Since things like Police Informer continue to grow in popularity for those of us accustomed to a time when skateboarding was much simpler, devoid of sixteen year olds doing fakie front crook 360 flip outs, I figured I would join in on the party. So here is Huf’s Pro Spotlight from Transworld back in 1998, when east coast skateboarding still kind of mattered to people.

You can find kickflips, 180s, and ollies in..

Real’s Non-Fiction (1995)

Real’s Real to Reel (2002)

FTC’s Penal Code 100A (1996)

P.S. If you had not already noticed.. I added this “Recent Comments” thing underneath Iron Mike’s head to the right of the posts, where you can stay up to date with all the very intelligent discussions that go on here at Quarter Snacks regarding french literature, foreign films, classical music, politics, existentialism, and Black Dave.

Everyone is well aquatinted with the phrase, “all good things come to an end.” But it seems like in skateboarding, most careers do not see the start of their demise until the given culprit is approaching the 21 mark, where they become accustomed to the high life embodied by beer, liquor, weed, pills, hoes and occasionally heroin. New York recently began to feel the pain when one of our most promising upstarts (meaning he could do things besides front shoves and 180s over trash cans) was lost to a life of decadence forever.

This past weekend went something like this: Thursday night BD was spotted outside of the Fish (at approximately 11PM, mind you), screaming “I got dat Switch Mike ID.” Friday night, the words “BD RULES” were found etched in front of some other trashy Avenue C place. Saturday night, after all of these situations begin to point towards a new, dark chapter in BD’s career, I hear, “I saw BD in Lit the other night…by himself.”

Fake IDs, the leading killer of careers in New York.

John Roman updated his site with legitimate photographs.

Stick Up Kids posted one of my favorite internet skate clips in a while, with a selection of really good, and seldom seen spots, in addition to a somewhat inferior to the original, but still welcome change of pace song selection.

Quote of the Week: Zack Malfa-Kowaski: “Did you get that board at the mall?”
Hippie Save-the-Whales Liberal White Girl on a Cruiser Board: “No, Paragon.”

A recent rumor is gradually beginning to seem like a reality. During the winter, there was some word of the imminent transformation to be had in the back of Union Square, in which the wide open space and much coveted farmer’s market would be transformed into an array of small stores, like the ones that occupy the front of the park during the holiday season, where tourists are able to purchase shirts condemning politicans, candles, and other environmentally sound goods. It seems that the parks department has taken initial steps towards rendering the back on Union a long lost memory. This obviously has repercussions for those of us who occasionally skate flat there when there is nothing else to do and we have expended all other possibilities, but of course, this is not all that significant.

It is still hard to say which community has been hit hardest by this devastating new reality — the ravers/goths, the squatters, or the people who own skateboards, but are unaware of anywhere else to skate in Manhattan besides Union Square. The goths, and particularly the ravers, being the adaptive individuals that they are, as evidenced by their clinging on to a scene that has not existed for over ten years, are most likely the community with the least to lose in terms of lifestyle modifications. They are, however, at a heavy loss of prime real estate, since inevitable relocations will never quite amount to the amazing proximity Union had to Saint Mark’s Place and the Goth store on 4th Avenue. The most probable possibilities for relocation will most likely be greeted with a significant rise in overdoses on stimulants (for the ravers) and suicides (goths). Presumably, both groups will attempt to reclaim Washington Square Park from the pushing-fifty Haitian drug dealers, but will all be either arrested or scared away by the various.. umm… businesses in the park, who will be forced to choose between the revenue to be derived from both goths and ravers, and the increased police presence that would likely proceed all of the glowsticks and kids dressed like they are on their way to the Jonestown People’s Temple. Tompkins Square Park is also another candidate for relocation, but is an unlikely one when you take into account that the park closes its gates in the nighttime, and the pants both groups wear are a very significant health hazard for anyone who may wish to hop a fence, you know, with the extraneous zippers, 40 inch wide hem, and all that. Furthermore, it is a very far walk from the goth and exotic apparel store on fourth avenue, and the spanish kids from the Avenue D projects probably would not rush to establish a welcoming committee either.

The squatters will be forced to relocate to the dim corners of McCarren Park in Brooklyn, since they are not in extreme need of the various “alternative dress” stores (also known as costume shops) and inexpensive fast food places favored by the goths and ravers. If that does not work out, they can always go back to their parents’ house in Sheepshead Bay, where they ran away from due to the enforcement of a 10PM curfew.

The people who own skateboards, but do not know of places to skate besides Union Square will quit skating and become full-time sneakerheads.

Any way you slice it, it is going to be a very interesting summer.
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Other important, but not as important things:

Somebody recently posted this video of Matt Hensley’s part from Gullwing’s Full Power Trip (1988). The part was largely filmed in New York, during a mostly undocumented time in the city’s skateboarding history. There is even footage from the Harlem Banks, which many people commonly cite as never appearing in any skate video.

A pretty good Paulgar montage, despite a bit too much 12th and A.

I just wanted to say, thanks, iPhone. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane these days. Well, that and the meth.

The 5050 Reunion (Remember this one?) - Photo By John Roman.

Contest/demo/event footage is pretty much the worst. Importing, organizing and editing hordes of little kids all flying into walls even moreso. We decided to take the easy way out and provide a mere recap of the several highlights from this past Saturday’s King of Spring contest at 12th and A, where the overall highlight actually took place on a scooter. We can’t afford any fancy, Fox 5 sports journalists, in the same way I am generally incapable of writing things that make sense myself, so I opted for seeking out the (semi) professional eloquence of Taj Mahal. The Taji 12th and A Contest Re-Cap.

One of the few spots that you would never get kicked out of in Midtown, in addition to one of the more iconic double-sets in east coast skateboarding is just about done for. Jacob Javitz Center has been completely fenced off from entry. If you’re nice with jumping fences and want to get one last trick down the double set or on the curved bench before it gets torn down, now many be a good time to do it.

Significantly less important, but still kind of worth mentioning to those who like stupid east coast cutty spots, “that step to cellar door across from Veteran’s Memorial” is gone. They put handrails on both sides of the steps. I know the picture is horrible.

Quote of the Week: “Yeah, he was in a picture in my history book with Martin Luther King during the civil war.” - Yaje “Straight Edge 4 Life” Popson

I like totally missed you, fool.

Since I could not post the “video” below this one and not have it accompany some sort of legitimate skate clip, in fear of losing 95% of the core fanbase, something had to be worked out. This is actually the first leigitmate Quarter Snacks clip since Christmas time, so its been a while..

Features a bunch of assorted shit from the past months, some hella tight footage from the other side, Charles Lamb’s Euro excursions and other nonsense. It has gradually becoming warmer, but given that the weather in New York is a conniving bitch most of the time, I wouldn’t be surprised if it snows by the end of the weekend. If all does go according to plan, you should begin seeing more legitimate skate footage. Features Matt Mooney, Thando Beschta, Dario Philips, Isak Buan, Ty Lyons, Kevin “THE WORST DRUNK EVER” Teirney, Miles Marquez and Charles Lamb.

Springtime 2008: FUCK BASKETBALL COURT FOOTAGE Edition