being from the midwest, I've always been a big AWS/DNA supporter and have skated their decks more than any other "major" skate brand during the past 20 yrs.� It's not the same AWS as when it started, but what company is really anymore (and some may remember that there were "darker days" of AWS when the whole alien sticker craze was huge)...anyways, I still enjoy their aesthetic and they've always attracted a diverse group of doods.�
hopefully Dyrdek's purchase wont really do more than just giving it back to Carter & Co. to run with a little less corp. paperwork then they may have had with Burton.� in any event, it seems pretty natural to have a guy who skated for a company his whole career to invest back in it.� it would be easier for him to just remain a team guy and get a check, but instead he's tying himself to the ship, sink or swim.
yeah... there was one point around 93/94 where there were knockoff Believe and Spectrum stickers and t-shirts everywhere. Blame it on the ravers.
I don't buy boards for graphics but for the most part, their graphics were the best in the 90's (Blender, Carter and Hill). Then Pendleton (amazing) put his mark on it for several years. But since he left, they've had some really mediocre looking stuff.
I've always been a fan of Alien Workshop. I've ridden more Alien and Habitat boards the past 15 years than any other brand. PS Stix wood has worked well for me. As well as Bareback more recently.
I'd like to hear DGKalis' take on this. I wonder if things would have worked out differently for him if this happened several years ago. Like, who was making all the decision that he didn't like over the years (the Mono "mixtape" thing, Marquis, Mindfield editing, new team members etc). I suppose the Mono thing happened before Burton took over.
Who knows... maybe the only difference will be who signs their cheques.