Photos: Jake Levon
Kacey Soares
Photos: Jake Levon
Adrián Lopez
youstabrand.com
Songs Illuminated Issue 5 This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps.
Less talk, more rock this time. It's way too nice to be cooped up at a desk. Thanks everybody. Inside Edition Circulate & Destroy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Build Beer Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Corey Sholes: Legend Skateboards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Rahim’s Tricks-4-Prizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Skaters Helping Skaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Art of the Speed Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Rando Calrissians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Mirror Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Senders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 AggroZone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 In Memorial: Dan Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Full Frontal Thoroughly scooped by Chimpanzine in the cover department, Roger Varela still manages to find money in the banana stand. [o*] Carlos Amaya To The Left, To The Left (Shown At Right) Hayden Estrada frontside flips for Bill Cain well above Bob’s (lower) lip. Backdoor Action Matt Beaton gets the nod from Shane Heyl with a redonredgooooda back Smith. [o*] Julian Aguilar. Internal Affairs Lately I’ve been stoked on the Shrimp Blunt video, Spanky’s Horses and Brent Atchley’s Satori parts, Leo Valls, MC Solaar Prose Combat, finally watching The Sopranos, Ace Trucks, and skating more than I have in years. (Shout out to the orthopeadic healthcare profession for putting Humpty Dumpty back together again and again.)
West
North
Opposite: John Worthington, no glass was blown in the creation of this bomb over Newark. [o*] Moose. Andy MacDonald, yellow-helmeted footplant back into Richmond vert. [o*] Bill Cain This page, clockwise from above: Andrew Langi steezy front feeble at the Part Time mini in Chico. Mike Guerrero escorting Dave Andrecht’s baby over the Chico skatepark. Zachary Nielsen nicely decked at Live Oak. Chico’s Brent Schneider creatively scrubs his own tile. All photos above: [o*] Cebolla Mendez / QuiverSK8.
West
Brandon Herrera / Laid-back sunset Smith Jack / Superpowered Flyout: gap-to-bank. Placerville [o*] Alex Fuentes
Josh Rodriguez / FS Steezy Teezy Greezy / Newark. [o*] Moose
East
Connor Fischer, unofficial winner of Skatehouse Bowlritto Afterdark. Back tail on the stage to disaster. [o*] Aa
East
Top: The rules of Bowlritto are simple: Set ’em up, knock 'em down. Lipslide is the classy choice. Bottom: The rules get looser the more cans become available. Notenough-vert threeler. Opposite: Shifty over the hip. Heavy Ipath 2005 vibes. [o*] Aa
[o*] Aa
That page: More like the steep end. Steven Griffie ollies into The Bowl That Gene Built™, on a board that Gene built. This page: Mikey Renee , recording double-nickels on the tile.
Top: Gannan dipping Smith backside, slaying well south of Stockton. Left: Shovel Skates’ Michael Justice, front feeble finesse. Right: Steven Griffie properAF front slob-block. Opposite: Jake Felt skates faster than you. [o*] Aa
esse.
Q & A Matinee
The man, the myth, the Legend
Corey Sholes Legend Skateboard my own boards. My primary business was going to be making furniture, but skateboarding really Been pressing and selling boards since 1994, but took off in the mid-’90s. So I did that full time. started buying uncut boards and making my own shapes in 1988. Before blanks and shop How many companies do you make skate decks, you had to buy uncut boards and make decks for? And what are the companies? your own shapes if you wanted to save money. Probably make boards for about two dozen What got you started in making skate decks? companies: H Street, Alf's company Everybody Skates, Ron Allen's company American Dream, Started my own company just like anybody and Yousta brand, etc. else didn't want to get a real job. People were How long have you been making skateboards?
stoked on my shaped boards in the late ’80s (made out of the uncuts), so I decided to press
Words & Photos: Jake Levon @jakethehated
oards, since 1994 What made you start skateboarding? My first skateboard — Christmas, 1977 — that was a plastic board. I didn't take skateboarding seriously until Christmas 1984 when boards were bigger, easier to ride, and had grip tape! Was really into BMX, but no one took it seriously the way skateboarders took skateboarding seriously, and it was more of a culture.
Legend continues next page
Legend continues next page
What made you pick Legend for your company name? My buddies came up with the name Legend. I didn't really like it but everyone else did... I just wanted to make skateboards so it worked out. What are some of the off-the-wall skate decks you’ve made custom for people? Haven't made too many off-the-wall skateboards, but I did make snake skateboard decks (hey, need the money). But making H Street boards is a great accomplishment.
Left: Leslie putting in work behind the scenes. Below right: Corey at his craft.
Any idols in the skateboard industry that you looked up to or inspired you? I was always a big fan of Uncle Wiggly skateboards which is the predecessor to H-Street. They were doing fiberglass and carbon-fiber boards, which is something I always wanted to get into. Any shout outs or friends you wanna mention that have supported you from Day One? Alot of my team riders have been the big supporters: Kris Riggs, Todd Philpott, Warren Silva … the list goes on and on … but the main supporter has been my wife, Jolene! Without her, I wouldn't be doing this full time.
Angel channeling his inner Hosoi.
Bryan Fuentes nollie hard, and just about everything else.
TGK has the best pop-shuvs in town, so I took a photo of a back blunt instead.
Terran Harlow Two angles, One trick.
Mutual Aid groups make the world go ’round. It’s not just the big names like The Tony Hawk Foundation and Montana Pool Service, or regional standouts Skate Like A Girl and Skate After School … people are doing good things in your own backyard.
Spotlight: SK8 916
A skateboarding collective for women and the LGBTQ+ community. Founded in 2019 by Kristine Yabumoto, SK8916 provides safety-in-numbers so that marginalized skaters can enjoy skating too. The group hosts monthly or bi-monthly group skates. Most of their events originally consisted of cruising along a mellow route (like the Front Street bike path) to make it less intimidating to first-timers, but are beginning to branch out. Yet not without its challenges. Skateparks can be pretty intense and macho to anyone new to the scene. Many of the group’s members showed hesitance in moving into a skatepark setting, either because of a negative experience in the past, or an unfriendly vibe here-and-now, that made them feel unsafe and less-than-welcome. Taking a second chance as a group helped a lot of these skaters become comfortable being at a skatepark for the first time. Not only is this empowering for them, but can be a first step towards reversing the stigma surrounding going to skateparks as a woman and/or a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The success of this first attempt means future events at McClatchy (Oak Park), while rumors of a curb jam are in the air. The group’s goal is to get even more social minorities feeling welcome, comfortable, confident, and safe within the skate community. Find out more at @sk8916 on iG
Other Affinity Groups & Non-Profits to Check Out (or Help Out) Project Lifelong Now offering 3 weekly after-school skate sessions in addition to snow and outdoor trips for teens. projectlifelong.org SkateMD The group organizes one-on-one skateboard clinics for kids 5–17 facing developmental, physical, emotional, or family challenges. Going strong since 2014, the SkateMD returns in May ’22 from a long COVID hiatus. skatemdhh.com Save Souls Skate Bowls Carlos, Devin, and Eric combined efforts mid-pandemic to get boards under kids' feet. As of their April event in Oakdale, the group has provided over 300 boards to kids who otherwise wouldn't be able to get started or keep going. They regularly bring together classes, jam contests, and cleanup days throughout the 916, 209, and east bay. IG: @save_souls_skate_bowls Be Exceptional Originally a series of dance-oriented social events for families of those with exceptional needs, the program has evolved over 15 years to include skate events in and around its home base of Antioch. beexceptionalprograms.com
Clockwise from top left: 12x12" photostaging ‘sculpture’ for a Slimeballs ad series. Original pen-and-ink artwork mechanicals for wheels and t-shirt graphics. Geek out on the white-out, manual separations and non-repro blue.
Art of the Speed Wheel Santa Cruz Museum of Art
Once sponsoring a team as broad as Shake Junt, Junt, everyone from contest OGs like Roskopp and Grosso to fringe pros like Rick Winsor and the Godoys rode for Speed Wheels brands Slimeballs and Bullet Bullet.. The iconic art that kept NHS at the top in the ’80s nearly always credits Jim Phillips alone. This show shone a light on all the others that worked on this stuff. So much skate nostalgia and history packed into a small space. I caught the show in its last weekend, but you can get your fix at the NHS museum next time you’re in Soquel.
RCAALRNISSDIAONS
O D RCALARN RANDO RAND NS ISSIACALRISSI CALRISSIANS Carlos Amaya Schralpy 5-0 on The Curbs at Delta Shores™. [o*] Roger Varela. Jay Polanco stinks it up frontside in a Napa-nian deep end. [o*] Bill Cain. Steven Griffie Smith safely seatbelted in Oakdale [o*] Julian Aguilar. Julian Reyes, back barrier nosebluntal. Downtown Sacramento [o*] JA. Gannan corners the market on deep-dish Sketch. Beeble’s. [o*] CA. Jared Hunting done crooked the front out of that bench, don’t he? [o*] RV.
R A N D O R ANDO CALR
aA ]*o[ lwoB s’eneG / htimS tnorF / rederB navE
Mirror Line
eniL rorriM
Evan Breder / Front Smith / Gene’s Bowl [o*] Aa
(S)enders Tails Of… #2 LTRHalf / PB / 4C / Ads / Proper-thick
John Freeborn-curated collection of skate-adjacent 'outsiders.’ Features with local legend Sam Cunningham, Bobby Puleo, more. @tailsofskateboarding
Stoops #10 Eby Ghafarian, N. Carolina LTRHalf / PB / 4C / Ads / 68pp
Analog only issue. Serious fire from Blabac, McKay-Randozzi and a ton more. Best use of magnetic fridge lettering. @stoopsmag
Cemental #15 Ty Hopkins, San Diego LTRHalf / SS / B&W / Ads / 36pp
Always good. This time we get one of those Dime Challenge-style jams in a SoCal ditch and a tour log with Sacto spots. @gonecemental
Bigfoot #2 Migzy & Amy Caron, Portland/LA Fulll-size / SS / 4C / Ads / 52pp
Sophomore slump this is not. High quality, mad variety. Well done, ladies. @bigfootmagazine
Don't Waste Time #4 Jackson Toone, Manitoba? LTRHalf / PB / Color Gloss / Ads / 44pp
Photo-centric, includes some snow stuff because: Canada. @dwtskatemag
Art of the Wheel From Top Left: Neckpain, Secret Curb Cliub, SSUS, Stoops, Skate Jawn, Dead Ramones, The Zine, Cemental, Without Caution, Chimpanzine, Skate Jawn, Don’t Waste Time, Bigfoot, Shaped By The Board, Smash The Skatriarchy, Curb Butter x 4, Dogpiss, Bad Apples, Time’s Up, Skatanic Disciples.
Santa Cruz Museum of Art LTRHalf / SS / 4C / 48pp
Catalog of graphic design at NHS/Speed Wheels. See page 23
Supporting independent publishers is easy. Hit these folks up on IG, then go buy an issue to keep them going. This one included!
SkateJawn #65 & #66
Dog Piss #9
Neck Pain #4
Marcus Waldron, NYC? LTRHalf / SS / 4C / Ads / 80 & 72pp
Ben Haizelden, UK Square / PB / 4C / Ads / Proper-thick
RoryCohen, Long Island LTRHalf / SS / B&W / Ads / 16pp
Was excited to finally see one of these. 65 stood out with features on Oski, pools, and non-trad skaters. @skatejawn
Tons of DIY and UK crust, nicely designed. @dogpissmag
Another skate-adjacent art zine. Introduced me to Sean Bernhardt's dope collage illustrations, always down to learn about new shit. Which is kind of the point of reading, right? @rekindleboards
Curb Butter #5, 6, 7, 8 Name, San Bernardino Tiny / French-fold / B&W/ No Ads / 8pp
These little guys pack a lot in. Spotchecks, interviews. Short, sweet and free? Pretty rad if you ask me. @curbbutter
Secret Curb Club #3 Ed Syder, UK LTRHalf / SS / 4C / Ads / 28pp
Not just curbs! Art-heavy with comics. Best merch in the biz. @secretcurbclub
Dead Ramones LTRHalf / SS / BW / No Ads / 52pp
Skateboarding meets AnarchoLefty tract. No photos, just good ol' science of a political flavor. Interesting piece on skaters' relationship to Private Property. @deadramoneszine
Chimpanzine #7 Wesley Chmielowski, Austin LTRHalf / PB / 4C / Ads / Proper-thick
Just some Texans having fun. Points for the hippie-jumping bananaman on the cover. @chimpanzine
Soul of the Skater Under Socialism LTRHalf / SS / B&W / No Ads / 16pp
Want to find out what the Zapatistas and Franco's Spain have to do with The Berrics and Mikey Taylor? You're stoked. @deadramoneszine
Bad Apples El Dorado County Arts & Culture, Placerville, Mother Lode Board Shop & Nate Reifke. Square / SS / 4C / No Ads / 24pp
Catalog for show of Gold Country skate- and skate-adjacent weirdos (including yours truly). Part time capsule, part present-tense.
Smash The Skatriarchy Amelia Bjesse-Puffin, Portland LGLHalf / SS / 4C / No Ads / 28pp
Random Etsy find. Fresh take on the non-trad perspective, including a coming out story. Bryce Kanights ran some photos, which was a sick little Easter egg. Also: Her pocket guide to not be rape-y, Time’s Up, wouldn’t be a bad idea to read even if you think you’re chill. @skate_0r_dont
Without Caution #3 LTRHalf / PB / 4C / Ads / 32pp
RRL #6 Daniel Bismor, Switzerland LTRHalf / Saddle-stitch / B&W on unleashed paper / Ads / 44pp
Highlights: Stellar design. Focus on home DIY set-ups and DIY. @rrlzine
Art & Artists by skaters, including Ed Syder of SCC (above), Kris Markovich, and Fos. @withoutcaution
Shaped by the Board
Skatanic Disciples #1
Fullsize / PB / 4C / Ads / 48pp
Alex Sernum, Canada Smallerish? / Hand SS / 4C / Ads / 24pp
Grabbed it for Ian MacKaye interview. Main focus is on the guys that are making their homie video. Kinda "huh?" for those outside the circle, but still a good read. @skatanic_disciples
High-end low-budget (??) probably-British or Austrian mag split about 50/50 between bands and female skaters (including a real-life freestyler from France and cover feature with Simone Kischner). @shapedbytheboard
(S)enders
John Worthington [o*] Jake Levon
Vinny [o*] Bill Cain
In Memorial
Daniel Owen Worth. Rest in power, sir. You were loved. You are missed. [o*] Matthew Moose
oose photo: M Don’t Send $2 and S.A.S.E. to Songs Zine
IG: @songs.zine
Matt Beaton. [o*] Julian Aguilar
