Is 917 going down the drain?

[socksthewizard]

I'm a pretty big fan of 917, or more accurately Max Palmer and Cyrus Bennett. However, I've been noticing that Alex has just been putting less and less effort into their graphics and they just come out unappealing as fuck. Their most recent drop has some atrocious looking boards in my opinion, and I'm just trying to see if anyone else has noticed the decline or if I'm just cracked out

https://callme917.com/

[Mbrimson88]

I would be first to say the brand in general is a bit cool for me, but yes from that most recent line of graphics, I would not be very keen to see any of those in person, let alone own any of them.

Some of the older graphics are pretty cool, from looking through images of 917 boards, even the tri leg logo, which stood out really nicely at the time was highly recognisable, but I guess the brand was always going more for the art / fashion aspect than a functioning skateboard brand and he never seemed too interested in much really.

There also seems like a much smaller niche market for that product, which is overshadowed by the more popular and available FA for that type of skater, or at least from the places I see anyway.

[Ok]

I'm a pretty big fan of 917, or more accurately Max Palmer and Cyrus Bennett. However, I've been noticing that Alex has just been putting less and less effort into their graphics and they just come out unappealing as fuck. Their most recent drop has some atrocious looking boards in my opinion, and I'm just trying to see if anyone else has noticed the decline or if I'm just cracked out

https://callme917.com/

They shit looks cool to me. I don’t buy boards for the graphics only tho. Usually it’s shape/dimensions/rider all pretty close together. Graphics are a cool bonus. The only graphics I’ve had to have, recently, were maybe Strangelove or something.

[Lukabrazi]

Pretty sure they try to make the graphics as shitty as possible , kind of like the gas station hat flames board . This most recent series really makes it seem like that’s what they are going for

[thespacewolf]

I remember seeing a video about AO talking about designing graphics for 917 and he said himself he's not really good at designing.

[SneakySecrets]

Time to call 911 for 917?

[JugeL]

Maybe hes burnt out for being talent scout for FA.

[white guy in a durag]

I'm in the minority that likes them I guess. I know Alex is into dance music and these boards are very inline with the graphic design styles you see popping up in some scenes now. I think it's pretty cool that he's repping a style so intentionally abrasive in a market that's never seen something like it before.

some examples (breaking the links to avoid having a fuckload insta embeds):
www . instagram . com/p/CKCNrEAh75G/
www . instagram . com/p/CKE0Nc-lHpM/
www . instagram . com/p/B4pw-oRgv1C/
www . instagram . com/p/CKD96StjZoU/

(fuck david rudnick btw)

[MusclesMarinara]

Always tempted since AO uses the Anti Hero shapes for his 8.25 board but have never seen one in person. Graphics are ok, looks to be going for some surf board type graphics.

[chris.]

They just make me think of like... Meshuggah or something. Lots of bands in the HC scene have used a similar 90s look over the past couple of years, I’m a little indifferent to it now.

[Mbrimson88]

Always tempted since AO uses the Anti Hero shapes for his 8.25 board but have never seen one in person. Graphics are ok, looks to be going for some surf board type graphics.

You mean the 8.25 x 32 with 14.38 wheelbase?

I don't see too many of those around for any brands (besides DLX), as most of them are 14.25 in that size, or now are doing the shorter 14 to 14.12 wheelbases as well.

Interesting how they get certain sizes or shapes and they stick, depending maybe on who rides what or team riders preference in boards.

[Mbrimson88]

I'm in the minority that likes them I guess. I know Alex is into dance music and these boards are very inline with the graphic design styles you see popping up in some scenes now. I think it's pretty cool that he's repping a style so intentionally abrasive in a market that's never seen something like it before.

some examples

Had to see what you were talking about...

Maybe sorry I was so curious, but I will leave them here.

[RichardBarkley]

I like them

I'm in the minority that likes them I guess. I know Alex is into dance music and these boards are very inline with the graphic design styles you see popping up in some scenes now. I think it's pretty cool that he's repping a style so intentionally abrasive in a market that's never seen something like it before.

some examples (breaking the links to avoid having a fuckload insta embeds):
www . instagram . com/p/CKCNrEAh75G/
www . instagram . com/p/CKE0Nc-lHpM/
www . instagram . com/p/B4pw-oRgv1C/
www . instagram . com/p/CKD96StjZoU/

(fuck david rudnick btw)

Yeah they are definitely taking from some labels in house which are in turn taking cues from early 90s rave flyers / tapes. I think it's cool. Who presses them ? If they are generator id cop.

They are like UTTU label graphics on a board.

https://www.discogs.com/label/263123-Unknown-To-The-Unknown

[Ok]

I like them

Expand Quote

I'm in the minority that likes them I guess. I know Alex is into dance music and these boards are very inline with the graphic design styles you see popping up in some scenes now. I think it's pretty cool that he's repping a style so intentionally abrasive in a market that's never seen something like it before.

some examples (breaking the links to avoid having a fuckload insta embeds):
www . instagram . com/p/CKCNrEAh75G/
www . instagram . com/p/CKE0Nc-lHpM/
www . instagram . com/p/B4pw-oRgv1C/
www . instagram . com/p/CKD96StjZoU/

(fuck david rudnick btw)

[close]

Yeah they are definitely taking from some labels in house which are in turn taking cues from early 90s rave flyers / tapes. I think it's cool. Who presses them ? If they are generator id cop.

They are like UTTU label graphics on a board.

https://www.discogs.com/label/263123-Unknown-To-The-Unknown

Pretty sure  bbs/(generator), or were.

One of the best boards I’ve ever had was a ps bianca Chandon. Should have written down the serial #.

[Argyle]

The 917 floral deck I had was one of the best 8.25 shapes I've had. Sure it was generator. Short wb. Really fun

[Acky Jacky]

Personally I find these graphics very appealing.

[Sk.A.T.A.N]

I love the graphics, definitely a unique take on what is usually printed on skate decks. Wish the Cyrus board was a 8.25...

[DirtyBurger]

Does this look like a company that is a failing business?!?!?

[fredgallSOTY]

i love these graphics & AO has a Nike ad in the new Thrasher

[augustmoon]

The brand has always been half assed trash.  No idea how it’s still in business tbh

[Ok]

Does this look like a company that is a failing business?!?!?

I think this looks sick🤷🏻‍♂️

[Frank]

The brand has always been half assed trash.  No idea how it’s still in business tbh

not untrue. i love their videos and team and thus bought their decks for a while, but the graphics and art direction, if there is one, are pretty trashy. the boards with the whole number across them are the only ones that are actually bearable.

it also kinda sucks how the whole team doesn't seem to be stoked to be on and pretty much just waits to get picked up by a better brand.

[socksthewizard]

Expand Quote

The brand has always been half assed trash.  No idea how it’s still in business tbh

[close]

not untrue. i love their videos and team and thus bought their decks for a while, but the graphics and art direction, if there is one, are pretty trashy. the boards with the whole number across them are the only ones that are actually bearable.

it also kinda sucks how the whole team doesn't seem to be stoked to be on and pretty much just waits to get picked up by a better brand.

it makes me pretty sad to see that the riders on the team are basically just THERE. Alex doesn't even seem to care that he's just losing riders.

[ballintoohard]

I think he's said that he doesn't think graphics matter. And where do people seem to think the team isn't stoked?

[Frank]

I think he's said that he doesn't think graphics matter. And where do people seem to think the team isn't stoked?

quitting/changing teams unceremonously, them basically turning what could have been a 917 video into a johnny wilson video and never promoting their brand, cyrus talking about it like it's just whatever and saying how he was more stoked to be on other companies like hopps basically and saying there's almost no interaction with alex himself and seeming indifferent about alex and the brand overall. it seems they stay on as long as they can skate and film together and maybe they get some money via nikesb funds funneled into 917 for some reason.

[YungJugg]

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Does this look like a company that is a failing business?!?!?

[close]

I think this looks sick🤷🏻‍♂️

A 7.5 cruiser with a 18.75wb is the last thing I need but this thing looks really fun.

[HotnSpicyMcChicken]

I actually think these graphics are pretty sick, and I'm not an AO/917 fanboy in the slightest.

[DirtyBurger]

Expand Quote

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Does this look like a company that is a failing business?!?!?

[close]

I think this looks sick🤷🏻‍♂️

[close]

A 7.5 cruiser with a 18.75wb is the last thing I need but this thing looks really fun.

I think some people might think I was bagging on 917 from my original post. I like 917 and Alex Olson and that board does look fun as heck, but my original point was was there ever a demand for 7.5 cruiser with an 18.75 wheelbase? Can't imagine that flying off the racks.

[ballintoohard]

Expand Quote

I think he's said that he doesn't think graphics matter. And where do people seem to think the team isn't stoked?

[close]

quitting/changing teams unceremonously, them basically turning what could have been a 917 video into a johnny wilson video and never promoting their brand, cyrus talking about it like it's just whatever and saying how he was more stoked to be on other companies like hopps basically and saying there's almost no interaction with alex himself and seeming indifferent about alex and the brand overall. it seems they stay on as long as they can skate and film together and maybe they get some money via nikesb funds funneled into 917 for some reason.

Yah I interpreted those responses as "we don't care we just want to get boards, skate, film". In a way I thought it sounded like they liked that because there is no pressure or bullshit to deal with.

[moonordie]

I'm a pretty big fan of 917, or more accurately Max Palmer and Cyrus Bennett. However, I've been noticing that Alex has just been putting less and less effort into their graphics and they just come out unappealing as fuck. Their most recent drop has some atrocious looking boards in my opinion, and I'm just trying to see if anyone else has noticed the decline or if I'm just cracked out

https://callme917.com/

Those are hideous