Meditative Progression — An Interview With Karl Watson

Intro, Interview & Photos by Adam Abada

It honestly feels a bit silly introducing Karl. How many times does his EMB pedigree need to be brought up? The style? The smile? Karl has been doing it for more than three decades and his influence is still all around us, but it isn’t like he’s gone and calcified in stone. He’s a living, breathing, creating presence still very much ensconced in the Bay Area scene and the skate world at-large. He has his own company, Maxallure, and is involved in the impending resurgence of Satori Wheels.

I got in touch with him to see what those three-plus decades do to your perspective and even scored a session with him and the Maxallure team in the 105-degree summer heat of the San Fernando Valley. I don’t know if it’s the energy from his young team or if he’s still got it like that, but it was a pleasure to see him and his squad sweating it out in pure skate rat form.

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“I guess we’ll never know where BMCC gets us…”

Slicky Boy met Eric Koston this past weekend, so there’s that.

The new Bronze / Flipmode video, 56K premieres at Wreck Room in Brooklyn (940 Flushing Avenue, off the Morgan L stop) this Friday, at 10 P.M. Flyer & more info here. According to an anonymous QS commentor, the premiere will soon be followed by a release of the past three videos on a DVD disc. Who said DVDs were dead?

To get all the events out of the way — Black Dave is opening up for Chief Keef at S.O.B’s (Varrick & West Houston Street) tonight. Flyer here. Doors open at 7:30, show at 9. Age 16+, so you can cool with your young’ns. Tickets are $20.

Watch what “throwaway” footage from Lucas Puig and Mark Suciu looks like. Apparently, there are still a bunch of kids out there today who think they have a chance of going pro. Good luck with that.

Gravis has a new clip out with a minute of unseen Jake Johnson footage from the past year or so. Lots of gnarly, middle-of-nowhere midwestern spots. “Perfect trick selection, pants improving” — Ted Barrow. Ripped Laces has a post detailing the sketchiness of the bank to rail in Yonkers he backside 5050s.

E.J. with another Super 8 lifestyle-y summer in New York clip.

Here’s Zered Bassett’s second commercial for his UXA guest board release.

$$$ is a New York-based video with a bunch of young kids ripping around the city. Teaser here. It has a couple of really sick lines down the double-sixes at FedEx.

Lots of tie-dye and a Quim-ish backside 180. Speaking of #tiedyestylez…

This is the Satori wheels commercial from EST 2. Cool spots, and a nineties Stereo video vibe, except a bit more hippie-er.

Get well soon, Derrick Rose.

Quote of the Week:


Eddy Curry won a NBA championship. Don’t bother going to work or school today.