Interview by: Michael Bayr
YOU DECIDED TO CONSOLIDATE YOUR COMPANY INTO A SINGLE BRAND. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THAT WHEN A LOT OF COMPANIES ARE MOVING THE OTHER WAY AND EXPANDING BRANDS?
I decided to consolidate to focus on just one thing because it just makes more sense to put most of my energy into one thing and make it the best that i can. With only one website, one set of ads, “one team, etc. one dream,” as my other job puts it. So, from here on out I plan to focus on Denial with Killgore and bring it back to where it was years ago.
WAS IT A HARD DECISION TO STOP GENRE?
It was a very hard decision to see something i created from the ground up be gone. However, it was for the best. I am still just as dedicated to rolling as I was when I first started but now that I am older and have other things going on in life I do not want to spread myself too thin. I have a job outside of rollerblading and a skateshop as well. I decided to merge denial and genre so we can make the one as strong as possible.
WHAT WILL CHANGE NOW THAT GENRE IS OFFICIALLY DEAD?
Well you will see a lot more from Denial in the future. We have a ton of wheels planned for this year as well as some new clothing items. We are going to focus more on quality. If that means making fewer goods, so be it.
YOUR VIDEOS ARE ALWAYS FULL OF RAW POWER; WHAT MAKES A FLICK A TYPCIAL MAJETTE RELEASE?
I think a lot of my influences came from watching skate videos when I was growing up. Videos that got me into skating were VG3, Hoax 2, and Harvesting the Crust. Those videos were what really got me excited to go out and skate. Anyone that has seen Harvesting the Crust knows about the rawness of skating. That raw skating mixed with the music such as NOFX and other punk bands got me into skating. So, I guess that’s why my videos are the way they are. I understand everyone has there own musical tastes, and I do let my riders have a say in there section songs, but I always throw in some music I typically would get hyped skating to. On that note the trailer song is by At the Drive-In which is one of my all time favorites. However most of the music in this video is not much like the trailer which is why I posted the section/song list in advance for all of those haters who do not like my musical choices.
ARE YOU PLANNING ANY ADDITIONAL RELEASES THIS YEAR?
I have no plans to release any other videos this year. To be honest I don’t even own a video camera anymore. I made most of this video with my friend Tom Pearce’s camera. (Thanks Tom!)
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE RELEASES SO FAR?
Obviously, I love the old school videos. A lot of the newer releases do not get me as hyped as the older ones. They are filmed and edited in a totally different way which is more artistic. I am not saying they are not any good. The talent out there is totally amazing, but I enjoy watching a quick little video with what you call “raw power” and then going out and skating. I enjoy watching the newer releases for their filming and editing quality and creativity, but I would not put a lot of them on to get hyped right before a session. I think, out of the newer releases, I liked watching Shred Til You’re Dead, and The Truth One.
YOU ARE RELEASING TWO PRO WHEELS; ONE FOR JOHN SCHMIDT AND ONE FOR JON BOLINO. WHY THESE TWO?
Well, Schmidt has been killing it for so long we felt he was long overdue. I know a lot of you haven’t seen anything from him in awhile but when you see “Genre is Dead” you will know what’s up. Bolino is a no brainer. He is on top right now, which I am sure everyone can agree on.
WHAT WHEELS WILL BE NEXT?
I can’t give you specifics yet, but expect to see a flat rocker set up coming soon and a few more pro wheels. We are going to be mixing it up and coming out with wheels pretty often. Keep checking the website for more updates: Knowrollerblading.com. Or just wait for Killgore to spam the boards and Facebook all day long…
