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Name: David Matson
Age: 28
Why the MoHawk: I just shaved it, but I got the Mohawk, because it was a hairstyle I hadn't tried yet. Come on, it's all for the ladies.
Bad Boyz Toyz carries your decks, a lot of people ask what does Antidote stand for?
An antidote is a substance which can counter act the effect of a poison. Too many kids' minds are poisoned with the idea the real skateboarding only exists on the west coast. |
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Antidote Skateboards seeks to be the midwestern cure for this. Skateboarding can be just as big right here if we can generate a more unified midwestern scene, and utilize the resourses that are right in our own backyards. To quote the editor of Thrasher Magazine: "California is played out."
Antidote started in Chicago, what is different about its' skate scene compared to other places?
Chicago is the best city in the USA. This is just my opinion, but I've been around, and it seems that Chicago allows more diversity than most other major cities. Not just amongst its variety of spots, but amongst its skateboarders, as well. Here, a skateboarder can be anyone of million different people from a million different places with little adherence to a particular personality or social level. For this same reason, though, I feel Chicago lacks a certain sense of community amongst it's skateboarders. While there seems to be more acceptance, everyone seems to have their own cliques with little desire to venture too far from them. We're all here in this giant blender, but someone needs to make an effort to turn it on.
It has been really cold in chicago lately, do you ever think about moving?
After visiting Barcelona, I always think about moving there. It wouldn't be for the weather though. That's one of the things I wish everyone would stop complaining about. |
If it's too cold or windy outside, we've got plenty of indoor parks near Chicago, not to mention many other private indoor sanctuaries. I think people from Chicago should accept where they're from and deal with it.
You do all the deck designs, where do you get your graphic ideas from?
I see skateboarding in everything. I've also got ADD, so everything I see generates more tangent thoughts than i can even explain. Therefore, everything is an inspiration, because every tangent eventually relates itself to skateboarding. As for Antidote, I try to stick roughly to a medical theme. And, if all else fails, I steal.
What inspired you to start antidote?
I started Antidote because I want to make a difference in skateboarding. Plus, I can't handle a standard job, so i had to try something else. The portion of the "American Dream" about getting a good job is one of the longest running swindles in history.
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Starting a company/brand is difficult, what have been some of the toughest obstacles for you personally?
The first obstacle was getting the money (this shizz ain't cheap). After I saved for a couple of years to start buying product, I realized there was no way I could afford advertising. However that
wasn't going to stop me, so now the hardest part is getting people to know I exist. I know I've got good stuff that people will want, I just have to show them it's here. And, that's what I do everyday -- drive from shop to shop and skatepark to skatepark to let everyone know the Antidote is here.
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Technically speaking, what makes antidote a good deck to ride?
Well, "technically speaking," Antidote decks are made of "100% hard rock Canadian maple pressed individually for consistent concave, and constructed using the latest glue and pressing techniques." Personally, I just wanted lots of concave, and a board that lasts. These do.
Where do you envision antidote as a brand in the future AND Is antidote gaining strength outside the chicago market?
Antidote is still a fairly local brand. Though, you can find Antidote boards in southern Michigan, around Indiana, all over northern Illinois, and at various shops in Wisconsin. Antidote already has a following that stretches world wide, and that's what we are looking forward to in our future -- world domination. In the future, I see skateboarding lining up for an Antidote dose like its been caught in an Avian flu epidemic.
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What do you hope to contribute to the skate scene?
My dashing good looks? No, no... I want to contribute to gaining greater respect for Midwest skateboarding, and my dashing good looks.
List of Dealers: All of them. If your local shop doesn't have Antidote, tell them to wake up.
If anyone, who has been a role model or an influential force business wise or personally?
I have no role models, I'm making this up as i go.
Visit them online @ Antidoteskateboards.com |
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