The Rodfather – Rod Ferens
Check out this dope interview Skatenewspot.com did with our Gastown location manager Rod Ferens. Rod has been holding it down in Vancouver for us for a while now, get to know the dude.
Interview: Oleynik
Photos: Christian
Boosh, Swoosh, Juiced. Four years ago, The Rodfather had the first skatenewspot interview. A lot has changed for the former Pegger/Vancouver transplant. Find out exactly what below.
In your first interview, you talked about how much you love Vancouver. You said you don’t leave unless it’s to visit family. Do you still feel the same way about your city?
Ya totally! I just moved into a dope spot with my home boy Luke, right in the heart of the city. It kinda sucks to see a bunch of the homies leave back to the peg, but someone needs to run things out there.
At the time of your first interview you were managing the Canucks store, then you managed Goodfoot. Your new job is different. Tell us about it.
Ya! That was a fun time running Goodfoot, but like everything good, it always comes to an end! I took a job with Take Five trading which was a great learning experience, but unfortunately, it was victim to my wife breakup. I just wasn’t in the right mind frame, and I probably drove Garry crazy with all my shit.
Back then you rode for some serious companies (Nike, DGK, Gold, Venture). Out of the blue you decided to quit them all. What was your thinking with that decision? Looking back, do you feel it was the right thing to do?
Naw, I don’t regret doin it. I hope they gave my shit to someone who needed it, who couldn’t afford to skate, who loves to skate. It isn’t hard to get boards and skate shit, but I remember being that kid who would give anything to get that shit. All those sponsors were about the people behind them, once they were gone, I felt I was gone.
So you work full time, are unsponsored and 35 years old. I heard the other day at the Plaza you did a pop shuv front crook in the middle of the ledge. What keeps you skating at that level after all these years?
Ya now I run Livestock in Gastown, I wish I could say I still skate a lot, but I won’t. Mentally when I go skate, especially with dudes like Wherry, Spenny, Twa, Bryon and Paul Spencer, they keep you thinking you’re on that level, even tho I’m sure I’m not. Also when you just feel the trick that much, and wanna do it that much, usually you do it. Even if I don’t skate that much, you know when I do……it’s on!
It always seems like you try to take care of the people around you, whether it’s through hooking up product or giving advice about things you’ve been through. Do you feel a responsibility as an older guy in the scene/community to try and help it grow?
I think with all the fuck ups I made, and seen how certain people have been successful I just try and look out for my boys! Sometimes it’s just busting balls to see dudes like Robbie light it up. I get hella stoked when my boys make things happen!
What advice would you give to the kids who want to skate for many more years to come?
Skating is a lifestyle! Either you’re in it or you not. If you’re into it, it’s your life.
Do you pay attention to skate videos, magazines and websites anymore?
Not too much, once in a while something will catch my attention. I always get hyped to see Canadian killers!
Who’s skating are you feeling right now in Canada?
All my boys! McD and his whole Green Apple Team, Wherry, Spenny, Trav, Twa, Mc Court, Vince and Trep is nuts!
I asked you this in your first interview and I’m interested if anything has changed: “So if there’s a Micky in your freezer, and you have one drink, what are the chances of you not having another drink?”
Pretty sure that hasn’t changed at all. It just doesn’t happen as much these days.
Last words and thank yous?
Don’t get married! Thanks Matt and Garry! I have the dopest Fam ever! Thanks Benny!
Big thanks to Skatenewspot.com for the write up.
STORE WARS – Ipod Battle @fortunesound
This Wednesday Sept.1 – we can’t believe it’s already September- Livestock Vancouver will be taking part in the second Shop vs Shop Ipod battle at Fortune Sound Club. Other fine retailers included in this mp3 onslaught will be : Alife Vancouver, Stussy Vancouver, Sharks and Hammers, Underworld, El Kartel, Board Room, F as in Frank, Coastal Riders, Zebra Club, Pacific Boarder, and Beatstreet Records. We have an Unlimited Free Guest List for everyone that wants to come down and support – simply email info@deadstock.ca with full names by Wednesday 6pm and we will hook you up. The Party to follow will be dj’d by none other than one of Canada’s finest Party Rockers – DJ Baby Yu! Check the Face Book event page HERE
HUF Genuine’s
Transforming right before your eyes, our new HUF Genuine’s are not just your straight forward low top. These bad boys can be sported a couple ways, rock them with the laces showing or put the top back and go for that slip on look, two styles for the price of one. Which way will you wear ‘em?
SPA – The Belgian GP
Formula one has become more about the machine then man with one exception each season. It’s called Spa Francorchamps or the Belgian GP. This is the one stop on the formula one calendar that big balls will out perform perfect machinery. Nothing outlines this more then Kimi Raikkonen wining this race multiple times in inferior machinery. Here is a short clip from the BBC on Spa.
Spike Jones X Levis Commercial
Last week we brought you a classic Spike Jones X Adidas commercial, here is another oldy but goodie that Spike did for Levis Jeans. A minute of your time well spent.
Number One Of All Time: Cover Songs
I just saw an email going around about Biz Markie playing in Vancouver next month, Sunday Sept 12th. It made me think of my all time favourite cover song. Beastie Boys and the Biz throwin down on their rendition of Elton John’s Bennie & the Jets. The Biz just slays it, I’m not sure if the topper is his
voice or the fact the he has no idea what the lyrics are. Either way in my books this is the number one of all time cover song. Check out this other classic, probably one of the best covers out there with a video.
Lets get some feedback from you guys on your favourite cover, post a comment with your contribution. If you have it email us the track and we’ll post it up.
Click here to play – Biz Markie – Benny and the Jets
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