chrome ball interview #180: alex olson

CBI for Closer Skateboarding Magazine

photo: ben colen

Chops sits down with AO for conversation. 

 Special introduction by Reese Forbes.

Classic photos by Ben Colen, Anthony Acosta and Giovanni Reda.

Get It Here

=O + Ô

photo: colen

photo: reda

photo: acosta

photo: colen

chrome ball incident #894: who caresville

"I gotta get the fuck outta New York."

The '04 S.O.B. Tour featuring Uncle Freddie, Little Alex, Mehring's Bearings and our tour guide, Dill.

...Danny Renaud wasn't invited but came along anyway. So good.

Sorry for the unannounced absence yesterday... turned out to be quite an epic day here at the CBI Stacks. 10-year-old Chops would've been quite proud of 35-year-old Chops. One day I'll be able to tell you about it...

Regardless, former Alien resident and friend of the site John Drake recently started his own little board company called Animal Skateboards that you should definitely check out and support. Lots of good stuff coming soon from these guys. 

guest post: alex olson

AO x CBI

 photo: ben colen

These are photos that have influenced me in some way or another. I've looked up to most of these pros and they have my favorite styles in skating.

I'm stoked that there's someone like Chrome Ball for kids now to check out what skating used to be like. I think skate magazines and photography have changed a lot and really seem to be missing something that these old photos have.

Maybe I just sound old now but I wish the creative side of magazines and ads would come back again in skating because there really is nothing that compares to it.

The man that has helped me the most in skating, Scott Johnston.

We all remember this.

Gonz looks like some badass jazz player in this photo.

I remember when I was a kid, I thought he sucked at doing kickflips.

Another great.
Never had the chance to meet Phil Shao but he's one of my favorites.

RIP

Hosoi! I've been bugging Spike for this photo for years.

I wish one day that I could get a photo this good.

Side note: this is a Lance Mountain photo.

Another heavy-hitter. The reason I do frontside 360s.

I remember the first time I saw this on my way to school, I told myself, "That is a really awesome cover."

Cards! I love you!

Julien doing a frontside noseslide is one of the coolest things ever.

Ill grunge look going on right here.

This is my favorite Dill.

Dill again and again.

Gino made this trick go to the popular page.

I love this photo because its so simple and looks amazing.
Also the fact that Natas took it is awesome in itself.

I would like a print of this one on my wall.

Awesome photo.

Santa Monica!

One of the greats. It doesn't get any better than this. AVE.
I've always looked up to him in someway or another.

When I saw the Alien video at age 13, I thought this was the best.

People need to see this photo.

I learned this trick because of Tim.

Bootleg the Muska.

90's photos and ads are the best.
Also, Toy Machine was the best around this era.

J.Lee was awesome around this time.

I <3 the 90's.

I don't know who he's ollieing over but I like the way he's doing it!

Sheffey is just one more reason why I skate for Girl.

Another person that I've always looked up to is BA.
He's a big part of Girl for me.

NYC. Young Harold.

Why were skate photos so much better back then!?!

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thanks to Mark Whiteley, Nike SB and Alex for taking the time.

...and yes, Alex rides for Nike SB now.