Converse Zine

431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other: IFC 431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other:
Burlington, Vermont USA 05401 Scott Rivers - 802.859.2121 Burlington, Vermont USA 05401 Scott Rivers - 802.859.2121
802.864.7123 802.864.7123
Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: MOHAWK OPTIONS Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70LB TEXT
DTC 130# PC WHITE SM WHITE

NOTES: THIS PAGE ON IFC AND,
APPROVALS THERFORE PRINTED ON ZINE COVER APPROVALS
STOCK
Plese Initial only Plese Initial only
if content is correct if content is correct

“Fat Free” image by Mr. Bingo

431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors Other: 431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other:
802.864.7123
Project : 802.864.7123
Project
CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70LB TEXT CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70 LB TEXT
WHITE BERRYLICIOUS

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS ANGELO APPROVALS
COLLETTI

volume 1 - spring 2009

“you can almost learn anything in 10 years.
you can become a doctor in 12. how long does
it take to master skateboarding? longer
than a lifetime.” - anthony pappalardo

This book embodies the spirit of a community –
the unending, creative journey of exploration
that begins on a board and goes everywhere
else. parlour is a mix of sport and art and
dedication and guts. It is of, by, and for all those
who understand what that means – together, and
in their own ways.

photographers writers
Jon Bradford Kevin Craft
Douglass Clark Frank Ingle
Kevin Craft Chris Nieratko
Matt Daughters Neftalie Williams
Peter Graham
Dave Hoang illustrators
Ben Karpinski Mr. Bingo
Brendan Klien Douglass Clark
Nick Lavecchia Matt Jones
Raymond Molinar Dennis McNett
Andres Mora Jeff Proctor
Rhino Si Scott
Jeremy Weiss

cover artist
Mr. BingO
Mr. Bingo is a human man trapped in the body of a boy.
He lives and works in East London, UK. As a job, Mr. Bingo
draws things to help to try and make the world look prettier
for all your little eyes.

When he’s not making pictures, it’s likely you’ll find Mr. Bingo
working on his other passion - music. With help from his two
cats, Master Sock-Rah-Teez and Harrison ‘Scratch’ Phord he
is working on his debut album ‘Bohemian Raps Today’ which
is penciled in for a winter release on his own label Deaf Jam.

Earlier this year, Mr. Bingo invented a new urban subculture
called ‘Beatbusking’, which although it has it’s roots in
Shoreditch, has reportedly already been spotted as far away
as The Isle Of Wight.

learn more
www.converseskateboarding.com
www.mr-bingo.org.uk

© 2008 Converse Inc. All rights reserved.

431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other: 431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other:
802.864.7123 802.864.7123
Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70 LB TEXT Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70 LB TEXT
BERRYLICIOUS BERRYLICIOUS

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS APPROVALS RAIBYN
CABILING

“i don’t know. i just have always wanted
to live back in that time – like the ’70 s.
people are always like ‘are you kidding
me? those years sucked!’ but i thought
the stuff was cool : the cars and photos
and fake grapes.”

photo - dave hoang

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70 LB TEXT Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70LB TEXT
BERRYLICIOUS WHITE

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS APPROVALS

R A Y M O N D
MOLINAR
there’s something in the mind of
those who dedicate themselves
to riding a skateboard that lends
favorably to the creation of art.

Maybe it’s because of their world view. Where
some see decrepit schoolyards skaters see a
beautiful array of obstacles used to express his or
her self. This reordering of the world breaks the
mind out of the proverbial box many fervently
attempt to look outside of. This point of view is
not only fundamental to skateboarding, but is a
prerequisite for creating art.

We can experience this restructuring of reality
through the lens of Raymond Molinar. For the
last few years Raymond has grown fond of the
immediate gratification and warm analog feel of
instant still-image cameras. His fondness borders
on obsession, “I have, like, six of those,” he
tells me, pointing at an old camera in an
antique shop in Long Beach, CA. Pointing to
another he says, “I have two of these but I’m
trying to get different models.”

Frequenting antique stores is the latest fascination
to grip Raymond. I ask him why. “I don’t know. I
just have always wanted to live back in that time –
like the ’70s. I thought the stuff was cool: The
cars and photos and fake grapes.” Good friend
and roommate Dave Hoang offers more insight
on Raymond’s passion for antiques, “I think it
reminds him of the house that he grew up in.
I think his folks gave him his taste.” The product
of an El Salvadorian and an Alpine Texan,
Raymond grew up in Riverside, CA — the heart
of the Inland Empire. A supportive family gave
Raymond the tools and freedom to not only
become an accomplished skateboarder, but also
a proficient musician and prolific photographer.

Back from the antique store Raymond rummages
through hundreds of pictures. The images are
simple yet interesting and seem saturated with
stories. He has an eye for taking good pictures,
but Raymond’s intent isn’t to be some great,
artistic photographer. When asked what drives
him to take pictures he remarks, “I want to capture
moments to remember when I get older. Just, like,
friends and family, you know. For a while I was
shooting sick, abstract stuff, and stuff that looks
cool which is always nice, but I’m more interested
in my friends and family.”

words - kevin craft
† photo - jeremy weiss

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70LB TEXT
WHITE
Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70 LB TEXT
BERRYLICIOUS

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS APPROVALS

photo - ben karpinski

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
BERRYLICIOUS WHITE

NOTES: NOTES: THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY
APPROVALS APPROVALS PRINTED ON WHITE PAPER

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70LB TEXT Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70LB TEXT
WHITE WHITE

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS APPROVALS

raymondmolinar.blogspot.com

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
WHITE WHITE

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS APPROVALS

PEOPLE’S
SKATEBO iNG
ARD
STY LES ARE WiN —
DOWS TO THE iR
PERSO NAL iTY.
TH i S BECOMES
APP nT AS I
ARE
TALK TO AND
WATCH AnTHO nY
P AL ARDo
APP
in Hi S NEW
FURNiTURE STUDi .
O
Photo - Kevin Craft

431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other: 431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other: full page varnish
802.864.7123 802.864.7123
WHITE WHITE

NOTES: NOTES: FULL-PAGE Clear Gloss
APPROVALS APPROVALS Foil on THIS PAGE

H
is nonchalant skating style translates to the way he talks doesn’t make me depressed about becoming old. He’s an 85-year-old
and navigates his space. His let-it-happen smoothness might man and still has his stuff together, he can build anything, and he’s just
seem contrary to the craziness of New York City, but his is a psyched on life. It’s pretty cool. Just any engineering, or building, or any
nonchalance you must have to not go postal from all the type of carpentry – he’s pretty in sync with all of that stuff.”
things that could bother you in the Big Apple. If you don’t have
some level of disconnect then you’re not going to make it. Anthony even resides on his grandfather’s old stomping grounds.
“My grandfather grew up right in Williamsburg [an area in Brooklyn],
How do you disconnect from the craziness? Stay connected with the right next to where I live now,” says Anthony. “I took him there just a
things you love – for Anthony that’s skateboarding and carpentry. He’s couple of weeks ago and he was just saying how different it was. When
been able to carve himself (no pun intended) a safe haven in a newly he was there, there were all farms and stuff.” The farms have made
acquired basement studio. You would never realize the space was way for residences, shops and the ever present bars. With the hipster,
there if someone didn’t tell you. “That’s the great thing about New party scene in full effect in Williamsburg now, it can be easy to find the
York. We could just be in fucking, like, Syria outside or something and aforementioned disconnect at the bottom of a glass of whiskey, an
you could just go down into an apartment and just never know what is all too common trap for artists and skaters alike. Being in an industry
in there,” Anthony mentions as he walks me around the Bushwick, notoriously fond of happy hour only adds fuel to the fire. More than a
Brooklyn studio. He seems ecstatic to have a space completely few professional and amateur skaters have awakened from the party
devoted to his craft of furniture making. “It’s been three weeks in here. to see their lives spiraling out of control – and some never wake at all.
We’ve spent 10 full days on trying to get it set up. It’s pretty wild.”
“All skateboarders are definitely creative beings,” Anthony reminds me.
The first thing I notice when entering the unassuming basement-turned- “There’s no argument to be said about that. That’s something that is
studio is how awesome it looks, with every imaginable tool and instrument there in every skateboarder. I always say that you can learn anything
of wood manipulation you could imagine. Piles of stained wood line a within 10 years, you can be a doctor in 12. But how long does it take to
wall, a table saw sits in waiting, a multitude of measuring instruments master skateboarding? It takes longer than a lifetime and some people
and odd looking tools adorn the other walls. There’s a calming energy never get it. You know, technically you could learn anything in a couple
in the studio, probably due to hours of Zen-like concentration and years, but not skateboarding. It’s a lifelong path. But when you’re
contemplation on creating wooden works of art. not skating, you need to put that energy into something else. That’s
why I think you see certain skateboarders go a certain route or path,
It might seem odd to some – I mean, why furniture? But really it’s pretty because that energy is so great or misdirected.”
obvious. A professional skateboarder is someone who artistically
manipulates wood; I suppose it makes sense that he would take Today Anthony avoids the party for the most part. “I haven’t had a drink
wood manipulation to whole new level. Yet even if Anthony didn’t in 10 months,” he tells me. He fortunately channels his energy through
skate, there still might be a good chance he would have become a skateboarding and building furniture. “It’s just a release for when you
carpenter. A huge source of inspiration comes from the handiness get all this shit built up in your head. It’s, like, you have all these ideas
and craftsmanship of his grandfather. Pappalardo becomes visibly and stuff. Some people have to write it out, some people have to talk it
excited when talking about him, “He was an electrician, but he could out, some people have to do yoga, or play baseball or something. I like
build a house with his hands if he needed to.” A lot of the tools in to skateboard and make stuff.”
Anthony’s shop were inherited from his grandfather. “He’s probably my
biggest inspiration I would say,” he continues. “He’s the one guy that

PHOTOS - JOHN BRADFORD WORDS - KEVIN CRAFT

431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other: full page varnish
431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other:
802.864.7123 802.864.7123
WHITE WHITE

NOTES: FULL-PAGE Clear Gloss
APPROVALS Foil on THIS PAGE APPROVALS

431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other: 431 Pine Street Date 12.11.08 Client CONS Scale 1:1 Contact Info: Colors: Other: full page varnish
802.864.7123 802.864.7123
Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70LB TEXT Project CONS ZINE srivers@fusemarketing.com Paper: POP-TONES 70 LB TEXT
WHITE BUBBLEGUM

NOTES: FULL-PAGE Clear Gloss
APPROVALS APPROVALS Foil on THIS PAGE


An old saying goes, “We plan, and God laughs.” God must have been laughing his ass off
when we were planning to meet and interview Sammy Baca. Twice I bought flights, booked
hotels, got ready to shred with Sammy in Vegas and maybe shoot a few craps games while
I was at it, only to get the phone call, “Dude, Sammy bailed to somewhere in Oregon.”
OK. Cancel the flight and hotel. It’s cool, he has a court date coming up and he has to be
home for that; I’ll catch him then. Buy another flight, book another hotel and get ready to go.
The day before I leave Dave Hoang calls, “Dude, sucks but Sammy bailed again.” Baca has
no phone or email and trying to get in touch with him is like trying to locate Sasquatch.
Like Sasquatch, the only proof I have of his existence are stories from other people.

It must be something in the Las Vegas water that breeds humans who abandon convention
and embrace societal disobedience. Some of the most insane skateboarders, who seem to have
little regard for their lives or their liver, hail from Sin City. I can name names but simply adding
Sammy to the list tips the scales heavily in favor of the notion that Vegas nurtures a certain
rebelliousness. Whenever Sammy’s name is mentioned around his friends or acquaintances
someone usually blurts out some crazy experience they had with him. The stories at times
may seem like tales of recklessness, but are really accounts of living at full speed.

Sammy lives moment to moment; allergic to mediocrity, he constantly pushes his limits.
Actually, he has no limits; he flies headfirst into all things, just going without thinking about
consequences. These feats of daring usually result in spectacular crashes; but sometimes he pulls
off the impossible – this is a useful approach for a skateboarder. Sammy is a skateboarding
mad man; equally annihilating street and transition with the same recklessness he approaches
all aspects of his life. Do yourself a favor and watch his part in the new Death Wish video and
witness some top-notch stunt wood handling. Of course there would be a lot more coverage
of his skills if anyone was ever able to find him.

Photos by Brendan Klien
Words by Kevin Craft
Art by Matt Jones

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
BUBBLEGUM BUBBLEGUM

APPROVALS APPROVALS

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
BUBBLEGUM BUBBLEGUM

APPROVALS APPROVALS

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
BUBBLEGUM WHITE

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS APPROVALS

photo - rhino

802.864.7123 802.864.7123
WHITE WHITE

NOTES: NOTES:
APPROVALS APPROVALS

Converse Zine

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Featured

Featured (20)

Converse Zine