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Thrasher Magazine, April, 2004

The San Diego Convention Mausoleum was the location where the last Action Sports Retailer trade show unraveled. Connected skate people reported healthy interest in their programs. Amidst the dire negativity of the truly clueless fighting their own imminent extinction in a down market, this was a remarkable achievement. Incident reports abounded, as the International Association of Skateboard Companies' pavilion resembled an elephant's graveyard of old surf industrialists. Speculation spread about the rise of yet another J Grant Gazette. Rumors flew regarding Jim Gray's anti-China insurrection. Gullwing Walt was so rabidly "made in America" that his booth sported giant US flags and eagles. Skate One Powell was overheard lamenting about the Chinese authorities seizing one of his video cameras. Bob Denike was huddled down in a booth with a private secret door, where he feverishly rewrote the Independent book. Joe Bowers was at Alien, simultaneously refuting the tales that he was elsewhere. Jesse Martinez and Nathan Pratt served notice that there is a new three to be reckoned with. Brian Coons hung out with a descendant of Brigham Young and tried to claim that he wasn't with the CIA nor the Latter-Day Saints. Tony Nagnusson yet again attempted to mediate his and David Hackett's film-rights legal dispute with Ray "Woody" Allen. James Muir, Joel Tudor, Peter Townend, Reggie Barnes, Nat Young, Mike Casals and Shaun Tompson all snuck off to surf sliding. Aaron Astorga appeared to be Nike management material, as men with swoosh ankle tattoos charted his every move. Bruce Walker, Sausage Man Smith, Jim Fitzpatrick and James O'Mahoney all competed for the title of world's oldest active skater. Jim Thiebaud provided up to the minute Cardiel medical reports and hinted that another anti-trade show was in the offing.

DC premiered its Deluxe Edition DVD at ASR and--holy shit--Danny Way is not of this fucking Earth! Not to spoil any secrets, but Way pretty much makes everyone else look like slobbering, pants-crapping infants. You must see this fucking shit to fucking believe it! Steal your mom's car, drive to the skateshop and trade it for this DVD! You wig not be sorry!