Heath Kirchart & Alex "Trainwreck" Gall.

Monster trucks for monster tricks.

Monster was a project of Jamie Thomas in the early 2000s. The trucks were distributed by Giant Distribution. They went with a scary theme for the trucks and ads.

Sam Korman's interview with Heath Kirchart in Plank was an interesting read, but he dropped the ball by not asking about Monster Trucks. I'm going to assume that part was edited out due to a lack of space.

The photo for Heath is credited to Oden. Might it be a typo for Luke Ogden?

Heath: Transworld - March 2002 Volume 20 Number 3

Trainwreck: Transworld - April 2002 Volume 20 Number 4

John Rattray #6.

Happy Halloween!

The scariest thing about this ad is how small those boards are. The stitches deck measures 7.625" x 31.25" and the pentagram is 7.75" x 31.25". These are rather unremarkable debut graphics for John, even by Zero standards. He did have models with better art for Panic/Blueprint prior to switching to a US company. I'm unsure if he had to temporarily go back to amateur status when he got on Zero even though he had been pro for a few years in the United Kingdom.

The photograph is by Joe Brook.

Transworld - September 2002 Volume 20 Number 9

Gailea Momolu #2.

Ottawa Senator.

Gailea does a nollie heelflip to noseslide to mark being knighted into the professional ranks.

I think Todd Francis said something to the effect that there are two ways to sell skateboards. You either create a graphic that makes the skater feel tough or makes them laugh. Darkstar opted for the first choice and ran with a mysterious dark knight theme for all their graphics.

Transworld - November 2002 Volume 20 Number 11

Mike Vallely #9.

“It’s 1990, boys. Let’s get rid of the skeletons.”

I guess you can't go too far wrong with a skull on skateboard, regardless of what Neil Blender thinks. Or maybe you can. Truthfully, this has to be decided on a case by case basis.

For general accounting purposes, Mike recently plowed Street Plant under and is back on the nostalgia machine that is Powell Peralta. Again. I never knew or maybe simply forgot that Powell's Bug graphic was also a model for Mike. Vallely Skateboards was distributed by Giant after he rode for the Black Label and before he would ride for Element. The team included Steffan Attardo, Jesse Fritsch, Alysson Castro, and Bobby Stewart.

Transworld - September 2003 Volume 21 Number 9

Donny Binaco.

Jersey Metal.

Kre-per Trucks were created by the Grind King crew. They came up with a gothic design that looked like something Batman would have on his skateboard. The ads followed along with a vaguely dark and apocalyptic theme. Donny is one of Fred Gall's boys and part of the Metal squad.

Here's a sample of the trucks from Transworld:

I understand why the mags slowly phased out actual product reviews over the years, but skateboarding lost something without the occasional bit of cynical criticism.

I picked out assorted spooky ads from 2002 and 2003 for Halloween this year.

The photo is by Ryan Panis.

Trucks: Transworld - June 2004 Volume 22 Number 6

Donny: Transworld - October 2002 Volume 20 Number 10

Matt Field #11.

Wall Flower.

I've been thinking about what skateboarding was like twenty years ago lately. They built the local park and a lot of kids were rolling. Rasa Libre and the relaunched Stereo were popular among the skaters who were more creative and didn't fully relate to either the hesh or fresh camps. After doing this blog for a while, I'm fascinated by what younger generations pick up as as key influences.

I guess the Ipath reboot has been selling well, even if a few of the original heads aren't involved. I only did minimal research when I posted the Ipath scans back in August, but the company was on the sketchy side in its heyday, as per usual in the shady world of skateboard business. It turned the week into kind of a bummer because I wanted it to be a feel good type of entry about the return of a much loved departed brand. That's how it goes sometimes.

I've got the annual week of Halloween fun planned out. I'm amazed I can think of something vaguely different each year for scary season.

Thrasher - June 2004 Volume 24 Number 6

Max Schaaf #17.

Ultimate North Cal Barney.

It's a rare sighting of street Max. Mr. Schaaf goofs off in front of Mike Carroll and Paul Rodriguez during a photo shoot for Fourstar.

Jamestown Skateboard Products is having their annual King of the Ramp party this Saturday, October 26, 2024. Bad Waitress, Thee Audience, and Television Overdose will be playing some live tunes. There's also a Halloween costume contest. The event is sponsored by 4 Life Skateboards, Lowcard, Rust Belt Skateboards, Tail Devil, Goodsen, Biodome, and Snowbelt Gardens. JSP is located at 207 Pine Street in Jamestown, New York.

Thrasher - June 2004 Volume 24 Number 6