Robbie Gangemi

July 25, 2011 by Gibber

Robbie Gangemi was always one of my favorite Boston skaters.He ripped but was pretty casual about the whole thing. He loves to skate. And that seems to be his whole motivation. Plus he is funny as shit.

On the serious tip, Robbie is an industry innovator. With a patent pending for recycled skate decks, the material and method, his company Pop Master Innovations is on the cusp of creating an eco-conscious wood manufacturing outlet with “Recycled Wood Fiber Veneer Substrate”.

check it out: popmasterinnovations.com

Portrait of Robbie Gangemi smiling ©2011 Simplex

Robbie rode for Placid Planet/Liquid Spaceship. And he was always down for a session.

Robbie Gangemi backside kickflip ©2011 Simplex

Robbie was the first guy I knew personally that was really going for street tricks on ramp. He tried this backside kickflip 100 times and couldn't get it. I told him I can't run a photo if he doesn't land it. At which point he got a serious look and just began crushing them.

Robbie boosts a huge backside kickflip at ZT ©2011 Simplex

The low angle makes the kickflip look huge. Considering that was shot in 1990 or so, it is actually pretty sick. Check out the guy in the background. The look on his face matches his shirt.

High to low frontside ollie at ZT's

The low angle makes the kickflip look huge. Considering that was shot in 1990 or so, it is actually pretty sick. Check out the guy in the background. The look on his face matches his shirt.

Memories of Yoda (part 1 of many)

May 12, 2011 by Gibber

Tonight, the skate park owner’s dog, Coco, was at the park. It brought back memories of my main man Yoda. Here are a few choice shots from sessions past.

Yoda watches Pete Thompson (I think) ollie the hip at Middle School in Hampstead, NC

Stoners get stoned at aptly named Pot Springs Ditch. Yoda wasn't down with it, so he bailed.

Placid Planet Team guy and Transworld cover boy Adam Ayer sliding tail as Yoda hangs out

Robbie Gangemi uses a handicap ramp to lauch above the lens flare. If you look close, you can see Yoda chillin in the back.

Inside the Liquid Spaceship Surfshop in Boston, Yoda gets busy on a board while I assemble another

Yoda watches Pat Noonan slide in Copley Square

Colorful Characters in Full Color

February 24, 2011 by Gibber

Boston yo. Streets was mad ill, son.

Well, not really.

And that isn’t how I talk either, but some of the crew did and I love to imitate it. Fo realz, the streets were a constant source of entertainment. I didn’t always carry my camera cuz we were riding to and from spots. And I didn’t shoot much color in those days. It meant money out of pocket as opposed to the bulk film roller-process yourself black and white. But I did bust it out when the situation called for it. Here are a few tidbits that survived the moves and storms and fires. Peace out yo.

Adam Ayer ollies down some steps during a World Industries demo. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

While the pros hung out and procrastinated, Adam Ayer 180's down the steps into a demo platform.

Kareem Campbell boardslides a handrail. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

During the World Demo, Kareem Campbell nails a gnarly rail (in those days).

Mike Savage at the Boston City HospitalPhoto by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Snap Grind on the bricks at City Hospital by Mike "Mikey Dread" Savage. Note the PMA!

Robbie Gangemi ollie the hip. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Robbie Gangemi pops one over the hip.

Preston Maigeter ollies the hip. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Preston Maigater was fun to skate with. Totally humble. Here he is with a big ollie over a small hip.

Blue Davis doing a funky rock n' roll type thing on the tubes at Turtles. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Blue Davis did these weird tube rides on the outside of the tubes. Kinda like a rock n' roll, sort of.

Adam Ayer street Skating in Boston. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Adam Ayer. Ollie. Street. Barricade. Fun.

Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Jahmal didn't want to do this, but I think Noonan pressed him saying it would be a good shot. I walked up and down looking for a good angle. Couldn't find one. But Jahmal did it anyway—a long, fast downhill slide into a underground parking garage.

Ollie grab at Turtles in Boston. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Ollie snag at Turtles by John____. I'll remember his name. Give me a second.

Turtles Banks, Cambridge Mass. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Didier Munza, a visiting Frenchman, lets go of a ollie grab at Turtles.

Style is all attitude as displayed by Mikey Dread. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Dread recently joked about how we survived on one piece of Newbury Pizza a day. This photo shows that you don't need money to have style.