Mark Normand Is A Skate Nerd! | The Nine Club w/ Chris Roberts

Quick Overview

Mark Normand reveals that his early skateboarding experiences in New Orleans were heavily influenced by watching videos of skaters like William Wallace and seeing the "Piss Drunks" crew, contrasting with the current era where skaters often get sponsored earlier and are perceived as cleaner.

Key Points: Mark Normand started skateboarding around age 13 or 14 in New Orleans after his friend got a board. Normand was heavily influenced by watching videos featuring skaters like William Wallace and the "Piss Drunks" crew from Transworld Skateboarding. He describes the older scene as grittier, noting that skaters often had substance abuse issues and looked rougher, contrasting with today's cleaner image. Normand recalls spending an entire day trying to land a 360 flip backside shove-it over a gap, treating it as a major milestone. He reflects that he never got sponsored early on, unlike some modern skaters who are recognized quickly. The conversation touches on how skaters like William Wallace and the 'Piss Drunks' stood out due to their wilder lifestyle.

Context: This segment of The Nine Club podcast features comedian Mark Normand discussing his early days in skateboarding, particularly his formative years in New Orleans during the mid-to-late 1990s. He contrasts the raw, less polished style and culture of that era with the current landscape of professional skateboarding, referencing specific influential skaters and video parts.

Detailed Analysis

Mark Normand explains that he began skateboarding around age 13 or 14 in New Orleans after a friend acquired a board. He immediately became obsessed, spending long hours practicing tricks like a 360 flip down a four-set gap, which took him an entire day to land, viewing it as a significant achievement. He credits his inspiration to the videos he watched, specifically mentioning skaters like William Wallace and the 'Piss Drunks' crew featured in Transworld Skateboarding videos. Normand notes the cultural difference: the older era involved more excessive drinking and drug use, giving skaters a 'grittier' look, which he found appealing, unlike what he perceives as the 'cleaner' image of today's sponsored youth. He points out that skaters like William Wallace and Charlie Chaplin were highly influential figures known for their antics, like getting hammered and doing tricks. Normand humorously admits he never received early sponsorship, contrasting with the quick recognition some modern skaters receive, and notes that even now, he feels like he is still paying tribute to that older style.