Category: Skateboarding

Prior to the release of Blueprint’s masterpiece, Lost & Found, Chewy was either a chemically fuelled sweet that rotted your teeth, or a 7 foot naked Wookie from Hollywood.

All that changed when this young lad from Gorleston, Yarmouth, rode past us with one of the smoothest styles since spread able butter. Chewy embodies the cliché of a kid that came from nowhere to suddenly becoming a household name, but you can’t deny the skills when half of skateboarding can’t figure out which way he skates.

The bricks and plaid hoodies might have been replaced by designer labels and a flat in the City, but Chewy is still “that kid from Gorleston with a strange fear of bananas and whose name makes people go “Wrrrroooaaarrrr!”

Ralph Lloyd Davis spoke to Chewy on Skype at Crossfire HQ at the beginning of May 2006.

So, what have you been up to recently Chewy?

I just got back from a Nike trip to Australia where we were taking photos, filming, bits and bobs… I think it’s going to be in the June 2006 issue of Sidewalk Magazine.

How has professional life been treating you?

Not so bad actually. Things are starting to sort themselves out, people are paying me… Nike is sorting me out. It’s good. Plus, I just moved to the City (London).

Moving must make a big change from living back in Great Yarmouth?

Yeah! It’s great. I moved to Canary Wharf which is pretty hectic in comparison to Gorleston, my hometown. (laughs). But it’s good because there are loads of spots and I get to skate with different people all the time.

Brophy lives in the Wharf doesn’t he?

Yeah! In fact, I live with him! His brother owns a house with his girlfriend and they let me move in with my girlfriend, and stay there for cheap. Even though Brophy doesn’t pay rent..! (Laughs)

Isn’t Gorleston where they film that series, ‘League of Gentlemen’?

(Laughs) Nah! That’s where Brady’s from! But yeah… Gorleston does carry that inbred feeling around with it. Lots of farmland and not much else!

I was told your hometown has absolutely no skate spots…

Yeah, well there definitely aren’t any maoin spots with marble or anything. There’s a skatepark though!

I’m guessing the scene must be quite tight then..?

Yeah, the local scene is good even if there are only a few skaters.

Do you still get to see your mates from back home, and hang out and stuff?

Yeah. A couple of them have come to the City to skate and party. I do go back to Yarmouth every now and again to see everyone; I’ve got to go back this summer actually and visit the beaches which are good.

Does it ever surprise you when you’re travelling to come across some amazing skaters in the middle of nowhere, who haven’t felt the urge or call to travel to the City or other meccas?

Yeah, but in a way you have to push forward otherwise people might never know. With Blueprint I knew I had to make the move to London to get more involved.

How did the Blueprint hook-up happen?

It started because of my mate Greg, who was making local Yarmouth videoa at the time, made a little mix of my skating and sent it off to Blueprint. (Dan) Magee saw the footage and called me up and it’s gone from there really. (Laughs) Lucky boy! Lucky boy! I didn’t really have anything to do with it…

Did you think Dan calling was a prank at first?

Nah.. I mean I knew greg had done something, but I didn’t expect too much to come from it.

Now you’re pro, have any ghosts from the past re-appeared to claim association to your celebrity status?

Yeah, They’re all after my millions! (Laughs) No really… There aren’t that many people in Yarmouth to have that sort of effect. It’s only the skaters that I already knew.

Despite yourself, who else is the most famous person to come from Gorelston? What is the town’s claim to fame?

(Laughs) I don’t know… Oh! Steve Cougan- the guy who plays Alan Partridge. Well, actually he’s from Norwich, but that’s as close as it gets to Gorleston! (Laughs) No! Actually Lowestoft is closer and they’ve got The Darkness. They’re pretty local. (Laughs) But they are pretty gay too! (here here – Z-Ed)

Before turning pro, what were you doing to make a living?

I’m still not earning much, to be honest! But, I used to work with my dad who’s a brick-layer, so I used to work as a labourer for him. Apart from that I was winging it really!

Do you think it’s good to know a trade?

Yeah, it’s definitely a good point to get a trade behind you, but then you can’t always choose… I went to college myself for a bit, but I couldn’t handle it. It was all too much with a three year long course at college. I was studying everything around and about brick laying, so i could help my dad with his business and maybe takeover in the end, but it all went a bit pear-shaped with the skating that took over a bit too much.

Do you think you could ever apply your previous knowledge into something like skatepark building or something?

Yeah, that would be amazing! But, I’m not all that clued up on building and stuff. I only know the basics and that’s far from making a skatepark! (Laughs) I’d give it a go though, with loads of concrete I’d definitely be up for that.

Whilst in Gorleston, did you ever end up making your own ghetto ramps and such?

Yeah! That’s what Gorleston is all about- the D.I.Y! (laughs) We made a handrail when I was younger; a four-stair handrail that we cut out from a bar and concreted into the stairs. it was well good! We had to constantly make spots ourselves otherwise there wouldn’t be any spots- simple as.

“Smithy could be the singer so he could get drunk and go off on one”

Who got you into skateboarding?

Ahhh…? I think the first time I saw ‘Back to the Future’ I thought, ‘How cool!’. But, I think my cousin was the first person to get into it, but he got straight back out of it, so I had to meet a few more skaters from around town. It was mainly my mates like Greg that kept me at it.

You travel quite a bit nowadays, don’t you?

Yeah, a lot more than I could have been. I mean, I travel more than what most people are even allowed with regular jobs, so it’s always good to be able to visit new places. the travelling has become quite regular nowadays, and I’m off to Russia soon which should be fun!

You’ve been to Mallorca a lot haven’t you?

Yeah, I’ve been there quite a bit because the Blueprint team have been there a lot and make something out of it, so I’ve seen Mallorca a fair ammount. I want to go to the Canairie Islands, so i hope that’ll be next on the cards.

What’s the best place you’ve been so far- like a place you weren’t expecting to be so good?

Malaga was pretty good what with some of the spots over ther, but Australia is definitely the best! I have only just gone there and it is still fresh in my mind, but Australia is amazing and everything was really good.

There are a lot of concrete parks out there. What did you think of them?

Yeah, there’s lot of concrete, but it’s just a good vibe. There are lots of street spots too, so it’s got everything.

Any good tour stories you care to share? Any dirt..?

(laughs) Dish the dirt! Nah… What goes on tour, stays on tour! (Laughs)

What has been the strangest thing you’ve ever witnessed during your travels?

I can’t think… Christ! Uhhh…? I nearly saw Danny Brady and Dan McGee have a fight in a carpark, somewhere deep in the heart of Barca. (Laughs) that was quite funny, and now Brady is claiming he would have fucked McGee up! I’ve probably seen quite a few strange things, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head.

Is there any specific item you always travel with? Or any rituals you won’t shake like having Tea at 4:30 or something?

Yeah… Everytime I go away I wish I could take my guitar with me, but I can never be bothered to have it because it’s just extra luggage. It might get broken and shit… Apart from that, just stasha bit of weed with me and I’m good! (Laughs)

What’s your axe?

I’ve got a couple, but I have a Yamaha that I always wish I could take.

Have you been playing for long?

Not long. I’m not very good or know any songs, but I just like to jam.

Would you ever jam to your own video part like Ray Barbee or Nanda Zipp?

Yeah! That would be well good, like get the bongos out and stuff… (laughs)

If Blueprint were a band, who would play what?

Smithy could be the singer so he could get drunk and go off on one. That would be good! Ummm… Brady could play the trumpet… (Laughs) I don’t know why… Maybe because he can do pretty good farts! (laughs) Colin (Kennedy) would be on the decks because I know he likes that stuff, mixing it up steez. (Paul) Shier could be on the old guitar there- (Mark) Baines is a guitar man too! And Vaughan (Baker) can play the drums. Yeah..!

Who would be the manager?

(Neil Chester) Ches! Ches can lead the orchestra- the man with the stick! (Laughs)

Who rates higher: Skate groupies or grunge chicks?

What??? I don’t know… Aren’t they both the same?

You know, the gremlin jailbait ones that hang out at skatespots lurking…

Ah! Neither! (laughs) Neither, otherwise my girlfriend won’t be impressed!

Have you had any random encounters with estranged fans or groupies?

Yeah! Randomly at The House in Sheffield, I met this girl who was telling me I was her favourite skater, and how she had seen all my stuff. That was quite weird, but it was ages ago now. It’s quite a strange situation to be in. Stalker!

Do you ever get extra attention brought to you through the name Chewy?

All the time! Usually i get the old Star Wars comments, or ‘Wrroaaww!!’ weird growls and stuff. (laughs) Apart from that it’s just, ‘Chewy?!? What the fuck???’ (laughs)

It hasn’t got you in trouble or anything..?

Nope!

Back to skating, your part in ‘Lost and Found’ was one of the video’s highlights. How did you go about filming for it?

Cheers! I didn’t put too much pressure on myself or rush anything, but this next video is going to be different. Obviously I’m stoked on the result of ‘Lost and Found’, but I think a lot of the footage was due to people taking me to spots, and I’d have to skate them. Whereas, now it’s me finding my own spots around where I live in London, so I think I might be more into this project. The last video was just gathering footage during trips and at spots people would show me…

How long was the period you filmed for?

I wasn’t sure if I’d have a full part but I didn’t rush towards the end or anything, but it seemed to go to plan and we did have three years to complete the video, so there wasn’t any real hustle over it. I thin k I did get more and more footage towards the end of the deadline though, but that’s because everyone goes off on a filming mission at the end.

Was there anything that didn’t make the final edit?

I don’t know… I think I used most of the stuff that McGee filmed, and I’ve only got a couple of outtakes.

I know you liked Swiss Cottage- How did you feel when that spot got knobbed?

Ah man! I only got to skate there once, and that was like the best spot. I was gutted to hear that it was gone… I reckon we should go back there and pull the skate stoppers out! But, I’m always down for finding more stuff street-wise, like around my area, Canary Wharf and Lewisham, there are so many spots to find. The hunt for the perfect marble ledges…

Do you think videos need to allocate more time to transition skating?

Oh, I think there’s a place for everything. I think it’s sick when I see some new transition skating, but I obviously don’t like everything.

What are your tranny skills like?

I suck at it! (Laughs) I’m really rubbish on a mini ramp.

Blueprint are working on a new video- Any chance of shedding any light on this new project?

Yeah, we’re starting to get busy with it, so it should be out end of next year… It’s going to be called ‘ Dark Days in December’. It won’t be the same as the last video where everyone has a full section. I think we’re going to be putting out more shorter videos because it’s too hard to get all the riders’ footage for one great big video. ‘Lost and Found’ was pretty epic in the end at about an hour long!

How is it with the new amateurs on the team?

It’s good! It’s a tight little team, and we all know oneanother really well, and get along so it’s really good!

Have the older guys been serving out beats? Has Brady passed on his teaboy status?

Yeah, yeah… Something like that. (Laughs) Nah… Brady will always make the tea! He made me a cup of coffee this morning actually!

What’s your favourite way to start and finish a day?

Cup of tea and a reefer! That’s the way! (laughs) End of the day will be watching a film with my girlfriend, relaxing in bed. Chilling…

People get confused over your stance. For the record- Goofy or regular?

It’s regular, but I skate switch a lot because I fucked my foot up at one point and had to start skating the other way. My right toe was fucked and I couldn’t pop off of it. It hurt so i started skating the other way and ended having more board control switch, so i just skated both ways.

That’s nice! So, there aren’t any mongo roots you’re afraid to reveal?

(Laughs) No! Actually, the first day I skated i pushed mongo, but my mate told me, ‘You wouldn’t understand this, but if you pushed with the other foot forward, you’ll have loads more control’, so I just followed his advice. I hardly pushed mongo for a day and got taught! (Laughs)

Matix just established a UK team. How did it feel to get picked to ride for them?

Oh, I’m stoked! It’s cool to be on the team. It’s early days yet, but it should be good…

How do you feel about US companies setting up business directly over here? I mean, do you think this new business method is preventing the local scene from building any bigger..?

I don’t know because if we just let the national scene cater for our needs, it might not have been able to get us to this level, I think skaters need help from both sides. Obviously it’s good to keep the euro and british companies alive, but we need help from abroad to get stronger at times.

Does Blueprint collaborate a lot with other European teams?

Uhhh…? Not really. I think all the other euro teams are well respected by Blueprint, and likewise. Afterwards it’s up to the managers, and it’s good to seem them pushing their scenes. It keeps us on our toes and working to push Blueprint forward. Cliche are building their team and they are probably the best Europe has to offer at the moment,and they are always going to get everyone else psyched.

You think it’s helped create positive competition then?

Yeah, it’s good and makes everyone want to skate. Not straight competitiveness.

If you were going to start a company outside of skateboarding, what would it be?

Uhhh…? Christ! I don’t know… I’d like to open a coffee shop.

What- like Amsterdam style..?

Yeah! Well, just a chilled atmosphere, but if you can get that Amsterdam aspect then that’s a bonus!

Do you think a British skater can survive on his skating alone today?

It is definitely hard to make ends meet, but if you stick through it you can make a wage out of it. There aren’t enormous amounts of money involved, but you can definitely make do.

Do you have a safety net plan incase you got injured or something..?

Nah, not really. I just take every day as it comes. I never really plan ahead too much because you never know what might happen…

Is your wrist a problem?

Yeah, it has been for the past 18 months or so. I broke it twice and it’s been a nightmare. Actually, I’ve broken it three times now! It’s not good, being in and out of casts … But it seems to be getting a lot stronger now, and not so swollen.

How did you break it initially?

It was in Mallorca- I fell backwards and did the old break. I think just about every skater has done it once in their life. The skate-phoid (Laughs) Even the doctors call it that!

I picked up some info about you having a serious fear of bananas. Care to explain your bizarre phobia?

(laughs) Ah! bananas are just stinking. I hate them! I’ve never liked them, my dad hates them too.

I don’t like them either… If they’re in a bowl- fine. But otherwise…

Yeah! I can deal with bananas in a fruit bowl, but I just can’t deal with anyone opening one near me! The smell!!! Argh… i hate that shit.

I hear you. I took a a long as coach trip once with a man next to me eating dodgy, hot black sausage all the way…

Urggghhh… That don’t sound good! (laughs)

Yeah, you know you’ve just got to sit out and hope you don’t throw up or anything. Have you had any childhood trauma with the banana or something?

Oh no! No trauma. I didn’t slip on a banana or nothing!

So, we’ve stablished you’re not down with any sort of bent fruit then?

(laughs) yeah, i have an aversion to ‘bent’ fruit! (Laughs) No… I don’t worry about the shape or anything…

What about vegetables?

Vegetables are all good. I like my vegetables. I like fruit too, but not bananas! they’re off key. Something very dodgy about bananas… (laughs)

Is there anything else you are passionate about apart from skating?

No… Just my girlfriend! I love travelling. Music is a big passion as well…

What are your plans for the future then?

I’m due to travel out to Russia this month, and then travel a lot more this summer. Tours are coming up around England this month too- the 25th I think..? So, when I get back from Russia, I’ll be straight on that another 10 days around England. basically just as much skating as possible, and try and stay happy really!

One last question: You have quite a quiet image or character that is far from being camera hungry. Do you think celebrity and skateboarding should mix?

No, no, no… I reckon everyone should just be themselves. It’s just skateboarding and you shouldn’t try and judge people or think you’re better than them.

Who do you admire that doesn’t skate?

I can’t really think of anyone to be honest… I think Badly Drawn Boy. I really admire his music and think he’s really good. But, apart from that i can’t think of anyone.

What’s the best piece of advice anyone has given you?

Phew! Just do it while you’re young otherwise you’ll live with regrets!

Sponsors or thanks?

Yeah, Blueprint, Matix Clothing, Nike… I can’t say Satori because I don’t ride for them anymore, but they did help me out. (Laughs) Oh, Modus bearings and Thunder trucks! Can’t forget them! (Laughs)

Ralph Lloyd-Davis
Posted 25th May 2006