My Stevie story (It all started with the cover of Speeed ‘Zine in 1984…) - By Andy Howell
First off, I believe it's safe to say that everyone who rides a skateboard has been influenced by Steve Caballero, whether they know it or not. If you are an old ripper like me, the influence is obvious and intuitive, affecting your smith grinds, boneless ones and, dare I say, Caballerials. A generation younger and you’ve watched Stevie in Bones Brigade videos, and probably used his avatar as a proxy for your own skills in the famous video game, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. If you are younger, like two generations younger than me, you are influenced by the prevailing Vans skate shoe, The Half Cab, and by countless tricks and permeations of tricks on all terrains that Steve Caballero may have done originally in a pool or on an old wooden halfpipe in the early 80’s. Suffice it to say, Stevie’s inspiration and influence is woven into the fabric of modern skateboarding in many more ways than one.
My Stevie Story starts in 1984 with a visceral, first hand, DIY experience which bridged the divide between the weather beaten asphalt ditches of Virginia Beach on the East Coast, and the infamous glossy red curbs and superior ramp terrain in the NorCal city of San Jose California. It continued through many contests, sessions, art projects, and collabs together, and I expect it will continue for the rest of my life.
Stevie is an inspiration and a role model, but most of all, I consider him a friend. I’m so stoked to have him featured in this NEW DEAL x CAB Artist Edition, another amazing experience for me and a new chapter of #mynewdealstory.
A Howell original ink and whiteout drawing from 1984, when I was 15, a frontside skeleton boneless miller flip in a banked pool, with “Faction” spray painted on the wall of the pool. I sent this to Stevie by mail and he published it on the cover of his infamous SPEEED ‘Zine #8. The original is now in the @skateboardmuseum in Germany.
The only remaining post-fire photo of my Sic Nature zine with Stevie doing a big frontside ollie at the Mile High Ramp in NorCal.
Handwritten letters and art trades brought so many of us in the early days together through art and a love for skating. ‘Zines and the discovery of early photocopied self-publishing helped me see things on a larger scale, and influenced my future decision to pursue art. In a tiny 80’s skate scene, I was able to remotely connect with Stevie and other pro skaters in California by writing letters from my little wooden desk in my bedroom in Virginia Beach.
Since the scene was so small, anyone who skated was stoked to have contact with any skater anywhere. Hence, through these zines and letters we formed an early network, first on the east coast, then nationally, then even reaching other parts of the world. It was one of the experiences which helped me see greater possibilities early on. Stevie, his Faction bandmate Gavin O’Brien, and other pros gave me crucial insight into the skate scene in the skate mecca in California.
The artist, Steve Caballero, with artist compadre and NEW DEAL co-founder Andy Howell, at the opening of the NEW DEAL 1990 Exhibition at Subliminal Projects gallery in Los Angeles in 2019.
A Caballero deck that Stevie gave to my son True on the occasion of True’s 3rd birthday in Redwood City, near San Jose, a decade ago.
“Stay Creative”, a motto we’ve always lived by...
10 years later, the story continues, and inspiration comes in many forms... The artist at DesignerCon inspiring an up-and-coming member of the next creative generation with a Cab Dragon collectible figure. My son, True, is an aspiring artist and still a die hard Caballero fan. (IG @stevecaballero @burritoking957)
I traded art, photos, and letters with Stevie during the ‘80’s for our ‘zines, even before we met at the Faction show in Norfolk, or the Mt Trashmore Pro Vert Contest in Virginia Beach when I was 14-18 years old. It’s crazy to think about it because my own son is doing art and skating now and he’s 13 already.
These were my formative years to say the least, and the skaters I looked up to, many of whom I’d come to be friends with and even compete with in contests, were an inspiration to live in my spirit and always stay true to my calling.
That approach has served me for my whole life, and I owe it in part to Stevie, through his early inspiration on and off the board.
Me, my daughter, Love, and Stevie with one of his early prints at a show we both exhibited in at CUKUI Gallery in San Jose in 2011.
And so many years later, Stevie has inspired me again with his art, and the way he has attacked the brush and ink just like he rides a skateboard, improving and innovating with every twist and turn.
Stevie took a break from the Gentlemans Ride in 2019 to roll up to our house for a NEW DEAL afternoon party for the artists and team. (photo with my wife Ginger @shebuddha)
Old faction flyer from Stevie and Gavin O’Brien around 1985.
A NorCal-centric letter from Faction lead singer Gavin O’Brien (yes, brother of Scurbs Skate Gang fiend and Santa Cruz Pro Corey O’Brien), circa 1985.
A photo of me and Stevie having a laugh outside the Faction’s last show in Los Angeles, CA, Feb 2020.
A much needed catch up with Stevie and my old Santa Cruz am teammate Jeff Kendall backstage at the Street League Contest in Los Angeles.
Street League grandstanding...
Stevie, thanks for the early inspiration and inclusion when I was a secluded East Coast (Virginia Beach) kid skating, dreaming, and trading zines just for the love of it, and later for the genuine camaraderie you shared as pro skaters in the late 80’s and early 90’s, when that dream came true.
That was a time when skating was still counterculture, even underground, and such a small and stoked scene, so I’m grateful for connecting with kindred spirits like you.
All the art stuff together has just been a bonus!! My son still had the board you gave him 26 years later on his 3rd birthday hanging on his wall, until the fire 🔥, but the love and support you shared with us afterwards will never be forgotten! I’m sure we’ll be having you over for dinner and an art sesh in the near future!
~ Andy Howell