Flip & The Firm Demo
Before the web, X-Games, and general societal acceptance, skateboard culture relied on magazines, VHS videos, and demos to keep the kids stoked. Old-timers in Lexington still wax nostalgic about a few legendary demos at Champs Roller Rink, The Lexington Mall parking lot, and The Ice Center. During a recent trip back home, I ran into one of those guys, Chris Steinrock, who was once a member of the city’s skateboaring elite. Eating at Bellini’s Italian (owned by old-schooler, John Marletta), we explained to my parents that there was once two factions that dominated the Lexington skate scene: El Loco and Phillip Gall’s. Downtown vs. Suburbs. Punk vs. Prep. Both of these shops held demos and kids came from miles to see their favorite pros and beg for stickers.
It’s hard not to feel a little of that excitement as I anticipate what may be one of North Carolina’s sickest demos ever: Flip and The Firm, November 19th, at Project 58 in Raleigh. Raleigh’s skateboarding institution, Vertical Urge will be hosting the two teams. Who’s coming? Tom Penny, Lance Mountain, Ray Barbee, Geoff Rowley, Mark Appleyard, Rune Glifberg, Rodrigo TX, Burnquist, Ali Boulala, Javier Sarmiento, and more.
October 29th, 2005
Steiny
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Hey Billy. Nice blog. Your entries are very eloquent and insightful. I couldn’t help but notice my name and the reference to the local ‘elite’, so I thought I would put in the $.02. Oh my how we have moved on. It seems that anyone who picked up a board in their youth now maintains a career with computers. I’m approaching my second year as a web designer here in Lex. Lots to learn. My route home from work takes me on the hilly street I once used to transport the 6′ by 4′ tall launch ramps to Triangle park (notorious for eating boards and breaking ankles). I still drive around with a cracked Black Label in my trunk, just in case. I keep hearing about the famous Moser constructions but have yet to check it out. Were is the online repository of old school images and schwag? All of our heros coming to Lex? The days of city council meetings to kick out the skaters because of the passing fad? I’m sure there are tons of gems lying around in the shoeboxes of former local elites. Something to think about. - sk8 or die comrad.