Jensen, deep in the a-frame of the green-room. Photo: Bandy.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOS Marcus Bandy
Not for the pay-out. Not for the fame. But rather, for the love of the ride! Many will come-and-go in skateboarding as trends and external incentives wax and wain, but those who will remain are the true-school skaters—like our Canadian homie, Eric Jensen—who ride any-which-way that they can, and because there is no other choice but to ride, daily! I don’t want to jock Jensen’s nuts too hard, because I don’t wanna see his head get all gassed-up, and also because he still has a lot to learn as a young man and as a skateboarder. But I will say this: Eric’s passion and propensity to bring the energy-levels higher at any session—wether it be in the hills, bowls, or in the streets—is undeniable and truly inspirational. Also, Jensen, please trim your nose hairs, dude! I think one of ’em reached out and scratched my fisheye lens on our last photo shoot. . .
Good times in Malibu with friends. Photo: Bandy.
So what brings you to California this time around?
Just swinging through to say what-up to the homies, skate and enjoy, and make a lil media for everyone to check out, or complain about. Ha ha!
Who are you riding for at the moment, and why?
Comet Skateboards, Volante Wheels, Yeehaw Gear, RDVX grip, Switchback—because they are all radical, skater owned and operated, and the team vibes be irie!
Why don’t you ride for Caliber anymore?
Different boats; different floats.
What is your mission as a skateboarder?
Skate and destroy! But mostly enjoy, skate all things, and hopefuly influence others to venture into different styles of skating.
High traffic. High risk. Highly committed. Photo: Bandy.
We’ve been out and about skating shit, filming, and shooting photos; What was the raddest, most fulliling, or most fun thing we skated?
We definitely went out and skated a tone of things. The raddest and most fulfilling photo you captured was the slappy for sure. Even through it’s a very easy trick, it’s one of my favorites. I grew up skating curbs out in front of my house for hours and hours, and it still never gets old. Also, that boardslide spot you took me to was quite radical. Nothing like the feeling of sliding a extra long boardslide and riding away after.
Why is skater owned and operated so important to you?
Skater owned and operated is one of the most important things to me for many reasons. Do you really want the board you’re riding to be designed and made by someone who doesn’t skate? Sounds sorta unfunctional to me. Personally, I can’t really vibe with anyone that doesn’t skateboard and is trying to make some money off of it. I bet it seems like the cool thing to do, but if you don’t skate and work/own a skate company, beat it kook! At the end of the day I like to see the money made by skateboarding to go back to skateboarders.
Slides on fleek. Photo: Bandy.
You are one of those skaters who skates everything: long, short, the streets, and parks and downhill too. The big biz guys keep telling me that longboarders are not skateboarders and shit like that. Are you an alien? Do you actually exist? And if you do actually exist are there more of your tribe out there?
Well first off, Marcus, I’m going to guess that these “big biz guys” are owners or workers of skate companies who don’t skate, and even if they do, it will still bring me back to my last conclusion: beat it kook! But alien? Nah. Do it exist? Sometimes in the third or fourth dimension, but not on this planet. Don’t worry though, there are many other travelers of the third and fourth dimension roaming through space and time.
Who is your favorite alien?
Dave Angles and Byron Essert. they are some of the first travelers to enter the fifth dimension!
Shadows & reflections in motion. Photo: Bandy.
You moved from the east coast of Canada to the west coast, why? And how’s the living?
This is probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. BC has monstrous mountains, 65+ skateparks within a hour’s drive from me, more different style barriers in Vancouver alone than I’ve seen in all my travles, and who can’t get down with mother nature out in B.C.! The living is super sweet too! I love living with my best friends! I never run out of radical things to do or people to hangout with.
What’s the Vancouver skate scene like? Downhill, street. parks, ect?
Vancouver’s skate scene is supper rad! Although I have not been going downhilling much lately, but skating with all the park dudes, both scenes are super radical and inviting! The downhill scene in Vancouver is about twice as big as Toronto, where I originally came from, and everyone crushes super hard! Local shops and crews like Switchback, Flatspot, and Coast are always putting on events to bring the community together and to shred hard! The park scene here is alot more friendly than the east coast, were I feel like every park I go to is a “who’s the best, can talk-shit, show you up, and grill ya the hardest” situation. In Vancouver, people make sure you get a run in no matter how good you are and cheer you on no matter what you’re doing. Everyone in B.C. can get down with the skate-everything mentality. At the end of the day we are all here to skate and have fun.
Multi-dimentional. Photo: Bandy.
I’ve never seen you with a lady friend. . . relationships?
I’m in a 12 year, abusive relationship with my skateboard and it’s going strong.
You’re literally a baker now. Tell us about making pasteries and breads and shit?
Wake, bake, and skate! That’s how I roll. Not too much you gotta know about pasteries and breads and shit. I basically took the job because of how shred-ready my work hours are. Usually 6am to 1pm and then I go out and shred all day. It makes me feel hella productive and active after a long day of working and skating. Everyone’s gotta pay rent and eat somehow.
Living that Johnny Bustabmonte lifestyle. Boneless in Compton. Photo: Bandy.
What is skateboarding to you? Ideally and in reality.
Oddly worded question for me, because skateboarding is my way of escaping reality in a way. If I ever have worries or am just frustrated at the cold hard facts life hits me with sometimes, I just hop on my skateboard and it all goes away! This ties into my dimensions theory: The moment you step on a skateboard and start moving is the moment you step into the second dimension. This alone may be all you need to forget about your worries. However, the more you shred the more dimensions you can dive into. Ideally, I need to dive deep into the fourth dimension to escape reality. So in reality, I do not exist and skateboarding is not a real thing; it’s all a dream.
What famous historical figure would you like to see skate Tuna?
Couldn’t have anything better than Jesus. Jesus carving himself!
Speedy frontal slappy in downtown Long Beach. Photo: Bandy.
Campus cruising, downhill skateboarding, riding skateparks or street with longer wheelbased boards, as well as commuting and distance skating have all been marketed under the umbrella of “longboarding”. What is the connection and the disconnection and do you agree with this grouping?
Sure, some of it may be kooky but so is that guy in the skatepark trying one trick and getting mad. But it’s all skateboarding to me. Whatever gets your wiggle sauce going.
At the same time, softwheeled surf shapes, miniboard, and Penny style microboards are marketed as “cruisers”, and not longboards. What do you as a skateboarder think of this particular grouping?
Grouping is sorta stupid and hella judgemental I think.
One more go! Photo: Bandy.
If Patrick Switzer were to win Maryhill FOS on a mico Penny board and as he crosses the finished line he busts a sweet method air off of a launch ramp—with no helmet on mind you— but donning G-Forms and safety glasses, then after landing the air (bolts!) he hippy jumps over a pole and lands on a flex 3 Dervish with Shark Wheelz, radically hard carves, and then quickly jumps off of that board, picking up a Welcome board with one rail on it and slams a PBR with the entire Anti Hero team, but, then after that he does a slide clinic on Backside Maryhill with a bunch of newbs, then ultimately posts all of it to Skate House Media in the form of a raw run filmed by Alex Ameen with no pre-roll logos; would he be considered a skateboarder or a longboarder at that point? BTW, this is the best question I’ve ever asked anyone in my life—do not fuck this up!
I must say this is a very good question. It had be laughing for a good 5 minuets. But, there is only one answer: skateboarder.
Wallride to hill bomber in the LBC. Photo: Bandy.
Is racing skateboards ever gonna be sponsored by Chase Bank? Do you care?
If that’s your thing and you’re down. . . sure. Why not? I hope you cash in hella hard.
What are three things that make downhill skateboarding so badass?
You go hella fast, with cars in the other lane. It’s just badass.
Were you surprised to find yourself on the cover of our second Wheelbase Print Edition?
Quite surprised indeed! I was even more suprised at the shot that was used, because I don’t actually remember doing that. Ha ha! It was rad nonetheless and I’m definitely stoked on it!
Switchstance + hands-down + cornering = smiles. Photo: Bandy.
Photography?
Something I should do more of in my spare time.
As someone who rides long & short boards, who do you look up to and who do you think the skaters out there should look up to for inspiration and such?
I look up to a lot of other skaters—too many to name. Skaters should just the watch skateboarding that inspires them to go out and skate. I usually watch a couple old skate videos or go on Skatehouse, Thrasher, Jenkem, or other rad skateboard media websites and youtube channels for inspiration. Maybe even Wheelbase too sometimes. Ha ha!
How have you enjoyed skating with Devyn, Killsauce, and I in and around the LBC area?
Most righteous times! Devyn hypes up the skating and Killsauce and you are on the media coverage like bosses!
A melodious rockside-toeside in Malibu. Photo: Bandy.
Best Devyn moment?
First off was the roof drop. He says, “There’s a roof, it’s perfect, why not? lets skate it!” I’m down to watch. Ha ha! Second and best of all, would have to be the off-roading we did up the grass, through the sandpit, and between the palm trees—all for some free parking! Get some!
Where would you like to see improvement in the downhill scene and what things would you like to see in order to grow the community further.
I think it’s rad as fuck right now! Just keep shredding and doing your thing.
What the fuck is a longboard skatepark?
Something I hope that never happens.
Favorite Canadian skateboard brand?
Skull Skates.
You have had a couple pro boards from Comet—a downhill board and now a signature street style 33’ deck—tell us about those boards and the design process overall.
It’s simple, because simplicity is simple. Big board with usable kicktail for downhill and some other things. And a shorter board with some funky shape for skateparks and neighbourhood alley jammy shralpage.
A perched perspective of picture-perfect, Malibu. Photo: Bandy.
Why do you fux wit Comet?
I fucks with Comet for so many different reasons, but I’ll keep it short and sweet: Skater owned and skater operated! The radical team that I get to shred with, and when we are all together many dimensions are broken through and dived into once we combine as one. Comet is a B-Corporation! All graphics are hand done by the main man with all of the sunshine power, Kaya! And all inks are non toxic! All of the Comet team riders get to shape and create their own masterpieces for you to experience. Jason Salfi is a boss. Comet is Family!
What’s your favorite skate video of all time?
I will watch Blind “Video Days” on repeat all day every day.
If you were stranded on an island with one album to listen to, one hill to shred, one homie to ride with, and one skatepark to skate what would be your choices? Also, you can only have one meal and beverage for the rest of your life.
THIS IS HEAVY!!!! First thing that comes to mind is Lincoln City! I can skate that park all day every day and find new lines every time! I could never get sick of that park! I would listen to the album Mothership Connection by Parliament. I’d have Backside 9 as my only hill to skate. And I’d have the homie Jared Henry to skate with. . . things would get BUCK!!! As for the grub: strictly peanut butter & banana with honey sandwhiches and coconut water.
The alternative cover shot for Bro Q’s July issue. Photo: Bandy.
Who’s the hottest person in the world right now?
Someone with a very high fever.
What is your spirit animal and what is your mythical spirit animal?
During this year’s spirit animal card choosing at the Salfi residents and just after the Ithaca Skate Jam, I picked the horse, which I recall being some good positive stuff. But mythicaly deep down inside I feel like a zebra-lizard-goat-minotaur thing. Shit’s dope!
What do your parents do for a living and do they appreciate your skateboarding?
My father is a rock doctor, but really actually helps decide where it is safe to burry nucular waste and it’s some real shit. My mother on the other hand is a workplace police officer, so watch out people in the GTA, my mom is going to bust your work place soon, or make sure it’s safe for ya. And yes, they do appreciate my skateboarding and support me most importantly. Wouldn’t be where I am today without them!
Dippin’, slippin’—out for some rippin’! Photo: Bandy.
I’m feeling like word-association would be a rad place to go at this point in this interview. You down for that?
Maybe?
Transgender?
Do your thang.
Longboarding?
?
Helmets?
When you feel its necessary.
Trolls.
Funny.
Shoe Sponsors?
$$$
Tattoos?
Nah.
Pressing one down through the chunder, Malibu. Photo: Bandy.
Politics?
Not my thing.
Rabbits?
Love ’em.
GMO?
NO!
Sunset Sliders?
Always a sheer rad occurrence.
Sports!
NO!
Down the asphalt and through the woods. Merrily, merrily! Photo: Bandy.
Hippies?
Use backdoor.
Johnny Doobie?
Rock on.
Education?
Get some.
Liam Morgan?
Skateboarder.
Choke collars?
Only while masturbating.
The ubiquitous Fish shot, Malibu. Photo: Bandy.
McLovin?
All around awkward white guy.
Nollieflips?
Not for me.
Monkey Toe?
Monkey poo.
Front-butt?
Your side magazine project?
Sunglasses at night?
Sounds dangerous.
Thanks for the good times, dude. Always fun! Photo: Bandy.
Shout outs?
Mom and dad, Comet Skateboards, Volante Wheels, Yeehaw Gear, RDVX Grip, Switchback, bananas, vitiman A through Z, Sunset Sliders, skateboarding, blueberries, Mother nature, Skate Invaders, wallrides, and also slappies.
That was rad! I’d like to end this puppy by extending you the opportunity to share any words of encouragement and stoke to any skaters out there who are inspired by your skateboarding. Go for it, and thanks again for doing this interview and supporting the mag?
I’m not one for many words. Just get fired up, go out and skate, and don’t listen to other people’s bullshit. You are the shit, Wheelbase Magazine! Thank you for all the good times!
