Step Dad Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2012
Awesome Translation [p] Howard Jones
Cousin Kyle Whalon Shootin’ guns n shit
Front Cover ‘merica [P] Don’t. Know.
Editorial
Nathan Keegan Chris Martin Bruce King J. Hazlett Michael Cirelli Andria Gemma-Rossi Walter Lohr Mike Gustafson Ben Cironi
Staff Photographers: Road Crew [p] Chris Martin
Sam McKenna Chris Martin Jimmy Collins Jon Wolf
Contributing Photographers:
Donovan Hemingway Corey McKenna Michael Cirelli Nathan Keegan Eddie DeCroce Mike Greenwood Billy Butcher Walter Lohr Blair Alley Howard Jones
Send photo’s, funny stories or general inquiries to: stepdadmag@gmail.com Reese’s Talty [p] Jimmy Collins
www.stepdadmag.com facebook.com/stepdadmag
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Fred Gall
Wallride [p] Chris Martin
Nolan Lee
Frontside Flip [p] Chris Martin
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UNCLE KEEGS Words & Photo by:
Nathan Keegan
HELLA DEAD.. I was skating downtown Worcester once and noticed this old man...kinda lookin hella dead. So I asked him “What’s up”, tried to see if hes alive, no breathing, no nothing. I called the Ambulance, and they came, dude didnt move, then all of the sudden, he’s like, “Get the fuck outta here!”. HE’S ALIVE! I remember thinking, when I saw him, “This isnt a bad way to go”.
“I was skating downtown Worcester once and noticed this old man...kinda lookin hella dead.” It was a beautiful, sunny day and he was lookin up at the sky. Could be worse. Hang in there grampa! Then the cop that arrived kicked us out for skating while dudes are shooting up on the bench. I was the only person that gave enough of a fuck to see what’s up with an elder and I get booted. Wormtown is off the hook.
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Frankie Nash 360 Shuv [p] Sam McKenna
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Dave Labbe
Hahhhhhd Flip [p] Sam McKenna
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Tom Ruzbasin Front Rock [p] Billy Butcher
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James Engle
Feeble [p] Corey McKenna
Phil Engle
Front Tail [p] Corey McKenna
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Observing the Sabbath By J. Hazlett
There is something to be said for evil things. Every teenage boy reads the liner notes of every punk, metal and hardcore album and soaks in the hate and the pain. They circle the pit and shake their fists, screaming out the lyrics at the top of their lungs. I have seen Danzig and Cradle of Filth, Slayer and GWAR, Black and Death metal of all sort. Then there is seeing Black Sabbath. The lights in the Garden dropped out, coupled with the elated screams of the floor seats rolling slowly up to the balconies. The shear excitement for the heaviest bands my ears could ever hear swam through my body. That is when the rolling thunder and lightning began.
of the prince of darkness… Ozzy’s nards! In the middle of a guitar solo, the madman had dropped trou and presented the audience with his balls. At first, the viewer can be distracted by the pasty white pallor of a middle aged limey. It is especially hard when the bright stage lights wash out the pale prince. However, it became quite obvious that his sack sagged into sight from between a pair of snow white legs, like ripe fruit dangling from a tree. I can only speak of three truths from what happened in that very instant that seemed to last an eternity:
“...Ozzy has nards the size of tennis balls.”
Doom and despair for a modern age, the very soul of Satan grabbed me and shook free the constructs of reality and for 2 solid hours, my thoughts were in the control of the heavy blackness. If I wrote down my expectations at the point in my life of what music should be, Sabbath took that list, fulfilled in the matter of a verse and a chorus and then changed it for the rest of my life. The songs just kept coming and coming: War Pigs, Sweet Leaf, Wheel of Confusion and Faeries Wear Boots. All the while, my eyes beheld the foursome, each ruling over their respected kingdoms; Bill Ward and Geezer laying the foundation of the heaviest sound your ears will allow before you lose control of your bowels and Tony Iommi and his guitar worked to mutate my DNA.
Then there is the spectacle of Ozzy, the Prince of Darkness, poster child of everything society dubbed as “evil”. The energy of then 40 year old Osbourne was nothing I had ever seen. The man was running to and fro, doing jumping jacks and screaming that all too familiar high pitched voice ragged. And then I saw them in all their glory, the unholy pair
1) Ozzy goes commando. This is a modern marvel because he can drop his leather pants down his sweaty legs faster and smoother than anyone on the planet.
2) It could have been the drugs or the shock, but Ozzy has nards the size of tennis balls. You may not believe me, but there is no way I could have seen his sack all the way from across the Fleet Center unless this fact was really true. 3) Lastly, and particularly weirder to me than the other two facts, is Ozzy is pretty much hairless. It looks like the days of my crazy brother running around naked and mooning you when he had the chance. I cannot image the poor bastard who had to provide Mr. Osbourne with a waxing, but I myself would humbly pass. I don’t really recall what happened next, but it all ended with black confetti raining down on us from the sky and Ozzy bidding us a good night and a good life. The metal induced haze carried my mind and body, separate and yet whole, from the Causeway Street to my bed, where visions of ghouls and demons danced to the romantic sounds of the devil’s triad. I would say I had a good time.
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TATO FELICIANO Words & Photos: Michael Cirelli
Michael Cirelli: Where were you born and how did you end up in CT?
They will be riding the half pipe in my yard like little pros by the time they are 2.
Tato Feliciano: I was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico. I moved to CT in 1993 because my sister was already living here and I wanted to skate.
MC: Who have you ridden for in the past and who do you ride for now?
MC: How long have you been skating? TF: 24 years. MC: I heard you are about to have a baby...or 2? TF: Yes, twins, a boy and girl.
TF: I used to ride for 5Boro NYC back in the day, Savier shoes, and a bunch of other stuff. Now I ride for Bodega, Brick Wheels, Skate Lair, Rockstar Bearings, Mood Hardware and am starting my own company Borracho Brand. MC: Tell me a good story about Oscar from Bodega? TF: I remember him showing up at contests and demos in a hearse with a bunch of crazy guys. He’s a crazy German dude, but good people. MC: Explain to people what Skate Lair is like? Is that place complete madness or what? TF: Erik Munday, the owner and his crew are always down to skate, shoot guns, drink beer, good times! Don’t mess with them, they will shoot you!
“...go ahead and drink the whiskey, but don’t jump.”
MC: Whats it like skating the Skate Lair bowl? Ever seen any one smash their face on the side of the support beam?
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TF: It is awesome, I love it. Never saw someone smash their face on the beam but I’m sure it’s happened.
TF: Having a good time making people land stuff and partying my ass off! I decided to enter the team manager contest and I cleaned the floor for the other guys!
MC: I see you rocking that bad ass leather Boracho Brand Skate jacket? You in a biker gang “...leather vests, or something? What Jose Cuervo, up with this stuff? TF: Borracho Brand is a lifestyle - cut off leather vests, Jose Cuervo, Miller High Life...not a bike gang, skate gang.
Miller High Life.. not a bike gang, skate gang.”
MC: You went down to the Tampa Pro contest this year and were yelling at skaters all day long? Please explain what the hell you were doing???
Front Smith [p] Michael Cirelli
MC: You ever want to move back to Puerto Rico? TF: Yes, maybe someday if I win the lotto. MC: Any shout outs?
TF: My unborn babies (Leo and Georgina), Oscar from Bodega, Erik Munday and the Skate Lair, Matt at Brick Wheels, and cool peoples aspiring to live the Borracho lifestyle.
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Mike Gustafson Nollie Inward Heel [p] Sam McKenna
Joel Meinholz Backside Noseblunt [p] Chris Martin
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Ben Cironi
Nollie Back 5-0 [p] Sam McKenna
Karem Elver Gap to Crook [p] Jon Wolf
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BEN SKRZYPEK Words: Mike Gustafson Photos: Blair Alley
“I was always outside in the street so I would see some buck town shit every once in a while...” Mike Gustafson: Your originally from Portland, ME and there seems to be a perception that it’s all trees and bears and wild animals and shit but Portland certainly can get a bit rowdy. Any great stories from growing up there? Ben Skrzypek: Hahaha, I mean I’m sure there are quite a few...we were always getting into some shit but nothing is really popping out at the moment. I was always outside in the street so I would see some buck town shit every once in a while but overall it was pretty mellow I must say. MG: What was the skate scene like back when you were living in Portland? BS: Well, when I was a real young buck the scene was actually pretty dope! When I was in middle school there was always someone to skate with! We had a pretty tight crew and would skate from spot to spot and cruise all over Portland. There were quite a few older guys in the area as well that were really holding it down. I looked up to a lot of those guys and they inspired me to keep skating and progressing. Then when I got to high school or maybe it even started in 8th grade Portland’s skate scene just died. The older dudes moved or just had different priorities and then my crew got to high school and girls and Bud heavies became more fun. Skating in Portland was pretty grim for a while....a lot of solo skating...then I met you and we held it down together for quite some time, hahaha. Good times for sure. It looks like you guys have a good scene going on right now and that gets me hyped!
MG: I first met you right after you had moved back from Spain after leaving a high school exchange student program and touring the country on your own terms. How did that all go down? It must have been a great experience to be, what 15? 16? and on your own in Spain. BS: Yeah, for sure that was one of the greatest experiences of my life and definitely helped define who I have become today. Basically, I went to Spain on a foreign exchange program and got kicked out for not attending class and traveling outside the country. I just wasn’t clicking with kids my age so I started linking up with these older skaters. They were always traveling and skating so I just started mobbing with them. They were much more patient with our language barrier and my Spanish was starting to really excel. The last straw was when I was in Barcelona on a skate trip and the homies from this spanish magazine called Dogway invited me on this trip to Lyon, France to be a part of this article they were shooting. I went and when I got back the agency I went through called me up and told me it was time to pack my things and go home. I called my mom and got the blessing to stay so I went and lived in a hostel for a month in the south while the situation cooled off and then just started couch surfing, traveling and skating. The friends I made over there are like my brothers. MG: And then you drove cross country to San Diego? How was that experience? It was cool when you’d call me from the road, like, “Yooooo G!!! I’m camped out next to a stream in Arizona
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eating sandwiches and playing guitar” or something ridiculous like that, haha. BS: Hahaha, Yeah, those were good times! I had met some cats from San Diego in Barcelona and told them I wanted to move to California when I was done with high school. They were like, “Yeah, for sure come through” but they didn’t really think I was coming though...I kept in loose contact with them and after high school I bounced. Well, I stuck around for a while working construction in order to pay for gas but then I was out. I drove an un-insured, un-registered car all the way there and had no problems, haha. Overall, the experience was great! The guys I met in Barcelona ended up becoming life long friends and really held me down when I got to San Diego. I stayed in San Diego for almost 8 years and developed great relationships and it has become like a second home to me. MG: Do you have any projects your working on skate wise? That video of you cruising around SD on the scooter was rad. How’d that come about? BS: Skate wise I have a lot of potential projects in the works if my body cooperates...There is suppose to be an OJ Wheels video on the way that I have some footage for. I also just bought a nice camera that I am excited to play around with and eventually create something with. The scooter video was just an idea I had that I men-
Noselide Pop Over [p] Blair Alley
tioned to my buddy Russell who happened to be into it. My car had been stolen and the only thing I could afford was a scooter. I spent every last penny I had on that scooter so I wanted to get more bang for my buck and incorporate it into something creative. MG: What are your plans for the rest of the Fall? BS: I’m about to head to spain in about 4 days! I’m flying into Madrid and then cruising up to San Sebastian to work at a film festival for a while! I will be out there for like 3 months just visiting friends, Skating and traveling! My friends out there are like family so its always nice to get out there whenever I can. I plan to take the train through Eastern Europe which should be exciting as well! MG: Anything else you’d like to add before we wrap this up? BS: Thanks for doing this interview with me! Your killing it on many spectrums and holding Portland down to the fullest! Also thanks to everyone who has been supporting my skateboarding lately: Raw, OJ Wheels, Venture trucks and Step Dad! Jah bless and don’t stress!
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Alex Winslow
5-0 [p] Jimmy Collins
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Luka Breu Back Tail Shuv [p] Jon Wolf
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RUDY GARCIA Words & Photos: Walter Lohr
Walter Lohr: Maybe start by saying your name and where you’re from and that stuff. Rudy Garcia: My name is Rudy Garcia and I am from El Paso, Texas. WL: How long have you been skating? RG: 8 years.
WL: Who inspires you to skate and throw yourself off stuff? RG: Mike Sinclair does not play. WL: What else do you do besides skate? RG: I like to film and shoot photos. WL: What music do you like? RG: I like all types of music but I have been into classic rock lately.
WL: Who are your sponsors? RG: Underground wheels, Foundation skateboards, Dekline shoes and Crooks skate shop back in El Paso. Ollie WL: What’s your favorite aspect of skating? RG: Having fun with the bros.
WL: Do you have any favorite tricks? RG: Kickflip. WL: Do you have any favorite skate spots? RG: C sun college ss pretty tight. WL: How is skating in El Paso different from skating in Los Angeles? RG: The difference is that the spots out in El Paso are not blown out but in Los Angeles you have more spots. WL: Do you think in Spanish or in English? RG: A little bit of both. WL: Who the sickest skater who speaks only Spanish? RG: Gustavo Servin is the sickest and Mexico’s future! WL: What’s up with skating in Juarez? RG: Skatin Juarez is the best. That city is blessed with really amazing spots. The food is great and the homies keep the good vibes going. It’s kinda scary going out there because of what has happened but it’s worth the risk.
WL: What books do you recommend? RG: The Secret and the Bible. WL: Do you want to thanks or no thanks to anyone? RG: I want to thank my family, Mike Sinclair, Nick Merlino, Foundation skateboards, Dekline shoes, Underground wheels, Walter Lohr, all my homies and God. WL: What else is important in life? RG: Graduating college and making my mother and father proud. WL: What else needs to be said? RG: Skate everyday understaaaand! Que mas?
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Ben Cironi
Backside Flip [p] Sam McKenna
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Eby Ghafarian Kickflip [p] Chris Martin
Matt Seavy
Nosegrind [p] Corey McKenna
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Letters from the Inside Words: Bruce King Entry #2 – Recidivism
I don’t question waking up here anymore. In fact, there’s nothing that could seem more natural. They say after a year the institutionalization kicks in. I passed that mark four days ago, and I’m sorry to say that it sounds about right.
I’ve just completed the horticulture
I spent the morning at work, talking with a co-worker who’s only five months from his halfway house date after spending fifteen years in the prison system. You can see his excitement and apprehension. 85% of prisoners return to prison after their initial bid.
informed that horticulture was the
We all know this, yet we do our best to believe that it won’t happen to us.
street, seeing normal folks, picking
vocational class—but I’ve no interest in plants whatsoever. I was under the impression prior to my arrival that there would be training programs for plumbing, electrician work, welding, etc….but when I arrived, I was only program that they offered. Career paths are only a small part of my anxiety, though. The smallest things now create in me such awe and terror that I never could have predicted it. Walking down the out clothes, and more than anything, talking to women. This place is just so
“85% of prisoners return to prison after their initial bid.” I know that my odds are better than most. Nonetheless, the possibility haunts me. Especially since there is very little opportunity to better one’s self in here.
normal now — even my dreams have begun to feel alien. I suppose that is the intention, to create a deviant, dependent class that subsidizes jobs in poor rural areas. Perhaps this explains the draconian sentences that they hand out to firsttime offenders. I just can’t help but wonder…is there a future for me?
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30 Day cross country tour.
Chris Kays FS Tail Words & Photos: Chris Martin
Sean Reily FS Feeble
NYC PREMIERE, Borrowed Van, Broken front Door, Cops in my house, Hurricane, SkateLair, NEW VAN! WAWA Thanksgiving, Love Park talks, Boners Pad, Get Gnarly Ramp Jam, Broken Van Window, Neck Tats, Boobs, North GA Park, BAMA BedBUGS, Winter, Denver, Desert, Vegas, Spearmint Rhino, Shredding the Strip, Sin City Sunrise, CA, Free Weed, Dildo signing, TWS PARK! SD PREMIERE, LA Bender ENDER.
Vegas Sunrise
Dutch
JZ
K1
Q&A
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with a heroin addict
Question) How did you get into heroin? Answer) I don’t remember how I got into it but I do remember the first time I ever did it. A friend of mine came back from Washington state with black tar. It’s a type of heroin I’ve only done once and it was that time. We were at this girls house and I was asked if I wanted to try it, so I did. Worst mistake EVER!!! All I did was puke for the next six hours. It was awful. I was about seventeen at the time. Q) How do you prepare it? A) Open the baggie, dump it into a spoon, add water & use a small piece of cotton to suck it up into the needle. Q) How does it come packaged? A) It can come packaged a few different ways. In the corner of a plastic bag or in what is called a “ticket”, which is a tiny wax paper wrap that looks like a teeny tiny envelope. Q) Have you ever had sex on it? A) Yes. It’s really no different except I can go for way longer and it’s slightly more difficult to orgasm. Q) What are withdrawls like? A) Awful! Hot and cold sweats/
chills, body aches, restlessness. Just like the flu kinda but worse. Sometimes, depending on how dependent you are on it you may need to seek medical attention and be monitored by a physician. Q) Where would you get your needles? A) Well, there is a needle exchange in some states. You can also purchase them at some pharmacies without a perscription. The needles are insulin needles used by diabetics. Q) Is it an instant high? A) If you shoot it intraveniously, yes, it is. If you snort it, it takes about twenty minutes to a half hour to kick in. Q) How long does it last? A) Maybe a few hours at the most. I’d like to add to this Q & A by saying that using heroin is NO joke. It comes with a serious addiction and serious consequences. It forever changed my life personally and I would never wish a drug addiction of any sort on anybody. I was clean for four years, and then, unfortunately, relapsed. To this day I still stuggle with drug addiction. For more information on how to get help check out narcotics anonymous. www.na.org
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Jon Green
Noseslide [p] Mike Greenwood
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Kris Monson Wallride [p] Eddie DeCroce
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Ralph Murphy Front Board [p] Michael Cirelli
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Geoff Bogle
Switch 180 Manual [p] Jim Collins
Guest Appearances by: Ben Cironi & Alex Winslow
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Educated Advocates “Back to Class” Words: Ben Cironi
There are many simple pleasures in life, one of those being sitting on a stoop drinking 40’s with good friends. My 40oz of choice is Schlitz Bull Ice. Now, it may taste like rain water and pennies, but it packs a punch without knocking out your money supply for the night. Anyway, when sitting on a stoop, no matter what season it is, music is a must. The new Educated Advocates album “Back to Class” really sets the tempo for a good night of drinking. So pop the top on your 40oz and get ready for a lesson in good ol’ fashion boom bap. Maine might not be the first place you think of when hip hop comes to mind, but with the thriving local scene Educated Advocates are pushing the envelope. The three MC’s in EA (Ghost, Jay Caron and Mike B) really know how to feed off of one another’s energy. Their back and forth flows will get you hyped up to chug a beer. Not to mention all of the drinking references
Nick Decarlo
Crailslide [p] Donovan Hemingway
throughout the album will have that effect as well. There are so many stand out tracks on this album, one of them being “Vocab”. On this track they spit some crazy shit. I mean, when was the last time you heard a rapper reference a fort-night in a song? Needless to say this is my kind of album. By the end of listening to this you’ll want to get off of your stoop and head to the bar. These guys really know how to make a fun hip hop album. Full of dope beats, ill flows and lyrical content this album is sure to send you back to the golden age of hip hop before all the commercial bullshit got in the way. You won’t hear these guys rapping about shit they don’t do, like (insert wack rapper here) does. So fuck the fake and put on the real. Go and pick up this album and support these guys. Its well worth the money. Oh yeah, if you see these guys at a bar, buy them a goddamn drink. EA all day.
Jackman
5050 [p] Corey McKenna