Looking Sideways
Looking Sideways Action Sports Podcast
Episode 238: Tommy Guerrero - A Vehicle For Your Voice
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Episode 238: Tommy Guerrero - A Vehicle For Your Voice

The skate and music legend on his musical aesthetic, fatherhood, and the impact of THOSE classic video parts.
Tommy on a tear during a particularly productive 1988 day at Southsea, captured by TLB

I’m joined by one of THE all time greats this week: Tommy Guerrero, legendary skateboarder and musician; and one of those select few to have shaped the way we collectively view this entire sideways culture.


Stockwell in the rain, post demo, 1988. Photo: TLB. Left to right: Lance Mountain, Iain Baker. TG, Cab, Mike V.

Tommy was, of course, part of the original Bone Brigade crew, alongside Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain and Rodney Mullen.

His parts in Future Primitive, Ban This and Public Domain basically helped define the concept of modern street skating. In tandem, he also established a career as a hugely influential musician, which continues to this day.


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Tommy at Munster, 1988. Photo; TLB

In short, Tommy well and truly justifies the ‘legend’ epithet. And yet, as is so often the case when I’ve been fortunate enough to chat to these heroes, I found him on wry, reflective and generous form: as happy to geek out on Sudanese jazz as he was to discuss those legendary video parts; and ruminate on how growing up without a father influenced his life and career.

Stockwell in the rain, post demo, 1988. Photo: TLB. Left to right: Davie Philip, TG, Bob Angell, David ‘Chimp’ Robertson

Sometimes this gig is a total privilege and delight, and this was one of those occasions. Thanks to Tommy for taking the time, and to our mutual pal Thomas Campbell for the intro.

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Looking Sideways
Looking Sideways Action Sports Podcast
Presented by Matt Barr, Looking Sideways is a podcast about the best stories in skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, and other related endeavours.