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.
