Andrew Cannon
Andrew Cannon
Photography: Mazur
Words by Mazur
What up man?
Dude, it is so hot right now and I have been waiting on top of this hill at Woodward for your call.
Yeah, sorry about that. I woke up late.
Seriously though, it is so frickin hot outside. I took my shirt off though and have it on my back, so Im good.
You dont have a shirt on?
No, it is too hot.
Man, I feel bad for all the people around you.
There are only little kids and little girls on horses around.
What up man?
Dude, it is so hot right now and I have been waiting on top of this hill at Woodward for your call.
Yeah, sorry about that. I woke up late.
Seriously though, it is so frickin hot outside. I took my shirt off though and have it on my back, so Im good.
You dont have a shirt on?
No, it is too hot.
Man, I feel bad for all the people around you.
There are only little kids and little girls on horses around.
They all must be so scared of you. You are like a woolly mammoth.
Yeah, I know. It is like I have a vest on. I got a man sweater. So are we going to do this?
We already started.
Oh, well let me first start off by saying, Mom, I dont know what Mazur is going to ask so I apologize in advance. Please dont be ashamed of me.
Youre such a mamas boy. Your mom wont be ashamed of you. What could you possibly do wrong?
Yeah, Im just an angel.
Speaking of being an angel, what is a BUI?
Well, I am actually quite familiar with BUI. It is a term that I coined and it stands for Burglary Under the Influence. What happened was Well, it is when you get super inebriated and cant make correct decisions and then you like See, a BUI is stupid. It wasnt actually a burglary. It was actually petty theft that got blown way out of proportion in court and became a burglary.
Yeah, I know. It is like I have a vest on. I got a man sweater. So are we going to do this?
We already started.
Oh, well let me first start off by saying, Mom, I dont know what Mazur is going to ask so I apologize in advance. Please dont be ashamed of me.
Youre such a mamas boy. Your mom wont be ashamed of you. What could you possibly do wrong?
Yeah, Im just an angel.
Speaking of being an angel, what is a BUI?
Well, I am actually quite familiar with BUI. It is a term that I coined and it stands for Burglary Under the Influence. What happened was Well, it is when you get super inebriated and cant make correct decisions and then you like See, a BUI is stupid. It wasnt actually a burglary. It was actually petty theft that got blown way out of proportion in court and became a burglary.
Trick: 360 Flip Photography: Mazur
Well I want to hear more about your BUI. What happened?
See, if you are going to ask about this then Ive got to explain some things first. I dont want people to think I go around stealing shit. I think the only other thing I ever stole was in 5th grade. I went to 7/11 with this kid and we were both getting beef jerky. I put it up on the counter because I thought he was paying for it. And then he goes, Alright, dude, just put it in your pocket. This is after it was on the counter already. Then when we were outside I thanked him for paying for it and he was like, Dude, I didnt pay for it. You just stole it. I felt horrible and never stole anything again.
Yeah, but what happened on New Years Eve?
All right, this is how it went down. I had never gone out drinking on New Years because I just always thought it was a crappy way to start a new year. I used to always go skateboarding. But this year I went to college and things were a little different. I sort of gave into the whole college thing and went out drinking.
You gave into peer pressure. Youre weak.
Shut up. So anyway, I drank a lot. I mean, a lot. And it was mostly wine and stuff like that. I went out to this party and was trying to talk to girls. It was working, but it wasnt working. You know what I mean.
No, not really, but go ahead.
So anyway, my friend that was with me was like, This place sucks, lets go someplace else and hang out with people we know. But I was sort of psyched to be somewhere where I didnt know everyone. Anyway, we ended up leaving and going to this other dudes house. And this dude sucks. He is like super metro and gay. I mean I have no problem with gay people.
See, if you are going to ask about this then Ive got to explain some things first. I dont want people to think I go around stealing shit. I think the only other thing I ever stole was in 5th grade. I went to 7/11 with this kid and we were both getting beef jerky. I put it up on the counter because I thought he was paying for it. And then he goes, Alright, dude, just put it in your pocket. This is after it was on the counter already. Then when we were outside I thanked him for paying for it and he was like, Dude, I didnt pay for it. You just stole it. I felt horrible and never stole anything again.
Yeah, but what happened on New Years Eve?
All right, this is how it went down. I had never gone out drinking on New Years because I just always thought it was a crappy way to start a new year. I used to always go skateboarding. But this year I went to college and things were a little different. I sort of gave into the whole college thing and went out drinking.
You gave into peer pressure. Youre weak.
Shut up. So anyway, I drank a lot. I mean, a lot. And it was mostly wine and stuff like that. I went out to this party and was trying to talk to girls. It was working, but it wasnt working. You know what I mean.
No, not really, but go ahead.
So anyway, my friend that was with me was like, This place sucks, lets go someplace else and hang out with people we know. But I was sort of psyched to be somewhere where I didnt know everyone. Anyway, we ended up leaving and going to this other dudes house. And this dude sucks. He is like super metro and gay. I mean I have no problem with gay people.
Trick: 180 ollie Photography: Ryan Gee
So you like gay people?
Dude, dont even start that. You know what I mean. I just hate when dudes dress all gay. It is like a guessing game. Is he gay, is he straight? I dont even know. It has to be even worse for girls.
All right, lets get to the story already.
Okay, long story short. We went to this party and I was out of my mind drunk. Between midnight and like one in the morning I was just walking around this dudes apartment and putting stuff in my pocket. And it was all weird shit too.
Well, I bet it was. I mean, you said the dude was a little confused with himself. What was some of the stuff?
Well, the big things I took were a wallet and a checkbook, which I didnt even remember picking up at all. And then like, I had taken the bathroom doorknob, a Billy Idol CD, and then a set of Allen keys.
That is quite an array of objects.
Seriously, I mean, why the fuck would I want Allen keys?
Yeah, I mean, I guess the doorknob was more useful.
Seriously. It all makes no sense. I hope people understand, Im not out to steal shit. It was just me being an idiot. Anyway, I went out into the main party area and my friend wasnt with me. Then I hear this girl calling him out about something. She pushed him and I went over and was like, what the fuck? Then this girl straight punched me in the face.
Dude, dont even start that. You know what I mean. I just hate when dudes dress all gay. It is like a guessing game. Is he gay, is he straight? I dont even know. It has to be even worse for girls.
All right, lets get to the story already.
Okay, long story short. We went to this party and I was out of my mind drunk. Between midnight and like one in the morning I was just walking around this dudes apartment and putting stuff in my pocket. And it was all weird shit too.
Well, I bet it was. I mean, you said the dude was a little confused with himself. What was some of the stuff?
Well, the big things I took were a wallet and a checkbook, which I didnt even remember picking up at all. And then like, I had taken the bathroom doorknob, a Billy Idol CD, and then a set of Allen keys.
That is quite an array of objects.
Seriously, I mean, why the fuck would I want Allen keys?
Yeah, I mean, I guess the doorknob was more useful.
Seriously. It all makes no sense. I hope people understand, Im not out to steal shit. It was just me being an idiot. Anyway, I went out into the main party area and my friend wasnt with me. Then I hear this girl calling him out about something. She pushed him and I went over and was like, what the fuck? Then this girl straight punched me in the face.
Trick: Craill Block Photography: Matt Price
You got beat up by a girl?
I didnt get beat up. I just got sucker punched. It was so hard too. Before I knew it, a huge fight broke out. It was like, twenty people, fists flying everywhere. It was like a movie. We somehow managed to get out, but on our way out my buddy was still really pissed and he punched out one of the glass panes in the front door. As we were walking down the street, he showed me his hand and it was super bloody. He had blood all over him and was telling me he had to go to the hospital.
You mean to tell me you couldnt fix it?
No, how could I?
I dont know. I figured that maybe you stole a first aid kit while you were there. Or maybe some thread and a needle, so you could stitch it up.
No man, that was one thing I didnt take. So basically, I called 911. I brought the cops to us.
Wow, you are smart.
So this cop shows up and I am rambling on about how my friend really needs help. The first thing he asks for is ID, and he was a dick about it. I reach in my back pocket and grab what I thought was my wallet. When I opened it up and realized it wasnt mine, I threw it. I got scared. The cop went over and grabbed it, looked at it, and told me it wasnt me. He cuffed me up and was telling me how I was under arrest for theft.
Did they bring you downtown?
Yeah, they brought both of us downtown. But it isnt really downtown. Its West Chester. It was funny though. There was this dude in a cell next to us that was crying all night. Eventually, I just told the dude to shut the fuck up. It was so annoying. I also puked all over my cell. It was horrible. But when I woke up, they just released us. That was it. I went home and told my parents and surprisingly they were really good about the whole thing.
I didnt get beat up. I just got sucker punched. It was so hard too. Before I knew it, a huge fight broke out. It was like, twenty people, fists flying everywhere. It was like a movie. We somehow managed to get out, but on our way out my buddy was still really pissed and he punched out one of the glass panes in the front door. As we were walking down the street, he showed me his hand and it was super bloody. He had blood all over him and was telling me he had to go to the hospital.
You mean to tell me you couldnt fix it?
No, how could I?
I dont know. I figured that maybe you stole a first aid kit while you were there. Or maybe some thread and a needle, so you could stitch it up.
No man, that was one thing I didnt take. So basically, I called 911. I brought the cops to us.
Wow, you are smart.
So this cop shows up and I am rambling on about how my friend really needs help. The first thing he asks for is ID, and he was a dick about it. I reach in my back pocket and grab what I thought was my wallet. When I opened it up and realized it wasnt mine, I threw it. I got scared. The cop went over and grabbed it, looked at it, and told me it wasnt me. He cuffed me up and was telling me how I was under arrest for theft.
Did they bring you downtown?
Yeah, they brought both of us downtown. But it isnt really downtown. Its West Chester. It was funny though. There was this dude in a cell next to us that was crying all night. Eventually, I just told the dude to shut the fuck up. It was so annoying. I also puked all over my cell. It was horrible. But when I woke up, they just released us. That was it. I went home and told my parents and surprisingly they were really good about the whole thing.
Trick: Crailslide Photography: Mazur
And that was it?
Well, later on a cop comes to my place with a warrant and arrests me. Apparently, the dude who owned the place we were partying at was pressing full charges against me. It sucked. Long story short again, it got blown way out of proportion and I ended up with a felony charge of burglary. I got mad community service and was put on probation for two years.
Has this situation changed your life?
Dude, yeah. The only reason I am telling all this is so I mean I hope kids reading this dont think I am some badass kid. It is not about that. What I took out of this whole thing is it helped me redirect myself to just skateboarding again. I had sort of lost site of skateboarding because I had torn my ACL and got super depressed. It was easy for me to just look toward drinking.
How did you tear your ACL?
Well, I was at the Phoenix AM and the first night I went out street skating I was tired, but I really wanted to skate. We went to some hubba. It was like a ten or twelve stair. I dont know. Oh, it was the one Neal Mims five-od and then ran into the security guard. Anyway, I back fiftyed it and then decided Id try to back five-o it. I got on all weird, leaning back and what not, and when I hit the ground my knee just gave out to the left. I knew I had really fucked it up.
But you bounced back pretty quickly from it.
Sort of. I mean I probably shouldnt have tried to skate again so soon. But I was getting depressed that I couldnt skate. It wasnt really that it hurt. It was more of a mental thing. People who have done it know exactly what I mean. It sucks and really scares you. Its mentally draining.
So, the whole BUI incident was sort of like a miracle in disguise?
Yeah, totally. My whole life has changed for the better because of that one night. Ive been concentrating a lot more about what I want to do with myself. Ive even made the decision to switch schools and go to Arizona. I just want to get my life together. You know, find a lady, settle down, and get a house.
I thought you had a lady.
Well, yeah. But I mean, Im not planning on getting married right now or anything. Well see how it goes. Well cross that bridge when we get to it. We both feel the same way, I think. I mean, Im moving to Arizona and she lives in Maryland.
Well, later on a cop comes to my place with a warrant and arrests me. Apparently, the dude who owned the place we were partying at was pressing full charges against me. It sucked. Long story short again, it got blown way out of proportion and I ended up with a felony charge of burglary. I got mad community service and was put on probation for two years.
Has this situation changed your life?
Dude, yeah. The only reason I am telling all this is so I mean I hope kids reading this dont think I am some badass kid. It is not about that. What I took out of this whole thing is it helped me redirect myself to just skateboarding again. I had sort of lost site of skateboarding because I had torn my ACL and got super depressed. It was easy for me to just look toward drinking.
How did you tear your ACL?
Well, I was at the Phoenix AM and the first night I went out street skating I was tired, but I really wanted to skate. We went to some hubba. It was like a ten or twelve stair. I dont know. Oh, it was the one Neal Mims five-od and then ran into the security guard. Anyway, I back fiftyed it and then decided Id try to back five-o it. I got on all weird, leaning back and what not, and when I hit the ground my knee just gave out to the left. I knew I had really fucked it up.
But you bounced back pretty quickly from it.
Sort of. I mean I probably shouldnt have tried to skate again so soon. But I was getting depressed that I couldnt skate. It wasnt really that it hurt. It was more of a mental thing. People who have done it know exactly what I mean. It sucks and really scares you. Its mentally draining.
So, the whole BUI incident was sort of like a miracle in disguise?
Yeah, totally. My whole life has changed for the better because of that one night. Ive been concentrating a lot more about what I want to do with myself. Ive even made the decision to switch schools and go to Arizona. I just want to get my life together. You know, find a lady, settle down, and get a house.
I thought you had a lady.
Well, yeah. But I mean, Im not planning on getting married right now or anything. Well see how it goes. Well cross that bridge when we get to it. We both feel the same way, I think. I mean, Im moving to Arizona and she lives in Maryland.
Trick: Frontside Tailslide Photography: Ryan Gee
What made you choose Arizona?
Well, I really needed a change of atmosphere. I mean, I love the East Coast. I always will. But I just need something different for a bit. It is nice there all year. It gets hot, but besides that it is super nice there, and there are so many good parks there that are open all the time. I can skateboard every day. I mean, if I go out there and it is like southern California, Ill be back real fast. I just need a change.
I hear ya. Plus, there are way more girls then guys in Arizona, arent there?
Well, put it this way. There are fifty-six thousand kids that go to the school I am going to. Im sure I can find someone to take bowling.
Yeah, what is the deal with you taking girls bowling?
Well, bowling is the perfect date. If you take a girl out to dinner, youre going to spend like thirty bucks.
Cheap ass.
No, its not that. But bowling helps me figure out if a girl is cool or not. I like to see if they are good at bowling or not. I mean if a girl sucks at bowling, it is a major turn off for me. If she cant handle a bowling ball she cant handle my balls. Seriously though, if a girl gutter balls it every time, I am so over them. Ill just bowl for myself and forget they are there. Its a good cheap date.
How does it feel to be a traitor and move away from the East Coast? I dont even know if I should be giving you an interview now.
Arizona is not the West Coast. Its kind of west, but more east.
So how do you feel about East Coast skateboarding?
Well first of all, I want to start off saying that I really think Focus is a good thing. You guys are doing so much for the East Coast and I think more people should be shaking your hand.
Well, I really needed a change of atmosphere. I mean, I love the East Coast. I always will. But I just need something different for a bit. It is nice there all year. It gets hot, but besides that it is super nice there, and there are so many good parks there that are open all the time. I can skateboard every day. I mean, if I go out there and it is like southern California, Ill be back real fast. I just need a change.
I hear ya. Plus, there are way more girls then guys in Arizona, arent there?
Well, put it this way. There are fifty-six thousand kids that go to the school I am going to. Im sure I can find someone to take bowling.
Yeah, what is the deal with you taking girls bowling?
Well, bowling is the perfect date. If you take a girl out to dinner, youre going to spend like thirty bucks.
Cheap ass.
No, its not that. But bowling helps me figure out if a girl is cool or not. I like to see if they are good at bowling or not. I mean if a girl sucks at bowling, it is a major turn off for me. If she cant handle a bowling ball she cant handle my balls. Seriously though, if a girl gutter balls it every time, I am so over them. Ill just bowl for myself and forget they are there. Its a good cheap date.
How does it feel to be a traitor and move away from the East Coast? I dont even know if I should be giving you an interview now.
Arizona is not the West Coast. Its kind of west, but more east.
So how do you feel about East Coast skateboarding?
Well first of all, I want to start off saying that I really think Focus is a good thing. You guys are doing so much for the East Coast and I think more people should be shaking your hand.
Trick: Ollie to Fakie Photography: Roger Bagley
Dude, Im not anyone special. There are way more people doing more for the East Coast then me. People like Steve Rodriguez and
Yeah, I mean Steve saved the Brooklyn banks and has definitely pushed the East Coast. But that is what I am saying, Focus really gives us all something to be proud of too. All of us East Coasters should really be backing it. Im psyched Im getting an interview in it. And Im not saying this just because we are friends. Im just hoping that people in California read this and see that there is more to skateboarding then just them. I dont mean that in a bad way either. A lot of good has come from California. But there are so many good dudes out here on the East Coast; so many people out here doing good things for skateboarding in general. The East Coast has people like Dave Bachinsky, Willy Akers, Steve Rodriguez, and so many others that do a lot for skateboarding. I just feel like the East Coast doesnt get its fair shot and that Focus and people like Steve help in that area of getting a bit of limelight.
How do you feel about where the industry is going?
Im sick of seeing ten-year-old kids doing crooked grinds down twenty stair rails. It is just getting so boring. The state of skateboarding at this point is really goofy. Im twenty years old and I have been told that I am just too old to go anywhere. How fucking bizarre is that? Im not depressed about it because Im on a different level. I just like to skateboard. But I feel really bad for certain dudes that want to be a professional skateboarder and will no longer get the chance because every company sees twenty as too old. This isnt just coming from me either. Ive talked about this to numerous people. Most people that are all ready established have even agreed with what Im talking about.
Do you think there should be an age limit before you can turn pro?
Well, sort of. Its just tough because there are a few younger kids that represent themselves well. They act mature about it, so I wouldnt want to see them held back because of a few others. It just seems that these little kids turn pro and get an ego so big about it. Their heads are so big they cant even walk through doors. It is just sad. There are just things about skateboarding that are whack so much shit talking going on. Shit, Im doing it right now. Im guilty as charged. But Ill own up to it and a lot of others wont.
You want to thank anyone or is that dumb? >
I think thanks are due. Id like to start off thanking my mom and dad and my whole family, Dave Fairman for putting up with me, everyone at Fairmans, my girlfriend Meredith, Craig Metzger from IW, Jetty Clothing, you for being the object of my affection, Alec, Gee, all my friends Just everyone in skateboarding. Anyone who rides a skateboard and has a smile on his or her face.
Yeah, I mean Steve saved the Brooklyn banks and has definitely pushed the East Coast. But that is what I am saying, Focus really gives us all something to be proud of too. All of us East Coasters should really be backing it. Im psyched Im getting an interview in it. And Im not saying this just because we are friends. Im just hoping that people in California read this and see that there is more to skateboarding then just them. I dont mean that in a bad way either. A lot of good has come from California. But there are so many good dudes out here on the East Coast; so many people out here doing good things for skateboarding in general. The East Coast has people like Dave Bachinsky, Willy Akers, Steve Rodriguez, and so many others that do a lot for skateboarding. I just feel like the East Coast doesnt get its fair shot and that Focus and people like Steve help in that area of getting a bit of limelight.
How do you feel about where the industry is going?
Im sick of seeing ten-year-old kids doing crooked grinds down twenty stair rails. It is just getting so boring. The state of skateboarding at this point is really goofy. Im twenty years old and I have been told that I am just too old to go anywhere. How fucking bizarre is that? Im not depressed about it because Im on a different level. I just like to skateboard. But I feel really bad for certain dudes that want to be a professional skateboarder and will no longer get the chance because every company sees twenty as too old. This isnt just coming from me either. Ive talked about this to numerous people. Most people that are all ready established have even agreed with what Im talking about.
Do you think there should be an age limit before you can turn pro?
Well, sort of. Its just tough because there are a few younger kids that represent themselves well. They act mature about it, so I wouldnt want to see them held back because of a few others. It just seems that these little kids turn pro and get an ego so big about it. Their heads are so big they cant even walk through doors. It is just sad. There are just things about skateboarding that are whack so much shit talking going on. Shit, Im doing it right now. Im guilty as charged. But Ill own up to it and a lot of others wont.
You want to thank anyone or is that dumb? >
I think thanks are due. Id like to start off thanking my mom and dad and my whole family, Dave Fairman for putting up with me, everyone at Fairmans, my girlfriend Meredith, Craig Metzger from IW, Jetty Clothing, you for being the object of my affection, Alec, Gee, all my friends Just everyone in skateboarding. Anyone who rides a skateboard and has a smile on his or her face.
Trick: Pivot 270 Photography: Mazur
Trick: Tuckknee Photography: Mazur
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X-Games, X-Lame?
I'm personally not a huge fan of the X-Games as a whole, I could care less about everything that isn't skating that they air, but I am definitely a fan of the X-Games skateboarding portion. Even with the cheesy-ass pink and purple bike ramps they had in the first one, it's always been cool to be able to watch a live competition that features some of the best progressive skateboarders in the world pushing the envelope, that if it were not televised, you probably would never get to see.
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