Where are they now? Frankie Hill

[Locbrew]

I watch his Ban This part a lot, looks like a filmed it in a day, which is a good thing. I would have liked to see if he landed that boardslide before he was cut off though. 

[layzieyez]

I think that part showed how versatile Frankie was. While that era of skating hasn't aged well (in my opinion), double backside flips over the pyramid at Skate Zone -- well that's just straight up nuts. Frankie fared better than most cuz he coupled that tech stuff with his gnarliness. But Propaganda will always be my favorite part. I really love burly tricks done smoothly. But as I said before, Matt Reason's skating really solidified my views on skating. That run he does in 411 -- switch 180 up the curb, k grind, back tail -- it's totally basic but it's one of my favorite lines of all time. Frankie's Propaganda part had a lot of those qualities. Basic tricks done fucking so well -- gnarly mute grabs, 180s, 50-50s, etc.

Even though, many who are familiar with your deference to Matt Reason's part in 411 pro files, have tired of your referring to it, I am in agreement.  Skateboarding shouldn't be overly complicated to be satisfying or impressive.  Skateboarding is as skateboarding does.  There is so much satisfaction in a line done superbly without it being phony when it should be sincere.  Frankie Hill's skating is to Bukowski, as so much skateboarding footage that is New York Times best seller list (even though it is masqueraded as something else).  I can feel the working class ethic behind so many of Frankie Hill's tricks (despite his talent or because of it).  Hopefully, consequent generations can continue to recognize the difference.  [Can you tell I've drank a purple and a red Four Lokos (I'm almost cross-eyed for Pete's sake)?]

[DEDBBIS]

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I think that part showed how versatile Frankie was. While that era of skating hasn't aged well (in my opinion), double backside flips over the pyramid at Skate Zone -- well that's just straight up nuts. Frankie fared better than most cuz he coupled that tech stuff with his gnarliness. But Propaganda will always be my favorite part. I really love burly tricks done smoothly. But as I said before, Matt Reason's skating really solidified my views on skating. That run he does in 411 -- switch 180 up the curb, k grind, back tail -- it's totally basic but it's one of my favorite lines of all time. Frankie's Propaganda part had a lot of those qualities. Basic tricks done fucking so well -- gnarly mute grabs, 180s, 50-50s, etc.

[close]

Even though, many who are familiar with your deference to Matt Reason's part in 411 pro files, have tired of your referring to it, I am in agreement.  Skateboarding shouldn't be overly complicated to be satisfying or impressive.  Skateboarding is as skateboarding does.  There is so much satisfaction in a line done superbly without it being phony when it should be sincere.  Frankie Hill's skating is to Bukowski, as so much skateboarding footage that is New York Times best seller list (even though it is masqueraded as something else).  I can feel the working class ethic behind so many of Frankie Hill's tricks (despite his talent or because of it).  Hopefully, consequent generations can continue to recognize the difference.  [Can you tell I've drank a purple and a red Four Lokos (I'm almost cross-eyed for Pete's sake)?]

Yes. You overcomplicated a statement about making skateboarding over complicated skateboarding.

[ereygers]

Frankie has been an inspiration for years. After reading that I have even more respect for a dude who had to deal with so much shit to keep ripping years and years later out of the limelight for the pure love of skateboarding. Props to Frankie for all his contributions to skateboarding and props to skateboarding for saving us all.

[rs312]

Interesting article.

[plankskate]

rad
<img src=http://haveboard.com/wp-content/uploads/migrate/display/1497news_frankie.jpg>

[H8R part 4]

sick interview, this is one of the many reasons why i like this place so much.   

any time there would be some big gap, drop or crazy rail, i'd have one of the songs from his parts playing in my head and just barge it.  i think he was the first person(i'd seen on film at least) to skate a roof gap and he kickflipped that shit.  he truly took 'going for broke' to a whole new level in each of his parts.  he is/has always been a huge motivating factor to me and i'm stoked hes still skating and having fun.   

[crailtapsill]

when I skate around UCSB all I can think about is Frankie Hill killing the 8 and the 8 killing him, good to see some photos!

[mock nugget]

sick interview, this is one of the many reasons why i like this place so much.   

any time there would be some big gap, drop or crazy rail, i'd have one of the songs from his parts playing in my head and just barge it.  i think he was the first person(i'd seen on film at least) to skate a roof gap and he kickflipped that shit.  he truly took 'going for broke' to a whole new level in each of his parts.  he is/has always been a huge motivating factor to me and i'm stoked hes still skating and having fun.   

Haha, that's funny to picture, just because the songs from his early powell parts are kind of like casio keyboard demos. Actually, I think I've had the music for his Ban This part stuck in my head a few times before.

[layzieyez]

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I think that part showed how versatile Frankie was. While that era of skating hasn't aged well (in my opinion), double backside flips over the pyramid at Skate Zone -- well that's just straight up nuts. Frankie fared better than most cuz he coupled that tech stuff with his gnarliness. But Propaganda will always be my favorite part. I really love burly tricks done smoothly. But as I said before, Matt Reason's skating really solidified my views on skating. That run he does in 411 -- switch 180 up the curb, k grind, back tail -- it's totally basic but it's one of my favorite lines of all time. Frankie's Propaganda part had a lot of those qualities. Basic tricks done fucking so well -- gnarly mute grabs, 180s, 50-50s, etc.

[close]

Even though, many who are familiar with your deference to Matt Reason's part in 411 pro files, have tired of your referring to it, I am in agreement.  Skateboarding shouldn't be overly complicated to be satisfying or impressive.  Skateboarding is as skateboarding does.  There is so much satisfaction in a line done superbly without it being phony when it should be sincere.  Frankie Hill's skating is to Bukowski, as so much skateboarding footage that is New York Times best seller list (even though it is masqueraded as something else).  I can feel the working class ethic behind so many of Frankie Hill's tricks (despite his talent or because of it).  Hopefully, consequent generations can continue to recognize the difference.  [Can you tell I've drank a purple and a red Four Lokos (I'm almost cross-eyed for Pete's sake)?]

[close]

Yes. You overcomplicated a statement about making skateboarding over complicated skateboarding.

Re-reading that comment this morning, I'm amazed I was even halfway coherent.  I still stand by my words though.  I also find it crazy that he filmed some of those amazing parts in such a short amount of time.

[vegan*shawn]

That was a good read. His parts where at least 10 years ahead of there time, I remember people saying it was fake because it was so different then what other people where doing. I think it is super rad he is getting some of the attention he deserves!

[robasheep]

Great interview!!!

[plankskate]

All these where are they now interviews are awesome.   Have any more lined up? 

I may be able to line up a Damon Byrd interview.

[shredorbread]

so glad to see him back on his board

[PhillyMetrospective1995]

Expand Quote

I think that part showed how versatile Frankie was. While that era of skating hasn't aged well (in my opinion), double backside flips over the pyramid at Skate Zone -- well that's just straight up nuts. Frankie fared better than most cuz he coupled that tech stuff with his gnarliness. But Propaganda will always be my favorite part. I really love burly tricks done smoothly. But as I said before, Matt Reason's skating really solidified my views on skating. That run he does in 411 -- switch 180 up the curb, k grind, back tail -- it's totally basic but it's one of my favorite lines of all time. Frankie's Propaganda part had a lot of those qualities. Basic tricks done fucking so well -- gnarly mute grabs, 180s, 50-50s, etc.

[close]

Even though, many who are familiar with your deference to Matt Reason's part in 411 pro files, have tired of your referring to it, I am in agreement.  Skateboarding shouldn't be overly complicated to be satisfying or impressive.  Skateboarding is as skateboarding does.  There is so much satisfaction in a line done superbly without it being phony when it should be sincere.  Frankie Hill's skating is to Bukowski, as so much skateboarding footage that is New York Times best seller list (even though it is masqueraded as something else).  I can feel the working class ethic behind so many of Frankie Hill's tricks (despite his talent or because of it).  Hopefully, consequent generations can continue to recognize the difference.  [Can you tell I've drank a purple and a red Four Lokos (I'm almost cross-eyed for Pete's sake)?]

I refer to Matt Reason as much as Bukowski referred to Louis-Ferdinand Celine.

[layzieyez]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I think that part showed how versatile Frankie was. While that era of skating hasn't aged well (in my opinion), double backside flips over the pyramid at Skate Zone -- well that's just straight up nuts. Frankie fared better than most cuz he coupled that tech stuff with his gnarliness. But Propaganda will always be my favorite part. I really love burly tricks done smoothly. But as I said before, Matt Reason's skating really solidified my views on skating. That run he does in 411 -- switch 180 up the curb, k grind, back tail -- it's totally basic but it's one of my favorite lines of all time. Frankie's Propaganda part had a lot of those qualities. Basic tricks done fucking so well -- gnarly mute grabs, 180s, 50-50s, etc.

[close]

Even though, many who are familiar with your deference to Matt Reason's part in 411 pro files, have tired of your referring to it, I am in agreement.  Skateboarding shouldn't be overly complicated to be satisfying or impressive.  Skateboarding is as skateboarding does.  There is so much satisfaction in a line done superbly without it being phony when it should be sincere.  Frankie Hill's skating is to Bukowski, as so much skateboarding footage that is New York Times best seller list (even though it is masqueraded as something else).  I can feel the working class ethic behind so many of Frankie Hill's tricks (despite his talent or because of it).  Hopefully, consequent generations can continue to recognize the difference.  [Can you tell I've drank a purple and a red Four Lokos (I'm almost cross-eyed for Pete's sake)?]

[close]

I refer to Matt Reason as much as Bukowski referred to Louis-Ferdinand Celine.

I think you're up to John Fante numbers now.

[PhillyMetrospective1995]

We both know talent.

Damon Byrd would be fucking epic.

[Alan]

Damon Byrd would be fucking epic.

[plankskate]

I can't wait to see what his new deck on Diabolical is going to look like:
http://www.diabolicalskateboards.com/2010/products/

Tony Tieu, Mike Santarossa, and Frankie Hill on one team is like a early 90's skate nerd's wet dream.

[Dirtyjersey]

Wonderful Interview, thank you slap!

[commander jameson]

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Damon Byrd would be fucking epic.

[close]

[kamltoe]

amazing interview and another reminder of how awesome the new slap-is-in-your-head feature of the site is. alright whiteley, i'm sending out the vibes again, don't let me down!! i know you're in there!

k

[lurk daddy]

wheres the brian lotti interview?

[layzieyez]

How about a Dan Peterka one?

[Mevs]

That was a superb read, Slap does it again! Great to see that he's still ripping...and Diabolical looks like a rad company too. Well done Whiteley!

[Blue Fescue]

I always thought it was strange he didn't get more recognition than he has.

[1992]

Super hyped on this interview. So good. A Damon Byrd one would be sick. Somewhere down the line though I'd still like to see this one done if possible.

[bumpnrun]

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Damon Byrd would be fucking epic.

[close]

About as epicly awful as his style LOL

[robasheep]

How about a Dan Peterka one?

That dude had the Charlie Brown graphic, right?

[layzieyez]

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How about a Dan Peterka one?

[close]

That dude had the Charlie Brown graphic, right?

It was either him or Cookiehead.  I just like that he is one of the original crooked grinders and his style was pretty smooth.