TIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF

WITH JOSH HEATLEY

97: Thanks for taking the time to do this, homie! How about we start from the beginning. Do you remember your first experience with skateboarding? What was your first impression?

JH: Thank you for the inclusion, Matt! I'm grateful for the opportunity to talk all things skating. This will be fun! Like most skaters, I definitely remember my first experience with a board. This goes back to 1988, 7th grade for me and my best friend Brian at the time. It was his older brother Greg, a skaterat punker, who introduced us both to skating as well as punk rock. I saved up enough dough helping Brian with his paper route. Watching Greg skate ignited the engines, quietly saying to myself, "i wanna do THAT." Greg took us to a local skateshop where I bought my first deck, a Vision PsychoStick. I had no clue how to put a proper deck together, so Greg said he'd help and would start with taking care of the grip. He did a super sick pattern with red griptape, and left Brian and I to figure out how to assemble the trucks, bearings and spacers, rails, and risers. That same night, he introduced us to the Search for Animal Chin. The last part of that video was the spark that took my "want to do that" to "I NEED to do that."  And the hunt for halfpipes and vert ramps began.

97: Is there a moment in your life where you were the most proud of your skating?

JH: There are a ton of moments I'm proud of and so many other moments, these bright flashes from years ago, that still fire me up. From my first drop-in on a true vert ramp, to things I've recently learned just a few weeks ago. Having the opportunity to be with the 4Life crew and them giving me my own pro model, all while being in my late 40s, is something that really sticks out. Unreal. We all understand that skating is such an individual effort. But all those moments, the victories in landing something new, testing your boundaries and limits.. all of those moments, at least for me, have always included other friends that were a part of those particular sessions. Sharing those moments with them is just so indescribable to me... photographed in my end, untarnished, never fading, all with people I love. And even better, being there when a friend lands something new, something that challenged them, that probably destroyed them on attempts. Seeing friends break personal barriers of disbelief is the fucking greatest.

97: As a musician for a good chunk of your life, how were you able to balance that life with being a skateboarder?

JH: I've always linked skating and music. Some of the best sessions are usually backdropped by music. They're synonymous to me. Skating found me first and shortly thereafter, the drums found me. So when I started touring, my board came with me most of the time. There were a runs I did where I was politely asked to *not* bring my board. I understood though... kinda tough to tour with broken body parts. Touring is great, especially when you can hit the raddest parks in whatever state or country you're in.

97: Do you think that your love for skateboarding has influenced your love for punk music? What do you think the similarities between the two are?

JH: I think they're so similar, almost unbreakable. In the simplest form, skating and music, especially drums, are forms of expression, a vent and a release valve. They're also both so challenging, and it's up to the individual in how far you want to go, ya know?

97: How important do you think it is to have safe spaces for skaters to continue to grow their skills and meet people like themselves?

JH: Safe spaces and parks. Yeah... its crucial. Growing up, if we wanted to skate ramps, we had to build them or introduce yourself to kids who had ramps. Now, parks are really starting to pop up. The talent and rate at which these kids are progressing is so great to see! Top that of with new friendships being created, you can’t ask for anything better. A lot of that has to do with having places to ride, without the fear of cops or getting hit by cars... or people driving drunk, because yeah, that is *still* a problem.

97: So we were both at opening day for the Railyard Skatepark in Lockport. As someone that grew up there, I think it’s super sick to see a dope park like that in that area. What were your first impressions of the new park? Also, how much would you like to see more bands play shows in skateparks when possible? 

JH: Lockport is your hometown? That's killer! How rad that must have been for you to be there that day. I had a blast. There is something so sweet about that fresh, smoooooooooth concrete!
I'm a huge proponent of anything that helps promote skating. So seeing parks like that pop up, regardless of the size of any given community, is truly awesome. I wasn't a sports kid growing up. Skating is what helped me find my "self" and has taught me things and showed me things you might be able to get anywhere else, be it a book, or school. Building confidence, the notion "i want to see what happens if i dont give up", and always getting back up after getting mopped... these things that transcend skating. Lessons that skating teaches and bringing it into every day life. THAT is what all these parks help create. I don't think you'll find that anywhere else. I also think shows at parks are great! Imagine skating while listen to Agent Orange play...AND THAT HAPPENED! Jamestown Skate Products made that happen. They do shows super frequently right in the thick part of a session! Recently a friend of mine threw a show in the bowl at Lasalle. There were a few shows at Alix Rice's park too. I mean, why not, right?!

97: Really appreciate you taking the time, Josh. Are there any closing thoughts you’d like to put out there? 

JH: As skaters, we're a part of a pretty fucking cool club. It's not easy, it takes its toll. it'll destory your body but save your soul. It has brought the most beautiful, most creative people into my life. It’s been the most constant, most reliable thing in my life. Yup, I still need it.