Static. For over two decades, this independent video series has been a cornerstone of East Coast skateboarding, capturing the raw energy and unique style of the region. Founded by Josh Stewart, the man behind Theories of Atlantis, Static has evolved from a humble project to a cultural phenomenon, launching the careers of countless skaters and influencing generations. With the release of Static 6, we dive deep into the memories of those who helped make these videos so iconic.
Joel Meinholz: Miami’s Wild West Days
Joel Meinholz recalls the early days in Miami as a chaotic yet exciting time. “Miami was the Wild West back then,” he says, “Anything goes and went. Spots, we got them. Nightlife, we got it. Skating, let’s fucking get it.” He explains how Josh Stewart brought together different skate crews, creating a unified scene and offering him his first real filming opportunities. “It just now occurred to me,” Joel admits, “that whenever he would reload his tapes I would try and land my tricks. Thanks Josh for putting up with me for all these years.”
Pat Stiener: Myspace and Serendipitous Song Choice
Pat Stiener’s involvement began with a cold message to Josh on Myspace, inquiring about submitting clips for Static 2. To his surprise, Josh used some of his footage, marking his entry into the Static world. He became good friends with Steve Brandi and they filmed extensively for Static 3. Pat also shares a memorable story about finding the perfect song for his part through a random Myspace message to an artist named “White Flight.” “Myspace saved the day again,” he laughs.
Soy Panday: A Rollercoaster of International Misadventures
Soy Panday’s journey with Static is filled with comical mishaps. From a brief encounter with Josh at the London premiere of Static 2 to a disastrous trip to India, followed by a chaotic filming session in Florida, things never went smoothly. He recounts how Josh, despite all obstacles, was determined to film his part, eventually leading to a productive week in Paris. “By far the most productive week of my skate life,” Soy reflects, “All in all an amazing rollercoaster ride. Merci Josh, t’es l’chef.”
Danny Renaud: Inspired by the East Coast Aesthetic
Danny Renaud, who was fifteen when the first Static video came out, describes its huge impact on his skating. Coming from Central Florida, he was captivated by the aesthetic of the North Eastern sections, stating, “I was captured by the North Eastern sections of Static 1 on just how much more aesthetically pleasing the region looked compared to where I was living.” Danny admits he even went through a phase trying to emulate Jake Rupp’s style, a testament to the video’s influence. “I am honored to be a part of the Static alumni.”
Dustin Eggeling: A Fresh Perspective on Skateboarding
Dustin Eggeling recalls how Static 1 changed his perception of skateboarding. At a time when big gaps and handrails dominated, the creativity, spot selection, and aesthetics of Static were a breath of fresh air. “The realization that it is not just about the danger and difficulty of tricks was very eye-opening and broadened my understanding and appreciation for skateboarding as a whole,” he explains. Being included in a Static video remains a huge honor for him.
Aaron Herrington: The Influence of Josh Stewart
Aaron Herrington says he was heavily influenced by Kenny Reed’s skating featured in Static videos during his high school years. His involvement with Josh Stewart came through Jeremy Elkin, and he credits Josh for shaping his career. He remembers a bizarre moment on the road, stating, “I look out the window and notice a woman putting a sloth into her minivan… literally a fucking SLOTH.”
Jake Rupp: Cross-Country Adventures and Helicopter Rides
Jake Rupp shares a memorable story about a cross-country trip with Josh and other skaters. The journey included skating in Washington DC, meeting Josh’s uncle in Nevada, and taking a thrilling ride in a doorless Huey helicopter, where they shot machine guns. He reflects on the fun times and acknowledges the impact of the videos, “At the time skating and filming were very easy, and we had fun.” He concludes that seeing Josh’s continued success makes perfect sense to him, “He has a good eye and he knows what he likes.”
Steve Brandi: From Local Videos to a Board Sponsor
Steve Brandi’s journey with Josh started in Tampa, where he grew up watching Josh’s local skate videos. He was later invited to film for a Transworld video, and then Static 1. The experience broadened his skating perspective and his skills. “My skating evolved by being around those guys and seeing their approach to skating,” he says. His part in Static 1 also caught the attention of Kenny Anderson, leading to his first board sponsor with Planet Earth Skateboards.
Vincent Alvarez: A Backyard Premiere to Remember
Vincent Alvarez recounts how being part of Static 5 opened many doors for him to collaborate with Josh on later projects. He remembers a funny moment while filming a line near his house in LA, when Josh fell and hit his head. For Vincent, being part of a series he grew up watching was a dream come true, and he even hosted a backyard premiere to share the experience with his friends. “That was such a special feeling. We had a great time.”
Bobby Puleo: A Critical Perspective on Static‘s Evolution
Bobby Puleo offers a more critical perspective on the Static series, noting a shift in its aesthetic after Static 2. While he acknowledges the project’s success and his own role in it, he also feels that Static evolved into something different, focusing more on the New York City aesthetic. “I almost felt used,” he admits, referencing the shift from Florida-centric to a more NYC-focused style. He views the series as having adopted “an underground railroad type system to traffic people into New York to feed off the aesthetic of New York for his video project.” Despite his personal grievances, he recognizes the significance of the series, noting “Static is truly great cinema.”
Trevor Thompson: Tracing the Origins of East Coast Skateboarding
Trevor Thompson shares a story from his youth, recalling seeing Josh film Nick Jensen in Barcelona for Static 2. He sees Static as a key contributor to popularizing the East Coast style of skateboarding. He also believes that the series did a great job documenting underground skateboarding and showcasing the characters around it. “It’s good to occasionally trace the origins of this thing we’re all obsessed with and give the people who got us here a little nod. Josh is one of those people.”
Christian Maalouf: From Fan to Alumni
Christian Maalouf met Josh in London in 2006 but was too nervous to join a skate session that was filmed for Static 3. Years later, he finally became part of the Static family. “Now I walk around in my Static 6 hat like it’s my Vietnam Veterans hat or something like that,” he says. He expresses immense pride in being part of something that meant so much to him as a skater.
Static has not only documented skateboarding but also helped shape it, leaving a lasting legacy on the East Coast skate scene and beyond. From its humble beginnings to the release of Static 6, the series continues to inspire and influence generations of skaters. The stories and insights shared by those involved highlight the series’ enduring impact and the passion behind it.
