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| Q&A: Michael Brooke - Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine (7141 Posts)
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From CW to the "boob-tube"
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On 6/30/2006 David V.
wrote in from
United States
(143.183.nnn.nnn)
Hey Michael, any chance you could give Fuel TV a call and tell them that covering all forms and disciplines of skateboarding is a good thing and does work?! My son and I enjoy watching the Fuel channel for all the extreme sports action, but when it comes to skateboarding, street and a smidge of pools is all they show! I'd give my right arm to see some coverage on downhill, slalom or ditches in their line-up! Props to you and your staff on the magazine--the lastest issue once again confirms that it is the only mag worth getting!
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STREET SKATING
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On 6/30/2006
HACKMAN- THE GNAR!
wrote in from
United States
(68.66.nnn.nnn)
Hell, Bud-
I thought I was the last of the "Bona Fide" Street Skaters!
Chris- You forgot "BOMB-DROPPING"
HACKMAN
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a couple of things...
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On 6/30/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.95.nnn.nnn)
thanks bud and chris and to everyone who offers ideas on how to make CW work better.
often times, I equate publishing this mag to flying a kite...letting out small pieces of string at a time and watching it slowly gain height.
I am keeping a tight rein on things, if only for the fact that slow and steady wins the race.
thanks to bud and ian (2 folks who have really pushed me to losen the strings) I am including more things.
I want to digress for a minute and talk about 2 things:
1. Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July to all my friends here in North America - have fun and if you're in Ottawa this weekend, come on out for the slalom race
2. the Jay Adams book-this is now at press and it will be available in September. It is a hardcover book (100 pages) and it features photos of Jay and his friends (including Alva) in the late 60's and early 70's. The photos were shot by Kent Sherwood, Jay's stepfather. Jay captioned each photo by hand last month (while incarcerated).
The book was put together by Glen E. Friedman and thanks to the financial support of Pool King Skateboards, we have got this project off the ground in less than 5 weeks. Craig Stecyk III wrote the introduction. The book retails for $19.95. Concrete Wave Editions along with all of the books contributors have decided to waive their royalties for this book. Proceeds will go to Jay's family.
HAVE A GREAT LONG WEEKEND!
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Discipline
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On 6/30/2006
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
United States
(66.116.nnn.nnn)
I look at the number of different types of skateboarding (disciplines), and not the demographics. Off the top of my head skateboarding is:
Deep Carving
Soul Carving
Cruising
Cross Country
Pumping
Jumping
Freestyle
Poo ls
Parks
Full Pipes
Half Pipe
Ditch riding
Ditch racing
Sliding
Slopestyle
SkateBoarderCr oss
Streetluge
Street
Trick
Stunt
Street Slalom
Downhill
Park Slalom
R&D/Testing
So if skateboarding represents a couple of dozen of different disciplines, and Concrete Wave is "100% Skateboarding", then I'd expect to see some street skating in the mag. I just don't expect CW to be mostly about street, regardless of the demographic behind it. There are already tons of magazines that feature street (and only street). I thinks that it's nice to see the other 23 disciplines being featured from time to time. Right now, it's "refreshing", but soon I hope that it will just be "the norm".
Skateboarding has so many hidden treasures in it. Concrete Wave doesn't hide them - it provides them.
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Street Skating
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On 6/30/2006
Bud
wrote in from
United States
(68.57.nnn.nnn)
I, for one, have been a pushing force at the mag, for including a little bit of "street" skating here and there... since that's largely what I grew up doing. Indeed, you might have noticed that the cover shot on the Buyers' Guide was, for all intents and purposes, a very "street" photo (frontside ollie on a big bank, on a popsickle stick deck= pretty damned close, if ya ask me).
I must add: I really don't spend a lot of time labeling various forms of skating. I just do 'em. So, from my simplistic view, I just go skateboarding, not "vert skating", or "pool skating", or "longboarding", etc.
I'm wondering what the opinions are from the readers on this: Whether we should showcase some more street stuff in the mag here and there.
I, for one, thought it'd be a great idea to showcase the early years of street skating... the advances made by guys like Natas, the Gonz, John Lucero, Neil Blender, etc. That's rather "historical", so, that sort of stuff seems like a good fit. Beyond that, though, I'm fairly lost. Typical me.
But, there's a secondary reason for my interest in this: Street skating... "modern" street skating... is just too damned specialized these days. In my half-asses opinion, I'd say that maybe Tom Knox was the last bona-fide "street skater" to come down the pike, ie, a guy that looked at his surroundings, in their entirety, as a skatepark. Versus today's "street" skaters, that focus more on induvidual elements, such as a handrail, ledge, etc. It's sort of like, "lines" vs. "tricks", and tricks are winning out. Thus, sure-footed street skaters that can skate literally anything that falls in front of them seem to have gone the way of the Edsel, and the dinosaur. Which is kinda sad.
I guess I yearn for the early days of street skating, when it was a lot simpler, yet far more diverse at the same time.
I dunno, man... bounce some ideas back at me, lemme know your take on all of this. Mike'll probably be watching this very, very carefully, as well.
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it's all good...
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On 6/28/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.95.nnn.nnn)
I think that CW represents a barometer...but a unique kind of barometer.
Many slalom skaters tell me they are intrigued by longboarding...The longboarders tell me that they are amped to get into pool skating and the vert/tranny skaters are open to exploring bombing hills. The street skaters have found the magazine unique...although some don't get it...this is changing.
You will see CW to explore ALL kinds of issues...it's not a slalom mag, it's not a longboard mag, it's not a tranny/pool mag and it's not a street mag...it is a skateboarding mag.
The fact is that thru Portfolio we are able to showcase some incredible photography. The Brian Fick Portfolio is an excellent example. You will see more of this. I am going to keep aiming as high as I can.
Basically, CW is free to do what it wants...and I intend to push the limits. It's been a great journey so far.
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right on Buddy....
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On 6/28/2006
Steve C
wrote in from
United States
(65.19.nnn.nnn)
I have always believed, at least until the last couple issues of CW that street skating was not really being represented. Considering what a huge percent of the market it is there should at least be a few more pics of street action. The last couple issues have really started to show what I consider some respect. There is even a pic of a guy doing a crook in this issue, which may be a first.
You are right Buddy, the time has come for skateboarding to come together and show some unity. Just because people are skating differently than you is not a good reason to be against it. It is time for us to come together. CW has a unique position in that it can be a catalyst for this sort of movement. Let's start to be a little more open minded and realize, we are brothers, we all skate. Let's skate and stop worrying about whats wrong. Let's concentrate on what's right. Skateboarding!
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Oh Canada
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On 6/28/2006
buddy rawls
wrote in from
United States
(128.158.nnn.nnn)
Boy howdy, you bowl riders are going to hate that "collision circus" when more than 5 people line up around to skate. Separated areas need to return to skate parks.
the Sacramento park (massive picture down the CW page) addressed the separated areas very well. thats a great design.
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Oh C-A-N-A-D-A !
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On 6/28/2006 Gary H.
wrote in from
United States
(17.221.nnn.nnn)
we are all waiting for the opening of Granite Regional in SAC but take a look at this:
http://www.skatedaily.net/ the top story listed....
http://www.winnipegskateparks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=48
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Bud At the Buckeye and The Dixie Cup
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On 6/28/2006
MC HammerHead- Downhillbillies.org
wrote in from
United States
(166.82.nnn.nnn)
Michael,
Bud was the coolest at the Buckeye. Had a great time hanging around him....he totally pitched in with the work as well and got his hands dirty. He not only got to see the racing part of it but also got a good look at all the work that goes into putting it on. Kenny did a great job and Bud was there to document it.....My only suggestion, put some sunscreen in the budget for furture trips...he ain't joking when he says he is hanging with the Aloe Vera sisters now....
Michael, you've got get Bud to the Dixie Cup.....! Nov. 3, 4, 5, 2006, Skatesville and Winston-Slalom, North Carolina
Speaking of CW...I have not gotten my latest issue yet....Can you check my sub?
Marion Karr
DHB WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Skatesville, North Carolina
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buckeye open
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On 6/28/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.94.nnn.nnn)
Bud went out to the buckeye open and has written a 12 page opus documenting his experiences. It's humorous and a real treat to read. I wish I could have been there!
You will see it posted tonight at the cw website.
Kenny, you know what I feel about you and your contributions to skateboarding! I hope your family is well
cheers
michael
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Buckeye Open 2.0 Slalom race
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On 6/28/2006
Kenny
wrote in from
United States
(68.252.nnn.nnn)
MB-
Thanks so much for sponsoring the Buckeye Open 2.0 last weekend. The swag was very well recieved. We couldn't have done it without you and NCDSA.com.
Pics of the weekend up on the Gong show.
Kenny Mollica
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Grand Opening
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On 6/28/2006
Geo
wrote in from
United States
(64.207.nnn.nnn)
Bud wrote-"- A skatepark to invite us to?"
The new skatepark in Longmont opens today!! I have been by several times drooling through the chainlink fence and it is going to be awesome. If you come out for the Nationals in August bring your park board! There is a picture of the park over on the Contest Calendar sign-up for the Nationals.-Geo
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Mother Nature trashed my scene!
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On 6/28/2006 David V.
wrote in from
United States
(143.183.nnn.nnn)
Got home from work last night, threw on my Vans, grabbed the board and headed for the top of the nearest hill. Within minutes, I was tucking down deep in attempt to outrun the nastiness headed my way! From 5pm till almost midnight, Albuquerque and the surrounding area got hammered--typical desert southwest monsoon--10" in ten minutes! Indian School Ditch became New Mexico's newest river system in the blink of an eye! Got a four day weekend coming up and the only way I'll be bombing hills is on an ATV...or in a canoe if the weather geek's right!
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ideas
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On 6/28/2006
buddy rawls
wrote in from
United States
(128.158.nnn.nnn)
On our local scene, an x-pro (late 70's) is giving away some of his old stuff that he has duplicates of. He does a trivia question, then the winner will recieve the give-away. the first three have been mags. I got a 78 skateboarder, of which I dearly love. My mags 77-79 (skbrder, skbrd world, wild world of, and surfrider/skaterider) are long since gone and I treasure getting those old mags. then a couple of early 80's thrashers.
In the Dec 83 Thrasher there was some very intersting comments regarding the market drop off perceptions of the 80-82 time frame, from a professional skater point of view that threw a twist in some of the past comments that we have seen and written on this board. The comments dealt with the passing of the old guys' torch to the new guys. Saying that commercialization could not fund the mid-late 20 yr olds need for true money (family, house, etc). That the youngsters would have to be the ones that retained pro status in the early to mid 80's, simply becuase of percieved economics by the companies. this in and of itself forced a major change of scene, as did all the park closings...yada..yada. Its amazing what changes occurred between the early 80's to the late 80's.
Anyways, It was an interesting take on the scene. But I dont want to be accused of dwelling in the past. Its true we skate "now". Even then we skated "now".
Michael (and crew), did you guys take any more of a look at a 100% skateboarder photo/s or article in the mag concept. As a way to really bring home the coverage of the mag from a 100% point of view.
If I am reading a mag that says 100% skateboarding, and I see some nice pictures or article of street rails or stairs, next to a racing article, next to a freestyle pic, next to a pool trip, then so be it. Acknowledgement is going to be a key to broadening CW to the next level. Where as acknowledgement, to the mainstream market, is a lesson in "why didn't we jump on this".
If you can gain the new schoolers and show them 100% skateboarding, while acknowledging them as skaters (not as a spectacle), that could serve as a vehicle to drive the whole ballgame to a more accepted level. Get them away from the mainstream marketed lifestyle or fashion aspect, and go full bore at skating. No mainstream turds in toilet or bum rolls or fashion statements, but real street "skating". Mainstream problem with 100% skateboarding is it rocks the boat. Covering other disciplines is sort of like a spectacle or an expos'e. In CW, it needs to be "this is it", no spectacles or expos'e.
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Hey, we need some problems to solve over here!
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On 6/28/2006
Bud
wrote in from
United States
(68.57.nnn.nnn)
Uuuuummm... we seem to have hit a slow time of the year on the 'ol messageboards. What gives...?
Doesn't anyone out there have:
- A scene that sucks?
- A board that has mysterious problems?
- A product to tell us about, or complain about?
- Questions about how to build a ___________? (Y'know you wanna say "Mini Ramp" here...!)
- A skatepark to invite us to?
- A trick they need help with?
Talk to us.... we care.
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landscaping
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On 6/27/2006
Karl W
wrote in from
United States
(216.191.nnn.nnn)
You don't need a big backyard to build a skatepark. I filled half of ours with a 4' mini (5' extensions. Now the weeds and grubs only have half the space they used to.
Now, if only I could source an affordable surfacing material that would hold up to Canadian weather. We've had rain every other day since building it. **sigh** skatelite and ramp armor are prohibitively expensive.
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landscaping
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On 6/27/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.94.nnn.nnn)
don't get me started on landscaping...I kill most things that are green....
not by choice...by sheer incompetance and bad luck
that's why, if I had a big enough backyard I would put in my own skatepark...a bowl..some banks
no worries about lawn care...
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re: Sacto SCREWS THE POOCH
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On 6/25/2006
msk
wrote in from
United States
(68.190.nnn.nnn)
Unfortunately, nothing new there. The closest park to my home
(and with a pretty fun bowl) was finished about 8 months before
it finally opened. Had to wait for the landscaping, which everyone
knows is the most important part of any skatepark...
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Sacto SCREWS THE POOCH
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On 6/25/2006 chris olden
wrote in from
(71.155.nnn.nnn)
hey,
I heard that the opening was being pushed back to
anywhere from mid-September to NOVEMBER.
ALL SUMMER and they can't get it open.
Leave it to the cow town capital of the
People's Republik of Kalifornia to have a park
DONE and not be able to figure out how to get
it opened until NOVEMBER.
Cows aren't the only thing that stinks in Sacramento...
Chris"sorry to say I've lived in Sacto almost my entire life"Olden
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re: that pic
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On 6/25/2006
msk
wrote in from
United States
(68.190.nnn.nnn)
According to a June update on the website, "the 40,000 sq. ft
park will not be open until September due to changes in the plans and
operation of the park." And I'm going to be driving through Sacramento in
early August... :(
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big pic
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On 6/25/2006
slim
wrote in from
(71.146.nnn.nnn)
Chris, thanks for the update. I definitely want to road trip
up there to check it out when it's open! Looks killer!
(adding our own line returns is a great idea - why didn't
i think of that on my own post? ha!)
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that pic
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On 6/25/2006 chris olden
wrote in from
(75.24.nnn.nnn)
hey Slim,
Sorry 'bout that!!
Just went past it on my way home from
Ione today...no progress on the landscaping.
The cement work looks done to me, but it's
still not open.
Guess it'll be open in another month or so.
chris olden
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that pic
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On 6/24/2006
slim
wrote in from
(71.146.nnn.nnn)
that's a rad skatepark picture, which has been posted on every damn skateboard website in the universe this week, but i can't wait until it falls off the first page. reading the posts now is a pain in the ass since we have to scroll all the way to the right, then back to the left, then repeat for each damn line of text!
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The latest Concrete Wave arrived here in NYC on Thursday !
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On 6/24/2006 NYC Asphalt Surfer
wrote in from
United States
(70.18.nnn.nnn)
It's the best one yet!
}:o)
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