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]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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July 7, 2008
Flick: Toy Machine’s Lurk Fest
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag June 2008
So I guess Nick Trapasso is the hot shit these days. He can make even the biggest tour video haters actually like a tour video because he’s in it. And we all know tour videos are total throwaway footage, right? That’s why they are free! No, it’s true. I read it on the message boards.
This new Toy Machine tour video, Lurk Fest, is hereby proclaimed officially cool and acceptable in the skateboarding industry. Ed, Turtle Boy and crew can totally rest easy tonight, knowing they got the stamp of approval from some of the most intelligent, all-knowing finger-on-the-pulse and important aliased people in skateboarding.
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May 21, 2008
Sklog: BobShirt.com
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag May 2008
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May 4, 2008
Sklog: Jonhumphries.com
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag April 2008
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April 27, 2008
Here's a little interview I did with Ronnie earlier this year for the new etnies skateboarding blog.
So, you and I were skating the ledge at GvR last October and you were trying frontside flip tailslides, when all of a sudden I saw you crawling off the course... what happened?
Ha ha, just a minor miscalculation I suppose. I'm not really sure. I'd been trying frontside flip tailslide to 360 out for a while. The lame thing about it is that I was in a zone and felt really confident that I had it that try. When I think back to all the times I've gotten hurt, there's been a sense of overconfidence I think. I can usually spot or sense it and take a couple steps back, slow down and start over. Weird!
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April 2, 2008
What's the Story? Evan Hernandez
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag May 2008
"One time," says Terry Kennedy, "I sold that dude a fake Jacob watch for like a G. I told him my cousin jacked it from somebody at a rap concert. He was running around showing everybody, but that shit was fake."
"Did you feel guilty?" I asked.
"Nah! I was bad then. I was from Long Beach. I was looking at Evan like, 'You're makin' money! I don't got none, so fuck it, I'll sell you this watch if you'll believe it.'"
"What did he say when he found out it was fake?" I asked.
"He was like 'That's fucked up man!' He wasn't even mad or anything," Terry exclaimed, laughing the whole way through.
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April 2, 2008
Festivus: Lord of the Lines '08
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag May 2008
Does anyone want to read contest articles anymore? I mean, really… it's kinda like having your friends tell you about this awesome time they had at a spot or some party or whatever, but you weren't there. You really don't care to be reminded about the great time and great skateboarding you were unfortunate enough to miss and you pretend to listen, but really your head is off elsewhere, wishing your homey would shut the fuck up.
Or … contrary to that, perhaps people like reading about contests sometimes because they couldn't, in a million years, ever be there. Maybe they live across the country—or world, for that matter. Maybe they like to be filled in on all the happenings and yearn to live vicariously through the perspective of the mag. Maybe their friend or teammate or favorite pro skated in it. Maybe they work for the company who hosted it or sponsored it. Maybe, just maybe, they are skate nerds and will read anything and everything they can about skateboarding. And that's probably the main reason this article exists right now.
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