Authors: Chris Swainston
Snug Life: The Jared Smith Story
“He’s a swindler, a shyster, a cynical bastard.” “I would be fucked without him.” 28-year-old Jared Smith, more commonly known by the nickname Snuggles, has been pushing around the skate scene for more than 15 years. It all started for him back in Lawrenceville, Georgia. By the time he was 13, his mind was made––he would either fulfill a career as a skateboarder or produce the artwork on the bottom of the boards. … read more
Summer of Death: Road Warriors
I pulled under 600 North, astonished by the number of people that had gathered for the fourth year of SLUG’s street-style skate contest. It was half an hour before Summer of Death: Road Warriors started and more the 50 people were already on the scene shredding and sipping some undercover, frosty, adult beverages. … read more
Damn Hell Ass Kings
We wallowed in gluttony, consuming everything we desired. For the night, this was our kingdom, this was our land. We lived like kings: damn hell-ass kings. … read more
The Blue Collar of Odeus Skateboards
The concept for Odeus started with Alex Lemons skating in the mid 80s when the only board options were a plastic banana board or a Powell Peralta. The banana boards were poor quality and the Peralta was expensive. “There was no in-between option. I was going to be the guy that made that third option.” … read more
Product Reviews – November 2009
Reviews of products from Etnies, Transworld and iBlink including headphones, skate vids, t-shirts, shoes and jackets. … read more
Butters
At 19 years old most kids are gagging on their fourth shot of vodka in the back seat of mom’s car, but not Brock “Butters” Nielsen. … read more
Product Reviews – December 2009
This month we review products from Boardpusher, Brinno, Zagg, Sleepictures, Lafe’s and Electro Joe. Whether you like skateboards, belts, earbuds or deodorant, there’s something for everyone. … read more
Milk and Cookies
The keeper of this kingdom is Spencer England and behind the hanger doors lay the formations of his imagination, coined “Milk and Cookies.” Before you go blabbering on about how your friend has a mini ramp too, let me set something straight—there is no other ramp out there as pristine and diverse as this one and I’m still just talking about the ramp. I haven’t even mentioned the big screen TV, climbing wall, man-sized BBQ grill and arcade games. … read more
Mexican Millionaires
It all started with an opportunity to catch a free ride to Bahia de Kino, Mexico. The whole idea seemed impossible to me. How could I have fallen into a chance occurrence of driving to Mexico for an eight-day stay on the beach? The idea was so alluring and romantic that there was no possible way I could pass it up, especially knowing we would be driving, not flying. Traveling by road is a grand excitement that borders on obsession for me. … read more
True to Form: The Sofa King Interview
When considering the symbolic nature of the rat in parallel with Willy Nevins, it becomes obvious why his alias is “Ratchild.” His art, music, skateboarding and writings are the proverbial foods for you to devour. Infected with the disease of creation, he rapidly spreads it through the streets he scurries through. … read more