December is my father's birthday month. Unless my math is wrong, which is highly likely, if he were still alive he'd be turning 64.
I've always wanted to write something about him. A book, perhaps. But not necessarily in traditional book form.
After nine years of pondering it, experimenting, being afraid, busy, and insecure—as well as dealing with the evolution of the Internet as we currently know it—I think I have the concept down.
A bunch of these tricks were in the new Expedition Madness video. I nearly forgot about them. Enrique has some sick NBDs that came that outta nowhere. Had people stoked as hell. Congrats, Kenny!
The following conversation took place in April of 2009, the week Leo Romero left Baker to ride for Toy Machine. It was intended to be an audio interview for The Skateboard Mag's website, accompanying his photo-only feature that ran in the mag that month, in which case, it would have been his first interview discussing all that you're about to read.
Much to my dismay (especially when I found out there'd be no paycheck for me as a result), Leo requested that only the photos run and I've been sitting on this for over a year and a half.
My apologies in advance if you've read some of this info in interviews that have since been published by other mags or websites. I figured since he's the new SOTY, it's a good time to publish regardless. Enjoy, and congrats, Leo! Well deserved.
I have this theory that you’re really into slamming and pain. Am I wrong?
I mean, no one likes pain. I wanna make the trick obviously, but part of the fun of skateboarding is scraping your elbow and falling on your knees. As a kid walking around with scabs all over me, I was like, “Fuck yeah! I’m a dirty skater!” You know what I mean? To me, that’s skateboarding.
I remember you came up to me once and said, “Why do you always put slams of me on the Internet?”
Yeah, ‘cause I saw this clip you made of a RVCA demo and it was all slams and only two makes. I was like, “Fuck, I swear I made more than two tricks.”
For the first time ever ... the innocent victim of a foliage-loving maniac's rage speaks openly about his traumatic experience. Candid details from Gino Durante—then, now and what the future holds for him. You don't want to miss this one.
Okay okay, that's a bit over the top. But yeah, the story behind the bush incident is coming soon, for real.
Festivus: Stay Gold Premiere
Words: Rob Brink The Skateboard Mag, December 2010
When was the last time you waited five years for something?
Like, really really waited.
Five years is an eternity when you’re counting down the days ‘til you get your driver’s license.
It seems even longer while you’re waiting to turn 21 so you can go grab a beer without any hassles or get into a bar so you can step up your game with the ladies.
Other than that, there isn’t much else in life young skateboarding folk yearn for, is there?
The interesting thing about skateboarders, more than any other lot of people out there today—except maybe the dweebs holding their breath for the next Star Wars film to be announced—is how long they will endure the wait for a new video to come out, despite cock tease after cock tease from ads, trailers, release date delays and so on.
