The Mark Del Negro Interview

I've known Mark for a long time. I remember seeing him kill it at Woodward as a little kid back in about 98'. We didn't know each other back then, but I knew he ripped and since then over the years he's always been super cool and super good at skating. From the Boarderline Skatepark days back in West Chester to 7th Street now, Mark has always been a great homie to skate and talk shit with. All along the way Mark has made style #1 priority in his skating. The footage over the years speaks for itself. The following is an interview we did last month to give you all a little insight into what Mark has been up to. Enjoy.
-PUSHER ROB

Mark, what have you been up to as of recent? How's winter been for you?

Coolin' man, just counting down the days till' spring arrives. Been working as much as possible and trying to skate when there isn't a foot of snow on the ground.  I don't mind winter too much; it's all apart of the game living here so I just let Mother-Nature do her work and go with it.

Any trips planned for Spring or Summer? NYC? DC? Or somewhere totally off the skate grid?

Nothing crazy but yeah hopefully once the weather is good I'll adventure out.   New York,  Baltimore, and maybe Boston at least once this summer.  It’s tight because Delaware is between everything which makes it a little easier to do little trips. 

I know you and Tommy Zhoa have been working on the Legion of Sorts video, right?

Yeah it is called Something Sinister, which is actually dropping this month.Tommy and the crew been putting in serious work.

How was your 6 month stay in China/Vietnam in 2012?  

Spent 5 months non-stop skating, traveling to different cities, and meeting new people.  It was amazing.  Then I did a month long bike trip in Vietnam which was an adventure of a life time.  Didn't know if I was going to make out alive some days during that, but it was super rad. It was sick to get away from the norm and adventure out to some new shit. A good eye opener for sure.

Was that the best skate trip you have been on or are there others that stand out above that one?

The China trip was for sure heavy, but I can't consider it the best because any skate trip to me is awesome.  One that stands out to me still to this day is when me and my friend Zach drove across the country and literally listened to Peedi Crakk from Delaware to Cali. That shit was sick. 

You're also working on the Kinetic Skate Shop video too, right?

Yes, it’s in the works as we speak. Just going out and watching the younger dudes put in work is making it worthwhile to work on.  Making me feel like a old man! 

Who is filming and editing it?

Jake "Toad" Todd. Its his baby. 

So we can usually find you at 7th Street park; what do you like about that place? What's up with Rodney Square these days?

You get it all there.  From skating the best stuff, to seeing some nutty Wilma people creeping; and best yet its the meet up spot where all the homies shred.  I like it because you’re basically in the middle of no-where.  You drive down some weird ass road to a parking lot surrounded by water and trees, its awesome.  Rodney is still the jump if you skate down town.  I grew up skating that place and still love it to this day.  Sometimes you can skate all day, and sometimes you get the boot in a matter of minutes, but it's nothing serious.  Roll back in 10 minutes and your good.

When your not skating what do you do besides search for the most ignorant music you can possibly find on planet earth?

I like to doodle.  That’s therapy to me.  Put on some crazy rap music and zone out.  Exploring with the homies is always fun.  Walk around in the woods, or a creek, or find some abandon shit to crawl around is always tight.  Sounds weird but yeah I do that when I'm not skating. 

Heard your moving to Philly? Truth or total myth?

Myth

Where has travelin' man Willy Akers been?

Last I saw he was in SD.  He's a traveler so its hard to keep up with that dude, but I always see little clips of him killing pools which is awesome.  Love that dude.

You guys in a red beard battle?

Not anymore I had to give up.  He had me beat but it was worth a try.  I grew it out wanting to be Action Bronson for Halloween, but it didn't end up happening; salty.

You've been skating for a long time. When did you start and how has skating changed since you started? How has the scene in our area changed?

I started skating around 96'.  Coming up watching skating it was all about speed, style, and good looking tricks. You didn't see the flip in flip out shit.  It was style when I was coming up and that was fresh to me.  I enjoy that kind of skating to this day and still only 90's parts usually.  Not saying I don't like what’s going on but that’s just what I'm into.  Skating today is so easy for kids its crazy, but its awesome to see how its developed since then.  Not saying I'm some OG or something, but I've seen a lot coming up and how shit has gone in cycles; its cool and interesting.  I’m hyped to have been able to see so much.  As far as any changes in our area I wouldn't say anything has changed but the players.  A new generation of skaters are keeping it alive.

  

Who's been hooking you up and keeping you rollin' as of recent?

Hopps (flow), Pusher Wheels, Helas Caps, Bones bearings, Nike sb, Kinetic Skate Shop.

Cam' Ron or Juelz?

Cam' with the cape on.  

Black Sabbath or Metallica ?

Black Sabbath.  Fairies Wear Boots makes me feel some way. 

Blazers or Dunks?

Blazers stay crispy.

Accels or Sal23's?

I have to roll with my Pops on this one.  Accels. 

Half Cabs or Old-Skools?

Half Cabs are the best looking shoes ever.  Keenan Milton made that shoe look fresh as shit. 

Wiz or American?

It all depends on what kind of mood your in.  I rock The Wiz on my chicken and American on my steak.  Is that weird?

Polo or Nautica?

POLO… Nautica's, not for all of us.  

Any last words Chip?

Do what you want no matter what people think or say.  

Shred until the wheels fall off!  Thank you Mom, Dad, and Erin for being there for me no matter what I love you.  Shout out to my HEADS, the Akers family, and all the homies. Thank you to everyone that’s helped and supported me throughout the years I couldn't thank you enough. STAY UP Gzzz!

Mike Maldonado Interview 2014

Style, power, and a unique perspective are how I’d pretty much sum up the way Mike skates. He’s a secrete mini-ramp murderer and he doesn’t care about the industry hype; never has and never will. Mike has been skating since before most of you reading this were born, so he’s seen skateboarding change a lot over the years. He’s a true down to earth dude that anyone can kick it with and by far one of the most interesting professional skateboarders you’ll ever talk to, trust me. If you ever meet him you’ll understand why he is the way he is. Go skate with him and ask him about plants, or shoes, or tricks, or the government and you may just find yourself not only having a fun day of skating, but actually having an intelligent conversation about the real world outside of our box of kickflips and crooked grinds. Mike’s just a rad dude all around that’s all I can say.

-Pusher Rob

Mike, to start things off let’s let the world know where you are from and what you’ve been up to in the last year…heard you've been growing your own food?

M- Born and raised in Chester County, Pa. I don't do much; my life is interestingly boring. I take care of the dogs, then I do my morning thing, shower, bust a grub, relax, read a bit, start working on the house or working outside in the yard. Sometimes I'll get stuff together and hit the scrap yard or get my culinary arts up (bread, cheese, dough, clams or what have you). Speaking of all that, yeah I've been trying to grow a bit of food. Health is wealth ya’ know? Most people don’t think like that…especially skateboarders! A lot of folks will eat what's convenient, not what's best. Yet somehow they demand the best...kinda crazy to me.

What’s the best part about living in the West Chester/Philly area?

M- The best thing about living in this area is that there are so many places really close like New York, D.C., Philly and The Burg.

What’s the worst part about living in ht West Chester/ Philly area?

M- The worst thing about living in this area is the winter weather and I'd have to say the hype… if I have to explain that then you wouldn’t get it.

I heard you might build a ramp at your house soon, any truth to this?

M- One of my close homies is getting rid of his outdoor ramp. I just have to get some dough together so I can get it, transport, and rebuild it. The few sponsors I got could send me a triple sized extra FAT box that could speed up the process ya heard! Just kidding, but I’m looking forward to getting that ramp for sure.

What exactly happened with the re-launch and re-demise of AXION?

M- I couldn't tell ya anything about it as far as coming back and then ending. Someone told me a long time ago "talk minus action equals zero.” (That it no way means zero bought Axion kids)

With all the skate media coming out daily or sometimes hourly actually, how do you think skateboarding has been affected by it?

M- All of these technology and media outlets are ridiculous. Don't get me wrong it's a huge help for loads of things, but it's just become a faster race to see who can get more hits and shit. I’d like to think we are cooler and more interesting then just looking at all “my followers.” Fuck that fact in real life...most of that shit don’t matter. The Internet seems to have become like a dog and pony show.

How do you think humans are affected by it in general?

 M-Technology is making humans DUMB! People can't spell for shit, they text each other when they are in the same room. For example, ten friends could be sitting at a table together and not say a word to each other for up to fifteen minutes, because they are all logged into their phones. People in relationships hardly call each other. It's texts or snap chat or all kinds of other bullshit. Folks are beginning to become more and more complacent, because everything is at their fingertips. Don't get it twisted I use plenty of it myself, but I limit myself or at least I try. People might say that makes me dumb, but hey I know I'm not perfect. A lot can be said about human contact and interaction. I value that. Hahahaha, shit… listen to me rant when I pretty much live like a hermit...hahaha!

You’ve been skateboarding a long time, and you have seen plenty of trends come and go. From someone who started skating in the 80’s, I want to know what you think about skate shoe evolution.  What are your top 5 all time best shoes for skating?

M-Skate shoes have gone thru some serious changes since I started. Back in the 80's shoes had lace protectors. Them things went across the whole top not just slightly on the side. Yeah they were mostly for vert, but your ass would get laughed at for wearing some shit like that nowadays. It's a cold world out there. There was rubber on the side (Ollie pad) and all kinds of things. No real support anywhere, but your ankles. High tops were where it was at. In the 90's protection was everywhere but your ankles. Those shits were so bulky and stiff. Then, let's fast forward to now...damn, you might as well be skating in ankle socks period. Shoes are so low; it's all sole. That vulc shit is good for one company, so let them do it, and get your own shit. Try to be original. If I had to pick five favorites of all time they would be #1 The OG Vision Street Wear with the rubber toe and ollie pad, #2 Air Walk Enigmas #3 The Es SLB 2’s #4 The Emerica Templeton 1 with the rubber toe and gel heel and lastly #5 The Axion Apollo.

Favorite era in skateboarding?

M-The late 80's early 90's were such a fun time in skating. It's was so raw...spray paint everything, mix and match everything with your friends, plus at that time so many tricks were being invented. Not just add–ons to existing tricks, so it was just plain amazing. Really though I love skateboarding in any era! I just love skateboarding plain and simple.

Heard Jimmy Chung is back I town, you ever run into him?

M- I think it was the Philly Am jawn and heads were hitting me up saying Jimmy Chung was in town, I haven't seen him since like 95’ or something like that. We got in contact with each other, but I wasn't able to meet up with him that day. He was one of the illest cats on a board and a good friend. We lost contact for awhile but no love lost...that's my homie for life!

So you recently did a guest pro-model with Hoodlum skateboards. How did that come about?

M- The homie Ki Realer hit me up one day and was saying that he was getting KT Da God a guest board and thought it would be dope if we both had one in the same series. He worked it out with the dude John at Hoodlum and that was that. It got me really hyped to be honest, because its like here's a bul’ that I don’t know too too well, but we are cool and he went out of his way to do something like that to help me out. Plus the Hoodlum dudes were down so it worked out well. They did more for me than a lot of folks to be honest. My name hadn't been on a board in awhile so I appreciate that to the heart. Big ups to HOODLUM SKATEBOARDS! Thanks Ki, thanks John.

What boards have you been skating lately? What's the usual set-up?

 M- Besides some Hoodlum jawns I guess whatever boards I can get from the homies. Preferably 8 in. with a 14.25in wheel base. I’m a bit particular on that. Right now I’ve been swapping in between Indy's and Theeve trucks. Got some Junt bearings, Junt bolts, Junt grip and some 52 slim Pusher wheels.

Wawa Park… in West Chester... what is awesome about it and what needs improvement?

M- Wawa park is really dope because of how you can move stuff around like Lego-Land or some shit. Smooth ground, metal ramps, mini ramp, manny pads and ledges. The minuses would have to be the recycled plastic...shits like ice and then it sticks randomly. I would also have to say it needs some concrete stuff.

Should we petition the city to let us pour concrete there, yes or no? Should we not get permission and just fucking do it anyway? Just kidding, but you know my take on that, I like that concrete shit.

M- If we could get the township to let us do some concrete obstacles that would be what's up! But hey make do with what you have and take what you can get ya know? There was nothing like that around when I was coming up and I did alright. All you young-ins got a leg up on the old heads.

State Property, Nas, The Roc, or Wu?

M- I would have to go with WU...The WU, The WU got something everybody wanna hear.

Any last words before we sign off and go skate?

M- If you're not willing to walk a mile someone’s shoes then get the fuck out of em’. I'll leave y'all with this...Nobody’s perfect; sometimes it's the little imperfections that make all the difference. There is so much going on around us; people need to wake up. We are all human beings before anything else. Labels belong on food or poison, but not people. Most importantly believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. Much love to my family and friends; they're one and the same. Nolan I miss you and your mom. Much love to my sponsors and anyone that read through my jibber-jabber. Now go outside and skate.

Product update...kind of

Sorry it has been awhile since this blog has been updated. Working a lot I guess. Anyway, there's been a lot behind the scenes going on. New artwork for wheels getting done and factory orders are in. Jimmy McDonald's wheel dropped about a month ago so pick up a set if you haven't done so yet. If your shop does not carry PUSHER then first tell them to hit us up for orders and if they refuse then just go to our website and order direct at www.pusherwheels.com. New pro graphics are coming soon too. We also have some shop collabs planned and some guest pro wheels too. The Spring 2014 catalog will be posted very soon, be patient. We will have team rider interviews going up throughout 2014. Maldonado should have his up first. No photos for now, just info... I know I know I'm slacking. We'll be back soon with more content, new team guys, and some new ads; hold tight skate world.

Working on another one

East Coast skateboarding OG Jeremiah Babb will have a Going-Faster ad out soon. Filmed and edited by John Willis. Atlanta, GA has produced incredible skate talent over the years and Miah is on the top of that list. He pushed ATL harder than most, a true Sultan of Shred. 

Going Faster #7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpC71Dpc08E


Rick put it down at Cecil for #7. ATL local Jeremiah Babb will be in #8. That one will be popping up soon. Stay tuned.

Going-Faster filming (cold as fuck)

Ricky, myself, and our buddy Zach went out to film for another "Going Faster" ad. It was super windy here in Philadelphia, PA so we went up to Cecil to try and dodge the wind...didn't work. It was cold as shit, but Rick got a line. I also noticed some changes at what is one of our favorite spots. New lights and the grates are back, but more importantly there are some interesting new lacquered wooden benches up in the peanut gallery. Pretty sick; love this spot. It ain't much, but its always fun. It is one of East Coast skateboarding's last remaining urban plazas that you skate hassle free. Going-Faster #7 should be coming out soon, stay tuned.

DIY style

8th & Poplar is one of our favorite spots in Philly. It has become a pretty well known East Coast skateboarding DIY spot. It's good in the rain, has an interesting mix of terrain, it has parking, it's close to EXIT and it's close to the Broad Street subway line. A lot of time and effort has been put forth to build that spot. This new obstacle was built by some close friends of ours. They chose to use an interesting type of aggregate in this curb pour which has slowly been revealing itself as the slappy curb gets shredded. Its pretty rad what can be made with only a little bit of cash, concrete, and old beer bottles. Definitely a good spots for the BUDS.