Kelly Bird for Real Skateboards

I interviewed Kelly Bird for the reissue of his “Screaming Bird” Pro Model from Real Skateboards. A beloved graphic from the salad days of modern street skating.

James Kelch for Real Skateboards

I interviewed the official Mayor of EMB for Real skateboards, celebrating the reissue of his legendary first Pro Model, the “Flyer”.

Cash In

Get spun.

One day little Billy woke up and his idols, his favorite Pro skaters were clean. Little Billy saw that his idols were wasted everyday. He was inthralled by the fact of how hard they partied in the videos and could still skate big stairs. Billy tried the same drugs and bought all of the party guys boards. Billy even got a tattoo of their party logo. What he never knew about being an addict was how your body hurts without drugs. He never saw that torture. The Pros must have edited out what it’s like to be dope sick in the videos. He ended up lurking at the skateparks selling dope to support his habit all while his idols had cash and resources to go to rehab. Billy consider all his party idols “sell outs” and his idols never considered him at all. -ERL

Leroy and the Brat

We are children at heart. I am a child in my 40s. The day I picked up a wooden toy, my world changed forever. It is the fountain of youth. We all drink from the same cup. A special kind of magic that resonates to the few who allow it to sweep us away to a place where everything makes sense. We are children at heart and when someone passes it is utterly inconceivable, we are in disbelief. Not one of us, not our hero, not another child at heart.

I wrote the story below years ago, it shows the impact of meeting someone who affected my path in skateboarding. When I shared this with Jeff and he replied, “God it sucks knowing how much I sucked. Shameful…” I had to correct him. I told him, not at all. You were being a character and everybody perceived it as so. You must’ve made some kind of impact because I’m still detailing it at 30 some odd years later. You’re a good dude and people love you, just know that. I got a “Thanks buddy!” and that was more that enough for me. RIP Grosso, you were so much to so many. Hero status since I was 16.

John Lucero and Jeff Grosso were two of the first Pro Skateboarders I met. It was 1987 and it meant a hell of a lot to meet a Pro back then. You didn’t see a lot of Pros outside of California. There weren’t a trillion Pros like now. I went with my friend Cade to a skate contest at the Donner Ski Ranch. We rolled into the parking lot and saw a ton of kids. At the time if you saw a skater you’d always approach them and hang. Skateboarders were still outcasts at the time so you always stuck together. We watched the contest and made our way to the lodge. I’m pretty sure we both saw John Lucero and Jeff Grosso on the deck at the same time. We immediately freaked out. I mean why would two Pro skaters be at this little parking lot contest? The illusion that these guys were living the dream in California complete with mansions and swimming pools had me fooled. Jesus, a lot of us assumed the Bones Brigade all lived together and skated everyday like our crew. The ignorance of youth is bliss.

I had only seen them in the mags and was fully fanning out. A ton of kids were around them and we made our way closer. I asked Lucero if they were going to skate. Grosso replied, “Yeah, maybe if someone buys me a hamburger or something”. We were actually trying to figure out how to get money to buy this dude a hamburger! Although he was being a dick, I could care less. He was dropping pure gold in snarky comments to anyone within ears distance.

I kooked it and asked Lucero if he was giving away his board and he told me, “No way dude, that’s my board”. The one question you don’t ask a Pro I asked in hopes of getting that board of his. The same question he was asked a hundred times I’m sure. I asked Lucero why they were at the contest and they both said, “we’re here to see him”. They pointed to Riky Barnes who was pretty gnarly. To a small town white kid, he looked like something out of the Sex Pistols. He was all punked out and ripping the course. Spiked hair, leather jacket, bondage bracelets, and pushing around like a demon. After the contest Lucero skated and was doing fakie tail slides on a metal curb. Pretty mind blowing at the time. Pushing fakie to smashing his tail into the curb and coming out forward after sliding what seemed 100 feet. Lucero pretty much put on a one man demo without even trying, he was just skating around doing moves we had never seen yet.

In the middle of the signing Jeff said “You can only sign your name so many times before it gets boring” and stopped signing anything. An utter rockstar moment but none the less funny.  Being surrounded by kids and being that pretentious would have rubbed me the wrong way if I’d been older, Jeff was being a dick all day and we loved it. He just had his street model come out and he’s not going to skate? We were bumming and I never wanted to suddenly see a vert ramp so bad. Jeff did not skate, at all.

Cade and I both noticed Lucero’s board had little grooves routed into his nose. I assumed it was for nose grabs and a better idea than Ripgrip. Total prototype set up that I had never seen and never saw again. He was riding a purple stained Schmitt Stix Street Thing, white Thunders, and Saw Blade wheels. Seeing those guys made such an impression that stuck to this day. Cade and I both had Lucero and Grosso boards not long after. We also found a good curb spot where Cade learned fakie tail sides pretty quick. From Schmitt Stix, Lucero Limited, John Lucero Skateboards, to Black Label, I always rode and supported the original blue collar Pros.  Still do. –ERL

Street Thing ad.

Curb Crusher

While you were stressing.

Curb Life 101

The Forefront of Fashion.

Riky Barnes getting weird in Donner.

Riky coming in hot.

I tried to do this sticker job on my Grosso. Beautiful photo, brutal.

Serious Attention

Ain’t nothing changed.

On The Wall with Jared Isenberg

At some point everyone has opened a Thrasher, Transworld, Power Edge, etc and saw a picture that floored them. There’s going to be that one shot that made it on the wall above all others. There may have been an entire wall covered in pages pulled from magazines or posters but, there is always one that will stand out 20 + years down the road. I asked five people from Aces Tattoo to recall their favorite image of all time and discuss why it made such a memorable impact. Five skaters, all different ages, different generations, and unique personalties sharing their favorite photos that made it on the wall. Next up is Jared Isenberg.

1. Jared,  this is a tough question because skating is so unique and styles reign supreme in so many different eras but, what photo would you say is your favorite of all time?

Gonz -Thrasher cover September 1986.

2. Describe what it is about the image that made it your favorite, although it is a Gonz photo so it’s going to be a keeper.

Gonz was my idol. Look at that shit, Indy Boneless. Rad! This photo single handedly made me stop using rails, not to mention he’s riding my favorite board of all time.

3. Is this photo more about the trick at the time, the actual photography, or a blend of everything?

It’s not the trick really. I like the yellows and blues! I love the movement of this photo.

4. Was the Gonz your favorite at the time or was it purely based on the photograph?

Fuck yeah. Hands down fave, tied with Rick Windsor who never got enough coverage.

Even then he was changing everything.

5. To even mention Windsor is rad, underground ripper. How about an of the older advertisements? Was there one particular skate ad that made you run out and buy it up?

No ad ever made me buy anything but, the World/Blind ads in the late 80s early 90s ruled. Especially the Powell one, “Dear George”.

I have that ad on the wall at the shop!  Thanks Jared, everything Gonz is the right stuff. – ERL

On The Wall with Jake Griffin

At some point everyone has opened a Thrasher, Transworld, Power Edge, etc and saw a picture that floored them. There’s going to be that one shot that made it on the wall above all others. There may have been an entire wall covered in pages pulled from magazines or posters but, there is always one that will stand out 20 + years down the road. I asked five people from Aces Tattoo to recall their favorite image of all time and discuss why it made such a memorable impact. Five skaters, all different ages, different generations, and unique personalties sharing their favorite photos that made it on the wall. First up is Jake Griffin.

1. Jake, it’s a tough question because skating is so unique and styles reign supreme in so many different eras but, what photo would you say is your favorite of all time?

This took all of about five minutes for me to choose this photo, the one of Matt Hensley doing a frontside ollie on the underside of a freeway overpass bridge. 

2. Damn, great shot. Legendary for sure, what was it is about the image that made it your favorite.

The thing about the photo is pretty much the danger involved, not to mention it shows the kind of “seek and destroy” attitude that helps define what skateboarding is all about. There’s the risk of Hensley himself shooting off the side of the bridge to a most certain death and there’s the possibility of his board shooting out into unsuspecting traffic. It just looks like the whole lot of those dudes were having a fucking blast on the bridge that day.

3. Is this photo more about the trick at the time, the actual photography, or a blend of everything?

It’s a bit of both, any Hensley trick in a magazine back then was a treat…even the basic ollie. As for the photography, Sturt took (takes) some of the best pictures in the business. I dig how he incorporates the danger involved in skating…and none more dangerous than this one, or at least it’s perceived that way. 

4. There was nothing safe about this one, gimme danger! Was Matt Hensley your favorite at the time or was it purely based on the photograph?

Hensley? Hell yes he was one of my favorites! The dude was a beast, not even in the gnarly sense either, he just oozed skating and style. I remember each time a new issue of any skate mag would come out I would dig deep, hoping there was something new from him. I can honestly say that I rocked the cut off cargo shorts and royal blue tee because of him, but on the same token I never fell into the chain wallet craze that he seemed to influence.

5. I thought it was cool he rocked the chain wallet because Jason Jessee did and then influenced everyone because of it. How about an advertisement? Was there one particular skate ad that made you run out and buy it up?

I was never really influenced by ads in skateboarding. I was usually broke all the time so buying into advertisement was never really an option as much as trying to get a hook up was. Fortunately I had a few friends who worked at shops or a friend who actually worked at H-Street who would kick down product, which was awesome because at the time H-Street was the shit.

H-Street was the business until it wasn’t, thanks Jake. Great choice. -ERL

The simplicity of style and danger comes through with a legendary shot by Daniel Harold Sturt.

Ramblin’ Man Spencer Benavides Words and Stills.

Spencer is one of the few people I know who I’ll never wonder why he quit skating. By every definition of the term, he is a lifer. I always liked the tricks he did and how he incorporated fun into every session. Even the “temper tantrum can’t land this trick sessions” he’d smile through a meltdown or make fun of himself. Opinionated has always been a way to describe him as well. I’ve never seen him back down when he believes in something. You have to respect a straight shooter when you’ve got scars instead of comprise. Throughout almost 30 years of skating, Spencer was a no brainer for the next Wheel Bite interview. We could use some Spencer from 1988-2005 to pull some of these kids cards these days. On that note, off we go. -ERL

1. What’s up Spencer, what’s your take on the skate scene these days? It’s a bit of a mess.

It’s pretty bitchin’, kids rip harder than ever, videos are a lot more diverse and people seem to be more well rounded. I really wish kids would stop calling anything with transition vert. Vert is short for vertical, look that shit up.

2. “I mostly skate vertical at Idlewild.” That’s so bad! What does Reno Skateboarding mean to you?

Friends, family, love, loss, success and failure. A different story for every corner downtown. Lifelong friendships and some of the best and worst events in my life. Try, try, try and try.

TRU Bank KF

3. Well said, the best memories have been on the wooden toy. What is your favorite time period since you first started skating?

I have very vivid memories of Greg St. banks sessions and a few sessions at Skinny’s ramp that were amazing, when MK first found 293, the skate jams at the fair grounds, skating EMB and the marble benches in their prime… all of this happened between the late 80’s and early 90’s so I guess that would be it. A lot changed in a very short time, skateboarding died, skateboarders seized control of their own industry, vert really died, H Street made skating so raw and powerful and skipped the bullshit. I didn’t have time to watch stupid ass skits and videos aimed at 5 year olds, I wanted to see front foot impossible fakies on banks, backside grabs over crazy shit, flip tricks over The Gonz… real shit.

4. It was rough that vert died and retired so many dudes in their prime. “Punk is out rap is in” When did you first start skating around?

When I was around 7 a kid up the street brought his skateboard over to our house, as soon as I stood on it I did a Charley Chaplin to backside skull bongo on the sidewalk (smashed my head), I was in love. Next thing I knew I was scouring the neighborhood looking for my friends boards just laying out in their yards, I’d take it, go skate it and then put it back and go home in time for dinner. My mom wouldn’t get me a skateboard for a while but, I kept the nagging up and finally got a Street Surfer from Big 5 for my birthday. My cousins Jeff and Danny Cronin ripped and I looked up to them. They told me they’d put a cool shape on my board (back then shape really mattered) so I left it with them. I didn’t see that board again for a long time so I went back to stealing my buddies unattended boards and returning them until X-Mas 1986. My mom got me a Vision Gator with Indy’s, Kryptonic Wheels, NMB Bearings, Madrid Rails and a Powell Nose Bone and Tail Bone. Once I unwrapped that thing it was on… still going.

Gator, State Fair, 293, and fully padded ollies.

5. When you get hooked, it’s a hell of a ride. Keep it rolling! What was some of your spots you Sparks kids skated at?

Sparks was at the end of my street holmes, before I could venture out too far Sak N’ Save was it but, then they built the apartments at the end of my street (Pequop) and there were red curbs galore in that place, I met Kevin Vandersypen (R.I.P.) there when he first moved to town, he’d always give me Rebel Skates stickers and shirts, true ripper! Later on I started skating Arctic Circle and ShopKo and also K Mart had the super fun downhill curbs, Parkside Gardens with Chris Williamson, he had a bitchin’ launch ramp and they had tons of red curbs you could set up all crazy. Ben Dixon took me to the Sullivan Ditch for the first time, the stage at Sparks middle was a fun spot, all the cool older kids from Sparks Middle would skate there after school, Sunday Curbs in downtown Sparks was Scott Waters stomping grounds, we put some hours on that spot. Skating downtown Reno back then for me was serious business, I think I was about 12 the first time I got to skate it, Jason Bartlett and Mark Schuler had to meet with my mom and tell her they’d look after me. Hahahaha!

6. That’s a good Mom! Think about all the shit moms dropping off their brats at the skate park alone. Hey, did you ever groove? That was one of my favorite means of income.

For those who don’t know, grooving was taking clear packing tape and putting about a foot long tail hanging off a dollar bill. You insert the dollar into a soda/snack/stamp machine while holding onto the tail and as soon as the money registered you pulled it back out. You got the change and whatever soda/candy/stamp you pushed. That shit fed and funded many, many friends and skate trips back in the day. We had groove spots just like skate spots, you didn’t tell people where they were and you took care of your spot, only empty the whole thing out if you weren’t coming back for a while. It’s hard to believe how long it took them (the vending machine guys) to get hip to it. I didn’t do it as much as most of my friends (some of whom gained crazy record collections, got arrested, got kicked out of Nevada etc..) but, I had some really big heavy pants a few times. Plus, it’s incredibly funny paying for $30.00 worth of gas with quarters, dimes and nickels while you’re wearing size 54 waist pants and you weigh a buck twenty. God damn we were assholes.

Kick the boot.

7. What shop did you guys hang at? Everyone had one to lurk at for hours.

At first World Of Toys in Park Land Mall had the TV in the window and always had Streets On Fire playing so the planter in front of it was always packed with kids waiting to go skate Mayfare dock and 1 Hour Photo. Then they moved to Meadowood Mall. Excell was a little bit of a hangout but, mostly the pizza place next door was better. After a while this guy Mike opened up Bikes And Boards across from Hug High and that was super fun because it was close to my house and there were some heated sessions behind the shop because it was smooth and they had little manual pads and he sold uncut blank decks. You just traced whatever board on the wall you liked (Fishlips, H Street, Zorlac etc.) and cut it out, sanded it and skated it. After he closed down I started going to Meadowood more because Ben Dixon was working at World Of Toys, you could bum around for change and food till it was cool enough to skate in the evening. It’s ridiculous how much time we spent at that mall. Then Eric introduced me to Lisa and Allen at Addiction and they became like my second family. Eventually we moved Addiction downtown (where Sierra Tap House is now) and that was super fun in the summer but, we didn’t last too long. Not an ideal spot, just like my shop 50 50. Bummer spot means bummer sales.

8. I remember the zero days or the $30 days, brutal times man. What board did you have the most of in a row? Was there a Pro board that had you hooked?

At first I was all about Gator but, once I started really learning about concave and shapes and control I didn’t really hang on to any one deck. H Streets were on lock for a while with the Hell Concave bit. I guess the only board I consistently had a bunch of was the Think Flame Tag board, the shape just ruled for me. After about 12 years old, names stopped really meaning anything to me, function over fashion. The last time I rode a board because of the name on it was probably 1988 or 89. I’m always hyped to see a friends name on a board but, I don’t ride 8.5 boards, dig?

Momma said knock you out?

9. I see a bigger board in your future, you can’t ride minis for much longer! You and a lot of our friends were nailed to the X, what was the straight edge allure?

I saw from a young age what alcohol could do to someone and it made me hate it. All the kids I grew up with had some violent bullshit going on at home and booze was always involved. Around 8th grade I got way into Minor Threat. I didn’t know anyone that was into the sXe scene, it was just kind of my own thing. Around 9th grade my homie Dean started digging on it too and we heard Reno had a sXe band called Discipline so we made a point to see them. It was weird and cool to meet other kids that shared the same thoughts on drugs and booze, it was pretty rare back then. It didn’t take too long to see that it could also be used as a tool to be an asshole and get up in some shit just like the jocks and nazis that used to beat my ass. I did have great friends and the days of Left Hand Studios, Casa Margaritas, Fallout Shelter, Heritage Hall, The Tumbleweed and The Ice House were amazing but, after a while sXe was just an idea and way of living that was mine and didn’t involve anyone but me. I didn’t drink until I was 26. I still think it’s a great idea, I just became so soured by the stupidity and violence, not to mention the music just getting worse and worse and worse I took a nosedive into the beer pond but, kept the records.

10. I always thought it was because of Steve Steadham. Did you meet him? Did he give you Zinka?

I did meet Steadham at an Excell contest, I wasn’t interested in sXe ska and he didn’t offer any Zinka.

The very building David Lee Roth played with Poison. Steep ollie pop. KV Photo.

11. Steadham had Reno hostage there for a minute. Beyond Hell Concave! Can wood really bend like that? Who was your first sponsor?

Shop wise I think Excell. Company wise Gershon hooked me up with Grind Kings board company Haz Mat for a second but, I was an unappreciative little bastard so it only lasted one package. Plus, after having my shop and going to trade shows I learned really quick if someone offers you free stuff and it’s not good free stuff, it ain’t worth it. Thanks, no thanks.

12. Damn, a lot of kids these days need to learn that philosophy. I always saw you on the cusp of getting the sponsored thing going but not taking it too serious. Was it a conscience effort to keep skating fun? You could have made a run at it for sure.

I only really ever rode for one company and they were called Madkap out of SF. Super cool dudes! The sponsor thing was never really my bag, I was never really all that good and my style is busted. I skated in some C.A.S.L. contests for a bit and just being around people who want it so bad was a real turnoff. They were either total kooks with a couple tricks or just total rippers that made me feel like it was my first day skating. I’d rather just hear of someone cool getting hooked up, that’s way more exciting to me. My friends at Madkap told me they wanted to put their am’s names on boards and we’d get to design them but, I wasn’t into it. I was psyched when Scott Waters got on the team and he was hungry, always filming and handling his shit. After a while they finally talked me into it but, I hated it. I wasn’t pro and only pro’s should have their name on a board. It was nice to give one to my mom but, other than that, super bogus. Everything is trial and error, still love those dudes but, the name on board thing was definitely not for me.

13. It’s not for everyone, although there’s dudes that would cut off their face plate to have that opportunity. You have some serious miles under your belt, you travel a lot. Was moving to Florida to work at Addiction/Southern Boarder your first big move? How did that take place? Florida is 100% not Reno.

Yeah, that was my first time ditching Reno. It was fucking crazy. I went to a show at Casa Margaritas and this band called Bloodlet was playing, between bands I ditched out and went across the street and skated this little manual pad by myself. This dreadlock honky dude rolls up and starts skating with me and we get to talking. He ends up being Scott from Bloodlet and we became friends after that. Bloodlet comes back through Reno a little while later and Scott ends up asking if I want to go on tour for 3 months with them and Neurosis. I just graduated high school and can’t pass up some shit like that so I went. Bloodlet is from Florida and my friends who owned Addiction were living out there running a skate shop out there so I did the tour and had Bloodlet drop me off in St. Petersburg FL at the end. It was a trip and I’m still good friends with my buddies Joe and Jen Leonard and Jed Davis. St. Pete was fucking snorsville USA, driving 30 minutes to skate a plastic bench, a horrible Christian hardcore scene, insane race riots right when I got there but, Lisa, Allen, Duke and Tru ruled, I met amazing people I’m still homies with and I saw a Cannibal Corpse show at the State Theatre that was unbelievable. I believe this was 1996.

14. You came back to Reno and started 50-50, one of the most legit shops we had in years. No snow, wake, rollerblades, or anything lame. How did 50-50 come about?

I only lasted a few months in FL. I came back to Reno to visit (a 2 week Greyhound ride… no shit… 2 fucking gnarly weeks) and just ended up staying here. Got some shitty jobs but, kept bugging Excell to hire me. After months of nagging and being a janitor for Marshalls they finally hired me on. After a while I started forming plans to start my own shop (the people who owned Excell at that point were a fucking joke) because I knew I could do it right. I hounded anyone that had a spare dollar for about a year and no one was down (understandably) until one day Toby Riley tells me about this dude Bryan who used to skate back in the day and he’s got some money and wants to do a shop. Damn, I was just about to give up too. I meet with Brian and his partner is Gary Leeper and they’re ready to go all in. They put in the money and I run the shop with bonus/buy in ownership over time. We searched forever trying to find a Reno location, Skeeno was done, Excell was done and I couldn’t step on Kathy’s (Out Of Bounds) toes because she was cool as hell. I ended up going to a Fall Silent show in Sparks (across the street from Reed High) and noticed the spot next door was for rent and that exact spot used to be the Sparks Excell back in the day. I took it as it was cheap, I knew Reed had a lot of skaters and I had been working on the new Burgess park for a while too. It all seemed to be perfect.

Nothing impresses Scaught Bates. KV Photo.

15. Didn’t you break your nose on that mini ramp there?

Yeah, Greg Janess, Toby Riley, Scott Waters and Dean Christopher built a mini ramp in the shop, right next to the shoe wall. My very first run, all the kids and parents watching, caught my heel on the wall and shot face first like a bullet into to transition. I instantly grabbed my face and was fading in and out of consciousness. When I finally pulled my hands away blood went everywhere as I had a perfect hole in the center of my nose. Shaver later told me he dipped his hands in my blood pool I left on the ramp and was chasing kids around the shop with bloody hands. Really wish I’d of seen that one, what a jerk hahaha. It really messed my neck up, I still have problems with it today. Plus, just the other day, I did it again only skating street with you guys. I gotta stop stopping myself with my face.

16. It was weird because all of Reno/Sparks knew you were the face of 50-50, that respect level brought that place a following. It’s so damn hard to be a small privately owned shop. How did the ship eventually sink? I hated that, I wanted to secretly work there for a long time. I was definitely envious you had the more “core” shop going.

I think in our 2.5 year existence the shop turned a profit only 1 month. I did as many demos and movie premiers as possible and it just wore me out. It got to the point where I never skated, not even on the mini ramp in the shop. I lost sight of why I started the shop in the first place. The industry was changing, people bugging me for free shit when they never supported me in the first place, one of the owners became overly religious and I’m %100 not down with that shit, Copelands undercutting the shit out of all of us and no shopping center in Reno would even talk to me. As soon as I said skateshop as I was trying like hell to move the shop… it all just piled up and made me bitter as hell.

17. It wasn’t too long that you left Reno again for KC. What was the story with Escapist?

After 50 50 closed down, I had no direction or motivation. I lived on Sinclair with my homie Jake Griffin and a bunch of other people and none of us had jobs. Total pile out time because the shop just broke me down. My friends Dan Askew and Adrian Frost pretty much opened their shop in Kansas City the same time Bryan and me got 50 50 going. We would always talk about ideas for sales, events etc. and they had made some comments about me working for them some day. After piling out hard for about 6 months I was talking to Adrian and he said they were opening another Escapist and I should work for them. I had nothing going on here so 2 weeks later I was in Jakes mom’s truck with all my shit loaded in it towing my car to KC. Jake’s mom volunteered him for the job and he still brings it up every day. He made Beau Halvorson go with. Neither of them were very happy about it. Thanks Mrs. Griffin, Jake and Beau!!

Mr. Smith was there. KV Photo.

18. Was there a bit of culture shock moving to Kansas City?

For sure, all my friends that lived in KC were either married, or didn’t drink and I’d never lived alone before. The skating was bitchin’ but, once the day was over I’d just be chillin alone thinking about all my friends here having a blast. Just another step in growing up. After a while though I made some really great friends, and it got to be really amazing. Escapist still is the best shop I ever got to work for. Dan, Adrian and Nick looked out for me and I will always appreciate that. Plus the kids that rode for them were serious rippers. The music scene there ruled and the city itself is beautiful. I really miss it and hope to return someday. The fact that the bars close at 1:30am really does make a huge difference too.

19. You met a young Sean Malto and Ernnie Torres at Escapist, did you know they were the next big thing?

When I met Sean he was a little kid that just destroyed everything, it was weird watching someone so little doing man sized rails and gaps, everyone knew he was gonna blow up and he’s one of the few prodigy kids I’ve met that truly deserves it and he’s cool as hell. Ernie was in the magazines already and he was super fun to skate with. He reminded me of Gershon in that he only skated for about 4 or 5 years and he was getting in magazines and just ripped super hard and he’s a super nice dude too.

All killer no filler.

20. How did you start traveling through music? I’m still so stoked you toured with Lucero, they are such a good band.

Well, the Bloodlet tour was my first tour in 1996 but, after that Fall Silent took me out with them and my friend Sean Ingram from KC started having me do some Coalesce tours wich turned into Casket Lottery tours wich turned into meeting Rocky Votolato when we toured with Waxwing so, I did some touring with Rocky. I remember telling a friend that I was done with touring and the only way I’d go out again was if Lucero was involved somehow. 2 days later Rocky called me and asked if I’d be into going on tour with him, William Elliott Whitmore and Lucero. That was my last big tour, 2 and a half months I think in 2006. All of those tours my duties included but, were not limited to: driving, selling merch and anger management. I really love driving long distances and the tours with Rocky were just me and him in a car. Some brutal but, amazing times. I really miss the road sometimes and really miss hanging with all them dudes.

21. Lucero was still relatively small, there must have been great little shows. Did any of those guys skate?

For sure, small shows are always better but, some of those shows were pretty big, Denver was 1,000 people but, then a couple nights later 200 people, you never really know what you’re gonna get. They were more BMX dudes when they were younger and Brian (guitarist) was an old sXe dude who hung out with the Raid guys (an old hardline militant vegan sXe band), he’s got a Stomp Crew tattoo. Super funny but, they were all really nice mellow dudes. William Whitmore used to skate, he did a kickflip on my board with his shiny old dress shoes, and he listened to gangster rap a bunch. Rocky was always writing in his notebook and I made him listen to David Allen Coe a bunch. Really it was like touring with my Reno friends for the most part.

Normally if it’s not a make it’s not mentioned. After sliding most of this, sticking, and head butting the ledge it made the cut. Blood in blood out Holmes. KV Photo.

22. What brought you back to Reno?

I had this master plan of moving back out west so, I basically said goodbye to everyone in Kansas City, if it didn’t fit in my mini van, I left it behind and drove to Reno, dumped all my stuff in my homie Andy McKennie’s garage, flew to Seattle to meet Rocky and then we drove straight to Memphis and crashed at the Lucero compound for about a week so Roy could practice with Rocky for the shows. After the tour ended we drove straight from N. Carolina to Seattle (that was a brutal one), got on a plane to Reno, chilled 1 or 2 days then drove to San Diego to crash on my friend Bryan Nolte’s couch and tried like hell to get a job in the skate industry. I ran out of money just before x-mas so I came back to Reno to try and save up to go back down to SD and while I was here one of my best friends Beau Shaver (R.I.P.) died. It really shook me and all my friends up and made me think about the years I’d spent away from them so, I decided to extend my visit… I’m still visiting. Along the years back here I have gotten to spend time with some other homies that have passed and I’m really lucky in that respect. Being here still kicks in memories of great times with them.

23. Reno is beautiful if you can balance all of the things that make it Reno.I know you have had the opportunity to work for some great skateboard companies in the past. What kept you from making the move to California?

I just kind of answered that above. Mainly no one would hire me and I learned that I don’t care too much for San Diego. Really great people for the most part but, I hate being called bro. A lot.

24. One of the many rad things about Reno is our skate scene and heritage, who was your crew back in the beginning?

Damn, I think Chris Williamson was my first skate friend, we were pups man hahaha, and then a little later Mark Schuler, Jason Bartlett and Ron White. Steve Gauthier and Ron Rash took me skating a few times, then Scott Waters, Dean Christopher Beau Bevier, Scott Brown, Josh Stockwell and then Toby Riley, John Ludwick, Justin Hay-Chapman… so many people and so many years. I do remember Rob Hostetter used to kick me some of his old boards back in the day wich really meant a lot to me, thanks Rob!! I spent a lot of time rolling solo, still do but, always dig skating with friends too, my time is just so limited these days.

25. How many of those guys do you still shred it up with?

Toby and Dean the most and I skated with Scott a few weeks back. All these dudes still rip it too! You and Classic have made a bitchin’ Sunday that’s brought some people out of the woodwork and it’s really great! None of us ever really quit, it’s in our blood. I play in a band with John Ludwick called Cathedral Ghost, a different kind of shredding but, he’s definitely shredding!!

Never question the magic of it all. KV Photo.

26. Out of everyone we’ve seen come and go chasing the trends, I knew you would be in it for life. How is it skating these days? The ground gets harder with age right?

It still rules, having a blast! It is more scary because when you get hurt it takes much longer to recover and I pay my own bills… barely. I appreciate just being able to go skate, lot of people fucked their knees and backs etc. for life and somehow I’m still rolling through the mine field called luck. When I see Dean take the most brutal slams and still handle business, there are no excuses.

27. I dig the full circle effect you get after skating over 25 years, you remember why you started and appreciate it more it seems. What made you want to start skating and what made you a lifer?

I just knew that’s what I wanted to do from the moment I saw a skateboard, sounds weird but, true. All of my friends, music tours, moves, everything came from skateboarding. I can’t imagine what the hell I’d be up to without it. I’m sure I’d still be a scumbag but, without the glory. I have slowed down a bit but, I’m having more fun these days. Like The Gears said, “Gotta Keep Moving” man!

28. Glory and stories go hand in hand my friend! You’ve been in several bands with a big spectrum of styles. How is the music going lately? Talk a bit about your band.

I play drums in a band called Cathedral Ghost with John Ludwick on guitar/vox and Megan Kay on Bass/vox. It’s been super fun, we just recorded 7 songs we’re about to put out soon and we just finished a little 3 day tour with our homies Wuv from Oakland, they rip! You can check us out at facebook.com/cathedralghost.

Beat Street.

It’s rock n’ roll, punk, garage blah blah stuff so if you’re into that, check it out. I’m also working on a project I’m calling Killed By Reno wich is a youtube channel / wordpress blog where I’m gonna post demo’s of extinct Reno bands. I’d like Reno’s punk / hardcore history to be more accessable and give people a chance to hear our past. This spans decades so if you know of any old Reno bands or have old fliers, pictures etc. please let me know at sdog76@hotmail.com. This is a huge project but, I am making headway. Other than that, I DJ at Chapel Tavern or The Hideout from time to time.

29. Favorite video, favorite board, favorite Pro, favorite company, and your favorite spot. Drop knowledge son, spread the word.

I keep watching the new Real video (Busenitz’s part) to get hyped. That’s my skateboard Viagra. Escapist decks because they’re the same as Real, Anti Hero and Krooked. Pro’s Dennis Busenitz, Leo Romero, Reynolds, Sean Malto, Ernie Torres, Gershon Mosley, Koston, Mike Carrol etc. Can’t wait to see the new Escapist video with Malto and Ryan Pearce, Josh White, Rod Harper, Max Chilen, Joseph Lopez, Arthur Dachiardi, Dillon Aguilar, Tyshuan Johnson and Josh Crane. The Deluxe family tree is my favorite of the industry. Favorite spot???… San Francisco.

Ain’t nothin’ changed. KV Photo.

30. Thanks Spencer, I’ve wanted to interview you for a long time. I’ve always liked the fact that you speak your mind regardless of the consequences. People hate that but, I like to know where someone stands. You and a few others are the blueprint for Reno Skateboarding, well done sir. I’d like you to close this one up with the standard thank you, and what skateboarding has meant to you since day one.

Thanks Eric, I appreciate it! So damn many people to thank but, they’ve all meant so much to me and I’m just stoked to be rolling. My mom and dad, Alle and Andy, Doug and Tracy, Benavides, Garrick and Cronin families, Jeff, Danny, Mikey and Pat Cronin, The Reno Outlaws, The SAPs, S.O.D.C., L4D4, P.R.L.J., Lisa and Allen Sprague @ Addiction / Southern Boarder, Dean Christoper, Eric Lantto, Scott Waters, Jake Griffin, Chris “Carnage” Carnell, Emma Fuentes, JT Gurzi, Eric Sasze, Chris Davis “Coonsley”, Jason Isidro “Dills”, Dan Askew, Adrian Frost, Nick Owen and everyone down with Escapist Skateboarding, Eric Lantto and Classic Skate Shop, “Good” Kyle Volland, Excell Skates, World Of Toys, Bryan Rosario / 50 50, Bryan Nolte / Baltic Ave, Bikes and Boards, Stan Byers, Lee Ellmaker, Reno Zoo, 292 and 293, Tri State, Sean D., Beau Halverson, Mikey Reno, John Colbert, Andy McKennie, Andytude Haney, Garret Lee, Mike Huntsman, Steve Gauthier, Ron Rash, Rob Hostetter, Richard and Randy Barr, Justin Hackel, Sean Ingram, Nathan Ellis, Nathan Richardson, Stacey Hilt, Gang Grenis AKA Jess Steineger, Scott, Charley, Matt and Art from Bloodlet, Rocky and April Votolato, Neurosis, Levi and Damon Watson, Brian Woog, Fall Silent, Unruh, Coalesce, Mother Fucking Titty Suckers, Gehenna, Powerchord, Esoteric, The Casket Lottery, Waxwing, Lucero, William Elliot Whitmore, John Ludwick, Megan Kay, Jared Isenberge, Nikkie Knuckles, Tom and Tiffany O’Shaughnessy, Josh Martin, Adam Anderson, Milton Bradshaw, Big Eyes, Belle Bloodcreek, Redrum, 601, S. Virginia St. Sluts, Huck, Mike Mechanic, Bindle Stiffs, Tate LaBianca, Ty Williams, Britt Curtis and everyone at Holland Project, Jawsh Hagemin, Duncan Mitchell and everyone at Chapel Tavern, Tim and everyone at Carter Bros. Ace Hardware, Kevin and everyone at Aces Tattoo, Valarie Bischoff, Blue Collar Press, Amber and Never Ender, Skate NV, The Gears, Wuv, anyone who’s ever supported the shop’s, bands and events I’ve been involved in, all the punks, rads, thrashers, skins, weirdos, dorks, dweebs, dickheads and righteous dudes that get down with the get down!! Not Bob Metz and his gray baby, I know I’m forgetting people, sorry, my face hurts and I can’t concentrate but, you know who you be!!!

Fuck heroin. Skateboarding rules ok.

My friends that have passed on, I miss you all and think about you all the time. Rest In Peace Beau Shaver, Kevin Vandersypen, Tony Hospital, Tom Incopero, Roger Colestock, Jon Grellman, Penelope.

Chris Carnel Caught on Film.

It’s not too often you get the chance to interview someone who usually does the interviews, or shoots the photos. I approached Chris with a unique idea for this interview. There were a number of questions I had for him, knowing how long he has been involved with skateboarding I knew it would be an interesting read. I asked Chris to submit photos from his personal collection. Chris has been shooting photos of skateboarding and snowboarding for over 25 years. The idea being that this is an interview of a photographer, why not include his favorite shots throughout the years. Given the stipulation that the photos can be of anything. Skateboarding, snowboarding, landscape, or portrait were all open game. We are proud to bring you the latest Wheel Bite interview with the photography of one of my favorite people Chris Carnel. Enjoy. -ERL

Early Death Ramp backyard session. Circa 78 – Jeff Grosso Channel Plant w/ Classic Crew in the background. 1984 Mile High Jam. – “Quiver of 84” Custom hand painted Monty Nolder board. Hand made pedalboard and Axe for the ages!

1. Chris, what was the thing that got you onto your first board?

I met Joe Bansuelo (later played in 7 Seconds) a childhood friend who lived up
the street and a skateboard was laying around the neighborhood that I tried. Grew
up on a early BMX type bike. Moved from the valley, the outskirts to town to the
heart of Reno. There was now cement everywhere; it was 1977.

2. Was your first skate scene here in Reno?

Not so much a crew to speak but started with the first pool I ever skated called Oppio in sparks. Olympic size and huge.. lots of vert. I got a metal type board not wood with Sims Snakes and Tracker Full Tracks I believe from Bob Ferrin who was just opening Flow Motion park. My dad was supportive, bought me that board. Took me to the ditch. Where I saw Robbie Chadwick skate who was from another planet. Did like ollie to laybacks off the lip into the dirt… Insane for that time period. The true meaning of style. One of the Reno Outlaws. I thought his board said marijuana on it.. I was just so like shocked! He had a Maheraja deck actually.. Haha. Rode the park that was just opening at that time period too. Next to the airport landing strip. It was loud. Jump years later to the early 80’s see I would go back and forth between bmx and skating, Allen Benchoff would always call it staying on one side of the fence, or the other. So I’m all bmx’d out sick of racing every weekend. And I meet Clancy Gigguere, Mike Snellbaker and Hugh Shamberger (RIP) at the downtown plaza doing street skating shit.. Mullen style. Hugh had the Powell board with the bombs on the bottom. They were super cool, I was stoked and I was back into skating again. Somewhere I acquired a Powell Beamer, maybe from Hugh or Mike. Skating was dead, it was 83 maybe. John Franklin and I skated his quarter pipe at the end of his parents driveway we all built. He was way out in Golden Valley. World of Toys and those dudes were the people you could count on one hand who were the only reminant of skating in Reno at that time. Next phase was meeting Edgar, skating Lemon Valley ramp and the rebirth of skating here. The Outlaws were insane and appeared at Lemon Valley with cigs and beers in hand, without notice, dropping in on each other, destroy then leave. They were late 70’s era. It was like the meeting of 2 era’s. World of Toys was 95% toys and the rest a cabinet with hard goods, a shirt or 2, Thrasher Mag in newsprint and a ice rink next door.. this was at Meadowood Mall. Previous to their Park Lane store. The crew factor in stuff today is crazy.. Mostly like a film crew if you are a snowboarder. Getting your pics and footage done. Serious job. Sponsors. Crazyness. Skating is more of a buddy thing, skating with friends. Pretty much it was 100% diy. Built a ramp in the yard. Bailed and skated pools. Nothing much else around in a hick town which was what Reno pretty much was circa 1980.

Edgar “Pineapple” Rivera early fashion jib Donner Ski Ranch. Circa 1987.

3. What a time that must have been, the ground floor of Reno skating. What was the scene like here in Reno? What spots did you skate and who were you rolling around with?

A scene might have begun in the slump of my bmx racing turned retirement, sick of racing every weekend. Wanted a change. I didn’t totally fit into any scene, an outsider in High School. Kevin Cox was the one dude I could relate to who wore Vans and skated. I met Edgar around that period too; only dudes in Reno wearing Vans actually. Kevin Cox gave me my first HC Punk tape in the early 80’s too. Eye opening. A scene and skating flourishing for me around 1988 between Roman deSalvo, Jeff Kunze, Willie Toles, John Deaton, Stan Craigo, Augie, Brian and John Fralick, Schalberg Brothers, Dave Baker and his Sparks ramp and people like Edgar, Bob Lichty, Terry Patterson, etc. A lot of those dudes lived in sparks. The center of attention was always the terrain at hand. Be it the McSully ditch with Rob Noxious, Sparks High, and 7-11 lunch break curbage. Downtown Reno where the movie theatre is now, the plaza in the 80’s was a semi bust but, I was a kooky awkward 80’s metal guitar freak non-drinker wannabe photo addict kid so that helped my future. I drove a 1970 Monte Carlo all over the place..Haha!

4. I liked it better when you could identify another skater by his clothes or shoes, it was like minded guys doing their own thing. What shop opened first, World of Toys or Excell? Did they sponsor the local contests or did you guys do it on your own?

World of Toys in 82’ I believe. Excell was a few years later. Excell was doing the demo/contest things all the time in the parking lot. In the early to mid-80’s Reno wasn’t a hotspot for skating and it was a era when skating was in the absolute low point of it’s ups and downs. WOT kept a dead scene alive. Demo’s and skate contests came much later.

Terry Patterson on a double curb slide at the Excell Jam. Energy drink via Pepsi 1988.

5. I bought my first complete from WOT, they have so much history in Reno. Who were the Pros at the time that inspired you to buy their boards? Who’s style did you look up to or emulate? I always ask, what was you first real board?

I had these early weird scary metal boards, one was a Banzai, a metal freestyle board. The Sims Taperkick was the first real board that was laminated wood. Inspiration, 70’s era- Tony Alva, Peralta, and the Skateboarder Mag. 80’s- Gonz, Neil Blender and his street antics, Tony “Hospital” Howard, Bob Lichty, Mike Chantry and his video library, and the Mile High Ramp. Also Christian Hosoi, Shaun Palmer, Terry Kidwell, Rick Windsor, and Eddie Van Halen.

Shaun Palmer with a classic Method in 1988. At the famous Matt Marcewicz Blue Ramp.

6. Jesus, metal skateboards are sketchy! Yeah Eddie rules, I used to do his wardrobe back in 81′. During the skate movement when did you start taking photos?

My first idea to try and take pics was at the first Mile High contest in 84’ prior to the Massacre. The Mile High ramp was an epic ramp and a unique time. We skated up there a lot. It’s funny though, my skate senses took over and I got a few still nice pics even though I was fumbling with tech things like loading and advancing color neg film correctly. My inspiration and drive overshadowed my knowledge of photography. Learn as you go, shooting film of course; lots of mistakes along the way.

7. I can’t imagine the shots you must have gotten. The creativity level was off the charts. Who did you like shooting then? There was more camaraderie then since there were so few skaters. Were you in a crew?

Shooting with Craig near Fernie, British Columbia, Canada.

Sort of a crew, but these were friendships based on meet-ups at a spot or ramp. The building of and skating of these ramps were a running thread through the survival or skating in Reno back in the 80’s. We built Augie’s ramp off of Valley Road (Augie Cordero) and that was really cool, circa 88’. It was totally create your own scene, try and learn tricks, etc.. Became tight knit but not pretentious in any way. People would randomly show up, an unknown Chris Senn would occasionally come up from Grass Valley. There were vert ramps that popped up around those years in Reno, lasted a year or mini-ramps that you only got to skate maybe once cause someone’s folks got pissed at all the skaters showing up all hours of the day. They chained it up and just let it rot into the ground. Crazy.

8. It was rad hearing about a ramp and just traveling to find it. Knocking on the door and asking, “can we skate your ramp?”. That was skating though. Were you able to hang and take photos when Mark Gonzales and John Lucero came to Reno?

WOT demo- not really hanging out but skating as much as possible, tripping on the Gonz then grabbing my camera. Pretty green to photography so technically my shit was kinda winging it somewhere around that time period. That was some of the first B/W film I had ever shot and was developed in my college photo class I believe. Gonz was hanging out at Richard Barrs sometimes years after. He had the only boyscout post an insurance loophole to be able to have ramps at that time. It was almost cult like out there. Ramps buried halfway underground, bizarre but cool. So I remember this one day not having a camera or time to pull it out but Gonzales was up at Rancho. He was cruising down the sidewalk, ollied onto a picnic table at Rancho. Maybe it was after the demo … (Note: Damian in background of demo pic).. Blown away. Gonz was just inventing the future landscape of skating before our own eyes at that demo. Windsor was killing it as well I remember in that demo.

Mark Gonzales 1985 World of Toys Demo ahead of the times. Damian Sanders looks on.

9. I heard a lot of Gonz stories from Reno heads. He literally was inventing street skating right then and there. How did the transition into a photographer take place. Who published your first skate photo?

I pretty much became interested in photography during the first year I got into snowboarding about 86. Granted renting Wintersticks with my bmx and junior high school friend Andrew Merlo from College Cyclery was a experiment to try snowboarding next to Tahoe-Donner. We road around all these Manzanita bushes and it was really fun. Well that was winter of 82-83’ I think. Trippy. I waited years to get a hand me down board through the Chantry Village. Bob Lichty finally sold me a demo or a one-off Avalanche board with fins called a Aero. Rode it on the hardpack at Slide Mountain and it ripped off my fins, yikes. I transitioned into wanting to shoot by just lugging my camera with me in the mountains. Met Bud Fawcett shooting Palmer at Mt Rose back then. I was in Awe. He worked with a mag for snowboarding. Then I soon had my first pic published in ISM (International Snowboard Magazine) of Mike Johnston, 1987 Mt. Rose backcountry. Thrasher became interested in snowboarding shots for Cold Snap and I sent them skating shots as well. I believe Rob Noxious at the Mercedes curbs was one of if not my first skate pic ever published. But around the same time period Fralick at Skinnies ramp got printed. The pic of him frontside rocking the tv set on the deck.

Brian Fralick FS Rock at the Hood Ramp aka Skinny’s. Circa 1990.

10. That Rob shot is still one of my favorites. Was it a natural progression to start working with snowboarders?

Natural progression? Yes. I was very inspired and whatnot by photographers Bud Fawcett, Grant Brittain, and just seeing pics of beautiful powder and landscapes via Hank deVre’ out of copies of Powder mag. The inspiration at the time. I just wanted to ride and shoot powder. A few skaters crossed over as well. Beau Boozer Daly and Brian Fralick to name just a few. Rode and took photos of them and Corey Kopahee, the Schalbergs, and Pineapple. Donner Ski Ranch was the place. Met up with Basich’s, and the Roach brothers there. Not many resorts allowed it then. There were a few winters like we are having now- drought-like back then for sure.

Terry Kidwell into the best part of a Mount Rose back county adventure. Circa 1996.

11. Obviously you traveled to some exotic places as a photographer. What’s a memorable trip you went on? Any danger, excitement,or gun fire involved?

Spain was awesome in 1998. Winging it on trains with our huge snowboard bags and driving a rental van up into the Pyrenees Mountains was amazing. Myself, Temple, Goulet, and Sonny. Raf got us the van with his fluent Spanish, he was from Belgium. Such a rad time. Only snowboarded for actually 2 days. Skated around different parts of the country for 2 weeks. Tim Brauch was on that trip only months prior to this death. So crazy! Sad. Most snow trips for a mag would be staying at a resort never leaving for the whole time. On that Heckler trip we were all over the place, eating exotic foods, skating through the streets at night in Barcelona. Getting lost on trains in Bilbao from skating the park near the Guggenheim. It was Rad! Went to China in 99’ skated on the Great Wall and did skate demos over the different parts of the country, we got to go on behalf of the Government there and also in conjunction with K2 as they were setting up there initial oversees hard-goods production in China, I think in secrecy. I was a photographer in secrecy and skating these demos on the rain soaked ramps with Sonny, Antonius Toad Ditcho, Jessie Van Roechoudt, and Steve Bailey . Getting stuck in the airport in Beijing dealing with language barriers. We sat for 3 days basically. Our return tickets didn’t work. Long story but made it home eventually. These were Heckler Mag trips. Life experience nutty shit. Gunfire? Well I can tell you why the now sadly missed Uzi bowls here got their name. We pulled up to the fence and a guy pulled a gun on us telling us to, “Get the Fuck Out!” I was with Jim Merritt and maybe Roman.. I kinda blocked that incident out a bit. Trespassing and pool skating has always kinda been like that anyway.

Evening light on a winter day in Chamonix France. Heckler Europe Trip 1998.

12. I’m stoked to hear the Uzi story! We heard random tales about that place. We used to jump on the trains headed out west at that spot, so fun. Heckler was a great magazine, it felt like it was a local mag for sure. How did that start up?

It was basically started for fun and a way to get free resort tickets. Met one of the founders Matt Kennedy at Donner one day and told me he was working on a magazine, it was Newsprint, local and cool. Later that winter I was in Sacto at a ski tradeshow and Matt borrowed my board to head over to where the mag was produced. He left it there. I called over and it was this recording studio called Enharmonic that was in a shaky part of town near the train tracks. This dude John “Botch” Baccigaluppi who I had conversed with gave me a tour and thanked me for contributing pics for the first issue. Oddly enough I attended a skate party there years prior and it had ramps and such on the second story. Anyway, they used a lot of what I had sent them. A lot of the South Shore dudes, and pics from Kirkwood. At that time the founders were John, Matt Kennedy and Dave Sher. It was built off the studios computer which was a early Mac and worth about 15 grand I think, this was early desktop publishing. After issue one when everyone dropped the ball so to speak I became involved over the phone as John Botch asked me if I wanted to be part of the mag. Sonny Mayugba was working for John’s Bike Messenger company and selling some ads for new issues of the mag. He became the third partner at that point as well. Heckler was sort of a feat created by basically 3 people and functioned like a tripod, so to speak. Some amazing chemistry.

1st road trip with “Hecklers” bound for drained pools in the Oakland hills. Sonny’s Valiant, 1993.

13. Heckler was ahead of it’s time as far as it’s content and mix of skating and snowboarding together. Was there any industry snubbing at first?

Being more or less a regional publication like we were in the beginning, this is not so much a issue. We were well received for sure and had a cult following I would say but, this changes once you become worldly distributed through a publisher that has a competing magazine. Case in point Transworld, and the mag they produced called WARP (skating, surfing, snowboarding). Although we were totally different, internally this was odd at times.

Kevin McGuire at Plumb Pit, we bailed and skated it for about a solid 4 weeks. Then a realtor showed up and they filled it with water within a day. It hadn’t been skated, to my knowledge, 20 years prior to that.

14. I always thought WARP was real stiff, kind of no character to it. How did Transworld come into the picture?

We had ambition and ideas that outweighed money, resources, etc. it skyrocketed from 16 pages in newsprint to 128 pages within a very short time and became this huge beast, so to speak. It was rad but needed more of a staff and resources to support it’s growth. TW was interested in partnering with us. Them having experience that built Tracker Trucks and their TWS titles (this being prior to them being part of corporate publishing entity Times-Mirror) from the ground up, independently. They could relate to us wanting to become a 4-color worldly distributed mag. Even though we were way more uncensored, you know. Running early interviews where Palmer talked about freebasing with a siren set up in his house.. haha.

Temple Cummins into the sky above the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain. Circa 1998.

15. That must have been a weird transition, TWS is well known for censorship. You were involved with the snow scene so early in the game, you had to have seen so much progression. Do you prefer the early scene as opposed to now?

My one belief is that these were and on some level are individual sports opposed to having a team and leaders. This has changed for sure in skating some but especially today in snowboarding. It was the golden age of snowboarding for sure comprised of a lot of individuals with unique attributes. At that time in the 80’s and early 90’s a cottage industry. Everything now is practically in the Nascar realm of sponsorship marriage it seems. The skaters and snowboarders themselves are athletically on such a progressive realm it’s crazy. But some things feel like cloning on the media side for sure.

16. Nascar is a great description, with all of the big corporate sponsors these days. Who did you enjoy shooting back in the day both skating and snowboarding wise?

Quite a lot of riders. Tough question to answer. Would have to say looking back getting to shoot with Craig Kelly and making a trip to meet him in Fernie, B.C. Canada for a Heckler interview I wanted to do was a lifetime experience. This was in 1997. Shooting over the years at different points with Keith Kimmel, Tucker Fransen, T.B., Jim Zellers, Palmer, Kidwell, Cardiel, Travis Yamada, and Chris Senn to name a few were always insane. Those who were under the radar were more my scene I guess. A lot of Reno skaters had something unique to hold for sure. Kevin McGuire and North, Denny Franchini, Willie Toles, Fralick brothers, etc. this is a topic that could go on and on….

Denny Franchini 100 mph ollie over channel to fakie board slap. At Skinny’s Ramp. Circa 1990.

17. On the other side of the coin, how about any nightmare guys you dealt with without saying names?

I try not to focus on shit like that too much especially these days, as those things drain your positive energy to some extent. I avoided those situations if possible. But one funny thing looking back that bothered me for years was a shoot I did with one of the first commercial shoots. It was for O’Neil in Europe of this racer they had here in the states. Probably one of my very first company type shoots. I photographed this dude and it was oddly enough with his team-mate who turned out to be his girlfriend. They were training at Donner with the Cross-M team at the time. We shot all carving cheese shots on race type boards, this was the early 90’s. Anyhow I send off the slides to some obscure address in the Netherlands and shipping was pricey! I’m waiting to see via snail mail how much they like all the what I felt were sharp, well exposed pics. 3 months go by and I get this rude letter from some Corporate Euro a-hole saying “What are these images!? Of Primo (name change) and his girlfriend!? They’re not on vacation! They are there to train. This is ridiculous!” Rejected. I was so crushed! Otherwise some riders will tell you where to stand and what to do. A bit of ego. Take it with a grain of salt. Others for example like Palmer would just rip and you had to be on it and ready or you missed the shot! He would ride away and down the mountain. He was always amazing to shoot with. Spontaneous, dynamic, such an individual, over the top, to say the least.

Cardiel as an unknown ripping a table slide as Jason Lee and Wade Speyer look on. Circa 1990.

18. Damn, you got the Euro back hand? Wow, I’m sure he had a pony tail so that’s even worse! How do you feel about all of this online media? I mean back in the day you could pull out an ad or poster of someone shredding, put it on your wall and be inspired. Does all of these online shots seem forgettable?

Amazing how the Mapes building turned into a plaza where the cops let people skate there. Jim Damone Downtown Reno 2009.

I’m just not sure on the longevity of it. I think both are different and good. Posters and album covers are solid. Online media and access is a great tool but given way to a sea of people pumping their shit up all the time. Everyone has or wants their deserved(?) 15 hours of fame.. be it Facebook or Youtube. Posers galore! But there are amazing forums, friends to be in contact with, and good deals to be found on used bike shit, camera garb and whatever else is to your liking. Like what you guys have going here is very cool. Roots.

Tony Alva blasts into the Bronson Ditch LA. Circa 1995.

19. Thanks man, we dig it. If you’re not supporting your local scene, what are you supporting right? What is a perfect day skating to you?

Oh man, it’s ripping my shirt off in the heat, flexing with tons of sunscreen of course and just ripping anything in front of me with my POV camera attached to my headband…all day. haha. Well for me it’s usually on some trip through a random town and you have a few hours to skate a place you have never been. It’s uncrowded and a non-stop session of fun just cruising around. You get back in the car and keep driving. That’s pretty rad. The act of skating the unskateable has always been something to behold. Pools are obvious but also remnants of development via the concrete jungle. Then there’s always been – “Hey that’s not meant for skateboards.. get out of here!”.

20. You’ve ripped off your shirt a lot this winter. It’s cool skating but, while we are at Star Bucks it’s a bit much! You have done so much in both industries and kept a Reno residence. I’ve personally found it very refreshing that you have always been so grounded. A lot of people who accomplish a lot less let it get to their head. Was it a conscience effort to stay local or just a love for the Biggest Little City in the World?

Dirt’s wedding barge around the year 2000 in Reno NV.

I spent a lot of time on the road. Never home in Reno but, couch living a lot in Sacramento or searching for good snow somewhere to the north or east possibly. My hometown was always gurned for a while as I had snowboard friends being like, “What, why you live in Reno!?’. Now it’s modern day coolness to live here, I guess, now California-ized and accepted? Haha . Different friends of mine moved out of snowville truckee-tahoe to move to the place where the desert meets the Sierra’s; sold off their snowblowers, etc. Now Midtown’s even cooler. Classic Skates, and Midtown Reno. But Reno is a easy place to fly in and out of if travling is your stick. Turbulent though.. Shit man!

21. It’s nice to be this close to the mountains, Sac, and SF. It’s good to get out of Reno and road trip to Sparks sometimes. What has 2012 have lined up for Chris Carnel? Do you have some new projects in the works? I mean besides more skating with the Shred Sunday crew!

Great skating with Sunday crew and just skating around lately in the balmy winter of 2012. I made a temporary gallery in part of a space I rent next to Classic/Neverender. I call it Pequeño. Want to show more images in this tiny pop-up gallery setting there. Want to bike more, shoot more images, landscape and travel. Plans to print more via darkroom and self-publish projects in print media. Print media is important, I think regardless of what the internet world says or blogs. It’s permanent and physical. Having a weird winter here. Been busy with a lot of other work and things. It’s a mental melter on the brain.. no snow really in the mountains. Looks like October for months and months. I feel bad for the chain monkeys and snowplow drivers, yikes. The poles are shifting. Reset your iPhones kids!

Ron Rash scoping the confinements of the Pequeño Gallery.

22. Thank you Chris, it means quite a lot that you agreed to an interview. You’ve seen so much in both cultures, I’m glad you shared some with us. I’m sorry we didn’t have the right coffee at the right temperature for you. There are several people that appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for skateboarding here in Reno. Who would you like to thank or mention anyone in a “I just won the Super Bowl!” manner?

Fun experimental self-portrait at the Old High School curbs, Fallon NV. 2/10/2012

I’ve been very lucky to shoot with and meet all these people through the wonderful activity of skating, snowboarding, even music- especially having opportunities to travel the globe in a counterclockwise rotation, at Mach speed times 3! Tons to thank. Wow. My parents obviously. Bud Fawcett, Tom Hsieh and ISM Mag, Frequency -TSJ, and the Galbraiths. Palladini and early Snowboarder Mag. Heckler OG with Botch, Sonny, Oates and Jessie Locks. Paul Laca and his true AK vision. There’s a lot of people here and you for sure probably know who you are. The riders and such for taking time to work it out and spend the efforts to get great pictures. We’ll have to get your coffee dialed, dial in your bean roast, perfect the tamp and grind.

Toby Riley

Every city, town, or crew has that one guy who makes an impression on a skateboard. There’s the guy who’s conquered the biggest gap, switch back tailed some rail, or has a laundry list of tricks at the gnarliest spots. Then there’s the guy who shows up from time to time that all the young bucks ask, “Who’s that?”.  Toby Riley has been steadily killing it in Reno over 25 plus years. He’s always had that Julien Stranger vibe and style without trying to have that style at all. I’ve heard the new generation of guys ask “who’s that?” just seeing him ollie  a hip at the park. I always reply, “That’s Toby Riley.” with a smile. Watching Toby skate will do that to you, this is his Wheel Bite interview. -ERL

1. What’s good Toby? I see you stop by Mira Loma from time to time. Where are you skating at these days?

Good – a funny word when you look at it. Good is friends, family, and times, my top three. I have been blessed with all three of them. And that answers the next question as well. I’m skating wherever sounds fun to ride, there being everywhere, and most importantly wherever my dogs are! GRRRRRRR!!!

FS Ollie. Volland photo.

2. In the beginning what made you decide to start skating? Who was your first crew you learned the basics with?

The open canvas that it was at that time, 1985, street skating was being created every day. So everything, everything was being skated and nothing had a label or proper technique. It was too awesome, wild, colorful, and fuckin’ rockin’ out of control. Such a great break from other sports, with so many rules, it’s hard to have fun. Only rule in skateboarding: FUN.

3. It was a big deal back in the day to have a Pro board. Did you start off with a used good board or a new generic board?

My friend Robbie Jackson gave me an Action Sports that I had pimped the grip job checker board. Rode that a couple of months, then he kicked down his Skull Skates Dave Hackett, Grim Reaper in front of skulls, grey. I threw on the XR-2 trucks and two tone wheels and it was over!

Back foot. Volland photo.

4. Who was the first skater you saw in the mags that you looked up to and why?

There are a couple of firsts, Mark Gonzales and Hosoi. Hosoi was blasting ten foot methods and Gonz was writing the book on creativity. Aggression, speed, and creativity was what it was. Having fun while crushing shit to pieces, peacefully!

 

5. Damn, those two should be on everyone’s list! What was your first experience like at 293? 

Desolate, and quiet. My friend Justin Hay Chapman and I were one of the first. We followed the tracks and skated 292 long before 292. We went to 293 because to the right of the dock was a bank and we did early grabs off of it. Fuckin’ wicked ass judo airs!

Big snaps. Nice flick. Volland photo.

6. Back in the 293 days when everyone was vibing everything you seemed to be just the opposite. You were always having fun skating and cool to everyone. How was it in the early days of 293?

By then skating in Reno had grown enough to have different crews, groups of friends, and whatever the fuck little some had, have, or whatnot. Mix that with the first D.I.Y. skatepark in Reno and BAM, here come the ego based drama and yada yada. All I wanted to do was hang out and skate all the ramps etc everyone brought and have fun. You can learn a lot from mixing with different crews, styles, colors, if you put your egos aside. Big responsibility and lesson in anarchy and human behavior. First spot and only spot in Reno at that time to skate without getting fucked withand we fucked ourselves. End of spot.

Tre Bomb. Volland Photo.

7. 293 was a blessing. Most of the newer skatepark generation never skated there, how would you describe 293 to these guys?

It would be like having full control over “the ice rink” pad. Bring ramps, wood, etc and build some new obstacles and have nobody really care, once we talked to the only business nearby at Denny’s Dependable Automotive. Keep it looking clean, regulate yourselves, and like Digital Underground said “Do Watcha Like”!!!

A hard to hit ollie at Fisherman’s. Volland photo.

8. Bombing the hill from your house to downtown was some memorable skate days. What were your regular spots when people were still street skating?

Originally the First Interstate Bank at the bottom of 7th Street with Fred Schultz, Mike Herman, the Lewis Brothers, Jay Nietto, Chris Ghardella, my 8th grade crew. Then hit the bumps and hotel/motel bumps on 4th street. Then downtown, alleys, Pioneer Theater, Circus blocks, Straw Hat alley, the market under Silver Legacy curbs, Pioneer Inn Casino blocks, Court House green bars, the Gauntlet, Saint Marys’s steps, ALL of UNR, the long red curb, the OG double set, Lawlor walls forever, 7th Street ditch, K-Mart ditch, and the phantom Fountain of Youth. Can’t mention any current spots – top secret meccas.

Switch ollie. Volland photo.

9. You eventually started getting hooked up in Reno. Who was your first sponsor?

Shop sponsor, World of Toys through Ben Dixon, great person. He had connections though being a skater for years and working at the shop. He got me shop deals with Santa Cruz.

Ollie for the Sinclair Homies. Volland photo.

10. How did the Consolidated thing come about?

Consolidated formed from OG memebers of Santa Cruz, Keenan, Jason Jessee, Birdo, Moish, etc. A foot in the door from Ben and from Jason Jessee got me on Consolidated. The original line up was the Paez brothers, Doug Saenz, Allen Peterson, Karma, and Andy Roy. One of those dream scenarios. There were differences with Keenan, everyone else was gold. Next was a friend Ozzy Alvarez, he started Human Skateboards. I hung out in San Diego, thanks Ozzy, Peter at Pacific Drive, Greg Janess, my box roomates, Dennis Vierra, Tommy Budjanek, “Rickaholik”, Eric L, Ben Dixon, and Caine Gayle for the San Diego hospitality. It was a great experience. My last was Enemy Skateboards and the 50-50 Board Shop and Out of Bounds.

Japan. Griffin Photo.

11. I miss SD everyday! In all of your travels, what are some of your favorite cities to skate?

Any city or town you roll into for the first time. Anywhere, anytime. Also San Francisco during the EMB period, we’d drive down and sleep in the car for the weekend. 90-94. It was the epicenter at that time, and got to witness some serious business first hand. Also I like the roughness of good ole Reno, not the best but, it’s what ya make of ‘er. 

Backside Style. Griffin photo.

12. What is it about Reno that has always spawned such a solid skate scene?

Reno, the roughness and smallness of it all. Shit will come back around, very small. Makes you kind of man-up  for your actions and whatnot. Leaves you with consequences for your actions, you really see who people are after the fact. That and the fact that it started out everyone hating skateboarders, so you didn’t really have a choice but to unite a little more. Now days every little shit head wants to be a “skater dude”.

Snaps Down Town. Griffin photo.

13. Yeah, skating is so accepted now. Too accepted! From when you first started rolling to now, who are the guys that you looked up to?

Peter Chiu, Phil, Boozer Daily, Rob Hostetter, Pat Weiss, Eric Svare, Danny G, Denny Franchini, Rob Roy, Kevin Cox, Spencer B, Tony Hospital, Fred Shulty, Gershon Mosely, John Ludwick, Dean Christopher, Brandon G, Darnelle, Jevelle, D Starkey, Coia, Beau Shaver, John Cardiel, Wade Speyer, Jimmy, Beau Halverson, Shawn Dickerman, Beau Bevier, Lee Pottle, Tyree, Scott Waters, Scott B, Mike H, Mike Langley, Lee, Joey P, Richie, Flip Nasty, Mike Hubert, Ben Bledsoe, Kevin and Nick, Mark Melin, Ouchoe, Oink, Jamie Hustle, Rob, Jake Mutha Fuckin’ Griffin, Joe Rock, Neil B, Worms, Dills, Boyd and Josh Turner, Josh and Claude, Greg Janess, Kearney, Max Alonzo, Mike Edwards, Christian Erickson, Rhodes, Lonny Impossible, Randy Barr, Ralph Parks, Brian S, Damon and Levi Watson,  Eric Lantto, John Gertz, Dave Maine, Austin and McKenna, Doug H. Nut, Kelsey Page, Sara &  Shelby & Ciera Herman, and all the hungry lil’ tigers I see with a good attitude. 

Slide up and out. Volland photo.

14. Hell yes, Reno crew! How long have you been skating Indys Toby?

Since about 1990. About 21 years or so….had to try out the rest before I found the best. Everything from Rannali, Gull Wing Super Pro III, Thunder Salamanders, Venture, until one day….

Melon. Volland photo.

15. I know you are a real busy guy. What’s a typical week like for you and how do you balance skating into the madness?

I do a lot of running around for the restaurant, Pneumatic Diner.  I usually bring the ole board with me and take advantage of a half hour here on the way to get produce or hour there a few times a week. I love it like the first day, it has saved my life, endangered my life, and I will always be riding so long as I can stand up. It keeps me grounded in a crazy world that would have otherwise made me crazy.

4th Street slider. Volland photo.

16. Thanks for taking time out for this Toby. Break down any thanks, shout outs, and all that.

Thanks to those who let it happen, Moms and Pops!! Letting me use power tools from 10+ and teaching me how to use them to build ramps all over the yard and house and letting me skate all day and night. Couldn’t have happened without Charles or Sherry!

Welcome to the Jungle video.

Thanks to Jake Griffin and Kyle Volland for the great photos.

Wheel Bite

Wheel Bite is skateboarding and all that goes with it. It doesn’t matter what crew you roll with, if you’re a tech kid, rail killer, slasher, masher, or bowl ripper. It’s all skateboarding and that’s what this site is about. This blog page will feature interviews with local skaters, not so local skaters, stories, thoughts, and updates on what’s what with what. Enjoy. -Eric Lantto

Don’t worry, do slappies. Volland photo.