Vague Mag Issue 8

Reece Leung Rich West James Griffiths Maxime Verret

Hannah Martin Liisa Chisholm Mark Pritchard

Guy Jones Heywood Ward Josh Hallett Val Bauer

Front Cover Photo: Helena Long - Backside Slash Grind - Rich West Artwork: Liisa Chisholm www.vaguemag.com vagueskatemag@gmail.com Instagram @vagueskatemag

Initially this smug report that makes every other aspect of the mag far more enjoyable to read was going to about bellends who put themselves who go out of their way to dive in front of a moving skateboard to then proceed to tell you how dangerous skateboarding is to the public, inducing a sort of ironic faux moral highground which I personally makes me feel proud to be nothing like these sorts of people. However to put a positive twist on these morons, I’m so thankful that all of the communities present in this mag are the opposite and will go out of their way to support each other. Thank you to everyone who has supported us no matter how small or large (giant novelty check comes crashing through the window). Independent skate shops supporting other skate shops, breweries supporting other breweries, artists supporting other artists, the list goes on. In this case we’d like to give a huge thankyou to everyone featured thus far. Liisa Chisolm who had the first art interview in our maiden issue with cover art done beautifully

by Mark Pritchard has stepped in to return the favour at ridiculously short notice, making the external canvas so rad whilst Mark graces the pages with a long awaited full interview. These two in particular make us proud to make a print mag and be affiliated with complete and utter non-bellends!

LA N I RD Y A D H D GI RITC TCHES P K WI E MAR T SKA E H DIEL T R A NC H O J AAF H C S MAX HEERIN IN LS WIL & CALV Y O LER L FAR A OG T Y O PH LER RT L A G O ART : NEWP YF INW

Faro Phiri- Kickflip

Joseph and myself thought about going to LA together by the end of last year. A quick winter break, just the two of us, skating a bit, getting a couple insta clips. That was our plan.

Words spread pretty fast and after a few texts (and e-mails to get our expenses covered of course) we ended up being the twelve best friends ever out there. Shit got pretty hectic (dirty ?) as they say. The come down’s never been so hard. Our what’s app group is still going strong as I write. The sure thing is, we all agreed on the fact that this one was our best trip ever. Being away from home in such kind of a bubble is surely what we love to do, I guess.

Introduction by Val Bauer Words by Val Bauer Photography by Maxime Verret

Lilian Fev, Frontside 50-50 to fakie Lilian was the youngest on the trip, and took his fair share of shit while it lasted. He’s usually super stressed out while on trips. We can all get that, he’s young and ambitious, sometimes vicious. But it makes it so funny to witness... The thing is that he’s also quite unlucky most of the time too on trips, eating shit, getting sick, sore or both. Anyway he got away with this nice trick only an hour after the trip started at Gardner but didn’t prevent him from eating shit horseriding a jersey barrier a couple days later.

Cambryan Siedlik, 360 flip We met Cam threw Tolia. He’s from San Diego and only eats veggie burgers when his home, In N Out or tacos. He’s nineteen but he’s already a grown ass man skating wise (at least). He got this tre flip pretty easily. If you’ve never heard of him before, do yourself a favor and watch his thrasher part, you’ll also be able to witness a chilly back three over the same grass. Thanks again for having us, brother.

Edouard Depaz, 180 Nosegrind 180 in I love him but he sometimes has trouble with being too nervous and « contracté » as we love to say.

He behaved on that trip though and that was perfect. Edouard is really going for it on trips and he’s sick at it. As I told him over there: he could do such a sick video part without being obsessed by his girlfriend and his dog. That kind of three sixty move into the bank is something I always love to see by the way.

Val Bauer, Ollie Me being myself ollieing stuffs. That one was at Gardner too, during our first day there. It’s crazy how weak I am regarding jetlag. I had like shaky legs for no reason and troubled vision. Sick first sesh! That has always been that way to me: taking a plane for more than two hours means feeling like I’m skating for six months. The other is just a hole in the ground filled with mud and a tree, can’t really add anything else. I also have to admit that I’ve been pretty dirty on that trip.

But I just broke up, you know how that shit goes.

Tolia Titaev, Pole Jam That one time we saw Tolia skating on that trip. Found that pole jam, got the clip, the picture. Next thing we know: this fool went Dustin Dollin for at least the fourtyeight following hours. We loved it. Oh, we also owe that tanktops friday thing, because the day drinking made him buy those goodies for everyone of us.

Joseph Biais, Frontside 50-50 Grind Of course every of us had the picnic tables size question in our heads. Trying to think about NBD’s we would be able to bring to the table. We’ve been two times at school during the trip even if Remy was still anxious after he had never been able to give back his english essay ten years ago which made him also able to focus on back threes ever since. So we’ve been there on the first day, jet-lagged, and the last one, just before the airport, hungover like springbreakers (at least some of us). Joseph finally landed that one only fouxteen minutes before we headed back to the cars.

Marca Barbier, Backside 5-0 Grind Witnessing Marca having his first time in the states was one hell of a warming feeling. We all love that dude. He’s so passionate about skating that It makes me wanna write up a contract. Love you Marca.

Keep doing you, let’s have more trips together, more suites, even if we don’t share the same shoe sponsor.

Marca Barbier, Phil Zwijsen & Lilian Fev, Thrash cans While I tried not to faint from being jetlagged on the first day, the others wanted their fair shair of sunburns straight up and started skating those bumps over thrash cans. It’s so good when you think about it : after travelling all those years every of us is still able to be as excited as rwe were when we were twelve years old. Oh by the way, sorry Edouard, don’t know if it’s the sunburn or the picture timing but it seems like you did the worst indy ever that day !

Rémy Taveira, Ollie Few years ago Rémy got a crazy accident while taking is run up like a mad man when a security guard opened a door at the worst timing, smashing Rémy’s head and leaving him passing away in his own blood. Believe it or not a crazy neighbor almost did it again that day, and we could see him shaking only reminiscing that awful day. Also that thing is really long. Sure he could have pop-shoved it too if that mad lady wouldn’t have been playing with his post-traumatic syndrome.

Idris Jani, Switch Ollie On that first sunday we went fully on the schoolyard seshs. Idris recently just recovered from the very terrifying ACL injury and felt really to stare at his excitement to be back on board. Funny fact : He didn’t believe me first when I told him wax would help us cleared it all the way at that Aidan’s roll-on grind curved ledge.

Mark Pritchard is one of the people we admire the most and embodies what we try and promote through this publication.

A modest man who’s incredible at everything he tries his hand at, so rad to talk to and be around, a truly beautiful person who is passionate about whatever he immerses himself in without having to state it as it’s just so prevalent. He’s one of the prime examples of why we wanted to start this mag in the first place. Somebody creating for themselves with no financial incentive and an incredible output that shits on most mainstream media shite brewed with an overwhelming case of modesty. Mark we can’t thank you enough for being who you are and you’re stoke is infectious beyond belief! Oh and what’s more a piss take is he actually tried thanking us. Ha! Interview by Guy Jones Artwork by Mark Pritchard Photography by Rich West & Reece Leung

Photo: Rich West

Mark, you gorgeous bastard! What have you been on with recently?

Ma man Guy, the Great! Just out here creating, makin’, skatin’ maybe 2 times a week if that?

It’s so rad though, I adore the balance of work, paint, skate, pizzblazin’ on the weekends, playin’ & collecting records, seeing my brother Stephen; even reuniting with the radical Redcliffe friends (my old school). Really enjoying being back in the ‘ends’, I also recently moved into a place with my homie TJ so just settlin’ into the south Bristol comforts.

Let’s start off with the standard formalities for those not familiar with you. What’s your preferred medium and is there any format you’d like to get more into?

I usually work with acrylic paints, Indian ink, watercolours, also cutting bits of card out but haven’t done in a while (since the Forest Road exhibition). Having said that, I’d like to make a piece that presents both acrylics, with card (adds to his ever growing list of things to do).

It’s so frustrating as there so many ideas I want to churn out but painting can take so much time, yet it’s completely worth all the blood, bud, sweat, fears & beers, there’s progress in the process. Having a Masters in Interactive & Motion Design (basically making graphics move about) introduced me into freelance so there’s an analogue, yet a capable digital side to me. I like keeping both elements separate for the time being as the painting feels like an exploration and wanted the accessibility to be able to make anything, anywhere. Keep promising myself I’ll make a short animation but just need to push it as a priority. But, having said that if it doesn’t happen I won’t be frustrated because both elements of digital & analogue can coincide in different perimeters. Typography was always a big interest in the beginning, recently thought of some ideas which will introduce type back into mix so it’ll be exciting to stick form & abstract paints together.

You’re from Bristol originally but moved to Sheffield to be classically trained in your craft. You’re back in Bristol now, is this because there wasn’t enough juggling in the city of steel?

You can say that, maybe the balls weren’t big enough for mi hands; BALL’erz! So got to Sheffield in 2009, graduated from my Masters in 2014 but decided to stick round a little longer cause I love hanging out with my northern brothers & sisters (not blud, but everyone’s like family to me chu know), going to gigs, skatin/ pizzblazin’ in places like Rotherham, Leeds, Wakey, Chezzy, Nottz, Manchester’er; insane love for the time there. Also worked in Size, Slugger & Golden Harvest where I got to know two of my closest friends Joe & Louis alongside their awesome son Sydney who I’m now

In our family, we’ve always moved round quite a lot when I was younger because we have family places Nigeria, Ireland, Washington DC; so I’m quite used to being nomadic Pardon my deepness but in 2015 my Father fell ill & passed away which hit me very hard, found myself missing & detached from memories.

Even though I was in Sheffield for 6 years at that point. People deal with grieving in different ways, I took half a year out from part time work to focus on painting & making which helped me relax even when times were a little tough.

Some points I’d feel so lost, told myself I’d never return to Bristol but with every visit brought me one step closer “Fuck, I need to get home”.

Doesn’t matter what people say, think, do but if you really know yourself, know what’s good for you, trust your intuitions then you’ll do what it takes to follow them or else; you’re ‘Playin’ Yourself’ - just go do it!

Gap to Crooked Grind Photo: Reece Leung

godfather too, represeeent! I always try to find an excuse to go visit everyone. John managed to get a Panasonic Vx100 from a BMX’er and we’d just go out on lil missions round Sheffield, literally pointing at hills ‘Yo what’s over there?!’

We went to Athen’s (maybe 3 years ago now) with the crew of skaters and ladies. We tore it uuup; mad funny when we turned up to the hostel & the lady said at reception “are you guys a hip hop group?!” Hell yeah baybay; it’s pure PHP - Pure Hype Productions. Back in the 7th hill, nothin’ beats sinkin’ pints at Beer Engine or Brothers Armz dem a night of watching Josh to left, wearing Ghost’s glasses, jammin’ with Stee, Shaun Breezin’, Greg swearin’, talkin’ Astrud Gilberto with Gary, Paget rants with Josh hahaha, blazin’ with J and talkin’ 30stax; all business with pleasures bay bay as the good times never get old.

You’re very nimble with your hands, is it true you pursued Diablo to improve your dexterity to really excel in the art world?

Well the hands game, I don’t know my fingers are fucked, click them waaaay too much. I’m also a huge fan of punching my skateboard when I get really fuckin’ ticked, got an odd shaped knuckle where I threw my board in the air really high and connected nicely with my middle finger; fuck yeeeah! Not that it dramatically effects me but just happy I can paint, that’s a common thing I’ve found in this endeavour of ink, you tend to work with disadvantages but determination will solve the problem. Always trying to create something different or going small sketches to big, there’s progress either way.

You embrace the DIY culture to the maximum. Could you tell us a bit about 30 stax and the radness it creates please?

Possibly, literally from beginning to end; it never stops as you’re always surrounded by music. So many good places to check out like Delicious Clam or what used to be Lughole. But the 30Staxin’ started at Golden Harvest, it was a big cafe space with a head shop upstairs but we’d host a load of music evenings then got asked to put my own night on… Open Mic, MC’s, Shaun

and Gordo goin’ in, Dan G, Christian & I would play tunes between so was a fun night overall.

Sucks when the cafe closed, but ended up taking it to the Cremorne as they had turntables, John had the projector and we’d play skate videos/ have premiers. Idea behind the name is...3 guys, 30 minutes of stacks (records - Stax / nicely references Mr Hayes coincidentally). Teaming up with John and Josh ‘Tech Huntzman’ to put on monthly nights at the Cremorne, to this day and getting sets in other venues, cities; in all modesty it’s nice to play jams with the homies and designing the posters keeps the digital design side of me alive.

Your work in Matlok’s interview in our maiden issue went down a storm, as did the t-shirt you designed for us (back by popular demand) but if anything it’s only made you more modest! Do you have a really arrogant alias, perhaps called light Mike?

Buzzin’ thanks for the opportunity, it was a challenge cause I wanted to spell ‘Vague’ in a Face form, so amazed it came out alright. Hyped to see it on a T Shirt, so danka schon! I feel a proper toss for saying this but I like doing the rare T Shirt for like ya’ll at Vague and Fifty.

It’d blow my head off thinking of sizes, styles, customers, inventory shit alongside competitors eating up intellectual property; nah. Everyone’s got their own goals with that there craft, mines focused on development of application and abstracting, these cascaded forms. Are you on about Mike O’Shea, correct he is light; and a boss! Always been stoked on the way he draws (even wrote about him in a college sketchbook), doin’ the Highbrow thang, love that lad & humour he puts in his work; 10 outta 10. Love humorous illustrations like Kyle Platts & George Newman, even Nathan Morris and Dead Dave’s drawings are so rad. I need some time in the humour HQ without a doubt, been too I’ve been waaaay too deep at times haha. But with anything I find influences always change, access to books and the internet has created a huge diverse body of imagery.

Have you been making money through your work and what else do you do for employment? Any good stories from the

workplace?

Ah this question. Hardly, I don’t feel I’m ready or don’t want to!? Daft answer but this element of capitalist crafting alongside with digital development is quite distracting from the study and research element within my work. I sound like a fucking asshole but cause my work is so simple it’s a journey into expressive abstraction cause I always think “hmmm, what happened if I did added a few more faces/add a colour/ scatter lines everywhere.” It’s a tossing mind spray but love day dreaming the possibilities… so many folders of loose leafs (ideas).

Reading, researching into aspects of influential practitioners, experimentation with different material, migration in Europe due to persecution results in artists coming together and when artists struggle internally or externally from competitive pressures, they strive to better their craft, I get overwhelmed. “Yo! I feel ya, fuckin’ ‘ell, I feel the saaame!” Making the process as analogue as I can without any digital assistance (scanning & insta uploading, that’s it), true it takes more time but it’s a strict exercise to train eyes, hands, brain and your conceptual creative construction. Thought so many times to delete my paint Instagram @Mo.paint, but Vague, sometimes other publications/zines, are my only platforms I can present the work on.

Working full time as a Planning Inspector, I find organising my time round the paper chase is essential to keeping the balance of hobbies.

I’m only temporary but they’ve extended me a number of times which I’m hyped on. It’s less pressure than my previous bank admin job, I can work at a steady pace, get on with everyone there and it’s really convenient as I still manage to get time to paint before or after work. One of my boss’s Martin is well into metal and rock so we always talk about bands like Ratt, Van Halen, another colleague John is well into volcano’s so he shows me what’s erupting in the world. Many characters on the team and we get on; just try not to have too many film debates cause that’s when guns are drawn!

You hand painted the walls of Forest Road brewery, one of our favourite places. How was this experience and could you describe the gain of working physically with your hands as opposed to a screen. Did it get you juiced up to try other materials and what are some of your preferred surfaces to create on?

Coincidentally, it was this time last year! Julie (Big uuuup) sent me photos of the walls before I got there, giving time to mock up ideas. But

Photo: Rich West

it was a completely different story when i got there...fuck! Bricked walls growing mould, The rain, gettin’ used to wall paint; all an experience and learning curve. Felt very “Under the Gun” - Kiss (v good track) from the transition of painting outside to framing the painting (also finishing some), hangin’ pieces. London is a pricey place so I went far out walked/tubed to Wilkozz to get materials, a vast contrast of exhausting & rewarding events. Tons of positives having said that! Hollie (my queeeen) let me stay at hers while she was in Shrilanka so I turned her bedroom into a mini studio place, I felt like I lived in London cause I was also visiting peeps, goin’ for a skate, cookin’ food back at the house, goin’ out, hate using city planner so I was using tube maps to get familiar with Le Big Smoke! All the work/prep, free beer/ lunches (Big up Forest Road Breeew Co’dem!) paid off when it came to the exhibition as all the homies from Sheffield, London, Bristol, etc (hype Laurence Keith was there; so sick aha), Josh/John played the jams, they had a sick lil booth where the decks where you could look over the crowd in the venue, two big sofa’s so you could have the homies up there and had a thin ladder going up to it. I remember someone missing the top step falling straight to the bottom of the stairs; Fuck! Alas, I think the booze healed him, jah blaze! I was honoured to have so much support from the homies & hunnies turned up so grateful for the support so big up all’a y’all!

How did you meet Shaun Currie and did you know from the beginning the dangerous amount of hype you’d both bring to the friendship?

I actually met him when I came on a northern road trip from Bristol. We went to Stoke (wet), Burnley for the closing jam where we slept in the park, Leeds the day after, camped in the peaks then the last stop was Sheffield where the first time I met Sprout, Will Mason (I witnessed his 10 outta 10 Nollie Inward Heel over the Big Dev Hip) Clone Jerome (uh oh hahahah) & finally Dr Shauna Pepperdem Curry Murray. Well, I didn’t expect the level of PHP (Pure Hype Productions, Faro’s Investment) to be so damn high. When I lived with Cmo, Fish’eh, Zach, he’d

fuckin way!” Me & Shaun are Big family men haha! He comes down to Bristol to film with Rich, hang with the Skate Cafe crew so it’s cool he’s able to come down here, introduce him to Bristol homies alongside tear up the spots.

Faces are often prevalent in your work, what is it that draws you to this feature?

I think it’s the feeling of if not being satisfied enough. These faces just started with simple curvy squiggles, with maybe a colour or even two. As my painting usually sits on white paper, I started to notice that there’s too much air, breathing space, light colours disappear which kept me in the comforts of black Indian Ink. I still wanted more colour. This trial internal of questioning started eating me away, how in the world will I shape and colour these faces?!

Trying to get out of the realm of faces but more into life drawing, buildings, sitting dark to light shapes against each other, objects such as instruments, just exploring different possibilities as I need a break from faces.

Wallie Photo: Reece Leung

come round we’d show each other music (Roy Ayers, Dela - Atmoshpere Airlines, Pavements, etc) share interests in devils lettuce, watch Top Boy “yo where da food at blud!?”. Rich was hyped I met him (Rich bought me Baghead Flats and the Ravenous Video before I moved to Shef, nice lil intro into the North), so when he’d visit they’d go filming together then like bread & butter Rich put him on Le Skateboard Cafe Dem. It was a privilege to meet Shaun’s Mother, as she finally put a face to a name after years of hanging out with Shaun; felt it was reassuring her that Shaun’s in good, supportive company. I rarely see my mum as she travels a lot for work; think it was the first time I’ve seen her in 3 years recently. We’re close, she’s got a great sense of humour so we get on like a house on fire, I tell that lovely lady everything.

Shaun met my mum when she came to visit me at my graduation & his eyes lit up like “nooo

Off topic but could you give us a Martin Carter party starter story if you’d be so kind, he’s one of our favourite humans!

Hmmmm where to start, I’ll just throw a few summaries around. When Bill and Martin met for the first time they styled their hair like wolverine when we took the train to Stoke pon Trent. Taking his PE shorts to Barcelona in 2007 hahaha. Went to that weird Sci Fi bar in Leeds when Rich came to visit & we floooopped pub quiz so bad (never have me on a pub quiz team). As Dr Carter is a resident of London I only see him when I go down, good to see Carter and Gibbs combo, two grand comedians.

I used to go to school with his sister Laura whose just as funny (Martin may not think that haha) so when he went away to Thailand, she used to interrogate me when I didn’t even have a clue what he was upto anyway as he can be off the radar, but know he’s keeping well. Wasn’t up for a game of Chinese whispers for it to go back to his parents.

Now that you’re back in Bristol it seems that there’s no coincidence that Sheffield’s premiere club ‘Corporation’ shut down. Did

you keep it active by going so often and any good stories from this fine establishment?

Damn, thats is news to me maaan, I may have had an influence of the closure...drank the bar dry? If I knew it was closing I would of definitely come up to Sheffield for a few more quad Vod & Cokes & a nice blazing whitey to mellow the night out. Think me, Lewis and Chris definitely earned our Corp membership as we used to get there before 10pm to get in for free.. 3 nights in a week, for 3 months so we done good! The metal slippery stairs have blessed me with a lovely scar on my eyebrow so that’s my souvenir.

Ended up getting a flat on the same road so everyone would come to mine before and get in there for cheeeeap. The smokers area was the main social area as it was in this shuttered off car park, it’d constantly be hot boxed; I’ve pulled a huge whitey there once… Went a bit over the limit with pizzblaze, stumbled out the toilet to see this girl Em. I just went head first to her feet, smashed my face on the floor and threw up all over her fresh white shoes. My bad haha (I’m a fan on whitey’in) but rule number one when you go to Corp - wear your wooooorst shoooes as they’ll pay the price!

Could you give us some of your key inspirations from the abstract world?

Maybe a few, it tends to change depending on who I’m influenced on at the time or what I was attempting to make in my last piece of work.

Hence why I like reading about abstract studies as it can be relatable, quite therapeutic when reading a descriptive narrative of abstract work.

Other forms of design like Brutalist architecture to work of Walter Gropius, Polly Morgan’s taxidermy, the motion graphic Wonders of Mary Ellen Bute, playful patterns of Josef Albers, Grids of Josef Muller Brockman...I’ll stop there.

Another is possibly yourself to experience different creative environments. Studying at the Bauhaus was an influence to my work. Had a lot of free time between lessons so I made the most of library resources, painting in different places round the Weimar town, having lunch with my lecturer Jay discussing design, meeting and working with artists definitely added dynamic to my work. Making great friends like

Andrea, Kasi and the skate boiz in Erfurt/Jena like Archi, Richard, David, Philip, everyone was so hospitable, more than overdue a visit to go see everyone. If there’s an opportunity to work, learn or opportunities elsewhere it doesn’t hurt to pursue them as you won’t know till you try; in some cases never fear the unknown.

Is there a technique or process to get you in the zone or does it overwhelm you like an electric shock?

For sure. I tend to have loads of loose sketches from objects, buildings, faces, life drawing then picking which ones I like the most and reproducing but keeping an idea, an intention or a purpose. It’s developed from simple to complex, but only makes it more exciting to see what can be done. Trying to move away from line based faces but also can’t help to explore shapes and colour, as the form can be manipulated ever so slightly “What if I add another two circles, they sit next to that shape; could fill that in with colour?”

I’ll draw another alternative. So I end up with a whole load of different pieces, but only finish 1 out of the...7?! There many other techniques I’d like to pursue such as 3D, as I worked in motion graphics I need to make these faces move to some narrative, screen printing, painting bigger; but it’s all a patient process.

The Zone or environment has to be on point.

Like music, this has definitely influenced my work listening to Julie London, Chet Baker, Ramsey Lewis, Emily Remler etc. motivated me to do a 3 piece series ‘Jazzstract’ and 2 other separate paintings which was an idea I did back in 2013, so it’s cool to bring forward old work; it’s good to keep your loose leavez ehe. It took 11 months to finish it all, but had the best time doing it. Even though I’ve got a desk back home, I like to change up the spot to kill some time and work or read. When the weather’s nice outside it’s great to paint, read for a few hours then go for a skate for a couple of hours before headin’ to the home. I’m grateful my brother Stephen shares the same interest in drawing and painting so we get on so well. We go to pubs, cafes, open spaces and stay for hours. I admire his work as I’ve grown up with it, seen him adapt his drawing techniques and appreciate the attention to detail as it’s something I’ve struggled with or maybe express it in a different way.

Do people ever get you confused with the culinary nuttah from Dirty Sanchez, Matt Pritchard resulting in a wrong booking due to similar names?

Maybe onetime...ish, at Nass. We (Smiths, Ashton, Gibbs, Party Starter, Jack Tum Tum, Blk Pat) all missioned down there Syd-mon (Scorpio) hooked up some athletes passes but was short of a few. I remember going up to the registration desk with Ashton as his name was on the list. Then I said “Mark Pritchard?” “You’re not hereeee..Matt Pritchard?” coincidentally Dainton was in the room and said “Yeah he ain’t coming”, “Right we’ll just cross the TT and ad RK” Boom! Was a wicked weekend, met all the Exeter boiz such as Skelly, Barbs, Barney, Gwo so the fest crew grew with all guns blazin’. Man I used to love Dirty Sanchez. Used to crack up so much at Dan Joyce’s cackling, Pancho gettin’ maliciously assaulted. I also used to buzz off the skating, wanted to go to all those parks, remember they had interviews while during a prank and you’d see pancho under some quarter at a skatepark? Don’t know why I found that so funny. As I got older I realised from seeing him with Carter they were homies, but it only makes sense as South Wales is just across the bridge.

I’m yet to meet Matt Pritchard and shout “Ayo, you my uncle?!”

It seems there’s different levels of charm within your work, ranging from carefully crafted compositions to spontaneous flows of creativity similar to the writing style of Jack Kerouac. If you can get past how pretentious this statement is could you give us your 2 cents on this?

Woah, talk about tough break for a question.

Um… Well the 1% can be based on good energy, put yourself in the right setting with music, get the space, take away distractive company infuse the environment with music. Another 1% is creationism, If you can’t create something everyday just think, churn your head about it, daydream at work about it, sketch or write it somewhere, just don’t loose the idea.

Any commission, collaborations or exhibitions we should be on the look out for?

Not for the meantime, still in the process of finishing some drawing I sketched down the harbour side, constructing different faces, developing ideas from life drawing. Ethan and George hit me up about putting a joint exhibition on with other skaters and artists from Bristol so that’ll be something to work and look forward to before the summer kicks in. Maybe DJ with the boiz down in Bristol towards the summer. But as crafting goes just taking the pace piece by piece.

Any parting words?

Hi Mum, Stephen, Dad! Haha, but just a thank you to everyone really. TJ, John, Gary, Gordo, Rich, Shaun, Chung, Josh, Wht Sexy Billness, Faro, Jersey Jake, Calvino, Ghosty, George, Flexi Sexi Alexi, Fish’eh, Cmo, Zach, NIGHTMAAAARE ‘Harry’, Seri, Nathan Morris’usan, SBC, Goo, Matlok’ler, Alice, you lovely peeps at Vague (you’re the Guy maaan, Han & Reece), Mr R West, Hot Hollie, Mel, Hannah, Caroline, Debbie, Julie at Forest Road, Georgie, Sydmon, Chris’mondem, Tristan, Kerry, my peps at work, my Godson alongside Joe and Louise, Awesome Sydney, Bristol/Shef skate scene, my sisters Ruth, Claire, lovely Mave & the rest of my awesome family, & friends. All the love, dedicated to my dad and Ashton!

Not going to lie, pretty fucking hyped to have ‘All hail, Cardiel’ in the mag, and that ‘pretty fucking hyped’ evolved into a ‘really fucking hyped’ as soon as we discovered he exceeds the ‘stand up guy’ characterisation we’d hoped would be the case! The following interview was conducted by the creme de la creme of our journalists (sure there’s only a handful but he’s still top); Heywood Ward in Italy between John DJ’ing at a Vans event in Italy. The spontaneous offering of chocolate (an apparent catalyst to JC’s heart) got things off to a good start before discussing potential business ventures and generally having a good ol laugh. Roll VT. Introduction by Guy Jones Interview by Heywood Ward Photography by Reece Leung Artwork by Liisa Chisholm

You’re renowned for being one of the most positive people and on and off the board, do you have any words of wisdom for how people can stay positive?

Oh yeah, it’s like that’s the only way to survive…I just want to try to stay positive and be happy as much as I can. I try to not sit in the negative zone.

It’s like, with skateboarding too, you always know you wanna make that trick so you gotta keep that mind-set cos if you don’t and you tell yourself you’re not gonna make it then you’re not gonna do it.

Your part from the Transworld video Sight Unseen always comes up when skaters talk about their favourite video parts, did you have any idea at the time filming it how influential that would become?

No, no way. For me it was just like, you know, you see video parts and at the time people were starting to do videos way more and invest a lot of time into videos. So for me it was just like as professional skateboarder that’s our job you know, like we have to fucking put out a part and John Holland was willing to put in the time and work with me dong the part and so, he put it to me and I’m like “Fuck yeah!” I’m gonna do my part and try as hard as I can to put out a really complete part, so it just happened like that. The fact that he was down to put in the time to make it happen that was key because you don’t always have a dedicated filmer to film all your shit, its like usually random people, especially like friends you know, its easier. But for John to invest his time and want to travel and have money from Transworld to go somewhere and do shit – it was fucking amazing!

His [John Holland] efforts and commitment to the project really just make you want to match that.

Exactly! Straight up, yeah and then like, it starts to be fun because, you know, before making video parts you’re just skating, just having fun doing tricks but it feels like you’re doing work, its like you’re fucking hammering shit out. It feels good - it feels good to get in that zone.

Looking back on it you skated a lot of spots that went untouched for many years after you shut them down, like that gold rail at the end of your part and the rail you front-boarded that Mason Silva recently did backside boardslide on for a King of the Road, like 16 years between tricks maybe?

Yeah, yeah, in Sacramento. It’s been a while; you know Brian Anderson had a 50-50 on the ledge for a Sheep ad just around the corner, which is pretty sick. But yeah man, like you said, Mason and they were on King of the Road and I trip man cos I like King of the Road for that same reason that you have a job to do, an aim and you’re fucking focussed on shit to do and its cool. I like that feeling you know - I like having something to do.

How was it being asked to have your own challenge on King of the Road and be a part of it in that way?

Oh it was so sick man! But yeah, it was kinda weird cos Vice TV is involved in it now so you’re like on stage kinda, filming with real cameras you know, it just tripped me out, I was like “Whoa this is heavy”.

Have you had anyone recognise you from being on King of the Road whom you wouldn’t expect to recognise you?

For sure, for sure. Yeah the Vice TV shit is crazy. People will recognise you, like I was in a telephone store getting my screen fixed on my phone and the dudes all “Fuck I just saw you on TV”. So you know, that’s a trip. It was crazy dude because it’s on our cable TV at home, like its showing on TV, I don’t know if you guys had it playing? This shit was everywhere – it was crazy!

Are their any Vans shoes that you’d like to see brought back given this whole resurgence of skate shoe nostalgia?

Ah wow yeah (laughs), thanks. You know man I like Rowley’s original shoe, it was sick ya know, it had the killer waffle sole, I’d like to see that in some suede’s, just like toughen it up a little bit. It seemed kinda thin at the time but it would be sick to see that cos he [Geoff Rowley] used a lot of synthetic leathers and stuff like that cos he was vegan at the time.

Do you still have that burned down wheel from that savage Australian hill bomb?

Yeah I do. What’s funny is I kept it because it was the first time I’ve ever fucking roached a wheel just straight to the bearing… and the wheel melted to the bearing, it liked glued on their. It’s so sick. I have it in my little box.

Where’s your current favourite place to ride your bike?

In the mountains man. Yeah just going out in the mountains and riding and shit. I like California and I like British Columbia too. There’s some really good shit up in Whistler that’s super fun… and I just fucking like bombing hills, it’s like a toboggan ride you know, just jammin’.

Could you recommend any routes or trails?

Shit, go to Downieville, CA and bomb that hill! Drive up the hill, it takes an hour to get up top, takes 2 hours to ride down and its all down hill.

A 2-hour hill bomb sounds incredible.

Yeah and you’re just in the mountains and you see bears and shit. It’s fucking sick. Drink water out of the stream… love it bro, love it.

Give how active you are with the cycling have you ever considered branching out with a fitness program? Maybe something like Cardiel’s Cardio?

(Laughs) Oh shit, nah. Nah I just stay busy man, yeah just stay busy, I don’t know if I would really wanna branch it out. I just like hanging with my friends.

Even as a parody or spoof? I could almost see Ant-Hero doing something like that.

(Laughs) I don’t know man maybe, maybe. I enjoy skating still, how about that. I went out to New York not too long ago and was skating the Supreme Bowl. That place is probably one of my favourite bowls right now –it’s awesome.

Ah yeah that bowl looks sick, you get any footage from this trip at all?

Ah yeah, Gonz put some out.

I’d love to see that.

J: Yeah? I got it right here.

(At this point John takes his iPhone out of his pocket and scrolls through his camera roll to find the video. We huddle around John’s phone watching the edit that the Gonz made of himself, John, Julien Stranger and Jake Phelps skating the Supreme Bowl in Brooklyn, New York).

He put out one of his little videos but its pretty sick bro.

You, Julien, Gonz and Phelps - what a session that must’ve been!

It was just us four, we were skating, it was so much fun bro. We’re like 20 – 30 year deep friends you know what I’m saying so…

Yeah, just skating with your friends and having a great time.

New York! That bowls so killer man!

I receive it cos I’m like ‘Ah let me get that footage bro’. We were just mountain biking the other day, hitting these jumps and shit, and this guy sent it to me and immediately I was like ‘What the fuck dude’. I got a scratch it felt so fucking good bro! Hyped, so hyped. I just love that feeling cos I’ll go like years bro without really catching a pool coping scratch, so it just feels so good man, you have no idea – it’s just amazing. But yeah, fuck… I just love skateboarding.

Would you ever consider starting your own drinks company – Johns Cordial?

Wow! Haha! Cordial and Cardiel! Haha! You know what man, I own apartments back home, I own 14 units so I’m always taking care of them and I run it, manage it all and everything so ‘m super busy with that. But I love cordial so! Cheers to that!

Full time landlord? Do you rent to any skaters at all?

Majority yeah, I got like 2 that aren’t skaters.

How is it renting to skaters for you?

It’s harsh dude. Its like “Ah bro I don’t got the rent this month” and “I’m gonna sell a couple of boards and I’ll hook it up” and I’m like argh, but its worth it though in the long run, because they’re struggling and I got their backs though.

Ever considered sending round Andy Roy to collect the rent on time?

Haha, fuck, that is what I should do for sure.

How is Andy Roy now he’s had his teeth fixed and he can’t take them out to play with them any more?

Haha, he’s good, he’s a little bit louder and he can eat more food now so he’s super stoked.

Have you got any good stories you can share from being around Frank Gerwer for so many years?

Ah man, so many. Just him and Peter (Hewitt) in the back of the van, its just non-stop bro, its just non-stop. They’re just constantly fucking going and I... I can’t even tell you one story - its just life!

What’s Stranger than Julien…Stranger?

Nothing. Nothing is Stranger haha.

What’s the strangest parody or homage to your Tobin Yelland Slayer portrait photo you’ve ever come across and do you have a favourite?

I like Mike Carroll’s. I was trippin’, I see Mike Carroll and he was at a Slayer show and he did the same one. I was so trippin’.

You’re renowned for being able to skate anything in front of you and laying it to waste, one of the original and most stylish at doing so, what do you think to current generations of skaters who seem to be able to skate it all?

I think you’re fooling yourself if you don’t, like really you should broaden yourself, you’ll have more fun in the long run, just open yourself up to different opportunities and yore just gonna be that much more stoked. Then you’ll be able to link shit together you know what I mean like air out of the bowl and then you’re hitting the ledge or air out the jumper to the rail, like you’ll be able to connect all the dots. I think you should just skate anything and I’m sure every skater wants to skate everything, right? So why not do it.

You gotta try you know what I mean, I remember skating my first pool and I was like “Wow this is fucking crazy” bouncing around in this tight pool trying to hit the coping and I was super struggling and then you gotta learn how to hit those tranny’s tight, you gotta loosen your trucks and learn how to fucking work it you know just different vibes and you learn that and you can take it to different spots you know, which is sick.

It just opens up a whole other world of skateboarding to people, having an open.

For sure, 100%. I get frustrated that I can’t fucking backside nosebluntslide handrails, but I really wanna learn! I wish I could do it you know and it wouldn’t stop me from trying.

Given your passion for music, do you have any recommendations for albums?

Ah man cool, you know right now, the new Beres Hammond album is pretty good. There’s so many but I would say the new Beres Hammond is my favourite right now. And the new Popcaan too.

Got any local brands to you that you’re backing right now?

Ignition skateshop, Brian Sumner’s shop. I’m digging his shit right now. It’s kinda random, just depends who’s fucking with some cool shit at the time you know.

Louise Ayre

Max Low

Phil Whitton

Sian Matthews Andrew Barry

Rebecca Mesaric

We’ve always been drawn to the characters in skateboarding, no diss to those who just shred we have absolute admiration for y’all as well, but in context of The Skate Witches, they are all characters, have the most punk ethos and also do campaigns for various charities whilst highlighting the most important aspect of skateboarding. We’re priveleged that these top humans grace our pages and look forward to every out put from them. This interview took place with ultimate humanoid Kristen Ebeling.

Stoked is an understatement!

Introduction & Interview by Guy Jones Images courtesy of The Skate Witches

Could we start off by telling us when the first skate Witches zine was created and what provoked this radical print venture?

We started about 5 or more years ago. We had seen an old skate video called Skate Witches on YouTube, and thought it was really funny and bad ass. It features these punk rock women kicking boys off skateboards, having pet rats, etc...and the best part is that they weren't great skaters. When we were asked to be in a street skateboarding contest with 35th North Skate Shop, All City Showdown, we naturally picked "The Skate Witches" as our team name. From there, it gave us an excuse to get creative. I picked up writing again, Shari learned to screen print, and the rest is herstory.

The Skate Witches seems like the most inclusive group, in the sense that there's no fixed roster, more of a co-operative where people who are stoked on it can contribute, regardless of where they are based. Did you expect it to blow up as much as it rightfully has?

Not at all, and frankly, we just don't think it matters. We have 27,000 followers or something, but in all honesty, maybe 100 of those people actually matter. We would still be doing this even if no one cared.

How do you become a skate witch and what is the mark of the coven?

There's no real initiation process. If you're a skate witch, you're a skate witch.

We're aware that the 1986 short 'The Skate Witches' has had an influence (on the name at least) and we love it! Is it mandatory to skate with a rat to be a Skate Witch and what other similarities do you share with these street anarchists?

We like to scare boys.

Behind the creation of the zine, you do this alongside full time employment, which highlights the passion more than people doing wack adverts for a quick buck.

Could you tell us a bit about skate like a girl and the rad events affiliated with this community?

I run Skate Like a Girl as the Executive Director. I've been involved since I was a teenager. I founded Wheels of Fortune when I was 19 because I wanted to create an opportunity for our community to come together. We also host events for women and trans skateboarders as a result of toxic masculinity being so present in skateboarding, which creates a need for safe space in our community.

Also this must leave very little free time for anything else. How many people generally contribute to each issue and how frequently do they drop? You all do it by hand as well right? That must be a special feeling and punk as fuck obviously!

We try to put out a zine 2-3 times per year, and we have a few main contributors like our friend and photographer, Norma Ibarra. But mostly it's maybe about 10-15 submissions, and that's paired with self-created content like Boys on Boards, Horrorscopes, interviews, and such.

Could you talk a little bit about Skate Like a Girl, Wheels of Fortune and the Witch Hunt? It seems like there's a severe danger of fun overdose regarding these

events.

Skate Like a Girl is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to create a more inclusive community by promoting confidence, leadership, and social justice through skateboarding. We host programming like Women and Trans Sessions and camps in Seattle, Portland, and the SF Bay Area. Wheels of Fortune is our annual weekend gathering celebrating the women and trans skate community. Shari and I started Witch Hunt a few years back to give everyone something fun and silly to do the day before the WOF competition. Basically we just do whatever we or the community wants. That's what we're about.

The exposure is again rightfully growing by the day, could you tell us a bit how you got familiar with the British coven, which be Helena Long and Amy Ram? They're both firm favourites over here!

I met Helena maybe 7-8 years ago at the Malmo "Get Set Go" contest that was part of Ultra Bowl for years. Maybe 3 years ago she was on a North American road trip and ended up in Vancouver and Seattle. She just fit right in and we all because good friends.

We all met Amy about a year later when they both came out to Wheels of Fortune.

What's the spookiest parts of Seattle?

Jeff Bezos.

Something alongside the dope skating and exposing the underground within the zine that we ultimately admire is the eclectic content such as the 'horrorscopes', 'artsy fartsy' and 'handjobs' pages as well as music exposure. How important do you feel these other elements are to a publication as opposed to just roller plank shreddery?

We know that if we have different aspects to the zine it potentially attracts different people. It's all about building community and our community goes beyond just our skateboards. It's important that it's fun, it showcases creativity in all forms, and it feels inclusive.

Are there any zines or books that are particularly inspirational in relation to your own outputs?

When we first started I was heavily influenced by fan zine culture, including my friend Chelsey's zine Not Shit, and as we got going, I became aware of a lot of other projects like Xem Skaters put together by my friend Marie, that continued to push me to put out better content.

As the platform for the Skate Witches

grows and the patriarchy is finally seemingly getting closer to getting smashed you haven't slowed down in the slightest, how would you like to see the fight continue?

It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. We're in this for the long haul. Shari is taking on the video content, and I'm continuing to critique skateboarding through various outlets. We have a new video coming out with full parts from Fabiana Delfino and Clara Solar.

The spooky sorceresses are also involved with various skate charities such as Skatepal, Skateistan and most recently fundraising for the skate scene in Cuba.

To say you're smashing it from all angles is a grave understatement. Could you discuss this please and what ways people can contribute themselves. The t-shirt's created for a good cause is such a stoke inducer!

Thank you for the kind words, but I think we just know how lucky we are to even be able to ride skateboards and have opportunities to do so. It's important to recognize your privilege and leverage it to support those with less.

Could you give us a list of some of your favourite witch affiliated things, be it items, films or otherwise?

Brooms are just classic.

Photo: Reece Leung

Ah yeah! The box of fucking toys! Faro Phiri and Calvin Ligono are the fucking duo to be reckoned with! Absolute adoration for these two as the first 2 sentences attempt to say. because they’re so close we thought we’d take the concept of the 90’s ‘How well do you know your partner’ for the basis of their joint interview. In conclusion they like each other possibly more than they even acknowledge, and so do we. Get your head around that one!

Introduction & Interview by Guy Jones Photography by Reece Leung, Leo Sharp & James Griffiths

FARO on CALVIN What's their favourite film?

Faro: Something emotional for when he’s with a girl, so she’s already disappointed when he shows her his lil mamba Calvin: Training Day Where were they born and where did they grow up?

Faro: Born in Washington DC and then Rotherham Calvin: Born in Kenya, grew up in Washington DC and Sheffield.

Who's the most Yorkshire?

Faro: He’d say me cos of the accent Calvin: Faro

Calvin Ligono - Nollie Photo: Reece Leung

Calvin Ligono - Frontside Smith Grind Photo: Leo Sharp

Outside of skateboarding what are they good at?

Faro: Gym init, chats a lot about killing it on tinder but who actually knows eyy Calvin: I’m into calisthenics and fitness in general. Used to play basketball when I was younger as well.

What's their karaoke song?

Faro: Definitely SahhBabii – Geronimo Calvin: I don’t do karaoke Which celebrity were they super stoked on meeting?

Faro: I’m gonna go with Lucien as well hahah both gassed on him Calvin: Met Obama when he was campaigning which was pretty hype.

What's their pet hate?

Faro: When Matlok’s cousin Eden was talking to him on a night out, mistaking him for me and left him hanging when he told her who he was hahaha shouldn’t ever have told me that Cal. Calvin: Bad weather.

Who's more Wayward?

Faro: He’s gonna say himself as well Calvin: Faros got the slight edge on this Who's more likely to get kicked out of a club?

Faro: He’ll say me cos I get a too drunk all the time Calvin: Probably me to be honest. Faro would be getting dragged out by a bouncer and would start chatting so much drunk nonsense the bouncer would just laugh feel sorry for him and let him stay. I don’t think I have the innate ability to chat that level of breeze.

Who's got more secrets?

Faro: Deffo Calvin Calvin: I got nothing to hide

What's their game of skate speciality and weakness?

Faro: speciality = Nollie/switch hards, weakness = back threes Calvin: Sw/Nollie hardflips’ specialty. Sex change is my weakness.

What's their favourite colour?

Faro: I honestly do not know that one Calvin: Purple What's their favourite food?

Faro: Something Jamaican Calvin: Salmon What's their favourite TV show?

Faro: Something like Power, if you don’t already watch it cal you could learn a thing or 2 hahah Calvin: Man don’t watch TV What's their favourite flavour of ice cream?

Faro: I’ve never seen him eat ice cream either hahaha but probably chocolate?

Calvin: Chocolate

Faro Phiri - Frontside Nosegrind Photo: James Griffiths

Calvin Ligono- Nollie Hardflip

CALVIN on FARO What’s their favourite film?

Calvin: Street Dreams haha.

Faro: Lucky Number Slevin and Fight Club.

Where were they born and where did they grow up?

Calvin: Born in Zimbabwe, raised on the driveway at Thornes skatepark, Wakefield.

Faro: Zimbabwe till I was 9 and then in Wakefield.

Who’s the most Yorkshire?

Calvin: Definitley Faro. It’s not up for debate. Just ask him to say No. Haha “NoOoOoOooOOo” Faro: Most probably me Outside of skateboarding what are they good at?

Calvin:The deep motivational chats he has with you when he’s drunk out of his mind at 4 in the morning. Dishing out life advice whilst slumped against a light post with one eye shut and the other one not even looking at you. Not to mention the beer spilt down his hoodie. He’ll then finish the epic rant on how to sort your life out with “Oh noo0o0o ive lost mi bag and passport again. Gonna have to borrow some money off my sister”. Oh and raising Kenelly’s blood pressure Faro: probably chatting shit hahah or playing xbox, used to be but can still beat anyone on cod or fifa (Matlok and Joe Mcalone got lucky) What’s their karaoke song?

Calvin: Britney Spears- Paradise or the Lion King intro.

Faro: At the minute its SahhBabii – Army or Unknown T. Which celebrity were they super stoked on meeting?

Calvin: Ishod Wair. Instagrammed it and made the longest lifestory caption of how he was watching him and finally built the courage to talk to him the little schoolgirl. Haha Faro: Ishod, duh! And Lucien, he’s a celeb right? Are skaters celebrities?

When I met Ishod, we had just got to Copenhagen and while trying to pick up a deck, the first spot we went to (that big but little bowl with ledges surrounding) Spole had skated off in front and skated back with a super big grin on his face and was like you’ll never guess who’s there. 100% I didn’t think it was gonna be Ishod and when I got there, literally gasped out so loud and I just sat and watched him the whole time he was there hahaha. I took a good half an hour to build up the courage to ask him for a selfie, so I just sat there with my phone on camera for ages hahaha. Outside of skating I’d say deffo D Double E. I was stood in the middle of the street with 2 other people and I couldn’t contain it! He was walking by himself looking for weed, never been so gutted that I didn’t have a dealers number for weed... We got a selfie though hahaha. Chris Kamara was also jokes, sound guy I saw him walking and was like “who’s that Lionel Richie looking guy?” Then I clocked his Sky Sports jacket and it hit me who he was hahaha.

What’s their pet hate?

Calvin: Keeping Kennelly happy haha.

Faro: Having small feet, not easy finding good shoes

Faro Phiri - Frontside Shove-It Photo: Reece Leung

Who’s got more secrets?

Calvin: Buy Faro a pint or 2 and watch his whole life story start pouring out. Kennelly never used to send him his footage through whatsapp. Once Saturday night comes around hell start showing everyone all the footage he’s been stacking for months. He aint keeping shit to him self.

Faro: Calvin does fo sho What’s their game of skate speciality and weakness?

Calvin: His specialty is losing. Weakness is flip tricks.

Faro: Speciality = front shuv late flip, weakness = frontside tricks.

What’s their favourite colour?

Calvin: Red. Faro: Black or Purple.

What’s their favourite food?

Calvin: Tesco bakery bread and hummus... or ass.

Faro: Don’t think he knows but my lil sister makes a banging lasagne.

What’s their favourite TV show?

Calvin: Northern birds, Babestation.

Faro: If itt’s on Netflix but probably Brooklyn 99 atm.

What’s their favourite flavour of ice cream?

Calvin: Strawberry.

Faro: Haha don’t really eat ice cream to be honest.

Faro Phiri- Heelflip Photo: Reece Leung

Will Sheerin. what a fucking dude man! Can you feel the vernacular oozing out of that statement? Well it’s fucking true. A don for a medley of reasons but the one we aim to highlight in this article (aside from his skateboarding talent and general allure) his musical prowess. Check the interview with close pal and other smashing organism Josh Hallett in the following pages to get an insght.

Introduction by Guy Jones Interview by Josh Hallett Photography by Reece Leung

Congratulations on the record mate! Tell us a bit about you the inspiration behind it and why you decided to make it.

Cheers Josh! I’ve always been into making music since I was about eighteen. It’s a very personal thing for me and I haven’t ever really shared my music about very much. However, I have always been into buying records and it felt like the time was right to do my own and have a go at the whole process from A-Z. And this is under your own label right?

Yeah it’s under my own label called ‘Friends of Hue’ and I produce under the name ‘Pads of Hue’.

Where has that name come from?

It’s kind of a nod at the music I make as I use a lot of long chord pads in my music and hue is just another word for colour, so basically that’s where it comes from haha.

Do you have a distribution who is getting the record out there?

A good friend of mine, Callum Slack, has a lot of ideas about how to push a record out there as he has done it himself a few times. He linked me up with some distributors to contact, as that’s one of the main things you need to get in place.

Getting a distributor meant that they can get the record into shops a lot easier than if you try to do it yourself. I hit up this distributor called ‘Lobster Records’ and they’ve been really helpful with getting the record online and in a few shops, so I’m really happy about that.

Is it available in any shops in Leeds?

Yeah it’s available in Tribe Records and Tomorrow.

Do you link your music up with skateboarding or do you try and keep the two things separate?

They are separate things but I think that they share a lot of the same traits. You develop your own style which is personal to you and you can can either crack on with music and skating alone or with other people.

You live alone, so do you spend most of your time making music (apart from playing Gears of War)?

I try and spend a lot of my time making music, even if it’s just playing around with different ideas and then deleting them. I like to get as many hours in as I can.

Tell us more about the less serious ‘Shezdidit’ tracks.

A lot of my friends aren’t necessarily into the same music as me, so it was cool to do something with them just to fuck about and not take it too seriously. This record is definitely more serious though.

So, why did you decide to put this out on vinyl?

I originally started buying music digitally because I had CDJs but because I started buying records of my own, I then got some 1210s and it’s just so much fun mixing records on vinyl. I’m sure a lot of people out there will agree with that. I really wanted physical copy of something of my own.

I think skaters can completely understand that. There is nothing better than having a physical copy of a full length video and I’m sure that’s the same when it comes to your music.

It’s exactly the same as videos in the skate scene and with magazines as well.

Unfortunately the world is changing and physical magazines are harder to come by, so that’s why it’s dope that something like Vague exists. I have every issue in my house as I enjoy having that physical copy, as well as knowing the guys behind it. The same goes for my music. Two good friends of mine worked on a remix and Martyn Hill did the artwork. I wanted to include friends as much as possible.

How long has it taken for you to put the record together and get it out?

It took a long time. Almost a year from having the idea of doing the record, making the tracks, getting the remix back, having the artwork made and the process of pressing the record. That was the most challenging part of the whole process as I had a couple of issues with a pressing plant at the beginning as they said they couldn’t do inner sleeves for the record, when originally they said they could. I just tried to remind myself that this was my first attempt at something like this and obviously some things were going to go wrong. Next time will be better though!

So what genre of music do you make?

That’s a hard one because I flutter around genres within ‘house’ mainly. I have a lot of 80s influences within my music. My dad was in a pretty cool 80s band back in the day, so we would always chat about hardware and synths and the cool sounds that he was making. So yeah, the record as a whole has a very 80s sort of feel to it.

Changing gear completely now, for those that don’t know you well, you recently had back surgery. How are you feeling now?

I had back surgery in July last year. That whole experience was really up and down, but I’m really happy to be through it and I can hangout and skate again.

You were still skating a bit right up until the surgery, but the main issue you seemed to have was when you were walking. Are you symptomless these days?

Yep, everything is feeling much better right now! I skated through the pain because I was just not ready to stop. I couldn’t imagine not having that in my life at the time so I just battled through the session, then got home and loaded up on ice packs haha. It wasn’t the best way to do it to be honest, however it’s all good now.

So skateboarding wise you have had quite a long down time, but do you have any plans going forward or are you just happy to be on your board?

I’m just in it for a good time now. I will always have to remember that I have had a back operation and I’m never going to be as care free as I was before. Saying that, I’m still out as much as possible with the boys. Always keen for trips, going somewhere new and getting some footage. The scene in Leeds is really good for that so I’m hyped.

Will Sheerin - Kickflip Photo: Reece Leung

Dan West - Frontside 50-50 Photo: Reece Leung Myles Rushforth - Ride-on 50-50 Photo: Reece Leung

Francis Peters - Backside Noseblunt Transfer Photo: James Griffiths Henry Gibbs - Fastplant Photo: James Griffiths

Dom Henry - Nollie Backside 180 Kickflip Photo: Wig Worland Will Kynaston - Frontside Noseblunt Pop Out Photo: Oliver Birch

Korahn Gayle - Switch Crooked Grind Photo: Rafal Wojnowski Miles Kondracki - Ollie In Kickflip Out Photo: Reece Leung

Seb Batty - Switch Crooked Grind Photo: Leo Sharp Ben Grove - Kickflip Photo: Ian Williams

I could complain about how we had a tight deadline for this issue and that the questions were sent to Max super late to the point where any response would have been an absolute kick in the surprise glands, but Max got them back to us in time despite having one of his closest comrades sadly pass on. Life and appreciation is far more important than any deadline and reiterates the point that human’s should be put before any form of work, regardless of how loose the term work can be. Thank you so much Max and the impact a person can have on the world is incomparable to most of the insignificant shit littering the modern world.

Interview by Guy Jones Photography by Tim Caraco (R.I.P.) Artwork by Liisa Chisholm

Hi Max, thanks so much for doing this, what are you upto right now?

Hello. Well, I’ve been busy with my custom motorcycle and paint business, and trying to survive as one man show and self employed person inthis crazy fast moving world. I recently lost a really close friend and mentor, so it’s been a trying time as well.

How did you get involved in Harland brewery and has it always been a desire to be affiliated with a brewery? Is there any story behind the name?

Josh from Harland had approached me about getting involved with his new endeavor, we seemed like a good match and I agreed with his image for the brand. I’ve never really imagined myself being involved with a beer brand, but as a professional beer drinker and someone that trains nightly with 12oz repetitions of cold gold, it seems to make sense. The name Harland is good! But I have no idea how it came to be.

How hands on are you regarding the brewing? Do you have an input on what gets produced and have you home brewed before?

This thing is still in its early stages, they know I prefer lagers and pilsners, so soon I will be hoarding cases of our mexican lager.

What’s your preferred tipple and do you have a guilty pleasure beverage?

Guilty pleasure...haha maybe a white Russian for Lebowski You speak romantically of a simpler time, which is something I regularly fantasise ab out, could you give us any remedy’s to escape the throttle of the 21st century?

Sometimes just going for a drive in my old chevy truck on an open road does the trick, laying on the floor listening to records, making chilli, of course my old motorcycles can teleport me to decades gone by.

What stimulus also helps you escape? Could you recommend any books, music or other points of interest to get on the path to serenity?

I’d say read Cormack McCarthy’s border trilogy, that will take some absolutely beautiful places. Music....Townes and Guy Clark without a doubt.

Skateboarding, bikes and breweries all seem to embody the community aspect we pride ourselves on being a part of here. Do you feel a cross over between these fellowships and do you feel you benefit from having toes dipped into different sub cultures with similar ethos’?

Skateboarding wins and is on top of all those things, it taught me how to live on the road, the meaning of true friendship, and how to stick with something even when it hurts to achieve the outcome you wish. No disrespect to anyone, but the almighty dollar can buy you a wild motorcycle and possibly a brewery but it can’t buy you the feeling of a grind in a sketchy backyard pool or the scars you got trying to learn it.

What’s the most Americana aspect of the company?

Possibly that it’s not being started by a major corporation but by people putting trust in a friends idea.

Have you ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?

Not for 20 years but I really remember liking the parts of it that when describing the actual physical journey the father and son were having on the motorcycle..

When out riding do you always have an end destination in mind? If not could you explain the benefit of this freedom? If there’s no time limit one of my favourite things is to aimlessly wander with perhaps a loose terminus at most.

You may have just answered your own question there, especially with the words -freedom and aimlessly wander. Often rides start as just tuning the bike or going to get some fresh air, often they end up in other cities or watching the sun go down miles from home.

What’s the secret behind great hair?

Haha. An expensive wig?? Or not washing it and some motor oil possibly.

Have you been skating recently? When was the last time you hung out with Jim T? Yes with the loss of THRASHER magazines editor Jake Phelps I’ve found solace skating the local DIY in Oakland. Jim and I met the other night for a beer and to reminisce about Jake. Jim has been a solid in my life for 28 years, he is a good human.

What’s your favourite REAL graphic and which of your own pro models holds a place in your appreciation tank?

It might be the one that was a parody on Bert Reynolds! But its me as Bert, labeled VERT Reynolds...a spin on me being known as primarily a vert skater. The board graphic had me Jumping out of an airplane and said something like “see the macho, feel the macho, taste the macho” it was ridiculous, but memorable.

You’ve been interviewed by mag fave Horsey before a couple of times, how familiar are you with the hot dawg customs and have you had the pleasure of riding in the UK before? How familiar are you with the scene over here?

Horse is a good man, and a very talented skateboarder. There is a bike show

in London called the Assembly Show that is really amazing, its at the House of Vans. So i was fortunate enough to attend it twice and get to do some skating followed up by some intense wrong side of the road moto-ing through London and some more relaxed riding through the countryside. Fantastic memory, lots of great bikes and people.

Then last time you were in the UK at House of Vans I actually went past you on the bus when you were approaching Elephant & Castle from Waterloo. I don’t suppose you dined in a curry house called Chillies at St George’s circus do you? My friend dines there all the time and you’re his favourite so it could be the meeting of 2 of his most stoke inducing things.

Yes i think that we did!! You guys really have terrific indian food over there.

Indian is my go to food in the UK accompanied by a cold large Taj Mahal.

Any plans to return to the UK soon? What have you got in the desire folder to be executed in the near future?

I’m not sure, Horsey had mentioned a ride in the UK, possibly Harley related. As much as I’ve travelled I truly love my home and its surrounding hills and ocean.

I’ve got a good woman, an amazing dog and a funky old house/ workshop that keep me grounded and desiring not always running about.

Any last words to help escape the blunders of modern day?

Be thankful if you’re healthy, life can be really beautiful if you can reach that spot. I guess learn from your mistakes and be humble but don’t be afraid to take life and grab it and get it while you can. I’ve been doing a ton of reflecting lately, I’m not wealthy but I’m rich in experience and that’s good enough for me.

‘BUTT’ Explanation: An affectionate term for a friend or associate, or even a random passer by if he looks sound. Generally only said to blokes.

Example:“Alright butt?”

‘SAPPENINSON’ (one word) Explanation: Used to find out what a friend or associate has been up to, or what they’re currently doing/planning to do later on.

Example: “Alright butt, sappenin’son?”

‘WORKIN’ORWAH (one word) Explanation: Used to discover someone’s current state of employment.

Example: “Alright butt, sappenin’son you workin’orwah?”

TWP Explanation: Pronounced ‘tuhp’. It means stupid, or thick as shit.

Example: “Fair play Beanhead, you are twp.”

Sam Pulley Photo: Tom Bailey

‘TAMPIN’ Explanation: The maximum level of anger one can experience.

Example: “Oh butt, I am fuckin tampin.”

‘DUNDWAH’ Explanation: Please refrain from what you’re doing/stop it..

Example: “Oh Steve, dundwah butt.”

‘GYP’ Explanation: Pronounced ‘Jip’. Used to describe something that’s giving you a bit of trouble.

Example: “ I slept awkward last night, my necks giving me gyp now mind.”

‘SCRAM’ Explanation: Used to describe a scratch or thin cut, usually from someone’s nails or an animals claws.

Example: “That fucking bastard cat just scrammed me.”

‘TIDY DARTS’ Explanation: Proper good job, thumbs up, all things positive to say about someone’s actions or achievements.

Example: “Good game son, tidy darts.”