Lowery: "The Fish Have Been Electrocuted" - Interview

Thrasher Magazine, Nov, 2001 by Michael Burnett

Whenever you meet the kids, how often do you think, "Who are these freaks?"

Now with skateboarding's popularity, it's drawing from a bigger pool. Going to skate camp and meeting kids, it seems like there are all kinds of kids getting into it. Whereas, when I started skating, I had a lot in common with everybody else who skated, because we all did it for the same reasons--as an alternative to other things. Now it's different because kids' parents are behind them. The kids are real anxious for the days when they're gonna make the majors. It's like the parents think they're gonna get a college scholarship or something. I think the reality of skateboarding has been skewed somewhat, Sure, there are millions to be made for a couple of guys, but for everyone else, it's meager money and pretty much just for the love of it.

What do you think of some of the pros repackaging themselves with new personas, like The Million Dollar Skater or Sid Vicious or whatever?

As sad as it is, kids need something to grab onto. Kids aren't going to grab onto someone who's just a really good skateboarder. A regular talented skateboarder probably won't be as popular as the skater who's crazy or the skater who's bling-blingin'.

Have you thought of a gimmick for yourself?

I know if I had a gimmick I'd be doing a lot better.

How about the skate pirate? Aargh!

That'd be tough with the eye patch and all--the parrot. Having only one eye really throws off your depth perception. You need the binocular vision to time those tricks. Skateboarding's a lot of timing.

Did you get one earring at a time?

No. I got 'em both.

Straight to two, huh?

Yeah. I like symmetry.

Do you have a selection at your house where you can get up and pick out the earrings to match your mood?

No. These don't come out. I have no selection, I was just thinking the other day, I don't feel like I'm old at this point, but I'm not getting any younger.

You're taking 'em out?

I don't wanna be that guy. I don't wanna be the 30-year-old looking hip with earrings and stuff--the goatee, a little bald spot. They've been in for so long I don't even think about them.

Do you ever feel the pressure to help your friends get sponsors?

Yeah, People have a really short memory. Here I am, just now comfortable. But it was only a little over a year or so where I had no board sponsor. People ask that of me but don't really think that a year ago I was done with being a professional skater. I want to help them out. Like, with Accel, I have sway in the company but it's really not entirely up to me. Same with Santa Cruz. Right now I am so incredibly happy with my sponsors.

So you've really taken to Long Beach? Are you thinking about putting down permanent roots?

Yeah. I realized that where you live really depends on the people. Long Beach doesn't have anything to skate. I don't go out, but there's not really a lot to do. I just have really good friends here. I have a good group of friends who live close by and are fun to skate with. You could live anywhere, but if you have that, you pretty much have all you need.