|
|
|
| Q&A: Michael Brooke - Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine (7141 Posts)
|
| Topic |
Info |
|
oops
|
|
On 5/14/2003 Stubbs
wrote in from
(209.117.nnn.nnn)
uh...that should be SEEM TO BE TAKING THE MAG. Maybe I should proof read before submitting.
|
|
|
|
|
the Wave
|
|
On 5/14/2003 Stubbs
wrote in from
(209.117.nnn.nnn)
Not only do I think CW is good eye candy, I love the direction that Michael (and Mike Moore) seem to be the mag. I love the focus on 100% skateboarding, no matter the genre. This last weekend I travelled to Houston for a ditch contest and skated with people from 8 to 48 and it was greatness. So many generations and styles all applying them on the same terrain. Throughout the entire event I kept hearing that phrase "100% SKATEBOARDING" in my head. It was good for the soul. This 100% Skaterboarder is behind you 100%, MB! Roll on.......
|
|
|
|
|
Michael, you rock!
|
|
On 5/14/2003
Kevin Farley
wrote in from
(208.32.nnn.nnn)
Hi Michael, everyone,
I just gotta say that I'm so stoked on your drive. I remember talking with you when you were working on the Concrete Wave, and I was just discovering that there was a bigger/better scene hiding that wasn't just the flippy/stair/handrail thing, that full skateboarding had survived after all (I had deevolved/evolved with the rest of the main pack to the popsicle sticks) and that's when I found Longboarder mag, Juice, and now Concrete wave. I was 14 when Skateboarder died, and that was a very strange time. It was actually uncool to be a skater where I lived (orlando) but I didn't care and stuck it out with my crappy driveway ramps and street skating and stayed with it until the ramps started sprouting. It feels so good to see people like you really pushing to get a new thing going, I'm really excited about concrete wave. I've actually not seen any issues yet, (I'll be contacting you shortly to fix that!) But seeing your drive to get this ball rolling and get all of us connected makes me happy. I want skateboarding to grow and thrive, and I hope to pass on to my kids the love someday so that they can keep it growing. Point? Sorry for rambling, but I just wanted to give you props in this hard time. Signs point to another ebb in the flow of skating, but as usual, it keeps the core pure. Keep it up!
If you used to skate, and you don't now, you never did.
|
|
|
|
|
where we are
|
|
On 5/14/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.183.nnn.nnn)
Yes, skateboarding is still young...relative to other pursuits...however, it has been controlled by a cartel who didn't really want much change...they kind of like the status quo....it meant control.
Now the floodgates are opening....and change is really brewing.
People wonder how I get the energy to do what I do...CW is still a part time thing. The reality is that I am FIRED UP by this change...or at least the chance to help push this change.
I once interviewed Steve Rocco about the birth of World Industries. He started in 1988 and by 91 he had created a monster. He tapped in and harnessed skaters' frustration with the old guard of the skate industry.
By 95, World was unstoppable. I asked him about his drive to change the industry. The look on his face was that of an evangelical leader. He was a man possessed with changing skateboading. He accomplished his goals, sold most of his shares and has done very well for himself.
Of course the irony is that if you fast forward 8 years and things are much different. World has become the old guard...and through a series of financial mis-steps
find themselves in rough waters.
Two lessons learned:
1.
if you are passionate enough about change and folks agree with you, you can move mountains. (thanks to ALL who support what CW is trying to accomplish)
2.
if you do throw in the towel, sell out or just walk away, be prepared for turbulance...taking your eye off the ball or losing your passion can lead to destruction.
(trust me, I am in this for the long haul....my grandchildren will be writing for the magazine....and if they aren't, well, I still hope to be involved with skateboarding in some small way)
|
|
|
|
|
where we are in the history of skating
|
|
On 5/14/2003 Robc
wrote in from
(205.150.nnn.nnn)
I think it's important to remember just how young this sport is- I was born in 64, so I'm roughly as old as skateboarding itself. How many other sports do we play that started in living memory? Even if we forget about things like hockey and baseball, and stick to "action sports", surfing and climbing (to name just two) have been going hardcore since the 1800s, and have a history and culture to match. Where will skating be with 100 years of history? We're not even halfway there. We'll probably end up a lot like skiing- there's x-country, telemark, alpine touring, resort skiing, freestyle, whatever. And it's all skiing. And it doesn't mean they even have to all get along, though it would be nice.
|
|
|
|
|
Rebirth/ spreading the word
|
|
On 5/14/2003
Lenny
wrote in from
(156.63.nnn.nnn)
I agree whole-heartedly with spreading the joy. When I go to a park, inevitably SOMEONE will be stoked on my longboard/ "Dogtown" tricks (at least that's what the kids yelled when I did a slide). And at least one person would trick the board out.
|
|
|
|
|
the tribe
|
|
On 5/13/2003
richard marnhout
wrote in from
(198.81.nnn.nnn)
what we are really talking about is the reformation of our tribes.
there were three tribes in the beginning; the 60's , the 70's and the 80's.but the cicle was broken when the parks all went under and our collective soul was dispersed.
with the advent of the new , public parks we now have a chance to re- assert our heritage and pass on the lessons of style, flow and grace.
the youngsters will NOT listen to us if we speak. did we listen to our elders? i think not!
no, we must speak through our actions; praise, remonstrance, and when necesary, action.
don't kid yourself folks, they ARE watching us, it's up to us to point the way
|
|
|
|
|
More of it
|
|
On 5/13/2003
Mike Moore
wrote in from
(66.196.nnn.nnn)
100% Skateboarding. 'nuff said.
|
|
|
|
|
is the glass empty or half full
|
|
On 5/13/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.183.nnn.nnn)
Dear Brain (and anyone else out there who wonders about the skate world)
the kids (and the geezers) are alright....honest.
it can get pretty stressful wondering where this world of skateboarding is heading...but look at things this way...
My father is a die hard opera fantatic. He grew up during the 1930's and 40's before rock n' roll. He was 30 in 1964. Sure, he might admit to enjoying the occasional Beatle song, there is just no way he could ever appreciate the Rolling Stones. The Clash, the Pistols are a non-starter. It's just not in his universe....and it never will be.
That's cool. While my father and I don't connect on music, we do have other things that we can talk about.
What does this have to do with what you wrote about? Plenty. Why has longboarding and slalom (and a general return to roots) quietly surfaced, under the radar of the skate industry and its magazines and videos?
It's pretty easy to explain....there has been a pull strategy ..not a push strategy associated with this new found renaissance of skateboarding
This means that it's all been about word of mouth...someone, somewhere has turned you onto skateboarding. Or you've stumbled onto a website or maybe you spotted a longboard somewhere.
Bottom line, you have reacted and followed through.
But you weren't pushed into this. You were struck by something within the realm of skateboarding- it hit a nerve - and it propelled you back in. You've pulled yourself in...and now you are hooked.
The skaters aged 14 to 19 (the core, ollie's only) based market are not going to be swayed by pushes to try longboarding. Nor will they be swayed by pushes to ride with more "soul." For sure, there are some with open minds who might try new things....but by and large, they are just not interested.
No matter how great the stereo I play my Clash tunes (and no matter what Clash song I play, my father has NO INTEREST)
But things change. Over time the mags will reflect this change. Kids get older....their tastes (and their knees) change.
What will help grow this return to roots (this renaissance)....three simple things
1) share the joy of skateboarding with anyone who shows the slightest spark (you'll find a lot of kids under the age of 13 are very interested in longboarding and slalom)
2) skate with a few buddies....when I skate with my pals Dave, Mark and Matt at the local skatepark it's truly amazing - one person doing something is unique - 4 is a gang!
3) communicate with the companies that make the products that support this rebirth. most are listed in the links section.
It might be....one day.
|
|
|
|
|
Unlikely Skate Geezers
|
|
On 5/13/2003
Brian "TheBrain" Morris
wrote in from
(68.193.nnn.nnn)
Yesterday in school, i was talking to the University Activities Advisor about my race going on in June. He was hyped as hell to have have a race at the college, but what really hit me was when he took a look at my Vision deck and said "now thats my kinda board." He then went off about his G&S deck back in the day, than about rippin it up in the surf. It gets more awesome everyday that I meet the older guys making a comeback to the sport to skate as hard or harder than they did when they first started, but it gets more and more disapointing when I talk to the kids who wonder why anybody would want to skate slalom, or when I hear "longboards are the wrong boards" or when they wonder why somebody would make such a wide board. I think the new wave of skating is quickly coming to an end. I'm almost worried what more crap can these come up with next. When I'm at the park so many of these kids suck the fun out of skateboarding rolling around like stickmen doing the same thing over and over just calling it a different flip trick.
Brian "TheBrain" Morris
|
|
|
|
|
thanks
|
|
On 5/13/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.183.nnn.nnn)
Thanks Mark,
This is why do what we do.
We want skaters to feel connected. I love publishing the magazine and I have a great network of support - from folks like Mike Moore to the distributors (both at skateboard and magazine companies).
Many people are responsible for the magazine. It is truly an organic, living thing. I am glad you see the development....Just wait till you see what's coming.
The bottom line for me has been to try and accomplish in one year what most publishers need to do in 3 years.
In June, you will see issue #6....it will mark a full year of the magazine and I think you'll see another leap in quality.
I love Juice magazine too. I am actually looking at doing the history of Juice...if there is anyone out there who would like to write this, please email.
Again, thanks for the feedback...on behalf of the many individuals who make CW what it is, we ask you keep up the stoke, spread the word and get out skate!
|
|
|
|
|
CW #5 -- major props
|
|
On 5/13/2003
Mark
wrote in from
(192.18.nnn.nnn)
Michael,
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed CW #5. The cool folks at Gravity threw one in my latest order, and I read it cover to cover last nite. I've read issues 1-3 (never could find a copy of #4), and this one blows 'em all away. Really nice production and content.
This is the only other skate mag out there (Juice being the other one) that doesn't make me feel "isolated" in being an older, all-around skater.
Nice work, keep it up.
|
|
|
|
|
Ruh Roh
|
|
On 5/13/2003
Mike Moore
wrote in from
(66.196.nnn.nnn)
And we pull off the mask....
"Jinkies! It's D. David Morin, the man who killed skateboarding, back at another stab at publishing!"
"Concrete Wave Action Now was my dream....and you meddlesome kids ruined it"
"You'll have plenty of time to think about it where you're going!"
|
|
|
|
|
:)
|
|
On 5/12/2003 Stubbs
wrote in from
(64.219.nnn.nnn)
ZOINKS!
|
|
|
|
|
red hot calendars
|
|
On 5/12/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
yes, I noticed this too...
it's all part of my evil plan to rule the world
November 31, 2004, that's when Chad Muska and Tony Hawk were supposed to start riding for Concrete Wave Skateboards.
But now you meddling kids know all my plans...
I'll just have to think up something new!
Rats, foiled again!
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar
|
|
On 5/12/2003
Mike Moore
wrote in from
(66.196.nnn.nnn)
Sorry Chief to bring this up...but apparently on the Red Calendars, 2004 has a 31 day November too.
|
|
|
|
|
days.
|
|
On 5/12/2003 Michael (Octane)
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Ask your son "How many months have 28 days?"
Your answer is: "All of them!"
Show him who's smart!
|
|
|
|
|
367 days
|
|
On 5/12/2003
Duane
wrote in from
(64.223.nnn.nnn)
My 7 year old took one look at the calendar, said "cool, dad, but November doesn't have 31 days". smart aleck
|
|
|
|
|
blah blah
|
|
On 5/12/2003 snoball
wrote in from
(65.32.nnn.nnn)
Well, one thing to consider is that unlike previous
decades of skateboarding, in the last 4 or 5 years
there's an influx of skategeezers ( this would be
the over 25 crowd ;-) returning or even just now
getting into it.
When I was a kid, I never saw ADULTS skating. My aunts
and uncles didn't skate and I didn't see people in this
age group at the park or anywhere else for that matter.
So now we've got this new situation of kids skating alongside
growed ups like never before ( much to some of their
consternation heh heh...).
With adult skaters there is more social influence in terms
of parks being built and how they're built. We vote
literally and with our money. City commissioners
can't always that forever, ( no matter how
much they shake thier heads..), and in my own state
it's pretty apparant the increase in concrete parks
with bigger bowls etc is NOT a result of the 14 year
old interested mainly in rails or funboxes. Of course,
since these additions are available, the chance exists
their curiosity will win out in time. I've seen alot
of local skaters who are under 18 diversifying what
and how they skate now and more willing to learn than
some people give them credit for.
You know, skateboards are skateboards but this mixing
of age groups is what's unique now, IMO.
|
|
|
|
|
thanks
|
|
On 5/12/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.183.nnn.nnn)
thanks for your comments Brad.
Wait til you see #6...you'll freak out!
The bottom line for me is that I am here to support any company or skater that supports change or a different perspective within skateboarding.
It might be a small, niche market for now...but the way I look at it....the numbers can only grow!
|
|
|
|
|
Change/Dansworld
|
|
On 5/12/2003
Brad
wrote in from
(20.137.nnn.nnn)
So true...maybe this is actually ok though...the influx of new longboard Co's plus a fresh magazine which fills in the media skategap, and believe it Micheal, you've basically got the whole genre to yourself, may be the combo that prevents 1979 from occuring all over again. The fact remains also that skating this time around has taken a foothold that would be tough to dissolve to any major extent...btw, I got #5...it gets better every time!
|
|
|
|
|
change
|
|
On 5/12/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.183.nnn.nnn)
an excerpt from the Dansworld site...
this was from the minutes of a meeting between skate industry executives in 1994 at the Action Sports Retailer show...this is 9 years ago folks! I am NOT making any of this up....
Skateboarding doesn't seem like fun anymore
Media and companies tend to concentrate on the negative side of skateboarding. At present skateboarding is not fun: Videos portray the
impossible, product is not designed for fun- this all targets the hardcore market, and is not accessible to the "fun only" skater or the new skater.
ACTION: We as an industry, must concentrate on a more positive future. We have narrowed down skateboarding to a very small market. Bring the
fun back and get the negative out. Target beyond the hardcore market: new buyers, cruisers, recreational skaters. New kids who are not aware of all
this vibing crap. We want the media to show more variety of types of skating out there. The companies will promote more accessible skating and more positive images, produce products that are more fun to ride. We
need to make a wider board, bigger softer wheels etc as well as the hardcore products. Tours, demo contests have to portray skateboarding in
a better light. Emphasize consistency, positive attitudes, company support and promotion of the sport. Don't send out riders who do not agree with this, otherwise we risk doing more harm than good.
|
|
|
|
|
the times they are a changin'
|
|
On 5/12/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.183.nnn.nnn)
Brad,
you have touched on many points....sometimes it takes a bad economic situation to affect change...sometimes just one simple thing can be a catalyst to bring about one's downfall...I have tasted this first hand, but i wanted to share two thoughts with everyone. I welcome your comments..
When SkateBoarder mag morphed into Action Now, it signalled the end of an era. The folks at Action Now were 20 years ahead of their time in trying to merge all types of action/"extreme" sports under one umbrella. You have to give them props for trying...
But the reality is that most consumers don't want a "one stop shopping" experience when it comes to alternative sports...witness the painful death of Core magazine. Action Now was too watered down for most core skaters...I for one just couldn't get into the BMX stuff or the hang gliding. But why did this happen? Why couldn't SkateBoarder have just continued to be SkateBoarder?
When I look back on what happened at SkateBoarder, I realize that they tried to milk the golden cow too much...the magazine was very profitable - they thought they could make it more profitable by moving from 6 times a year to 12...that just wasn't economically feasible. Many of their advertisers couldn't afford that jump. Also, by narrowing their market to just vert, they lost a number of folks...but the economics of 6 to 12 issues per year was the key thing that screwed things up financially.
In much the same way, the current skate industry has let one thing become a HUGE problem....
What is this one thing? Well, if you look at the numbers (and believe me, I love looking at numbers) you will find that skateboarding has an 85% attrition rate. This means that for every 100 people who begin skateboarding, only 15 will stick with it pas the age of 18.
By making skateboarding so intense, so over the top, so focused on ollies they have really only appealed to one type of riding and pretty well one type of individual.
(males 10-18)
On the one hand it has meant great profits (kids destroy boards like crazy) and the soft goods (ie clothing) is a huge business. And of course skate shoe companies have flourished...but what has happened is that the companies have not been able to branch out. The mags, the videos and the companies themselves have been stuck on the same treadmill. For the last few years, everyone agreed it was the same old stuff...but as long as the profits were rolling in, who cares...
I can just hear the discussions at the various companies now....what is happening? why did it happen? There is panic in the air...and they can't understand how the golden goose has suddenly stopped laying the golden eggs....
The answer of course is that they forgot one thing...
KIDS GROW UP!!! While we all would love to remain 18 forever...we don't! So, in focussing so much of their efforts on one part of the market (the under 18 crowd) they neglected the 85% of people who leave skateboarding. That's why cigarette companies spend so much of their time trying to gain new customers...their best customers die off!
There is no question that the longboard, pool, slalom etc. part of skateboarding is tiny. But you know what? It exits and it's flourishing and it is exciting and fresh.
If I ran one of the larger skate companies, I would have started up a completely different division making longboards or slalom or pool boards. I would have put money into events and realized that by positioning myself for the future, I would be in much better position.
The Dogtown film showed a generation of new skaters (remember that 50% of all skaters are UNDER the age of 11) that soulful skating is cool. Concrete Wave intends to harness this vibe and run with it. As for older skaters (19+), well, they already get it.
We now stand at a crucial time in skateboarding. World Industries, Tum Yeto, Element etc aren't about to tank...on the contrary, some big companies might grab more market share...but the hard reality is that by creating such a narrow focus and repeating the imagery to death, the skateboard world has left themselves vulnerable to change....
By the way, in case you doubt what I am saying, go to dansworld.com. You can read a transcript of a 1994 meeting that took place at the Action Sports Retailer show between industry heavyweights. The gang knew years ago that the industry needed to change. It didn't.
My reaction to this whole experience has been to create books, magazines and television shows that showcase ALL types of skateboarding.
|
|
|
|
|
Skate saturation
|
|
On 5/12/2003
Brad
wrote in from
(20.137.nnn.nnn)
1965.....1979.....1991.....2003? It seems that (quite remarkably) skating takes a dive every 12 - 14 years. (Micheal, you know this trend well)...The writing is on the wall, sales from the big co's are down for the first time this "go around". The kickflipper Co's are the ones who are getting it the worst....plain market saturation. longboards/Pigs aren't hurting anything like this...there are still plenty of up and coming skaters who wish to take on the thrills of the longboard...maybe some kids will pick up an issue of CW and see what all of us "old folk" have been enjoying for the past 25 + years. We, (Nor'easter) as a small co, can take the downslide, if there is one, due to low overhead...I think most longboard Co's are in the same boat...this is good as maybe this "downslide" is not so much a loss of interest as it is of a shift of interest....kickflippers make up a lion's share of the market, and a transition from rail grinds to the "oldschool" forms of skating would not only enlighten the younger skaters, but be beneficial for the whole industry. Let's face it...even the kids have got to be getting sick of seeing every issue of Skateboarder/Thrasher/Transworld lined with pics of anything to do with a rail, and almost nothing else...it gets boring fast. Change is good. A bump in the road is tolerable. Those with heart won't even care...we'll be buried with our boards.
|
|
|
|
|
vol 1 no 0
|
|
On 5/11/2003
Brady
wrote in from
(66.21.nnn.nnn)
For trade... for a blue calenser maybe? Or a pull out photo of DP (my only copy is hanging at OLLiewood)
Just how many ILBs were made?
|
|
|
|
|
