"SHUT Skateboards is the immortal archetype of NYC skateboarding."


Bold words yes, but SHUT is New York City's first skateboard company, making decks and gear 
designed for skating the toughest of city streets since 1986, making next season it's 25th anniversary of sorts. That is a pretty serious statement in the skateboard industry, especially from a brand based on the east coast.

Another unique ‘keeping it real' factor is that 
SHUT Skateboards are proudly "Made In The USA" from the highest quality
 materials available. Have a look at the deck you are riding right now and it's almost guaranteed it crossed an ocean before arriving beneath your feet.

With a recently launched website, a flagship store in New York City's historical Lower East Side, and continued support of the growth of NYC skateboarding, the time seemed proper to get the story straight from the mouth of SHUT. The three OG minds behind the brand - Rodney Smith (SHUT Founder and NYC Skate godfather), Adam Schatz (president), and Eli Morgan Gesner (SHUT co-founder, creative consultant for How To Make It In America, and much more) - all understand the importance of skateboarding roots. They took the time to discuss the history of New York skateboarding, Wilfredo Gomez, east coast vs. west coast, Harold Hunter, and more. Skateboarders the world over need to recognize...

Shut, from L to R: Adam Schatz, Rodney Smith, Eli Morgan Gesner. pic: Michael A. Cohen

What are a few of the major things that have changed since back in the beginning, 25 years ago?
Rodney Smith - The differences between then and now are really only relative to the times and what was going on within skateboarding. Our reasons for starting Shut back then were based on pure survival and necessity. It was to keep our own personal scene vibrant as well as serve our need to keep our own movement going forward. Back in 1986 skateboarding was run only by the west coast and some of the things that mattered to us didn't matter to them. Nowadays the skateboarding industry is way more international and due solely to millions of kids skateboarding in any country possible.

What has stayed the same? 
R.S.- I'd have to say the one thing that never changes is the attraction to skateboarding by the kids. It's like classic music and the new generations of kids getting put on to bands like Rush, Pink Floyd, Public Enemy or The Beastie Boys. There will always be an audience. The other thing is, just like back then our personal competition isn't through the roof like California. The political dominance the west coast has is still very real and doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. The same goes for our position as east coast players: you have to own your territory like it's the last piece of land that exists.

The histories of Shut and Zoo York have many connections. Was the purchase of Zoo by a larger corporation a factor in bringing Shut back to life? 
Adam Schatz - The growth of Zoo York allowed us to realize what was really important to us and what we love about skateboarding. Skateboarding is growing so fast and in so many directions, and it's being opened up to all ages and incorporating all styles. It was time to get back to the essence and true spirit of skateboarding - and the true spirit of having fun...

Luis Toletino high ollie, By Bryan Bedder

Is there beef between big California brands and small east coast brands?
R.S. - I would be foolish to believe that some of the west coast skate brands didn't wish we would just go away. As far as east coast brands go, we (my partners present and past) are one of the longest running entities in the skate industry. Walker Skateboards from back in the late 70's was the longest running company. But it was Paul Schmitt (originally from the east coast and one of the greatest deck innovators of all time) that was the title-holder back in the mid 80's. He then transplanted to head up Vision Sports board making division in the west coast. Shut has somewhat been holding the torch for east coast skateboard business, not to mention the title-holders of NYC skateboarding. It's all based on your years in the trenches along with the impact made while doing it.

Who are some of the legends that have their roots with Shut?   
R.S. - Shut has rooted members from both coasts. Legends ranging from years past ‘til now, with the likes of east coast legends Chuck Treece, Jim "Murf" Murphy, Mike Dahr, and Mike V. Ex-Shut members like Bruno Musso, Harold Hunter, Jeff Pang, Sean Sheffey, Barker Barrett, Chris Pastras, Jeremy Henderson, Coco Santiago and many west coast legends like The Gonz, Steve Olson, Julien Stranger, Natas, Jim "Red Dog" Muir, Stacy Peralta, Rick Ibaseta, Tommy Guerrero, Matt Hensley, and Ron Allen. Lets not forget the mid-West cats like Mark Heintzman, Rob Dyrdek, Bill Danforth, Neil Blender, Sarge Charter, and Mike Hill. The extended list is too long for this interview.

Sean Sheffy and Rodney. pic: Michael A. Cohen

Are other NYC brands like 5Boro considered competition? Or are you all working together? 
R.S. - When it comes to serving the territory we share as local companies, we respectfully think on the same lines. We pretty much back everything and anything that will keep the skate scene strong. As far as business is concerned, if we are all looking to sell a product then yes, we are in competition just like the west coast brands. We also respect each other's place in time. As I see it, it's a shut your face and know your place situation. We don't step out of line so why should anyone else even try to. We don't go around bad mouthing or talking smack about any other companies. In fact, we respect each and every other company for their efforts, we just hope they know their place in the timeline of history. We've worked hard to set the stage for anything and anyone that came after Shut.

What brands do you guys support in-store? What do you look for in these brands?
R.S.- Our history means a lot to us and we take pride and pay respects in the Shut shop by supporting the brands that have lineage with Shut. Friends and business mentors like Fuasto Vitello (High Speed Productions, Indy, Thunder, Spitfire fame), Keith Cocrane (master mind behind Venture Trucks). Stacy Peralta (Powell wheels and bearings), Joey Tershay (Ace trucks). As far as carrying other decks besides Shut... we really don't. Only occasionally will we carry other brands of decks, like the last decks we carried from Element were from a shaper series I did with them.

NYC skate style is quite a bit different than Cali style. More skating to spots rather than driving, rougher ground, more grimy spots, etc. Do you see this reflected in the types of hard goods Shut makes and sells? 
Eli Morgan Gesner - That was way more of an issue back in the day. The Cali products were real hit or miss because the manufacturing resources were all over the place. I was sponsored by an LA company right when Shut was coming together. I got a fresh box of boards, took them out skating, and they would just explode a few hours later. It was like they were made with popsicle sticks and Elmer's Glue. I went through four decks in a week. Thank god Rod and Bruno would hit me off with Shut Decks. They were like tanks compared to some of the Cali boards. That was the inspiration for the first Assault Vehicle graphic I drew, with the 'Hoodlum' popping out of the top of the tank. Kind of Big Daddy Roth-style. That same utilitarian ethic still exists today in all of our Shut product. We spend the extra money and put in the extra effort to make decks that can take the punishment. All our Shut decks are 100% hand made in the USA, out of 100% hard rock maple. A lot of the decks out there now are pine and other mix-matched woods manufactured in Chinese factories. This is all done specifically to increase profit margins for skate companies that really don't care about the hardcore skater. They make boards for kids who are gonna roll around their suburb and then toss the board in the closet. It's a shame because these are major skate brands. We're not about that. We're about making the right tools for the tough jobs.

Rodney at the woodmill, sporting some fresh Shut wood. pic: Shut archive

Shut NYC is one of the only deck's still ‘Made in USA.' What are your thoughts/reasoning behind this?
A.S.- There are many important reasons behind this. The most important and obvious one is quality. Being the highest quality leads to the other reasons, like better value for the money - even if it costs a little more. A better quality skateboard will also last longer, and perform better, and is ultimately safer and more reliable.  Also, making boards here on the east coast, we can be closer to the whole production process and help guarantee consistency and high standards, which is extremely important to us. It is also important to support domestic factories and local economies here in the USA whenever and wherever possible. Cheaper isn't always better...

Shut has also done some dope collaborations over the years. What has been your favorite? What do you look for in a legit collab?
E.M.G - As far as Collaborations go, we're all about it. When I was the art director over at Zoo, I was way more into controlling everything. I did nearly everything all by myself for over ten years: deck graphics, ads, tee shirts, etc. But Shut is all about how it was back when we were kids, everyone pitching in to make something happen. As long as someone or some other brand has a good idea, or a product we love, or a song we dig, or anything we think is awesome, we're down for it. We want to keep Shut as communal as possible. We love to hook up our friends, artists, and all our old school brothers, but if you have an idea and don't know us, approach us! We want to create and show love for New York City. We don't give a fuck. As long as we dig you, it's on. In fact, right now we're working on a collab with 'The Meatball Shop' - our new banging Meatball eatery around the corner on Stanton Street. We LOVE that place. So, we're making a meatball hero deck. What!

In Part 2: Harold Hunter, Justin Beiber and Wilfredo Gomez. Keep reading here.

You can find SHUT online, and in NYC at 158 Orchard Street. Look them up.

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