Skinnie Magazine Issue 121- May/June 2012 by Skinnie Magazine

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CONTENT$|Issue 121 May/June 2012 FEATURES p.008

CRUCIAL BUYS Skinnie’s Essential Product Guide

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LIFE IN THE GUTTER LANE Punk Rock Bowling Turns !4 Years Old!

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ALWAYS ON THE GRIND Paul ‘P-Rod’ Rodriguez Gears Up For Street League

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MAKING IT STICK FMX Superstar Robbie Maddison Is Never Scared

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FITNESS FREAK Meet Skinnie Girl Maribel LaLanne

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SUMMERTIME BLUES Skinnie’s Summertime Swimsuit Spread

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THIS IS A HOLD UP The Hold Up Gallery Demands Your Attention

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A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR| skipping the

Editor’s letter

May/June 2012 J ISSUE NUmber 121 www.skinniemagazine.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PUBLISHERS Jimmy Clinton and George Giordano ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDITORIAL Editor-In-Chief Ramon Gonzales Jasen T. Davis, Alex Mendoza, Eric Bonholtzer, Katie Evans, Kristie Bertucci, Patrick Douglas, Lacy Ottenson, Elysia McMahan, MM Zonoozy Contributing Writers

For editorial submissions, email editorial@skinniemagazine.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ART & DESIGN Art department

Mel D

PHOTOGRAPHY Contributing Photographers Michael Vincent, Alan Rivera, Chad Hansford, Sean Myers, Joanna Miriam, Wil Marques, Damian Tsutsumida, Genevieve Davis, Spencer Amonwatvoukal, Kyler Locke, Leanna Flecky, Karen Curley, Harmony Gerber, Edison Graff, Amanda Davies, Angela Jugon, Timothy Sheppard, Erik Faiivae, Christian Sosa, Tammy Rapp, Todd Scheuerell

Sales & Marketing Advertising

Marketing Director Jason Zahler Matt Lee, Jose Lanza and Julius Lopez

For all sales inquiries email sales@skinniemagazine.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Administrative House Of Designs Morgan Desmond Angela Jugon Raquel Lopez, Cynthia De Los Santos and Ryan Mercer Webmaster

online editor

Contributing Staff

FASHION Michelle Ngo Heather Choi and Christina Pham

Fashion Director Fashion Coordinators

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SUBSCRIBERS If the post office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within two years.

…instead I am opting to dedicate something in print to my baby brother, Gabe. Back in ’94, the Gonzales family had a hell of a scare. My mom and then soon to be born brother ran into major complications. Doctors gave us the news that there was a 50/50 chance my brother and mother would make it out of this alive. My dad managed to keep it together for his 11 and eight year old, all while trudging everyday in our Ford Taurus wagon, a few times a day to be with my mom in the hospital. Gabriel was born at just over two pounds. He was far from a full term baby, just 6 months in the womb. Once he was born, my mom pulled out of it and really became our hero. She took care of us as scared little boys, all while making three trips to the hospital daily with my dad for the following three months to be with Gabriel as he built his health. In the Neo-natal care unit, we would see babies that were there one

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day and gone the next. The reality was brutal. I was too young to understand, but as an adult, and now a father, I have no idea how my parents held it together. This May, I watch my baby brother put on a bow tie and shiny rental shoes. He was getting for his final school dance of his high school career. 17 years have gone by in a flash. Watching him leave for prom, I couldn’t help but think of just how far we as a family had come…how far he had come and how close we came to never being able to experience all this.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER The content in this magazine is for entertainment and intended for mature audiences only. Advertisers are responsible for their ads placed in the magazine. Skinnie Magazine is not responsible for any actions taken by their readers. We may occasionally use images placed in public domain. Sometimes, it is not possible to identify and/or contact the copyright holder, if you claim ownership of something we’ve published, we will gladly make a proper acknowledgement. Skinnie Magazine does not share opinions and/ or views stated by the writers and or photographers. Some of the content published may be of a mature nature; we do not, in any way, condone underage drinking or any other illegal activity. All submissions become property of Skinnie Magazine, be it text, photos, art, etc. Skinnie Entertainment Magazine All Rights Reserved. 2012

Instead of the normal pessimism I spew, I just needed to share this. Miracles happen. Congrats Gabe…I couldn’t ask for a better baby brother.

Ramon Gonzales

Cover Photo by Michael Vincent

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ACCOUTREMENTS

bang for the buck

If You Need To Buy, Spend Wisely. 1 Nikon D800

Photo nerds everywhere have been clamoring for this one on blogs across the internet. While the release was postponed due to the disasters that took place in Japan, the 2012 release has been met with unanimous praise. On par with the likes of the NIKON D3X, the D800 now holds the world record for full frame resolution. At 2 times less the cost of a “pro” tagged quality camera, this DSLR boasts 36 megapixels of image quality that few can challenge. Aside from the questionable battery life, the auto focus capability and dynamic range make this Nikon a crucial tool for photographers at every level. $2999 www.Nikonusa.com

2 BRIXTON – Ladies “Castor” Obviously this is just personal opinion, but something abougt a woman in big bitchy sunglasses and a proper hat is enough to drive a man wild. Not a dumb, dumpy, “I’m trying too hard to look dignified” kinda hat, something subtle, timeless. Brixton, in a word, can easily be described as timeless. Crafting quality headwear consistent with designs that will never look dated, there are few headwear brands on the planet that can hold a candle to these guys. $42 www.Brixton.com

3 NUMARK – Ns6

For the snobby DJ that can’t let vinyl go, down to the new guy championing mp3 – there are few that can argue with how important Numark is to DJ culture. Working in conjunction with Serato, the Ns6 is an all in one 4-channel workhorse complete with it’s own mixer – this is the beefier version of Serato’s Itch that earned rave reviews among traveling DJs. $$$ www.Numark.com

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4 SWATCH – Pink Berry Ladies, sometimes heavy, bulky jewelry just makes too much of a statement. Stop. Swatch has a rad line of feminine watches that still allow you to be fashionable without looking like an asshole. Lightweight, extra long straps for double wrapping, and hot colors to make your wrist pop = one nice little accessory for the times when jeans and a t-shirt will have to do. Not to mention, quality products for a realistic price. $$$ www.swatch.com

5 PINKY STAR – Red Sparkle Lux With a design that inspires a sincerely feel of the lounge heyday, complete with martini glasses and pencil skirts, Pinky Star crafted their Lux handbag design with the delicate lady in mind. Not too big, not too small, the Red Sparkle Lux works well for the everyday bag or the semi-clutch you are toting your necessities in for happy hour. Style – nothing but. $$$ www.pinkystarrocks.com

6 AERIAL7 – Tank Thrash In what has really become the company’s signature design, the TANK continues to standout in an oversaturated headphone market that really needs some substance behind the style. As with every Aerial 7 design, the over the ear headphone ensures rich bass and a healthy blend of every necessary frequency for a proper listening experience. We have said it once and we will say it again - Sleek design, acoustically flawless, realistically priced. $100 www.aerial7.com

7 IVI – ‘Giving’ Polarized Seems kinda loooooooong overdue but streetwear visionary and proskater turned media giant Rob Dydek has officially launched IVI Eyewear. Along with partners designer Jerome Mage and Pete Fox, streetwear just got a dose of upscale style. These bad boys feature Carl Zeiss premium lenses encased in a sleek frame anchored by forged aluminum temples and of course are available in various colorways. C’mon – are you really gonna argue with these dudes on what is fresh? $140 www.IVIvision.com

8 Rebelle by Rihanna Born in Barbados, you know a fragrance with Riahanna’s name on it was going to have some sort of Caribbean slant. Having hints of strawberries and purple plums, the blend from perfume purveyors Caroline Sabas and Marypierre Julien of Reb’l Fleur

manage to pull of a sweet scent without coming off as stripper-esque. Most celebrity fragrances bank on the notoriety of the name, Rebelle is smell boner in a bottle. $59 www.macys.com

9 Ben Watts Supermodel Skateboard Decks Topless models Jessica Hart, Lake Bell, Elsa Hosk, Behati Prinsloo, and Chanel Iman wearing only 3×1 jeans and photographed by the one and only Ben Watts make for a no brainer. The limited run of decks are going for $400 a pop and were the concept of 3X1 Denim founder Scott Morrison. All the loot generated from the sale of the decks go to the charities of the models’ choice including - Food on Foot, Polaris Project, Goods for Good and Keep A Child Alive. Rad. $$$ www.3x1.us

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bass & treble

life in the gutter

LANE

The Stern Brother of BYO Records/Youth Brigade Celebrate 14 Years in The Desert By Ramon Gonzales Photos by Fred Morledge PhotoFM.com

There really is no way to articulate the kind of transformation that Las Vegas experiences every year just before the start of Summer. Aside from Hades heat and loads of pool parties complete with fist pumpers and itty-bitty bikinis, for the last 14 years, this time of year ensures you might see a lot more D.R.I. t-shirts among the swarm of spray tans and pumped up muscles. What began as a way for a bunch of punk rock road dogs to convene for a weekend of boozing and bowling in Las Vegas has become the annual destination that now is The Punk Rock Bowling Tournament and Music Festival. Brothers Mark and Shawn Stern of Youth Brigade and founders of the quinessential DIY punk record label BYO Records are the minds behind this unconverntional combination.While the gathering went from a casual party among touring bands and friends in the scene, to one of the genres most anticipated annual festivals, the brothers confide that Punk Rock Bowling really was and always will be about friends and family enjoying the music and aiming for a 300 game.

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Go back to 1999 – how did bowling and punk music come together? Shawn: One of the guys who was working at BYO at the time, Andre, had heard Fatwreckords was doing a bowling league up in SF and suggested we do one. So we did. It was in the fall of ’98 at Bayshore Lanes in Santa Monica right across from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.There was BYO, Epitaph, Fearless, Hopeless and a few other labels and some bands. We had a lot of fun over the few months we did it. So my brother Mark and I thought this would be a great reason to throw a party, punk rock and bowling! And we love Vegas, so we decided we would do a party in Vegas on President’s day weekend. We had 27 teams and a great time and it’s been growing every year since! Was the aim from the beginning to make this a festival or did it just evolve naturally from a bowling party in the desert? Shawn: In the beginning it was just an excuse for a party with our friends in bands, labels, fanzines etc. We always had music, cause we had the “kickoff party” on Friday night and the “awards party” on Sunday after bowling and since it was a punk rock party we had bands play. It became a full blown “Music Festival” in 2010 when we were approached by the people at Sunset Station out in Henderson. Logistically speaking, this event has got to take the majority of the year to plan. Does it get tough juggling this event and touring with Youth Brigade throughout the year? Shawn: We spend about 6-8 months putting it together, so Youth Brigade mainly tours in Summer/Fall and we just don’t do much from late January till early June. Mark: We’ve been moving it around so much and each year has had different locations, or a different time of year, so it tends to be more time consuming to organize everything. Since we’ve moved downtown, we are hoping to keep it there because we’ve always been fans of old Vegas and it suits our crowd well. So that being said, speaking for myself at least, I hope it get’s a little easier. How do you feel about this now becoming the industry convention of sorts for the punk community? Shawn: Well, we don’t really see it as a “convention” just a great party. And we’re pretty happy to see that people travel from all over the world to come and have a great time. In 14 years Punk Rock Bowling has expanded hugely. But were there ever years where you guys thought about throwing in the towel? Shawn: Now! Haha, well it’s been pretty much just a lot of fun but last year it was pretty crazy. I think we’ve expanded about as far as we can go and it’s still manageable. It has to be fun. We know our limits. Mark: We have been approached to make it bigger and expand the event, but we would rather keep it at the size that it is now. It’s a festival, but the capacity is low enough where it is still somewhat intimate. You can walk around, see the bands, and the sound is still great. And that’s the main thing, making sure that the bands sound amazing and the energy is still there.

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I looked out at the crowd when the “ Undertones were playing and I just saw

everyone smiling and dancing and having the greatest time. I got goosebumps and it made me feel proud that we brought all these people together from all over the world who love punk rock just as much as we do.” In 14 years, can you recall a moment that forced you to stop what you were doing and just be in awe for a minute? Shawn: Last year standing onstage was pretty amazing. Especially during Cock Sparrer, the final band on the final night and the entire crowd was singing along over the PA. Mark: I looked out at the crowd when the Undertones were playing (who are one of my favorite bands) and I just saw everyone smiling and dancing and having the greatest time. I got goosebumps and it made me feel proud that we brought all these people together from all over the world who love punk rock just as much as we do. What about the punk community/culture allows Punk Rock Bowling to continue? Do you think this kind of event could thrive in a different genre – gangsta rap bowling or black metal bowling… Shawn: Punk rockers tend to be intelligent because it’s a thinking persons music, always has been. Sure there have been those bands that try to pretend they are punk rock and sing silly love songs, but that’s not punk rock, at least not in my opinion.The thing about PRB is that we have old and new bands. And the ages range from little kids to their grandparents. So there are people there that have grown up with punk rock, saw some of these bands when they were young and there are kids who never got to see them. This isn’t a trip down nostalgia lane, this is about keeping punk rock alive and coming together as a community to celebrate, visit with old friends, make new ones and share the things that have kept this going for over 30 years. I honestly don’t know about gangsta rap or metal, so I couldn’t comment on that. As PRB grows, it is tough having to balance keeping this thing core and with the bigger business potential of Punk Rock Bowling? Shawn:We can’t really grow indefinitely since there are only so many big punk bands that can bring the crowd. We’re not interested in expanding this or becoming a festival that brings in other types of music. So, no, it’s not a problem for us. Mark:We would like to just present this weekend the way it. If it starts getting more popular because more people are finding out about it, then you will just have to get your tickets early if you really want to go.

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Youth Brigade and BYO really are rooted with punk culture. How do you feel that term “punk” has progressed – do you like what it has become? How do you feel it has changed? Shawn: For us it still means what it always has, thinking for yourself, being an individual, questioning everyone and everything and being informed while you try to make a difference. Could you ever see this thing happening someplace other than Las Vegas? No,Vegas is ideal for what we want to do. Mark: Plus it’s a good excuse for us to go there to gamble If death or band breakups weren’t a factor, what would be the dream line up for the Music Festival for Punk Rock Bowling? Well, I don’t have a “dream” line up and I’m pretty happy to have had the bands we’ve had so far. I’ve seen most of the great punk bands when I was young, but it would have been great to get The Clash, The Jam, X-Ray Spex, Generation X, Ramones, NY Dolls, Weirdos, Misfits and not all of them are absolutely impossible, but most are not really likely. Mark: Let’s not forget Minor Threat, Husker Du, Television, Iggy Pop, Four Skins, The Ruts, Partisans, and The Stranglers. What has been the one story from these 14 tournaments in the desert that will always stand out to you? That a bunch of punk rockers can come together in Vegas for 4 days of madness and have a great time. And want to do it all over again the next year! Mark: Every year on Sunday night when we have the Bowlers Awards Party, I say to myself, “no one is going to show up to this thing” because it’s been such a big party for 3 days and people are just beat. But everytime, they start showing up, Manic Hispanic starts playing, and slowly but surely, the bar starts going off! (again) Best bowling team name you have heard in 14 years? Shawn: Wow, I don’t pay too much attention, but The Pin Ladens and the Westside Moyles were a couple of favorites. Mark: Mission Impossibowls, Swingin’ Gutters, Smoke-A-Bowlers and Cereal Bowlers

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Always on the

grind

Paul Rodriguez Comes To Win By Elysia McMahan

Paul Rodriguez has always been a street skater. He’s never really left that. Since acquiring his first $200 paycheck as a kid, P-Rod has been competitively pursuing his dream. It was not the need to take risks or the opportunity to impress girls that initially drew him into skateboarding; it was pure love for the game and an obsession with being the greatest he could possibly be. With the 2012 Street League Championships approaching, a new line of signature clothing emerging with Nike and a daughter that has added more fire to his life, P-Rod is letting it get out of hand, but not in a way that he is opposed to.There’s no such thing as an offseason for him in the pursuit of trying to be the best skateboarder he could possibly be. He is far from being a jack of all trades; he is a master of one. P-Rod was raised by his mother in a nice little house in the suburbs of Northridge, California, where she let him explore any options he was interested in. If he wanted to do karate, she put him in a karate class. If he wanted to play baseball she put him in little league. She was really good about keeping him normal, planting morals in him when he was very young, and letting him discover his interests and hobbies. “No matter what I did, even if it was karate, I believed I was going to be the next Bruce Lee and make karate movies, that’s it. If I played baseball I wanted to be Nolan Ryan, the best pitcher, the best baseball player in the world. I dedicated myself to anything I ever tried and for a year or two I did everything really intensely until I got completely obsessed with something else. But skateboarding was the one thing that just felt so interesting. My attention never strayed from it. Before that moment, I was just a kid running around with my friends in the neighborhood,” says Rodriguez. Even before he learned any tricks, he knew he was going to be a professional skater. It appears that he is making it a point to never stop until he is living his true reverie. Let’s face it, he’s been dreaming about where he is currently at since he was 11 years old. But with so much more ambition and desire to go further and do much more in life, he’ll be staying on the rise. “I still feel like I haven’t made it. I still feel like I’m not successful, like I’m still striving for those dreams.” The upcoming Street League DC Pro Tour fueled by Monster Energy will provide P-Rod with the proper platform to showcase his competitive drive against the absolute best skateboarders in the world. Street League is part of serial entrepreneur, Rob Dyrdek’s, ever-growing empire. It is a national tour of the world’s top street skateboarders. Dyrdek has created a place for these guys to shine in a straightforward, clear format that plays out much like a conventional sports game. This year highlights a new scoring potential amidst expanded custom street plazas and the occasion to see new competitors on the roster. With more prize money within grasp and added terrain underfoot, Skaters will compete for more than $1.6 million across four events. The final moments of this competition can often times

be magical. “I’m not tryin’ to sound cocky but I believe I have the abilities to be an opponent of all these guys. I’ve earned my spot to compete with the best of them. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going there to try to win,” says P-Rod. He trusts that it’s going to be great because it’s a competition ran by skateboarders. In this contest environment, with all the adrenaline and energy emitted from the crowd and his fellow friends, you can expect him to implement some innovative techniques on the course. “I’m excited! Sometimes you do something you’ve never done before just off the sheer strength and momentum of the excitement in the air. You just go for something big,” explains P-Rod. The course will allow him to undertake new tricks and incorporate inventive moves. The variety of the Street League course allows a lot of room for adjustments on the fly. It’s not like basketball or baseball where you already know what the setup is going to look like. A week or two before the contest takes place, competitors are emailed a rendering of the course so that they can have an idea of what they’re going into but it isn’t accurate enough to tell how big or small an obstacle is off of a drawing. “I always keep certain tricks in mind before arriving but allow myself a loose plan in order to make alterations when certain dimensions are not how I imagined them. You may come up to an obstacle that works perfect for you or you may approach a course that you feel intimidated by but that’s what keeps it exciting!” Fortunately, P-Rod doesn’t have to choose to compete in Street League over the X-Games. Aside from the fact that Street League is finished with ESPN and Street League will now be sanctioning the X-Games, P-Rod is a huge supporter of Street League because of Rob Dyrdek. In addition to the two of them being friends for over ten years, Dyrdek has a vision that P-Rod believes in. “I trust that he truly has skate boarding’s best interests in mind. I believe in Rob and will always support what he’s doing. He is a visionary, turning his dreams into a reality. I have respect for him as a skater and respect for his mind. It’s an immense blessing that I’ve been able to be around this guy since I was 15 years old. I mean, I grew up watching Rob skateboard and learning from him. Everything he always talked about – he is now living.” It truly can be inspiring and motivating to see someone you know pave the way and create their dreams right before your eyes. So, why don’t these guys that seem to have already achieved their ultimate dreams just kick back and relax? As P-Rod puts it, “For whatever reason, I have a lot of dreams and goals. It never ends. You can go up and up the ladder and find that prime area but no matter what, no matter how much you accomplish, chasing your dreams is fun. It’s the process.” Professional athletes don’t always have the luxury of being sponsored by one of the world’s top benefactors. As for P-Rod, he has the amazing opportunity of being one

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of Nike’s few Signature Athletes. He is currently going on his sixth signature shoe, as well as establishing an entire line of clothing. Although Paul has never really thought of himself as a fashionista, now that this prospect has fallen into his lap, he’s working on evolving it into something really incredible. “I’m very pleased and blessed to be a Nike Signature Athlete. I hope people will enjoy wearing the clothing I am designing. I get to design jeans, pants and shirts just the way I want them. My line of clothing can be found anywhere Nike SB is sold.” Nike wasn’t even in the skate realm when P-Rod began skating. So, when they started building a team and asked for him – it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that couldn’t be missed.“It’s really amazing that they recognized me and I was on their radar. It’s such an honor and I still slap myself all the time. No one tells you that you have to get up to skate at 9am,” says P-Rod. “It was insane. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t grown up owning a pair of Nike’s. Somehow, some way everyone has had them. For something that has been such a big part of your life and they are finally calling you is so surreal. It didn’t even sink in until a while after.” We can only imagine that while this was all happening how much of a daze anyone would be in, especially when their first pair of shoes were baby Jordan’s! “To actually see a sample of my own shoe, that’s when it finally hit me.When I saw my name on a show with a swoosh I almost cried. I remember feeling lumps in my throat and tears of joy. It was such a beautiful feeling. It’s really something. I’m truly blessed.” For many prospective skaters, just being able to ride for nice little skateboard shoe company or skateboard brand would be like conquering the world. No one ever expects to get a phone call from some folks over at Nike offering them a deal. “I can’t believe it’s been this long since I’ve been with them! 8 years and counting! They treat me so well as a rider. They’re mentality as a company has always been to strive for perfection, just as I am. We are continually progressing and improving. They have also inspired me to align with that mentality,” mentions P-Rod. Collaborating with them definitely wasn’t something he saw happening early on in his skate life. It was beyond his foresight or anything that he believed would be made possible through skateboarding. Back in his early days of touring with Nike, from 04-07, you know, before the recession hit, there were unlimited budgets. Imagine that! “We had room service, parties in our rooms, drinks, anything! It was u-n-l-i-m-i-t-e-d!” says P-Rod laughing. “No one said a word. Not a care in the world. We were busy being young and taking advantage of, as Kanye West would say, ‘The Good Life.’ There’s not even one specific moment I can describe to you. From Brazil to Australia to China we were pampered! Budgets are typically really tight and we’d be staying at the Holiday Inn with only a bit of per diem. So, when we got to live like a true star, a real athlete, that was a taste of something exclusive.” Every moment is very special when you’re young, healthy and in your physical prime. And that is something to not take for granted. “Looking back over all the years I have been riding, what stands out the most were the early years before I was even a sponsored boarder. It was just me running around with my friends. It was pure passion. We were not tainted by anything. I would watch skate videos all day, every day. I didn’t even watch any other television programs during that period of time; everything was skate related. Thinking back on those days when we’d be in front of the house waxing the curb are the most nostalgic. I had no idea where my passion would take me. Of course, I fell asleep at night dreaming about it but if I would have known then that I’d be sitting here years later with a signature shoe, being interviewed by magazines, I honestly would have shat myself.” To be able to reflect and see now where his passion has taken him is very remarkable. Those times are sincerely special, particularly because they were so pure and he had no idea what kind of journey he was about to embark upon. What hasn’t this guy gotten into? P-Rod is currently transitioning into creating a great acting career for himself. Right now, he’s just getting his feet wet and can’t give away too many details, but he is doing a small role in an independent

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film slated to be released in the near future. “I hope to be a proper actor one of these days. Not just some dude who plays a skateboarder. I want to be successful at something else I enjoy, even if my heart is in skateboarding. I’m taking some acting classes and starting at the ground level to learn about the craft. Right now, it’s just for fun.” Paul Rodriguez even has his own private skate warehouse in Canoga Park, California. This project was a collaboration between Nike SB, Target and CA Skateparks. Sized at about 9,000 sq. ft. the park features a hybrid of Skatelite wood material and concrete with a mini ramp, small bowl/hip, hubba legdges and a raised stage area. With daytime equivalent lighting arrangements for filming, his facility is certain to produce some stunning video footage of the world’s finest shredding. It’s no surprise that this warehouse came out of the frustration of wanting to skate every day and get the maximum amount of hours in on a board. This is also where he has the chance to test his sample shoes in order to make sure his designs don’t get out too early.“Now we don’t have to worry about getting kicked out. We never used to have the luxury of practicing in peace to get down a trick. In the past, we may have had to drive around LA all day to find a premium spot,” explains P-Rod. With pictures on the walls framing his close friends, old couches that came from his mom’s house growing up and skaters like Jeremy Rogers and Terry Kennedy tearing it up on a daily basis, this is definitely the place to come and constantly train. “There’s usually a ton of pressure with the title of a professional boarder. No matter where we go, kids are expecting crazy tricks. If I ever go to a public skate park, kids expect us to just entertain them.” If you’ve ever found yourself on that path of working towards achieving your ultimate goal and need some advice, P-Rod is unquestionably someone worth taking advice from. “If you have a dream and you stick to it and work hard enough and believe in yourself, you can absolutely reach it. Do not ever let anyone twist

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their idea of what your life should be like upon you. When you have that burning passion within, it makes no difference what other people say. All you have to do is believe in you. That’s all that matters. Don’t let anyone push their agenda on your one and only chance at this life. If you do, you’re going to grow up and realize you can’t get those years back.” Skateboarding will always have that rebellious street mentality attached to it and the professionals in this industry must always do their best to prove the naysayers wrong. Even if the cynics may chink their armor, in this game, you can’t let them break your stamina. At this point in P-Rod’s career he seems stronger and more determined than ever. To put it lightly, he’s just trying to be a pro skateboarder for as long as physically possible and plans to keep steady at a high level for at least another 9 to 10 years. It’s all about balance. He finds the time to incorporate family into his hectic schedule, spending time with his number one priority, his daughter, Heaven, and his obsessive love for skateboarding. For a boarder, P-Rod is a well-rounded individual. Doing his best to not take a perspective on others but instead focusing on staying true to himself. “I just skate and enjoy the act of skateboarding. I don’t think about the politics. I can’t stand it anymore. I don’t even think about what’s cool or not. Some people are going to love what I’m doing and others are going to hate on it. At the end of the day, it makes no difference to me. Others should do exactly the same. Fuck what anyone says.” With sponsors he never dreamed he would have, the opportunity to travel places he never thought he could venture and the privilege to take care of his family – we’d say he’s living the dream. And remember: you can’t be focused on your dreams if you’re too busy worrying about someone else’s. You focus on you, they’ll focus on them. This kind of life is more than just about a love for skateboarding - it’s a lifestyle.

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Full contact

making it

stick

FMX Superstar Robbie Madison Takes Aim At X Fighters By Ramon Gonzales

When talking action sports, it’s easy to get lost in the plethora of superlatives. For 30 year old Australian FMX superstar Robbie Maddison, any description of his career littered by numerous instances of awe would likely fall short of being accurate.There are few words that can describe the kind of spectacle Maddison manages to create when carving out a piece of the sky on his motorbike. As the world record holder for distance jumping on a motorcycle, “Maddo” has broken his own record a few times, holding firm at 350 plus feet – breaking the world record the first time on the 40th anniversary of Evil Knievel’s world record attempt at the Fountains of Caesar’s Palace. Aside from his reckless abandon on a bike, Maddison’s hallmark has been an unconventional twist on the conventional – he doesn’t just jump, he figures out an additional hook to make the jump just part of the spectacle.

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Take for instance his daring backflip over the famed Tower Bridge in London – the kicker here was the drawbridge happened to be open when Robbie jumped it. Robbie Maddison has become the master of the cherry on top. Another example would be his jumping of the Corinth Canal in Greece – the kind of jump that if failed would have resulted in certain death. Robbie pulled it off – in true Crusty Demon style. Maddison has managed to make jumps even more spectacular then the traditional element of danger would suggest. They are global in scope and have become the calling card for one of FMX’s most relevant personalities. While many of the accolades of Maddo’s career have involved very real risk, the rider’s competitive streak is sometimes overlooked – much to the detriment of his counterparts. As a competitive rider that has experienced X Games and other top shelf competitions the world over, his biggest accomplishment came in 2009 when the Aussie took top honors at Red Bull X-Fighters, Madrid. The innovative, head to head competition has been one of the most focal platforms for riders with competitions being held in Mexico City, Rio De Janeiro, Calgary, and Madrid, Spain. Attracting the sports biggest names and most prolific performers, Maddo cemented his reputation in Madrid by landing a brand new trick to the sport in his

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Under flip one hander to side saddle lander. It was enough to take 1st place and propel the rider into a new stratosphere among FMX’s elite. Since then, Maddo’s creative side has continued to flourish in taking on jumps few could even imagine. Its no wonder the guy has Red Bull as a sponsor. To ring in 2012, Maddo, along with premier snowmobile rider Levi LaVallee landed a tandem jump that saw the two clear the San Diego Bay – the stop motion photography has become an iconic image among FMX enthusiasts. Set to take on the 2012 world tour of Red Bull’s X-Fighters, Maddison will no doubt have a target on his back. His innovation has set a precedent that many competing riders not only look to mimic, but outshine – going to extreme limits to do so. When Maddison is on the bike, big air and huge risk are always to be expected. Keep your eyes in the skies, Maddison is ready for a fight. www.redbull.com/xfighters www.robbiemaddison.com

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skinnie girl

fitness

freak

Maribel LaLanne Puts Hustle Behind Her Muscle

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Photographer Michael Vincent Styling Tal-B Location Michael Vincent Studios michaelvincent.com

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Meet

Maribel Lalanne What was it like being straight out of high school with a recording contract? I was signed right out of high school two months before I started college. It was awesome to be able to share the stage and open up for some huge acts. I would go to school during the week and study while I toured on the weekends. My first single “Sweet Honesty” debuted on the Billboard Top 100 at #98 and spent a total of 22 consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Dance Maxi-Singles, peaking at #7 throughout its stay, my second single “What do you Remember” was on Billboard for 17 consecutive weeks. As a teenager I don’t think I completely understood the relevance of getting on Billboard. Someone once told me that only 6% of artists worldwide make it onto Billboard. Needless to say, it is amazing to be part of that history. Was there any reason music took a backseat for you? I am pretty grounded and wanted to think long-term. Getting my degree was priority for me. Not many models can say they dabbled in dentistry…why dentistry? I knew I wanted a career where I can help people. The first thing I notice on people is their smiles. When a person smiles it increases their face value by 100%! I find a healthy smile to be absolutely sexy. With a last name like LaLanne, how important is fitness? The name LaLanne is fitness! Jack LaLanne is the The Godfather of Fitness and I feel very honored to be able to call him family. I understand the history of the name and what it represents and I live my life daily leading by example, trying to “help people help themselves” as Jack used to always say. Crossfit training is a HUGE deal right now. How did you get started? My husband was a personal trainer for 15 years before discovering CrossFit. He became obsessed with it and like any good wife, I knew I had to take an interest in it. I had him run me through my first CrossFit workout and nearly died. I quit in the middle of the warmup. CrossFit has a saying, “Your workout is my warmup” and it was absolutely clear to me that as a non-CrossFitter that was true. I tried another WOD again a few days for my own ego and thankfully completed it. After curling up in the fetal position for 20 minutes afterwards, I was high on endorphins and knew I would be hooked for life. Aside from music, modeling, and cleaning teeth, you also run LaLanne Fitness. Tell us about that. My husband and I opened LaLanne Fitness in June of 2008, in San Francisco. It was been the most rewarding experience of my life to have built the business from the ground up. Our community of CrossFitters at LaLanne Fitness is so special. The camaraderie that we have is phenomenal, like one big happy family. We have some major badasses, including our women. Team LaLanne Fitness qualified to move on to the NorCal Regionals, which is the toughest region in the world since CrossFit originated in Santa Cruz. We placed 9th overall in NorCal/Hawaii for the CrossFit Open. You mentioned going back into the studio to release some new music – any details you can fill us in on? I am a Planethype recording artist. I finally am ready to finish up some music that has been put on hold for years, so I can focus on my business. We are thinking of a summer release. Keep posted by going to the website planethype.com I look forward to dropping my new single this year, as well as collaborating with some fellow artists. So stay tuned... www.lalannefitness.com

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NITTY GRITTY

The Cure for the Same old, Same Old

Summertime blues

Fashion Director Michelle Ngo Assistant Mayra Aguiluz Model/Singer/Actress Nazanin Mandi Photographer Sean Alonso Stylists Brandon Niquolas & Art Brandon Hunter Hair/Makeup Joel Sebastian

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Multi-color swimwear by Fresh Peaches Bracelets by Mai Collection

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Yellow fringe swimsuit by L Space Bracelet and necklace by Mai Collection

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Black and white swimwear by Swim Systems Gold headband and Bracelet by Mai Collection Blue/ Black fringe wrap by Btfl People Shoes by Christian Louboutin

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Teal strapless swimwear by L Space Beaded coverup by Karena Trends Platforms by Skechers

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Bohemian flower swimwear by B Swim Red/Black fringe wrap by Btfl People

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NITTY GRITTY

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this is a

hold up

Snatching The Limitation From Creativity By Elysia McMahan

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“I am a true advocate for art or anything creative for that matter. Music, film, fashion. Wheatpaste posters on the street. Everything and everybody can benefit from art. There’s even this bar called Cha Cha Cha over on Glendale Boulevard that has a bathroom covered in art. I feel at home there.” When you do something over and over again just for the sake of doing it, it gradually becomes a burden. Imagine life without change. It would be static. Since the 1940’s and 1950’s, the gallery world has relatively stayed the same, as if the system was built to keep naïve people out. For Curator and Artist, Brian Lee, change and innovation are at the forefront of his business model. He does not seek permanence but rather constant growth. Hold Up Art in Los Angeles is simply a vision brought to life, a visual explosion. Lee and his business partner, Ben Kauffman (who now manages Cyrcle), created an anonymous brand that people have come to believe in. They have taken something that is unrepresented and held it up to the light for others to witness and understand.Their concept exemplifies a call to action and a reason to be conscious of the imperfection of a system that tends to favor those from wealthier backgrounds. Brian fell in love with art in high school and took that love for art all the way to USC, where he studied Art History. During college he went back and forth and didn’t quite settle in on the idea of taking it seriously until about his junior year. His father had been in real estate his entire life and aimed at bringing his son into the family practice but before taking on a lifestyle not suited for a creative mind, Brian decided he wanted to spearhead his own project. During 2008, while the financial collapse took reigns on the economy, Lee was taking a seminar class in Museum Studies.

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The main point of this class was to discuss historic art institutions that never really reevaluated themselves. MOCA for example, blew through their endowment and went bankrupt. It was only then that they began bringing in more contemporary work like street art. “While all of this was going on I thought about how we could really try and reevaluate old institutions. How we could bring them back to life,” says Lee. By senior year, he picked up an internship with Justin Bua, a groundbreaking artist known for his collection of fine art posters. After interning for about three months, Bua realized Lee’s talent and was hired onto his team full-time. It was there that Lee saw the potential of an affordable, young gallery in Little Tokyo and Bua loaned his credibility to help get the gallery on its feet. “The biggest thing for us is that we couldn’t ever really go into a gallery and have someone talk to us. We would try to but they knew that we weren’t in the price range and they would instantly shut their doors at us. I wanted to change that. We picked Little Tokyo because it was away from other galleries. Now, people could not hold us in the light of what they thought a gallery should be. And the more and more I was trying to take all of this from an art angle, the more I realized it is a creative, innovative business at the end of the day,” explains Lee. His plan was to introduce Hold Up as more of a retail experience, than a high-end art experience. Galleries tend to have maybe one print available for purchase and in light of growing social media and accessibility points of imagery today, the market has taken an interesting turn. Many people (young professionals) consuming art are so far away from actually making a purchase and what Hold Up has done is making art more accessible to them. “There’s a really great market for young people. Everyone needs art in their

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SKINNIEScene

Pete Fox, Rob Dyrdek, and Jerome Mage Launch IVI Eyewear

INDEX

LOS ANGELES

LAS VEGAS

ORANGE COUNTY

SAN DIEGO

INLAND EMPIRE

p.044 Weekly Club Listings

p.046 Weekly Club Listings

p.048 Weekly Club Listings

p.050 Weekly Club Listings

p.052 Weekly Club Listings

Calendar Club Pictures

To Receive Updates on Skinnie Scene Club Listings or To Submit Your Events, E-mail: Update@skinniemagazine.com to be Added to Our Weekly Skinnie E-blasts.

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Los angeles | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of AreYouPicturePerfect.com, Jamie Barren/JBP Ent.

LA CALENDAR

05/22 Sparta @ Troubadour

Colony

Voyeur

Pauly D @ Colony

Sevillas Long Beach

Pauly D @ Colony

Sevillas Long Beach

Yoyeur

Sevillas Long Beach

05/15 The Drums @ El Rey 05/17 The Dandy Warhols @ The Wiltern 05/22 Riverboat Gamblers @ The Satellite 05/22 Sweet and Tender Hooligans @ The Mayan

05/31 Jack White @ The Wiltern 05/25 The Real McKenzies & Civet @ House of Blues Sunset 05/27 Silver Lake Jubilee @ Sunset & Santa Monica 06/01 Santigold @ Club Nokia 06/02 Mogwai @ The Fonda

06/04 Yo Gotti @ Key Club 06/05 LMFAO @ Staples Center

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Los angeles | Skinniescene

SWATCH ARTRULES

@ Royal T

Images Courtesy of SA Studios

Warren G

SwatchStore, Kassia Meador

TTR Champions

Kassia Meador

Nominees, Marta Zarina, Elise Martinson, Bettina Lundstrom

Winner Marta Zarina-Gelze

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Las Vegas | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Shane O’Neil and The Palms

LV CALENDAR

Billy Corgan@ Hyde Bellagio

Pay Attention @ DITCH Fridays

Tasty Donuts @ Palms

Bottle Service @ MOON

Connor Cruise @ Hyde Bellagio

DITCH Fridays @ Palms

Kelis Opens DITCH @ Palms

Denim Shorts? @ Palms

MOON @ Palms

DJ Connor Cruise @ Hyde Bellagio

05/16 Paper Diamond @ Ghostbar 05/15 Above & Beyond @ Lavo 05/17 Dita Von Teese @ House of Blues 05/18 Calvin Harris @ Xs 05/19 A-Trak @ Xs

05/25 Ditch Fridays w/ Roger Sanchez @ The Palms 05/22 Elton John @ Caesars Palace 05/25 Incubus @ The Joint 05/25 Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Las Vegas 06/02 The Ultimate Fighter Live @ The Palms

05/26 Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Las Vegas 06/07 Bassrush Massive @ Orleans Arena

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Las Vegas | Skinniescene

characters

Skinnie magazine’s 10th anniversary party @

ghostbar day club, the palms

Photos by Alan Rivera

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Orange county | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Jeff Allen of EventVibe.com

OC CALENDAR

05/17 Rammstein @ Honda Center

Yost Theater

Reppin @ TEN

TEN

Yost Theater

TEN

Yost Theater

TEN

05/18 Too Short @ The Grove 05/20 Andre Nickatina @ The Observatory 05/23 Fear Factory @ The Yost 05/24 Riverboat Gamblers @ Alex’s Bar

05/30 Dita Von Teese @ The Yost 05/26 Danzig @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 05/31 Dita Von Teese @ The Yost 06/02 Caifanes @ Honda Center 06/09 Ink N Iron Festival @ Queen Mary, Long Beach

06/09-06/10 Ink N Iron Festival @ Queen Mary, Long Beach

06/12 Van Halen @ Honda Center

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Orange county | Skinniescene

MUSInk tattoo convention & music festival

@ The OC fairgrounds

Images by Mitchell Hutchinson & Shauna Baharie

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san diego | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Bobby Reyes/EventVibe.com, Jeremy Wassink/EventVibe.com

SD CALENDAR

05/22 Morrissey @ Valley View Casino

FLUXX

Stay Hip @ Intervention

Roger Sanchez @ Intervention

FLUXX

Infected Mushroom @ UCSD

Intervention @ Hard Rock

Hard Rock -Indeed

Infected Mushroom @ UCSD

Porter's Pub

05/15 Dita Von Teese @ House of Blues 05/16 Pass The Axe @ Belly Up Tavern 05/18 Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah! @ The Casbah 05/19 2 Live Crew @ 4th & B

06/03 Mogwai @ Belly Up Tavern 05/23 Andre Nickatina @ House of Blues 05/24 Expendables @ Belly Up Tavern 05/27 Steve Aoki @ House of Blues 06/01 Shrine @ Soda Bar

06/09 Mansions On The Moon @ The Griffin 06/02 Mickey Avalon @ Stingaree

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inland empire | Skinniescene

Photos Courtesy of Erik Faiivae and Chad Hansford

IE CALENDAR

05/26 Hot Water Music/ Civet @ Characters

Ms. Five Eye Imagery @ Chronic Cantina

Red Bull X-Fighters Kick Off Party @ McAlan's

Miserys Lingerie BDay Bash @ Sevillas Riverside

Five Eye Imagery @ Chronic Cantina

Smoochin' @ McAlan's

Stay Thirsty @ McAlan's

Miserys Lingerie BDay Bash @ Sevillas Riverside

Fishbowl & Five Eye Imagery @ Chronic Cantina

Sweater Vests @ McAlan's

05/17 Armin Van Buren @ National Orange Show 05/18 Andre Nickatina @ Glasshouse 05/26 40oz. To Freedom @ Marquee 15 05/30 Broadway Calls/Dead To Me @ VLHS Warehouse Pomona

05/30 Dita Von Teese @ The Yost 06/02 Soul Asylum @ Lake Skinner 06/02 Caifanes @ Honda Center 06/07 Thursday @ Glasshouse

06/03 Mickey Avalon/ Millionaires @ Marquee 15 06/08 Revelation Records Anniversary @ Glasshouse

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inland empire | Skinniescene

MEZ Sports Presents

PANDEMONIUM VI

Photos by Alan Rivera

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MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVISM

AUGUST 24-26, 2012

TAMPA, FLORIDA www.PaulFestival.com

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