"Have the cops taken to the
skate in an effort to chase
outlaws?" asks Detters, while
the woman behind glares at
him for passing her during a
skateboard/rollerblade/jog-
ger 5-mile marathon through
SF's Mission District. Jawhn
finished second to Eric Hilton
in the board category: KT was
third, while Blackhart and
Brannon crashed into fourth.
98 THUSHER MAGAZINE
TOP OF THE HEAP
Kerning and tracking
aside, the Social Events of
the Month had to be: 1) Lord
Salba's ever-so-polite wed
ding to Julie, featuring an
assortment of rollers such as
Micke Alba, Jerry Alba.
Grosso, Scott Dunlap, B.
Brannon, Don F. Vitello,
Mouse, Ben Schroeder,
Chris Robison and Keenan
Happening simultaneously
across the Baldy divide was
Social Spectacle #2: the
Robert/Suzanne Williams
record release/barbecue/rod
run/curb hop. This outlaw.
endeavor featured an assort
ment of all-metal vintage hot
rods (nothing after 1940
gained any points, although several
Above: It's no secret
tight post-moderns were in atten- Bill "Happy" Thomas
dance). L.A.P.D. neighborhood
watch types were mystified by this
abundant display of fenderless high
boys, lowered deuces, chopped,
channelled and hammered coupes.
and all the loud, raw generators of
horsepower. For high profile senti
mentality, try 39 and 40 Fords
sequentially parked or Stray Cat
Brian Setzer feeding a small child?
Also on tap was Jim "Jake" Jacob's
amazing decoupage mobile, severe-
ly skewed obscure record collectors.
the cream of the ever-so-trendy LA
style press. Suzanne's 57 Bird (she
parked her unicycle inside the
house) and Pat "Grumpy" Ganahl's
unchopped, iconoclastic #2 vintage
THRASHER
THRASHER
THRASHER
THRASHER
has had it in the ear
before. It's just that
back home in N.Y.C.,
he
gets a lot more.
for his money!
Right: Witness Julien
Stranger as he dis-
plays his fountain of
youth. At least you
could've made it to
the bushes, man.
Bleccccchhhhh!
30s Chevy (he parked it next to the
unicycle). Skate rodder Mr. Aron.
came early, stayed late and laid out
photos of Big Daddy Roth's S.F
opening for everyone's amazement
Thrasher cartoonist Lynn Coleman
was very much in evidence, while
Ken Jones presum
ably sketched the
assemblage of vin-
tage tin outside in
the street. The odd-
est aspect was the
soundtrack, with its
curiosities of audio
mutation culled from
obscurity and pre-
sented to the world
courtesy of Robert
Williams-certifiably
of interest to any
serious record col-
lector, plus the dual
picture disc is a
guaranteed platinum
investment. The
highlight of the event
was Greg Escalante
feeding prime rib to
a beautifully mysteri
ous ice-blond on the
front lawn. The
Stewart/Warner
curved glass gauges
functioned as popu
lar party favors.
Meanwhile, up
the coast in San Fran comic
cohorts Spain Rodriguez.
Pushead, KT, McGuire and
the "Weed were gassing on a
fresh opening of Williams"
contemporary Rick Griffin's
fantastic strokes. Original.
skate rats, surf snoids, Grate-
ful Dead skeletons and eye
pieces are all characters from
Griffin's personal collection.
that adorned the walls of Best
Comics/Rock Art. Look for a
long-promised Griffin exposé
in these pages soon.
GOOD RUMOR MAN
This month's doozy is the
tale of two Lenny
Byrds. As ru-
mored, some Guy
has been calling
on various skate
manufacturers,
claiming he is
Lenny Byrd (he
has also been
using Mike Fra-
zier's name) and
scamming away
on these fine
boys' reputations
Several compa-
nies have sent
large boxes of
goods to a Miami area address only
to have the real skaters come up
empty-handed. Although neither
skater could be reached for com-
ment, it has been rumored that the
real Lenny and the Glug House
Gang had a meeting with the
imposter in Atlanta
Rumored next to be married are
Rob Roskopp and Gavin O'Brien
(but not to each other). Rumored
gone to New Deal is Vallely.
Rumored gone to a bigger factory is
Word Boy/World Man Rocco.
Rumored to be taking over the world
in order to cover it with Everslick is
Dickvak Rumored to be selling his
67 Mustang is Swedish freestyle
champion Per Welinder. Rumored
not to be buying it together are
Remy Stratton. Chris Livingston.
Mike Youssefpour, Wade Speyer
and Sean Miller.
Schneer is rumored to be raising
snakes for European zoos. (His pool
playing 48-inch tubular reptilian won-
der pet is the talk of his adopted.
Oceanside hometown.)
Paul "My Name's Not Schmitt
Sims was recently seen rolling about
in front of the ever-so-active Sims
skate empire in Santa Bruta. Tom is
rumored to be inside theorizing on
design, while other rumors speculate
about the N.H.S. connection.
Mike Taylor, Johnny Oliver and
Jamie Johnston rumored to have
finished the bowl at the P/Peralta SkẞZone.
The Payne-built Sk8 Underground park
in Riverside is rumored to be rave-up fun.
MEDIA ALLOWANCE
Lance Mountain, Jim Fitzpatrick,
Steve Caballero, Steve Saiz and Public
Enemy's Flava Flav and Chuck D and
members of Anthrax were rumored to be
playing B-ball together at the big champi-
onship party for Michael Jordan. Mean-
while, Mountain's old 11-foot ramp is
rumored stolen from East L.A.'s Lipslide
skatepark. Bod Boyle. Eric Nash, Victor,
Mordo and Lance are rumored to have
rebuilt it after it was torched. Sickest and
saddest of all is the rumored possibility that
identical twins Chip and Pepper (never to
be confused with Salt and Peppa) are now
on NBC, hosting a cartoon show. Rumored
ran a red light while he was skating. It is
important to note that this court decision
may set a precedent in establishing
skaters' rights
Curiously, Independent and Tracker
chose the same time to bring out Team
Zines. Are Detters and Ridge somehow
involved in a duplicitous attempt to control
the sport? Watch for upcoming zines from
Walt World and the SD Truckmasters.
Question Five Ever wonder why
everyone who knows agrees that CASL
right now is the most fun, provocative and
entertaining contest scene?
Question 6 Which manu continues to
sell the same 70s rider-designed wheel
under yet another name? (Naturally, the
original designer receives no cash or credit.)
Question 7-Do people actually take
this column seriously? Imagine everyone's
guests include David Lee Roth, Wayne chagrin to discover that a recent comment
Gretzky and Ray Underhill.
Will Tory Boettcher and Mike Genera
now show up on Sunday morning network
TV hosting a ramp-building show as not.
rumored? Beware of media moguls.
In answer to over 350 cards, calls and
letters: 1) Yes, it is Omar Hassan seen
adorning bus benches, shelters and bill-
boards coast to coast. 2) Yes, he appears
to be wearing full gear safety-wise. 3)
Doesn't he always?
Santa Barbara free skater Michael
Kresky infiltrates the art/cultural combine
via his ACLU-honored painting "Cult of the
White Male: Security."
In an unrelated development. Jake
Bradley was awarded $270,000 in dam-
ages by a Santa Barbara Superior Court
jury. As you are undoubtedly aware, two
years ago Bradley was broadsided and
severely injured by a tandem bicycle that
Zines of the Month
Smelly Curb zine features the design craft
of the one and only Donny Humes. This
rock solid info will blow the horn on the
Ohio skate scene until its death. FIND IT!!!
In an unrelated mailing attempt, we also
acquired the latest issue of Polyurethane
Monthly. Editor Tom Schmidt and a host of
recruits make this zine a fave in our office.
The interview with G.G. Allin in the April
issue was taken directly from the Adrian
Correctional Facility and is truly sick. Top
that off with half-naked photos of some-
body's sister and you've got one helluva a
book in you're grubby little mits! BEWARE:
Jake Phelps interview in the next issue.
ELLY CURB ZINENZ
POLYURETHANE
about a possible fashion paranoid manu
referred to as Mr. Big apparently caused
four corporate women to inquire if this
harmless, anonymous comment was about
them. In our world, titles such as Ms., Miss,
Mrs., Queen, Duchess, etc., usually denote
the female persuasion. Oddly, one Chris-
tian San Diego lass worried that the so-
called fashion statement was the work of
the anti-Christ. Secondly, a comely wench
privately speculated that the presumed
assignation was done by an estranged ex-
lover on our mag staff. Thirdly, a creative
female exec denied that her fashion führer
had anything at all to do with the clothing.
Fourthly, which she-girl frontwoman actual-
ly went so far as to deny that her notorious
industrialist multi-company owner he-man
had anything at all to do with skateboard-
ing? Is company ownership denial now the
status statement of the 90s?
Is Rich Novak now plowing fields on his
personal tractor? Did this plowboy for hire
actually do a Capitola yard for $45?
Was Tony Vitello actually kicked out of
the radio-controlled boat pond for the crime
of buzzing a tugboar?
Does Corey O'Brien answer the San
Jose Skatepark phone after hours? Is this
because he lives under the ramp?
And the month's most illogical daring
exploit of dubious social and environmental
distinction...from the lovely active volcano
Anak Krakatoa, site of the planet's largest
explosion, source of history's loudest
sound, creator of the largest wave ever
seen...consider this: The H.B. boys, a.k.a.
Art Brewer, Phil Sheppard, Terry
Fitzgerald, Kai Fitzgerald. Jol Fitzger-
ald, Tako, The King Brothers and C.R.
Stecyk, on location. For what purpose?
Ostensibly to snowboard down Mt. Krak
on volcanic cinders. Perhaps a clever sub-
terfuge to obscure Stecyk's installation of
some sort of cast metal time capsule. The
biggest casualty of this curious endeavor
was a Dutch university professor who died
upon inhaling poisonous gas up at the bub-
bling fire pit. Word has it that he saw what
the boys were up to and breathed too
deeply in astonishment. Witness their
tracks, highly visible on satellite photos.
Will T. Fitz actually receive an award from
the Australian government for supporting
the fine arts (as rumored) due to his finan
cial backing of the expedition?
QUOTATION MARKS
"They talk but have no voices and think
but have no minds."
Chip Morton
"Skaters might do a little damage to
walls here and there, but it's certainly not
worse than tearing a guardrail down with
your car."
John Dettman
"A skatographer's body is his temple. His heart, it
soars like a hawk."
GUTTER TALK
Someday some
bos
seautody is going
to throw down the
much talked about
"penstreet
contest Ever since
Trasher's st
street contesto
SFGolden Gate
Park using wood
camp obstacles
and Larry Balms
Facade San
Diego event, which
tres, barrels
curb and
bes, there has
bee stagestion o
street g
Don't look for We
European tour to
be anything
than a copy of the
same old Savan
S-
walifun
boralsider
design that has
definis
course. No wonder
videos are more
popular than street
contests. They
stow what's realy
going on in the
streats. When the
video pres show
up at a strast con-
tast and don't
skate, skete fons
are dead
The Tash
that are
-Photographer cult gang graffiti, Carlsbad, CA. cos to be con-
COMING EVENTS
NSA PRO SERIES 1991(tentative)
Sept. 1-2 San Francisco, CA Back to the
City Street Free
Sept. 21-22 Vancouver, Canada Mini-ramp
Oct. 19-20 Houston, TX (Skatepark of Hous-
ton) Shut Up And Skate Vert/Street
Nov. 27-31 Valencia, CA (Magic Mountain).
World Champs Vert/Street/Free/Air
NSA AMATEUR SERIES 1991
Aug. 15-18 Atlanta, GA (Skatezone)
National Finals Vert/Street Free Mini
Join the National Skateboard Association
Send $10 (check or money order) for a one-
year membership. NSA, 7555 Red Bud Rd.,
Granite Bay, CA 95661 Ph: 916 791-3720
Fax: 916 791-3722
HASL SERIES
September 28 TBS Street/Free
October 26 Wichita, KS Mini/Vert
Heart of America Skateboard League, 7120 W.
79th St., Overland Park, KS 66204 Ph: 913
341-5233 Fax: 913 642-9771.
FASL SERIES
Sept. 14-15 Miami Beach, FL Street
Oct. 12-13 Ft. Meyers, FL Mini/Vert
Florida Amateur Skateboard League, Box 358,
Sanibel, FL 33957 Ph: 813 395-1165 Fax: 813
395-1177,
CASL SERIES
Aug. 24-25 L.A., CA (Lipslide) Vert
Sept. 14-15 San Diego, CA Street/Slalom
California Amateur Skateboard League, P.O.
Box 30004, San Bemardino, CA 92413. Ph:
714 883-6176
sideved here doe
to ban street
contests. If they
can't be done in a
accurately
sents what's going
coin a stretor
better yet, be held
in an actual strat
some
needs ee? Num
bor two give the
skates what they
We to skate
Throw a contest
aparking lot
school ground or
loading zone and
the area with
found objects
desks, fie cab
nets, retratos
tarash
canad
chain
and cement bam-
cades That way
everyone can com
mece get
down to soms
seriously fuska
ing
Everybody w
Nobody whis
99