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Thrasher (magazine)

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Thrasher is an American skateboarding media brand founded in January 1981 by Eric Swenson and Fausto Vitello, who also founded Independent Truck Company, and officially launched as a skateboard magazine.[3] Since the 1990s, Thrasher has expanded its presence in television, video production, online blogging and merchandising.

Thrasher
November 2007 cover with Steve Nesser
EditorMichael Burnett[1]
Former editorsKevin Thatcher, Jake Phelps
Staff writersEddie Hobbs
CategoriesSkateboarding
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation250,000[2]
PublisherHigh Speed Productions
Founder
First issueJanuary 1981; 43 years ago (1981-01)[1]
CountryUnited States
Based inSan Francisco, California
Language
  • English
  • French (2006–2012)
Websitethrashermagazine.com
ISSN0889-0692
OCLC13789617

History

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Thrasher was founded in 1981 by Fausto Vitello and Eric Swenson, primarily as a way to promote Independent Truck Company, their skateboard truck company.[1][3] The magazine's first editor was Kevin Thatcher. Photographer, Blitzkrieg writer, Simon Crafart, Richard Knoll, aka Mofo, became the second staff member, joining Thatcher in mid-1981.[4]

In 1989, Cara-Beth Burnside became the first woman to appear on the cover of Thrasher.[5]

In 1993, Jake Phelps was named editor of the magazine,[6] bringing the punk-skater ethic to the world through his photojournalism, which changed the essence of Thrasher and in turn changed the sub-culture of skateboarding. In 1999, the magazine sponsored a PlayStation game called Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy.[7] Vitello's son, Tony, took over as owner of the magazine after his father died of a heart attack in 2006, and Swenson died by suicide in 2011.[8][3] On March 14, 2019, long-time editor Jake Phelps died.[9][10]

In 2017, Thrasher was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.[11]

The company also owns and operates the Double Rock indoor skateboarding facility, and the San Francisco skateshop, 66 6th.

Photographer Michael Burnett is the magazine's current editor-in-chief.[1]

Website

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The magazine's website features regularly updated episodes of segments and hosts a forum in which registered users can engage in online discussion.

Segments Include:

  • "Burnout" (long-running photographic blog operated by senior staff photographer Michael Burnett)
  • "Double Rock"[12]
  • "Firing Line"[13]
  • "Hall of Meat" (Video segments featuring skateboarders injuring themselves during trick attempts)
  • "Skateline" (Hosted by Gary Rogers)[14]
  • "Bru-Ray" (Tour edits by Thrasher Magazine filmer P-Stone)
  • "My War" (In-depth video footage following individual skaters and their struggles in completing an iconic or famous trick)
  • "Manramp" (A 6-episode series featuring Manramp, skateboarding's iconic mascot)

Skater of the Year

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The title of "Skater of the Year" is awarded annually by Thrasher. The tradition was started in 1990, and the accolade remains one of the most respected awards in global skateboarding culture. The title is bestowed to one skater annually and announced by Thrasher's editor. Chris Cole, Danny Way, Tyshawn Jones and Jamie Foy are the only double recipients.

Year Skater of the Year Age Stance Team
1990   Tony Hawk 22 Goofy Powell Peralta
1991   Danny Way 17 Regular Plan B Skateboards
1992   John Cardiel[15] 19 Goofy Black Label Skateboards
1993   Salman Agah[16] 21 Regular Real Skateboards
1994   Mike Carroll[17] 19 Goofy Girl Skateboards
1995   Chris Senn[18] 23 Regular Adrenalin Skateboards
1996   Eric Koston[19] 21 Goofy Girl Skateboards
1997   Bob Burnquist[20] 21 Regular Antihero Skateboards
1998   Andrew Reynolds[21] 20 Regular Birdhouse Skateboards
1999   Brian Anderson[22] 23 Regular Toy Machine
2000   Geoff Rowley[23] 24 Regular Flip Skateboards
2001   Arto Saari[24] 20 Regular Flip Skateboards
2002   Tony Trujillo[25] 20 Regular Antihero Skateboards
2003   Mark Appleyard[26] 21 Goofy Flip Skateboards
2004   Danny Way[27] 30 Regular Alien Workshop
2005   Chris Cole[28] 23 Regular Zero Skateboards
2006   Daewon Song[29] 31 Goofy Almost Skateboards
2007   Marc Johnson[30] 30 Regular Chocolate Skateboards
2008   Silas Baxter-Neal[31] 24 Goofy Habitat Skateboards
2009   Chris Cole 27 Regular Zero Skateboards
2010   Leo Romero 24 Regular Toy Machine
2011   Grant Taylor 20 Goofy Alien Workshop
2012   David Gonzalez 22 Goofy Flip Skateboards
2013   Ishod Wair 22 Goofy Real Skateboards
2014   Wes Kremer 25 Goofy SK8MAFIA
2015   Anthony Van Engelen 37 Regular Fucking Awesome
2016   Kyle Walker[32] 22 Goofy Real Skateboards
2017   Jamie Foy 21 Regular Deathwish Skateboards
2018   Tyshawn Jones[33] 20 Regular Fucking Awesome
2019   Milton Martinez[33] 28 Goofy Creature Skateboards
2020   Mason Silva[33] 24 Regular Real Skateboards
2021   Mark Suciu[34] 29 Goofy Habitat Skateboards
2022   Tyshawn Jones[35] 24 Regular King Skateboards
2023   Miles Silvas[36] 28 Regular Primitive Skateboarding
2024   Jamie Foy[37] 28 Regular Deathwish Skateboards

King of the Road

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Main article: King of the Road (skateboarding)

From 2003 to 2007, Thrasher held the King of the Road skateboarding competition annually. In the contest, teams of professional skaters are each given "The Book", which contains a series of challenges.[38] Points are awarded at the completion of each challenge. The teams compete at the same time over a two-week period, in which they travel across various American cities to complete as many challenges as possible. Each of these events was released on DVD.[39]

In 2010, Thrasher returned the annual competition, however releasing the episodes via the Thrasher website going forward, instead of on DVD. In 2011, Thrasher and Converse hosted a one-off King of the Road competition in China, with the participation of the four biggest Chinese skateboard deck companies.[40] In 2016, Viceland would acquire the rights to release King of the Road 2015 on its network, and all subsequent King of the Road events going forward.[41] The most recent King of the Road tournament was held in 2017.

In April 2020, Thrasher editor-in-chief Michael Burnett said that Vice's decision to not renew King of the Road for a fourth season, along with the recent passing of previous editor-in-chief Jake Phelps, caused King of the Road to be put on hold, with the intention of it being brought back, possibly in a different format, at a future date.[42]

Skate Rock

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Thrasher released a music compilation series titled "Skate Rock" under the High Speed Productions label. Skate Rock was conceptualized by Mofo. The first release was in 1983, with Volume One, and continued until Volume Eight in 1990.

The series focused primarily on punk rock and thrash bands, and most of the bands were made up of skateboarders, including well known professionals and community stars such as Steve Caballero, Tony Alva, Bob Denike, Brian Brannon, Mofo, Pushead, Chuck Treece, and Claus Grabke.[43] Of the seven volumes of Skate Rock, all volumes were produced as a cassette available through the magazine. Some volumes were also available as vinyl records.

Thrasher has organized multiple tours throughout the United States and worldwide under the name "Skate Rock".[43][44]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Guevara, Milton (January 14, 2021). "'Artists, Weirdos, Hellriders And Homies:' Thrasher Magazine Turns 40". Morning Edition on NPR. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  2. ^ Carlson, Michael (June 30, 2011). "Eric Swenson obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Weber, Bruce (June 23, 2011). "Eric Swenson, Co-Founder of Thrasher Magazine, Dies at 64". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  4. ^ Huber, Todd (2016). "Mofo Archives". Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  5. ^ Meet the Skate Icon Who Was the First Woman to Grace the Cover of Thrasher Mag, retrieved January 18, 2022
  6. ^ Staley, Willy (March 24, 2016). "Thrashed". The California Sunday Magazine.
  7. ^ Perry, Doug (December 6, 1999). "Thrasher: Skate and Destroy Review". IGN. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  8. ^ Fox, Margalit (April 27, 2006). "Fausto Vitello, 59, Is Dead; Made Skateboarding Gnarly". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  9. ^ "Success at High Speed". SF State Magazine. Archived from the original on March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  10. ^ Staley, Will (March 20, 2019). "Jake Phelps Dies at 56; as Thrasher Editor, a Skateboarding Guru". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  11. ^ "The list of Skateboarding Hall of Fame inductees". surfertoday.com.
  12. ^ ThrasherMagazine (February 3, 2011). "Double Rock: Almost". YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  13. ^ ThrasherMagazine (June 8, 2012). "Firing Line: Lewis Marnell". YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  14. ^ "Skateline". Thrasher Magazine. High Speed Productions, Inc. December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  15. ^ "SOTY 1992: John Cardiel". Thrasher. April 1993.
  16. ^ "SOTY 1993: Salman Agah". Thrasher. February 1994.
  17. ^ "SOTY 1994: Mike Carroll". Thrasher. March 1995.
  18. ^ "SOTY 1995: Chris Senn". Thrasher. March 1996.
  19. ^ "SOTY 1996: Eric Koston". Thrasher. March 1997.
  20. ^ "SOTY 1997: Bob Burnquist (Default for Jamie Thomas". Thrasher. April 1998.
  21. ^ "SOTY 1998: Andrew Reynolds". Thrasher. April 1999.
  22. ^ "SOTY 1999: Brian Anderson". Thrasher. April 2000.
  23. ^ "SOTY 2000: Geoff Rowley". Thrasher. April 2001.
  24. ^ "SOTY 2001: Arto Saari". Thrasher. April 2002.
  25. ^ "SOTY 2002: Tony Trujillo". Thrasher. May 2003.
  26. ^ "SOTY 2003: Mark Appleyard". Thrasher. April 2004.
  27. ^ "SOTY 2004: Danny Way". Thrasher. May 2005.
  28. ^ "SOTY 2005: Chris Cole". Thrasher. April 2006.
  29. ^ "SOTY 2006: Daewon Song". Thrasher. April 2007.
  30. ^ "SOTY 2007: Marc Johnson". Thrasher. May 2008.
  31. ^ "SOTY 2008: Silas Baxter-Neal". Thrasher. April 2009.
  32. ^ "SOTY 2016: Kyle Walker". Thrasher Magazine. December 5, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  33. ^ a b c "SOTY Party 2018 Photos". Thrasher Magazine. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  34. ^ "Skater of the Year 2021: Mark Suciu". Thrasher Magazine. December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  35. ^ "Skater of the Year 2022: Tyshawn Jones". Thrasher Magazine. December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  36. ^ "Skater of the Year 2023". Thrasher.
  37. ^ "Skater of the Year 2024: Jamie Foy". Thrasher. December 14, 2024.
  38. ^ Best Of KOTR 2003 & 2004. Retrieved April 18, 2024 – via www.thrashermagazine.com.
  39. ^ "KOTR Memories 2003". www.thrashermagazine.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  40. ^ "Thrasher Magazine".
  41. ^ King of the Road (Documentary, Reality-TV, Sport), Vice Media, April 28, 2016, retrieved January 17, 2022
  42. ^ Macdonald, Neil (April 7, 2020). "Michael Burnett Interview".
  43. ^ a b "Skate Rock Mexico: Feature Article". Thrasher Magazine. March 14, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  44. ^ "Thrasher Magazine".
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