I've been lucky enough to be riding this skateboard of mine for 20 some-odd years now and feel blessed to have been influenced in many ways by the skaters I have known and loved. And while I have a few personal favorites, skaters whom I emulate both on and off board, I'll do my best to avoid personal favorites and be as unbiased as I can be whilst illuminating the general skate public on whom I think have influenced skateboarders, and by extension, popular culture, over the years. My strongest argument for the list I am about to unveil is that these guys were doing what we do now many years before we figured out how rad they were...so, better late than never.
5. Listen, I'm gonna give credit where credit is due, this guy has the best frontside flips in history, and the mark to beat in that category, but there were guys before his time that laid out the framework and made it all possible. That man is number five on my list, but number one in my heart and influence, and he's a name you might not expect.
Let's go down the list: Varial heels, front foot Impossibles, double-tweaked tuck knee Japans, nollie big heels, OG frontside flips, kickflip late shove it...figured it out yet?
Alex Moul did those tricks years before they were perfected, and continues to have the gnarliest, caughten and Kung Fu style when he does them, let this profile of Mouly do all the talking, it explains it all about my most influential skater.
03 October 2009
Top 5 most awkward songs for a video part
Yer just sittin' there watching a new skate vid that just came out, dude's part comes on and you hear the tune playing and you say to yourself, "Now why in the hell would anyone even think to put that song in a skate video part?"
There have been a few awkward song choices for skate vids over the years, and here's my attempt to highlight my top 5 most weird-ass selections for music in a skateboard vid.
5. Back in the day, when the FTC video "finally" did come out in 1993, we were all hyped and anticipating a sick video. What we didn't anticipate is Jeron skating to Mary J. Blige, the most R&B tune to appear in a skate vid up to that point. And while the song is kinda soulful and makes Jeron's skating look pretty smooth in retrospect, I only remember my pals lookin' at me with amazement that this kind of song would be in a video part. Here's Jeron Wilson in Finally, an FTC video
4. One day we heard about a guy from NC who moved to SD and was doing backtails and kickflip 5-0's on rails, and was just the butteriest around. Maple released 7 Steps to Heaven, and Marc Johnson's part was by far the highlight, incredible for it's time, setting a new standard for technical street skating. However, the musical choice which I'm guessing Marc chose, was as eclectic as MJ himself would turn out to be in his later years. Marc Johnson, with Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra performing "Some Velvet Morning" in the Maple Video 7 Steps to Heaven:
3. I knew Element had gone all lame-ass corporate when Elementality Vol. 1 came out, and whomever was in the video production studio at the time decided "Let Me Clear My Throat" from DJ Kool was the appropriate selection for Colt Cannon. Another choice that was obviously in no way connected to the real world of skateboarding videos. Good skating, and Colt's the nicest guy in the world, but for sure a music FAIL. My pals at wiskate.com totally agree with me on this.
2. This one was also the inspiration for this list, and was the number one choice until my web research found an undeniable number one choice. 1994 was indeed a sad year for skateboarding, and many vert legends were ordered by their sponsors to get some street tricks done real quick like to appeal to the new breed of street rats. Ramp legends like Hawk and Cab took off the pads and hit the bricks to pop some tricks, but with mixed results. While Hawk looked altogether gawky on street save for a front 3 or two, Cab handled himself nicely in the streets of San Jose and managed to put out a good part for it's time. Again, I'm guessing someone very far from skateboarding chose to brand this part with lameness forevermore by deciding to make the legend Steve Caballero skate to Sheryl fucking Crow performing, "All I Wanna Do". I almost included Gershon's song from the very same vid (Counting Crows' "Rain King"), in this list, but it will have to remain an honorable mention.
1. Which brings me to the most awkward song for a video part ever, evidenced by the outrage of the skater himself upon hearing what song would be featured in his part...but then again, that's what he gets for professing to love boy bands, as well as splicing in footy of himself doing gymnastics, working out, breakdancing, trampolining, snowboarding, etc. In a ghastly display of skateboarding testosterone, here's the number one most awkward music selection for a skateboarding video part: Rob "Sluggo" Boyce in the RDS video FSU. I'll let this one come as a surprise:
There have been a few awkward song choices for skate vids over the years, and here's my attempt to highlight my top 5 most weird-ass selections for music in a skateboard vid.
5. Back in the day, when the FTC video "finally" did come out in 1993, we were all hyped and anticipating a sick video. What we didn't anticipate is Jeron skating to Mary J. Blige, the most R&B tune to appear in a skate vid up to that point. And while the song is kinda soulful and makes Jeron's skating look pretty smooth in retrospect, I only remember my pals lookin' at me with amazement that this kind of song would be in a video part. Here's Jeron Wilson in Finally, an FTC video
4. One day we heard about a guy from NC who moved to SD and was doing backtails and kickflip 5-0's on rails, and was just the butteriest around. Maple released 7 Steps to Heaven, and Marc Johnson's part was by far the highlight, incredible for it's time, setting a new standard for technical street skating. However, the musical choice which I'm guessing Marc chose, was as eclectic as MJ himself would turn out to be in his later years. Marc Johnson, with Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra performing "Some Velvet Morning" in the Maple Video 7 Steps to Heaven:
3. I knew Element had gone all lame-ass corporate when Elementality Vol. 1 came out, and whomever was in the video production studio at the time decided "Let Me Clear My Throat" from DJ Kool was the appropriate selection for Colt Cannon. Another choice that was obviously in no way connected to the real world of skateboarding videos. Good skating, and Colt's the nicest guy in the world, but for sure a music FAIL. My pals at wiskate.com totally agree with me on this.
2. This one was also the inspiration for this list, and was the number one choice until my web research found an undeniable number one choice. 1994 was indeed a sad year for skateboarding, and many vert legends were ordered by their sponsors to get some street tricks done real quick like to appeal to the new breed of street rats. Ramp legends like Hawk and Cab took off the pads and hit the bricks to pop some tricks, but with mixed results. While Hawk looked altogether gawky on street save for a front 3 or two, Cab handled himself nicely in the streets of San Jose and managed to put out a good part for it's time. Again, I'm guessing someone very far from skateboarding chose to brand this part with lameness forevermore by deciding to make the legend Steve Caballero skate to Sheryl fucking Crow performing, "All I Wanna Do". I almost included Gershon's song from the very same vid (Counting Crows' "Rain King"), in this list, but it will have to remain an honorable mention.
1. Which brings me to the most awkward song for a video part ever, evidenced by the outrage of the skater himself upon hearing what song would be featured in his part...but then again, that's what he gets for professing to love boy bands, as well as splicing in footy of himself doing gymnastics, working out, breakdancing, trampolining, snowboarding, etc. In a ghastly display of skateboarding testosterone, here's the number one most awkward music selection for a skateboarding video part: Rob "Sluggo" Boyce in the RDS video FSU. I'll let this one come as a surprise:
Top 6 most unique video parts in recent memory
"THE MAGIC OF EFFORTLESS GLIDING"
I've been pondering some more video imbed lists of skateboarding trivia and lore, and decided a while back I wanted to do lists of the most awkward songs for a video part, and a list of the most eclectic and unique video parts, and after seeing the video part I just saw, I'm gonna hafta do the Unique list first off, with a last second upset for the win...I present the 6 most unique video parts in recent memory:
6. Back in the early 90's, it was all the rage to try all those double-flippin', crop dustin', mobbed out helicopter flips, and as ridiculous as those attempts got back then, they don't even come close to the ridiculousness of this dood, the absolute master of multiple revolution mystery flips. He was in an early Birdhouse video or two and his name was Brent Marks. I personally witnessed a flawless triple heelflip over the pyramid at SPOT, (have video of it still,) and two of his tricks in this part (with his brother Rodd making a cameo appearance) are filmed on our pyramid hip at Evans Park in Brandon, circa 1991. Wince away:
5. Okay Richie Jackson here you go, of course you are on the list...this one is the "gimme" for a list of this sort. This dood has fully committed to the bohemian concept and his flare is outta control, the pants are ass-huggin' (not in a girl jeans way but in a hip hugger way) and straight 60's, he's the ultimate flower child on a skateboard, and I bet next year he raises the bar and skates barefoot all the time...first comes his part from Death Skateboards "Escape from Boredom", the first part I had seen of him, and to me, the best still.
From the recent TWS vid "And Now"
4. Absolutely had to have Gou Miyagi in this list if is at all to be legit, this guy has a fondness for round rails like I've never seen, and he skates the craziest spots in Asia...if this is your first time seeing this part I'll be back with your jaw after I scoop it up from the floor and dust it off, no talky talky, watch and learn:
3. The original inspiration for this list, and the first to coin the phrase "circus tricks." His tricks are unexplainable, his music is epic, and his ender is pretty damn impressive, enough to get him a cover of TWS. Guessing this dood was a gymnast or some shit in high school. Another unique approach to boardriding. From the Hollerado video, it's William Spencer.
In this bonus part from the more recent Denver Shop video "In Color", William addresses the "legit skaters" who would dare to clown his "circus tricks"
2. Almir Jusovic, I'm pretty sure he's Slovakian, and his music is pretty awkward as well, if I could understand any of it, anyhow, someone never got around to wrecking this kid for continuing to buttboard way past his 10th year of life, and now he's taken it to ridiculous lengths. No words do it justice so just watch this craziness:
#1...this part absolutely blew me away, for reasons that can only be viewed, descriptions fail the radness that is Vamo Anda from Italy...prepare to be humbled.
I know I am missing some even crazier skate parts, I would include for honorable mention Sergio Salgado aka "Filoko" from Chile, the entire Beez video series, maybe mention Todd Falcon, and of course those pressure flip combos from Sherwood, leave a comment if I've missed any, oh and I had to include the pioneer of skateboarding weirdness, couldn't leave this out.
That is indeed, the magic of effortless gliding...
I've been pondering some more video imbed lists of skateboarding trivia and lore, and decided a while back I wanted to do lists of the most awkward songs for a video part, and a list of the most eclectic and unique video parts, and after seeing the video part I just saw, I'm gonna hafta do the Unique list first off, with a last second upset for the win...I present the 6 most unique video parts in recent memory:
6. Back in the early 90's, it was all the rage to try all those double-flippin', crop dustin', mobbed out helicopter flips, and as ridiculous as those attempts got back then, they don't even come close to the ridiculousness of this dood, the absolute master of multiple revolution mystery flips. He was in an early Birdhouse video or two and his name was Brent Marks. I personally witnessed a flawless triple heelflip over the pyramid at SPOT, (have video of it still,) and two of his tricks in this part (with his brother Rodd making a cameo appearance) are filmed on our pyramid hip at Evans Park in Brandon, circa 1991. Wince away:
5. Okay Richie Jackson here you go, of course you are on the list...this one is the "gimme" for a list of this sort. This dood has fully committed to the bohemian concept and his flare is outta control, the pants are ass-huggin' (not in a girl jeans way but in a hip hugger way) and straight 60's, he's the ultimate flower child on a skateboard, and I bet next year he raises the bar and skates barefoot all the time...first comes his part from Death Skateboards "Escape from Boredom", the first part I had seen of him, and to me, the best still.
From the recent TWS vid "And Now"
4. Absolutely had to have Gou Miyagi in this list if is at all to be legit, this guy has a fondness for round rails like I've never seen, and he skates the craziest spots in Asia...if this is your first time seeing this part I'll be back with your jaw after I scoop it up from the floor and dust it off, no talky talky, watch and learn:
3. The original inspiration for this list, and the first to coin the phrase "circus tricks." His tricks are unexplainable, his music is epic, and his ender is pretty damn impressive, enough to get him a cover of TWS. Guessing this dood was a gymnast or some shit in high school. Another unique approach to boardriding. From the Hollerado video, it's William Spencer.
In this bonus part from the more recent Denver Shop video "In Color", William addresses the "legit skaters" who would dare to clown his "circus tricks"
2. Almir Jusovic, I'm pretty sure he's Slovakian, and his music is pretty awkward as well, if I could understand any of it, anyhow, someone never got around to wrecking this kid for continuing to buttboard way past his 10th year of life, and now he's taken it to ridiculous lengths. No words do it justice so just watch this craziness:
#1...this part absolutely blew me away, for reasons that can only be viewed, descriptions fail the radness that is Vamo Anda from Italy...prepare to be humbled.
I know I am missing some even crazier skate parts, I would include for honorable mention Sergio Salgado aka "Filoko" from Chile, the entire Beez video series, maybe mention Todd Falcon, and of course those pressure flip combos from Sherwood, leave a comment if I've missed any, oh and I had to include the pioneer of skateboarding weirdness, couldn't leave this out.
That is indeed, the magic of effortless gliding...
28 September 2009
A jukebox of skateboard video featured tunes
I spent half the night compiling a whole slew of my favorite songs featured in skateboard videos both classic & recent, and thought I would share the link.
Here's how you approach this one, play the jukebox below, and get to reminiscin'! You'll be shouting out the names of skaters and the videos they are featured in, much to the chagrin of the non-skate company within earshot that has to hear you randomly shout, "Jeremy Wray in Second Hand Smoke!", and have no fucking idea what you are talking about.
Please comment if you recognize a song and what it's from and we'll compile a list of correct answers, until then, enjoy a trip down skate vid memory lane...
It's funny how many bands have been discovered by skateboarders from the skate vids, and we went on to go to the shows and buy the cds...you would think any band in their right mind would grant free permission to use any of their tunes, especially for independent skate vids, just sayin' is all...
Okey doke, enjoy the jukebox comment it up
JUKEBOX OF SKATEBOARDING'S GREATEST HITS
(holler with any music that should be added to this jukebox)
Here's how you approach this one, play the jukebox below, and get to reminiscin'! You'll be shouting out the names of skaters and the videos they are featured in, much to the chagrin of the non-skate company within earshot that has to hear you randomly shout, "Jeremy Wray in Second Hand Smoke!", and have no fucking idea what you are talking about.
Please comment if you recognize a song and what it's from and we'll compile a list of correct answers, until then, enjoy a trip down skate vid memory lane...
It's funny how many bands have been discovered by skateboarders from the skate vids, and we went on to go to the shows and buy the cds...you would think any band in their right mind would grant free permission to use any of their tunes, especially for independent skate vids, just sayin' is all...
Okey doke, enjoy the jukebox comment it up
JUKEBOX OF SKATEBOARDING'S GREATEST HITS
(holler with any music that should be added to this jukebox)
21 November 2008
Top 10 skateboarding video parts of all time
...in this humble skateboarding journalist's opinion...
I remember one of my first writing assignments, for the Cucumber Skateboards newsletter "Seeds", having to write about my top 25 best skateboard video parts as of 1997. In the meantime lots of amazing videos have been released, and in the interest of creating some Digg-friendly content as to not be unceremoniously buried, here lies the top 10 skateboard video parts of all time, with Youtube links of course.
This is completely open to debate and will probably be expanded, so if you are a skater and are looking at this list and see a glaring deficiency, or remember a legendary video part from an amazing skater that I somehow left out, please let me know so I can either
A: Tell you that particular part isn't as awesome as you think it is and doesn't deserve inclusion or
B: Slap myself in the face for forgetting that amazing part and include it in a more detailed list.
Some of the criteria for my selections are as follows:
Is it ahead of it's time? Is that part so far advanced that we look back on it now and see how it set the standard for the modern accepted norm of a video part? Is it technically superior to other video parts of it's time? Is the style of the skater so far advanced at the time as to make others look wonky in comparison? Is the editing and filming superior for it's time?
So without further ado, here is this humble reporter's idea of his 10 favorite skateboard video parts in history...
10. John Cardiel, Sight Unseen, Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, 2001
Cards is one of the most respected skateboarders in the world, and this part highlights his mastery of transition like no other. Attacking both spots and parks in Sacramento and the norcal area, absolutely shutting down Ripon and Newburg skateparks with unparalleled aggression, and bringing speed and precision to his tricks, Cardiel, currently on the comeback trail from a near-paralyzing injury, proves that grit and determination are the cornerstones of modern skateboarding, and is an absolute inspiration both on and off board. The Cardiel rail in SF is aptly named for him for a reason, as no one else even dreams of approaching it. Gonz said, "The faster he goes the more control he has, which is unexplainable." his alley oop airs and overtweaked grabs will go down in history as some of the burliest maneuvers of all time.
9. Ricky Oyola, Eastern Exposure 3, Underacheivers, Dan Wolfe, 1996
East coast skateboarding can be defined by one part and one part only, and that's the legendary Ricky Oyola's part in Dan Wolfe's independent video Eastern Exposure 3, Underacheivers. Shot in black and white (a first for it's time,) and edited to Metallica's "Damage Incorporated," this was the first part that stood out for its musical selection and editing as well as skateboarding. Dan Wolfe's editing techniques in this video would set the standard for every video to follow, and remains one of the most influential videos of all time, as well as the spot and trick selection of Oyola and his east coast/Philly spots. Fast paced and frenetic, the video also featured unforgettable appearances by an unknown Donny Barley, Tim O'Connor and Reese Forbes, but Ricky steals the show and wraps the video with an unforgettable appearance.
8. Brian Lotti, Now N' Later, Planet Earth, 1991
If "ahead of it's time" was the only criteria used to determine the best video part ever than Brian Lotti would undoubtedly be the number one choice, as his style and trick selection was well ahead of the curve. He pioneered (or at least made the most stylish) the frontside bluntslide on street (still one of the most difficult tricks to do smoothly) and the backside 360 ollie that would set the standard for years to come.
7. Mark Gonzales, Video Days, Blind Skateboards, 1991
The Gonz, along with Natas Kaupas, were the engineers of the new era of street skateboarding, the first to skate handrails, the first to popularize kickflips and shove its on street, borrowing from inventor Rodney Mullen, and Gonz's part in the legendary 1991 Spike Jonze directed "Video Days" set his legend in stone, even years after his fame had waned from his pro debut in 1986. The first video to feature jazz music for a part (sorry Stereo "A Visual Sound",) Gonz does the coffin through traffic and skates kinked rails that no one else would even consider approaching, not to mention arguably the first gap ollied in history, the self-titled "Gonz gap" at EMB (Justin Herman Plaza in SF.) Any skateboard video afficionado must put Video Days on their top 3 best videos ever.
6. Marc Johnson, Fully Flared, Lakai Footwear, 2007
MJ must be included in this list, but the difficulty was determining which of his lengthy video parts to choose from, my first instinct was to say Man Down from the Tilt Mode Army, or maybe Maple's 7 Steps To Heaven from 1997, perhaps Yeah Right!? But in the end you gotta give it to Fully Flared, with 3 songs this time instead of the usual 2 (don't most skaters have only one song for their part? That alone says it all about Marc.) Recipient of the Skater Of The Year award from Thrasher for this part, MJ proves he hasn't lost a step and puts the curtains on the most anticipated skateboard videos of the last 10 years, arguably. San Jose's finest is unassuming, humble, and technically advanced, and it all comes together in Fully Flared.
part 1part 2
5. P.J. Ladd, P.J. Ladd's Wonderful Horrible Life, Coliseum Boardshop, 2002
As far as shop videos go, this million-plus selling release from Boston's Coliseum skateshop could arguably be one of the best ever, at the very least in terms of anticipation, and while the appearances of a then-unknown Ryan Gallant and a strong part from Alexis Sablone giving Elissa Steamer a run for her maney may be noteworthy, it's the video's namesake P.J. Ladd that puts this video on the map as one of the best independent features ever. And while the latest video with a skater's name in the title, City Skateboards, "What the F#*% is a Bachinksky" was a bit of a letdown from it's namesake, P.J.'s part was all we had dreamed it would be and more. P.J.'s flatground hijinx amaze, and his mastery of ledges and combo tricks has yet to be paralleled, even in the combo-heavy Fully Flared. Tricks like frontside 360 heelflips down 8 stairs had kids clamoring for the rewind button, and Ladd sets a new standard for lines which has yet to be equaled, with nollie heel shifties, nollie cab flips and hardflip reverts thrown in the middle of runs...and if that wasn't enough, styles for miles.
4. Guy Mariano, Mouse, Girl Skateboards, 1996
For those who are about to call shenanigans and say that his part from the recent Lakai video "Fully Flared" outdoes this part, let me defend my choice by stating that this part was so advanced for it's time that it far outweighed anything released in that time period, the switchstance tricks were completely unrecognizable until watched multiple times, as Guy pushes properly (non-mongo footed) riding in both his normal regular foot stance as well as goofy. Not to mention his greatest trick in the video, not even in his part, but during the credits of the video, a mind-numbing switch frontside shove it to switch k grind, never before done at the time, and replicated on the same rail by Lucas Puig 12 years later. Mariano's comeback is an inspiration to every skateboarder, but this part still shines in my mind as his best.
3. Rodney Mullen, Rodney Vs. Daewon Round 2, 1999
It was difficult choosing the one video part of Rodney's that excels above the rest, and while it's difficult to say who really "won" any of the Vs. battles with he and Daewon, (apples and oranges as far as I'm concerned,) this part stands out in my opinion as his best effort, stepping it up to picnic tables and completing about every krooked grind flip in, flip out trick known to man, words can't describe this originator and Digg favorite's bag of tricks so we'll let the video do the talking. Great music accompaniment as well.
2. Chris Cole, New Blood, Zero Skateboards, 2005
How could I have almost forgotten about this chap? Everyone knew Chris Cole was arguably one of the burliest and at the same time most stylish skaters of all time, but it was this part where his full potential was realized. A lackadaisical backside 360 kickflip that said, "What? Can't everyone do these?", handrail tricks that I actually want to watch, varial heels on triple sets, proper inward heelflips and back 3 nollies (who else can say that?), and all with a style that every skater envies and wishes they even could come close to. Tre' flip Wallenberg, now that's an ender ender ender. The bar has been raised forevermore.
1. Pat Duffy, The Questionable Video, Plan B, 1992
I debated whether I would put this obvious choice as my number one part of all time, but really who can argue this point? Pat Duffy was a nobody when this part first hit the scene, had the opening part in a super anticipated "dream team" of still famous pro skateboarders, and yet Duffy from Marin stole the show from skaters that are still in the top 5 of all time, showing a handrail attack that was completely unprecedented. Back smith grinds through kinks, double 360 flips, double kinked round handrails, Caballerials down hefty sets of stairs, and the astounding backside lipslide in the rain to the oh-so-appropriate "Riders On The Storm" by The Doors? So far ahead of the curve that it has to be the choice for best video part of all time.
Let me stop you before you tell me about how I forgot about Matt Hensley and Natas Kaupas, and I admit not including Jeremy Wray in Plan B "Second Hand Smoke", as that part is the first to expertly synch the music to the skateboarding, an all-too-common ocurrence in modern videos, but a top 11 would just look weird and besides, I'll probably do another one of these lists sooner than later...
So there you go, Digg nation, some content to chew on...until next time, hope these video parts provide some inspiration, get off the damn 'puter, grab your stuntwood and go out and shred it up! Late!
I remember one of my first writing assignments, for the Cucumber Skateboards newsletter "Seeds", having to write about my top 25 best skateboard video parts as of 1997. In the meantime lots of amazing videos have been released, and in the interest of creating some Digg-friendly content as to not be unceremoniously buried, here lies the top 10 skateboard video parts of all time, with Youtube links of course.
This is completely open to debate and will probably be expanded, so if you are a skater and are looking at this list and see a glaring deficiency, or remember a legendary video part from an amazing skater that I somehow left out, please let me know so I can either
A: Tell you that particular part isn't as awesome as you think it is and doesn't deserve inclusion or
B: Slap myself in the face for forgetting that amazing part and include it in a more detailed list.
Some of the criteria for my selections are as follows:
Is it ahead of it's time? Is that part so far advanced that we look back on it now and see how it set the standard for the modern accepted norm of a video part? Is it technically superior to other video parts of it's time? Is the style of the skater so far advanced at the time as to make others look wonky in comparison? Is the editing and filming superior for it's time?
So without further ado, here is this humble reporter's idea of his 10 favorite skateboard video parts in history...
10. John Cardiel, Sight Unseen, Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, 2001
Cards is one of the most respected skateboarders in the world, and this part highlights his mastery of transition like no other. Attacking both spots and parks in Sacramento and the norcal area, absolutely shutting down Ripon and Newburg skateparks with unparalleled aggression, and bringing speed and precision to his tricks, Cardiel, currently on the comeback trail from a near-paralyzing injury, proves that grit and determination are the cornerstones of modern skateboarding, and is an absolute inspiration both on and off board. The Cardiel rail in SF is aptly named for him for a reason, as no one else even dreams of approaching it. Gonz said, "The faster he goes the more control he has, which is unexplainable." his alley oop airs and overtweaked grabs will go down in history as some of the burliest maneuvers of all time.
9. Ricky Oyola, Eastern Exposure 3, Underacheivers, Dan Wolfe, 1996
East coast skateboarding can be defined by one part and one part only, and that's the legendary Ricky Oyola's part in Dan Wolfe's independent video Eastern Exposure 3, Underacheivers. Shot in black and white (a first for it's time,) and edited to Metallica's "Damage Incorporated," this was the first part that stood out for its musical selection and editing as well as skateboarding. Dan Wolfe's editing techniques in this video would set the standard for every video to follow, and remains one of the most influential videos of all time, as well as the spot and trick selection of Oyola and his east coast/Philly spots. Fast paced and frenetic, the video also featured unforgettable appearances by an unknown Donny Barley, Tim O'Connor and Reese Forbes, but Ricky steals the show and wraps the video with an unforgettable appearance.
8. Brian Lotti, Now N' Later, Planet Earth, 1991
If "ahead of it's time" was the only criteria used to determine the best video part ever than Brian Lotti would undoubtedly be the number one choice, as his style and trick selection was well ahead of the curve. He pioneered (or at least made the most stylish) the frontside bluntslide on street (still one of the most difficult tricks to do smoothly) and the backside 360 ollie that would set the standard for years to come.
7. Mark Gonzales, Video Days, Blind Skateboards, 1991
The Gonz, along with Natas Kaupas, were the engineers of the new era of street skateboarding, the first to skate handrails, the first to popularize kickflips and shove its on street, borrowing from inventor Rodney Mullen, and Gonz's part in the legendary 1991 Spike Jonze directed "Video Days" set his legend in stone, even years after his fame had waned from his pro debut in 1986. The first video to feature jazz music for a part (sorry Stereo "A Visual Sound",) Gonz does the coffin through traffic and skates kinked rails that no one else would even consider approaching, not to mention arguably the first gap ollied in history, the self-titled "Gonz gap" at EMB (Justin Herman Plaza in SF.) Any skateboard video afficionado must put Video Days on their top 3 best videos ever.
6. Marc Johnson, Fully Flared, Lakai Footwear, 2007
MJ must be included in this list, but the difficulty was determining which of his lengthy video parts to choose from, my first instinct was to say Man Down from the Tilt Mode Army, or maybe Maple's 7 Steps To Heaven from 1997, perhaps Yeah Right!? But in the end you gotta give it to Fully Flared, with 3 songs this time instead of the usual 2 (don't most skaters have only one song for their part? That alone says it all about Marc.) Recipient of the Skater Of The Year award from Thrasher for this part, MJ proves he hasn't lost a step and puts the curtains on the most anticipated skateboard videos of the last 10 years, arguably. San Jose's finest is unassuming, humble, and technically advanced, and it all comes together in Fully Flared.
part 1part 2
5. P.J. Ladd, P.J. Ladd's Wonderful Horrible Life, Coliseum Boardshop, 2002
As far as shop videos go, this million-plus selling release from Boston's Coliseum skateshop could arguably be one of the best ever, at the very least in terms of anticipation, and while the appearances of a then-unknown Ryan Gallant and a strong part from Alexis Sablone giving Elissa Steamer a run for her maney may be noteworthy, it's the video's namesake P.J. Ladd that puts this video on the map as one of the best independent features ever. And while the latest video with a skater's name in the title, City Skateboards, "What the F#*% is a Bachinksky" was a bit of a letdown from it's namesake, P.J.'s part was all we had dreamed it would be and more. P.J.'s flatground hijinx amaze, and his mastery of ledges and combo tricks has yet to be paralleled, even in the combo-heavy Fully Flared. Tricks like frontside 360 heelflips down 8 stairs had kids clamoring for the rewind button, and Ladd sets a new standard for lines which has yet to be equaled, with nollie heel shifties, nollie cab flips and hardflip reverts thrown in the middle of runs...and if that wasn't enough, styles for miles.
4. Guy Mariano, Mouse, Girl Skateboards, 1996
For those who are about to call shenanigans and say that his part from the recent Lakai video "Fully Flared" outdoes this part, let me defend my choice by stating that this part was so advanced for it's time that it far outweighed anything released in that time period, the switchstance tricks were completely unrecognizable until watched multiple times, as Guy pushes properly (non-mongo footed) riding in both his normal regular foot stance as well as goofy. Not to mention his greatest trick in the video, not even in his part, but during the credits of the video, a mind-numbing switch frontside shove it to switch k grind, never before done at the time, and replicated on the same rail by Lucas Puig 12 years later. Mariano's comeback is an inspiration to every skateboarder, but this part still shines in my mind as his best.
3. Rodney Mullen, Rodney Vs. Daewon Round 2, 1999
It was difficult choosing the one video part of Rodney's that excels above the rest, and while it's difficult to say who really "won" any of the Vs. battles with he and Daewon, (apples and oranges as far as I'm concerned,) this part stands out in my opinion as his best effort, stepping it up to picnic tables and completing about every krooked grind flip in, flip out trick known to man, words can't describe this originator and Digg favorite's bag of tricks so we'll let the video do the talking. Great music accompaniment as well.
2. Chris Cole, New Blood, Zero Skateboards, 2005
How could I have almost forgotten about this chap? Everyone knew Chris Cole was arguably one of the burliest and at the same time most stylish skaters of all time, but it was this part where his full potential was realized. A lackadaisical backside 360 kickflip that said, "What? Can't everyone do these?", handrail tricks that I actually want to watch, varial heels on triple sets, proper inward heelflips and back 3 nollies (who else can say that?), and all with a style that every skater envies and wishes they even could come close to. Tre' flip Wallenberg, now that's an ender ender ender. The bar has been raised forevermore.
1. Pat Duffy, The Questionable Video, Plan B, 1992
I debated whether I would put this obvious choice as my number one part of all time, but really who can argue this point? Pat Duffy was a nobody when this part first hit the scene, had the opening part in a super anticipated "dream team" of still famous pro skateboarders, and yet Duffy from Marin stole the show from skaters that are still in the top 5 of all time, showing a handrail attack that was completely unprecedented. Back smith grinds through kinks, double 360 flips, double kinked round handrails, Caballerials down hefty sets of stairs, and the astounding backside lipslide in the rain to the oh-so-appropriate "Riders On The Storm" by The Doors? So far ahead of the curve that it has to be the choice for best video part of all time.
Let me stop you before you tell me about how I forgot about Matt Hensley and Natas Kaupas, and I admit not including Jeremy Wray in Plan B "Second Hand Smoke", as that part is the first to expertly synch the music to the skateboarding, an all-too-common ocurrence in modern videos, but a top 11 would just look weird and besides, I'll probably do another one of these lists sooner than later...
So there you go, Digg nation, some content to chew on...until next time, hope these video parts provide some inspiration, get off the damn 'puter, grab your stuntwood and go out and shred it up! Late!
It's about time Cote' started a blorg
This is me.
(filming in San Jose with the Canon GL-1 3CCD videocamera with attached Ultra Fisheye Lens, a.k.a the "Death Lens")
I have been skateboarding since Christmas of 1988. My first setup was a twenty dollar flea market board with a ninja graphic, replete with polyurethane wheels and taildome, purchased from Joe and Jackie's Flea Market in Seffner, Florida, which was and still is as white trash as it sounds.
My amateur skateboarding "career" highlights include consistent top 3 placing in the Florida Amateur Skateboard League (FASL) from 1991-1994, recipient of the Skater Of The Year award, upseating previous year winner Andrew Reynolds. Was shop/rep flowed boards from Color Skateboards and 60/40, and toured as full am with my friend Terence's small, Leesburg, FL based company Cucumber Skateboards. Nothing too notable. I have been making skateboard videos since 1990, when I acquired a VHS video camera from the local rent-to-own establishment (remember those?) attaching a fisheye lens to it with electrical tape. My first video was called "Adventures in Hi-8", the Cove Skate & Surf team video, 100 vhs copies of which were handmade and distributed around Florida in early 1996. Reynolds had the last part, went pro for Birdhouse and moved to California soon thereafter. I continue to skate to this day, pushing my own limits and trying to keep up with the little groms out there ripping it up. I am predominantly a street skater, but grew up skating transition (very handy these days with the current skate trends,) and even have a few vert tricks up my sleeve.
I decided to start my own blog for a number of reasons, first, as an outlet for some of the skate-related writing that has been building up in the social networks I subscribe to, as well as to publish a few ideas I would like to get out into the blogosphere, but for the most part I have undertaken this new endeavor in order to get some articles on my favorite community news site, digg.com.
I peruse the fine pages of Digg everyday and hail it's personalized interface, and always click on the skateboarding related articles hoping to see my favorite pastime reflected in a positive light, but for the most part I am sorely disappointed in the content I link to, and while some sites like Tony Hawk's ShredOrDie.com link up to some decent content, I see alot of websites that are attempting to be a part of the online skateboarding world, but are mostly wannabe sites with names like skateboardpark.com or some other site that no real self-respecting skateboarder would visit.
In later blogs I hope to show the world outside of hardcore skaters the websites that real, core skaters frequent, but for now I would like to make this little corner of the blogosphere a trusted outlet for skateboarding news, noteworthy videos and news items from a seasoned, published writer in the skateboarding world.
While I don't claim to be as successful a skateboarding journalist as a Rob Brink , a Mark Whiteley or a Paul Zitzer, I have had a few pieces published in print and online, and have 4 pages published in a compendium of essays by established skateboarders and skateboarding journalists entitled "No Comply: Skateboarding Speaks On Authority," published by my esteemed colleague Chris Long at FunNotFame Productions, which features skaters like Marc Johnson, Karl Watson, industry veteran Jim Gray, Anthony Pappalardo and many many more well respected writers/riders who really know about skateboarding and are true insiders.
Please bookmark this blog as more info is to come, I will link you up with some of the online articles I have been published in, as well as essays and gripes about the skateboarding world and the commercial interests attempts at cashing in on the lifestyle and wheeled undertaking that kept me out of trouble for so long and continues to be my inspiration for creative expression, as skateboarding has introduced me to creative writing, painting, graphic design, filmmaking and editing, and music mixing and production. From many years of reading skate magazine articles and pro skater interviews I have been introduced to so many amazing books and films and musicians, and will attempt to highlight the best that the skateboarding media world has to offer, as well as offer my own gripes and praises of the current trends in the skateboarding world.
Consider me the Dave Barry of skateboarding journalism, as we have needed a big-mouthed over-opinionated columnist of sorts to bitch and moan about the lameness and back the radness that is skateboarding.
And so be it...also dude, will probably end up writing some music-related articles as well, as one of the reasons I wanted to launch this blog was to create some of those Top 10 lists that so famously make it into the annals of the Digg universe.
Blessings,
Paul Cote'
the author ollieing over my niece Caroline and nephew Henry, Sept. 1999, the day I moved to California...tomorrow marks the day I leave the west coast to return to sunny Florida where I grew up, perspective on the workings of the epicenter of skateboarding culture soon to come...stay tuned!
(filming in San Jose with the Canon GL-1 3CCD videocamera with attached Ultra Fisheye Lens, a.k.a the "Death Lens")
I have been skateboarding since Christmas of 1988. My first setup was a twenty dollar flea market board with a ninja graphic, replete with polyurethane wheels and taildome, purchased from Joe and Jackie's Flea Market in Seffner, Florida, which was and still is as white trash as it sounds.
My amateur skateboarding "career" highlights include consistent top 3 placing in the Florida Amateur Skateboard League (FASL) from 1991-1994, recipient of the Skater Of The Year award, upseating previous year winner Andrew Reynolds. Was shop/rep flowed boards from Color Skateboards and 60/40, and toured as full am with my friend Terence's small, Leesburg, FL based company Cucumber Skateboards. Nothing too notable. I have been making skateboard videos since 1990, when I acquired a VHS video camera from the local rent-to-own establishment (remember those?) attaching a fisheye lens to it with electrical tape. My first video was called "Adventures in Hi-8", the Cove Skate & Surf team video, 100 vhs copies of which were handmade and distributed around Florida in early 1996. Reynolds had the last part, went pro for Birdhouse and moved to California soon thereafter. I continue to skate to this day, pushing my own limits and trying to keep up with the little groms out there ripping it up. I am predominantly a street skater, but grew up skating transition (very handy these days with the current skate trends,) and even have a few vert tricks up my sleeve.
I decided to start my own blog for a number of reasons, first, as an outlet for some of the skate-related writing that has been building up in the social networks I subscribe to, as well as to publish a few ideas I would like to get out into the blogosphere, but for the most part I have undertaken this new endeavor in order to get some articles on my favorite community news site, digg.com.
I peruse the fine pages of Digg everyday and hail it's personalized interface, and always click on the skateboarding related articles hoping to see my favorite pastime reflected in a positive light, but for the most part I am sorely disappointed in the content I link to, and while some sites like Tony Hawk's ShredOrDie.com link up to some decent content, I see alot of websites that are attempting to be a part of the online skateboarding world, but are mostly wannabe sites with names like skateboardpark.com or some other site that no real self-respecting skateboarder would visit.
In later blogs I hope to show the world outside of hardcore skaters the websites that real, core skaters frequent, but for now I would like to make this little corner of the blogosphere a trusted outlet for skateboarding news, noteworthy videos and news items from a seasoned, published writer in the skateboarding world.
While I don't claim to be as successful a skateboarding journalist as a Rob Brink , a Mark Whiteley or a Paul Zitzer, I have had a few pieces published in print and online, and have 4 pages published in a compendium of essays by established skateboarders and skateboarding journalists entitled "No Comply: Skateboarding Speaks On Authority," published by my esteemed colleague Chris Long at FunNotFame Productions, which features skaters like Marc Johnson, Karl Watson, industry veteran Jim Gray, Anthony Pappalardo and many many more well respected writers/riders who really know about skateboarding and are true insiders.
Please bookmark this blog as more info is to come, I will link you up with some of the online articles I have been published in, as well as essays and gripes about the skateboarding world and the commercial interests attempts at cashing in on the lifestyle and wheeled undertaking that kept me out of trouble for so long and continues to be my inspiration for creative expression, as skateboarding has introduced me to creative writing, painting, graphic design, filmmaking and editing, and music mixing and production. From many years of reading skate magazine articles and pro skater interviews I have been introduced to so many amazing books and films and musicians, and will attempt to highlight the best that the skateboarding media world has to offer, as well as offer my own gripes and praises of the current trends in the skateboarding world.
Consider me the Dave Barry of skateboarding journalism, as we have needed a big-mouthed over-opinionated columnist of sorts to bitch and moan about the lameness and back the radness that is skateboarding.
And so be it...also dude, will probably end up writing some music-related articles as well, as one of the reasons I wanted to launch this blog was to create some of those Top 10 lists that so famously make it into the annals of the Digg universe.
Blessings,
Paul Cote'
the author ollieing over my niece Caroline and nephew Henry, Sept. 1999, the day I moved to California...tomorrow marks the day I leave the west coast to return to sunny Florida where I grew up, perspective on the workings of the epicenter of skateboarding culture soon to come...stay tuned!
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