It was always Papo, Pup and Jeremy or some combination of the 3, adding in sometimes Andy (Kess) and James Minor.
These were the NYC heads riding vert ramps then, covering the tri-state area (NJ, PA, CT). Most times, I was just lucky enough to score a seat in the car going wherever, it didn’t matter, we were gonna skate there. They always knew where some vert was stashed and how to get to it. So many backyard ramps around then, now they seem pretty scarce, nothing taller than a six foot. I’m glad my son got to skateboard and travel with me on some of these adventures. It was the real deal that most young skaters miss out on today. I’ve gotta get some pics and vids next time we get together and skate. We might get a kick out of it 20 years from now when it appears on The House of Steam.
Irene
Jaime Affoumado “PUPPETHEAD” Washington Square Park 70’s
Catalino Cappiello “Papo” Fort Lee NJ
James Minor Fort Lee NJ
Jeremy Henderson Staten Island? Circa, Hmmmm?
Irene Ching Staten Island SkatePark 1978<==== Yar!!!
Thanks Irene!!!
I cant believe I used all these pics for one post. I could have made months worth of posts out of them, but thats not how we roll at THOS. These pics and your(Irene’s) words tell a story now..and thats the point, really. My recollection of all these people were through Tom Groholski brining them out to NJ, and meeting them in NY with Weep (My first Tofu Chilli dog with Papo) Its crazy to look back on how much skating you did in so many places. The ambassadors of NY SKATE, so much more then just Tom’s friends from NY now. What you said about traveling is true it was about road tripping back then an meeting people, not so much getting dropped off at skate camp for the summer.
Well anyway we have more pics from these Horsmen of the Skate Apocalypse Im gonna post this week so lets hear some comments and send some pics an writings in!!!
P.S.Puppets pic was a bit old school so here is one of him ripping!!!!
PuppetHead “Jaime Affoumado” 1987 Girl Ramp NJ
Photo Jason Oliva
Also The House of Steam encourages you to go to Puppets Jazz bar
They are in the process of changing venues and will reopen between Nov and Dec (2007) but there are tons of shows still being held locally so go hang with the scene,checkout the website, get on the mailing list. Also if you mention The House of Steam you will get a quizzical response such as “What’s that?”, or” Huh?” so that could be fun too.
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….and over 20 years later, Jim and I walked into Allen Gibson’s indoor Del. Water Gap Ramp (total perfection!) and who do we see??? NO WAY!, Papo, PuppetHead and Irene. Holy Sh!T, talk about old school. Since then, Irene has had the displeasure of seeing me slam now and then. Irene rips the vert on skates! Just like old times.
….and some poor shlubs have to settle for a pre-fab High School Reunion. As Irene said, “it was the real deal”. (Again)
p.s. Where is Jeremy H.???
I love those pics from Staten Island. Imagine Tom’s ramp before it had a flat bottom or platforms. It made for some scary axle stalls. And the dome. The place smelled of garlic pizza all winter. We used to take the bus from NJ to the Port Authority, then another bus to Staten Island. We got there once and the place was closed because vandals had slashed the dome and it couldn’t be inflated.
Speaking of Tom’s ramp. Where is it? We need to get it back.
John
Awesome post. Dig Irene!
Jennifer –
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