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BORN FREE
Matt Archbold, Alex Knost, Tanner Prairie, Jarrah Tutton and the Japanese Motors explore the East Coast
Photos: Words and photos: Punker Pat Towersy
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September 16, 2008
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It all started in New York.
After driving eight hours from Virginia Beach, I picked up the crew in Jersey and headed into the Big Apple. There was bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way into the city, and we were getting lost at every turn. Approaching NYC felt like we were entering Gotham City, there are huge underground tunnels and bridges. Being from SoCal, we weren't accustomed to seeing giant buildings and walls adorned with graffiti. It's pretty cool.
The first gig at Mollusk surf shop was rained out, but everyone was crowded in the store waiting to meet the man of the evening, Alex Knost. |
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After signing some autographs and taking some group photos, we all charged over to Glasslands, where we were showing Beach Blanket Burnout and the Japanese Motors were going to play. The place was packed, everyone was holding down the NY hipster style: tight jeans, vintage T's and bad haircuts. The Modrockets, an all-teenage girl NY rock band, opened up for the Motors and the crowd was pumped up and their set was amazing. When The Japanese Motors took the stage the house was packed, and there was barley a square inch to stand on. They put on a great performance; everyone was doing the surfer stomp, dancing and singing along. When the Motors played "Single Fins and Safety Pins", the place started to go nuts, definitely the climax of the show. After the set, people shuffled out the door to have smokes and hang on the street. As I walked over to our bright white rental van, I saw that someone had stickered it up, pulling the stickers off, I noticed there was a huge Tag on the hood and then on the side. I was pissed, I looked around for the culprit and started sizing people up. Everyone started laughing at me, like "look at the walls, you're in Brooklyn with a white van -- what do you expect?" That night I crashed in a bed with two other people and surprisingly slept pretty good. In the morning, I walked the streets of NYC with Skye (RVCA marketing director) and Jarrah. We checked out Ground Zero, Wall Street and Soho, I was glad I got to see that, the last time I was in NY I was about 9 years old and I could only remember FAO Schwartz. By noon, it was time to pack the van and head to the NJ for the show at Spellbinders. Upon arrival in Jersey, there were a bunch of kids lined up ready to get their socks rocked and meet the RVCA surf team. Ron and Regina from Spellbinders were super cool and had the place buzzing about the RVCA crew. The Motors set up their gear on the lawn out front of the shop and rocked it for everyone in the town. After the show, people got some free goodies and lined up for autographs. Even the police officer came over to get Archy's autograph and fan-out for a little bit. After the show, the Spellbinder crew threw us a party at their house down the street. All the local surfers showed up, kegs were flowing and the burgers were going. Everyone had a blast and we were all quick friends with the local crew. Even the police officer came over to get Archy's autograph and fan-out for a little bit.
As nighttime grew near we headed to North New Jersey for the Paddle For Autism charity event. There were tons of big timers as well as surf celebrities: Gerry Lopez, Darrick Doerner, Dick Brewer, Keith Malloy and our very own Matt Archbold. The party was rocking, tons of great food, beautiful people, an open bar, live auction, a Reggae Band, heartfelt speeches and then the Japanese Motors rocked the house to finish the night. People started to dissipate but we were holding down our spots at the bar, then one of the local kids decided to throw an after party at his house and wanted the Motors to play. We all piled in the van and headed to the party, upon arrival at the house we realized it was a huge mansion, like a $15million mansion with a diner, salon, full bar, pool house, limo house etc. Next thing I knew the place was packed, the Japanese Motors were playing in the living room, everyone was dancing and drinking, just like a high school house party. At 4:30am, we were spent and decided to head back to Allenhurst, when we were driving off, the party was still raging on... The next day we made our way south and stopped in every town on the way to VB, doing the exact same routing, playing gigs and stoking out the locals, going to bed late and not surfing enough. Crossing the Delaware on the ferry, I started to reminisce on how much we'd done and how many days we had left, I instantly felt 30 years older. On the boat, Archy started making prank calls -- it almost made me piss my pants, and from then on Matt made prank calls every chance he got. His standard call involved him saying, " I have a high paying job for you, and I'll send a limo over right away. I'm a big deal, listen up I have an expensive tie and I'm bald, I'm a big deal." It was classic!! He provided hours of entertainment for the team and helped to build morale during the trying times of life on the road. It made me realize that Matt is more than a legend in the water; he's eternally young and loves to have fun, just a straight legend in the finest sense of the word. By the time we made it to Virginia Beach, the team was haggard and needed to take baths in the Schooner Inn heart shaped love tubs. After a good night's sleep, the team pressed repeat and did it all over again. Playing the main stage at the ECSC, one bar after the next, a show for WRV at the Jewish Mother, crazy night after crazy night. In between there were plenty of one-foot wonder surf sessions to keep everyone in top shape. During the ECSC, Virginia Beach is a scene; it's like the US Open but East Coast style. Along the beach there are tons of hotels and motels, all cluttered along the boardwalk, then along the main street there are tons of bars, liquor stores, shops, pizza places and a few carnival rides. It's similar to Honolulu, but back in 70's or 80's. Instead of ABC stores, there are a bunch of beach stores with tons of classic "beach" supplies, some of the cheesiest stuff you have ever seen. Shirts have everything from "Virginia is for lovers" to "Take me Drunk I'm home" slogans, blow-up rafts with Confederate flags and Dolphins, some really classy stuff. By the end of the trip, everyone had a bag filled with all sorts of cheap treasures to give to friends and family. Overall, it was a fun trip but exhausting, I look forward to doing another East Coast tour sometime in my future... MORE SURF NEWS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |