Issue 6

As I just posted to our facebook page, I'm very pleased with the content of this issue. I'm pretty happy with my layout. I'm very disappointed in my editing. I missed so many things, and even seemed to create misspellings and problems where there were none. My apologies to anyone I accidentally screwed up. I hope you will enjoy the issue despite the flaws.

Netbook view

Here is the view of Luchaskate Magazine on a netbook. Embrace technology!

Fickle Ad

Memphis Skate Rock

Barrier Kult interview

Check out luchaskate on your netbook, notebook, or tablet here

New Issue is Available!

I just dropped off mags to Hunter at Midtown Skateshop. Go buy something from Hunter and get a copy of the magazine with your purchase!

Not in Memphis? Hunter out of copies? You can buy copies and downloads from the website. I'm so stoked that people are buying this already! We've sold more copies than I had hoped already! Thanks for your support.

Don't forget the web exclusives on luchaskate.com as well. There is an article from Moscow, more pics from Skate Rock, and Jack Carlson is our Featured Skater for this issue!

Spreading Stoke!!!

Special Thanks:

Hunter at Midtown Skateshop
Lew at Fickle Skateboards

Without those two this magazine would not have gone to print!

And now for something completely different.

What a weekend?!

Friday night we were all worried about rain, but the morning turned out great for the Push It event. Great job Kim! Unfortunately, the rain came in a couple hours in to the event and we were all forced to scatter.

Lew and the rest of the Fickle crew from Cincinnati, Ohio along with the En Joy folks didn't make it before the rain, but they did make it.  After a quick lunch we met up with the Fickle guys and En Joy at Midtown Skate Shop.

 

It was a great opportunity as Lew got to meet skate enthusiest and Lucero band member, Brian Venable. Lew, as only Lew can, told Brian about Fickle Skateboards.

When the rain stopped, the squeegee and towels came out, and then the skating started again.

And the rest of the weekend was ON FIRE!  The Fickle guys were killing it. Wrex was killing it. I nearly killed myself (just kidding, mom. Total safety first, all weekend).

Early Sunday morning. Pre-session.

Sunday brought more rippage with an appearance of Jungle out who gave us a sideways acoustic jam.

And some proper skateboarding (in a mask).

Who is that masked man!?

Posting this picture...

...because I like it.

Don't forget:  Barrier Kult Interview in the upcoming issue #5.

skull skates on urban rush

Ok. Watch this.  Then write an essay for the book, Common Criminals.
 Email it to me:  luchamag@yahoo.com

been a while

Here is the deal. I haven't been blogging because I've been too busy skating and working on Common Criminals the book (anthology) we have coming out just around the corner.

Write for the damn thing.

Hit up West Point, MS last weekend.

This is an old picture of me at West Point.  I've grown my beard back (thank God), and I've retired the worn out Outlaw El Bandito deck.  I'm now rocking the fickle punk point 8.5  Believe it or not...I googled West Point MS skatepark and this was the first image that popped up.  Stoked.

This week I've been really into curb/street skating. No comply tricks and slappys and kickflips etc etc etc...

Good stuff

Somehow, it seems odd to me that I have a  friend that rips as hard as Wrex Cook. If I lived on the west coast it wouldn't seem odd, but I'm in good 'ol Memphis TN.   He gave me a copy of this video as a holiday gift, and my son made me rewind it five times.  It includes Tom Knox, Lance Mountain, Salba, Wrex...the list goes on.  Sickness.  Absolute pool skating sickness.

Speaking of sick...I'm feeling sick today.  Head cold.  I blame it on parasites.  Not really...but a couple of the guys working on Parasite, the D.I.Y. in New Orleans were in town, crashed at my place and left a trail of sneezing at this sticker in their wake.  Good times skating with stoked skaters.

Parasite sticker on my cruiser

Last, but not least, here is something I posted on the luchaskate facebook (join us...there is a link at the top of this page):

I just finished reading another skater's story. I'm stoked on reading all of your stories. Why do you love skateboarding? What is the defining skateboard moment? Is it standing in the shallow end of a pool? Is it watching a skater who's style and dedication sparks a stoke within you? Is it a session with your friends? Describe it. Spread the stoke you feel with all other skaters in the world. Common Criminals is going to be about 150 pages in length. Get your submissions in as soon as you can. Email a word doc to luchamag@yahoo.com. I have some "this is how I started skating" stories. They're rad, but be careful about sending any more of those. A few of those is enough. Yours should be more about the thrill of a moment or a defining moment after you first learned to ride so we give a huge variety of stories to the reader. Thank you to everyone! This project is going to be amazing! And yes, I may end up doing a volume 2 if the need arises.

Get your submissions in while it is cold outside!

Oh, one more thing:  A Luchaskate video is happening.  More details to come in the next issue of the mag.  Book first, video second.

fickle punk point

 

This morning started off on the wrong foot.  Yep.  That is my rear view mirror taped up.  

There is a pot hole in the middle of our street.  The city has put what looks like a plastic saw horse over it, making my street divided and, because of this, very narrow.  It is doable, until of course, somebody parks a car just in front of it.  So, the street is now too narrow in that spot.  So, as I left for the skatepark, I had to drive on the wrong side of the street to get around the car and divider.

What happens next?  Just as I make the decision to drive on the wrong side of the street, a car pulls onto the street from the opposite direction...I panic a bit and try to deep as close to the divider as possible (which would have been fine had my rear view mirror not suck out further than the body of my car).

 So, I went and rode this new fickle punk point (with Mariachi graphics) at the park until my hands hurt from the cold.  Stress relief thy name is fickle.  Notice the stocking cap on the nose of the board.

Hand prints on the top of the deck signify the hand made love that went into the deck.

sans cap.

cap where it belongs

stoke.  8.5 inch punk point. fickle skateboards.

Wet outside. Injured again. Read. Write.

Well, this winter officially hates my body. After falling on my butt and bruising my tailbone a month ago, I hung up on the coping yesterday and jacked my knee up. So, I'm almost glad it is rainy today...it takes away the temptation to skate on an injury.

So...I'm gonna chill and read the new Sharkbait 'Zine.

Get that shiz.

If you're similarly injured or held back by the rain you can always kick back with a new book by little 'ol moi.  My new book is now available on Amazon in both paperback and kindle.  Other than one poem called "Skateboarder," it isn't a skate related book, but hey, sometimes you have to venture out a little bit from your comfort zone. Choosing an Afterlife.

The poems I thought were the best over the last five years.

I'm happy to say that there are actually people buying it!  Stoked! So, what am I doing writing poetry, anyway?  Most people that know me don't know that I went to college on a creative writing scholarship.  Later, after my freshman year, I got a performance scholarship in theatre and declared that as my major, but I kept writing.  I quit writing after I became a chef, and other than writing some articles and recipes for Memphis Health and Fitness, I didn't write for years.  Until 2008 that is...well, here is the book that I made from those poems from 2008 until now.

Don't forget the other book project next year!  Write your skate essay! Get on it while the weather is bad!

Hernando Skates Fundraiser

Hernando Skates hosted an art auction Saturday night.  It was a fun evening with some good artwork by skaters and non-skaters alike.  Below are some of my favorite pieces.  I ended up buying a painting of a truck by Wrex Cook, and I was stoked to find out that the wood used as a canvas was from a ramp.  Perfect.  The fund raiser pocketed over 1,500.00 toward the Hernando Skate Park project.  I was very happy to be a part of the event both as an artist and art buyer.

Paintings by W. Cook

I donated one of my Rothko inspired big pieces

Middle painting by Jon Willingham

Glad it sold, but is it okay to admit I don't get this? Bean plant over the ocean?

Lemmy.  Forever cool.

Light switch cover?! Rad.

A little something from Ron Marion with frame by Shove-It designs

Lino block print by Charles Andy Jimmy Walker

One of Lindsey Rowland's contributions

D.I.Y. Skate Co.

Chris J. of Rufus Skates is making me a new deck.  I get a text asking what size I want.  I gave him my specs (width, wheelbase etc...).  I sent him my specs and he replied, "we can do whatever you want."

I ask you this:  How many skateboard companies tell you that when you email them what you'd like in a deck?  Yeah, not too many.  That is one of the things so awesome about companies like Rufus and Fickle. Look for a review and in depth report on the process of getting a board from Rufus Skates.

What else is great about D.I.Y. Companies?  You're helping someone that is a skater continue to provide the best quality product possible.  I've been riding an Outlaw Skateboards El Bandito deck for well over a month.  I have knocked it into curbs and ledges.  It has flown out of a bowl while I bailed.  I have thrown everything I can at this board and it is still holding strong. You help a skater continue, and you get quality product.

Lucha inspired graphic on the El Bandito

Last, but not least, these guys are doing cool things.  What Luck Skateboards has the re-kruzer project.  Check it out. They are donating a board to a kid for every cruiser you buy.  How rad is that!?

What Luck Ad from the last Luchaskate.

Sunday Funday

Good people to skate with, a fun Sunday session, and cupcakes.  What more could a guy ask for?  A little belated birthday celebration for me?  I was stoked.  Even got a new shirt (thanks Wrex and Kim!)!  I probably didn't show my gratitude well enough.  I was a little embarrassed with the attention.  Thank you everyone for coming out today and skating with me.

My new Old Man Army t-shirt

Last three cupcakes swimming in a sea of ciggie butts.  You can just see my truck hanger in the bottom right of the screen.

Miranda and Kris

Ed, Kim and Wrex (Mike is hidden)

Jonathan acting a fool.

I'm still addicted to learning kickflips on banks.  Next deck, I'm going with an 8.5 to see if it helps out.  Just about have 'em figured out.  I was never good at flip tricks.  I guess I'm learning to be patient. Ha!  Flat ground, I got 'em.  On a bank?  One out over every 5 right now.

I had to leave a little earlier than I wanted.  Old man wasn't feeling too well, but I had a blast as always.

West Point Grand Opening

This day was a blast despite a few minor setbacks.

1.  It suddenly became fall (for real) this weekend producing a rainy pre-opening Friday with temperatures dropping down into the 40's.  If you were sittin' you were cold.  Get up and skate!

2.  We got pulled over and Kris (I wasn't driving) got a speeding ticket right at Tupelo.

Busted!!!

3.  Somehow I got dog crap on my grip tape.

Dog Crap on my beloved Outlaw El Bandito

 4.  For some reason the people at the bbq joint we all went to after the opening didn't want me to eat which pissed me off (more than) a little bit.  Of course, as soon as I gave up, and walked away they had my food ready.  It was good.  Worth the wait?  If I weren't starving, yeah, it probably would've been.

Set backs aside, what a blast.  Little Rock was well represented, and Matt Clark hooked me up with the new issue of their 'zine, Chaos Ninja, which features a little somethin' somethin' I wrote about the bros over at Fickle (who also sponsored the grand opening, thanks Lew).

Chaos Ninja Skate 'Zine

Some of the highlights of the contest portion was seeing old dog Mike Lasiter grinding 13 pool blocks to win the longest grind contest, all the groms who learn so quickly, Zach Galinas backside tail slide revert in the deep end of the bowl (& his 10 pool block grind), and the trophies that Catfish Chad made with his own two hands.  However, I think my stoke of the day was (and I could kick myself for not getting a pic) was when Zach gave the deck he won for best trick to one of the groms who needed one. Good job, Zach. The stoke spreads.

The smile says it all.  Mike Lasiter. Long grind king.

Special thanks to all the sponsors (I know I'm gonna leave somebody out, my apologies): Silly Girl, Fickle, Assault, Dream at En Joy, Tork Trucks, Iron Horse, ATM Click, Old Man Army, Chaos Ninja and anyone else that my tired brain can't think of...

Also:  Special Thanks to the people at West Point Parks and Rec, Kim Cook for her tireless efforts, Wrex Cook who donated decks from his own collection, Catfish Chad for making the trophies (why don't I have a picture of those!!!!), and everyone who came out to make the day special.

Pat "The Rake" Rakestraw killing some Tedder's Pool Coping

Read Issue 2 Here

Here it is folks:

Issue 2 of Luchaskate Magazine.  Read it.  Download it.  Print it.  Embed it on your blog or website.  Email it. Share it and like it on facebook.  Spread the stoke!

Open publication - publishing - More d.i.y.

One correction in this issue: Dustin Dattilio rides for Shipwreck Skates NOT Shipyard Skates. Sorry, bro!

Outlaw El Bandito

I stopped by my house on the way to pick up the kiddo from his mom's place yesterday and found a box with this in it sitting on my porch.

Outlaw Skateboards El Bandito

Outlaw Skateboards was the first company to show support for a fledgling Luchaskate Magazine.  The first issue wasn't even out yet (it was just my blog) when Outlaws said they were down for the cause.  Now?  Now they've come out with their new deck, El Bandito.  The sizes vary from just over 8 through 8.8 and the larger sizes have a 15 inch wheelbase.

You can check them out at http://outlaw-skateboards.com/, but be forewarned (yeah, I been listening to Pentagram again tonight) the site will be down for maintenance until October 10th while Mike goes to Europe and prepares to come back and take wage war with corporate skateboarding.

Until then?  You're gonna see a lot of Lucha and El Bandito.

Fickle Mayhem

Got the 8.6 fickle deck with a Mayhem graphic via UPS yesterday.  Extra goodies?  Yeah, Lew hooked me up.  Not only were there a ton of stickers in the box, but Lew sent a frugal lunch and the actual smock/shirt he wore while gluing and shaping my deck.  Now, that is customer service.  Ready to ride the massive concave and steep kicktail on this fickle (but, no, I ain't giving up my Outlaw).

Noodles shrink wrapped in

There is history (and tons of glue) in this shirt

Barney Mayhem

The Gay Ocean

I spent a little time this morning washing clothes ('cause they stankin') and reading through my favorite blogs.

The first to mention is, "The Gay Ocean."  This is a good friend and contributor to luchaskate mag.  A must read.

The second to mention is Jeff's Skateboard Blog.  Always fresh content from a person who loves skateboarding.

Outlaw Pray for Death Pt. 2

I did a blog post a while back...the day I got my Outlaw Pray for death deck.  I finally got a decent pic riding it today (instead of those pixelated video stills).  Fun times.

Photo by Lindsey Rowland

Stickers and T-shirts

So we have a new sticker in the works that many of you who have liked us on facebook will know about:

But, there has also been some interest in this being a t-shirt as well.  I've done a couple of mock ups, and I'd like to know your opinion.  Black t-shirt or white?