WINTER 2015
G N I T T E G E R E IN E T H G AZ MA
Contents
“Welcome” Introduction “Checkin’ In” with Paul Osborne Dan Catland Article on New Zealand “Heavy Hooker with Heart’” - Henry Padden Paul Compere - Time Slip Skateboards Tour
Welcome to the Show
Photo: Adam Metterville Rider: Parker Szumowski
Photo by Justinn Demers
Contributors: Words: Dan Catland Photographs: Paul Compere Ashley Rosemeyer Justinn Demers Josh Swett Dan Catland Samantha Payne Cole Martin
Adam Metterville Editor: Phillip Cotton
Introduction
Getting there is about the path less travelled. It’s about the journey physical and metaphorical as a cultural narration - drawing lines between medium and shared of experience of doing something that matters personally and expressing it to the world. In life we find purpose and through purpose we find meaning. Culture consists of art, denotatively in nature, but to define art creates an abyss of questions likely to be answered in a thousand opinions. A reflection of this found meaning or pursuit of it, in personal endeavors are a reflection of an individual. Throughout these pages you'll find all of this, and hopefully come to an understanding through appreciation of the journey. Feeling concrete vibrations through urethane wheels and riding through pillowy powder illuminate the American Dream in such a way that is hard to describe without experience. Through mine I have been able to expand my creative interests into a vast array of insights I've come to know as societies reflection through art. To wander, to dream... These sound like stereotypical sentiments of a childish nostalgia given up too easily in the pursuit of financial freedom and a very real materialistic American dream. By they are fundamental in understanding life and oneself. The individuals within these pages have manifested an expression related in hope that it can inspire those who read their words to pursue a personal utopia through creation of art and the progression of culture in many interpretations. It’s never too late to do what you love, follow your heart and pursuit happiness through interests. It is a tedious thing to find the characteristics of a person that define what their passion is. Perhaps that is why we love artists as a society, perhaps that is why we love and hate skateboarding and snowboarding from a mainstream perspective. Love it for it’s consumerist perspective, aligning oneself with a brand, riding a piece of wood that will likely break and be rendered useless. Hate it for the destructive properties grinding away marble monuments and thorough repitition to deaf ears about the liability of private property ignored by those passionately seeking a successful mission at a spot.
Skateboarding’s beauty is that it’s passion can be seen without the judgement of skill, but by an understanding of perseverance. “They just have it.” What it is, is the fundamental goal that humanity as a whole strives for. The ability to appear above known facts. The impossible. It is almost unexplainable, but skateboarding defines this phenomena through their art. Through diligence to a motion felt around the world through a layered piece of maple and vibration through grip tape. While the ability of a rider, especially professionals of unworldly prowess, seem to be “gifted” and have “natural talent,” the precursor factors that lead to that point in time are untraceable, and therefore, unexplainable except through visual expression, which can be synonymous with perseverance, because they made it. They create a vernacular of comments ranging from 'sick', 'amazing', and 'gnarly' in response. Words that convey feeling of accomplishment, not meaning. It is an astounding feat of perseverance they are able to achieve such beauty as seen by the trick that they perform, carelessly, effortlessly. And that is perhaps why skateboarder yearn for raw footage. They wonder how, why, where was their mindset? What type of person seemingly defy all laws of physics and fear to complete such a feat that is a testament to human knowledge? To achieve what seemed impossible and to set the bar a little higher. This perseverance is what “Getting There” is all about and these pages will not be limited to just these a singular way to express passion, but to all the exceptional people and artists I have met over the past decade. This magazine is a homage to them and hope to inspire those who read these words to pursuit and find. That their journey should deviate from what is expected of them and find happiness through what they expect from themselves through what they love to do. - Phillip Cotton
Photo: Justinn Demers
Checkin' In With Paul Osborne
I’ve known Paul Osborne since we first met at Plymouth State University. We went for a classic handshake, a pound to hi five, and couldn’t handle it. It came out conformally synchronized and dyslexic, if that is a thing (it is now) a pound to five and vice versa in a matter of 0.5 seconds. I told him “Do that every time,” and he’s greeted me the same since. He’s doing big things in Northern Vermont, at Sugarbush as a resident filmographer. We check in with him to see how he’s Getting There. -Phillip Cotton (previous photo by Ashely Rosemeyer)
Name, age, hometown?
Paul Osborne, 24yrs old, Foxboro, MA. What sparked your interest in filming?
I started filming in either middle school or high school with Joe Mulherin. We would watch whatever videos we could find online. We both had little handy cams at the time and just filmed each other for a while until I went up to college in new Hampshire. He went up to VT. I finally got a DVX off of Jimmi Thomas from Happy Tree [Films] and really got into filming heavily. I wasn’t that good, but I just stuck with it. I loved the camera for some reason. What has been the most rewarding experience you’ve had on a mission?
As far as rail missions go, I don’t really have any specific experiences that stick out in my mind. Its always an adventure. Ya know, you're kind of sneaking around hoping noone kicks you out. Just being around motivated, like-minded people who are itching for footage is awesome.
Photo: Ashley Rosemeyer
How has Videography led you to where you are today?
I went to Plymouth State University on a whim and didn’t know one soul up there. I didn’t know what to do my first day so I went out skating around campus and met some of my best friends still to this day. I just slowly started filming them and just kept filming for the 4yrs I was there. The summer after I graduated I finally upgraded to HD (fuck HD), and moved back up to the Plymouth/Loon area to film some HD edits and work on a portfolio. Since the whole world is HD, I figured I should have some HD edits under my belt. I guess that extra season paid off because the summer after that, I was laying in bed with lyme disease and got a message randomly from Chas asking me to film for Sugarbush. I didn’t say yes right away because I was flat broke (still am) and didn’t know how I would be able to afford anything but a day later I took him up on the offer. How could I say no?! Getting paid to do what I would normally do for free on my own time. Isn’t that the American dream?
Photo: Ashley Rosemeyer
"A society without Jaywalkers might indicate a society without artists" 足 Paul Theroux Photo : Taylor Stout
What is the craziest moment you’ve ever seen through the lens?
Definitely Kevin Court on drinking nights my senior year of college. I used to bring my camera out some nights and I have more Kevin footage than anybody would ever want. What are your plans for projects over the next year?
I just plan on filming as many Bush Leagues as I can and make them as good as possible. Just try to get my name out there as much as possible. Also try to help out a bunch of the homies with street shit. I really want to make it out West to the camps for next summer. Never been out there. Any long term goals?
I have no fucking clue. I don’t really know anything past the next few hours. I guess just keep filming as much as possible and try to put out shit people like. Photo: Ashley Rosemeyer
Photo: Josh Swett
A Trip Through New Zealand as told by Dan Catland
We originally had a plan to go to Amsterdam for 2 weeks but that didn't seem long enough. The idea of a vacation quickly evolved into something a lot more drastic. It all happened so fast, "Let's go somewhere for longer, like New Zealand for a year...okay, let's sell our stuff first". Then we had a few yard sales, quit our jobs, then we left to NZ
We (myself and my girlfriend Samantha) are both originally from Central Florida. Moved to Boston for 2 years to get a change of scenery and to get out of the dump they call the sunshine state. I worked my ass off for those two years in Boston installing solar panels, it was a dangerous job but the pay was great. I managed to save up a chunk of change, bought myself a new car and had a nice apartment in the North shore. But one day something clicked in my head and I decided I was too young to become a working stiff with too much fucking debt and too many assets.
We left because we got caught in the culture that is America. Go to school, get a job, work your days away, then when you're old as hell you can retire if you're lucky, then you can really live your few short years. A trap as I see it and a total shit deal. Not to sound cliche, but also the materialism you can easily get caught up in. We decided to give it all up and just go. New Zealanders seemed like they had it right in terms of how life should be. Theres a very laid back and accepting mindset in most of the locals, not to mention the untouched, breathtaking landscapes the country has to offer. They're also one of the least corrupt countries in the entire world as far as politicians go, and being here for 5 months you can definitely see the difference. New Zealand was nothing less than a perfect fit for us and an easy decision in coming here.
Our plan is to see as much of the country as we can by using an organization called WOOFing (Working On Organic Farms). Which is basically working for accommodation and usually food on local family owned businesses or farms. It's a good way to travel cheap, learn new skills and experience different cultures. We've worked at a wide range of places. Family farms who grow their own food and livestock, vineyards, orchards, communes and occasionally hostels, which is the only exception in not being an organic business. When we're not working for a place to sleep, we just drive from place to place in our car which has a bed in the back, we call it the coffin because it's like sleeping in one.
To this day I have no regrets in coming to New Zealand, it seems most people can't bring themselves to take any risks to do what they really want to, but there is almost like a barrier you have to get past. Your mind tells you "wait that might be risky", but if you're unhappy with your situation, then what the fuck do you do? Sit around and be miserable? We decided to take our chances and a drastic one at that. I've been dirt poor and I've also been pretty well off financially, but I find that it's true what they say about doing what really makes you happy. It's definitely changed our outlook on everything for the better as well as how I'll choose to live the rest of my life... Next stop, Thailand in a month!
Photo: Josh Swett
Photo: Cole Martin Rider: Parker Szumowski
A Heavy Hooker
With Heart
Getting There: Name, age 足 astrological sign?
Henry Padden, 27 years young, Sagittarius
Getting There: Where did the name Hack Job come from?
HP: I've worked in construction for pretty much my entire life and its just one of those things that we say when people decide to do really shitty work. So when I started this patch thing I really sucked and I still do so calling myself hack job just felt so appropriate. Also all my friends just decided to call me Hank instead Henry. Getting There: First off, what was the inspiration behind starting the company? What sparked first interest?
HP-A little less than a year ago I was living in Burlington Vermont and Vermont decided it was going to have it coldest winter in state history. It was in the negative double digits for weeks on end. So going outside was not an option. Food and beer were the only things I would leave for. So I had to find something to keep myself busy. When I was looking through IG I saw this dude @dirtyneedleembroidery making these handmade patches and was like fuck. Thats different and cool as shit. So I dusted off a sewing machine my mom gave me and just tried going at it completely blind. It fucking sucked.
How long have you been in the game?
Thats actually kinda funny. When I was younger in home-ec and one of the things we had to do was sew. I happened to be really good at it for no reason. Maybe it was because I am a mechanical person or I was supposed to born a girl. No seriously my name was Brittany. So that was the true beginning. Then I started taking in and making snow pants that didn't fit me like a gangster. I did it all by hand and was getting a lot of requests so my mom went out and bought me a machine. Used it twice, threw it in the closet until last year.
Any big projects planned for 2015?
I have been taking on more back patch commissions which is cool. But nothing insane. I made a pair of gloves with Salmon Arms which was rad so hopefully I can do more for them. I'm really just focusing on getting out there and trying to make this possibly a real thing. As of right now its just a hobby.
How would you describe the creative process?
Thats a tough question. Its so different for everyone. For some people its just sitting down with a pencil and a blank piece of paper and some people make a mistake and turn it into something beautiful. Im one of the people that it just doesn't come very natural. I really have to work hard for it. My brain is crap. How would you explain the manufacturing process in layman’s terms?
This freemotion embroidery crap takes forever. Even the smallest patch with one color can take 1-3 hours. Every patch I do does take less and less time but it sucks cause there really isn't any erasing. Essentially its reverse tattooing. I am no where as good as tattooers or nearly as cool but thats just the best way to describe it. AKA dont fuck up. Or you have to trash it. I'm actually on my third machine and just bought a 4th. I'm really excited about getting to work with my new one. Its a 1945 singer. Should be interesting.
I’ve seen photos of some really badass jackets that resemble biker gangs; what’s going on with that?
Hahaha thats my fishing gang. We call ourselves the Heavy Hookers. Its basically a drinking gang that goes fishing occasionally. All our patches or "colors" as we call them are set up like traditional MC clubs and are to be put on fishing vests. Recently one of our "Bassholes" had a run in with a real MC club and they were not pleased. So basically we now have street credit. Watch your back Hells Anglers!
Are there any artists out there that have influenced your work?
My girlfriend might be my biggest influence. I mean there are a million great artists out there but she is amazing. She has always been super supportive of this weird thing I do and has always pushed me. For real though her art might be my favorite out there. What is your favorite patch you’ve made to date?
I would have to say the most recent and first back patch might be my favorite.
Where did the name come from? Who’s the brainchild?
My buddy and I (chris o'brien) were out having a couple too many beers when we came up with it. It was just a joke until actually became a thing.
How many different chapters are rocking the gear?
There are 16 chapters and we run 47 members strong. What do I have to do to be jumped in?
You'd have to join in order for me to tell you
What businesses do you do work with?
There are quite a bit of them now. Salmon Arms, Backbite, Vinyl Ranch, Loon Mountain, Happy Bowls, Dinosaurs will Die, and hopefully a bunch more soon. I know there are more but I have an awful memory. Do you do custom orders?
I do! I was taking a lot of them on. Then I decided to stop for awhile and focus on my own designs. I didn't want people think all I do is turn ideas into patches. I have been designing and creating forever and wanted to show that. Ready for a ton more though! Is this something you see doing five years down the line? ten?
I think that this is something I will do for a long time. Maybe even make it full time one day. I have been getting more into actually making clothing and what not so im not sure about patches forever but I will definitely keep sewing and pushing that gender role haha. Any final words? Thank yous etcetera?
Don't thread on me!
I would like to thank all my amazing friends and everyone who has supported me over this stupid venture. I love you all!
Travel far enough, you meet yourself - David Mitchell
TimeSlip Skateboards in Conneticut as told by Paul Compere
Getting There: So Paul  Tell me a little about Time Slip skateboards? What’s their deal?
Paul Compere: Time Slip Skateboards is a local board company created and run by my two friends Bobby Parent and Scott King. They're Skaters from lowell who have been skating for years and are both cool dudes to skate with! I think Time Slip started 2 years ago now and they already had ideas for board graphics, Shirts, team riders, etc. The Boards, shirts, stickers and posters came out awesome! they have this kind of strange, spooky, halloween type look and feel to them, Bobby and Scott came up with some sick ideas!
Getting There: When did the tour go down? Who went? Where did you guys shred?
PC: Our trip to Ct Happened like a year and half ago I think, and the crew that went was Bobby, Scott, Spencer, Pedro, Brad, Dan, Scottie and Myself.
We Started off by heading straight to this Skatepark in Bristol CT, the only thing that sucked was just as we were finally getting close to that park it started raining. We went to the park anyways to check it out and the clouds were looking like they might clear up so we headed to a burger king and just ate and chilled there hoping the sun would come out and sure enough it did. The park dried up just enough to skate for a little bit, i think we got in like an hour or two of skating there before it started to rain a little bit again haha. From there we just went spot searching and were kind of battling the rain for a bit, it eventually stopped for a good while and we found some cool spots. We found some cool spots that day, got some filming in, took some photos. Later on it started to kinda sprinkle out again but we found this 9 stair in a parking garage not all of us were up to skate it but Pedro, Brad and Scott did!
(continued from previous page) After the 9 stair we got some food and headed to Baltic Skatepark. The skies had cleared up again and the park was dry so we chilled and skated there. The Next day we went to Jewitt city park and then one other spot where Scottie got this sick 50 50 on this loading dock thing where he had to pop over this pole to land. There wasn't much run up at all and that pole at the end was kinda sketchy but he did the trick really well and more than once!
Getting There: What’s the story about the house you guys stayed at?
Hahaha the story with the dudes house was pretty funny. We were skating Baltic park the first night we were there and had planned on just camping out at the park, then this old dude shows up to the park on a mountain bike and i think he had a headlamp on as well. I wasn't really talking to him but he was kinda just talking to all of us at points about music i think, he was just hanging around us getting closer and closer and i remember just being confused as to what was going on haha. Most of us were drinking a little bit and were slowly getting drunk and someone let that dude know that we were planning on sleeping at the park. The guy who name was Chris by the way told that we should all just come stay at his house the night Because it was going to rain again. At first most everyone felt weird about the idea of sleeping at some strangers house but as they got drunker the idea didn't seem as bad hahaha. It eventually started raining again we head to our cars most of our crew took that guy chris up on his offer and went to his house while Bobby Scott and I slept in one of the cars while it was pouring rain out hahaha. I probably should of just went to the house too but i had some trust issues, I don't think I would of slept light heartedly there haha
The next morning Bobby Scott and I went to this gas station convenience store right next to the park and as we were chillin outside we saw Pedro and Spencer walking down the road towards us. The first thing Pedro told us that that guy had every characteristic of a murderer and that he had an escape plan from that house incase something went down while they were sleeping hahahaha. We drove over to the house which was super close to the park and chilled there for a couple of hours. His house was strange, it had these bloody crosses on the front door that kinda threw me off, his yard was pretty cool he had some mountain bikes, a tent set up and he had a boat since theres a river behind his house. That guy was pretty cool and we just hung out with him and some his friends for a little while and before we left Scott gave him a Time Slip shirt and that dude wanted us all to sign it and we did so that guy has a Time Slip shirt with all our names on it haha
Getting There: What was your role on the tour?
PC: I didn't really have much of a role on this trip, I mean I took some photos but it wasn't like it was my job haha I just did it for fun. Normally I would have been filming but my camera broke a week before we left, and I wasn't really able to skate since I was still recovering from knee surgery. It took me a while to start walking again after the surgery and I wasn't getting out very much and it worked out that they had planned this trip right when I finally starting to walk again so I figured even though I couldn't skate I might as well go a trip with my friends anyway and just have a good time! Getting There: Who landed the best trick 足 what was it?
PC: Damn I can't just pick one haha! When we were at the 9 stair Pedro did a sick nollie heel over it and Scott air walked it so good! Brad tre flipped this boob ramp at one park we went to and Scottie's 50 50 on that loading dock thing I was talking about was so sick!
Getting There: What was the gnarliest thing 足 non足skate that you saw?
PC: Probably that dudes house haha, and I didn't see it all first hand since I didn't sleep there but i guess he had a lot of riffles and cross bows. Dan told me that he had these night vision goggles that he made dan try on in a dark room haha. And this piece of carpet with what looks like a bite taken out of it that that dude called carpet munching, and he had pictures of people pretending to take bites out of this piece of carpet, I think the part of our group that stayed at his house took a picture with the carpet haha. Getting There: Why is touring still important in the skateboard industry? Especially for a small hometown team?
PC: It's definitely a good way to get a companies name out there, especially a small one but its mostly just a fun way to get everyone together to go out and just skate and forget about about other obligations and just do what we love to do in new places! Creating memories and having a Good time! Getting There: What was the beer of choice for the trip?
PC: I think the main beer was Busch haha Getting There: Gross
Photo: Josh Swett