Andrew Reynolds interview
HUCK catches up with the hugely influential skateboarder.
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Since turning pro way back in 1995, Andrew Reynolds has had a massive impact on skateboarding. But it's not simply due to his famous frontside flips. As the founder of Baker Skateboards and the creative director of Altamont Apparel, he has been doing things very much his own way.
Now appearing in the upcoming Skate 3 video game, HUCK grabbed a quick chat with him to talk about avatars, his punk band and setting a good example.
HUCK: You are set to appear in Skate 3. Could you tell me how that came about?
Andrew Reynolds: I used to be involved with the Tony Hawk video game and then I wasn’t in it for a year or so. The guy that puts the game together had an interest in putting me in a game but he didn’t ask because he knew I was friends with Tony. But they then asked me if I would be interested and I was like, "Hell yeah, I would be interested!”
Is Baker Skateboards involved as well?
Yeah. Each rider that gets involved in the game has their own logo on there as well. I’m sure you can go to a skateboard store in the game and buy Baker, Altamont and other stuff.
Is it odd to see yourself as an avatar in a computer game?
No, I don’t mind it. I don’t really play many computer games but whenever I see someone playing it, I think it’s pretty hilarious. What’s strange is when I meet a kid who is really young and they expect me to be able to skate like I skate in the video game. That’s weird.
What impact do you think these games have on skateboarding?
I wouldn’t say it has much impact on skateboarding but it makes skateboarding more well known to the rest of the world. It terms of making you a better skater, I don’t think it does anything.
Does it legitimise skateboarding in the mainstream?
Yeah. You know, there are a lot of things that are making skateboarding popular in the mainstream like big contests too. It’s good. It means that new guys coming up will be more successful but it’s a fine line. You gotta have a little bit of it but not too much, otherwise we’ll look stupid.
Do you think money from companies outside of core skateboarding has helped progress the level of skating?
No. I think the level of skating and how good the kids are getting is on its own path without anyone else’s control. Kids just keep getting better and better. It has nothing to do with video games or contests.
So it’s just a natural evolution?
Yeah, maybe the internet makes it speed up. I don’t know. It’s too confusing to understand how that works.
How hands on are you with Baker and Altamont? Do you see yourself as a business man?
I’m really involved with Baker and Altamont and all the companies I skate for. After all, I own Baker. But most of the time, I hire somebody to do the accounting and running of the business. I try to come up with the creative stuff and the skating. I never wanted to be behind a desk. I try to stay out of that.
How are you doing things differently with these companies?
The companies that I am with are all owned and run by skaters. I don’t get involved with too many big companies that are owned by corporate people. I just skate. That’s all I care about. I try to keep doing the best I can at that.
Baker and Altamont both seem to focus a lot on the style of skaters, both on and off the board. What are the criteria for getting on one of your teams?
It has always just happened naturally. You start skating with someone that is coming up and you just know that they are a right fit. It just happens. I have had the best kids ever wanting to ride for the team but their personality didn’t mix well with the other guys. You can be the best but you’re not right for what we do, you know? There is not much searching for the next new guy. It just kind of just falls into place.
Do you feel a responsibility to lead younger skaters in the right direction?
Yeah, for sure. I feel like that is part of the reason why teams like Altamont and Baker are here so that they can be a home for some kid that rips and doesn’t have anywhere else to go. It’s like, come with us.
Considering your history of 'partying', what attitude do you take to others on your team doing such things?
I have been clean for seven years now. I kind of just learned along the way. From my own experience, if someone told me "you need to stop fucking around with drugs and drinking," I wouldn’t listen. You just don’t listen when you’re in that. Knowing that, all I can really do is be a good example and not do it. Hopefully, if someone is having a problem they will one day look at me and say "you know what, he doesn’t do it and he’s fine."
Do you feel drink and drugs and being a pro are compatible these days?
It’s just part of skating, I think. Skaters smoke weed and they drink heavy and they don’t have much responsibility. Some of the best guys in the world are like that. We look up to people that are fucked up. We want to be like that. I’m sure everyone who looks up to The Rolling Stones are going to end up looking and acting like a junkie because they think that’s what’s cool. I feel like I can have some part in changing that. I just try to be a good example.
What do you think defines being a pro skater in a world where there are so many sponsored skaters out there?
It seems like anyone can be a pro skater now. Every kid is good, every kid is amazing and they can all be pro but now it’s got to a level where you gotta cross this line. Do they have the potential to be a real legend like Tom Penny or Ali Boulala? Do they have that kind of potential or are they just some kid that’s good? I feel like some of the kids on my team are legendary already.
Can you tell me about your band The Goat and the Occasional Others. You put out a record, right?
Some friends of mine in LA have friends in music industry. It’s a real example of you gotta know somebody to get something done. We’re not even good but we know people so somehow they tricked someone into putting our CD out. We barely know how to play. It’s punk music. I think we sold like 500 CDs though. It’s amazing. We play shows and kids start a mosh pit. It’s a good way to do something different and artistic, even if it’s at a low level.
How much time do you spend together as a band?
We all skate and hang out together every day. We probably practice like twice a week. We kind of know there’s no career or money involved with it. When we hear the end result we just laugh.
You have accomplished so much in your pro career. Is there anything more you would like to accomplish?
I am completely happy with skateboarding and what it’s given me. I just want to do more crazy shit on my skateboard as long as I can. I have got new footage for the Emerica video and I think it is some of the best stuff I have done in my life. The video is called Emerica Stay Gold. It’s about five months away but I think it’s going to be really good.
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"I have got new footage for the Emerica video and I think it is some of the best stuff I have done in my life. The video is called Emerica Stay Gold. It’s about five months away but I think it’s going to be really good."