AT THRASHER, WE AREN'T AFRAID TO BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT IT DOESN'T TAKE ANY LARGE AMOUNT
OF BRAINS TO PUT TOGETHER A MAGAZINE. IT JUST TAKES IMAGINATION.
THE DISCIPLES
OF
SKATE
FATE
FINAL
ISSUE
SKATE
BODYSLAM
1983
THRASH
VOL 1 10.3
લોક
FREE
GIME
SPECIAL: NO Money ISSUE
Stop and think, A we
World
War
San Francisce:
A MUN
SHOPPING TIPS
Sevits
Dis-ci-ple/dis'ipel/n: One who helps spread his master's teachings.
skate
THE SKATEZINE. WHAT IN THE HELL IS IT? WHAT IS IT FOR? WHERE DID THEY
COME FROM? WHERE ARE THEY GOING? WHAT DO THEY MEAN? WHO REALLY
CARES? WHAT TIME IS IT?
SKATEZINES are xeroxed, mini-versions of larger commercial publications such as THRASHER. SKATEZINES carry simple
and often bizarre titles such as Very Sketchy, Bong-out, Severe Head Injury, Speeed-Zine, Just for Fun, S.S.G., Attempted Con-
trol, Good Grief, This is Reality, Pine-Tree, Skate Fate, The Monthly Shredder, Youth Plague, Eastern Front, Skate Aggression,
EDO Mag, Shred, Independent Youth, etc., etc., a never ending list. All over the world skaters who are so stoked on skating are
slamming together these little xerox wonders and communicating with other skaters around the world, providing info on what
their local scenes are all about, what music they listen to and what equipment they prefer.
In 1981 an editorial in THRASHER briefly detailed some steps on how to put together a simple xerox 'zine or "rag" as they
are sometimes referred to. After that, the skatezines slowly began to appear. Probably the first and most predominant skatezine
was Garry Scott Davis' Skate Fate skateboard rag. Garry set the pace for a whole new world of skate influenced journalism with
his drawings, creative wit, bizarre interviews, outlandish skate fiction and general fanatical outlook and approach to skate-
boarding. From his cue the skatezine world just took off. The rags began to pop up all over the place, from Philly, San Jose,
Sweden, South Carolina, Maine, Maryland, Indianapolis, Alaska, New York City, Austin-Dallas and Houston, Texas, Germany
England, Spain, Brazil, Hawaii...with editors like Mark Conahan, Bryan Ridgeway, Steve Caballero, Rick Nagashoji, Buckit, Dar
ren Mock...
The contents vary from being really funny or real serious to very bland or elementary. Mainly concentrating on their local
scene, skatezines usually crave outside contributions if they can get them. Their general musical interests are along the lines
of hardcore punkish, fast rock or heavy metal (sometimes both) to match their fast-paced, rigorous, razor's edge lifestyles.
Some xerox publications take somewhat anarchaic, politically conscious points of view as concerned youth, boldly displaying
anti-nuclear sentiments, even anti-systems under Reagan. Many of these kids are still in their teens, they have something to
say, and they're making sure as many people as possible get to see what is being thought by kids all over.
The main parallel of all of these 'zines, rags or what have you, is that they all have the same general attitudes about them-
selves. Here are just some of the skatezines we've received. We'll give you their names, city and states, but not their addresses.
If you can't figure out how to contact any of them, then you're not cool enough to even read them. Just another exercise in
SKATE ESPIONAGE.
KAMIKAZEE SKATE MAGAZINE
FORMAT: 8 x 10
Kurt Noer, editor of Virginia Beach's Kamikazee Skateboard
Magazine, really has a winner here. Only one issue out, but it
shreds just the same. Some okay sequential vert trick stuff, ramp
revues, a talk with Steve Caballero-we asked him what
nationality he was (guessing Japanese or Filipino), only to find
out he's Mexican-and an interview with Mike Crescine. Nice
half-toned photos and well thought-out layouts as well as
in-depth articles. Cover price is a buck, which is a little steep for
a skatezine.
GO-FOR-IT SKATE MAG
FORMAT: 5 x 7
Out of Middlesex, England, comes a funny little zine. Put
together by the likes of Steve Douglas, lan Cocking, Sue Hazel,
Don Brider, Mark Evans, Mark Abbott, Lowlife, Andy Vost, Dan
Bourqui, Sean Goff, Shane Rouse and a host of others. Features
a good interview of Tony Magnusson, a contest report at the
Palmolive ramp aka Bramley ramp, some Brazil news, question-
naires, and the new improved Famborough ramp. Costs 20 p.
Some quotes: "I'm sweating like an elephant."-lan Cocking.
"Yeh, you ride like one."-Pete Rodgers.
SIND
MR. WILSON
FORMAT: 8 x 10
Here's a rag from Halifax, Canada, that most of you can relate
to. Included are record reviews, local update, a cross-country
skate adventure, and even a crossword puzzle. It could use
more pages, although it costs 50¢ per issue. It is not known if this
rag is still in production.
DEATH SKATE
FORMAT: 8 x 10
This is the hardcore zine you've been looking for. Coming from
Raleigh, N.C., this zine stands strong behind its bright red cover.
Illustrations by J. Crawford, Jeff Clayton, and Woody make it one
of the best visual pieces on the scene today. Hardcore bands
such as Sacred Order, No Labels and the Mob are also included.
Hope this mag continues.
MIDWEST GRIND
FORMAT: 5 x 7
From St. Clair Shore, Michigan, O.P. Moore of Negative
Approach gives you the best of the Great Lakes region. Lotsa
vivid photos of old skate action along with some newer hot ramp
stuff.
Steve Caballero has been in the "ZINE-THING" for a couple of years now. Here he is in his bedroom, where the walls are covered with a collection of 'zines, and a
collection of various band stickers.
FRENZY SKATEZINE OF RENO
FORMAT: 8 x 10
Put together by Roman De Salvo, Randy Regular, and
Richard Jackson, FRENZY covers the Mile High Ramp (in
Tahoe), some contests, and lots of local action. As it states, "This
magazine is guaranteed to contain no bail shots." But come on,
the pages aren't even printed on both sides, and for 50e?? Don't
waste your space, boys!!
THE RAGGED EDGE
FORMAT: 8 x 10
A skate rag from Virginia Beach, Va. By Brad Marx. Good
articles and action photos. An interview with Craig Ramsay, V.B.
Thrash Ramp Contest, local skate photos and also San Jose
skate photos are featured in the premiere issue. Witchduck
ramp, a hot center of local activity, as well as Macon Brucks
ramp.
SKATE THREAT
FORMAT: 5x7
A monthly mag from Lancaster, Pa., that boasts a blue cover
at the price of 50e. A good layout of photos and originality are
notable in this 'zine. Included are realities of winter skating, a
local ramp directory, bail of the month, and cool centerspread
photos. Most of the photos are of the staff, which includes Todd
Fisher, John Gerts, Tim Pontz, and Pete Sterback.
SKATE AGGRESSION
FORMAT: 5 x 7
From Burlingame, Calif. Two 20¢ stamps an issue. A well
thought-out layout, cool photos, and color cover are prime
reasons why this 'zine is among the best of 'em. Previous issues
have included an interview with Kevin Thatcher, Joe's ramp jam,
S.F.'s First Streetstyle Contest, and plenty of local ramp action.
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