Chris Mitchell spouted off so many thought-provoking opinions in his 15 Minutes from Issue #12 that we decided to publish the entire text online. Long-time friend Mike Opalek gets Chris on the record about Box Magazine, rollerblading’s true roots, skating in the movies, the phrase “aggressive inline,” and why he thinks 2010 is the year that blading is going to resurface on pop culture’s radar. Find out a little bit about the self-described “robinhood of rollerblading” in this excellent read. — ONE
Writer’s note: This was the best and most controversial interview ever! But because of ONE’s lack of balls and/or lack of funds for a lawyer for the lawsuit that would have happened, Chris and I were forced to go with the regular mess. Sorry, those guys are pussies. — MO
We’re all peeing on a wall in some alley just off Texas Street. I found this district on a website that described the area as this: “During its popularity as a red light district for military men based in Busan or passing through, it was called Texas Street due to the image of Texas in America as a wild, frontier area.” OK, Busan, Korea, is odd, but it’s the perfect place to interview the self-described Robin Hood of Rollerblading, Chris Mitchell!
The group staggers to the main drag as Chris and I finish up our pee murals and take a minute to snap a photo in front of a mural that is not made of urine. Instantly lost in the filthy Korean labyrinth, we spot a dark alley with a yellow sign and Korean writing all over it, so we feel it’s appropriate to find out what the hell is there. We see a staircase and proceed up it. We find a hallway and go in it. At first we find nothing, but then we hit the mother load: a bookshelf of Asian porn!!! But it’s in VHS. Who owns VHS these days? “If I didn’t steal one I’d regret it,” he says. And that’s him in a nutshell. Not a thief, mind you. Just your modern metrosexual Indiana Jones…without the whip and leather jacket, instead with Quick shoes (he has a Dutch shoe dealer known as Sven Boekhorst), a matching Ted Baker outfit and a stogie to boot!
Chris seems to be one of the happiest people I know. He does what he likes and always has a positive spin on life. You probably know him as Sebastian from the Mindgame videos, but he has been affiliated with the inline skating industry since what seems like before man. He was an original Team Rollerblade member, before they even had a stunt team. I met him in 1993 during the filming of “Airborne.” I remember he was one of the only people who could do a backside grind down a handrail (at the time that was a big deal). He taught me how to jump on handrails, amongst other things, like mail fraud, the importance of street food in Brazil, breaking and entering (or B&E to you professionals), how to throw a house-wrecking party, photography, the significance of the service elevator in hotels, aiding and abetting, manipulation, where to go in Tijuana for a rub and tug (…or was it Beijing…or was it both?), writing, and, most important, how to have a good time in a foreign country. He’s also a founding member of the Insane Scoot Posse. For me, he isn’t just someone I know and hang out with, he’s a true friend — and over the years I’ve learned there aren’t too many of those out there. You may not appreciate his morals, or lack thereof. But one thing’s for sure: He’s been in the fight for rollerblading longer than many of you have been alive or strapping those boots on! By the way, if you want Mr. Underhill’s FedEx number, just ask Chris for it.
2010! I feel ya.
Chris, I really, really want to read that book!
Mike, great interview man.
In Airborne, I was always rooting for the Goose. Sorry guys.
These days I feel bad about how big rollerblading is in my life !
But this interview came out as Jesus Christ, ahah !
I’m kiding but 2010, why not !
Thx for that interview…that was good. I also want to read the book…and think about Wearing neon cloth for rolling tomorrow
Jo
quote ” FUCK YEAH!!” arlo E. hehe your not the only one wanting to make sure the 2nd coming is a solid and lasting one..
the surge of old and new blood has infact accelerated…as mentioned 08 was i guss you can say the dark age.. but within the dark there was a bright light.. as i was holidaying in sweden,denmark… poland…etc…
during the 6months i couldnt help but notice the strong but clear indication that our sport is on the way on a positive note.. not just there but in Australia.. as well.. kids as young as 9-28+ either getting into or coming back to rollerblading or as suggested FreestyleRolling/Rolling by dipskate or if im correct B unique clothing who supported the name..
stapel skate park in malmo(sweden) was the perfect breeding ground and stage… bit of street but not enough then there was alot of bowl,pool and transitions… fun park… , all i can say is build the basic structure and rep., shima and all the rest lets think through, be realistic and focus on what will keep the wheel going and make it a solid lifestyle.. olympics eg similar to what was seen at Busan in 08 hmm yea but with more roller input what structures will allow for us to show what we see at BSCD etc.. united we need to be ONE..
ive returned to sk8in after nine years break, im 29 “prayer of the roller boys” started the obsession 4 me along with patricia arquette lol, its a painfull return at 29 with such long break but looks like i was just in time, awesome interview, relieving some fears bout being too late 🙂
A great interview, in classic Box debauched style. I miss Box, I miss Lausanne. Does Chris Mitchell still roll from time to time? I’d like to think so. Good luck with the book.
Can someone put me in contact with Chris Mitchell…? Please.
I’d like to see a Nick Riggle feature for ONE’s 15 Minutes as I’ve already interviewed Nick from my POV and shot some current photo’s in his NYU Philosophy Dept.
Thank you… 🙂
Yeah, it started for me in 93 also and I took a break around 98, but we are returning to the sport to create the majic again and build the energy for the next wave. He is right there is alot of aspects of skating that need to be embraced and support each other, athletes in every genre. 2010 sounds good Chris, we will see you on the ramps.
Thanks for doing the interview,
Great interview thanks
Did Chris Mitchell really come up with the word “Aggressive” rollerblading? Cuase right til this day it sounds really lame. I admit it, it sounds pretty lame.
Keep it Rollerblader.
Rolling… Plain and simple…
I’ll be skating more in 2010 as currently getting it back right now… So I think chris is on the money here!
Great interview too, and yes.. I too want to read the book!
its was never rollerblader
Freestyle Skating
If 2010 is the year I am standing on my roof looking for the second coming as well. I think I am the only person on 8 wheels left in Dallas/FTW that remembers the NISS days. I will be waiting for the Return while I am teaching my two boys how to top-side silver rail in Las Colinas. Thanks for the interview… (inline moved to Europe and left me here in America).
Chris Mitchell has always been the man! and one of the funniest fools I ever met! RESPECT!
I hope that book isnt about me, just kiddin. great to hear that you are involved in the sport still. as i get older i am realizing that skating was the only thing i was or have been passionate about, and its sad that so many kids won’t understand that because its not a popular sport. keep rollin “but not in spandex”
It’s ok to just call it “skating,” “Inline,” “Inline skate” or Inline skating, ” etc. There’s a chance that terms like “Freestyle” and “rolling” may sound lame in the future. We should try to distance ourselves from the words like “aggressive,” “aggro,” “blades” “freestyle,” “extreme,” “rollerblades,” etc. When skateboarding came out they had different genres… (people use to compete in spandex on skateboards in the 70’s as a form of dance) but now people forget it use to be like that and just say skateboarding.
does any1 know what model of skates were used in the airborne movie, the ones in the picture which are all black and have some colours paintings on its side????
2012?
2010 didn’t turn out to be the year, but I certainly think we’re getting closer.
Aggressive Inline Skating no more. Hence forth: Blading.
