Step Dad Winter 2014

2 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

Cover: Frankie Nash [p] Buddy Bleckley

Contents: Zach Lyons, Front Feebs [P] Andrew Foster

Editor / Graphic Design Mike Gustafson

Assistant Editor / Senior Photographer

Christopher W. Martin [CMART]

Videography:

Jimmy fucking Collins Joe Radano

Staff Photographers: Sam McKenna Jimmy fucking Collins Jon Wolf Andrew Foster Michael Cirelli

Editorial

Michael Cirelli Walt Lohr Jay Riggio Mike Gustafson CMART

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 3

Contributing Photographers: Buddy Bleckley Ricky Aponte Fabian Suarez Luke McKaye Shawn Rogers Tim Snyder Liam Annis Kevin Fuentes Chris Gurinsky

Nick Gibson David Leidecker Fred Zang Will Violick Rob Collins Darnell Scott Cornphoto Scott Furkay

Send photo’s, funny stories or general inquiries to: stepdadmag@gmail.com

www.stepdadmag.com www.facebook.com/stepdadmag | Insta: @stepdadmag StepDadMag publishes quarterly and is distributed to skate shops throughout the U.S.

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 5

UNCLE KEEGS BY: NATHAN KEEGAN

This is a good one - I was at a buddy’s house in Worcester once, he had some people over, maybe it was a birthday or something. At the time, he lived in this huge condo complex. Each building was labeled by letter, A, B, C, etc. He lived in C. Every damn time I went there I was at B, buzzing the wrong place. Anyways, a couple of friends and I leave the party to grab more beers. We are walking

like, “Dude - I was trying to climb up to my friends’ apartment. I must have the wrong floor.” Turns out, the right floor, wrong damn building. He says, “Why don’t you walk in through the door?” I start to explain how I always get the wrong building and I climb stuff, etc.

I stop short because he’s just blown away by everything. He’s like, “Just go”, haha. I go out to the balcony to climb back down, then I’m like, “ What am I

“I whip open the curtains to find a very confused, scared, startled Jamaican family watching TV. I’m just as confused. It’s just this weird tense moment where no one is moving or saying anything.” back, and I’m buzzing and buzzing, no answer. My buddy Richie goes, “You like climbing buildings, let’s see you climb up the balcony and let us in.” It’s three floors up. Not crazy but balconies are tough because you have to pull yourself up, it’s not like a ladder. I get up there. I showed him right!

I whip open the curtains to find a very confused, scared, startled Jamaican family watching TV. I’m just as confused. It’s just this weird tense moment where no one is moving or saying anything. The father says, “What do you want? What are you doing here?” I’m

doing?” I poke my head back in and ask if I can go through his house because it’ll be way easier. He let’s me. I apologize very sincerely to him and his wife and kid. The kid actually held the door for me, ha. We head back to the party. Cops come. I think only for noise but I’m like, “Damn! I’m getting lucky tonight!” All I can think about, looking back, is how bad that could have been.

A man protecting his family from an intruder. My friend, who’s house this was, never knew to this day. Hey Matt Morgan, that happened.

6 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

Travis Glover Ollie [p] Kevin Fuentes

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 7

Dylan Drew

Pole Jam [p] Chris Gurinsky

8 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

on tour with underground wheel company words: walt lohr California is so beautiful that it can shock you.

Many of the States have pretty places but when it comes to an abundance of accessible natural beauty; California kills. Traffic may suck in L.A. and Californians may seem like a goofy bunch but the land is undeniably beautiful.

We wanted to see some of it and decided to give to a cruise. Plan was to go from L.A. along the east side of the Sierra Nevada to Lone Pine, Mammoth Lakes and Lake Tahoe. We would hit parks along the way and skate and camp. We’d grab a hotel in Tahoe and head to Sac and the Bay and then back to L.A. We rallied at Mark’s house early on a Tuesday and hit the road. The group was skaters Mark Villero, Anthony Amedori, Matt Huse, Scott Davenport, Ryan Donovan, Nick Gibson, videographer Erick Sandoval and myself.

We had so much gear that we ended up taking a van and a car. We arrived Lone Pine three hours of driving.

T. Hawk was personally involved in building the L.P. skatepark and it is a great park for a tiny town. It has views of huge mountains Rudy Garcia and the tallest mountain Thumbs Up in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney. We headed into the hills to reserve some campsites and returned to shred the park. Highlights of the sesh were Nick’s switch flip down the stairs, Ryan’s back 360 ollies and a Bennihanna battle between Mark and Matt. A dude on a motorcycle

photo’s: walt lohr & Nick Gibson mobbed through and jumped a corner of the park, which we all enjoyed. We slammed a bunch of pizza, grabbed brews and headed back to our campsite.

None of us anticipated the incredible night sky.

The sky was huge and filled with stars. We could clearly see the Milky Way and we all started to see shooting stars. We found out the next day that there was a meteor shower. It was spectacular like nothing else.

Nick Gibson Front Slash

In the A.M., we linked up a the Lone Pine Park with the remaining members of our group, Rudy Garcia, Joe Avila and Nick’s friend from Ark, Jason McGrew.

These guys had tried to meet us the night before but had gotten lost and had spent the night driving around the valley below our camp.

We were psyched that we found these dudes and in celebration we shredded the Lone Pine Park once again and then headed towards Mammoth.

After stopping at to dig the sights at Convict Lake, we arrived in Mammoth and headed to the skate park. This park is incredible and has crazy stuff to skate. The local were ripping and we all had fun shredding. One of locs busted a front grab back flip off a kicker type bump that was crazy. Go to this park! It

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 9

is worth the travel. Definitely colder camping this night but we all survived. Rudy slept in his car and has managed to avoid camping to this day.

In the morning, we took a bunch of dirt roads to some hot springs that are in the middle of nowhere.

We soaked and warmed us up after a night of cold camping and then headed to Gardernerville NV to skate their acclaimed park.

We arrived fired up and a jerk contractor told us the park is closed while they renovate it. We were bummed but we rolled to Tahoe and skated their vintage park at Bijou and had a great time. Locals were killing there as well. That night, after Thai food and showers at the luxurious Motel 6, we hit the Skate House, which has a sick indoor pool in South Lake Tahoe. Sean and the fellas let us skate past the closing time and it was lots of fun. Don’t sleep on the Skate House. Great spot. Core shop.

then headed west down the mountains to Sacramento. We stopped and jumped in the American River because it was a great thing to do.

We finally made it to Mather skate park outside of Sacto. This one is new, huge and lots of fun. We were psyched to make it back to the warm sun.

Most of us live in Southern California and are addicted to it if that’s possible. We skated the park and then headed to a gap spot in a park in Sacramento. Mark who hadn’t skated too much on the trip emerged from the haze and killed the spot. He hardflipped it, fronstide flipped it, switch hardflipped it, and fakie tre’ed it. Three of those he did in a row. We were stoked and we grabbed some food and tried to skate that striped ledge spot in the dark.

Scott Davenport Front Smith

Next day we were up early and headed out to see the lake. It was quite cold but that didn’t stop Nick, Scott and Jason from jumping in Lake Tahoe. This was fun to watch. We checked out some amazing vistas and

Jason McGrew

We were done so we drove to Oakland and crashed hard. Next day we rallied for a final sesh at the SOMA park and then blasted back to L.A. The epic scenery, the sick skate parks and the camping made this a spectacular trip for us. Say what you will about California. All of it is true. Just don’t forget it is a beautiful place.

Front Tail

COOL THINGS WE SAW 1) mark and i saw a roadrunner. he was big and fast.

6) erick relentlessly filming everyone

2) meteor shower and the milky way. unbelievable.

7) lots of huge mountains and leaves changing colors

3) matt’s one person tent and ryan’s child’s tent 4) scott’s coffee making set-up 5) that dude’s fricking back flip at the Mammoth Park

8) a bunch of small towns in california 9) a bunch of sick skateparks and skating 10) lake Tahoe, the american river and tuttle creek 11) lots of nice californians

10 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

Andrew Grabowski Switch Front Shuv [p] Fred Zang

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 11

Joel Espinal

Kickflip Front Nose [p] Will Violick

12 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

brandon bonner words & photo’s: cmart

I was able to catch Brandon Bonner, AKA - BONER and his crew briefly on his latest trip to NYC. We hopped into the backyard of a laundromat in Brooklyn, where he rolled up and cracked a 40 as we talked about his recent excursions.

CMART: What have you been up to in NYC today?

Brandon Bonner: Started by getting my car out of the impound. I guess I parked in the wrong spot and they saw my VA plates and started bugging out. Towed the Junt.

CMART: You learn anything through this experience?

BB: DONT PARK in dumbass spots...I actually have to move my van in 10 minutes cause I’m in the same spot, haha.

CMART: How much does it cost to get that shit back?

BB: $185 CMART: What does it take for a Boner like yourself to get a Buck Eighty?

BB: HUSTLE. CMART: How many hustles you got?

BB: Two hustles right now.

CMART: Why are you In NYC for a couple days?

BB: I came to skate and have a meeting with Etonic shoes about our last tour.

CMART: Where was that?

BB: Their headquarters is on the 66th floor of the Empire State building. It’s a trip.

CMART: You on their skate team?

BB: Yeah, as long as their down with your boy.

Their shoes have been working out pretty good.

Were just giving our input on the kicks to make them the best they can be before they come out.

CMART: How do you feel about a brand like Etonic coming into the skate world?

BB: I think its great. Cause we need more variety.

front smith

CMART: How is it being on the 66th floor of the Empire State building?

BB: It’s a lot different than being in my basement in VIRGINIA. CMART: What projects have you been working on this past year?

BB: I have a part in Pat’s vid, “Close to Gross”. It’s pretty tight. I also have parts in Natural Koncept’s, “HIGH CLASS CREEPIN”, which is coming out in early 2015. Lookout for that one. We went on a 30 day tour that you saw in the last issue of STEP DAD, which was really fun as well! Went to Mexico City which is by far my favorite city to skate.

CMART: What’s a regular day for you in Virginia look like?

BB: Wake up at 9am, go to work 10. Out at 2pm.

Chiropractor at 3. My back is EFFED from tour, so I’m getting that straightened up. Get out there, go skate after that and at about 5pm, I’ll drink my first forty ounce and try and keep that going until late...

Wake up and do it again.

CMART: Nothing like that VA living.

BB: Its AIGHT. ollie

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 13

Rob Ridge

Wallie [p] Rob Collins

frankie nash

14 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

words: mike g.

photo’s: liam annis

Mike Gustafson: Hi Frankie, I want to start off this interview by saying that we are so psyched to have you be the 2014 “Step Dad of the Year”!

Between your excellent video part in the Orchard video and that crazy fall over the rail I’d say you had quite a year! What have you been up to since the winter has set in? Do you still skate outside?

step dad of the year 2014

so much. The original and most common is the “Thirsty”. I’ve seen a lot of fights there and people get kicked out for doing dumb shit. The dance floor gets crazy on Friday and Saturday nights.

The staff is rad and we have become friends with all the bouncers and bartenders over the years. It has basically become the skate bar of Allston. All in all, it’s usually a good time!

Frankie Nash: Thanks Mike! I’m honored that you chose me as “Step Dad of the Year”! It’s been a MG: Do you still live in Allston? That neighborcrazy year. There’s been a lot of ups and downs hood seemed like house party central. but I’m still here and I’m still skating so I can’t Can you give us a pro tip for hanging out at complain. Winter has begun but we are still at that random parties? in-between stage where it’s cold as shit one day and then warm the next day. The cold and the FN: Yeah, I still live in Allston. I’ve lived in Boston snow are on the way and now for almost 10 years I’m not looking forward and have bounced all to it. I’ve been skating over the place. I finally when I can. Due to my ended up in Allston a work schedule that is few years back and it’s now mostly at night and been my home ever on the weekends. I’ve since. The neighborjust been trying to get hood is populated with it in and get you some a lot of young people so photos for the mag the weekends are usubefore there’s snow on ally crazy. I used to go the ground. I like skating to a lot of house parties in the cold but it gets but now that I’ve gotten to a point where you a bit older it seems like frontside hurricane transfer physically just can’t. It’s we always end up at the always a debate. Do I sit bar. I’m always down for inside where it’s warm and drink a few beers or do a good house party though. As far as a tip, I’d say I put on 5 layers and go push around? The colder make sure you bring enough beer, be yourself, it gets the harder it is to get people motivated to and have fun! Never stop having fun! go skate outside.

MG: To reference the elephant in the room here, MG: When you’re not skating, how do you spend do you mind telling us the story behind your photo your time in Boston? on the cover of this issue?

FN: My time when I’m not skating is usually spent working. I work an office job as a Graphic Designer and I also work at a café a few days a week. Some of that time is also spent working on my own personal art projects. I spend a lot of time doing that during the winter. I also enjoy hanging with my friends, drinking some brews, and going to the bar. That’s usually where you can find me on a Friday or Saturday night.

MG: Can you tell us a funny story from hanging out at the Model?

FN: Oh man. A lot of crazy and weird stuff happens at that place but it’s hard to pin point an exact story. My friends and I actually have our own signature line of cocktails because we go there

FN: It was a Wednesday night and for some reason I didn’t have to work in the morning. I met up with the boys and we had a couple beers and decided to go out to the bar for a bit. We were waiting for someone at the top of this massive set of stairs and I was leaning on the railing at the top.

I jokingly tried to slide on the rail on my ass and somehow lost my balance and flipped over it. The drop was about 25-30 feet and I fell straight to my face and knees. I got knocked out instantly. I came to a few minutes later and my friends were trying to help me up. At that point the ambulance got there and I was apparently not trying to go with them. My friends said I was fighting with them to not take me with them. I was conscious enough to recognize my friend I grew up with that is a fire fighter in Allston and everyone was shocked. I

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 15

blunt popped to flat

spent a day in the hospital and they wouldn’t let me leave until I did all these tests to make sure I was Ok. I managed to get out of the situation with a black eye and some cuts on my face and knees.

I am very lucky that nothing worse happened.

I tried to skate a day later but it was weird. My balance was all off and my knees were shaky. It took a few days to get back to normal. I survived the fall and have a couple little scars on my face but that’s it. I’ve been told numerous times chicks dig scars.

MG: I’m glad that you came out of that Ok! What do you have lined up for 2015? Any projects in the works?

FN: Just trying to keep skating and have fun with my friends. I’m working on a part for Tim Savage’s video that should be out sometime in 2015.

Expect to see a teaser for that coming out soon.

Not sure what’s next as far as Orchard videos but I’m sure I’ll end up working on something for them, too.

MG: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview!

Anyone you’d like to thank before we wrap this up?

FN: No problem! Thanks again for bestowing me with this honor. I’d just like to thank my family and all of my friends. This would not have been possible without them. I’d also like to thank Orchard for all they’ve done and continue to do for me. I’d like to thank Habitat, Converse, and Domestics.

I’d like to thank Tim Savage for putting up with me, being a great friend/roommate, and also for being an amazing filmer. Trevor Denman and Liam Annis for helping me shoot this interview over the past month. Last but most certainly not least is you and Step Dad Mag! Thank you!

2014

frontside sugarcane

16 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

Brett Pogoda Wallie [p] Michael Cirelli

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 17

Toebee Parkhurst Backside Flip [p] Jimmy Collins

18 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

words: cmart

photo’s: darnell scott, cornphoto & scott furkay

LEO GUTMAN CMART: What’s your name, hometown, alias and insta jam?

Leo Gutman: Brooklyn, NY. leothelip? I don’t really have an alias I guess. @leothelipski CMART: How did you get down with SHUT? LG: Through two great people, one introducing me to the other. Taji Ameen and Michael Cohen.

CMART: How is school helping your skating?

LG: It’s helping me have perspective on life and skateboarding. Skateboarding’s so amazing it has an omnipotent power over us. School helps me resist skateboarding once in a while to fuel my brain.

5-0 [p] scott

CMART: Best and worst of NYC? LG: Amazing architecture and the best food ever as pros. Bitter cold winter with withered ground as the cons.

CMART: New Year’s Resolution?

LG: Be more productive. I’m not getting any younger and the days aren’t getting any longer.

pat hoblin CMART: What’s your name, hometown, alias and insta jam?

Pat Hoblin: I’m from Long Island. Path, The Goblin, Tommy Ankles, haha. insta: @_path CMART: Favorite things to do outside of skating?

PH: Creating. Shooting flicks, drawing, painting, relaxing, eating - definitely eating. Bones. Always down for some games bones.

CMART: Where can people experience your photos?

PH: I steadily post pics up on my insta. I also have tons of film developed and undeveloped that I will eventfully put out. Zine, show, etc.

5050 [p] scott

CMART: New Year’s Resolution?

PH: Being more productive with everything.

CMART: Favorite Skater right now?

PH: Hard question...so many rippers. Luis, Piro, Shred master Keith, paych crew, Jordan Trahan.

Can’t do one...haha.

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 19

mike powley CMART: What’s your name, hometown, alias and insta jam?

Mike Powley: My name is Mike Powley originally from Vernon, CT. A lot of people call me, “Gangsta Mike” or “G Mike” and my instagram handle is @fvckmikepowley CMART: How did you get down with SHUT? MP: I got down with SHUT mostly through Erik Munday at Skate Lair, Pat Hoblin and just being around their flagship store on Orchard street.

wallie [p] cornphoto

CMART: Your kickflip game is tight! How many kickflips have you done in your lifetime?

MP: In my lifetime, I have no clue, haha. Definitely enough for me to get pissed off if I cant land one, haha.

CMART: Best and worst of NYC? MP: The best part of NYC is that it’s the greatest city in the world. Great food, great skate spots, there’s mad events that the skateboard community puts together. There’s tons of things to do. I guess the worst of NYC would have to be the many distractions, the shitty attitudes everyone has, MTA, the fact rent is too expensive, and the fucking wack ass subway performers and amount of retarded people that are around the city daily.

CMART: Favorite SHUT moment?

MP: My favorite SHUT moment, I think has yet to come, but I guess the best one so far was actually getting on the team or getting a little bit of coverage in a couple Japanese magazines. Stay tuned for 2015.

bogdan CMART: Whats your name, Hometown, alias, and insta jam?

Bogdan: Bogdan, Kiev, Ukraine/New York, NY. @ bogdamnit @gnarmads CMART: What is a gnarmad?

Bogdan: Gnarmads started off as a joke when Matt Cruz and I won a bike scavenger hunt around the city under that name. Ever since then, it has evolved into something neither of us could have imagined.

I guess it’s someone who gets out of their own comfort zone, putting themselves into situations most would avoid. Basically, do whatever you want at all times without regret.

crook [p] furkay

CMART: Best and worst of NYC? Bogdan: The skate scene is the best. It’s so much funner skating in NYC because you can just pick up your board and go. No plans, no destinations, just you and your board exploring the unknown. Through that, I guarantee you will meet more awesome people in one day then you would usually following regular routines.

Worst part: Bridge and tunnel crowds. Winter.

CMART: What was your favorite project, trip or experience that you had in 2014?

Bogdan: It’s tough to pick just one, since all of them are unique in their own ways. I guess I would have to go with the longest of the year, NYC to SF on a bicycle. 8 months. Just the two of us trotting the country, trying to meet rad people and skate as many new places as possible. T’was rad!

CMART: Favorite SHUT moment?

Bogdan: Every time you walk through the SHUT doors a new awesome experience awaits!

20 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

words & photo: michael cirelli

Michael Cirelli: What’s your name and where are you from?

Andrew Connell: Name’s Andrew Connell and I’m from Merrick, Long Island, NY MC: What kind of stuff do you like to skate?

AC: Getting way too lazy for street nowadays, haha. I like a good park, diy, or spot with some decent sized tranny and flow. The more pool coping the better. But anything’s fun when you got a good crew going.

everybody’s just down for a good time. It’s a great place to get away for a while and just chill out with good people.

MC: Whats the worst part about visiting NYC city area?

AC: The traffic without a doubt. If you can help it, avoid driving in. The subway can get you anywhere you need to go and cruising the streets is half the fun.

MC: Whats the worst Christmas present you ever bought a girlfriend? Maybe a jar of Spam and pack of tick-tacks?

AC: I’d have to go with nothing, hahaha. But Spam and tic-tacs would be pretty rad.

MC: Why is Brooklyn overrun with Hipsters?

AC: Hahahaha. I actually went to a Witch concert recently in Williamsburg (hipster capitol of the world). The concert was free so it was swarming with hipsters looking for a free show. Most of ‘em probably didn’t even know who was playing.

Anyway, ended up me and my buddies were the only people trying to have a good time which led to some fists being thrown. Plus, I stage dove and no one fucking caught me, haha. Buncha clowns.

Witch even made mention of how bogus the crowd was. So yea, Brooklyn’s hipster central but there’s some rad spots to skate and most of the chicks are hot as hell so you gotta put up with it from time to time, hahaha.

MC: Whats the best part of visiting Maine?

AC: Maine’s so rad for so many reasons. I’ve been lucky enough to have family up there so I’ve spent a lot of summers there over the years. The skate/ surf scene definitely kicks ass. Good vibes and

MC: Anyone you would like to thank?

AC: Definitely wanna thank Rob from Weirdwood for letting me shred his backwoods backyard madness. That guy’s the man. Also, a shout out to the Forty’s Room crew and Oscar from Bodega.

MC: We know Bodega is a sick ass skateboard company but what the hell is a Bodega in the city?

Some kind of deli/ hardware store? Please explain this to us non-city folk.

AC: Is NOT the city, haha. But a bodega is basically a ghetto version of 7-11. Good place to get some cheap beer and blow a bunch of money on useless snacks when you’re wasted.

D’Andre Pendergrass

Backtail [p] David Leidecker

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 23

words & photo: michael cirelli Michael Cirelli: Where are you from and how did you first get involved in skating?

Abdias Rivera: I’m from Tampa, Florida. Got a board for Christmas and just skated everyday.

MC: Word is your hiding out in the witness protection program in CT? How the hell did you end up in CT? AR: Haha, yeah, gotta stay low key for a few years. Sucks!

Also, my wife went to school here.

MC: You have skated all over, can you list your top 3 spots that you have skated at?

AR: Top 3 are Denver, CO, Moscow, Russia, San Francisco, CA. MC: Y ou recently got a new motorcycle, have you been fixing it up?

You going to be joining a biker gang?

AR: Y eah. I got a 1200 Sportster Roadster. Not really fixing it up. Just doing some body mods on it, making it look how I want it to look. Haha, no biker gang for me but those jackets are fucking dope!

MC: You got some sick tattoos. Any crazy stories that go with them?

AR: Haha, nah, not really any crazy stories. More than half were done at houses.

That’s about it.

MC: Got any things brewing for the near future?

AR: Y eah, got a little baby boy on the way. Pretty hyped about that. Maybe moving back to Tampa soon. Hopefully. Can’t handle these New England winters, man.

Not worth it, haha.

MC: Anyone you would like to thank?

AR: Friends and family and all the people who have helped me along the way.

24 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

Kevin Little Gap to Back Lip [p] Tim Snyder

Chris Pierre-Jacques Heelflip [p] Ricky Aponte

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 25

Nick Gibson

Noseslide Pop-Over [p] Shawn Rogers

26 | Step Dad | Winter 2014

Franz Arango Front Crook [p] Fabian Suarez

Bolos Inglewood Frontside Hurricane [p] Luke McKaye

Winter 2014 | Step Dad | 27

Tate Kokubo Boneless [p] Michael Cirelli

Justin Koziol Backside Flip [p] Ricky Aponte