The Diary of Tyler C

Written by Tyler C. Friday, 19 February 2010 02:32

Domestication Over Truth

A lot of companies right now would like for you to believe that their skateboards are "Made in America" right now. As Unity saw this coming years ago, the big boys are trading in their tricycles for four speeds now, it seems.

So, here is the down low on what most companies are going to do, or try to do in the very near future, as you can already see them going that direction. As Americans grow tired of seeing so much money go overseas, while the people hurt in America so bad economically, they start to question things, yes, even in skateboarding!

Now, I kind of feel bad for all the Big Wigs. I know they have so much money embedded overseas that it could possibly fold their company if stuff goes back the other direction. But, YOU made that choice, cheap decks, cheap price, fast money. It all catches up with you.

Companies now are finding Wood Shops within America, still buying their wood from China, Mexico, somewhere the price is cheap, putting it together in America and saying "LOOK AT US, WE'RE MADE IN AMERICA TOO!" In actuality, they are just as outsourced as ever, adding .01 percent of righteousness to their business hahaha.

Don't be fooled guys. There is a HUGE difference between that way of pressing boards and getting the highest quality Maple you can find in countries on the same level as America. That truth cannot be proven wrong!

I was talking to one of my friends today. He told me he was skating this bank to ledge, went to do a 360 flip disaster or something, he said he didn't even land hard at all...and the board completely cracked in half. I can't say the name of the company because those big ass babies would sue someone....somehow. But, it's the truth, shit is getting cheaper and cheaper...and yes, cheaper!

I'm imagining most of the Big Wigs calling one another, asking where their consumer base is going vs. their own company. Like bankers, social elitists, you get to the top, you want to STAY at the top. At ANY cost to others. So be weary of what these dudes put out, 60 bucks isn't worth a board lasting two days.

Lighter note: I just saw Donny Barley's new part. Man, I am always behind in videos. BUT I LOVED IT. Donny is one of those guys who skates STRAIGHT from the heart. NEVER CHANGES THAT. I was sooo stoked to see his part resemble his old ones so much. Just charging it! BAAAAARRLEEYYY (inside Welcome to Hell) joke. I just wish his part was like, seven minutes. I could watch him pop down the street all day.

Written by Tyler C. Thursday, 11 February 2010 00:40

I bet just the title of this entry is going to be so many responses. There is a lot of incorrect thoughts on the South and skateboarding. Some are plain just not true, while others are just gray. I wanted to write this not for the scene here, that exists everywhere, for your boutique shops and overpriced structures. Trend followers and banking minds, no, this isn't for you. This is for the true skaters of the South.

I grew up and still live in a town with about four thousand people, maybe six at the max. There is probably five street spots in my town. I grew up skating pavement that hasn't been paved since the 80's. Rednecks throwing beer bottles at my head while I just sat there, smoking a cigarette. I grew up skating my driveway at my house for two years straight, with no one, because skating is so unknown around here. Or, was.

The true skateboarders of North Carolina doesn't reside in a Tar Heel icon stamped board. Nor is it defined by a classic Southern Rock Song. It's about simple men, not stupid. I know so many guys, that should be very high in the Skateboard Chain, but, isn't because of how isolated we are.

The scene is horribly defined now. We get dribbles of what is actually going on, then people make their own fashions off of it, here. It's such an odd, not knowledgeable approach. The shops do it from the videos they see, the skaters obey the shops. It's a chain reaction.

So, do not think this place is glam. It's not, at all. The weather is horrible for skating, it's either freezing cold, or so hot you can't breathe outside. There is no "insiders" unless you kiss major ass at a shop that has some connections.

No, the TRUE skaters of the South, come from the blood on the pavement and skin between their teeth. We have to, there is no other way to ever get out.

Notice, there are a lot of Pros that have came from this state, or have lived here, but they never talk about it much. It's more of a symbol, we all know symbols are gimmick tools. Especially in this case.

I was told that it doesn't matter anymore where a Skateboard comes from, it's where it's sold. As I see truth in this statement, I cannot agree. I grew up helping farm these lands with my Grandfather, he worked his fingers to the bone as a Brick Mason for this little piece of peace in this world.

I see kids so poor, they have to buy a Wal-Mart board, because their parents work at an old Mill. They can't afford anything else, but when his eyes see a "real" Skateboard, they shine like diamonds.

For that skater from the 80's, that started a small shop because of his love inside his heart for Skateboarding. He knew he would never make a lot of money, but he wanted to try to give back.

For all of those bullshit lies about this place, that Skateboard Culture now markets to get isolated sells. For all those ruthless schemes.

For every single major company that ships it's jobs overseas, while this country is at it's knees in an Economic situation.

I cannot agree, for humanity makes it not possible. Unity Skateboards makes boards in America, from the highest quality Wood straight from Winnipeg, Canada.

I fight for my brothers in this industry. I fight where we came from. It's integrity, not dollar signs. Made in America means something to us, once you stand on one of our boards, it will again to you too.

SUCH a shame Micheal had the biggest crowd at Crossroads Expo but got no coverage. You guys really piss me off with your tactics. All you major dudes who purposely do shit to make innocent kids follow your ass so you can milk the money giver until he has to enter the REAL world and can't afford your boards anymore. Seriously, it's starting to make the whole true core skateboard scene sick to their stomachs.

You're almost like politicians now, Presidents of money. Of scheming advertising and hidden little things. I used to have so much respect for so many guys i've lost all for now, once I found out how they truly were as people.

So, I leave you with this idea: Maybe it's where it's made, maybe it is your pricing structures, maybe it is how many you can help, how many you tell the truth too. Maybe it does matter the integrity you really hold.

Maybe, it all truly relies on your honest... Soul.

Keep the Revolution Burnin' Brothers...

Written by Tyler C. Wednesday, 20 January 2010 22:43

I have to admit, there is no way to deny it and I must be open about it. I have tried to contact several distributions to carry Unity. The want is there, everything is there. The reason they won't pick up the brand are these tactics:

Pricing is too high - they want to pay outsourced pricing brackets so they make higher end profit gain. So does the company, selling you slave labor.

Controllers above these distributions (the paper trail always leads somewhere, or to someone) cannot stand change. They have put their roots so deep in skateboarding, marketing, etc, etc, that they cannot even imagine losing power, losing money, losing position.

The reason I am telling you this is because I want every single Skate Shop owner reading this, know they are ripping you off, horribly, change your ways or you will be subject to the same inflation/deflation they do on purpose on trend guessing and gimmicks.

The reason I am telling you this is because there are thousands of Americans out of work. Or making less then they should. Some don't know if there will be a job for them next week. Families are having to pinch every penny. But, these....forsaken assholes continue to do nothing but make it worse...and worse.... if you can start seeing that, the sooner we can actually HELP skateboarding again.

The reason I am saying this is because Unity believes in giving back, even when it comes to sales. I can name four major distributions that is losing business to us. We are offering higher quality, better pricing, better turn around time and a value of dollar, not credit lines. I wanted Unity in these distributions so they could make up some of the money they are losing to Unity, yet, they even deny that.

I am telling you this because this goes far beyond skateboarding. It goes into every aspect of life. Unity, fairness, honesty. Those traditions we forget so fast but has saved us so many times from ourselves.

There will be two sides to skateboarding. The ones holding the power, playing that old poker hand...and those that are sick of gambling. I am proud to be saying these words. I am proud of every single person who has worked with Unity and all of my brothers. I am proud of a new person standing on a board for the first time and it taking over it's whole life, like so many of us know.

This is for you, these boards are for you. This company is for you. The skateboarder, the life. The honesty in your soul. Bob Dylan once said "don't speak too soon, for the wheels still in spin" and I must admit, I cannot agree more.

Imagine a slow motion French film of Ice Burgs falling into an ice cold Sea. You have to start from the bottom, you have to fight for what you believe in, no matter the circumstances.

Please join us in this Revolution.

Written by Tyler C. Sunday, 10 January 2010 19:50

The Shocking Blue is an amazing band, if you haven't listened to them, please do. I heard they could never truly speak English well, but they could sing it. So odd, but so intelligent.

The motto of Unity Skateboards has always been the title of this entry, never, giving up. Through the good times...and the really bad ones. Against the cold, despairing wind or the warm Suns glow. I was skating tonight in 30 degree weather. I went to do a five-0 pivot to fakie on this step up, it slid out as I came down to land, my toes bent backwards in my Chinese made Adios and I slammed my knee on the concrete. I had been skating for about 10 minutes, no where near warmed up...and it was bone chilling cold.

As I looked at the very dim lit place, completely alone, hearing nothing but the wind whistle in my ears, feeling the freezing touch of Mother Nature, I had an epiphany. Every single rider we have on our team is exactly the same. We are what Nick and I agreed on " the basterds" of Skating. In a completely positive way and misspelled on purpose. The ones that came from no where, had no help, had no connections, only our boards and ideas. Nick just got out of surgery, by the way, everyone wish him well! Wils mom is very ill with Cancer, be praying for her please.

Yet, without huge pay checks, modern glam, all the things wrong with skating, these guys still, everyday, step on their boards and continue doing what they love and representing Unity because they believe in change, difference, do you honestly know the dedication that takes? That's Unity. It's cool that magazines pat ones back for another favor, most, anyway. It's cool people and faces don't change, Unity doesn't need it. We change it ourselves..and we refuse to just be another name on a shelf.

I want to personally thank all the shops now carrying our line this New Year and believing in something better....I also want to personally thank all the kids writing Unity! I have over 25 emails left to respond to. The best one I have read so far was from a kid from San Diego named Kevin, Kevin wrote "It's a hush, hush thing, but people are talking, all over about Unity and your quality. We know what the industry is doing to us, and like you, we are so hyped a company like Unity is here now" For that dude and having the balls to say it, Unity  is going to send you a few free decks :) and keep the Revolution Burnin'....

I will personally write back each and every person that emails me, always!

The name of the new Unity Skateboards video in the works is called "The Revolution is Here" and it will be available in optional HD. Micheal's new Concrete Wave I Phone application is beyond amazing. Just wait until the mag releases it's abilities :)

Keep checking for the site to be re-done soon and keep Supporting the Revolution. With all the love.

Tyler