If you know Jenkem, you know this is about as close to a magnum opus interview as there ever was. Steve, along with being a pioneer of 70s, 80s and early 90s skateboarding, owned World Industries, and spearheaded the street skating movement alongside some of the best skaters around at the time. After many years we Jenkem was finally able to get Steve in on an interview and damn, this feels good to write. Raise a glass, ’cause they did it, baby.
Hotdogs, Beer and Treflips: The 999 Challenge – JENKEM
Skateboarding has always been one big sausage fest. So Jenkem figured why not actually throw one? Enter the 999 challenge. What ensued was one of skateboarding’s most glorious sporting events. No ramps, no pros, no big shoe sponsors, just a hot grill, a cooler full of ice, and straight flat ground tricks. The boys were quickly separated from the men as their twisted idea became a reality.
Fred Gall & The Origins of One of New Jersey’s Longest Standing Board Brands
We met up with Fred Gall, Lou & Donny Binaco to discuss Metal, a skate brand they started in 1994 out of New Jersey that’s still running today. Birthed from one too many acid trips, late night skate sessions, and a desire to start a no frills, evil skate company out of the East Coast, Metal is a part of skateboarding history often forgotten.
The Magician That Sweeps Venice Beach Skate Park l LOCALS – JENKEM
JENKEM’s series “Locals” focuses on the often overlooked characters that surround skateboarding – the eccentrics, weirdos and local legends who are staples in the community for reasons outside of having a great back tail. It’s the people with no sponsors to answer to and no paychecks to lose. The people who skate for the love and have a routine unique to themselves.
Goofing Around LA with Lakai’s New Prodigy, Kyonosuke Yamashita – JENKEM
Recently dropping a two-track, seven-minute part within Primitive’s AM video and getting comfortable in LA, Kyonosuke is just getting started. Jenkem hopped around LA, picked up some souvenirs, and tested Kyo’s knowledge of his beloved Dr. Pepper.
Buddhist Temples and Alligators with Billy Rohan – JENKEM
Jenkem writer Ben met up with 90s and 2000s pro Billy Rohan in Gainesville, Florida. They skated a Buddhist temple, got dangerously close to alligators, and checked out Billy’s skate shop Samurai.
RAW TAPES: Swampfest 2024 – JENKEM
If you search for Florida Man headlines in the world of skateboarding you’ll return with one thing. Swampfest. Yeah, we know you’ve probably seen the footage already. Quick news flash, we’re late, but hell, we didn’t even know we were going to go.
We considered letting our footage dump lay to rest, especially since this is mainly a BMX event, but when you see the amalgamation of a redneck civil war reenactment and Woodstock 99, full of muddy slams, mortar close calls, a lot of fire, and unorganized mayhem, it’s hard not to share. – JENKEM
Mindfield, Jake Johnson and Music with Animal Collective – JENKEM
There’s no denying Animal Collective deserves a seat at the table when talking about music-skate video pairings, so when Jenkem heard about their latest album “Isn’t It Now?” they used the opportunity to hit them up and talk skateboarding.
Skateboarding and Soccer with New York City’s Chinatown Soccer Club – JENKEM
The CSC is a longstanding institution of the Lower East Side of Manhattan that’s been meeting over the last twenty years for friendly pickup soccer. The league has been graced by legendary names over the years, like The Gonz, Peter Bici, and Peter Sutherland, and is supported by skateboarders, artists, and goodhearted locals.
If there’s one crew that could get us up at 8 a.m., stretch our hamstrings, and run for half an hour, it’s the CSC. Check it out, laugh at us, and listen to skate photographer and league staple Gerhard Stochl and friends explain their roots and what makes them stand apart from the meathead jocks of the world. – JENKEM
JENKEM PREMIERE: Christian Maalouf in Static VI
Remember Christian aka the guy Jeknkem went toy shopping with? They ditched the toy store for this one to bring you his new part in Static 6. It includes spring-loaded pop, an angsty Built to Spill song, and a better kickflip than 90% of skateboarding.
A Glimpse Into The Baker Has a Deathwish II World Premiere – JENKEM
With the hype building around “Baker Has A Deathwish Part 2,” a long-awaited sequel to what most would call a skate cult classic, JENKEM knew they had get a little coverage, so they had their friends Marco Hernandez and Austin Leleu bring the dad cam along, and get a little coverage, Raspa’s Tapes™ Style.
Hanging Out With… Asics in NYC – JENKEM
A couple of weeks ago Asics hit up Jenkem (cats out the bag, they’re working with them) letting them know that two of their Japanese riders, brothers Takuya and Yuta Ishizuka, would be visiting New York City.