One of the things that makes skateboarding different on the East than the West is the lack of pros on the scene. So when someone like Tim O'Connor actually resides there and shows up at a skatepark the kids are stoked and even a little timid.
After a few hours of sessioning indoors to escape the cold, we sat down to relax and a group of five or so kids took the opportunity to ask Tim some questions about their favorite pros, how he got to where he is and get their shoes and iPods signed. Tim gladly took the time for all of it. I'm pretty dumb for forgetting my camera and not getting any skate footage, but I snapped a few cameraphone photos.
Ok, for the final time I have re-edited this Baker footage. Gimme a break, I'm learning. But now I got titles and music and slams, figured out how to make it a little better quality and all sorts of goodies. Also added a Video section to the site so all the videos can now be easily be seen in one spot.
Last year, at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, Analog clothing held a best trick contest. Here's the little bit of ghetto footage I managed to get and found on my hard drive a few weeks ago. Tony Tave, Billy Marks, Andre Genovesi (the winner) and Sierra Fellers.
Ever wonder what the hell my deal is? Well this is me varial heelflipping up a miniature euro gap at the etnies park last week. Check out how high I blasted that shit. Check out how caught it is! Check out my "steez" yo! Check out how the park is baron. Oh ya, I landed it. Stoked!
The Last Days Of Opie And Anthony by Rob Brink
Stance August 2002
This interview took place just two days before a married couple, trying to win NYC radio jocks Opie and Anthony's “Sex In Public” contest, got caught getting it on in the Big Apple's holiest place—St. Patrick's Cathedral. A week after the stunt, Opie and Anthony found themselves out of their four-million-dollar-a-year jobs, where they reached millions of listeners in seventeen cities across the country.
After a brief hiatus, the duo found a new home for their show on XM radio. Only about three of the following questions and answers ever made it to print in Stance, back in 2002, but I have included the full, unedited interview for all you O&A fans here.
How many cities are you on in?
O: About 20.
How many listeners?
O: We don't know, but don't want to know, that may freak us out, whether it's a lot or too little.
Now that you are syndicated, what is your goal with the show? Do you have a mission?
O: Obviously to put out a quality radio show every day, just because we are syndicated doesn't mean we made it, we still have to prove ourselves in all these cities. And so far so good, in most of the cities we are killing. Then it's a matter of keeping up that quality. A: Once you get there, now you gotta hold it, and there are other markets that we arent in that we want to get into.
O: We want to do a TV show but no one has come up with the idea yet for a TV show. But we don't really have an idea at this point.
What was your craziest or best moment on the air?
O: There's so many. Having a girl flash on the Today Show was pretty special, she did the whole W.O.W thing for us live on the Today Show with the W.O.W logo on her belly. That was a pretty huge moment.
A: Blind boxing was just one of those things. People always ask us “Is there some line you have?” And that one came close, because when we are standing there watching two blind guys beating the crap out of each other. That was one of those times where I said “What are we doing?”
O: We had a pregnant girl jump rope and run up and down stairs in the studio hoping that she would give birth in the studio.
How far along in the pregnancy was she?
O: She was right there man!
And you guys would want her water breaking and placenta in the studio?
O: Well it never happened anyway.
What was your worst?
O: We don't really regret anything, you can't really be in this type of radio and regret anything.
Do you two ever get to the point where you can't stand each other? How do you deal with that when you have to go do a four-hour radio show together?
O: When it comes to the show, we've always been on the same team and we really take shots at each other. For some reason we can hate each other going in to the studio but still turn out a good radio show.
A: We butt heads every so often, but that's kind of normal. But you gotta go in there and do the show, but usually by the time the show's over we are like “What? Huh?” and its over.
Who is the hottest chick in the world right now?
O: Tiger Woods' girlfriend (Elin Nordegren) is pretty hot. And Anna Kournikova.
A: I think Janine Garafalo is really sexy.
O: Aaarrrghhh!
Really?
A: No, you print that I'll have to kill you.
Now that you've proved your heterosexuality. If you had to make out with any guy on the planet, who would it be?
A: Ewwwahhh! I'm not getting involved in this one.
Oh come on, if you had to pick one.
A: I don't have to pick one.
O: We'd have to have some kind of option.
Well, I'd say Brad Pitt if you asked me, and I'm totally straight.
O: But, see, you're thinking about it.
Oh, is that gay?
O: We've had the discussion on the air. If you are thinking about it, it's a little weird. Like, I couldn't come up with anybody, because I wouldn't think about it.
Oh, so you're that straight?
A: Even if you could just throw one out and come out with one, when our fans and listeners read it, do you know the world of hurt that will come down on us on that day over the phone?
I thought it would be fun.
A: Are you insane?
O: God, I'd have to think of the ugliest dude so anyone that reads this would go "He was obviously kidding."
A: Yeah, pick Steve Buscemi. And kissing is another thing, more so than just the sex act.
O: Kissing makes it romantic. You'd have to go right for the "Hob the knob."
A: I think the kissing is what makes it gay. (Laughs).
O: At least like, if you had to do it to survive, like "Who's knob would you hob?" then I would almost understand.
Well what about when you are with your girlfriends and they say “So and so is a good looking guy” is there ever as time when you agree?
O: I guess you'd have to be blind, I mean you can see why girls think Brad Pitt is a good looking guy.
A: Is that your pick Opie? (Laughter)
O: No.
As far as your show is concerned, what are you most proud of?
A: Its no single thing, but being able to do this on a daily basis for as many years as we have been doing it, and the popularity of the show seems to be going up, knock on wood. We are doing better and better. I am really proud by where we are right now and where it looks like we are headed. I am amazed by it on a daily basis.
O: I am proud that the listeners get what we are all about. I love reading email from the listeners who say that we made their horrible commute an enjoyable experience. Just imagine that—we all get stuck in crazy traffic, but there are people out there that don't mind being in the traffic because of the service we provide with this radio show and that definitely makes me really proud.
Who has influenced you guys as far as radio is concerned?
O: No one now, I think radio in general just blows. But when I was growing up on Long Island, of course I listened to Howard Stern. To fake and make believe we didn't would be ridiculous. I really learned my part of the O&A show from Brother Weese in Rochester. He's a morning guy up there who is a down to earth guy who relates to his listeners in a way that is a lot different than anyone else I have never listened to. Beside those two guys, I can't think of anyone else…maybe Casey Kasem.
How about influences just in general?
O: Growing up I was into Andy Kaufman. I was into how he was able to fuck with his audience. I really took a lot from that. I took a lot from Sam Kinison, how he could be out of his fucking mind and pretty much say what the average person or comedian wouldn't say.
Anthony, you seem to be the quiet one.
A: You hit me on a day when I had to sit and listen to an insurance salesman for a half hour. Almost lulled me to sleep.
O: I was into Nirvana and what Kurt brought to music, which was the balls to do something completely different than anyone else at the time. I admire that because there's not a lot of people out there in the creative field that are willing to take that chance. Tool is a band that has taken chances obviously, and always has. And speaking of Tool another person I admired growing up was Bill Hicks. He was pretty amazing.
Any advice for kids who want to be on radio or have their own show one day?
O: Two simple words: Be yourself. There's a lot of phonies out there that act like they are tough and act like they are cool, but they are listening to the wrong advice from those stupid program directors out there.
A: One thing I learned, is more importantly than knowing when to listen to your superiors, is learning when not to listen to your superiors, and go with your instincts. O: We've said that in a lot of interviews, and no one prints it, especially trade magazines, they are scared to print that. Ant and I would have never gotten where we are today if we had listened to our bosses. I think there are a lot of professions out there that that's very important. There was a lot of asshole bosses who thought they could control us and tell us what to say and do, and we just constantly got in so much trouble it wasn't even funny, but we had a vision and knew we had to go for it.
Tim O'Connor Trick Tip:
The Grasshopper
March 2001
Here's video of Tim O'Connor demonstrating the "Grasshopper" on the walk from the SPoT to the hotel at Tampa Pro 2001. I'm not sure if he named the trick or what. But it looks absurd and only took him two tries.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to see Explosions In the Sky play two nights at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. The shows were bewildering. It doesn't get much better than they played. Here's a cell phone photo of their guitars left on the stage (still wailing distortion and noise) after the last song. The crowd refused to leave until guitarist Mark Smith came back out to thank us and convince us that the show was, indeed, over. If I had the set lists, I'd post them. I was far too mesmerized during the show to even remember. Sorry. If you were there, you'd know what I mean.
For my Cashing In On God article, the people I interviewed had lots of interesting and entertaining things to say. Since only a few quotes were pulled for the article, I figured y'all might want to read the full interviews. Here's Jamie Thomas and Salman Agah. Jamie even offered to "keep me in his prayers!" Matt Rodriguez and Scott Bourne to follow.
Jamie Thomas
March 2003
Can you think of any graphics or ads through the years, religious or sacrilegious, that you liked or disliked? Favorites?
The few that I remember are the Gabriel Rodriguez graphic on 101 of Jesus and the Jason Jesse graphic of Our Lady of Guadalupe by Santa Cruz. I liked those. Those are the ones that come to mind besides the ones that we've [Zero] done.
You (and Zero) have had plenty of religiously-themed graphics, what was s your favorite?
Probably the most simple one that says the most. The cross board.
You're known for publicly promoting your beliefs in God. More recently than in the past. Why the choice (if “choice” is the right word) to start doing this?
In the past I didn't believe that the truth could be found through God. I felt that the truth was something that I could figure out and conclude on my own. But, that theory would make me God. The Lord brought my selfish ways to my attention and I saw the light and the real truth that lies in the word of God. After a realization like that, I felt it natural to want to share it with people.
Is religion/spirituality in skateboarding as just another way to sell boards by throwing religious images or figures on them? Or by using passages from the bible in ads, etc? Is it a way of expressing beliefs and enlightening others or cashing in on something that is sacred and deeply personal? Or both?
It's funny that you say it like that. When I told the sales people at Zero that I was making a board with a cross on it, they told me it wasn't a very good idea because Christianity wasn't cool and never had been, so it would probably hurt my image. They also suggested we should only make a small amount because they were uncertain that the demand would justify making the normal size run. I did it against their suggestion. I felt it was a statement that I wanted to make and even if we only made a small run, I still wanted to do it. My cross board, with John 3:16 in the background, has been my best selling pro model board ever. It's been seen more than any of my boards, which means the message was delivered. God knows where my heart is and where my money goes. In other words I can't really dwell on why someone else thinks I made the board.
Do you think it is a shock value, “rock ‘n roll” type thing or is it the sincere belief in religion and the desire to share that with the skaters?
It's a way to share the message of hope to people, like myself, who used to not have any.
Is religion “fashion?”
Fashion is fashion and the truth is the truth. On the other hand, you can fashionably know and display the truth.
Why put Satan, Bin Laden, Pentagrams in graphics and ads while also using Jesus, bible passages, and crosses? Is this sending a mixed message to kids who are at a very impressionable age? And why are Satan, devils, and pentagrams in general just so appealing to kids? World does it, Blind, 151, etc.
Kids are exposed to these expressions everywhere they turn. I don't know why anyone else does it. But s far as Zero goes, in order for me to have the freedom to express my personal beliefs and opinions, the other team riders have to also have the same right to express their views and opinions no matter how adverse or different they are to mine—which is why I could have a cross and another pro could have a pentagram or Satan.
Do you feel a responsibility to inform kids on faith? Help them learn about religion and moral framework? Or at least avoid doing things that will confuse them?
I feel responsible to be a positive roll model and for me that means sharing the good news of our Savior. So through my boards and my message, I try and take a little shine off of me and put it on things that will last forever.
Is it “right” to use religion to sell products anyway? Is'nt this why society persecuted people like Madonna and Marilyn Manson, Rocco, and Big Brother magazine in the past? All did it artistically and creatively, and I have enjoyed all of them at one point or another, but many people had major problems with all of these individuals.
I don't know what it is to you. But, I am expressing my views and the things that I find important through the avenues that reflect who I am. Some are on products that you have the right to purchase if you choose and others are in interviews like this. People with strong beliefs that aren't afraid to put them out there are always going to be persecuted by someone.
Is it sacrilege to skate a board with Jesus on it, ruining his image and so forth by sliding it on ledges? Would one beat up their bible or rosary beads, for example, in such a way?
I don't think material items such as wood, paint or even a bible are sacred, maybe sentimental but not sacred.
Why do you think religion is so frequently used? Other belief systems or lifestyles aren't always so common. There isn't as much promotion of alternate sexuality, or other social issues like politics, or the environment, or human rights, etc? To take it a bit further, other than the Rastafari thing, why haven't companies marketed Judaism, or Hinduism, for example? Are none of these as “cool” as Christianity?
There are loads of different lifestyles and beliefs more commonly expressed than Christianity. In our industry as well as most others "partying" is a lifestyle that is like a hundred to one more commonly marketed than Christianity. There are only like 20 pros that I know of that profess there faith out of the 100's of pros out there. I can't speak for other religions, but it seems that the religions you mentioned are more cultural based than most, so maybe they don't mix too well with skate culture.
Anything else you would like to add to the topic?
I'll keep you and yours in my prayers.
Salman Agah
March 2003
Can you think of any graphics or ads through the years, religious or sacrilegious, that you liked or disliked? Favorites?
I really liked Natas pope on a rope graphic as well as Gabriel Rodriquez Jesus graphic. I also really like one of my personal graphics that Kevin Ancell did in the early 90's that had killing, stealing, and destroying on the bottom of it. It was painted in the Da Vinci style and was an everslick. Lots of shops rejected it because of its graphic content.
Have you ever had a religious graphic?
Yes. I've had quite a few.
You're known, more so in the past, for promoting your belief in God. In your part in the first Real video, for example. Why the decision to do that? And why haven't you done that lately?
Yes it is true in the past I was a lot more outspoken about my faith! I felt at the time that it was my responsibility to share my faith with others given the amount of influence I had then. I wouldn't say that I haven't shared my faith with others lately. I just share my faith in different ways. I could name thousands of examples of things that I have done in the past, that I still do ,but do differently. For example I do kickflips differently now as opposed to when I first learned them. As I've grown in my humanity, I've also grown spiritually so the way I share my faith has taken different shapes and forms.
Is religion/spirituality in skateboarding as just another way to sell boards by throwing religious images or figures on them? Or by using passages from the bible in ads, etc? Is it a way of expressing beliefs or cashing in on something that is supposed to be sacred and deeply personal?
I think that any graphic on a board is put there to entice buyers to buy that particular board. I know that when I have used religious or biblical graphics on boards that I personally wanted to share a personal side of me with whoever was interested in buying my board. All products that are made for sale are for the purpose of cashing in regardless of make, model, or graphic! You know that! I think that all graphics express something. When I had the opportunity to turn pro, graphics just so happened to be more personal. I didn't turn pro in the generic series graphic era. Putting graphics on your personal pro model is a way to both make money and get whatever message across to the consumer that you desire.
Do you think it is a shock value, “rock ‘n roll” type thing or is it the sincere belief in religion and the desire to share that with the skaters?
I only answer for myself. I am sincere. If someone is shocked I have no control over that. I don't believe in religion!
Why would someone (Zero/Jamie Thomas) who is into “God” put Satan, Bin Laden, Pentagrams and skull board graphics next to graphics of Jesus and crosses in their board lines and ads? Is this sending a mixed message to kids who are at a very impressionable age?
I don't know why Jamie Thomas puts Satan, Bin Laden, Pentagram, and skull board graphics next to graphics of Jesus and crosses. I know that the Bible talks about sex, sodomy, murder, love, faith, hope and a multitude of other things and the message seems pretty clear to me. I guess any message can be mixed up.
Do you feel a responsibility to inform kids on faith? Or at least avoid doing things that will confuse them?
I don't feel a responsibility to inform kids on faith. That is what their parents are for. I don't base my actions on what I think kids might think.
Is it “right” to use religion to sell products anyway? Isn't this why society persecuted people like Madonna and Marilyn Manson, Rocco, and Big Brother magazine in the past?
What is right and where does it come from? I don't know. ask I-Path.
Is it sacrilege to skate a board with Jesus on it—ruining his image and so forth by sliding it on ledges? Would one beat up their bible or rosary beads, for example, in such a way?
I've never seen a board with Jesus on it. I don't see a problem with skating a board with a religious graphic on it. Why would anyone beat up a Bible or slide on rosary beads? There is an element of skateboarding that is destructive; however it is not for the sake of destruction.
Why do you think religion is so frequently used? Other belief systems or lifestyles aren't always so common. There isn't as much promotion of alternate sexuality, or other social issues like politics, or the environment, or human rights, etc? To take it a bit further, other than the Rasta thing, why haven't companies marketed Judaism, or Hinduism, for example? Are none of these as “cool” as Christianity?
Christians that share their faith do so out of humility and charity. Here is a metaphor as to why. Most of the world is in debt is it not? I'll use myself as an example. Consider this. If some stranger came up to me and asked me if I had debt and I told him that I did. If he told me that he would clear my debt and that I'm free of it. I would be filled with joy and free of my burden. I would naturally tell every one. So it is with Christ. Reflect on that. See if that makes sense.
I think that there is much promotion of all that you are talking about. There are blatant references to Satan in skateboard marketing. Cab openly talks about his fondness of Zen. Jews do not proselytize. If anyone looks closely enough there are many references to all sorts of issues in skateboard marketing. Element uses the environment. Whatever the case maybe its all in there.
I was going through some old photo albums recently and found this photo of Tim O'Connor that I took on a disposable camera about 10 years ago. This was a first try lipslide in Tim's hometown of Morristown NJ at his old high school. Check out how rad the quality is!
Ok, I'm not Dan Wolfe or Ty Evans, but I finally figured out how to edit my ghetto digi cam footage. Here's the entire reel of stuff I got from the Baker demo last Sunday. And hot damn I even added music! Andrew Reynolds, Leo Romero, Kevin Spanky Long and Rammy Issa.
