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Home , Dave Swift, Dying to Say This to You, Eric Koston, Etnies, Jahmal Williams, Keasbey Nights

My takes me places that school never could. -Swimmer’s Ear Magazine

2 Swimmer’s Ear Swimmer’s Ear 3 Regulars Variance Change in Sound Unfortunate Cookies Special Guests Russ Pope Shad Lambert Location Kentucky Score The Grey Love of Everything Feature Presentation 20 Years of

Cover photo: Corey Duffel - Shad Lambert

4 Swimmer’s Ear Directors Adam Sever Chris Pernula

Contributors Zach Windahl, Carl Wedoff, Adam Bubolz, Greg Schall, Ben Gilsrud, Michael Anderson, Nate Bozquez, Andreas Dunlap, John Kessel, Alex Cairncross, Chris Strong

Studio P.O. Box 2076 Maple Grove, MN 55311 www.myspace.com/swimmersear [email protected] Memo:

1 sign that will in my blood:

At the grocery store yesterday, I stopped to tighten my loose . As I pulled the laces up one by one, I got the same familiar feel- ing in my feet as when I tighten my shoes before skateboarding. -A.S.

Memo:

My favorite memories are not always on film:

Top Left/Middle: Fakie 360 Flip/Fakie FS Flip on a beautiful MN Summer day. Top Right: Varial in an empty shallow pool on Chris’s cruising board. Bottom Left: Skating with my daughter. Bottom Right: Gap from ramp over fence to parking lot. -A.S.

6 Swimmer’s Ear Virginia is for LOVERS Drama I Went on a Job Interview and The Drama is a contemporary art magazine from All I Got Was This Richmond, Virginia. It has a cute 9 x 9 page size and features a wide variety of fields, including Lousy illustration, design, comics, photography, and Book! more. Issue Six features an interview with designer Brian Roettinger, How to Silkscreen While pursuing a career in the with Seri Pop, plus an inside look at studios and publishing field, I took an inter- galleries. One part I found to be quite nice is the view at a children’s and educa- last section of the zine called “This It”, which fea- tional book publisher. After the tures 2 color comics on an ivory paper. This is the only time I have seen a Vice-President of the company magazine use two types of paper in one magazine. Issues #7 and #8 found out that I skateboarded, should be out by the time you read this. Check out thedrama.org for more he offered me this Tony Hawk information. book, as a way to show that he was down. He even told me that they often had skate- boarders skating the walkway Paying In Pain? ramp in front of the office. I Do You Take Change? never got the job, but he let me keep the book. I don’t typically care for the well The book itself is basically about Tony Hawk landing a 900 for the first time known skate magazines. They’re all in competition during the 2003 XGames. The rest is just a watered down the same with their high gloss cov- history of the most recognizable ers and miles of pages of tricks that talent in skateboarding. The author I saw last month. I mean how many beat the X-Games angle to death, times can I see a backside tailslide and made one of the biggest mis- in one month. That’s why I like takes I’ve seen in a book about Paying in Pain. It’s gritty and honest. skateboarding. I’m sure you’ve It contains no bullshit skateboarding and it’s always seen the Grant Brittian photo of the an interesting read. Issue 16 features articles about 4 Bones Brigade members doing Chicago, the Sacrifice Video, Strawberry Bowl Jam, plus simultaneous inverts. In the caption more. Issue 17 features an interview with skateboarder Josh Falk and musi- for that picture, the author names cian Travis Graves, plus a ton of ams. Issue 18 is something special. It looks one of the skaters as Andy MacDonald. Andy MacDonald wasn’t even on like they have stepped up the paper quality with a gloss cover and a nicer the same side of the country when that photo was taken. If you're going to newsprint inside. 18 features interviews with Alex Villasenor, Josh Baker, do a book about skateboarding, then do a little research, don’t half ass and Drew Porter. It also has articles on New Zealand and . Check your way through it. out payinginpain.com for more information.

Swimmer’s Ear 7 Known Truths Randy Laybourne has been doing design in the skateboarding industry for many years. He was the man behind some of Emerica’s most innovative advertising, and is currently the Art Director at Transworld Skateboarding. About every six months or so, Randy releases a zine of drawings and photos. His most recent zine, “Known Truths”, is a small 36 page masterpiece of creative drawings mixed with photographic backdrops and little quotes. You can check out lookforwardtothepast.com for updates on other zines and almost daily drawings. To view some of Randy’s design work, go to randylaybourne.com

The Enchanters vs. Sprawlburg Springs Re-Issues I used to have a Powell “Half Cab” board. It had the Skull and This is Brian Costello’s first novel, and it’s quite Sword design like the Ray “Bones” Rodriguez model up there on good. It’s the story of Shaquille Callahan, the the left. It was as big as a Cadillac and it had clear griptape. I used new drummer for The Enchanters, a band that to cruise around on the thing, it was impossible to do tricks on. It eventually influences the majority of the town’s was 10 or more inches wide and had 7.75 inch trucks and size 42 punk kid’s future bands, directly or indirectly. wheels. One day, I left it outside and it was stolen. Most anyone The way Costello writes it, almost makes it who skateboarded in the 80’s will remember these shapes. They seem real, like he’s lived the story in a previous have a nice feel to them. They feel nice to just stand on. You don’t life. Definitely worth checking out. Check out even have to be rolling to appreciate these boards. For more info www.featherproof.com for information on The on these boards and other Powell Peralta re-issues, Check out Enchanters vs. Sprawlburg Springs. www.skateone.com

8 Swimmer’s Ear Powell Pro Tough Ply These three boards from Powell are pretty nice. All of them have just the right amount of concave. They range in sizes from 7.625-7.875. Plus the graphics are pretty cool as well. These boards have a nice bit of pop. They don’t feel too bendy and they don’t feel too stiff either. If your looking for a board that is still made in the USA, then you can look to Powell. They have been manufacturing their boards in California for many years.

Accel Wheels In the past year or so, Accel has moved over to Giant Distribution, distributors of Stereo and Popwar, which will help them get their wheels into more shops. With help from Giant’s sales force, more of these wheels will surely be rolling down the street with a skateboard attached to them. On the left, we have the 51mm Dual Durometers. They are a nice hard, fast wheel, perfect for street skating. In the middle, we have the Kristan Svitak 56mm Clean Cuts. These wheels feel a little softer than the Dual Durometers. There also wider and have a nice shape to them. On the right we have the 52mm wheel. They feel a little grippier for the wood surfaces a lot of have.

Swimmer’s Ear 9 Bones Swiss Labyrinth Bearings How do you make one of the best bearings better? Add a Labyrinth. No, not that Austin Stephens 52mm sweet David Bowie movie, but a “U” shaped groove in the inner race of the bearing. The removable Toy Machine Wheels shields fit snugly into the groove, thus These wheels have a nice making it harder for water and dirt to get shape and a simple design. inside the bearing. Which results into They are your basic standard longer skating times between cleanings. white wheel. They provide a These bearings are smooth, quiet and smooth ride. fast. The only downside to these bear- ings, is that they cost close to what you pay for a deck. Josh Harmony 53mm Toy Machine Wheels Josh Harmony sprinkled his sweat on each set of these wheels. His magical Bones Reds Bearings head sweat will make you Bones Reds were developed as a low cost alternative to the Bones Swiss skate rails like him. No seri- Bearings. The Bones Reds are made with the same materials and specifica- ously, you’ll be nose grinding tions as the Bones Swiss, but are manufactured in China instead of 30 stair rails in no time. Switzerland. They are roughly half the price of the Bones Swiss. They feature a single, removable shield for cleaning and are pre-lubricated with Speed Toy Machine Cored Cream racing lubricant. These bearings are pretty fast and they work well with Monster Wheel 53mm street skating or mini ramps. These wheels have a plastic core with holes that make the wheels feel 2-3 millimeters lighter. A good idea, but I’d like to see how they hold up during high impact skating.

10 Swimmer’s Ear A Day in Black and White Askeleton The Blackout Pact “Notes” “(Happy) ” “Hello Sailor” Forget everything you knew about A Day in This is Askeleton’s last album named after feel- The Blackout Pact play a sort of punk mixed Black and White and their past music. You will ings. It is definitely his best work, but it lacks with math rock and hardcore that you could need to open those ears and mind to grasp their the dance/clap along tunes such as “Ghosts” easily shake your hips to. The opening track is newest full length, “Notes”. Where their previ- “Shapes” and “Birdman” that were featured on probably the best on the CD and the rest is just ous “My Heroes Have Always Killed past Askeleton . about as good. (Astromagnetics) Cowboys” had a lot of slow then fast then slow (Goodnight Records) elements, “Notes” is a vast post rock landscape, The Blackout Pact which doesn’t disappoint. (Level Plane) Baby Teeth “For the Heathers” American Analog Set The EP was based on a dare. Each member had “Set Free” to come up up a song in complete isolation form “Set Free is similar to their 2 past albums. You the other members of the band and it had to be could easily spend a day listening to all of titled “Heather” The first “Heather” song American Analog Set’s material. They have a comes from frontman Pearly Sweets and is nice relaxing sound and feeling. reminiscent of cheesy 70’s pop music. Next up (Arts & Crafts) is “Heathers” via Jim Coopper. Jim’s versions features a heavy synth influence, in a very 80’s Anti-Flag movie sort of way. It would be perfect for the “For Blood and “Short Circuit” soundtrack or for a Canadian Bouncing Souls Empire” teen drama. The final version of “Heather” “Live” I have not listened comes from Peter Andreadis. Pete’s version is I get a little wary of live discs because the sound to Anti-Flag since the shortest and sounds like a dub// usually sucks and I can’t find a reason to see “A New Kind of song. This release is definitely inventive and releasing songs you’ve released before but Army” came out, should garner some listens. (Lujo) sound worse recorded. But the Bouncing Souls so this album was are a band to see live, and these 2 discs will suf- a shock to me. Barr fice if you haven’t made it to one of their shows. First of all, it is “Reinforced Jewel Case” The sound quality is good. Both discs are filled Anti-Flag their debut for Barr is Brandon Fowler, an artist, skateboarder, with a wide variety of songs from all their RCA Records and second of all, their song writ- and among other things. “Reinforced albums, but I find myself listening to disc 2 ing has gotten a lot better. “For Blood and Jewel Case” could easily be the most annoying most. (Chunksaah) Empire” can be described as a wolf in sheep’s album you’ve ever heard, or the most inventive, clothing. It’s all radio friendly songs with heavy depending on your musical tastes. “Reinforced political . (RCA) Jewel Case” is a mix of free percussion and spoken word like vocals. (5RC)

Swimmer’s Ear 11 Bound Stems Ex-boyfriends Haram “The Logic of Building the Body Plan” “Dear John” “S/T” I’ve listened to this album a thousand times The Ex-Boyfriends play catchy pop punk with Consisting of ex-members of Majority Rule, Pg. since I’ve got it and every time I listen to it I topics about breaking up with their girlfriends 99, and the Out Circuit, Haram play an intense hear something new. Definitely something and boyfriends. Something everyone can relate and vibrant mix of hardcore, punk and noise. everyone should check out. (Flameshovel) with. (Absolutely Kosher) This self-titled release is refreshing compared to most new releases in the hardcore genre. Crystal Skulls Field Music (Lovitt) “Outgoing Behavior” “S/T” Crystal Skulls play jangly indie with a touch of These Brits play a Head Like A Kite lounge. Easy to listen to, and fun to sing along lovely bunch of Brit “Random Portrait of the Home Movie” with. “Baby Boy” and “Cosmic Door” are tracks Pop. Some of it’s kind Head Like a Kite is a new project from that stand out the most. (Suicide Squeeze) of slow, while some of Sushirobo’s guitarist Dace Einmo and is its a little faster. You inspired by his parents’ super 8 home movies could call Field Music from the 1970’s. The sound is of indie rock, the snooty English beats and samples from those home movies. twin brothers of the This album features guest vocals from members Shins. (Memphis of Smoosh, Kinski and Crooked Fingers. Field Music Industries) (Pattern 25)

The Grey “Asleep at the Wheel” “Stay on My Side Tonight” It’s too bad these Canadian boys were banned This EP features 3 previously unreleased origi- from the U.S., because I would love to see these nals, a cover of Heatmiser’s song “Half Right” Crystal Skulls guys play their fast post rock. (Lovitt) and a remix of “Drugs or Me”. The first track “Disintegration” is over 12 minutes long and Ester Drang Hanalei the 2 tracks following are over 6 and 9 minutes “Rocinate” “Parts and Accessories” long. Overall this EP is over 43 minutes long, so This CD is a great companion for long drives. “Parts and Accessories” is former Ghost mem- your getting your money’s worth. The sound is Just pop it in and listen to the multi-instrumen- ber Brian Moss’s second full length under the nothing new, it’s Jimmy Eat World doing what tal tracks as they weave you along a 46 minute Hanalei moniker. This time though, he has a full they do best. (Interscope) journey. (Jade Tree) band playing with him. The lyrics are incredi- bly descriptive, almost story telling like. The Jonny Sonic guitar playing is quite good also. It combines “Coop Resident” the vocals of Paul Simon with the blue collar Jonny Sonic is actually Rick Kowal, of feeling of Bruce Springsteen. (Thick) FULL. “Coop Resident” is a mix of , beats,

12 Swimmer’s Ear horns, and a little bit of hip-hop thrown in. It’s Cap’n Jazz or any Joan of Arc project. This is an so you should have no problem getting used to a sound that can barely be described. impressive debut and I hope they keep this it. (Barsuk) (Hand-Picked Entertainment) same formula on future releases. (Self Released) The Mendoza Line Kiss Kiss Maritime “Full of Light and Full of Fire” “S/T” “We, The Vehicles” I don't think The Mendoza Line get the recogni- Kiss Kiss play a fast winding spiral of music I am sure glad that this album is being released tion they deserve. They keep releasing very much like Cursive’s “Ugly Organ”. The music in the States. It is a bit more darker than their well played music, and songs that are personal is pretty good, but the singer may need some previous album “Glass Floor” but is better by and politically charged. “Full of Light..” is lessons in getting his range up, because at some miles. One of the best of the year. (Flameshovel) another example of great music being played by points in the songs, his could induce independent artists. (Misra) migraines. (Astromagnetics) “Scabdates” Mercury Radio Theater Love of Everything I’ve never been to a Mars Volta show, but I hear “The Blue Eyed Model” “Superior Mold and Die” they are over 2 hours long and are a sight to see. This album is like old time radio. A story is nar- Love of Everything is Bobby Burg’s solo project. I do enjoy Mars Volta, but I will probably never rated in between instrumental surf guitar influ- This album does feature Joan of Arc members, see them play live, so this live release will have enced songs. The story is about a college stu- Tim and Nate Kinsella and it features some to do. It’s over 74 minutes and it contains every- dent named Gregor who builds a girlfriend interesting lo fi bedroom pop songs. (Record thing you’d expect from Mars Volta, plus the from others ordered body parts. The booklet Label) sound is quite good. (GSL/Universal) that comes along with the CD is a great illustrat- ed visual to the story. I hope they release more Luke Doucet albums with this same kind of narrative/song “Broken Stories” “Bring it Back” playing. (Lujo) This is quite an impressive release from Luke This duo of Kori and Doucet. The song “Brother” is a great opener to Jason is now a trio Metal Hearts the album and the rest of the album is similar to with their baby “Socialize” what Crooked Fingers sounds like. (Six daughter getting “Socialize” consists of male/female vocals, fin- Shooter) some vocal time on ger picking guitars, drum loops and stringed one of the songs. She accompaniments. It is very delicate sounding, Maps and Atlases doesn’t exactly sing, but interesting. (Suicide Squeeze) “Trees, Swallows, it’s more cooing and Houses” baby noises. The This Chicago band’s sound of “Bring it debut is the closest I’ve Back” is similar to heard to the guitar their previous work, Mates of State Maps & Atlases noodling played by

Swimmer’s Ear 13 Micah P. Hinson Anywhere. “Don’t Believe” is a great melodic The Plastic Constellations “The Baby and the Satellite” hardcore album. (Jade Tree) “Crusades” This is a reissue of Micah’s 2001 release by the “Crusades” is TPC’s debut for French Kiss same name. This time though all the music is Nobody + the Mystic Chords of Memory Records. If you liked their previous CD polished and sounds tons better. It is a total of 8 “Tree Colored See” “Mazatlan” then you’ll tracks, and a 9th that is the original recorded 29 “Tree Colored See” is love this one. Each song is minute album. Overall, it’s pretty good. It’s in a collaboration good and this disc never the same genre as Pedro the Lion. (Jade Tree) between Nobody disappoints. (Elvin Estella, pro- (Frenchkiss/2024) Milemarker ducer/mixer of “Ominosity” Prefuse 73 and The Push to Talk With a varying sound on every album they Mars Volta) and “S/T” release, Milemarker’s debut on Eyeball records Mystic Chords of Even though I was stuck is nothing short of the same. “Ominosity” may Memory (Jen Cohen in traffic for over an hour turn fans away, because it is much different of Aislers Set and listening to and getting than their previous albums. Features original Christopher Gunst Nobody & The Mystic Chords of Memory sick of this album, I was member Ben Davis. (Eyeball) of Beachwood Sparks). The sound of the album able to listen to it again. Push to Talk play indie starts out somewhat like Ester Drang, but with rock with a new wave influence kind of like National Eye a greater hip hop influence. The 4th track, Chomsky. (Doghouse) “Roomful of Lions” “Coyotes’s Song”, is an almost folky country This Philadelphia band’s second full length, song and it transitions perfectly into the next Rah Bras shows quite impressive song writing skills. track with harmonicas. Track 9, “Feet Upon the “WHOHM” Some of the songs are slow and some are a little Sand” perfectly blends the hip hop and folky Rah Bras is one of those bands that you have to more up tempo. “Roomful of Lions” is 14 tracks influences into one catchy song. (Mush) acquire a taste for. I mean how easy is it to lis- spanning over 52 minutes, leaving something ten to a mixture of dance, industrial, synth and for everyone. (Park the Pink Razors opera. But this is tons better than their “EPS” Van) “Waiting to Wash Up” release. (Lovitt) Richmond, VA’s Pink Razors New Mexican play a pop punk similar to early Raising The Fawn Disaster Squad Blink 182, but you probably “The Maginot Line” “Don’t Believe” won’t see these guys selling Raising the Fawn is John Crossingham, also of New Mexican Disaster bazillions of records. Not that this Broken Social Scene. It’s quite good after a cou- Squad mixes the sound of band is bad, they just seem like ple of listens. It takes a while to set in. Some of Paint it Black/Kid the type that enjoy playing music the music sounds like Onelinedrawing. Other Dynamite with the lyrical without all the bullshit corporate parts sound like a slow Nada Surf. (Sonic styling of Strike New Mexican Disaster Squad dreams. (Robotic Empire) Unyon)

14 Swimmer’s Ear hard time listening to instrumental music, they should have released this as a 2 disc set. One The Red Note say it’s boring. Russian Circles are not boring. disc of new material and the other disc for the “The Weatherman” They do a good job of not repeating lines. remake of “”. () The first song will make you think you’ve stum- “Enter” is more math rock/metal instrumental bled south of the border into a Mexican disco. like Explosions in the Sky mixed with Don The Strokes But this band is from Seattle. They play horns Caballero or Pelican. (Flameshovel) “The First Impression and it sounds like a marching band coming out of Earth” of your speakers. “The Weatherman” is an If you go look now at entertaining album to listen to. (Hypothetical) “Dying to Say This to You” your TV, I’m sure you’ll The Sounds are a Swedish new wave band. see the Strokes playing. Roy Once you get past the shitty chorus on track They’ve been on SNL, “Killed John Train” one, you have a pretty good album. They play they’ve been on Leno, With songs like “Jesus Drives a Trans Am” you an interesting take on new wave. More dance they are everywhere. It’s know you got a winner of a CD. Roy is a project influenced. The 3rd track’s chorus sounds like it due to their latest release from members of Botch, These Arms Are was taken from a Mates of State song, like they “First Impressions of Snakes, and Harkonen, but the sound is unlike spliced it from a MOS disc into their own. Earth”, which contains The Strokes those bands and falls into the folk indie genre. Overall the CD is pretty catchy, yet the band’s some of their best song writing to date. “First (Lujo) ego is quite annoying. (New Line) Impressions” is a good album, but when I listen to it, I never get past the first 5 tracks. (RCA) Russian Circles “Enter” “Keasbey Nights” T. Duggins Russian Circles consists of ex-members of In the late 90’s Catch 22 released “Keasbey “Undone” Dakota/Dakota and Riddle of Steel. They are Nights” and it was well received by ska fans You may know Tony Duggins as the frontman an instrumental band. A lot of people have a and press. At the time, Catch 22 featured mem- of The Tossers. “Undone” is Tony’s solo project bers that would go on to form Streetlight of original and cover songs sung in an Irish folk Manifesto. Fast foward to 2006 and Streetlight way. It almost reminds me of a drunken sailor Manifesto releases their latest effort in 3 years, a on St. Paddy’s Day, singing and dancing a jig. remake of “Keasbey Nights”. After listening to (Thick) both versions, I’ve come to the conclusion that they sound exactly the same, except the vocals Whysall Lane are clearer and the production is better. This “Whysall Lane” raises the question as to why Victory would Whysall Lane features a member from release the same album twice. Everyone loved Jawbreaker, Adam Pfahler, the guy who runs the Catch 22 version, so why would the buy the Blackball Records. It’s a good mix of songs, but same album again? Streetlight Manifesto nothing real exiting. (Blackball)

Swimmer’s Ear 15

Did drawing or painting come Did you ever think your paintings would allow you to travel the easy to you as a kid? Do you world? remember what made you want to start drawing and No, I've been so lucky between art and skateboarding to have had the painting? opportunity to see so much of the world.

I think it did.... I think putting How often do you paint? How many paintings do you work on at a pencil (crayon) to paper and time? How long does it take you to do a painting? Have you ever making drawings and liking/hav- had difficulty finishing a painting? ing fun making what I saw on that paper encouraged me to I go through spurts, I'll draw probably everyday in one of many sketch- make more and more drawings books. I'll paint for weeks at a time every night. I'll usually go like this; and then paintings, etc. 3 weeks of painting and then 2 of just drawing and start that cycle again. A painting sometimes will happen in a night, other times it takes If someone is terrible at drawing or painting, do you think it is weeks or months, it really depends on the piece. I'll typically work on possible to teach them to be a better artist or do you think being 2- 4 pieces at a time, sometimes when working on a large scale I'll an artist is an ability you’re born with? Do your children have an work one piece at a time, but usually I'll have multiple pieces going so artistic ability like you? while one is drying I can work on the next. A lot of my I think that both drawing and painting can be learned. I do believe that paintings have really layered certain people are more genetically predisposed or encouraged to tune backgrounds so there can be into the right side of their brain. Most activities we do/perform in life are quite a bit of dry time on one left brained activities, memorization, mathematics, school, computer- piece, having to let a layer dry based activities. There isn't a whole lot of right brain nurturing going before I can lay down another. on. Being technically gifted is such a small part of what makes a piece As for having trouble finishing a of art cool. Composition, color usage, subject matter etc. all play a big piece...yeah I have had trouble role in making a piece of great art. with pieces before, some of the ones that have given me the I have a Son (Blaize) and a daughter (Lorna) and they are both most grief have wound up being extremely artistic and have been ever since they've been able to hold ones that I like the most and a crayon or mold a piece of play-dough. They have a huge art table coincidentally sell the quickest. that is constantly covered with supplies right in the middle of our family room though. They are most definitely encouraged to make art, music, When you are working during the day, are you looking forward to etc. painting that night? Do you make plans to paint at night or is it more spur of the moment type of thing? Have you had any formal training in Art? I usually do look forward to "paint nights" and yes I do plan them. I Yes, I went to school to earn a degree in Fine Arts. have a family and day job so I need to be diligent about saying "hey I'm in the studio tonight" otherwise I can find a thousand other tasks that need my attention.

Swimmer’s Ear 17 What influences your paintings? start to paint but often times what I end up with is quite a bit different than what I had originally planned on painting. It can be surprising, but People I see and meet, music, other art that I'm into. it's more typical than surprising.

What painters have influenced you and what about them or their A lot of your inspiration for paintings comes from people you paintings was it that influenced you? see on the street, or things people say. Has anyone you know seen one of your paintings and said that the character resembles I'm into lots of different artist. I really dig Basquiat, Rauschenburg, Niel them or they remember saying the quote on the painting? Blender, Picasso, Miro, Chris Johansen, Margaret Killgalen. I guess that is a good short That is funny...yes it has happened. It doesn't usually, but it does every list. I'm into different so often. aspects of each of these guys’ art. I love One thing that I respect about your paintings is the fact that you Basquiat's colors and are painting for yourself with no care of if people will like it or if it figures, will sell. Do you think a lot of artists are painting for the wrong Rauschenburgh's lay- reasons, to be famous or to make money? ers, Blender's lines, Johansen's social Thanks. I don't think that I can say people are painting for the wrong commentary. reasons, I'm really lucky that I don't have to survive on my money that I make from art. I have the to luxury of being able to have that attitude In an interview I read that you respect. That said though it must be a bummer to have to about you, it men- paint thinking of the commerce side of things. It is a whole different tions that you often experience for instance making a commissioned piece of art in that listen to music while painting. What bands are you listening to? there is a pre conceived notion held by a buyer of what he or she Do think listening to different styles of music influences your thinks they will be getting. It takes some of the freedom and spontane- paintings differently? Is there any band or music that get you ity out of the experience. working better or more creatively? How do you feel about having your paintings in a show or in a Whoa, I really am all over the map with my music. I listen to, lots of old gallery for people to see? Jazz and , The Clash, Devo, X Ray Specs, The Hunns, The Specials, the list could go on and on. Different music does change my It is a cool thing, it's good to get art in front of people and hopefully mood and brush strokes. Sometimes I need a kickstart at 3 in the inspire them to be more creative in their own way. morning and will switch from Leadbelly to The Dead Kennedy's.

What do you find your self painting most? Do you have an idea in your head of what the painting is going to be before you start? At the end of a painting are you ever surprised at what you just painted?

People are what I paint most for sure. I do usually have a plan before I

18 Swimmer’s Ear One thing that is hard for someone who creates something I think the old campaign screamed ad agency and was a bit insulting whether it be a painting, zine or sculpture is how to put a price on to those who really ride . We're now trying to make ads it. How do you decide which pieces will go into a show and how that we think skateboarders will appreciate more. to price them? When you are doing a show do you specifically do paintings that are smaller so a wider range of people have an I’ve noticed that Duffs has it’s own Video Podcast available. How opportunity to buy your work? have those been received since releasing them? Do you plan on doing them weekly or monthly? Depending on where I'm showing the size of a piece will come into play. For instance when I show in The Pacific North West I usually People are SO HYPED on them, I can't believe the amount of positive make slightly smaller stuff that is more affordable. If I'm showing in Los response. We're shooting for monthly Podcasts and eventually weekly Angeles I'll go bigger, there is more money and larger wall spaces casts. there. I do always try and make my art as affordable as possible though. Bottom line, I'd like anyone who is into my stuff to be able to What can we see in the future from Duffs? Any possibility of buy something if they are really into digging what they are seeing. bringing back the Stromboli?

What do you want people to take away from your art? We have the Stromboli sole back on Jason Adam's "The Seville" and we have messed with an updated version of the Stromboli upper I'm not sure. Maybe a little inspiration? which may or may not make it to market. We'll see.

You were involved in the original Creature skateboard brand. Are you involved with the resurrected Creature brand, and how do you feel about NHS bringing it back?

Yeah, I started Creature. I've made a limited edition board on a funky shape with a funky graphic for the re-launch. I'm really not part of it anymore though. They just asked me if I'd be into making a cool one off board for the re-launch and I did. I think it's cool that they've brought it back, the guys involved with it now are all really cool and I'm glad that the ideas behind it are still valid and allow them to have a project to work on.

It’s been about a year since you became VP of Marketing at Duffs. Have you accomplished what you wanted to in that first year?

I've accomplished some of what I wanted to.

In some press, it says that you wanted to rework Duffs advertis- ing campaign. What was the problem with Duffs advertising before and what how do you want to change it?

Swimmer’s Ear 19 Modern-Radio www.modern-radio.com P.O. Box 8886 • Minneapolis, MN 55408

Interview with Tom Loftus Photo by Carl Wedoff

You started Modern-Radio to release the Misfires album. What was it about their music that made you want to release it? Do you think you would have start- ed the label if you hadn’t wanted to release the Misfires CD?

I actually committed to doing the Killsadie split before the Misfires LP. The case is the same for both bands though. I knew the people in the bands from seeing them play live and getting to know them over the years. I liked the music a lot and I think the biggest part of putting out records is having a strong belief in the music and the people. I had both and felt it was natural.

20 Swimmer’s Ear What have you learned about releasing albums since the Misfires CD? Has running the label got- ten easier since you started?

I feel like I am always learning, always making mistakes and improving how I run the label. A major lesson I learned was that you have to be realistic no matter how excited you are about something. You can't spend more money than you can realistically ever see coming back in,otherwise it will be a huge money pit. Obviously we'd ideally like the project to be something where you can recoup and use the money over again for another project. I have pressed unnessessary quantities of some releas- es, which allows me to give away records with mailorder purchases or to people I think might like the music. I essentially started the label to get music I like in the hands of other people I think might like the music as well, but its harder to do when you can't cover your own expenses. The part that has gotten easier is the manufacturing end of things. When I started the label I didn't really have a Cave Deaths clue about what was involved in pressing vinyl or CDs and the details screwed me up quite a few Photo by Greg Schall times. It seemed really difficult at the time, but I asked a lot of questions and really began to under- stand how things work. Its always easy in the sense that it is great putting out great records, but the work involved in distributing and getting information about the records out hasn't gotten that much easier. Its hard no matter what and you just have to take what you can get sometimes.

Throughout the label’s history you’ve only released a couple albums a year, but within the last couple of years you’ve upped the output of albums. What brought on this change? Are you tak- ing the label more seriously now?

There are a several reasons why the label has had an ebb and flow. One consideration is always financial. It has been a little easier getting paid and having records recoup costs so it allows you to move forward to new releases faster. My friend Peter has also joined up with the label so he has con- tributed financially, but being able to split up the leg work has also been a huge significance. Also, I think there are just so many great bands in the Twin Cities and beyond that excite me more than ever Cave Deaths that I really want to help out. I have gotten to know more people, which has led to me working with Photo by Greg Schall more bands. Another huge factor in the activity of the label in recent years is my post graduate edu- cation. I was in graduate school from Fall 2002 to Spring 2005 so during that period things slowed down because it was too hard to work, go to school and put lots of stuff out on the label. I had to be realistic. I also spent a lot of time traveling in that period. As far as taking it seriously, I have always done so, in the sense that I want to help out the bands as much as possible. Things are easier with Peter's help, but we both have a common approach to the label, that is realistically will not being a viable provider monetarily.

How do you decide what albums you want to release? What do you think is the most important to consider when releasing an album? Do you worry about how well it will sell or if people will like it?

The decision to release a record usually involves talking to a band about releasing something by them. I usually know them ahead of time and trust the artist enough to work with them to help get their record out. The most important thing is to care about the music as well as the artists. I could- The Chambermaids n't imagine putting out a record just because it could make a lot of money. I would be more con- Photo by Greg Schall cerned about putting out something I couldn't stand behind versus putting out something that may have a hard time breaking even.

Swimmer’s Ear 21 I do take into consideration if it will sell. We try to release records by bands that are going to tour and aren't going to break up tomorrow, but even then the music trumps everything else.

What are your plans for 2006? Do you plan on growing the label more?

2006 will be the most active year of the label to date. We have released 4 records this year already. They are new CDs by Malachi Constant, The Chambermaids and Cave Deaths, and a split 7" by Tornavalanche and Tight Phantomz. There are plans to release the first full length by Styrofoam Duck, a limited edition packaged version of The Danforths' new CD, a CD reissue of the Small Sale 7" by Mirah which will include 8-9 tracks that haven't been released, and a full length by Signal To Trust. There are some other things in the works as well and that is up to the beginning to middle of the Summer. I expect there will be more things depending on when bands are recording but that is all we can confirm at this point. Signal to Trust Photo by Chris Pernula I also heard that soon Modern Radio releases will be available on Itunes? Is there any hesitancy or concerns you have with releasing music on Itunes?

Several Modern Radio releases are already available on Itunes. I don't think there was any hesitan- cy to put the songs on Itunes or to have them available digitally. I started the label to help share the music of the people I was releasing records by, and if this gets the music to people, then that is great. Music has a transcendent quality that is great to share. I would rather have people sample a song or two online and decide they want to buy the record, or not, rather than having never heard the mate- rial at all. We have also had MP3s of almost every release available on the website since the begin- ning of the label so I've always tried to embrace the digital age and immerging technologies.

Can you run down the list of recent and upcoming releases and talk a little about them?

Ok, I will talk about the 7 things that are definitely coming out this year that includes four things STNNNG that are already out. We'll start with the releases that are already available. Photo by Chris Pernula

Cave Deaths-Glacier On Fire-CD-This is the first CD by this Twin Cities band. Andy of the Vets and Nate of STNNNG play in this band. This band actually started as a project before the STNNNG began. It was another outlet for Andy and Nate wanted to start a new project since his previous band, The United Snakes, was finishing up. Nate brought along the drummer from United Snakes, Danny, to play in this band as well and they recruited a mutual friend of theirs, Holly, to play with them. She ended up playing and a Rhodes piano. The band is a bit darker and more restrained than STNNNG or Vets but it still has the same urgency. People have compared them to Can, Slint and 90 Day Men.

The Chambermaids-s/t-CD-This band was started by siblings Martha and Neil Weir. They started with a drum machine and later added Colin Johnson who had played in More Material and also plays in a new band that is really great called Vampire Hands. This is their first full length record. They previously released a demo under the name the Shut-Ins. People have compared them to The The Plastic Constellations Wipers, Wire, Husker Du, My Bloody Valentine and Joy Division. They are also from the Twin Cities. Photo by Chris Pernula

22 Swimmer’s Ear Malachi Constant-Pride-CD. This is the 3rd full length album for this St. Paul band. It is a co-release with Guilt Ridden Pop who released the 2 previous full lengths by Malachi Constant. Malachi Constant has been around 8 years and are great. I have known these guys forever and it seemed inevitable that I would be working with them on a record at some point. After their drummer Alex moved they were contemplating not even releasing the material, but Peter and I felt the material was too good to not be released, even if they would break up shortly there after. They added Nick S. from Superhopper on drums and band moral is very high. The new record is more electronic influenced and vocally ambitious. They still have a good range of influences like Poster Children, Trans Am, and Sonic Youth.

Tornavalanche/Tight Phantomz split 7"-This is a split release with DC label Exotic Fever and a split by two Chicago bands. Tornavalanche is a band made up of members of Ten Grand and Forstella Malachi Constant Ford. I have know the guys in Ten Grand for years and over that time we have all become close Photo by Greg Schall friends. Not only is Ten Grand one of my favorite bands, but they are some of the best people I have been fortunate enough to know. I had also known Whitney and Dan from Forstella Ford to be awe- some people. Tornavalanche started playing out in Spring 2005 and I saw them in the Summer of 2005. They were amazing and we talked about doing a record. They brought in the idea of making it a doubly awesome record by having Tight Phantomz involved. I had seen them several times and they kick ass live. Mike Lust of Tight Phantomz recorded the STNNNG record and I had gotten to know those guys from their trips in town. It seemed like a natural fit for two awesome bands.

Now on to the upcoming stuff:

The Danforths CD, “Look Out for the Wolves” is being released on Essay records. However, I had told Chris Danforth this past summer that I wanted to be involved with his next release. I had set up shows by Chris and really liked the first record he released on Essay Records. The project evolved, but eventually it was decided that it make more sense for Modern Radio to support the Mirah record locally and release a special, limited edition, hand screen printed packaging with a comic Photo by Danielle St. Laurant book insert.

I am a big fan of releases that have a lot of personal care and attention put forth towards them and it was nice to do that with this record. This will be available for direct ordering soon and there will be a release show in April. Jonathan Warnberg (formerly of Signal To Trust and the Misfires) played on that first record and Adam Burt of the Vets/STNNNG plays on the 2nd record so there is also a connection to other artists on the label as well.

The Plastic Constellations-”Crusades”-LP-French Kiss did the CD version and we had already been talking to the band about repressing Lets War again when they suggested that we could be involved with the new record in the vinyl format. I am a big fan of vinyl and have always stayed close with those guys since the release of Let’s War. They are four of the best folks in the world so it is more than a pleasure to be working with them again. They have been seeing a bit more national attention and they deserve every bit of it. The vinyl should be done by their April 22nd shows at the Tornavalanche Triple Rock with The Hockey Night Photo by Adam Bubolz

Swimmer’s Ear 23 Styrofoam Duck full length-Styrofoam Duck is Ben, Dan and a big Styrofoam Duck. It is a sight to be seen live. I got to know Ben from setting up shows at his old house that he lived at called the Haunted House. He gave me a CD of his band and I was amazed that all this time he was setting up shows that he hadn't actually put his own band on one of the shows because they were great. We talked about it and he has been working on the record for quite sometime. He is finishing it up and I am excited to hear it. They are a fun band. The release show for this album is set for mid-May

Mirah-This is the CD version of the 7" I released by her in 2001. It also includes some songs from a hard to find cassette only releases from 1999 and a few other songs that have not seen the light of day. I ended up working with Mirah after writing her a really long email after hearing her first record on K records. We shared mutual friends and I met her in Olympia when I went out there for Ladyfest in 2000. She made me a copy of the songs because I was excited to hear other stuff by her and I told her if she ever wanted to release them that I would be more than interested. We talked STNNNG about it for awhile and it ended up as a 7" that was some songs that she gave me a few new ones she Photo by Adam Bubolz had recorded. I set up some shows for her as well and kept in touch over the years and always talked about doing a CD version. After all this time, the CD version is finally happening.

Signal To Trust-full length-This is being finished right now and I can't put in to words how excited I am to not only release this record but to also hear it. They have had so many songs that have been building up over the years and haven't seen the light of day. They are one of my favorite bands and all great friends. They have changed a lot musically since their last 7", but every time this band has evolved it has been nothing short of the big bang itself. I have probably seen them about 100 times (no joke) over the last 6 years and I look forward to seeing them play every time they play.

The Danforths

Styrofoam Duck

24 Swimmer’s Ear Swimmer’s Ear 25 On a recent trip to Kentucky, a few things were learned about the state that shares initials with a sexual lubricant.

The first thing is, once the locals realize you’re from the north, they pretty much want nothing to do with you. I think the southern states are still a little upset about the Civil War, because they were mostly pretty rude to us northerners. I’ve heard this from other people too, people from the south just don’t like you. We had a couple encounters with friendly folks, but that was it.

One difficulty we found about the people there was their lack of direction giving skills. We asked quite a few people how to get to different locales and we were usually treated with these types of statements: “go down the road and take a left where there’s a bank on one corner and a drug store on the other” or “you go down this road about 3 miles and turn at the McDonald's”. Many couldn’t give us street names to their own city.

We stayed in a small town (pop 22,000 or so) called Elizabethtown. Now, if that sounds familiar to you, it is the same town that they filmed the Cameron Crowe film by the same name that stars Orlando Bloom and Kristen Dunst, 3 names I never thought would grace the pages of this magazine. That film is this city’s claim to fame. Otherwise it’s just the same as any other town with its big box department stores and miles of stripmalls, but with more pawn shops and adult book stores that claim “Couples are Welcome”.

The scenery in Kentucky is quite awe inspiring. Many tree covered hills lined the interstate which made a nice change compared to the flatness of Indiana.

Second thing I learned was that Downtown Louisville is a pretty lonely place. We did the touristy thing and drove around taking pictures of buildings, signs and 7 story baseball bats. While we were driving we noticed that no one was out on the streets, and it was Saturday night, prime time for some rowdiness. We noticed tons of cool things to skate; ledges, stairs, banks, etc... It was just strange to be pulling the car over on the side of the road to run around the street and take pictures with no one around.

Downtown Louisville Lonely Rails Giant Bat Helpful Sign

26 Swimmer’s Ear The last thing I learned about KY, is that it has one great skatepark located in a perfect spot. Just a few blocks away from the tall buildings of downtown Louisville, snuggled almost right on the Ohio River sits the Louisville Extreme Park. The Louisville Extreme Park is all concrete, except for the vert ramp, and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, weather permitting of course. Did I mention that it is unsupervised and pads are not required?

On the day that I was there, the weather was hovering around 30-35 degrees with a slight breeze and there were still 40 or more people there skating, bmxing or inlining. Though, if I had a skatepark like this in my city, I would be there almost everyday, no matter what the weather was.

Swimmer’s Ear 27 The concrete was smooth and the transitions were perfect. The only problem with the surface I found was in the bot- tom of the full pipe. It seemed a little uneven. It’s always weird seeing these parks on video. The transitions look so small but when you actually ride them they’re a lot more intimidating. In my opinion, I think they should build one of these parks in every major metropolitan area. If you’re ever in the area, I suggest that you check out the Louisville Extreme Park. You can check out www.louisvilleextremepark.org for more information and directions.

28 Swimmer’s Ear In 1986, French company Rautureau Apple, in also featured ankle support, eyelets and better and Pierre. These skateboarders were featured collaboration with French skateboarder Alain grip. Etnies hired “Platoon” and Gilles De La in the first ads placed in U.S. skate magazines. “Platoon” Montagnet, launched the shoe brand Pointe as their first graphic designers and they Etnics. Their goal was to make original and immediately began upgrading the Etnies brand In 1992, Pierre Andre took over worldwide dis- durable high tops geared towards European image and logo. 1988 also tribution of Etnies and began designing shoes skateboarders and surfers. The name “Etnics” saw Etnies sponsoring in the U.S. He was able to do this through a is derived from the word “ethnic”, and is named Team Pig City from licensing deal with Rautureau Apple. The after the lifestyle of skateboarders who travel in Brighton, England, and Model E and EZ joined the Rap, Ollie King and small groups and create their own subculture. they sponsored the biggest the Senix as part of the collection. The Rap ever held in front of the Eiffel high-top gained popularity when Sal Barbier A year later in 1987, Etnics officially changed Tower, The Trophee de Paris contest. skated in them in Plan B’s Questionable Video. it’s name to Etnies. That year they also signed That same year, Etnies advertised in Steve the first ever pro In 1989, Pierre Andre began distributing Etnies Rocco’s revolutionary skateboard magazine, contract with Natas in the United States through a licensing agree- Big Brother, becoming the first shoe brand to Kaupas, and the Etnies ment and Etnies U.S.A. became the first skate do so. Natas shoe is the first shoe company owned and directed by a pro ever signature skateboarder. In 1993, street skateboarders grew tired of high shoe manufac- top shoes and started tured. Influential skateboarder Sal Barbier joined the cutting down the high Etnies team in 1990. That same year, Etnies tops to make lo took their shoe in a new direction with simpler tops. Etnies Etnies Natas shoe designs made of all suede. The Senix, began Rap High-top and the Ollie King round out that Etnies’ design innovations started to show year’s shoe collection. when Pierre Andre Senizergues began riding for Etnies. Pierre designed a shoe, the Senix, The Etnies skate team grew in 1991 to that lasted 4 times longer than other skate include skateboarders Eric Dressen, Rudy shoes on the market by using Indy 500 Johnson, Jason Rogers, Eric Conner, Laban Goodyear rubber for the outsole. The Senix Phedias, as well as Natas, Sal Etnics Ice Man

Swimmer’s Ear 29 and with their new logo Etnies in 1998 and designed the new Etnies designs. Pierre changed Etnies U.S.A. to arrow logo. That Etnies America and restructured the company Christmas, Etnies donat- and readied it for expansion. ed 10,000 pairs of shoes to area

Etnies Lo-Cut In 1995, Etnies released the first com- homeless people through pany team video. High 5 is just barely 15 min- the LA Mission, and Etnies utes long, but features more than 20 skate- donated money and volunteers to the boarders. Skaters in High 5 include; Jamie California AIDS Ride bicycle event. The team design- Thomas, Chad Muska, Marc Johnson, Eric included Andrew Reynolds, , Tim ing shoes how this Koston and a spectacular ending featuring Brauch, Mike Manzoori, Brian Patch among new generation of skaters . The popular many others. Mike Vallely designed his pro wanted them. A collaborative shoe between shoe, the Rap was released model skate shoe and even though it was Pierre Andre and Don Brown, the Lo-Cut, is in an all full grain leather designed for skateboarding, it was designed, starting a whole generation of lo-top version and was dubbed the a favorite among BMXers due to skate shoes. Other shoes in this collection M.C. Rap and featured an its design and durability. Other include the Lo-Down, the Senix lo-top, the 80’s inspired tri color design. shoes in that years collection Scam, and two shoes that new brands Duffs included the Sultan, a favorite and Globe try to mimic, the Intercity and Screw. 1996 brought the possibility of Tim Brauch, the Yukon, of Etnies being sold by the Kalif and the popular One of the most comfortable and durable French company that origi- Czar. shoes is released in 1994. That shoe, the Sal nally started Etnies, 23, designed by Sal Barbier became one of the Rautureau Apple. Apple decided to sell Etnies Etnies opened most popular shoes of its time. That same year, and companies that Etnies once made fun of its new head- Etnies Ollie King the U.S. skate shoe boom began and in an like Nike, were now interested in buying the quarters in Lake Forest, California in 1999. The attempt to elevate shoe design, Pierre Andre brand. But in the end, Pierre gained full rights building includes 116 solar panels on the roof. helped DC Shoes get started with production to Etnies. Around that same time Pierre started It’s one of the biggest solar installations in the and manufacturing of their first run. Pierre also which housed Etnies, world, and it generates 180 kilowatts of energy, designed the Skol, which translates into Emerica, eS and Thirty-Two. That same year, enough to power 60 houses and saves 42 “cheers” in Swedish. The Swedish skateboard- females in skateboarding started getting more acres of trees a year. That same year, Etnies ers who ran the warehouse joked about drink- recognition and Elissa Steamer was added to launched its music program and the female ing out of an actual shoe, when in reality, the the Etnies skate team. specific Etnies Girl Skol was designed for this very purpose. shoe line debuted. By 1997, Etnies had teams for skateboarding, Etnies KO Man Logo , , , and BMX The turn of the century became the best selling and Etnies started designing shoes that were marked the year that Etnies launched its Kids logo of the time and Etnies cleaner and more stylish, like the Emir and the line with models like the Czar, Lo-Cut and Indy got into a bit of trouble water resistant all terrain shoe, the Trek. and skaters , Jesse Fritsch, when they poked fun at Carlos De Andrade and Fabrizo Santos joined brands Nike, , Current Popwar designer, Yogi Proctor, joined the Etnies skate team.

30 Swimmer’s Ear Lake Forest Mayor, Peter Herzog and Pierre of Lake Forest opened to enthusiastic public model debuted and Etnies launched the E Andre Senizergues broke ground for the first acclaim. Pierre Andre personally contributed Collection, an exclusive line of upscale skate joint venture of its kind between a shoe brand $125,000 to keep the park free for everyone. inspired shoes for the fashionable consumer. (Etnies) and a local government (City of Lake The first pro model shoe, Natas, was re- The Sole Technology Institute continued mak- Forest). That venture, the Etnies Skatepark of released. Stefan Janoski, and Flip riders Arto ing skate shoes safer with 4 new technologies: Lake Forest was designed and built to give Saari, Bastian Salabanzi and Rune Glifberg the System G202™, System G2™ Full Impact, something back to skateboarding and the Lake joined the etnies skate team while Lauren System Flo2™ Tongues, and STI Foam™ Forest Community. That November after Sept Perkins, Mary Osborne, Jodie Nelson, and Insoles. “My Name is Earl” star and Co-Captain 11th, 2001, Sole Tech organized a World Trade Alexis Waite joined Etnies Girl. of Stereo Skateboards, Center benefit to bring skateboarders and the Jason Lee and Co- entire industry together. Over $35,000 was Bastian Salabanzi won MVP and helped the Captain Chris Pastras raised for the WTC relief fund and Pierre donat- Regular team with the collaborated with ed an additional $15,000 from his own pocket. first ever Etnies Goofy Etnies on two shoe That same year, the first pro women's skate vs Regular contest held models. The second Jason & Chris shoe, the Elissa Steamer debuted. at the Lake Forest annual Goofy vs Skatepark in 2004. Arto Regular contest is held at The Sole Technology Institute, STI, was born at and Rune’s pro model the Lake Forest Skatepark, the University of Massachusetts in 2002. shoes, the “Arto” and the “Tip” debut and and new team rider Ronnie Etnies hired biomechanics professor Ned Bastian’s pro model shoe was in the works. Creager won MVP and Frederic, and sent shoes and pro skaters to Like in the past, Etnies donated 500 paris of helped the Goofy team with Pastras Model UMass for testing. New styles like the Imperial, new shoes to needy victory over the Regulars. Tron, Siege, Oracle, and the Elissa Steamer Orange County kids model, Tross, are released. Classic skate and worked again with shoes Scam and Sal 23 are re-released. Also, the L.A. Mission to In 2006, Etnies celebrated

Etnies launched its limited edition Plus donate over 2,000 it’s 20th anniversary. Ryan Lee Model Collection, which feature special fabrics and pairs of shoes to the Sheckler became the colorways. homeless. youngest pro to ever receive a pro model shoe In 2003, Etnies moved STI from the University In response to the Hurricane Katrina Disaster and Flip pro, Ali Boulala of Massachusetts to Lake Forest and invested in 2005, Etnies donated 5,000 paris of shoes joined the Etnies skate millions to make significant improvements in and 5,000 team. the performance and safety of skate shoes. pieces of Etnies Due to their efforts, STI created it’s first ever Apparel to the skate specific technology, the System G2™. relief effort as The Etnies Response was the first model to well as donated debut with the new technology. The STI was 500 pairs of formally unveiled at that year’s ASR tradeshow. shoes to needy kids and 2,000 Middle Column Top to Bottom: Pierre giving away shoes, a needy kid After 2 years of building, the Etnies Skatepark pairs to the homeless. Bastien Salabanzi’s pro with Arto and Pierre, Hurrican Releif

Swimmer’s Ear 31 Etnies Logos from 1986 to Present Etnies High 5

“High 5” was released in 1995, a time when skate videos weren’t in high demand. The video is 14 minutes long and features over 20 skate- boarders. If you’ve done your math correctly, that’s less than 1 minute per part, which only gives each skater 5 - 7 tricks. Jamie Thomas starts out the video with a part that would fit right in with his “Welcome to Hell” part, it consists of handrails and gaps. From there on there are short street skating parts by Satva Lueng, Dan Drehobal, Phil Shao, Laban Phedias, Chris Senn, Shorty Gonzalas, Richard Mulder, plus others and vert skating parts by Darren Navarette, Mathias Ringstrom and Rune Glifberg. Chad Muska has a nice part that has him doing tailslides down 10 stair handrails, which was considered pretty big in 1995. Marc Johnson has a good part that has him skating handrails too and doing his smooth 360 flips. has a part that still baffles me. I remember when I first saw this and saw Eric ollieing over a full size picnic table with ease, not even going that fast It just blew me away that somebody could ollie one of those. The best part of the video has to go to Tom Penny. Tom was just about at the height of his popularity when this video was released. Tom has the most effortless style when it comes to skateboarding and it shows in his part. His backside kickflip to tail in the pool are just amazing, it’s like 2 puzzle pieces fitting per- fectly together. “High 5” is a video that should be seen. It’s not the best video, but it does have some classic skating by pros early in their careers. If Etnies had this same team and released this video in 2006, it would definitely be longer and it would probably be one of the top videos ever released.

Tom Penny

32 Swimmer’s Ear Why’d you want to start your own skateshop and why now? To give what I can to the skateboarders here and and I think the time is perfect with Summer around the corner.

Do you think Fobia closing left a void in the Twin Cities skate scene? Definitely. I don't think people realize what Fobia did for this place. I feel like it was a good unity and it gave kids something to get behind and a place to go and I hope Familia can bring that back to our scene.

Why’d did you choose to open the shop in St. Paul and not Minneapolis? How big is the shop? I didn't really pick which city. I just found a spot that I liked and it was in St. 647 Snelling Avenue South, St. Paul, MN 55116 • 651.698.PUSH Paul and it worked itself out. I think it will be good to Interview with Steve Nesser www.familiaskateshop.com spread it out. The shop is 1100 Sq Ft.

Have you got a team put together, who’s on it? Well, we’re not really gonna have a team but some of the heads that will be The Familia and repping the shop are Seth McCallum, Clint Peterson, Emeric Pratt, Jamiel Nowparvar, Chad Benson, Nate Compher, and Mike Guy. We want everybody to be family and feel like they are a part of it.

What will your role in the shop be? Will you be handling the day to day operations? I'm gonna try to do as much as I can when I can, but day to day probably won’t happen. That’s where Tuck 187 comes in.

How do you plan on making your shop stand out from the rest of the skate shops in the area? Create our own path.

Will Familia be selling snowboard products also, or will it be strictly skateboarding? Strictly skateboarding.

When is the grand opening and do you have any events planned for it? Our goal is to open April 1st and we will have a grand opening event sometime after. Check the web- site when you can for info after we open!

Swimmer’s Ear 33 LoveLoveofofEverythingEverything Interview with Bobby Burg • Photo by Chris Strong

How does "Superior Mold and Die" compare to previous Love of You're an artist, musician and I've heard that you also skateboard. Everything albums? Is there anything you did differently on the new How long have you been skateboarding and what got you interested album that you hadn't done in the past? I think it's a little more delib- in it? My big brother and his friends always skateboarded on a 8 ft half erate in subject matter compared to past releases however, it is pipe in my backyard, built when I was 9 in 1986. Our soundtrack was equally as spread out recording/arrangement wise. I have never of course skate-rock and punk and those types of music are what got played songs 'live' before recording them, this album has about 5 me excited about music in the first place. songs that I have played on tour. The weird thing is that I have toured with so many line up variations(from a 5 piece band to totally solo) You've said that the "Bones Brigade Video Show" is one of your that I was forced to pick the best version of each song to record. favorite videos. Do you stay up to date on current skateboarding videos and trends? My old band used to cover that song 'Mystery' You moved from Chicago to Brooklyn and back to Chicago again? from when is skating at nighttime. I don't stay that up What made you come back to Chicago and did living in the different to date... I've seen 'Yeah Right' but I think that was a really popular cities influence your songwriting? I came back to Chicago after 3 one because of the effects. I love the 'Sorry' video, and in NYC I used months on the road with Joan of Arc, Owen, and Love of Everything. to go to all of the video premieres. The last one I went to I think was Sometime in Germany my roommate in Brooklyn told me "By the time the DC(I think) video with the Tortoise song at the beginning. you get home I will already be gone!" So I knew I had to move and I was surrounded by these guys and they suggested Chicago. I've noticed that a lot of skateboard, what do you think the connection is between music and skateboarding? Am I supposed to Nate and Tim Kinsella, Sam Zurick, and Cale Parks played instruments say freedom of expression or something? I don't know. They do seem on a few songs, will they be helping out on tour or are you doing the to go hand in hand, like rebellion and intense highs and lows... shows solo? They all have already helped out on past tours, I think now I'm sort of into performing solo. Examples of what the live solo act Aside from being a musician, you also run your own , sounds like are the songs driven through rainbows and too much Record Label. What are some advantages and disadvantages of happy wet hair. releasing your own music on your own label? How has the label being going and what releases do you have planned for 2006? Well you Is it more difficult playing solo shows as Love of Everything opposed know what is a disadvantage, is feeling weird calling a record store to playing shows with Joan of Arc or Make Believe? It’s scary but it’s asking them to buy your CD. I don't really do that like I would with directly gratifying, in turn when it's bad it's really bad. I will never play another artists release. The advantages are you can make sure it's in Akron, Ohio solo again. done the way you want it to be done. New on Record Label for 2006; a new Joan of Arc 'Eventually, All at Once' and a double vinyl reissue You've toured many different countries with Love of Everything and of Pinebender 'Things Are About to Get Weird'. Also Record Label is your other bands, what have you learned from traveling to other going to start doing cassettes. Like a few for distribution but mostly countries? In Japan last week, I learned what it’s like to be illiterate, for live souvenirs. deaf, and mute.

34 Swimmer’s Ear Swimmer’s Ear 35 It has been almost a year since The Grey was banned from the U.S. Has the band or Lovitt Records made any headway in getting the U.S.’s deci- sion reversed?

Both the band and the label has made conscious efforts to deal with the ban. On the Canadian side we have contact- ed members of parliament, talked to lawyers, looked into filing appeals, we’ve even gone as far as to try contacting the attorney general of the United States about the deci- sion. They don’t make it easy to dispute their ruling. We can’t stress enough how incredible Brian Lowit at Lovitt Records has been. He has written letters, set up inter- views, contacted congressmen, and tried to spread the word about what we both think is a ridiculous and frustrat- ing situation. Despite all of this, we unfortunately haven’t made much progress in having the decision reversed. But we’re not giving up yet.

Photo by Alex Cairncross Can you explain the events the caused the U.S. to ban The Grey for 5 years?

Oh boy, explaining this every time we tell it is weird. It’s not that we don’t want to talk about it, or that it’s hard to explain, its just difficult to relive the scenario over and over. We have all been playing bands for quite a while, and have always known the risks of trying to cross the border in the Unites States without proper paperwork. However, over the last 10 years or more, we have never had any problems. The worst we have experienced before this is a queezy stomach as we approached the crossing.

We were going with the story that we had friends in the U.S. and had just played a show in Canada, hence the van full of gear, and that we didn’t have time to unload the van and might jam with them for fun since we had it with us. Sounds dumb in retrospect, but has worked every other time. Surprisingly, this wasn’t really the problem. The problem came when they searched our van for over an hour and found our merch. Even though we said it was with us from our past show in Canada, they became suspicious. At this point it was pretty impossible to dispute the fact that our band name was “The Grey” with a bunch of cds in their hands with our name on them. They then checked listings of shows in the local area, our name came up. The shit hit the fan. We were all separated and not allowed to communicate and were “interviewed” one by one over the next 6 hours. We didn’t try to lie at this point and didn’t think we had anything really serious to hide. We didn’t need to invent an elaborate scheme about not making any money on tour in the U.S. because the reality was that we don’t! We are lucky if we make gas money at most shows. And yet, we continue to do this for the pure love of traveling and making music with our friends. In no way is our band an employment venture or any source of income for any of us, we all work jobs. It is also safe to say that if it were a way of living for us, we wouldn’t risk that by trying to sneak past border guards. Anyway, at the end of it they determined that a 5 year ban for each of us, individually or as a group, was a suitable punishment. They even used the line “I know Canada doesn’t think so, but we are a country at war, and we can’t let things like this .” Horseshit. The decision to ban us was at their discrepancy. They even admitted to having the authority to give suitable pun- ishments to certain offenses. After our fin- gerprints and mug shots were taken, some of the other guards were even telling us in confidence that they didn’t agree with this and said it was a waste of time and paper- work, and that they knew we weren’t doing anything that serious.

Photo by Alex Cairncross

Swimmer’s Ear 37 Do you think that the U.S.’s decision was justified or do you think it tact over the years. We had very briefly talked to Brian about doing a third was too harsh for what seems like a minor offense? Three Penny Opera record, but the band broke up before we really went into that much detail. Later on when we started doing the Grey and had been We want to make it clear though, that we know we were breaking the law, talking to Engine Down, they put in good word for us with Brian, and things and didn’t expect to be punished at all if we were caught, but it’s hard to try sort of fell into place after that. We couldn't be happier. The label, and Brian and explain where we are coming from to people who don’t really get it. A especially, has been really good to us. bunch of poor artists from Canada being treated like rich businessmen out to pull the wool over the eyes an entire country, and make a million dollars I’ve noticed that on a lot of releases by Canadian Artists, that they from our deceit is not really an accurate portrayal of the situation. Being acknowledge The Government of Canada and the Canada Music banned for 5 years form the country is a bit harsh given the circumstances. Fund. What is the Canada Music Fund and how does the Canadian And we are all privileged white people form Canada, I can only imagine the Government help out with independent artists? type of crap that immigrants and people of different races and backgrounds must have to go through. It was also strange to see the signature of the We have yet to have the support of the Canada Music Fund. The Canada trainee from that night on all of our “alien removed” paperwork, when he music fund is a government funded grant for independent musicians to hardly said a word all night. The supervising officer was the one who was represent Canada. It can help musicians by helping with grant money, calling the shots. helping with exposure. We haven’t really been exposed to it yet. I’m not sure if bands diligently seek out, or if bands are sought after by it. It can How did you guys get signed up with Lovitt Records? complicate things. I’m sure it can be of great help at the right time, but we haven’t gone down that road yet. A few of us in this band used to play together before this one called Three Penny Opera. That band toured with Engine Down and Four Hundred Years and quickly became friends. Despite the distance, we all kept in con-

38 Swimmer’s Ear Do you think that the Canadian independent music scene gets as much recognition as it should? What Canadian bands do you think are under appreciated or think everyone should hear?

The term independent has become kind of hard to define lately. There are a lot of independent Canadian bands that get lots of exposure. Some deserve it and some don’t. Like any music scene, there are areas and styles that get hyped up and over exposed, but that’s not really a surprise. It would be nice to see some attention on some of the lesser known, awesome music coming out of Canada, but you can’t expect all of it to be heard, unfortu- nately. Oh man, under appreciated bands in Canada without enough recognition? There are many. Probably too many to mention, but here goes. Crimson Mire, Deadsure, Buried Inside, Sleeping pilot, North of America, The Jesus Mullet, Ghosts of Modern Man, Swords, Preistess, Feist, Matt Mayes and El Torpedo, Ghost Story, The Sadies, the list goes on. The funny thing in that these bands don’t get much recognition for what they do, meanwhile there are goofs singing about nonsense that get a lot of atten- tion singing about being in grade 9 and the stupid shit they would do if they had a million dollars.

From listening to “Asleep at the Wheel”, you can tell that the band and music is influenced by a lot of different things. What bands or other things helped influence this album?

The band has definitely been influenced by other bands both past and present. Through meeting peo- ple, playing with different bands and being through a lot together, this record was heavily influenced by a lot of things. Without sounding too vague, life itself is enough of an inspiration. Friends and family are huge inspi- rations on us. Everyday happenings manifest themselves in ways that affect so many other aspects of our lives that its hard to name them individually, and are hard to avoid, but are indisputably influential on how we function as a group and write songs. At the same time, these everyday occurrences can easily be related to larger issues that affect everyone and are addressed through music.

Since you can’t tour the U.S. in support of “Asleep at the Wheel”, have you made any plans to tour countries overseas?

We are actually in the process of finalizing a European tour right now. We are going in the fall with the new record after we tour Canada from coast to coast. We are pretty excited to tour abroad, not only for the change of scenery but to also prove that we can continue to function as a band despite the U.S. ban. We have also been talking about touring Japan after Europe and will be organizing that soon.

Swimmer’s Ear 39 Shad Lambert “I want to be the first skate photographer with chicks that set everything up for me and then I just pull the trigger.”

What came first, skateboarding or photography? What got you inter- You’re originally from Colorado? Did you do any snowboard photog- ested in skateboarding and what got you interested in taking photos? raphy while living there?

Definitely skateboarding first. When I saw my first skate video, Yeah, tried shooting for a little bit, but snowboarding is a clinic, I liked Propaganda, a Powell video, I was immediately obsessed with the cine- shooting rainbow logs and rail photos, but it got boring. Style just shines matography. So I started by always jacking my dad's video camera, it so much brighter in skating. was a huge shoulder-cam beast. I'd just film my lunatic friends. Started stealing my mom’s Pentax camera shortly after that, then when I rolled Explain how you came from Colorado to work at Transworld. You’re my ankle and couldn't skate I actually learned about a thing called a not still working at Transworld are you? Do you shoot photos for any "light meter". other magazines?

Are you a self taught photographer or do you have formal training? I started a skate zine in Colorado, and Ako and Atiba grew up in the town next to me, Manitou Springs. Atiba and Ako had just started work- I took a black and white class in school which was cool, but it was a ing for TransWorld about two years earlier and I'd always send them bunch of Colorado Hippies doing really bad landscape and nature pho- copies of the mag. Then transworld needed an editor, so they asked me tos, and I was the jerk who just wanted to shoot skating and people. to send a resume. It was seriously the worst resume ever, but I guess Photography is something you really just have to gangster yourself. they liked my photo copied black and white zines, so a week later they Steal techniques, then experiment and make your own shit. said I got the job if I wanted it. I immediately put everything in my car and drove to Cali. That's when I learned about California cost of living, What photographers had an influence on you? my whole paycheck would be going to rent once I found a place to live. So I Crashed on Atiba's floor, slept in my car, it was awesome. Grant Brittain, Dave Swift, Spike Jonze, Atiba Jefferson, Sturt. The Spike I even had to sell some camera gear to get an apartment, that sucked. Jonze multiple exposure photo of Jeremy Klein doing the kickflip melon But I had to be in the office paying dues, doing all the busy work like was like magic to me. I stared at that thing for hours trying to figure out answering letters and transcribing interviews, so I didn't get to shoot how the hell he did it. that many photos, plus I didn't know anybody yet. But I slowly got to sneak out more and actually learn how to take a decent photo, met more people.

40 Swimmer’s Ear Ethan Fowler - Kickflip

Swimmer’s Ear 41 As time went on TransWorld was bought and sold like three different love skateboarding, and they put it down. times to bigger and bigger corporations, and the ads got worse, adver- tisers were given more control over the magazine, and the censorship When you’re setting up your gear to shoot a photo, do you have an was just ridiculous. So Atiba, Grant, and Swift left to start their own idea on how you want the photo to look? mag. When they left, the place immediately turned into the worst cor- porate hell hole you've ever seen. So I just went on photo rampages and Yeah, gotta analyze the situation. Take the security and thug factors into avoided the office like the plague. Now I'm freelance, and I work for consideration, weigh the risks versus rewards and what shot you really Kr3w and Supra, so I feel like I'm really really lucky to be able to con- want. tribute photos to all the mags. Just had my first Slap photo, which has always been one of my favorites, so that was cool. Are you shooting film, or are you shooting only digital?

I’ve noticed that most skate photographers have their own little group Both, film ain't dead bitches! of skaters that they shoot photos of. Who’s in your group? How many cameras do you own, what one is your favorite and why? Well it always changes, you got to keep hustling and moving. Someone recently told me that all dirtballs and crazy fucks like to shoot with me. I actually had to just get another camera bag for all my extra cameras. I don't really worry about the "cool guy" or "who's hot" thing. You got Holgas' half-frames, panoramics, Hasselblands, Canons, Nikons, insanity. something cool to shoot I'll shoot it. But like the last two weeks I've been skating with Tom Penny and Chad Muska and it's fucking insane! Do you think skate photographers get paid enough for the work they do? Penny and the Muska, putting it down getting shit everyday like it was 1998. Wait till you see Penny's new shit.... aaaaaaaaaamazing. And Jim No, and it's our fault. But traditional distribution channels are eroding, Greco has been on a killing spree, finished Baker 3 and just kept murder- and vertical integration is coming. ing, he's skating better than ever right now. What is the hardest or most stressful thing about being a photographer? Being a photographer, I'm sure you had the chance to travel to various states and countries. What have been some of the more memorable Everything... security, faulty camera gear, injuries, tickets, thieves, but places you've traveled and why? then you get that one photo and it makes it all worth it.

Japan is incredible, amazing architecture, crazy culture, everyone is If there was one thing about being a skate photographer that you scared of you, it rules. Prague is insane, beers for 25 cents at the could change what would it be? skatepark with 13 year olds drinking and skating. Ummm... and Mexico is just sketchy, but beautiful. You know I haven't travelled as much the Ohhh, I'm starting some new shit. A bunch of girls on Myspace keep other gangsters, still trying to get a free ticket to New Zealand... asking to assist me on one of my shoots. So I'm going to have a couple girls carry my bags, jump school yard fences, and run from the cops. I Who have been the easiest skateboarders to work with? want to be the first skate photographer with chicks that set everything up for me and then I just pull the trigger. It's the people that skate all the time because they want to, not because they have to. Enthusiasm is contagious. There's a reason Paul Rodriguez, Eric Koston, and Mark Applyard are so successful—they

42 Swimmer’s Ear Shad Lambert “There's a reason Paul Rodriguez, Eric Koston, and Mark Applyard are so successful—they love skateboarding, Abidias Riviera - BS Lipslide and they put it down.”

Swimmer’s Ear 43 Port of Los Angeles Photo: Shad Lambert Rider: Unknown -Switch Heeflip Photo: Andreas Dunlap

Swimmer’s Ear 45 Michael Anderson Photo: Nate Bozquez

46 Swimmer’s Ear Michael Anderson Photo: Nate Bozquez Ben Gilsrud Photo: Michael Anderson

48 Swimmer’s Ear Rider Unknown Photo: Zach Windahl

Swimmer’s Ear 49 50 Swimmer’s Ear SHIT! - Turd Tales & Stool Stories Unbeleivable tales of people shitting on mobile homes, in rivers and on trees. Incredibly humorous and rousing. A great read for your next shit! p.o. box 2076 ¥ maple grove, mn 55311 (E) [email protected] Manual Dexterity #2 Features interviews with The Nein, Chariots and Say Hi to Your Mom, plus mini interviews with Del Cielo, These Arms Are Snake, Strike Anywhere, Paint it Coming Soon... Black, Dr. Dog and Des Ark. Super Friends, Yearbook & Personal Ads Manual Dexterity #3 A collection of personal photos found donated at a thrift store made into a Features interviews with Bob Nanna of The City on Film, Chicago’s Bound humorous and disturbing zine. Think twice before you donate family pictures. Stems, and The American Analog Set. Also includes an article about Lovitt Records 10 years of business. Manual Dexterity #4 Another great issue featuring 3 great bands and some interesting articles. Back Issues of Swimmer’s Ear Magazine Also Available!!!