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Steve Alba
The Legend Continues
"Nowadays everybody is a pussy, with the attitude ‘let's be friends’. The Punks have no idea what we went through as Skaters/Punkers [back] in the day. We paid heavy-duty dues for a long time." Steve Alba
His name has been synonymous with skateboarding since the mid seventies, both as a professional and as a rebel-rouser. A man born out of the Punk movement who is still going hard today. The notoriously media shy Alba blessed Acclaim with an insight into his life on four wheels.
How do you think skating as a culture differs from the 80s era? Is it a different vibe? How do you think the scene has changed?
In the 80's there were less people doing it... as far as my scene it was better for backyards ‘cause the economy in the 80's was not like now. [It was] more gnarly, plus crack hit hard so there were more shitty areas to choose from... but on the other hand ‘cause skating is more in the media eye, kids and general people accept skating more. So more spots plus the 80's did not have parks like they do now!
Places such as Del Mar, Raging Waters must have been great places to skate but you like to find spots to skate that are off the beaten track, where are your favorite places to skate?
Backyard pools for sure, pipes are always fun to cruise in and the adventure to find them rules. I just like when you’ve gotta beat somebody to skate... meaning Johnny Law and irate neighbors, it makes it a game!
The mid to late 80s saw a popularity of skateboarders that reached rock star status, what were those days like and did they have a down side? Gator anyone?
It was good but then again I have never been on rock star status. That was for Christian, Gator, Cab and those guys. We did get to skate and go a lot of places though…all paid for.
Growing up in California what sorts of groups were around? Did the punk culture clash with the surf culture or did everybody get along? Was there a strong sense of community, or were there turf wars?
Definitely turf wars for sure, especially in the old days. The O.G surfers really hated the skaters and punkers, fights would go down everywhere. Nowadays everybody is a pussy, with the attitude ‘let's be friends’. The punks have no idea what we went through as skaters/punkers [back] in the day. We paid heavy duty dues for a long time.
What’s the craziest thing you ever saw at a show or on tour? There must have been a few.
Too many to name! I have been in many riots. HB OP Pro in 86 was crazy, the punk riots of the day were cool. Giving Greed Lick a man goo smoothie was the best though at Warp 99', he drank Ciz' and DP's man goo!
A lot of independent companies really popped up after the might of Powell, Peralta and Santa Cruz, what was this a reaction to?
Big 3 going down is what it was. Why should they control the market!? All the skaters got smart.
As a skater that has been killing it for three decades what’s your secret?
Stretch you lil’ shitheads, take care of your body, do not drink in excess, drink lots of water and run. I have been running since January 1st, 2007, I’ve got 10 miles this week already!
Back
In the 80's there were less people doing it... as far as my scene it was better for backyards ‘cause the economy in the 80's was not like now. [It was] more gnarly, plus crack hit hard so there were more shitty areas to choose from... but on the other hand ‘cause skating is more in the media eye, kids and general people accept skating more. So more spots plus the 80's did not have parks like they do now!
Places such as Del Mar, Raging Waters must have been great places to skate but you like to find spots to skate that are off the beaten track, where are your favorite places to skate?
Backyard pools for sure, pipes are always fun to cruise in and the adventure to find them rules. I just like when you’ve gotta beat somebody to skate... meaning Johnny Law and irate neighbors, it makes it a game!
The mid to late 80s saw a popularity of skateboarders that reached rock star status, what were those days like and did they have a down side? Gator anyone?
It was good but then again I have never been on rock star status. That was for Christian, Gator, Cab and those guys. We did get to skate and go a lot of places though…all paid for.
Growing up in California what sorts of groups were around? Did the punk culture clash with the surf culture or did everybody get along? Was there a strong sense of community, or were there turf wars?
Definitely turf wars for sure, especially in the old days. The O.G surfers really hated the skaters and punkers, fights would go down everywhere. Nowadays everybody is a pussy, with the attitude ‘let's be friends’. The punks have no idea what we went through as skaters/punkers [back] in the day. We paid heavy duty dues for a long time.
What’s the craziest thing you ever saw at a show or on tour? There must have been a few.
Too many to name! I have been in many riots. HB OP Pro in 86 was crazy, the punk riots of the day were cool. Giving Greed Lick a man goo smoothie was the best though at Warp 99', he drank Ciz' and DP's man goo!
A lot of independent companies really popped up after the might of Powell, Peralta and Santa Cruz, what was this a reaction to?
Big 3 going down is what it was. Why should they control the market!? All the skaters got smart.
As a skater that has been killing it for three decades what’s your secret?
Stretch you lil’ shitheads, take care of your body, do not drink in excess, drink lots of water and run. I have been running since January 1st, 2007, I’ve got 10 miles this week already!
Back
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