Trash

Thrasher Magazine, July, 2004

TOILET BOYS

OSIRIS GETS FARTHER AND FARTHER FROM THE STORM with the addition of Aberdeen, Scotland's John Rattray. Always a trooper, Rattray will accompany the team on an upcoming European tour (in an autograph-and-kind-word-giving-only capacity) as he recovers from a severely tweaked knee. Other Osiris rumors have Kanten Russell stepping down from active duty and over to a possible team manager's position.

Signs of cathartic disintegration continue to yet manifest themselves as the mainstream attempts to absorb and categorize the act of skateboarding. The recent "recognition" of the term ollie by the Oxford English Dictionary is certainly conclusive proof of the danger that lurks. Just so you won't have to look it up, the official definition is: "ollie, n. Also with capital initial. [The name of Alan "Ollie" Gelfand (b.1963), US skateboarder, who invented the jump in 1976.] In skateboarding: a jump that is executed by pressing the foot down on the tail of the board to rebound the deck off of the ground. Also a similar jump in snowboarding ... ollie, v., intr In skateboarding, snowboarding, etc. to perform an ollie." Oxford also refers to itself as "the definitive record of the English language." Alan Gelfand himself, the human, as opposed to the gentrified term, can be located in Hollywood, Florida at his own private skate sanctuary, Olliewood.

Chad Knight collected two-G for pulling a nice switch 360 flip in the San Diego Sports Arena Double Set Replica Contest.

WHEEL MAN

Four-wheeled funny man Sal Barbier got an offer he couldn't refuse and packed the Aesthetics team and took them to Zoo York, where they'll form the basis of the skate program. In other news, That '70s Show's Ashton Kutcher is returning to modeling to be the mainstream face of Zoo. How he'll hold up in the van next to Harold is certainly concerning. Word is Ashton has a mean three flip.

Kenny Hughes is earning some extra gambling money as--and we are not making this up--Fat Albert's skateboarding stunt double in the new live-action adaptation of the adventures of Bill Cosby's lovable junkyard gang. Tales of 360 flips in a fat suit are floating off the set, but reports of Malcolm Watson playing Reggie and Harold Hunter starring as Mushmouth are said, at press time, to be mere hopeful speculation.

ZULU NATION

A Lost Clothing trip to South Africa ended in semi-disaster recently after Jesse "Street" Fritsch blew his knee and Pat Duffy broke his arm. With band practices and a DC shoe model (respectively) hanging in the balance, don't expect these two bruisers to be out for long.

In further Legacy news, the Mutt added Aussie wunderkind Shane Cross to the team and--holy shit--is he a bruiser! Rumors of attacks on rails in the high teens are already floating around after the kid's first week in the US.

BIG DIRTY

The recently disclosed James Keich Hubba reunion is currently proceeding, as is the purposefully deep down-low H-Cartel tour. This procedural spectacle appears to many to be Z. Bassett and crew lamping and ronin' about in the new 'Sclade.

Tony Hawk is said to have visited Sierra Leone, Africa on a humanitarian outreach program that was organized by the Laureus World Sports Academy. Also included on the charitable trip was New Zealand rugby star Seam Fitzpatrick who accompanied Tony on this journey to the war-ravaged country. Hawk returned to the US to attend the Universal City world premiere of his Secret Skatepark DVD, the X-Games, and the Indiana State Fair.

Christian Fletcher and Matt Archibold are now believed to be in the house of NHS. While founder Richard Novak appears to be recovering well from his recent heart surgery, we can only worry that the previously mentioned rash act may prove to be dangerous to his health. Other news rekindled Tom Knox and Eric Dressen as new old pros.

MY SHOW

Geoff Rowley signed up Johnny Layton to Vans. Amping up the am roster, Vans also added Popwar's Raymond Molinar and Legacy's Andrew Allen to the squad. Vans announced the release of a very limited edition Ray Barbee shoe(!), too, complete with OG Powell graphics, a CD and a T-shirt all thrown into the purchase price.

TOM THUMB

Anyone heard of Antwon Dixon? You soon will, 'cause he is getting on eS. In some other sophisticated footwear news, Tom Penny's said to be cruising the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Etnies gave out over 2,000 free pairs of shoes to disadvantaged types via the Los Angeles Mission. Present were such civic movers and/or shakers as Pierre Andre, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr, Patricia Heaton, John Larroquette and even Jayne Meadows. There was so much activity generated that 5th Street was shut down by the city between Wall and San Pedro.

Hollywood's Shelter was the site of Eric Koston's surprise birthday party. The fete was sprung on the somewhat-suspicious Koston following his attendance at a Lakers' game. The extensive guest list amazed even those who organized the soiree. No Shaq and no Kobe, but Phil Jackson was on hand to keep things under control.