Monday, October 3, 2016

Mike Maldonado #3.



Welcome To Hell.

It's been twenty years since Toy Machine released their third video. The classic piece of skateboard cinema featured full parts from Jamie Thomas, Ed Templeton, Donny Barley, Brian Anderson, Mike Maldonado, Elissa Steamer, and Satva Leung. This was Jamie's first solo video project where he was putting everything together. He did the editing and a good chunk of the filming. Dan Wolfe, Dan Sturt, and Lee Dupont contributed to the camera work as well. Chad Muska was supposed to have the last part, but he was kicked off the team at what was to be the premiere of the video. A few issues came to a head and an ill timed computer crash was the straw that broke the camel's back. Fortunately, all parties have subsequently patched up their differences.

Toy Machine went on tour in the early summer of 1996 for Welcome To Hell. They would do a demo and play the video at whatever shop was hosting the event. The team stopped in Buffalo at Urban Threads, a clothing and skateboard shop. The demo took place in the parking lot next to a 7-11. There were a couple of wedge ramps and some wooden manual pads placed among the parked cars. Things were a little hectic, but it all worked out. Jamie and Donny were getting some big air time and the cops never shut the demo down.

Mike has the opening part in Welcome To Hell. He does a lot of big ollies, 50-50s, and boardslides. All his tricks are done with a lot of pop and he has a fair share of lines. It all just looks good. Mike is from West Chester, Pennsylvania and had ridden for H-Street before getting on Toy Machine.

Pete Thompson took the photo.

Thrasher - July 1996 Volume 16 Number 7

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