Powell Peralta
Encyclopedia
Powell Peralta is an American skateboard
company founded by George Powell and Stacy Peralta
in 1978. The company rose to prominence in the 1980s as skateboarding began maturing as a sport. The company featured the Bones Brigade, a team of the era's top competitors. Peralta left the company in 1991 and Powell continued to produce skateboard equipment as Powell and Bones Bearings. The two company founders reunited to produce the company's now classic inventory under the name Powell Classic.
and started making homemade skateboard
s in 1957. In 1974, Powell's son came and asked for a skateboard. When Powell pulled an old one out of the garage, his son complained it did not ride smoothly. Powell became interested in skateboarding again, as he realized urethane
wheel
s improved a skateboard's ride. With this prompting, Powell started making his own skateboards and wheels. He bought urethane and baked his own wheels. He also used some of new materials like aluminum
and fiberglass
to fabricate his own composite boards. One of the test riders of one of his flexible slalom boards was Stacy Peralta
.
When Powell was laid off from his job in the aerospace industry, he packed up and moved from Los Angeles
to Santa Barbara
to start his own skateboard manufacturing business. In 1976, George built the Quicksilver ProSlalom deck which he marketed through Sims
. This was followed by the Quicktail. He developed wheels named "Bones" because of their white colour. Skateboarding changed and George Powell moved into wood laminates.
forming Powell Peralta. Peralta was a big name in skateboarding and took over team management and advertising. In 1979 they created a skateboarding team called the Bones Brigade, which included many of the best skateboarders of the era. Powell Peralta developed a signature art style, designed by Vernon Courtlandt Johnson, with a skeleton motif. These designs stood out in the market and helped propel Powell Peralta to become arguably the most popular skateboarding company of the 1980s. They produced the now famous Tony Hawk Iron Cross deck — as well as the McGill Skull and Snake, the Caballero Dragon, the Lance Mountain
Future Primitive
graphics, the Ray Underhill cross graphic, and the Ollie Tank — while continuing to produce Bones wheels.
team that rode under the Powell Peralta, and later, Powell banner. Notable Bones Brigade members throughout the years have included:
appeared and took market share from the bigger companies. Powell Peralta suffered as many of their riders defected and either set up or rode for those new independent companies. At the end of 1991, Stacy Peralta
left Powell Peralta and the company was then re-branded as Powell Corporation.
have teamed up once again to re-issue some of the original pro models under the Powell-Peralta brand. Current Reissues include models from, Steve Caballero
, Ray "Bones" Rodriguez, Mike McGill, Steve Steadham, and Mike Vallely. In late 2010 Powell Skateboards and Powell Classic were folded into Powell-Peralta. Powell Peralta continues to reissue Classic Decks, Wheels, Clothing and Videos as well as new products with Decks that are both classically inspired shapes and contemporary "Popsicle" shapes. The Current team is Pros: Steve Caballero
, Mike Vallely, Jordan Hoffart, and Chad Bartie, Ams: Josh Hawkins, Aldrin Garcia, Steven Reeves and Shane Borland
In March 2011 it was announced that Legendary Artist VCJ (Vernon Courtlandt Johnson) has returned to Powell-Peralta, and is working on new art for the Brand.
Skateboard
A skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
company founded by George Powell and Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
in 1978. The company rose to prominence in the 1980s as skateboarding began maturing as a sport. The company featured the Bones Brigade, a team of the era's top competitors. Peralta left the company in 1991 and Powell continued to produce skateboard equipment as Powell and Bones Bearings. The two company founders reunited to produce the company's now classic inventory under the name Powell Classic.
Background
George Powell studied engineering at Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
and started making homemade skateboard
Skateboard
A skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
s in 1957. In 1974, Powell's son came and asked for a skateboard. When Powell pulled an old one out of the garage, his son complained it did not ride smoothly. Powell became interested in skateboarding again, as he realized urethane
Polyurethane
A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...
wheel
Wheel
A wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
s improved a skateboard's ride. With this prompting, Powell started making his own skateboards and wheels. He bought urethane and baked his own wheels. He also used some of new materials like aluminum
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
and fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
to fabricate his own composite boards. One of the test riders of one of his flexible slalom boards was Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
.
When Powell was laid off from his job in the aerospace industry, he packed up and moved from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
to start his own skateboard manufacturing business. In 1976, George built the Quicksilver ProSlalom deck which he marketed through Sims
Tom Sims
Tom Sims, Born 1950, is a former World Snowboarding Champion , World Champion Skateboarder and founder of Sims Snowboards and Sims Skateboards...
. This was followed by the Quicktail. He developed wheels named "Bones" because of their white colour. Skateboarding changed and George Powell moved into wood laminates.
Foundation of Powell Peralta
In 1978, George teamed up with Stacy PeraltaStacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
forming Powell Peralta. Peralta was a big name in skateboarding and took over team management and advertising. In 1979 they created a skateboarding team called the Bones Brigade, which included many of the best skateboarders of the era. Powell Peralta developed a signature art style, designed by Vernon Courtlandt Johnson, with a skeleton motif. These designs stood out in the market and helped propel Powell Peralta to become arguably the most popular skateboarding company of the 1980s. They produced the now famous Tony Hawk Iron Cross deck — as well as the McGill Skull and Snake, the Caballero Dragon, the Lance Mountain
Lance Mountain
Robert Lance Mountain was one of the more popular skateboarders throughout much of the 1980s, and one of the five most legendary members of the Bones Brigade, as featured in the 1987 classic The Search For Animal Chin .Mountain was born in Pasadena, California...
Future Primitive
Future Primitive
Future Primitive may refer to:* Future Primitive , from Southern California* Future Primitive and Other Essays, a collection of essays by anarchist John Zerzan...
graphics, the Ray Underhill cross graphic, and the Ollie Tank — while continuing to produce Bones wheels.
Members
The Bones Brigade was a skateboardingSkateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
team that rode under the Powell Peralta, and later, Powell banner. Notable Bones Brigade members throughout the years have included:
- Ray BarbeeRay BarbeeRay Barbee is an American skateboarder from San Jose, California. He was one of the first skateboarders to bring freestyle/flatland tricks to street, technical ollie combinations and numerous no comply variations....
- Steve CaballeroSteve CaballeroSteve Caballero is a professional skateboarder and musician. Steve was born in the year of the dragon, and has had several board graphics that feature dragons. He was born with scoliosis.-Life and career:...
- Alan "Ollie" Gelfand
- Nicky Guerrero
- Tommy GuerreroTommy GuerreroTommy Guerrero is an American skateboarder and musician. As a teen, he was one of the prominent members of the Bones Brigade, Powell Peralta's professional skateboarding team that was successful during the 1980s...
- Kevin HarrisKevin HarrisKevin Harris is a professional skateboarder from Vancouver, Canada. He specializes in "freestyle" skateboarding. Harris is known for his fluid style, which incorporated complex manual variations with exceptional footwork...
- Doug Zyskowski
- "Fat" John Burke
- Cameron Martin
- Tony HawkTony HawkAnthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
- Bucky LasekBucky Lasek-Biography:Lasek started skateboarding at the age of twelve, shortly after his bike was stolen. After entering amateur contests, he was quickly noticed by Powell Peralta talent scouts in 1987...
- Andy MacdonaldAndy MacdonaldAndy Macdonald is an American professional skateboarder. Macdonald is one of the best-known professional vert skateboarders today, holding the record for the most X Games medals, and winning the World Cup Skateboarding competition eight times...
- Guy MarianoGuy MarianoGuy Mariano is a professional skateboarder who gained widespread recognition at the age of 14 for his part in Blind Skateboards' Video Days . Before Blind, Mariano was sponsored by Powell Peralta, and appeared in their video Ban This. In his later years, Guy rode for Girl Skateboards and had a...
- Mike McGillMike McGillMike McGill is an American skateboarder. He is best known for inventing the McTwist, an inverted 540 degree mute grabbed aerial which he first performed on a wooden half-pipe in Sweden in 1984 and then at the Del Mar Skate Ranch in a concrete bowl when he returned to the US. He was inspired by...
- Colin McKayColin McKayColin McKay is a professional skateboarder from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Biography :McKay graduated from Handsworth Secondary School in 1992....
- Lance MountainLance MountainRobert Lance Mountain was one of the more popular skateboarders throughout much of the 1980s, and one of the five most legendary members of the Bones Brigade, as featured in the 1987 classic The Search For Animal Chin .Mountain was born in Pasadena, California...
- Rodney MullenRodney MullenJohn Rodney Mullen is a professional freestyle and street skateboarder. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative and influential street skaters in the history of skateboarding...
- Steve RoccoSteve RoccoSteve Rocco is an American businessperson and skateboarder. He founded World Industries with Rodney Mullen which grew into one of the largest and most influential skateboard companies in the world. He has since sold the company and is currently retired....
- Marc Saito
- Steve Saiz
- Chris SennChris Senn (skateboarder)Chris Senn is a professional skateboarder, known for his aggressive and spontaneous style. Current and past sponsors include Powell Skateboards Channel one Adrenalin Skateboards Emerica, Ace, Type-S, Paradox, Kamanu Charters and Toy Machine Skateboards...
- Tim Simmons
- Steve Steadham
- Jim ThiebaudJim ThiebaudJim Thiebaud is an American skateboarder.Thiebaud was a co-founder of Real Skateboards and Adeline Records. He also controls Deluxe Distribution.-References:...
- Ray Underhill
- David Zakrzewski ("Dave Z")
- Mike VallelyMike VallelyMike Vallely , also known as Mike V, is a professional skateboarder. Mike is also a musician, actor, television personality, stuntman, professional wrestler and FHL hockey player.-Early life:...
- Danny WayDanny WayDanny Way is a professional skateboarder.-Awards and achievements:* 1986: Won the first contest he entered at age 11* 1989: Won his first vert contest in Michigan...
- Per WelinderPer WelinderPer Nils Welinder , is a Swedish professional skateboarder. He has the distinction of being the only person to have ever beaten Rodney Mullen in a contest....
- Frankie Hill
- Rodney JonesRodney JonesRodney Jones is an American poet and professor of English at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Jones was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the winner of the 1989 National Book Critics Circle Award. His other honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Peter I.B...
- Chet Thomas
- Giorgio Zattoni
- Brandon NovakBrandon NovakBrandon Novak is a professional skateboarder, actor, stuntman, and friend of Bam Margera and is a prominent member of the CKY Crew...
Filmography
Powell Peralta went on to produce the Bones Brigade videos which became some of the most influential skateboarding videos of the era. Powell Peralta started to produce videos in 1982. These videos are:- Skateboarding In The Eighties (1982)
- The Bones Brigade Video ShowThe Bones Brigade Video ShowThe Bones Brigade Video Show is a 1984 skateboarding video, produced by Stacy Peralta and Craig Stecyk.It was the first of several videos produced by the Powell Peralta company, and showcased members of the Bones Brigade skateboarding team, including Steve Caballero, Tony Hawk, Mike McGill, Lance...
(1984) - Future Primitive (1985)
- The Search for Animal ChinThe Search for Animal ChinThe Search for Animal Chin is a 1987 skateboarding film featuring the Bones Brigade. It is one of the first skateboarding films to have a "plot".- Cast :Bones Brigade:*Tony Hawk - Himself*Steve Caballero - Himself*Mike McGill - Himself...
(1987) - Public Domain (1988)
- Axe Rated (1988)
- Ban This (1989)
- Propaganda (1990)
- Eight (1991)
- Celebrity Tropical Fish (1991)
Downturn and formation of Powell Corporation
In the late 1980s, smaller, skater-run companies like World IndustriesWorld Industries
World Industries is a skateboarding company that offers skateboarding products, accessories and apparel. The company was founded by Steve Rocco in 1987. In 1988, Rocco was joined by skaters Rodney Mullen then Mike Vallely in 1989....
appeared and took market share from the bigger companies. Powell Peralta suffered as many of their riders defected and either set up or rode for those new independent companies. At the end of 1991, Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
left Powell Peralta and the company was then re-branded as Powell Corporation.
Filmography as Powell
- Hot Batch (1992)
- Chaos (1992)
- Play (1993)
- Suburban Diners (1994)
- Scenic Drive (1995)
- Strip Mall Heroes (1998)
- Magic (1999)
- Bones Bearings Class of 2000 (1999)
- FUN (2009)
Bones Bearings
Bones specializes in bearings. Despite severe financial problems initially, Powell continues to make skateboard products today, including Bones Bearings and wheels.Reunion
Powell Peralta has revisited its enormous market success of the 1980s with their line of re-issue decks under the brand, Powell Classic. George Powell and Stacy PeraltaStacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
have teamed up once again to re-issue some of the original pro models under the Powell-Peralta brand. Current Reissues include models from, Steve Caballero
Steve Caballero
Steve Caballero is a professional skateboarder and musician. Steve was born in the year of the dragon, and has had several board graphics that feature dragons. He was born with scoliosis.-Life and career:...
, Ray "Bones" Rodriguez, Mike McGill, Steve Steadham, and Mike Vallely. In late 2010 Powell Skateboards and Powell Classic were folded into Powell-Peralta. Powell Peralta continues to reissue Classic Decks, Wheels, Clothing and Videos as well as new products with Decks that are both classically inspired shapes and contemporary "Popsicle" shapes. The Current team is Pros: Steve Caballero
Steve Caballero
Steve Caballero is a professional skateboarder and musician. Steve was born in the year of the dragon, and has had several board graphics that feature dragons. He was born with scoliosis.-Life and career:...
, Mike Vallely, Jordan Hoffart, and Chad Bartie, Ams: Josh Hawkins, Aldrin Garcia, Steven Reeves and Shane Borland
In March 2011 it was announced that Legendary Artist VCJ (Vernon Courtlandt Johnson) has returned to Powell-Peralta, and is working on new art for the Brand.
Cultural references
Powell-Peralta Skateboards appeared in several films, from them:- The 1992 film Encino ManEncino ManEncino Man, released in Europe as California Man, is a 1992 comedy film directed by Les Mayfield and starring Brendan Fraser, Sean Astin and Pauly Shore. The plot revolves around two geeky teenagers from Encino, Los Angeles, California played by Astin and Shore, who discover a caveman in their...
features Brendan Fraser'sBrendan FraserBrendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American film and stage actor. Fraser portrayed Rick O'Connell in the three-part Mummy film series , and is known for his comedic and fantasy film leading roles in major Hollywood films, including Encino Man , George of the Jungle , Dudley Do-Right , Monkeybone ,...
character Link riding a Lance Mountain Family (art by Lance's son) skateboard deck near the end. There is a Powell-Peralta poster clearly visible in Dave's room. - In the Teen-Angst/Skateboard movie "Gleaming The CubeGleaming the CubeGleaming the Cube is an American movie released in 1989. It featured Christian Slater as Brian Kelly, a 16-year-old skateboarder investigating the death of his adopted Vietnamese brother.The Skating Technical Advisor for the film was original Z-Boy, Stacy Peralta...
" (1989) starring Christian SlaterChristian SlaterChristian Michael Leonard Slater is an American actor. He made his film debut with a small role in The Postman Always Rings Twice before playing a leading role in the 1985 film The Legend of Billie Jean...
, and featuring an early cameo from Tony HawkTony HawkAnthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
, the 'Crew' can be witnessed in one scene to be stickering skate transfers on public property, one or many of which are of Powell-Peralta design. Also, the main character Brian, as played by Slater, can be seen wearing some Powell-Peralta Lizard Bones Black Sweat Pants. - Most of the Bones Brigade appeared in a skateboard sequence in Police Academy 4: Citizens on PatrolPolice Academy 4: Citizens on PatrolPolice Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol is the fourth comedy film in the Police Academy series. It was released in 1987.A group of Police Academy graduates are sent to train a group of newly recruited civilian officers. The original Police Academy cast reprise their roles in the film. Capt. Harris,...
in 1987 - In the 2009 single "Skate or Die" by Teenage BottlerocketTeenage BottlerocketTeenage Bottlerocket is a punk rock band formed in Laramie, Wyoming in 2001.The band was formed by twin brothers Ray and Brandon Carlisle, following the dissolution of their previous band, Homeless Wonders, in 2000...
, the Bones Brigade was mentioned in the lyrics. "We're waging war against the poseurs of the day, If we play our cards right someday, we might be in the Bones Brigade." - The lead off track "Hornets! Hornets!" on the Hold SteadyThe Hold SteadyThe Hold Steady is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn , Tad Kubler , Galen Polivka , Bobby Drake , and Steve Selvidge...
's 2005 album Separation SundaySeparation SundaySeparation Sunday is the second studio album by The Hold Steady, released on May 3, 2005 through Frenchkiss Records. A concept album, Separation Sunday follows the stories of Craig , Holly , a sometimes addict, sometimes prostitute, sometimes born again Christian/Catholic ; Charlemagne, a pimp; and...
references Bones Brigade with the lyrics "She's got those Bones Brigade videos. She knew 'em back and forth. She slept with so many skaters."