We got him. We got Steve fucking Rocco.
If you know Jenkem, you know this is about as close to a magnum opus interview as there ever was. We would call it our swan song, but that insinuates we’re dying, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.
If this is somehow falling on deaf ears, let us give you some context. Steve, along with being a pioneer of 70s, 80s and early 90s skateboarding, owned World Industries, and with this company he spearheaded the street skating movement alongside some of the best skaters around at the time. They innovated new board shapes, drafted the blueprint on doing business and the fuck you attitude that skating still champions today.
Steve sold World back in 2002 and essentially “retired” from skateboarding. In doing so he turned into an elusive, mythical creature-esque character that kept his distance from the spotlight.
After years of cold calling and familiarizing ourselves with his voicemail, we were ready to give up. That is until Steve broke the radio silence and announced his return to skateboarding by joining Sidewalk Distribution, home of Jacuzzi Unlimited, Opera, and Slappy Trucks.
We pounced on this announcement, and after many years, were finally able to get Steve in on an interview, one where we recount the details of World’s glory days, the sale of the company, what the hell he has been doing since 2002 and what he’s bringing to the table in 2024. Damn this feels good to write. Raise a glass, ’cause we did it, baby.
Related Posts
-
VISITING THE HONGO BROTHER’S NEW SKATE HOUSE IN JAPAN
Seeing these two brothers flow so freely at such a high level may make you want to quit skating.
-
WHO ARE THE SKATERS RESURRECTING ROCK CLIMBING IN UPPER MANHATTAN?
We met up with Joel Popoteur, an employee at Supreme and long-time skater to learn about his outdoor movement.
-
A TOUR DIARY SKATING AND EXPLORING INDIA
India's not your typical "skate destination," but these guys had a trip filled with the right mix of exploration, experimentation, and danger.
-
COOKING COCONUT CURRY WITH YAJE POPSON
Get motivated to cook something healthy tonight or just close the browser and grab a Big Mac. We won't judge you.
-
WATCH “POSSIBLY MAYBE” – A VHS REMIX OF CONS BRAZIL RIDERS
Highlights include: one guy doing a blunt on a rooftop mini, tasteful special effects, and more than one good-ass kickflip.
-
HANGING OUT WITH… ASICS IN NYC
Watch as we put our cicerone hats on and show the Ishizuka brothers around NYC.
-
SHOP TALK AT THE VANS BLOCK PARTY
The series where we bring controversial questions to you, live and unscripted, is back.
-
WE RESURRECTED THE L.A. HIGH RAIL WITH KEEN RAMPS
Revisit a classic L.A. spot that got taken from us 15 years ago.
Comments
Popular
-
A CHAT WITH LUDVIG HAKANSSON, THE OLDEST SOUL IN SKATEBOARDING
The man loves to read Nietzche, skates in some expensive vintage gear, and paints in his own neoclassical-meets-abstract-expressionist style.
-
HANGING OUT WITH ANDREW HUBERMAN, SKATEBOARDER TURNED NEUROSCIENTIST
Curious what it would be like to hang with this guy outside of a stuffy podcast studio? Us too.
-
GROWING UP, MOVING OUT, AND BREAKING BOARDS
A personal essay recounting a love affair with something we're all too familiar with.
-
INTRODUCING THE NEW JENKEM COLLECTION, JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Air fresheners, bumper stickers, a shirt with a gun on it and a bunch of other stuff.
-
HOW CHAD CARUSO SKATED ACROSS AMERICA
Chad did it the way most skateboarders would: independently and without much of a plan.
June 5, 2024 9:10 pm
“That’s a switch 360 flip rigfht”. Sure thing boss
June 14, 2024 10:27 am
it’s an old school 360 kickflip, like freestyle before ollies. and i guess also switch
June 5, 2024 10:14 pm
wait, world was around till 02? i aint seen a board in a shop or the wild since around 98. i guess that sonic add of steve getting fucked in the ass by wet willy was more truth than parody.
June 5, 2024 10:36 pm
Excellent work.
June 6, 2024 5:46 am
interesting , was a good interview