Kevin Staab
Vertical Progression
By Brian Brannon
03.16.09
When Kevin Staab blasts backside ollies over your head on the deck of the vert ramp, it’s just his way of getting warmed up. Once he gets going, the sky’s the limit on his bag of tricks. I’ve had the pleasure of dropping in on Kevin for almost 28 years, and I’m proud to say the dude is still hitting it with no signs of quitting it. Check out what my friend the Mad Scientist of Masonite has to say…
Kevin, tell me about what it was like going to high school in Scottsdale, Arizona in the early ’80s as a skateboarder.
Well, I just moved to Arizona in ’79, ’80, and being a punk ’80s skate dude wasn’t the cool thing. So we were picked on, beat up, and made fun of on a daily basis.
Remember Mark Cady and the ramp he had in his backyard? Then it moved to Garren’s house… How was that?
That was the best ramp around at the time and we all skated 5 days a week and went to shows together. And through this came JFA, remember that band?
Then there was the “Perfect Ramp” in Mesa. Would you say that it was really perfect? For back then?
I must say, this ramp (that was built for an eight year old whose dad owned a construction company) was as close to perfect as you could get. Lots of good sessions. Tony Hawk, Lester Kasai, Neil Blender, and tons of other big ’80s skaters would come out and visit to skate this beauty.
So I remember you always used to go to Del Mar to skate with Tony. How long have you known each other?
Tony and I met the summer of ’79 at Colton Skatepark and have been skating together off and on for 30 years.
How was it skating for Powell?
Powell was great in the ’80s, it was my dream team to ride for – to ride amongst – Cab, McGill, Tony, Lance, Foss, David Z…
Now I remember at one point you were pretty much into Dayglo and new wave, and then you went to see The Cult one night and came back all punked out, with purple hair and everything. How did that happen?
I have always been influenced by the music I listed to, and at this point in my life Ian [Astbury] was a role model to me and I wanted to switch up some of my colors.
You also hung out with The Adicts a lot; how are those guys?
Very good friends, and to this day my favorite band to see. Always a great time.
Now you were on Sims for a while too; how did that compare to being on Powell?
Powell was great for the time I was there, but when I turned pro I had better options riding for Sims.
Then along came the whole small wheel revolution and vert was officially “wack”. What did you do during those times?
Grew my hair down to my butt, grew a beard and started a band called Ice Cream Headache. Hung low and skated my backyard pool.
It seems like you’ve always been Tony’s right hand man. What do you do in a regular day for him?
Every day is different, but you can say I wear a lot of hats and I do have the best job in the world.
These days, vert is back and stronger than ever. Who are some of the rippers you’re seeing?
Jean Postec, Elliot Solon, Zack Miller, Alex Perelson. Just a few that will be taking over the vert scene.
What are some of the new tricks you have up your bag?
Trying to learn any kick/heel flip. And bringing back some of my older tricks.
What do you have planned for your future?
Keep skating with my kids and enjoy life for all I can.
Who are your sponsors?
Birdhouse, Skull Candy, Tracker, S-One, Bones, TUK Shoes, Nixon, Quiksilver, Pro Design.
Anyone you want to thank?
My mom and Tony for making my life great. Jessica, Ethan and Andrew.
