SUICIDAL'S MIKE & JON
MCCLURE-CUTBACK
conditions in the bay, Constantineau's off
in music, Shogo's MIA, Biniak's a
stuntman, Rumi's a ladiesman, etc. Most
can be observed grinding from time to
time. Other personages who continue to
be major D.T. Interactors are Olson,
Hackett, and Pryciak, whom hold forth in
the seclusion of North Malibu's canyons
and surface with regularity for backyard
pool sessions. Wes Humpston's artful
skate activities are as popular as ever. (It
should be noted that a lot of persons who
could/should be mentioned in this article
have been left out owing to their expressed
personal request for anonymity). In the real
world obscurity is often the best mask for
action. Then there are the aggressive
transactions of Z types such as Paul
Cullen or Dagwood's son Arthur Lake. Of
course, there is the ever obvious Christ
whose riding techniques are only surpas
sed by his fashion tendencies.
Apart from those previously mentioned
there are numerout other provocateurs
who advance the D.T. style/cause with
their daily activities. Names that come up
regularly in state of the skate conversations
around town include: Duke Scheliga, Dan
McClure, Mark Munski, Nadis Kopus,
Rapsooli, Ray Flores, Bella, Robbie Olivio,
George Wilson, Jesses Martinez, Scum-
boy, Strider, Mondo, Mungo, etc. There
are numerous others.
Questions are inevitably more fun than
answers. Who for instance could ever
chart the rise, fall and re-entry of Paul
Hoffman? Why do D.T. skaters refuse any
and all photo sessions? What town in
Norte Califas claims allegiance to some
geographically derived scam dollars? Is
Mark Edwards the only legit Dogtown boy
left? Will Paramount studios finally release
Bill Lancaster's screenplay/movie based
on D.T. lore now that the skate market is
re-emerging? Doesn't the gang at Rip City
deserve something for their all too obvious
efforts? What about Mutt and Jeff; now that
the concept of the street is again marketa-
ble how long till we all once again see their
slimy faces? Is it possible that sub cults
such as Suicidal Tendencies comprise the
new energy centers in D.T.? Were the Z
Boys actually a group of well behaved
Christian youth whose innocent activities
were hyped and distorted by the media?
Are all of the alleged stories about the
"malicious and murderous" actions of
certain prominent D.T. types merely the
slanderous work of assorted commercial
factions intent on controlling the sport? Is
Dogtown just another town or the next best
thing to Holyland? Does the second
coming refer to logistical re-treading? Is
the future of the sport being forged on the
streets of Santa Monica at this very
moment?
The truth is that in a world of shifting
values there is no truth per se. People
skate because they want to, and in D.T.
maybe they do it a little more so. Perhaps
the heritage of the area is such that they
have no choice. The only conclusion I can
draw is that skating is something you do,
not something you read about.
Lowboy
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