Joey, seated on a throne of Paris V2’s. Photo: Bandy.
Joey Pulsifer is the man behind Paris Truck Co and a founding member of Resource Distribution, home of Elephant Brand Skateboards, Riviera Skateboards, Divine Urethane, Project Hardware, Paris Truck Co, and most recently, the Longboard Resource shop. Joey is also one of the most talented street skaters to ever step foot on deck. Below is an informal chat amongst old friends—the topics ranging from the new Paris V2 product release to why Paris poked fun at us in thier recent print ad . . . Good times. Please enjoy.
They say that gingers will be extinct by the year Deltron 3030. What do you think about that—what precautions are you taking against such an extinction of your crimson-crowned peoples?
Personally, I don’t believe the theory. I’ve seen way too many new ginger children popping up to believe that we’re actually going to be extinct some day. Even if we do, I’ll be long gone by then, so I aint too worried about it. Besides, zombies are gonna wipe us all out before that time comes anyway.
Beyond heckling you, we’re also here to discuss your latest product release, the new Paris V2 trucks. What’s new, what’s better, and can I have a couple sets to sell for some meth?
Of course you can have a few sets! You seem to be getting a little heavy these days so if meth is your new weight-loss solution then I’m glad to help out any way I can! Ha ha! So yeah, we just released the Paris V2. It’s basically an upgrade to the V1 and has a few key improvements that make it that much better. The V2 is replacing the V1. We switched manufactures and these trucks are much stronger fundamentally. Stronger axles, stronger kingpins, better paint, better pivot cups—all that stuff. We added more material around the axles, dug out and slightly tweaked the bushing-seat to allow more after market bushing options, faced the axles—it’s all been a longtime coming. FINALLY we did it! The V2 is a slide machine. People are gonna trip when they go to slide on the the V2s and realize the trucks actually assist you in a slide.
Paris Rider, Kody Noble, testing the new V2s on a Malibu favorite. Photo: Bandy.
Paris is one of the original reverse kingpin truck companies, and arguably one of the most prolific truck brands in the industry overall. That said, more and more brands are making reverse kingpin trucks these days. What do you think about all these new jacks and how do you plan on keeping Paris a relevant and strong presence in the years to come?
Yeah, when Paris dropped, there were only a few established brands around. I think Randal, Alpine, Bear, Gullwing, etc. . . We came out with a beautiful, well-made truck that actually had a different feeling when you rode it. It rode better, looked cleaner, and I think that really helped Paris rise up quickly. I knew that there would be more brands coming for sure. I think competition is good though. I think having choices are great. I also think some of the “NEW JACKS” are in it solely to gain market share into this “category”. I think it’s pretty funny how many vintage brands are coming back into the scene as if they were ALWAYS here supporting it. “BLAH BLAH BLAH” brand, “Since 1872.” Distribution houses are clamoring to find a way in so they take whatever old brand they have sitting on the shelf and jump start it back to life. It’s all good though—It’s totally understandable. The real brands will always rise to the top and the core skaters will know whats up in the end. I’m very happy to be in a small pool of real trucks brands doing it right. As far as staying relevant? We have a rad team, TONS of new stuff coming out in 2013— like street trucks, 43 degree plates, and a few precision game changers in the works. It should be an interesting year for sure.
Many skaters out there may not know this, but you are still the dude that creates all the marketing and print ads for Paris. That being said, you have a unique approach to marketing. What’s your philosophy on that shit and why did you make fun of us in your last print ad? Not cool, bro! Ha ha!
My philosophy is easy. Please, no more of the same thing over and over again. I get sick of seeing the same 10 skate shots, set in different environments and locations—sick of seeing race shots and podium ads. I get it, your products are real fast! Ha ha! I mean, I know it’s part of the imagery and beauty of the scene but man, it gets boring looking at the same ads all the time doesn’t it? Our ads are meant to be different—funny or controversial—but mostly just to poke fun at ourselves or skate marketing in general. I did the Wheelbase ramp ad because I thought it was funny as hell. I thought it was funny that Caliber bought SkateHouse a ramp. We felt left out and wanted to buy somebody a ramp too, so we did. . . sorta. Our ads are purely meant to entertain and provoke thought and/or questions from the reader. Our ads are meant to get people talking and saying how butt-hurt we are about things. . . To me that’s the ultimate complement on an ad! “Paris is just butt hurt because this or that. . .” Priceless! To me, that offers far more entertainment value than another sweet, standy-slide photo with a beach scene and HOPEFULLY a pier in the background. Dude, gotta have pier in there or you’re fucked!
Joey doing a little R & D on a set of his forthcoming Paris street trucks. Ollie nosebluntslide to pop-out. Photo: Bandy.
Not only do you make some of the raddest trucks, but you’re also one of the sickest skateboarders I know. Even at the ripe age of 78 you can still throw down some serious trickery. I’m not trying to throw you under the hype-bus here, but I have this rad sequence of you noseblunt sliding a quarter pipe from one of our recent sessions with the Unmodern Industries crew. I’m stoked to finally publish this little diddy. That said, I’d like to end this badboy with a couple closing questions: what inspires you to continue messing around with skateboards? what’s the meaning of life? and why do you have so many cats?
I’ve been skating since I was 13 years old. . . Skateboarding is all I know and I’m glad to say it! It’s helped me get where I am today and without it, I honestly have no idea where I’d be. The irony of my involvement in Paris Trucks and Resource Distribution is that it leaves me with very little time to actually skate as much as I’d like too. My goal is to start taking advantage of the time I’ve put in my work and start traveling the world and skating with the awesome people I’ve met along the way. The meaning of life is to love cats.
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