A Visual Sound

When the Stereo Skateboards video A Visual Sound came out in 1994, many skateboarders were confused by it. With its 8mm film aesthetic, arty interludes, and post-bop jazz tunes, it didn’t look or sound like any other skate videos at the time.¹ It may have featured some of the same California hot spots as videos produced by other companies, but the overall video and audio approach was very different. Skateboarding, which was then as it is now, not quite a sport, with conventions but not rules, was still experimenting with identity in the early 90s.

Though Stereo didn’t release A Visual Sound until the tail end of my skateboarding experience, its style had possibly the biggest influence on me of any skate video. I went out and bought brown Dickies to match Ethan Fowler’s wardrobe. I started collecting Coltrane records.

A Visual Sound conditioned my brain to think of skateboarding when I hear jazz. Yesterday, I was listening to Milies Smiles by Miles Davis. I had the urge to check out the Stereo site to see if they had any interesting new decks. Indeed, they did. A new “Floral Series” featuring the art of Colt Bowden. Above is the Jason Lee model.² I love the colors and the intricacy of the design. It’s good to see that Stereo is still full of style.

Stereo Skateboards - A Visual Sound (YouTube)

1. Black and white footage of a train in the middle of a skater’s section? Sure, why not? ↩︎
2. Long since retired from professional skateboarding, and owner of a camera shop in LA, but still releasing signature decks. ↩︎