the nickname "Downhill Bloodspill" due to the high speed crashes that can occur.

The footage, posted online on September 30, shows a group of longboarders racing down a hill when a deer suddenly runs out onto the road.

The deer tries to run through a gap in the skateboarders but ends up colliding head-first into one of the competitors, sending both him and the animal tumbling off the road in a cloud of dust.

Online posts suggested the skateboarder was Salt Lake City local Ryan Vitale.

Several posts said Vitale was not badly injured in the crash, however it is unknown if the deer survived.

The "Bloodspill", which has been running for four years and is the only legal skateboarding road race in Colorado, was last year the scene of a helicopter crash.

The helicopter, which was filming the race from above, crashed on the mountainside but fortunately nobody was hurt.

Downhill skateboard racing is said to combine the balance and maneuvering of snowboarding with the passing strategies of a car race.

Competitors are made to wear helmets and other protective gear.

Sources: The Denver Post

It's just a facebook album, but Vans Norcal has some coverage from the 99 Degrees In The Shade Contest.  Check it out.

What's worst that can happen?

A 5BORO MINUTE with Willy Akers from 5BORONYC on Vimeo.

Wow, this spot looks so fun.

Shawn Connolly for Rock Star Bearings from Rockstar Bearings on Vimeo.

The place to be right now

Epiclytrife comes through again...

Updated from Gene and his backyard.

http://diy209.blogspot.com/2012/09/wheres-crete.html

Raw, Raw, Raw NYNY Street Footy

He's the first pro skater ever to do an AMA, who else could it be? right?

Super Rad independent video.  Everyones probably seen it, but here it is again.

Tim Garner going gett'n some and getting served.

New video coming soon...maybe

Cool perspective on Demestics Clothing.

This is a few days old, but they are back.  The first Skate Talk episode in years returns with a big one.

New episode of VX1000. These edits are super sick. Raw SF footage.

http://www.centralvalleysteeze.com/ http://www.facebook.com/centralvalleysteeze https://twitter.com/cenvalleysteeze @centralvalleysteeze #centralvalleysteeze Filmed & Edited by Steven Johnsen Featuring in order of appearance: Jon Sanchez, Austen Gott, Stephen Killian, Danny Johnson, Daniel Cervantes, Nick Amato, Delbert Billups & Eddie Goin!

Check em all out

Like The page.

Levi Brown Kickflip on the deck circa 2001?  PIP Issue 11

WATSONVILLE, Calif. -- Investigators say a California skateboarder has been groping females while rolling through coastal Watsonville.

Sgt. Saul Gonzalez tells the Santa Cruz Sentinel (bit.ly/U7rzSc) that the 18- or 19-year-old skateboarder has grabbed the backsides of a 13-year-old girl, a 35-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman in recent weeks.

The latest victim was the 35-year-old woman on Sunday.

The sergeant says the skateboarder approached from behind, grabbed her backside and fled.

The other victims were groped in the same fashion.

There are no arrests.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/12/4812370/police-looking-for-skateboarding.html

I remember reading about these contest up in Tahoe when I was a kid in the '80's.  Looks like thier gonna re-terrorize this weekend. 

New Episode!

August 8th was the date.  Network Skate were the masterminds and Ocean Beach Skatepark was the spot.

At the realms.

Kenny will take any slam, just for the sake of a slam.

Joe Keg and Alex.

Product for daze.

Davie Dread

You know Angel was there.

The wizards says I GOT THIS SHIT!

James and his filming injury, not bombing a hill, not skating?

 Legend Status.  Neil Blender and Germ.

Shockus, most epic weekend ever.

Stevie ollied the whole pyramid and bar to flat.  High traffic area.

 His name escapes me, but this dude mashes.  5-0 revert.

Connor took over on the bank to ledge.  Starting it off with a smith fakie.

Hurricane

Finishing it off with the 'ol blunt, smith, fs rock.

After the crowds Davie Dread pulled the kickflip 5-0.

Shredding happened, product was tossed, the kids were stoked and the old guys were even more stoked.  Thanks to Network for putting on the most action the OB park has seen in years.

Washington Street is the most amazing park on the planet.  It's a multi level-bizarre-everything.  A park of this caliber requires a shitter of only the highest regard and shit is on the line.

This sequence pretty much sums up the day. Alex Clark, wallride something to backside D.  Byrd Bird, dogs and lurkers.

Jake Reuter is a great skateboarder.  Boardslide over the loveseat for days and days.

Little Chris, big footplant.

Until next year.  Thank you everyone and good night.

-Joey

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/47900806" frameborder="0" width="500" height="375"></iframe>

eject from s.carleton on Vimeo.

in the mix

• david mcCray
• tommy sandoval
• matt brode
• mundo turner
• johnny corbala
• Jacob Sandin
• Ivan Ortiz

s.carleton 2012.

BART Tour morning has arrived. Johnny and the crew meet up at Lower Haighters for some last minute prepping before they head to DLX to kick things off, except that Matty P is MIA. Everything else seems to be going well until…

The don't do it foundatin flew a banner above The Coastal Carnage contest this past weekend.  Found this here.

So I was in the dollar store today and picked up this new Doug Brown deoderant.

  If you don't know who Doug Brown is just check this out.

I can forgive him for visiting sick kids and the shamelss self promotion, but dude if you get a deoderant contract at least make sure the photo on the product is not a bail.

Anyway, here is me putting Doug Brown on my armpits

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/outside/ci_21184141/gretchen-wegrich-stoked-broke-local-business-owners-professional?IADID=Search-www.santacruzsentinel.com-www.santacruzsentinel.com

Here is a quote from the article

Although the DDIF is an ant compared to a Goliath like Nike, the sport industry giant is protecting its image. The DDIF saw its most recent ad campaign effectively barred from print after Nike threatened to pull its own advertising from major surf magazines.

Fuck everything about that Nike and companies like that.  Sad thing is - money talks.

Speechless. 

These videos really are bad ass

Typical Culture "The 'Zine" has hit the streets.  I had the good fortune of being at the release jam and snagged a copy.  This new issue features Chris Gregson, Kevin Kowalski's back yard mega bowl, Channel Street and Frank Shaw.  Somewhere I saw TC3 was claiming record reviews and while there is a page dedicated, really though, it's just skate barrage.  The highest quality xeroxed skate 'zine at this moment. 

I really don't know how to get a copy if you want, but try going to typicalculture.com and asking or paying whatever for some.  The Raybourn cover is good, but the Perelson poster is even better.

Zack Dowdy FSA, editor TC

I can't go much further with this review without mentioning Zack, the guy that makes Typical Culture happen.  He fucking rips.  Rips as in eye of the tiger style, shred the big walls, VX100 rips.  It's that eye that shows through on the pages.  I predict big things out of this...

-Joey

Major shredding today.  Jack kills it, plus I like the shadow. P: Joey

More coverage from the Typical Culture release jam on Network.  Check it out.

Super fun day.  TC has some ceverage check it out.

http://typicalculture.com/articles/issue3releasebbq/

NZ/Oz from Daniel Evans on Vimeo.

This Interview originally appeared in Paying In Pain Issue 22

This has already been out for a few days, but I just found it.  This shit is tight!

Naext Saturday at Memorial Skatepark.  Should be fun.

So overproduced... 

OG Fresnan Clyde Moore ripping it up.  This dude shreds so hard.

A Short and Sweet Minute With / young Truth, Johnny Corbala,david mcCray and Tommy Sandoval  skat'in n the hood of Chula,

Young Truth$ from s.carleton on Vimeo.

I've been filming Jon a lot lately, he rides for Awake clothing out of Lindsay Ca. So I made this "commercial" for them & I'm gonna be working with Awake more in the future so expect more rad shit! BTW this gap is huge, his first attempt was'nt so pretty...

San Francisco premiere Set for July 12, 9p.m. at Thee Parkside

joey twenty twelve part from s.carleton on Vimeo.

A Representive of 2012's Finesse Brand, Joey Castillo's part from their new'est video in titled ( EYES ON THE PRIZE ) film'd an edit'd by shane carleton © 2012 shane carleton.

Rest In Cube...

Just got the new issue of Zach Hudson 'zine, How Dare You.  Pretty stoked.  This 'zine really exemplifies why I love skate 'zines so much.  There are a lot of opinions in here and it's gonna piss some people off so that's rad.  The photography is kinda half skate, half street, but all quality, photos so that's rad, plus some good interviews with some of San Fransisco's most underground and notorious dudes.  It's all good.  Gotta find it if you want a copy, but it's not hard.

Dorfus Shreds!!!!

Really good online 'zine out of Sacto.  OG Fresnan Rob Mason got a photo so you know it's legit.

http://skateincognito.com/issues/two/index.html

Check it out.

Connor is a super rad skater, check out this interview about his artwork.

A little warm up at the park.

Peacock once again comes through with Pooling around Part 6.

Check it out

Some recycled footage in the begining, but then he just goes off and breaks down skating.  Pretty epic,

My good friend Gene is turning his backyard into a wonderland.  Here's the latest update

http://prettysweetvideo.com/

This is gonna be good.  Not coming out for awhile though.

interesting read over at jenkem bout andrew reynolds aka the boss: http://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2012/06/12/a-very-large-puzzle-on-andrew-reynolds/

 Were you alive before digital?

Oh definitely. I'm only 25, but I learned on a canon AE-1 developing film in the darkroom when I was in high school. My school only had one photo class so I took it four times for no credit.  Here's a photo from the first roll of film I ever shot with a flash http://theradone.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/nickollienorth.jpg 

Adam Mckee Sidewalk Ollie

Have you had much experience with the skaters on the coasts?

I've never made it west of Phoenix or East of Ohio. I've had the pleasure of shooting some really cool contests and some Redbull pros that happened upon the Gateway to the West.

I plan on keeping my heart here forever, but my body and mind are always thinking about departing for greener pastures. 

 THE RAD ONE is a small skateboard company I run in St Louis. It all started as a blog for all of my friends to sort of keep in touch with each other and has grown into a blog with about 40ish contributors, a webzine that's approaching ten issues, a board company and I'm also doing a full length video.  

What is your camera set-up?

Randy Ploesser is from St. Louis and has always been the best skateboarder. When we were young all my friends and I would fan out on him so hard. That always bummed him out (We still do, it still does). It's always satisfying when the hometown hero calls you up and says he wants you to shoot a photo. I was psyched it turned out as good as it did. I had sent it in and heard that they liked it and might run it months ago. It wasn't until my phone started blowing up one day that I even knew it was in the mag. Skateboarder mailed me a few copies and I first held it in my hand about a week ago. Boyhood dream realized. It was a really great feeling. I've been trying to shoot as much as possible since then to throw some articles together to shop around. 

Pat Vonder Haar Wallride Fuck You Fakie

Future plans?

Get in a car, find some new concrete, make some new friends, take their picture and see if we all can't get famous in the process.

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_13564061?utm_campaign=opengraph&utm_content=song&utm_medium=link

Ekoe Blaq killn trees and shit

Brad McClain and Ben Raybourn shredding up Palmdale.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/06/12/prweb9587021.DTL

So this is the plan, get a 6 pack of King Cobra, climb up a fucking mountain and drop in off a cliff with a flimsy rope and a skateboard.

theshakedownsd.com

Visit the bar after ur divorce!!!!! Awesome bands from today and back!!

Timmy Jak, I shot this for Backstabber Skatebaords.  Peacock really needs to calm down.

The whole EXPN thng is still really wierd, but you gotta give it up to Fred Gall.  I just came across this article and I am a little speachless.  Vote for his video if you care.

Delano, CA.  Probably around 2006 or so.  This was right when Santa Cruz re-issued Tom
's old model and they built all the parks in the 559.  Good times.

p: Joey

http://www.kchungradio.org/archive/2012-05-31/skate_talk-05.31.2012.mp3

I guess Bob and skate talk have returned to kchu public radio in L.A.  Pretty funny dudes.

So Sick.

Don't really know what's up with the Korn 'esque music, but here is Slap Magazine's take on Raise Hell 666 at The Ranch.

23rd anniversery issue.  Been around for awhile and staying strong.  Downloading a pdf seems caveman in this day and age, but this is how it's done, check it out.

Download Here

Interview with sir Epicly Laterd... talks alot about skate industry stuff as well as marketing and the 90's:

http://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2012/05/31/the-inside-perspective-of-patrick-odell

This is way cool.  Custom trophy by Haroshi.

Zak Hudson's 'zine 'How Dare YOu' is having some sort of release party thing.  Issue #19

Hadn't been there for awhile.  Damn I need to go to the bridge more often.  So fun and scary.

Sounds sick to me.  A good fit.  Check it out.

This is freeking hilarious.

Tadashi's got the footage up on Lowcardmag.com

When I first heard that Derby Skatepark was getting 're-surfaced' I, like anyone else was extremely skeptical.  The park is a West Coast icon and altering the park in any way could easily be disaterous.  Imagine my suprise, reading an article, to see Mike Greenwald's name mentioned.  Personally at that moment all worries were eliminated and I knew the park was in good hands.  Why?  I've known Mike for a good 12 years now and I know what kind of person he is.  Check it out in his own words below and see why the new Derby came out even better than anyone could have dreamed.

-Joey

Can you give a little history of your skatepark building career?
I started building ramps just after I started skating in around the 6th-7th grade… Quarterpipes, hald pipes , launch ramps.  I was a camper at the Visalia YMCA Skatecamp in 89’-90- and met Dave and Kevin Bergthold who did Blockhead skateboards.  They were moving to Bonsall which is about 15 minutes from where I lived.  I helped them work on the Blockhead ramp.  During that time, Dave Bergthold was the guy who built the streetcourse for the Skatecamp.  He asked me to come help him build the following Summer and I did.  This began my ramp building tenure at the skatecamp.  I worked with Dave, then for Tim Payne for a number of years and then with Rob-O.  In 1997 I took over the job of building the course each Summer.  I’ve done it every year since then except one.  I got really good with wood and tried to do some park work elsewhere.  I rebuilt the “Ground Zero” park in Madera several times with my buddy Shane Evans.  We also did a few other projects here and there, but wood parks were dying out.  
In 2001 I was living in Visalia, CA and heard there was a concrete park being built in Fresno.  Shane and I went up there and met the contractor George and he hired us to build forms.  All of a sudden we were making prevailing wages and also learning how to do concrete.  We travelled and built a number of parks with George.  I got tired of the travel and decided to move back to Santa Cruz, where I had gone to school.  I focused on my Skateboard Locker product and started doing a lot of carpentry work at the University.  Once in awhile I’d work on a park and each Summer I’d build the camp.
About two years ago, the work around Santa Cruz started drying up and my wife and I were about to have a baby.  I got back in touch with George and worked on a few parks for him.  I was working on every aspect of these parks: coping fabrication, layout, dirtwork, forming and finishing.  We completed two parks, which came out great.  I decided that if I was going to continue to do this type of work that I needed to be the boss.

How and when did you hear that The City of Santa Cruz wanted to resurface Derby?
I had been checking in with Zach Wormhoudt from time to time to see if there were any new projects coming up.  He had mentioned to me that the City wanted to do something about how beat up Derby had become and was considering pouring concrete over the original park.  This was last Fall.  I went and rode it and looked it over and decided I didn’t want to be any part of it.  The park was just too historical and beloved.  I kind of thought they should just let it be.  Then in March, Zach told me that the City was definitely going to move forward with the plan and that it would be going out to bid soon.  I talked about it with Jason Strubing (owner of SkateWorks and long time SC local) and we agreed that if it was going to be done, then it better get done right and it would be a good opportunity to make Derby even better.  He talked to a handful of the locals about it and they all seemed to agree.  I decided I would go after the job.  If I got it, I intended to maintain the personality of Derby but also add some features.

What was the process of becoming the general contractor in charge of the job?
I submitted a bid.  It wound up being just myself and Cal Skate that submitted bids.  My bid was lowest.

Do you have a crew you work with or is it just you?
There are a couple people that I have done a lot of work with.  They came out and helped.

For most people, the first time they heard about this was the post on the Thrasher Site 'Code Red' where The Illusion was saying Derby was being destroyed and everyone should get down there Occupy Derby.  You must have been involved with this project way before that though.  Did you see that backlash coming?
I knew that it was going to be a sensitive job and expected mixed emotions from people, but I didn’t forsee the drama that actually took place.

Why do you think the backlash happened?  It seems like it a lack of communication?
Well, the City didn’t do any sort of public outreach about the project.  I don’t think they realized how important Derby is to so many people.  So when the fences went up out there, not many people knew what was happening and what to expect.  And then rumors quickly got amplified and out of hand on the internet.

Derby is unquestionably a living historical artifact.  How does this fact affect this job compared to other jobs where you are building a brand new park?
I doubt there has ever been a skate park job that has rivaled the emotion and drama that came with this one.  

In your opinion did Derby even need to be resurfaced?
Derby was cracked, there were pretty big chunks of concrete that had fallen out and it was rough as hell…  But these were all parts of the character of the park and people loved it for that.  From the City’s perspective, it was a big liability, which was also true.  If I think about it from the City’s perspective, yes  something had to be done.  They had made repairs out there in the past, which really didn’t last too long and I think they wanted a solution that would take care of the problems for a long time.  From my own personal perspective, the decision to crete over the whole thing was debatable.  

What was the day after the Thrasher post like?  Did a lot of people show up at the park?
It was pretty hellish.  The first group of people that we dealt with were the handful of local dudes that actually skate there on a regular basis.  Once we had time to talk to them, they realized the park was in good hands and that this was a great opportunity to make a fun park funner.  As the day went on, more people came and most of them were pretty upset.  I’m not sure how many people came by but it must have been 100-200.

What was your initial reaction to this?
It was way stressfull.  I wanted to be able to talk to everyone and explain that it was gonna be OK, but I also need to work and move forward.  I hadn’t expected that amount of drama and I felt bad about dragging my friends and co-workers into it.

How did you handle the backlash to the re-design?  Whatever you did it seems like it worked because from what I have read the local skaters are now backing the plan.
They quickly realized that I wanted to keep the feel and make it better.  I was totally open to their input. After the first day and the media attention that followed, the City quickly realized that they had made a mistake in not making the project more public.  Thankfully, they wanted to try and make to skaters happy and agreed to the changes in design that were being requested.

Have the local skaters been helping out with build and design process?
Yes.  The suggestions never stopped.  I hired a few of the locals that had building experience.  They helped a lot.

What was the plan before you started the job and what is the plan now?  Specifically, did you have blueprints that you had to follow and have they changed?
There was only a simple print detail that showed 4” of concrete being added to all surfaces.  My plan all along was to add the 4” but also add some other features that would make the park better.

What is your favorite new feature of the park?
Hard to choose.  They all add up to make it feel like a new park but it still feels like Derby.  It is really fast now.  Being able to grind a lot of places that you couldn’t before is great.

Is the gap at the end of the park going to be integrated into the new design?
It’s about the same.
How long is the remodel going to take?
It took less than three weeks.  We worked our asses off. There wasn’t a day we worked less than 10 hours and usually it was more like 12-14 hours.   The work was intense but the drama and emotion surrounding it amplified it even more.  I am stoked it is done.  I think just about everyone that has ridden it is really happy.  Of course there are a few things that I wish had been done a bit differently, but hey, it’s weird park… It’s Derby.

Thanks to Wormhoudt for the images

Zoo York just kicked off their entire team except Brandan Westgate and Chaz Ortiz.  Lame As Fuck.  Check out this interview with Zared Basssett

This original edit.  Filmed and directed by one, Jerry Mraz.

PLG out in Encinitas, Shooting photos of dudes that are really good at vert seems like cheating.

Photo: Joey

Eric Sanchez, Ocean Beach Skatepark

This is pretty good.

Check it out, Teh Rad Ones

Check out the 2012 Paying In Pain Promo Vid.  Thanks to all the shredders that put up with me and let me film.

Shredded all over the  city with the Dobbin Block crew, ended up skateing this trailer...

Took these snapshots of Steven's amazing lure collection for an upcoming 'skaters that fish' article that never came out.  Just came across them again after a few years.

Looks like Dowdy is making a new video.

Found this 11 gem at a church in Porterville, Eddie killed it of course...

http://diy209.blogspot.com/2012/05/more-fun.html

Once again...Amazing

I want to make this site user as user friendly as possible.  So if you care, leave your comment, let me know how to make it better.  First thing in this thread, in my opinion,  the comment form should be at the bottom after all the other comments.  Do you guys have any opinion on this?  If nobldy cares I'm just going to move it since it seems better to me.

http://blog.thehouseofmarley.com/detroit-skate-park/

This video is sick.  Like a mellow day skating the city with your friends.

This gap is pretty big but Jon mans up with a backside flipper ftw...

33 Years down the line Skull Skates is still pushing out functional skateboarding equipment in tiny little batches. While the larger world of commerce lunges and reels with it's clumsy, insatiable riding style; Skull Skates rolls low key, supporting all of skateboarding and it's diverse branches.

As of May 13, 2012 Wizards, Horses, Dogs, and Cows now inhabit the Skull Skates world along with Mutants, Kultists, Hardcores, Tombstones, Crosses, and Skulls. All new decks, wheels, trucks, clothing, and excessories speak to the needs of contemporary skaters of varied disciplines.

Check out direct links to the new stuff:

MUTANT CITYSCAPE DECK, MUTANT TEE, MUTANT WHEELS, MUTANT STICKER

HARDCORE DECK, HARDCORE TEE, HARDCORE BACK PATCH, HARDCORE GIRL'S UNDIES, HARDCORE STICKER, HARDCORE 7"x7" PATCH

BA. KU. MUSKELLUNGE DECK, BA. KU. STICKER

DOG DECK, HORSE DECK, COW DECK, WIZARD DECK, DOG COMPLETE, HORSE COMPLETE, COW COMPLETE

SKULLWING CHARGER TRUCKS, SKULLWING PRO 3 TRUCKS, SKULLWING TEE

69MM BLACK SLICK WHEELS

SKULL DINNER TEE, EVERYTHING I LIKE TEE, SKULL SURF BOARDS TEE, SKIM MILK TEE, SKULL LOGO POCKET TEE, ROOTS & CULTURE TEE

GIRLS PINK V-NECK TEE, GIRLS PINK FITTED TEE, GIRLS PINK ZIP HOODY, GIRLS GRUMBLER TANK TOP

INFANT ZIP HOODY, INFANT BASEBALL TEE

Amazing

Check out the Barrier Kult Blog and more at thebarrierkult.blogspot.com  and http://www.skullskates.com/

The best park in the 559 is Orange Cove.  Knox skates street, DLE gives aways his life savinga and Tim Garner gets raw.

Fashawn is huge.  Famously discovered at the age of 17 by Planet Asia, he has been touring the world since.  A full on Central California phenomenon.  On top of it all Fashawn in down to earth and can still be seen around skating the parks.  This interview is from Early October 2009 when he played at Howie and Sons.

So I hear you've been pretty busy lately, a new album, and upcoming tours?

I'm going on "The Wizard Of Poetry Tour" with Ghostface this fall. We're traveling all over America in 45 days. In the mix of all that i got my debut album title "Boy Meets World" coming October 20, 2009. I've never been so nervous in my life. I'm more excited than anything.
   

How did growing up in Fresno affect your music, do you think you would even be into Hiphop if you had different circumstances?

I think i'd still be involved in the culture even if I had grew up in Beverly Hills. i believe the content of my music would be totally different. I would've never made a record like "Our Way" with out the experience of growing up in a place like Fresno.

 

What artists have you been working with lately?

I have'nt been working with too many artist, but i'll name a few: Strong Arm Steady, AC, Bravo, J.cole, Amp Live of Zion I, U-N-I,The Alchemist. There is so many artist i have yet to collaborate with.

How did you make the transition from living in Fresno, being a kid, to working with all these big time people doing something you love?

I knew I had talent and so did everybody else around me. I went from recording mixtapes in my freinds closet  to catching the ear of rap legends . I knew all i needed was to be put in the right hands, so I reached out to Hecktik who was managing an artist by the name of Diego Redd at the time. 2006 was the beginning of that relationship. We've been making history ever since.


Do you have to leave Fresno to make it big?

I saw the rise of Planet Asia and noticed how he had to get out of this little city to really get his name known worldwide. I'd say you definitley have to make the move because the world is bigger than Central California.

 

You're music doesn't sugar coat anything, but at the same time seems real positive, is that just you're personality, or is it a conscience decision?

That's just a part of who i am. I can't help it honestly. I feel like that form of communication is the most effective.

When did you start skateboarding?

I started skateboarding when I was Ten years old.
When I met you you said you skated with Jesse Paez and Ryan Johnson, those dudes are infamous for sure.

Ryan Johnson is from my hometown. I'd always catch him skating at the park. Jesse Paez is from Visalia, so every time i'd go to Redwood High to skate he'd pop up out of no where. I miss those days.You really had to grow in that era to know what i'm talking about.


I read on your website that you like to read.  What books have you read lately?

Outliers by Malcom Gladwell is what i'm reading these days.


Any thank you's or shout outs?

I wanna thank every one who came to my shows this summer. All my fans around the globe and everybody reading this.

I have known Zach off and on for over 10 years now. He probably doesn't remember, but I first met him on 6th and Clement and we went skating, then I saw a photo of him in Thrasher and was like 'woa, that's that dude!' apart from just skating Zach has been documenting the lives of the skateboard world in and around San Francisco paper and screen, so here it is...an interview.

How old are you?

33

What's up with Mission Skateboard shop?

Mission Skate Shop on 24thst. is a good place to get your board gripped while you enjoy a tasty burrito next door or perhaps a cold beer across the street. Just don't leave your stuff laying around, the staff might rummage through it.

[John, Sean, Jordon]

Remember the old Jersey Barriers near Embarcadero? Those were sick!

Remember? fuck yes! that was one of the sickest and short lived spots in the city. Phil Shao backside tailslide through the corner. thank you Dan Drehobl and Magnethead. How long have you lived in SF? I first flew into sf in 1978...I lived back and forth from the burbs in the east bay with my dad and Austin Texas with my mom until 1994...that's when I turned 17 and moved to the city...so, 16 years.

[fishnet]

So you skate...and you also take photos, how did that come about?

Marty Mcfly and plastics got me into this life of pain. as far as photography goes...I’ve always been a visual thinker and attracted to photo images. I’d had point and shoots...then in 2003 I took an intro to photography class at City College of San Francisco and learned shutter and aperture and black and white printing. Your photos are pretty raw, so do you consider yourself to have style? I shoot what attracts me or compels me or what surrounds me...and I am usually attracted to and surrounded by a little bit of chaos and/or goodtimes/badtimes...I just look for the light... do I have style? uh, I hope so..., that's fucking subjective is'nt it?...

[Tony Trujillo, necktie]

Speaking of style, what was the last photographer you saw that stoked you out?

You mean photo or photographer? Eugene Richards goes to hell and creates these unspeakable images. Avedon makes a B-line for your soul...I think Tobin has some of that magic, too...so, anything that they shoot. What's more important, equipment or skill? If you want to call it skill...then skill. Ive always kind of thought that a photo takes itself...I mean there's the moment and there's the camera...all your doing is deciding when and how to operate the machinery. but I also remember a certain successful photographer saying--I didn't shoot a good photo until I got a good camera. A interesting subject helps, too.

[Tom]

What is your equipment? Short and skinny...

Is photography something you have considered making a living off of?

Well, walking dogs and scrubbing dishes is also an option. It's good work if you can get it, yeah.

[How Dare You #10, Emily]

Generic question..film or digital?

Nothing like true black and white film prints...but it’s goddamn expensive and time consuming. Also with digital you can fit an entire darkroom on your desktop or in your back pack. the digital images are getting really good, too. It all boils down to the image...that is-- the end...not so much the means. Shout outs? Anyone who ever gave me a ride, let me crash on their floor or helped me move. Via con dios...

[Hosoi, BSA]

Visalia Park 10 Year Jam Photos

 The 10 ten year skate jam at The Visalia Skatepark has come and gone.  It was definitely a good day, even though the cops shut off the mic halfway through the best trick event.  Thanks to everyone who made it possible especially DLE and Tim G. for building the spine and the incredible transforming box and Consolidated, Addikt, The Future Satori and Paying In Pain for kicking down with some product.  The ravenous kids ate 130 hotdogs in about 5 minutes.  Tim got broke off in a big way, but he's OK.  Jeron simply ripped all day.  Next time it'll be 25 years and the same dudes.

 Mike Blunt to fakie

 Party Barge

 Kiddie Barge

 Karma

 Rich handled the grill.

 Jeron

 Judges

 Ron Allen, 2nd time I've seen him in The Valley this month.

 The brains behind it all.

 Danny Johnson

 Dale and his extension.

 Rich pulled out the switch nosepick. 

Tim Garner, Noseblunt Slide

Hitt'n up some Bay spots with the one and only Karma Tsocheff

Took a weekend trip up to Humboldt with the Creation/Satori dudes.

Here is a reprint of the Paying In Pain artilce from Issue 15 called "Where Are We Going?" It contains interviews with everyone from Grant Brittain to Rich from John Doe and was quite the undertaking. One of the grandest skateboard press achievements of all time. Read on...

If I’ve learned anything it’s the fact that I don’t know anything. Nobody can predict the future, but we try because we’re human. So… what will skating be like in 5 years?

Some people thought it would be more diverse as the new generation learns to skate everything. Grant Brittain says, “I think it will be a lot more open to all kinds of skating and I think skateparks will have a very big influence on that.” Mark Whiteley had a similar answer. “It’s always impossible to predict that far ahead but I can just say where I hope it will be. I think all the skateparks that have been built in the last 5 years or so are going to end up shaping a really big generation of kids and their going to be a lot more well rounded skaters than the last generation or two of kids have been. Especially the kids who are growing up in places like Oregon and Colorado where the parks are gigantic, crazy parks. They’re 10 years old and learning to skate a 12 foot deep vert bowl and fullpipe and also rails, stairs and ledges too. I think for the next generation of kids nothing is going to be scary for them and nothing’s really going to be that hard. With the variety of stuff they’re learning how to skate when their growing up it’s going to be like, everything’s fair game and every skater should know how to skate everything. It’s won’t be as factioned out as it has been.” Davoud thinks the skater spirit will endure just as it always has.

Toad, Frontside Kick.
Photo: Clinton Perry
He says, “Low gravity skateboarding on the moon base will be the next rich-kid extreme vacation. But seriously, in five years skateboarding will be wherever you want it to be, on cable TV or in the 7-11 parking lot or in the backyards or under the freeway.” Rich thinks we’re still in the same cycle and the more things change the more they stay the same. He had this to say: “2009. Hopefully will be like 1989 when the kickflip killed the jump ramp and the vert ramp. Another anomaly will happen like Shackle Me Not, and all these saps that left will do so again and it will be a core unit again. All young kids too.

Neal Mims, Nollie
Photo: Brendan Klein
No bullshit 30+ collecting a paycheck while being dicks to the little guys for jumping on handrails. I’m sure there will be some new trend that everyone will be jumping on, just like it always has been. All I can hope is that the future will focus more on all terrain skating and not just pools and handrails. Both those facets of skateboarding have been exhausted. The Dogtown revival seems to be waning as the old fogies go back to their cubicles and the young guns of the am takeover two years ago are falling by the wayside. Thank God.”

Joe Pino, Ollie.
Photo: Brendan Klein
What about 1000 years? Will humans still skate? Will there be humans? What will they think of skateboarding in the distant future? Rich sees skating as becoming a part of normal life. “They will still probably do it, but I think it will be like baseball. People in 1904 were playing but nobody remembers any of the people doing it back then. Maybe skateboarding will be completely gay and start a Cooperstown phenomenon. I’m sure Tony Hawk would be the first inductee and then maybe Alva, followed by Gelfand and McGill.

Joe Lanegna, Frontside Wall.
Photo: Jeremy Banning
The kid at the local skatepark just like the local kid at the sandlot will die in obscurity.” Others see future archaeologists digging up our boards, such as Grant Brittain saying, “We’ll be so advanced by then, they’ll figure out what it is when they dig them up. Hopefully they don’t just think of them as a toy but they’ll dig up some videos and play the videos back and figure out what’s going on.” Davoud has a similar viewpoint,” Only if the archaeologists dig the shit up, 1000 years is a long time, urethane probably lasts that long though.” Niall believes we will still be skating. He says, “if the wood source lasts it will still be around in a thousand years, I have no doubt. Nothing this simple and positive can die. Wherever there are young people with little money who crave excitement and challenge, skateboarding will be there. It’s perfect.” Jeff Greenwood says more of the same, “If people are still alive at that time then yea I think they'll remember it.“ Mark Whiteley on the other hand doesn’t think it will last. He says, “I imagine it might be a minor footnote.”

Jacksone Taylor, Frontside Kickflip.
Photo: Clinton Perry
How does skateboarding fit in with mainstream culture? I asked this question because like it or not, the large amounts of money being thrown around by outside companies is changing skateboarding. How we deal with the situation will determine where we land. Jeff Greenwood puts the current state in perspective, “well it seems like it isn't having much problem fitting in to American Culture these days. Obviously the mainstream culture in most other nations doesn't even know it exists.” Grant Brittain also sees it everywhere. He says, “it’s everywhere. Mainstream culture is just inundated with skateboarding, in fashion, in the act of skateboarding and music, in art. We’ve had a big influenced in all walks of life and other mediums. Rich also sees skateboarding everywhere and offers a little insight as to why. “All of us started because we saw it someplace else and thought it looked cool. Sure there will be some naysayer who claim they just picked it up and went with it. All of us are a part of mainstream culture. What we wear, eat, drink, and do is moderated by something usually associated with advertising or some kind influence. I’m not claiming this is part of some bullshit Illuminati conspiracy theory to get us all into a framework where we do the evil bidding of the large corporate dominion. It’s just life. If there is a skatepark being built in every city in the world it must fit in their somewhere.” Some like Davoud are not sure if the popularity will stick around, he says this. “Right now skateboarding is pretty mainstream but probably something else will come along sooner or later and all the kids will quit to play electronic scooter tag or whatever. To some extent it depends on whether the skateparks stay open, but since they’re just paving over more and more of the world, it will probably continue to thrive. Mark Whiteley doesn’t see it lastingforever when he says, “It fits in a lot of different places. It definitely is influencing what kind of clothes kids are wearing and what kind of music they are listening to. Being on the Extreme Games and all that stuff has opened up a lot more people’s eyes to skateboarding for better or worse and it’s affecting the kind of things kids, teenagers and young adults are interested in doing. I read something that there are more kids skating now than playing baseball in the United Skates, so it’s definitely shifting the things that kids are interested in doing. Maybe opening their eyes up to other options and then it’s also…when it ends up on cereal commercials and stuff like that it ends up being a kind of novelty as far as mainstream culture goes and when it gets to that point is seems that’s when things are going to turn bad. I think mainstream culture is probably going to lose interest in it again.”

Unknown K-Grind.
Photo: Clinton Perry
What was the most revolutionary moment in skateboarding? This question got some interesting responses. Rich said simply, “The first push.” Jeff Greenwood said something similar, “Arguably, the Urethane wheel. Or How's this... the day you first put one under your feet!” Davoud said, “When Tony Alva invented the wheel.” Niall said, “Oohhh. Probably the emergence of the street ollie and everything it opened up, or maybe Plan- B's Questionable video just in terms of a quantum leap of possibilities.” Both Grant Brittain and Mark Whiteley thought of the first moments of skateboarding. Grant said, “I’d say in the very beginning in the 1940’s when the first skateboard was created. You’ve heard the stories of the roller skate wheels on the piece of wood. Just the genesis of it, I think is the most important part.” Mark Whiteley, said, “I would imagine it would have to be the first time anybody considered what they were doing was skateboarding. When somebody decided it was it’s own thing was the most revolutionary moment.” I have always thought of the skateboard media as a loop. We report on what’s going on so kids can get ideas so maybe they can do something good enough to get reported. So I asked the question, how does the skateboard media affect the progression of the sport? Some like Mark Whiteley has a related view. He said.. I don’t think it directly effects the kinds of tricks and terrain people come up with, but then again I think it helps brings some new ideas to people. 10 or 12 years ago when the tech street revolution was coming around I don’t think that magazines really helped bring any new ideas to what was going on, but at the same time it was showing what was going on to a lot of people who had never seen that kind of stuff before and maybe that gave them some ideas that in turn helped bring some new tricks and terrain. It’s sort of like a funnel rather than a direct influence. It will show what a couple of people are doing and that will allow hundreds of people to think of new ideas.” Others had the view that the skateboard media is following the skaters lead. Grant Brittain said, “I think it can steer it a certain way or have some sort of influence, if their on top of skateboarding…otherwise they might fall behind and not have influence on the progression. Usually the media is just following it, the sooner you can get into something new the better it is. It all goes back to, magazines ran freestyle a lot longer than it should have been run and it was because of the industry. The industry owned the magazines. They had a lot of trucks, boards and wheels to get rid of so they ran freestyle a lot longer than it should have been run. I think now magazines today are trying to be ahead of it. If you’re in touch with skateboarding you know what’s going on. Everything’s so much faster now with DVD’s and videos and skating changes even faster now than it did back then. The industry is owned by skaters now. It’s not owned by the “big five” like back in the day who were not really skaters.” Jeff Greenwood says something along those lines too, “I think the media reports back on a skater pushing the limits. Did the media ask Danny Way to build the Mega Ramp and jump for them? No. Skaters come up with new ideas and media just reports on them.” Rich, with the perspective of a skater rather than a member of the media says this about whether the media affects the skating, “Unfortunately yes. I wish I could say that they didn’t but they do. I had a McSqueeb, I had baggy pants and cut shoes, and small wheels. How many Trujillo’s, Duffel’s, Cole’s, Thomas’, Greco’s, Reynold’s, wannabe’s do you see everyday. Even in Wyoming they’re out there. Kids need heroes. I remember how many people looked like Hensley in 1991. Usually kids imitate the styles of the pros they admire. Which are usually the best pros out there. (I’m like that too, kids admire pros who are good. I love skaters who get me stoked.) Niall says, “I think independent things like PIP do, by nurturing a sense of society. Magazines and videos just tick boxes.”

Chris Senn, Kickflip.
Photo: Clinton Perry
Like skating itself punk rock is a personal thing and everyone has their own definition of what it is. So I asked, how has the "punk rock" attitude affected its history? Grant Brittain has this to say. “That’s one of the things great about skateboarding is that it didn’t fit in with the other sports and that it was the punk rock attitude. It just made it different than everything else. It made people want to be a part of it. People who did not fit in with those other sports or lifestyles. They had an easier time fitting in with skateboarding, we’re pretty much all inclusive and different. Punk rock made it really attractive.” Mark Whiteley said, “Over all it’s been a pretty major driving force in it. It has definitely come and gone in popularity a number of times over the years. I think when skating became it’s own thing it was because of the punk rock skater ideals that broke away from the safe, surf culture thing that skating had grown from. The punk ideals made it it’s own little world. There are so many factions of skating, but it’s definitely always going to have that punk, outcast kinda thing. The way skating is right now, all the people from outside being interested in it and wanting to clean it up a little bit, using Tony Hawk as the pinpoint, everyone looks to him saying that’s what skating’s about when really he’s just one person and you really can’t say skating’s about one particular thing because everybody does it differently and it means something different to everybody else. I think it (the punk ideals) will always influence it as far as the “do it yourself” and apart from the rest of society thing.” Jeff Greenwood simply said, “it's given skateboarding it's freedom. Without punk rock skateboarding would be in P.E. class in the 6th grade.” Davoud, always a little sarcastic said about punk and how things are changing, “skateboarding and punk rock used to be sort of related, but now hip hop and skateboarding, or Top 40 and skateboarding are equally as related. Skateboarding’s attitude isn’t very punk rock when you’re fully padded, wearing 3 wrist bands, a yellow helmet and a grip of Slim Jim and Lego stickers on your board. Glen Friedman and Tony Alva might tell you something different though.” Rich also commented on the changes. “Punk rock may have affected the history of it in the beginning but not until the Ramones started dropping like flies did I see skateboarding and punk intertwined again. From the first Plan B video on I think rap has been the staple in most skate videos. I really don’t classify that FatWreckChords 1997 shit or the new bouncy MTV nautical star tattoo crap as punk rock. I know most of it isn’t punk but the music in the Foundation video “That’s Life” is pretty good. I also like that song from Murder City Devils in Chet Thomas’ Darkstar part. Once again media influence. What is the ultimate goal of riding a skateboard? Why do you skate? This one seemed easy and the answers were quick. Grant Brittain said, “Fun and freedom.” Davoud said, “To go fast and to not fall. And to get chicks.” And Greenwood said, “For most it is FUN.” Niall and Mark Whiteley expanded with Nail saying, “To make you feel like you are a tiny bit better than you previously thought, to get away from everyone else and to make you excited about dry weather.” Mark Whiteley had an interesting response, “I think it’s different for everybody. Everybody has their own reasons for skateboarding. I think the main things would be to see and use the environment around in a way that most people don’t see it and use it and adapt. Use what’s around” Has skateboard design been perfected? Fact is skateboards haven’t changed much at all since ’94. Is this it, or do we have something new to look forward to. Grant Brittain says we do, “It’s a long way from being perfected. If you look at other activities and how the technical aspects of skateboards are still the same, glue plywood, epoxy. I think there’s a long way to go. I don’t think a lot has been done with futuristic materials. I think as we progress technically skateboards will get better. They should get stronger and lighter. There is no reason they can’t, everything else has. With all the materials they are using, titanium, Kevlar, aircraft materials I don’t know why more has not been done in skateboarding. People like Paul Scmitt and a few others have been experimenting with it, but there is nothing really out there in a long time that has changed skateboards.” Rich doesn’t think things have stopped either, he says, “everyone has their own style on how they do things. So until all of us have our own pro model set to our own specifications then it will be perfected. Actually someone will still complain, so no. It has not been perfected.” Niall offers some suggestions, “I think they could probably make the back third of the deck a little stronger and make strong trucks a little lighter, but there again- both those 'teardrop' and corrugated ply decks actually are stronger, but don't sell any better because people don't seem to want a board that lasts for ever; go figure.” Jeff Greenwood offers specific reasons for the skateboards never being able to be perfected. “You'll never be able to have one board for doing a triple kickflip and be able to take the same board to the Danny Way Mega Ramp for jumping a 70 foot gap. Like Surfing, you will need different boards for different conditions.” Mark Whiteley said, “It hasn’t changed much at all in over ten years and even before that the basics of it were pretty much in place since the mid or early ‘80’s. There’s minor tweaking to be done with the parts that are in existence now, but most of the tweaking that’s been done in the last 5 years or 10 years even has been more word than actual difference.” Paying In Pain’s official position is that skateboarding does not belong in Olympics. Other’s opinions are greatly valued though so I asked the question, will skateboarding be in the Olympics? Whatever happens, it will definitely change skateboarding and there will be no going back. Grant Brittain said, “I think it’s cool in ways. Whatever you say about big events like that, The X games or whatever, a lot more people see skateboarding. In the past when somebody asked what was your first skateboard, somebody from my era might say A Black Night Board, then someone from the 80’s might say a Logan Board, then someone from the 90’s would say a Jeff Phillips boards, then someone from the 2000’s would say, well in the future it will be a Rodriguez board. A lot of people will see it. They’ll be doing pro interviews in the future and they’ll say “I saw skateboarding on the X Games, that’s what got me into skateboarding.” We want to deny this, but I think it’s a fact there will be interviews 10, 15 years from now with young skateboarders who are top-notch and they are going to be giving the X Games credit or maybe it will be The Olympics in the future. If there’s money to be made they will get it in.” Others had shorter more direct answers, Davoud said, “probably, but I hope not.” Niall said, “I think that it is inevitable.” Jeff Greenwood said, “I believe so, although I don't see a reason for it to be there. Skateboarding shouldn't be brought down to critical judging.” Rich touched a little on the subject of why people want skateboarding in the Olympics in the first place. “I sure as fuck hope not. I’m sure the skateboard companies wouldn’t mind it though. Imagine how many new skaters will be brought in by such a large televised event. I don’t care what kind of garbage the hardcore companies are spinning this month. In the end they want at least some of the money being brought in by these events. Not everyone can be a Tony Hawk/Andy Mac clone. If Koston supported it, skateboarding would be along for the ride. I know the hard ass bowl buster in you wants to deny it but Koston skates the round wall better than you and he can hit a twenty stair on the way home.”

Chad Bartie, Ollie to fakie.
Photo: Brendan Klein
Since the beginning of skateboarding there have been competitions. What will they be like in the future? What do you see as the future of skateboard competitions? Grant Brittain has a few ideas, “In the skateboard world it will be more like that X-Games contest. It was street skating in more of a street skating environment. It was in a plaza, they put in some extra obstacles, then little ramps to go over things that were already there. Maybe more video contest, where you go out and film for a day several people and you see who was the best at the end of the day. I’m not talking about TV and stuff, I’m talking about within out little world of skateboarding. I think it will be more realistic and more fun and hopefully less commercial. There’s people right now trying to think of new ways to have contests. I always thought the judges should be in little stall and should have headphones on where they couldn’t hear the crowd because that can sway a judge too. Jeff Greenwood had this to say, “More Money and more Specialty Events. It's like every trick is now entitled to it's own competition. Longest Boneless, highest boneless, most stylish boneless... Thanks MTV for turning life into top 10 lists.” Davoud has a lot of plans, “Three-ring circus dog and pony show entertainment festivals, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing on the deck.” Some talked about the rise of jam contests, Mark Whiteley says, “I think probably the X Games kind of contest will continue on, but not be as popular as it is right now. As far as contests being organized by skaters within the industry and the community I would think it would go back to a skate jam kind of thing. A little more informall and not as serious, but as long as there are big outside companies involved in skating the huge prize money and TV contest will continue on.” Niall talked about skate jams in Europe, “I don't blame people for doing obvious stunts at sanitized contests to impress non- skaters; the money is good. I think in the US everything has to be squeaky- clean. In Europe (especially in the East) they are run shambolically, anarchically and all the better for it.” Rich talked about the end of contests, “Soon skateboarding will die again. The money will soon be gone and all those lavish events that have filled the pages of every magazine will be gone. It will all go back to the local contests where the hometown hero will prevail. No more Marsailles, no more Carbondales, and thanks god, no more X-Gaymes. All those pros and industry fucks will have to go back to waiting tables and manning the gas pumps. It will be great. The market is exhausted with over 300 professionals. It’s time for some ethnic cleansing in the pro ranks. All those faggots in their cowboy hats and cool shades drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon will be all be forced to rot. If you’ve been to a big contest you know the type. There will be no more million dollar simulated street courses that don’t resemble any street anywhere in the world. No more super dooper pooper vert ramps with elevators, extensions, retractable bars, over vert cradles, and built in deck coolers to keep the brew cold. Fuck all contests like this. I’d rather have gonorrhea” Does skateboarding mean more than just riding a piece of wood? Are we doing anything for humans as a whole rolling around all day. I asked this questions , have you ever thought of skating in relation to human evolution? Davoud needs to go back to Oregon again, he says, “No, I must not be eating enough mushrooms.” *note Nobody here would actually know if there are a lot of mushrooms in Oregon. Mark Whiteley thinks we’re doing a little, he says this. “The way skaters think about their surrounding and the way they use their body’s is in some ways contributing to at least the evolution of their offspring. Other than soccer there aren’t really that many activities that use foot control as much skaters do and so in that way were becoming a little more monkey like and able to use our bodies as tools better than the average person. That may be a minor evolutionary trait that we may be passing on” Grant Brittain on the other hand views it from the different angle, he says, “I think skateboarding is a reverse in evolution. You don’t use an engine and you use your own leg power. It’s the opposite of what humans are going towards. With the industrial revolution things got easier for humans where they didn’t have to have horses and manpower to run things. Once they got engines people got fatter and there were more heart attacks, so it seems like skateboarding kinda went backwards. It went back to the wheel. All you need is some wheels a board and some truck”. Sometimes I think we’re on the right track and Niall says something to that. He says, “I'm not sure I ever have, but I will tell you this: the most interesting and carefree people in the world are skateboarders. Why that should be I've never really fathomed, but Quod Est Demonstratus- they are. Maybe its what Taoists call the Unnamable, once you define it, it shatters.” Last question. Do you see the progression going on forever or will it end? Some talked about just how advanced and difficult it has become. Davoud says, “I’d prefer to see progression devolve. Skateboarding these days is too difficult, dealing with gravity is hard enough without spinning kickflip McTwists to tail. Doing loops in fullpipes is pretty bad-ass, and modern cement skateparks can push this progression to some extent, but in the end it’s all physics, and there’s only so much you’ll be able to do until you’re rich enough to afford that trip to that low-gravity park on the moon.” Niall says something comparable. “To be honest, I find it hard to imagine how the standard could get higher than now. I think vert, because it is a blank canvas, can go on to infinity but in street its just so advanced that anything you can imagine, some kid is doing right now. Fear has been punctured by some, style and effortless technique has been brought to the fore by others, and technically I think it’s probably at the limits of possibility. But what do I know? Along comes a shop video and up-ends everything again. I suppose that’s what makes it endlessly fascinating. I think mini- ramp could be due for an explosion soon.” Jeff Greenwood says how things are really getting mixed up with different styles from all eras coming into play. He says, “If skating were to die again it would be over. I see it currently as both progression and regression. Old Tricks are getting mixed into the fray as new ones because kids haven't ever seen them before. I think there will always be progression as long as skateboarding endures. Rich says, “it will go in spurts. Sometimes it will look dormant and other times it will spring back with more intensity. Maybe the pressure flip will make a comeback.” Mark Whiteley says, “I think it will continue forever until some point it just completely ends if that ever happens. It’s just the nature of skating that people just want to have a new trick to do, a new spot, something new to talk about. It changes so fast that it has to keep changing or people are going to lose interest.” If anyone knows it has to be Grant Brittain. This is what he said about the future of progression. “It will never end. I’ve been around skateboarding for 30 years, not counting when I was a kid. In the skate industry I’ve been around it since I started working at Del Mar Skate Ranch in ’78, so 25 years or whatever. When I saw Eddie Elguera and Darrell Miller I went, “it can’t go any further than that.” And then the 540 came along. When the 540 hit I went “Anything is possible,” then we saw 720’s and 900’s and people ride handrails. I remember seeing the first ollies. When Alan Gelfand did the ollies at Del Mar I was just blown away. I put no limits on skateboarding, I figured that out a long time ago. Look at stairs. It used to be big if somebody jumped 5 stairs, now it’s 20 something stairs. Danny Way went 70 something feet at the X Games. Just what he did on the mega ramp that was in our magazine. Who would have thought that years ago? In 20 years it’s just going to be nuts, they will be spinning more and going higher and further.”

You might hate him, you might like him, but you can’t deny that Duane Peters in the original punk rock skateboarder. One look at him and you can tell he’s a character who’s been around the block. He’s been pro since most of us were in diapers and now sings for the U.S. Bombs. I had a talk with him while he was wolfing down a burrito.---Jerry Mraz

JERRY
duane
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST BRAWL YOU’VE EVER BEEN IN? I’ve been in so many fuck’n brawls-I’ve been getting beat up in punk rock since ’77, but I can beat myself up better than anyone.

WHAT’S YOUR WORST INJURY? I’ve had so many injuries, I don’t know which is the worst one. I’ve recovered from them all, weirdly. I got into stair diving about two years ago. I’ve dived down almost every set of stairs in America. I’ve done Coney Island High, Maritime Hall in San Francisco, everything. I don’t know why, I just get drunk and think that I’m Evil Kenevel.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR WORST INJURY SKATING? I get hurt skating more than playing. I’ve broken my collar bone 16 times, 8 times on both sides, both my ankles several times, all my fingers, all my toes. I jumped out of a four story building and bent my knee the wrong way. That was probably the worst injury. It was about a three year recovery because I didn’t have surgery.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO PLAY? We’ve played thousands of places. My favorite would have to be Mt. Ridley in England. We were the only American punk band to get an encore in 20 years. I met all my old heroes over there, though they were all pussies. Sorry I keep spitting on you, I don’t have any teeth.

THAT’S OK. We played in front of 17,000 people. It was pretty cool. I fell off the stage, got really hammered. I also had a good time in Kansas City playing for 13 kids in a back ally way singing through a guitar amp.

INFLUENCES? All the old stuff, I love GG Allin, Neal Guthrie, Frank Sinatra, The Clash, I love The Clash, The Pistols, The old Sex Pistols, Frank Black, Sham 69, Some New York, some

L.A. IS THAT WHERE YOU’R FROM? Uh Huh, Orange County.

ARE YOU GUYS SETTLED DOWN? We all do our thing. I got a girl back home, I’m getting married. I love her to death, I write songs about her, she’s on all our records.

ARE YOU STILL ON BEER CITY? Uh Huh, I was just there yesterday, I’m the oldest guy in the world. I’m turning 39 next month and I can still outskate most of these kids and a lot of the pros unless they get switchstance or whatever, but I can outskate them in a pool.

IS THAT YOUR FAVORITE THING TO SKATE? Yeah, I’m into style I invented a lot of tricks so I stick to what I know.

WHAT’S THE ALBUM? Bombs The World.

WORDS OF WISDOM? Yeah, don’t take life so seriously, take it to the most, you gotta follow your dreams, punk rock is individuality, don’t believe in adults telling you that you gotta do what they want you to do-it’s a lie-you gotta do what you want to.