Steve Douglas

Muck Mouth x New Deal Interview: Steve Douglas

Where are you living today, and what is your current job?
I Live between Los Gatos, Northern California and London, England. I run 2 skateboard distribution companies in the UK called Nineteen76 (the year I started skating) and Rolling Thunder (where I skated growing up). I also help run a skateboard distribution company in Denmark called Emporium, and I am doing my part bringing back New Deal which is a lot of work, but a lot of fun.

When was your favourite era in skateboarding?
Great question. Personally, I would say '80-'82 for the fun aspect, and then I would say '86 right up until my car accident in 1991 for my own skating, as well as who I was skating with. I have to also say that today's skateboarding is simply incredible. I love it so much, the variety to chose from is amazing.

Who was your first sponsor, and how did you get hooked up?
Madrid Skateboards, I won the under 16 Eurocana Open in 1983 in Sweden and they hooked me up.

Who is your favourite skater of all time?
The Gonz, but Grant Taylor must get a special mention, his father rode for New Deal - Thomas Taylor.

How much, if at all, are you still skating?
Not much, I got hurt again skating about 6 years ago and it took me 4 years to get over it... now just pushing around, I don’t trust myself to do much more.

Do you still follow skateboarding - even if it is just browsing YouTube/Instagram?
Yes everyday

​SPECIFICALLY REGARDING YOUR TIME ON  NEW DEAL...

How did you get on New Deal? How long were you on, and were you pro or amateur?
I was pro and was a founder, I got the name from a shop in my local town of Harrow in England, Check out my #MyNewDealStory

Which of the videos you were in?
15minute Promo & Useless Wooden Toys. The 15minute Promo video which came out in late Spring 1990, had footage in from 1986!

What was your favorite video part of yours, and what was your favourite part of someone else?
For me personally, my part in Useless wooden toys. Also Donny Barley in Eastern Exposure was incredible, I just loved the way he skated.

Best thing about riding for New Deal?
Freedom and the ability to do what we wanted to do.

Worst thing about riding for New Deal?
Retiring before I wanted due to my car accident.

Who was your favourite skater on the team and why?
So many. Neal was mind blowing, he would do a 180 into my hardest tricks as a setup to a way harder trick… good grief, talk about making you feel old.

Tell us something about New Deal that most people do not know?
We changed skateboard distribution around the world, as we went after skater run… we actually gave New deal to riders and friends and said 'go learn to be a businessman, BUT you must take care of skateboarding in your country and take care of any riders'. Skateboarding is in way better hands now, this to me is one of my biggest personal achievement for skateboarding that no ones cares about, haha.

What do you think about New Deal coming back?
I pushed for it, and I am glad I did.

Did you ever film any street tricks at all? If so, where can we see them?
No, never filmed, but I did get a cover! Haha. I skated street a lot, I loved doing slappies and sliding tricks but I like allot of old vert skaters ollies were so much tougher than on vert and it was far from natural for me.

Riders 1990-1992