Mark "FOS" Foster | The Nine Club - Episode 277

Mark “Fos” Foster discusses starting a brand called “Heroin Skateboards”, doing his first board graphics for Toy Machine, his process for making a skateboard graphic, the first Heroin Skateboards Egg for Daniel Shimizu in 2016, creating the Altamont & Deathwish logos, being the art director for Baker, doing Franky Villani's first pro graphic for Primitive, Snot Wheels, the release of the 13 inch “Eggzilla” board, the eS x Heroin Skateboards colab shoe the “eggcel” and much more!
#TheNineClub #FOS #HeroinSkateboards
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Links we talked about in this episode
Switchflip Switch Manny: • Chris Roberts | Switch...
Fos' Instagram - / heroinskateboards
Heroin Skateboards Website: www.heroinskateboarding.com
Fos for Mob process: • FOS x Graphic MOB Grip...
Live from Antartica: • Fos LFA
Everything's gonna be OK part: • Fos - Heroin Skateboards
Timestamps
00:00:00 Fos
00:01:03 Why the name Heroin Skateboards
00:09:35 Getting into doing graphics for skateboard companies like Toy Machine
00:16:27 The shelf life of a skateboard graphic
00:22:16 Our Supporter: Athletic Greens
00:23:51 The process of making a skateboard graphic
00:24:16 Selling out of boards and being accused of under-ordering
00:26:45 The first Heroin Skateboards Egg shape for Daniel Shimizu in 2016
00:32:51 The release of the 13 inch “Eggzilla” board
00:42:28 eS x Heroin Skateboards collab.. the eggcel
00:44:01 How long does it take to do a graphic?
00:45:53 Trials and tribulations of starting a brand with a controversial name
00:53:29 Art direction at Altamont
00:55:08 The kill fee (charging for unused graphics)
01:02:49 Is Fos's art a gifted talent?
01:09:12 Doing Franky Villani's first pro graphic for Primitive
01:11:24 Board graphics: Now vs. Then
01:14:47 Fos critiques The Nine Club Logo that Chris made
01:18:33 Creating the Deathwish logo
01:24:24 Art direction for Baker
01:28:58 Working at Altamont
01:35:18 Moving to Los Angeles from London
01:36:55 Bringing Heroin Skateboards to Baker Boys Distribution
01:40:01 Sponsoring old people
01:41:11 Owning and ending Landscape Skateboards
01:50:21 Fos' favorite brands growing up
01:51:37 What's Fos' current board set up?
01:52:50 Wheelbase issues
01:57:25 Snot Wheels
02:00:24 Decision making for his company... Any bad moves?
02:15:03 eS Shoes x Heroin Skateboard decks
Edited By: Tim Olson & Roger Bagley

[@BigStiffWilly]

I wrote a letter to Fos once asking for stickers, after I found his home address on the internet. He was really good about it, hand wrote me a letter back in the Heroin handwriting and included a wedge of dank stickers. I no longer contact people at there home addresses now by the way, I'm reformed.

[@ironmongol75]

Fos' willingness to embrace abstract styles (eg. Dead Dave, DMODW, Osaka Daggers, etc) and the outsider aspect of skate culture is spot on. Nice dude with no ego BS. Great to see this interview happen :)

[@burnspll103]

Wish they would have talked more about that. Has had some of the best team riders over the years

[@ironmongol75]

@@burnspll103 Hell yeah. A good interview but would have been rad if they'd been dug a little deeper at times. Still, Fos and Heroin get the limelight here that they deserve, so all good :)

[@fieldengrey1]

THANK YOU so much for having FOS on the show. He’s one of the nicest people in skateboarding. Heroin makes my favorite board and the series they did for the movie Mandy was pure genius. Cheddar Goblin!!!

[@gizmosfere]

Great episode FOS is the best. The team he has assembled makes me remember why I started skateboarding. Every person on the team is always having a blast. So much fun watching Swampy And Nolan.

[@antlr_dst]

Swampy and Nolan have a part coming soon, pretty darn stoked

[@bail_gun_gary]

Fos is a great person and a great friend.

[@itmightgetdark]

so are you ❤

[@mercjohnson9125]

Fos is the best. So talented and dedicated. Always reaching out to the people. Great interview too. Great to see a hardworking northern English bloke do well. Keep it going FOS!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@kerokerobonita]

definitely need more european skaters on the podcast

[@jonnydmcairns]

Fos has reached so much deeper into skate culture than I knew. I'm from the UK and remember finding out about heroin as a teen, not knowing the hidden meaning behind the name but hyped on the shock value of it. I started skating in the stay gold era, so loved Altamont, had no idea he was involved. Would always see unabomber and landscape boards around, and he designed the deathwish logo too, insane! Great question asking about the complaints.. Sorry to say I'm one of the longer wheelbase guys, when above 6ft its super hard to skate a wheelbase of 14.25, has to be above 14.5 or every ollie and kickflip rockets. Personally not a fan of the egg shapes either but love that he just makes what he likes, keep it going Fos, you're killing it!

[@rileybeck51]

I love that the interviews of people I don’t recognize right away are always my favorites. Didn’t know of FOS before this but respected his work so much for years without even knowing it. This is seriously one of my favorites and I’ve been watching since episode 1.

[@antlr_dst]

Yes! instant click when I saw it was Fos this week!

[@fatsteve2380]

Fos if you’re reading this, man put Swampy’s name on a board already! Dude fucking deserves it

[@sluggysworld469]

wait til july my mans

[@SabrinaMorris]

Seconded.

[@Dustybutdigital]

triple this statement and tooted at the same time

[@fatsteve2380]

@@Dustybutdigital friggen rights, bud

[@fatsteve2380]

@@surrealist1 i know! i bought his egg one right when i had the chance lol

[@neilstanley5120]

I used to go to Split Skates, Manchester, UK circa 90/ 91 What a place!

[@box3y]

This is why I love this show! Seen their graphics and wild boards, and I needed to know more about Heroin Skateboards. Good job, all 🤝

[@liamhansell]

Fos is a solid dude. He used to sort me & my mates (Si & Shorty) out with discount product back in New Cross & was always down to skate. Glad to see he’s still killing it 😎👌🏻

[@hassan4773]

14.25" wheelbase for Life.

[@Theeosees]

Fos is great, and actually cares about skaters and their lil communities

[@thomisom]

As a designer from Lancashire UK who grew up skating Heroin boards, this ep hit SO many chords for me, stoked

[@andrewramirez2350]

Fuck yeah fos is the greatest ever I know him from my local skatepark and he use to hook me up with a board if I needed one or if I wanted to buy one he would charge me literally half the price

[@goddessgrafx]

yesss! i love skate artist/graphic designer episodes! and thank you for the shout out 🥹💖

[@DaltonBalkwill]

Was thinking about getting the heroin egg deck and after watching this I’m definitely picking one up. Rad dude

[@codyabrown2011]

FOS is right about big decks and short wheelbases. That's why I'm on either the Crail Couch shape. 9.25" and 13.875" wheelbase or a Heroin egg.

[@EarthWalkerOne]

Dope to see FOS on here, I got to meet him in London while they were putting the finishing touches on Live from Antarctica. Really nice dude.

[@MathiasRabat]

I met him around the same time but in france for the battle or Normandy! dude is just a pure blast of love for skaters

[@incsk8]

I stopped caring about the Nine Club years ago but then my homie told me this morning that FOS was on it so here I am

[@monatomic]

FOS is super nice. Glad you guys got him on ✨ Thunder make a 181 which is a 10* truck

[@richardstanley1169]

I used to skate Landscape Decks, they were always so clean and had great shapes.

[@sugarcuba4628]

He’s right, something so alluring about PlayStation skate park back in the day… under the bridge and really intense atmosphere

[@SabrinaMorris]

Tim's curb game blows my mind. I love the wheel wells and wheel base of Heroin boards. I love that these boards were not made for little kids. I love the full dip and razor top. I would've loved more of an explanation/discourse on both the junction where creation meets functional design, and the decision behind those moments. I'm super glad that I got the joke before it was explain to me about the name "Heroin." After hearing from the creator, now I feel like the boards were even more made for me, even though they're big boy boards. "You want your ledge smelling nice." --Jerone. Best quote on the Nine.

[@B0NGERSON]

Awesome episode. Also, the 9.5” symmetrical egg is such a fun board.

[@MathiasRabat]

just about to set my first one! so exited to test it

[@B0NGERSON]

@@MathiasRabat hell yeah dude! Let me know how you like it! I highly recommend putting deck rails on it for easy slides and board hurricane combos but that’s just my preference.

[@MathiasRabat]

@@B0NGERSON i've ordered snot rails i'm waiting for it to come then i'll set up my board ^^

[@genzedsdead6165]

met fos in the late 90s when he used to rag around the uk repping Slam City brands, one of the nicest people i've ever met, first Heroin video is still on constant rotation (Good S**t)..

[@eastcoastcurbkiller]

Seriously one of the best episodes ever. FOS is the man!

[@Variushna]

Okay, but where can we get one of them dope Snot Booger plushies?

[@EdwardBaker94]

Nine club x heroin(skateboards) collab idea. Outline of the sitting egg replaces the circle in the OG nine club logo. The inside of the outline of the egg is "the nine club" in the heroin font style.

[@VhaidraSaga]

Call it the "Special, Special, Special Neuvos Egg!

[@DavetheChimp]

egg box but instead of six or 12 eggs, nine eggs

[@Extra__Dipp]

Lancashire legend in the house !!!!!

[@joshco3090]

When i first started skating, my first "real" board was heroin. It was a melting zombie coming out of a toilet on a lime green background. Never looked back since

[@firtythive]

Remember seeing the pink and black hooker boards for the first time around 2003/2004, my 14 year old self was in awe haha. Heroin has always been a fire brand in my book. I watched 'Everythings going to be alright' and 'Live from Antarctica' every Saturday and Sunday for years growing up. Arthur Tubb was local to me, and loved seeing him skate; now its Dead Dave, watching him skate is a thing of beauty haha. And 'Portraits' from Landscape is still one of my favourite videos

[@kennyvanwormerjr.8232]

Great episode. I would love to see a Gonz episode and a Pushead episode sometime.

[@bondalero0074]

Those two Legends and also Steve Rocco would be so great!#80’sBestofTimes!#🛹❤️🤘🏻

[@noisebreather]

I started back skating, might as well say I started skating from square one last year... Heroin skateboards was really what Inspired me the most to keep going 💀 That,and my awesome girlfriend 😂

[@Pinto109]

Love this brand since discovering it

[@BazSouthern]

Man I remember Split Skate in 1980s/90s Manchester, I thought it was called 50/60 split for some reason. Crown Square Banks where popping off back then.

[@burrowsgod]

And BBC Oxford Road curbs.

[@PostcardsfromtheGong]

And the mini ramp upstairs.was called 50/60 split when it first opened too, then just split.

[@thevermiculites]

Last year I rode a Heroin Curb Crusher XL. What A Great Deck, loved it, It fit my 215 indi's awesome . What a Great side walk smasher!! I had several other set ups on the go but mostly just took the Curb Crusher out. Loved the wheel wells no need for risers with 59mm wheels. Great Deck and Cool company, always on the hunt for decks that fit the 215s good and don't have a flat nose. I find a lot of shapes hit or miss, the Curb Crasher XL won't me my last Heroin Deck. Oh and Nine Club ROCKs Keep Up the Awesome work guys!!!!!!

[@VhaidraSaga]

Finally we are getting European Skaters. After having Fos, you really need to have Nick Zorlac and Jeremie Daclin on too!

[@MathiasRabat]

I second that! growing skating in Europe (France for me) was deffinatly WAY different than the american experience

[@mpenxa]

You really don't get more OG than FOS. A genuine and awesome human being. He's definitely on my Mt. Rushmore of skate artists.

[@Ert604]

Such a great episode, down to earth, inspirational artist and entrepreneur. THANK YOU FOR NOT DOING AN AD IN THE MIDDLE!

[@GnarlsJr]

As someone who came from Florida to the uk and ordering from Slam, assuming it’s the same as Slam City Skates, hearing the little history about it is so sick

[@DunXstan]

Just restocked on Heroin too! 🎉

[@lenchman]

It is the same 👍

[@ayteecee518]

Man this is one of the best 9clubs. A genuine 4 way conversation about skating rather than a monologue.

[@julienbaut5784]

Love the concept of the Eggzilla ! 🥚👀 👍

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

Always loved his stuff and I think he's pretty much the only artist in skateboarding that I've kept track on because I've just seen his work pop up here and there and it's always awesome

[@Antiquity_Zine]

Back in ’99 I started melting paraffin wax into my old deodorant containers. Best decision ever. Fos knows what’s up. I’m a full on egghead. For real Heroin is the new World Industries. I lived through mid World and saw flame boy/wet Willy at the pentacle. My 8 year old son is living that with Heroin and the Egg. Full stoke. I love every minute of it. Skateboarding is in a great place. Thank you Fos.

[@seth_skates7336]

The Tony Karr evil stomach graphic is my favorite only because I’ve had stomach issues for quite some time so it resonates with me

[@olbuddydownthere]

I loved this episode so much. Learned a lot and DAMN I loved Altamont! Sickest stuff.

[@BBoyBiff]

Great episode, hes spot on with jim phillips roskopp face being the top graphic of the 80,s ❤

[@kirbymerby]

Get Craig Questions on the show!

[@StumpyMason_]

F O S The Man! love to hear about the art side of stuff.

[@monatomic]

Same. It would be cool if they had more artist that design or designed skateboards from any era of skateboarding

[@sdm74]

Eggxcelant interview!!!!

[@hassan4773]

You beat me to it. 🤘

[@HandsomePuggg]

Eggcited to watch this one!

[@sluggysworld469]

been waiting so long for this really made my work day

[@MudMargera]

this is great! Great to learn and now a definitely will buy a board. Also, Kelly surprisingly asked some solid art related questions

[@alextrugs]

Excited for this one LFG 🤜🤛🤘

[@humanbrisket7718]

Heroin skateboards rules! Love those egg shape and razor tops! Dead Dave style is awesome! Earth goblin is one of the best!!!!

[@VideoGameGoonie]

Great episode! Live your work and passion for skateboards! I like the idea of hiding things in the graphic... but for people to find . Maybe like an I spy board graphic .

[@prudhoepossy]

Yes great guest! Looking forward to this

[@jackbridges_]

Never knew landscape and heroin were intertwined. Loved landscape back in the day! Even tried tattooing the logo on my leg as a teen 😂

[@smileycount]

Wonder if anyone has clocked Nick at power distribution is the owner of death skateboards 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@burneraccount9829]

hadn't thought about it but i love the wide short board but i grew up skating them without knowing the dimmensions back then....

[@bakeraus]

I still buy boards based on brand, size and graphic. If I don't like the graphic I won't buy it. If you're a older lad get on some wider boards so much fun. Fos man, huge respect and im going to buy a Heroin wide boi

[@Mk3Lew]

So hyped on this. Fos is a legend and the 9.5 symmetrical razor egg deck is hands down the most fun board I’ve ever owned. A close second is the Ditch Witch 3 shaped board. 8.88 with a 13.9 wheelbase, short nose and a big square tail. Still have my old one that I might set up as another option to the egg board.

[@ezrhino100]

Thinking about getting an 8.75. why are these boards so popular?

[@BentMode1989]

7:41 Sounds Siick so far, i will get back to this tonight

[@sugarcuba4628]

I remember seeing heroin skateboards decks when I started skating in ‘99 and always thought it was awesome… especially the name of the video ‘everything’s going to be alright’

[@mattbushnell5709]

This is so rad.. Great interview! I remember when people were accusing Fos of short ordering stuff but really people just got super stoked on H****n.. the 🥚 w the razor edge is so good.

[@RattPackBoi]

I love the Altamont logo

[@32srt32]

8.25" + boards are hard to find in 14" wb especially the wider you go!

[@dannyj.246]

Learnt alot from this podcast but that what i love about these.😊 Use to watch the video herions magic sticky hand all the time growing up

[@JHammchek]

The best🥚🔥

[@unagiandroe]

Fantastic episode.

[@tonyvolume666]

I absolutely love the Eggs! I have the Curb killer symmetrical 10 inch with some 215’s and 56mm snots. I had a 9.1 pink egg with Thunders that my brother bought off me that I absolutely loved. Eggs are the best.

[@michaelstephenwright]

ive enjoyed when you have people from the uk on , this was a good one , keep up the good work!

[@TheGeryal]

Legend! Big up FOS

[@thomasrainbow]

Amazing to see someone just make their own unique style of art and create their empire out of it and keep doing it forever. Like Ed Templeton. Really inspiring!!

[@ryanrowe1975]

Yes Sir!

[@mattlee3400]

I remember those shapes of boards. I was never really picky. Just got what I could get. Skull and sword was my first board. Still will always be my favorite. 7.75 crew

[@dgdagwood8042]

This is probably my favorite episode so far.

[@gavinhell4597]

What an inspiration ❤🤘

[@Wolfmansbrother69]

Love guys 1000%

[@bonjourdecember908]

Why did nobody ask if the link from SuperHERO to HEROin was on purpose? 🤷🏼‍♂️ Btw, great episode!

[@Cauldronofbats666]

Heroin decks are my favorite. I'm still waiting for the Craig Questions 9” to come back. It was the perfect board!

[@LeFeren4Life]

Fos is the realest!! Love that guy

[@tonycruise]

as an artist and skater i enjoyed this episode

[@orangepulp1000]

Great ep guys! Fos is a legend

[@mikearts6836]

146 likes and 1.2k views? COME ON SHOW THE CREW SOME LOVEE. I am curious on if he has an artist has the ability to draw the accels on all his characters? Does es need to be included in this?

[@tomsativa]

Es just did a collab with Fos recently

[@Rowbotiks1]

YES!!

[@rickross5512]

Dis is awesome ty

[@chug_plays5685]

YES!

[@gurpaulbrar9572]

That was awesome

[@chris73brown]

I love fos art & heroin skateboards so yeah l have a couple heroins. I still just like the basic popsicles tho. The super wide eggs lm not really into cause theyre just alittle too overboard. Theyre a dang skimboard w trucks n wheels.😂. My 1st heroin was the toxic fade eyes 8.5 pop & completely loved it. Thx fos & heroin & thank u too for havin him on ur show

[@markh5137]

That was great!

[@watsupwitdatpodcast]

Awesome episode as always 🍻

[@distinctmotivephil6824]

fos is a legend!

[@colesteinhoff9860]

I'm addicted to Heroin Skateboards.

[@JustaGoodOlDodge]

Drawing up a UNIQUE and ‘marketable’ character in one hour is genius!! Not easy to do at all

[@RetroHabit82]

I miss the small wheel big pants era as a kid😂

[@andrewnickelson3785]

Scarecrow's Disturb Not the Sleep of Death!!