Burnside Project, Smay and an Unknown Soldier

Cal Skate Relics - Burnside, Smay and an Unknown Soldier

It’s time, once again, for some back room artifacts a la Cal Skate. On this week’s edition of Cal Skate Relics, we dig into a little of Portland’s skate history that includes the Burnside Project, Jay “Smay” Williamson along with an unknown skate soldier. Help us out here. If you have a story or background information related to any of the images, we are all ears. All the eye candy after the turn.

Click on an image for a larger view.

Burnside 1 - Board Sports Northwest - Dec. 1990

Exhibit 1: Ricco LaGoria @ Burnside; Photo: Chris B.; Board Sports Northwest Dec. 1990

Burnside 2 - Board Sports Northwest - Dec. 1990

Exhibit 2: Steve Horton aka Smead @ Burnside. OG Rebel Skates employee, Jaks teamrider, and a seriously killer artist to boot. Photo: Chris B.; Board Sports Northwest Dec. 1990

Early Burnside 1 - Approx. 1991-92

Exhibit 3: Yet-to-be-identified skater @ Burnside Circa 1991-92

Early Burnside 2 - Approx. 1991-92

Exhibit 4:Yet-to-be-identified skater @ Burnside Circa 1991-92

Drew Bates

Exhibit 5: Drew Bates (maybe?) – Beanbone on Bank

Jay Smay - FS Air @ Unknown Ramp

Exhibit 6: Jay “Smay” Williamson @ Bugland ‘83. Nice tuck knee somewhere in the swamps outside of Lake Zero. A little DIY in 1983/84.

Unkown Soldier - BS Air @ Unspecified Ramp

Exhibit 7: Chester Stallings @ TACs Ramp (Kennewick) ‘82. OG Cal Skate employee, Jaks teamrider, and Rebel Skates retail clerk (see Paranoid Park). Photo: Bill Reese

8 Responses to “Burnside Project, Smay and an Unknown Soldier”


  • So goddamn cool. Thanks for that.

  • Looks like Chester.

  • Shot 7 on the ramp.

  • Nice post Rich. A few recollections as best as I can remember…

    #2- Steve Horton aka Smead. OG Rebel Skates employee, Jaks teamrider, and a seriously killer artist to boot. Although his skate hockey skills (a Jaks team preoccupation) lacked, his uniquely Oregon surfstyle always impressed…

    #5- I’m doubting this is Jay (as he is goofy foot). Could be mistaken, but this looks more like fallen skate soldier Drew Bates. I’m sure Smay could shed some light…

    #6-Jay Williamson @ Bugland ’83. Nice tuck knee somewhere in the swamps outside of Lake Zero. A little DIY in 1983/84. Despite an extremely vibrant scene, you could count the Pac NW ramps on one hand (Fife, WA; TACs ramp in Kennewick; Debbie’s in Salem) during these years. Things didn’t start picking up until 86 or so with Red and Tim Knorr’s ramps in PDX, Granny’s in Seattle, and the Cage in Eugene.

    #7-Chester Stallings @ TACs Ramp (Kennewick) ’82. OG Cal Skate employee, Jaks teamrider, and Rebel Skates retail clerk (see Paranoid Park). I took this picture on a SE Washington road trip that our band Dirge (Chester,Tom Huckabee, Angie Mima, and myself) took to scout out possible backwoods gigs. Nice indoor ramp with coping salvaged from the 70s Kennewick Bowl.

    Curious how so many bag on the 80’s as the “Dark Ages” (see Smead’s poster in exhibit 2). I suppose it was if you listened to Dokken. Some of my fondest recollections include early PDX Punk Rock, a DIY skate scene, and drinking cheap wine and jumping trains at the Hobo Camp under the eastside of the Burnside Bridge.

  • Now that’s some excellent history about these images and the period in general. I’ll update the exhibit descriptions to include your detail and photo credits for the shot of Chester. Thanks Tom.

  • Drew Bates (RIP). One of the first dudes I met when I moved from the Bay Area in 81. I met him in detention at Ridgefield High School.
    Great guy and I am glad to have called him my friend.

  • Exibit #5 is Craig Strayer, and I (Geoff Gunderson) am standing in the background. The bank is (was?) behind a grocery store in SW, along the bus 54 route….What is that Hillsdale Highway or something like that? Anyhow, I’m almost certain that’s it. I recognize the shirt I’m wearing…

  • Anyone out there who can tall me how to get hold of Jay “Smay”?. I’m old friend and Hartung & Smay used to come down and stay when I was in SD to set up for the “Action Sports” shows and now I finally moved back to OR. Anyone know about Hartung’s current state of being? . . .Anyway, anything would help and You can call me at 541-708-0338 or email me.
    Thanks!
    wabi

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