Phil Ladjanski
Phil Ladjanski
Skater: Phil Ladjanski Photography: Mazur
All right. Let's get the stupid stuff out of the way. How old are you?
Oh man... I'm twenty-five
Damn. You're getting old and your just turning pro?
Yeah, it's been a long time coming. I'm on this new company called Infinite out of Philly.
What ever happened to the whole Hollywood skateboards thing? Weren't you supposed to be pro for them?
I don't know. Those dudes started a new company and I wasn't really feeling it.
So, tell me about your new place in Philadelphia.
It's amazing. I got a TV in my wall and my own window with a view. And, I'm living with my boy Ron and Brian Dale. And, I'm pretty close to the Shit Park.
Oh man... I'm twenty-five
Damn. You're getting old and your just turning pro?
Yeah, it's been a long time coming. I'm on this new company called Infinite out of Philly.
What ever happened to the whole Hollywood skateboards thing? Weren't you supposed to be pro for them?
I don't know. Those dudes started a new company and I wasn't really feeling it.
So, tell me about your new place in Philadelphia.
It's amazing. I got a TV in my wall and my own window with a view. And, I'm living with my boy Ron and Brian Dale. And, I'm pretty close to the Shit Park.
What's that all about?
It's cool. It's the new spot under the bridge and is coming along good. It's tough to skate in Philly. You get kicked out of everywhere. Skateboarding in Philadelphia is like the land of the dead. They are trying to keep us down and drive us like trolls under bridges.
How do you feel about people being all secretive about spots nowadays?
It's bullshit! I mean, if they got stuff in writing and they actually own the spot then fine. But when dudes find spots and then try to keep them a secret that is just bullshit. If you come across something, just skate it and don't worry about anyone else skating it. This is skateboarding. What ever happen to the days when someone would find something and bring everyone there. Like, Oh, I found this new spot. Let's all go skate it together". Skateboarding is an art. There's no need to hide spots because everyone does shit differently.
Speaking of art, why is that painting in your room crooked?
Oh, I hung that up crooked on purpose. Art is art. If you have a piece of artwork hanging on the wall, it doesn't matter if it is crooked because it is still art. I love art. I would like to design stuff for people but I'm just not really good with computers.
It's cool. It's the new spot under the bridge and is coming along good. It's tough to skate in Philly. You get kicked out of everywhere. Skateboarding in Philadelphia is like the land of the dead. They are trying to keep us down and drive us like trolls under bridges.
How do you feel about people being all secretive about spots nowadays?
It's bullshit! I mean, if they got stuff in writing and they actually own the spot then fine. But when dudes find spots and then try to keep them a secret that is just bullshit. If you come across something, just skate it and don't worry about anyone else skating it. This is skateboarding. What ever happen to the days when someone would find something and bring everyone there. Like, Oh, I found this new spot. Let's all go skate it together". Skateboarding is an art. There's no need to hide spots because everyone does shit differently.
Speaking of art, why is that painting in your room crooked?
Oh, I hung that up crooked on purpose. Art is art. If you have a piece of artwork hanging on the wall, it doesn't matter if it is crooked because it is still art. I love art. I would like to design stuff for people but I'm just not really good with computers.
Trick: Kickflip Wallride at FDR Photography: Mazur
Why don't you go to school for it or get a book?
Yeah right. I don't really think I have too many brain cells left to learn.
Is it true that you smoke entirely too much pot?
No, I eat it.
Is that why you're so damn skinny? 'Cause you eat pot instead of food?
No, I eat food. I eat a lot of food every night. Midnight munchies. I'm eating this whole thing of ice cream right now.
Why the hell are you so thin then? Most people your age don't have any kind of metabolism and gain weight.
I don't know. I gain weight. It's just that, I'm an active person. I skateboard and work everyday. If I didn't eat I would wither away to nothing.
Yeah right. I don't really think I have too many brain cells left to learn.
Is it true that you smoke entirely too much pot?
No, I eat it.
Is that why you're so damn skinny? 'Cause you eat pot instead of food?
No, I eat food. I eat a lot of food every night. Midnight munchies. I'm eating this whole thing of ice cream right now.
Why the hell are you so thin then? Most people your age don't have any kind of metabolism and gain weight.
I don't know. I gain weight. It's just that, I'm an active person. I skateboard and work everyday. If I didn't eat I would wither away to nothing.
Trick: Fs Flip Photography: Mazur
Where is it you work at?
This shoe store Ubiq. It's sort of crazy.
So you're a shoe sales man like Al Bundy. Do you sell women's shoes?
Yeah, I do. It's all these rich older women that live on Walnut Street and spend their husband's money on three hundred dollar pairs of Stilettos.
Do they ever offer YOU money for your services?
Like, you mean a man whore. A gigolo. No, but they have tried to give me their numbers before.
Did you ever try on the three hundred dollar Stilettos to see what the deal was and why they were so much?
Hell no. I would never do anything like that.
I don't know, I heard you have worn girl's shoes before.
Yeah, but that is because Nike makes dope girls shoes that just happen to be in bigger sizes so they can sell them to guys too. Some times the girl's kicks just got better coloration to them.
This shoe store Ubiq. It's sort of crazy.
So you're a shoe sales man like Al Bundy. Do you sell women's shoes?
Yeah, I do. It's all these rich older women that live on Walnut Street and spend their husband's money on three hundred dollar pairs of Stilettos.
Do they ever offer YOU money for your services?
Like, you mean a man whore. A gigolo. No, but they have tried to give me their numbers before.
Did you ever try on the three hundred dollar Stilettos to see what the deal was and why they were so much?
Hell no. I would never do anything like that.
I don't know, I heard you have worn girl's shoes before.
Yeah, but that is because Nike makes dope girls shoes that just happen to be in bigger sizes so they can sell them to guys too. Some times the girl's kicks just got better coloration to them.
Trick: Stylish Bs tailslide Photography: Mazur
Don't you own girls pants too? I mean, you might as well try on the heels.
Hell no! I mean, had a pair of girl's pants before. They just fit better. And I have had some women's Nike's but I would still never wear heels and a dress or anything like that.
Are you one of those sneaker freaks?
I love sneakers. I work at a shoe store so I always got to make sure I'm rockin' fresh kicks. I have a good amount of kicks about fifty or more pairs. Mostly Nikes and a couple pair of Addias. I love my Jordan's. That dude is an inspiration to me because he was always trying to be the best at everything he did.
Do you have one pair that is your favorite?
The Jordan four's in black and red.
I'm guessing you don't skate in any of your Nikes'.
I've skated in a couple pair of them, but for the most part I keep them packed away. It's like collecting baseball cards.
Ok, I get it. So it's like your investment plan for the future.
Yeah, I guess.
Do you keep any of your DVS's packed away?
Actually, I do. They have got some dope stuff. But for the most part I skate in them because they are the best shoes to skate in.
Hell no! I mean, had a pair of girl's pants before. They just fit better. And I have had some women's Nike's but I would still never wear heels and a dress or anything like that.
Are you one of those sneaker freaks?
I love sneakers. I work at a shoe store so I always got to make sure I'm rockin' fresh kicks. I have a good amount of kicks about fifty or more pairs. Mostly Nikes and a couple pair of Addias. I love my Jordan's. That dude is an inspiration to me because he was always trying to be the best at everything he did.
Do you have one pair that is your favorite?
The Jordan four's in black and red.
I'm guessing you don't skate in any of your Nikes'.
I've skated in a couple pair of them, but for the most part I keep them packed away. It's like collecting baseball cards.
Ok, I get it. So it's like your investment plan for the future.
Yeah, I guess.
Do you keep any of your DVS's packed away?
Actually, I do. They have got some dope stuff. But for the most part I skate in them because they are the best shoes to skate in.
Trick: Fs Crook to fakie Photography: Mazur
Didn't some casting agents come into your work the other day an offer you a spot on a coke-cola commercial?
Yeah, some people came in and asked us if we were interested. My boy Ron got it. When we went into meet the director and audition, he got the part and I blew it. It was cool though and was a change pace. I was hoping to make a quick buck off of it, but whatev's.
What would you of done with the money from the commercial?
I would probably pay a couple months worth of rent and buy a car.
How do you get around now?
I either skateboard or walk everywhere. I really need to get a bike, so hopefully one of my sponsors will read this interview and either send me some loot to buy a bike or just buy me a bike. I'm sick of walking forty-five minutes to work every day so I can make just enough money to pay my damn rent.
Tell me about when you were homeless for about a year.
After my skate shop, Exclusive, went under my life was in shambles. I couldn't go live with my mom because, well, I just couldn't do that. I decided to sleep around on people's couches for a while. While I was staying at Jake's house, I got the shoe store job, which was right down the street. I then moved in with my girl for a little while. It wasn't like rock bottom or anything.
What happened with the skate shop?
It was just a bad situation and all kinds of shit was just going on. After theses dudes held us up one night with guns and what not, it was over. I lost everything I worked hard for and had to start over. It was a giant speed bump in my life. But now, I'm getting back on my feet and I'm ready for war.
Yeah, some people came in and asked us if we were interested. My boy Ron got it. When we went into meet the director and audition, he got the part and I blew it. It was cool though and was a change pace. I was hoping to make a quick buck off of it, but whatev's.
What would you of done with the money from the commercial?
I would probably pay a couple months worth of rent and buy a car.
How do you get around now?
I either skateboard or walk everywhere. I really need to get a bike, so hopefully one of my sponsors will read this interview and either send me some loot to buy a bike or just buy me a bike. I'm sick of walking forty-five minutes to work every day so I can make just enough money to pay my damn rent.
Tell me about when you were homeless for about a year.
After my skate shop, Exclusive, went under my life was in shambles. I couldn't go live with my mom because, well, I just couldn't do that. I decided to sleep around on people's couches for a while. While I was staying at Jake's house, I got the shoe store job, which was right down the street. I then moved in with my girl for a little while. It wasn't like rock bottom or anything.
What happened with the skate shop?
It was just a bad situation and all kinds of shit was just going on. After theses dudes held us up one night with guns and what not, it was over. I lost everything I worked hard for and had to start over. It was a giant speed bump in my life. But now, I'm getting back on my feet and I'm ready for war.
Trick: Switch 360 Flip Photography: Mazur
What's the deal with you skating for two shops?
Eh, a lot of people do it. It's nothing new. I know a ton of people that ride for a couple different shops at the same time. When I'm home in Philly, I'll rock Nocturnal shit and when I go down to Florida, I'll rock Westside stuff. I rock them both. They are both good shops with good people that have really helped me out.
I heard Westside is working on a new video. What's it called?
It's called The Good Life" and is going to be dope. Make sure to check it out.
Who do you want to thank? Last words?
I don't want to go through and name people because I know I'll forget some so I just want to thank everyone who has helped me. You all know who you are. And, all my sponsors: Indy, Infinite, Ricta, DVS, Rockstar, Nocturnal, and Westside. I just like to skateboard.
Eh, a lot of people do it. It's nothing new. I know a ton of people that ride for a couple different shops at the same time. When I'm home in Philly, I'll rock Nocturnal shit and when I go down to Florida, I'll rock Westside stuff. I rock them both. They are both good shops with good people that have really helped me out.
I heard Westside is working on a new video. What's it called?
It's called The Good Life" and is going to be dope. Make sure to check it out.
Who do you want to thank? Last words?
I don't want to go through and name people because I know I'll forget some so I just want to thank everyone who has helped me. You all know who you are. And, all my sponsors: Indy, Infinite, Ricta, DVS, Rockstar, Nocturnal, and Westside. I just like to skateboard.
Trick: Switch Heelflip Photography: Mazur
1 Comment
DOC says:
skinny rips!!
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