July 31, 2008
... Or casts, or surgery...
Love or hate this Mega Ramp bullshit, Danny Way is one gnarly mother fucker. See this slam?
Then this slam happened. And just so you know, about four or five of 'em just like 'em happened in practice too. Faceplants galore.
Then he landed those runs with backflips and varial 540s. He's simply not of this planet.
July 24, 2008
Bryan Herman
Words: Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag, September 2008
Bryan Herman struck me as a simple dude who just wants to enjoy his ride. Simple is always better. So let’s keep this intro simple too, shall we? Bryan made me laugh harder than anyone I’ve ever interviewed. The way he says shit, and the way he laughs before and after he says it is contagious. We sometimes forget how important laughter is until we spend 15 minutes doing it uncontrollably, ya know? Makes you wonder why you don’t do it more often.
So tell us about G Code…
Pretty much if you don’t know what G Code is you can’t have it explained to you. You just got to know what it is—the code you live by, you know?
Whatever happened to the Bryan Herman’s Big Adventure video and the Skatetopia you were gonna build?
I want to do that still. I’ve been filming with Beagle for a long time. We’ll just go and fuck around and that’s the stuff that’s kind of cool. I was going to put it together for my mom for a Mother’s Day gift—all the things I’ve been doing over the years. It would be sick to come out with a video and call it Bryan Herman’s Big Adventure.
Did you get your mom anything this Mother’s Day last week?
I cut out a bunch of pictures and I made a little collage book for her. Me and my two brothers did it. It was all artistic and shit. Reminded me of third grade.
Awwww… the sensitive side of Bryan Herman. This will be a touching interview.
Nah man. That ain’t gonna happen.
July 23, 2008
Kyle Leeper
Words: Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag, September 2008
Kyle Leeper always looks like he’s on a vacation. He’s one of the funniest, most quotable people you’ll ever meet—without even trying to be. He’s a simpleton who doesn’t sweat the small stuff… or even the big stuff. He’ll instantly lighten up a session or situation if he sees it getting too intense.
He’ll give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. One time I happily returned the favor when he needed to take a shit at a spot but had nothing to wipe with.
He’s patient and makes everything look effortless… from rocking a plaid pair of shorts with slip-ons, a v-neck tee and some goofy sunglasses, to insanely teched-out no comply variations on flat or skating some weird-ass obscure spot. To be quite honest, skateboarding needs more people like Kyle.
You did a Black Label demo yesterday. Do kids ask who the hell you are?
All the time, dude. They think I’m like, the team manager. Is this going well? I feel lightheaded. Interviews freak me out. Are we halfway done yet? [Laughter]
July 22, 2008
Here's a clip from the éS Skatepark of Tampa demo featuring Kelly Hart, Justin Eldridge, Mike Anderson, Cale Nuske, Javier Sarmiento and Bobby Worrest.
And a few sequences too!
July 21, 2008
I'm on my first éS tour right now. Leaving Tampa heading to the ATL. It's hot.
July 20, 2008
Sean Malto
Words: Rob Brink
Slap, July 2008
A few years ago it was “Everybody loves Leo.” And, don’t get me wrong, we all still do. However, as of late, it seems Sean Malto has taken the “Everyone loves” title by a mile. His energy is infectious. Watching him, you can’t help but smile. Sean makes skateboarding look really fun and really easy. The former is true for all of us. The latter, for most of us, not so much. The best part about Sean though, is that he doesn’t really seem to care how fun or cool or talented he is… he’s just humbly enjoying the ride. In fact, he’d probably just smile at this sappy little intro, deny it all, saying someone else is cooler and better and more fun, then push off and switch flip a 12 first try.
Do you get weirded out when I say you have the best hair in skateboarding?
Uh, a little bit. I don’t know why you say that. My hair kinda sucks.
Your mom cuts it still?
Yeah.
If I ever come to Kansas City, I’m having your mom cut my hair. Do you think she’ll be down?
Oh yeah, for sure. Whoever comes to Kansas City, free haircuts.
July 20, 2008
Olly Todd
Words: Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag, August 2008
“Olly is small and skates obscure things that can be only be skated by a similar diminutive person with magical elfven qualities. He's a one of a kind. Get him drunk and he will not stop dancing, but may occasionally get angry and bite your toes off, so wear protective footwear when partying with him. He reads and writes extremely well, which means he's less likely to be homeless than most pros when all is said and done. I think he lives under a bridge somewhere in London, and like most magical elves, he has no phone (he just appears when needed), so getting a hold of him may prove extremely difficult. Not to fear though, Todd Mate is emerging on the scene and making quite the name for himself stateside these days. I think he may even be able to afford a phone by the time you read this.”
—Chris Pastras
They say you’re into reading and writing…
I don’t take it too seriously. To be honest, I don’t like to talk about it in the skateboard media. I prefer to keep it separate.
So then how do you feel about being interviewed?
I hate it! I don’t like being put on the spot. I always freak out about what I’m gonna say and it being taken the wrong way.
July 19, 2008
The Weenabago Projekt 2: Tosh Crosses America
Words: Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag, April 2008
Back in 2005, Tosh Townend and a friend from high school had the grand idea to bring a low budget skate tour up the West Coast, from Huntington Beach to Vancouver, and do it wild style. Instead of waiting ‘til Tosh’s sponsors initiated and funded a trip, they took it into their own hands, pooled their money together, bought an RV, called a few friends (Wes Lott, Jake Rupp, Brent Achtley), hit the road, had a great skate and a great time and called it the Weenabago Projekt. Shortly after, they released a video of the trip. Somewhere during that time, they knew they’d do it again one day. Then, “again” happened in August 2007…
I saw the trailer for your new video… the Girls Gone Wild vibe…
Yeah, it’s gonna be pretty good. Comedy for sure. We got a lot of good footage. I think it’ll be out in April.
July 18, 2008
Sometimes email from Jerry Hsu mysteriously arrives in my inbox and it's usually something like this:
Or this:
July 18, 2008
My dear friend Leanne Biank is captured on film gettin' artsy over at the Nike 6.0 site! Isn't she cute! Check her site out...