ISSUE 130
[ MATT GRAVEL ] ON THE RADAR
ON THE RADAR
MATT GRAVEL
ON THE RADAR
MATT GRAVEL
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[ MATT GRAVEL ] ON THE RADAR
ON THE RADAR
MATT GRAVEL
.0210186495089 51604890.90825 0.249058698.07 .5614.08950.85 8470230.064.20 .20148902.9802 99.6489001.2.8 28549120.89408 984083154084.4 5047140.6802.8 89140.1498.894 2.35847.206948 58.478960.2896 .2089474.04848 478960.1468948 72848920.48941 528910.2847861 3204820.489087 10561.68410.68 84.05448640.87 6140.46.048108 854160.614.046 4681560.1468.8 854163.4168447 47.20478.98478 014.215102.547 824.4084084.45 540.2545.0.453 35470.840.4874 .87486740.5745
ON THE RADAR
MATT GRAVEL
H
words
Brandon Wells
photos
rich odam
ailing from the Greater Victoria, BC, neighbourhood of Fernwood, Matt Gravel has been killing it on Vancouver Island forever. Jamie Collins (R.I.P.) and I were hyped to have him join the Instrumental Skateboards crew because of his great attitude, and I consider him as family. Matt’s skateboarding has progressed through hard work, which makes me proud to see him get this On The Radar interview. Speaking of hard work, aside from Instrumental the twenty-something-yearold is hooked up by Cake Supply Co., Converse and Destructo (through Ultimate Distribution), as you’ll see in this issue’s ad. Matt is always down to have a session and a beer with the homies, and if you ever make it to the Island he’ll probably follow up being your spot guide with a performance at the local karaoke spot. What you’ll find on the following pages is some switch magic, why they call him Joop Beans, what he plans on doing as Fernwood’s mayor and more. Oh, and watch out for his VICtorious part, which will hit concreteskateboarding.com on April 25th.
41201.20141200 58100.89258010 58214201802.14 .0210186495089 51604890.90825 0.249058698.07 .5614.08950.85 8470230.064.20 .20148902.9802 99.6489001.2.8 28549120.89408 984083154084.4 5047140.6802.8 89140.1498.894 2.35847.206948 58.478960.2896 .2089474.04848 478960.1468948 72848920.48941 528910.2847861 3204820.489087 10561.68410.68 84.05448640.87 6140.46.048108 854160.614.046 4681560.1468.8 854163.4168447 47.20478.98478 014.215102.547 824.4084084.45 540.2545.0.453 35470.840.4874
switch backside tailslide bigspin [o] jay delaney
What is it about the Vancouver Island skate scene that keeps you here instead of moving to the mainland? I really like how connected everyone is on the Island. No matter where you go you’re guaranteed a good time with good people. And the quality of life is so much better in my opinion. I just don’t really like the everyday vibe of Vancouver; it’s too fast paced for me. I grew up in small towns, so going to Van is always a shock to the system. But I like it in small doses—a weekend here and there to skate. Every time I get on the boat back to the Island it’s like a weight is lifted off my shoulders because I know I’m goin’ home.
What exactly is a P.A. Taste? P.A. stands for Port Alberni, which is where you and Jamie Collins are from. The “Taste” consists of getting a full-on slap in the face. It’s just a clean hit, then we’re on our way to having a good laugh. This usually happens, especially to Eric Timmins, when someone starts running their mouth or getting unruly when we’re partying. I’ve learned not to run my mouth so much now, but sometimes no matter what you say you deserve a Taste to bring you back to reality. 23
no comply switch 50-50
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crook pop-over
Do you have a favourite Jamie Collins story or memory? Ramp Camp for sure. Him and the boys would haul a mini-ramp piece by piece through the forest, then build it on a beach for everyone to come skate and party for a weekend. Jamie would be skating harder than you, slamming harder than you, drinking more than you and he would always be the first one doing it all over again the next day. It’s just legendary stuff. He was such an important part of bringing everyone on the Island together, and such a huge influence on how a lot of us lived our lives. What does a typical night out with the homies usually entail? Fernwood Beer, Burt Reynolds, E-Timms getting slapped, laughin’, Lucky, Burt Reynolds, Lucky, then a 9a.m. text message reading: “fuck.”
Why is it that you skate switch so much? When I was younger I rolled my right ankle and couldn’t really skate anymore, then I realized it could handle popping so I started skating switch. I was also heavily influenced by Russ Milligan and Brian Wenning back then, so it just seemed natural. How did the nickname “Poop Jeans” come about, and how did it evolve into “Joop Beans”? Well everyone thinks I got this nickname because I shit my pants one time…or multiple times. I wish that was the case, but really it’s because I used to always wear dumpy brown cords. One day I bought a pair of blue jeans and it threw everyone off, so they started calling me Matt Jeans, which eventually turned to Poop Jeans when I went back to my brown dumpers. There was a little letter reversal on it and now I’m called Joop Beans, or Joop for short.
25
[ 26
During my term I promise to provide good times, cold beers and skateboarding.
]
41201.20141200 58100.89258010 58214201802.14 .0210186495089 51604890.90825 0.249058698.07 .5614.08950.85 8470230.064.20 .20148902.9802 99.6489001.2.8 28549120.89408 984083154084.4 5047140.6802.8 89140.1498.894 2.35847.206948 58.478960.2896 .2089474.04848 478960.1468948 72848920.48941 528910.2847861 3204820.489087 10561.68410.68 84.05448640.87 6140.46.048108 854160.614.046 4681560.1468.8 854163.4168447 47.20478.98478 014.215102.547 824.4084084.45 540.2545.0.453 35470.840.4874
switch feeble bigspin
What are your thoughts on being elected as the mayor of Fernwood, and what do you plan on doing for the people? I’m hyped on being Fernwood’s mayor! During my term I promise to provide good times, cold beers and skateboarding. Perhaps a new park for us if the city will come around. Just remember to clean up after yourselves and respect the neighbours! Tell us about joining forces with the good homies at Cake Clothing. Cake is a company that my good homie Ryo Kaneki started in Japan. He’s been making and designing clothing his whole life, and selling Cake stuff to the homies in Victoria for the last couple years. Me and Bryn McKay hit him up recently about putting a catalog together—turning it into a real thing and using it as a creative outlet for us. So far things are good. We got the spring catalog done and we’re waiting on orders from shops on the Island and a couple in Van. Check out cakesupplyco.blogspot.com.
How does Seattle play a role in this interview? I went down there with the Underworld dudes, so it’s where I got almost all the photos for this interview. That place is such a playground, and it was actually my first time there. I’ve never had so much fun skatin’ in my life. Plus the good homie Rich Colwell lives down there, making it a guaranteed good time. I’m definitely going back soon. What do you and the Instrumental crew have planned for 2014? I’m kicking Eric Timmins’ lazy ass off the team, then using the money you’d spend on his boards to take the dudes on a trip [laughs].
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distributed by ultimate
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