Matt Hensley On His Skate Career and Why He Walked Away From It - Hand In Hand (Part 1 of 2)

This week's Hand In Hand features legendary skateboarder and Flogging Molly band member, Matt Hensley. Matt discusses his early years in skateboarding, turning pro, and why he walked away from it all. (Part 1 of 2)
Watch every other Thursday as Hand In Hand showcases your favorite musicians and artists who have influenced, and are inspired by, skateboarding.
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[@JackieChiles007]

1987 - Board slide to 5-0 grind on a bench, 1988 - Backside flip grab over trash can, 1989 - one footed caballerial over a picnic table, 1990 - Ollie over picnic table to nose manual, 1991 - Backside nose bluntslide, 1992 - Fakie 540 Ollie out of a bank. ---Legend

[@jdmresearch]

just one correction: 1989 - one footed caballerial over a picnic table.

[@blades503]

@@d4ddyK haha those king size decks

[@mexifoodlover]

What about the 540 ollie on the mini ramp !!

[@TheSpacemanSpliff]

@@jdmresearch This was one of the sickest tricks I had ever witnessed back then.

[@jdmresearch]

@@TheSpacemanSpliff Agreed

[@terryhensley1]

Way to go my son!

[@robertturner1911]

Your sons been a hero to more people than he even knows, thank you!

[@benmiller9854]

Thanks for creating this very inspirational human being.

[@PepeDeezNutz]

Your son was my idol growing up

[@roadsidebong6333]

Matt is a lesser known grandfather of street skating on par with Gonz and natas, Matt helped pave the way for modern skating

[@Jiggityjax]

Wish I could be like this

[@ste456]

Cool guy. He was a huge influence on me as a kid. Very humble and never played up to the cameras. Glad to see he is happy in his life.

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Me too, limited ed was my last deck. It has been a while.

[@ChrisArmes]

It was because of Matt Hensley I got into Operation Ivy. It was because of OpIvy I started a band. It was because of my band I was able to travel the world, skate, and meet Matt Hensley.

[@bluedragonrob1]

Proud of you bro. Good for you for chasing your dreams.

[@tomf4087]

Sick

[@AwesomeEricNow]

What’s the name of your band?

[@AGENTARMES]

@@AwesomeEricNow Agent 51

[@jasondashney]

That's really cool man.

[@reidellis1988]

I was 18 in 1988. We had a "skateboarding" night inside a classic roller skate rink on Wednesday nights. The H-Street team came and it was mind blowing. So fuckin rad. Matt was the best. Still is. 46 now. Still skate and listen to punk rock. For some people it's not a phase.

[@mikeschmidt4800]

36 and I still ride when my body allows it. The difference being that no one wants to watch me do it. Skate rat til I die! Even when I'm selling you a house.

[@noelmcclelland790]

Was that call Atlantis Skateway per chance?

[@ie750]

I delivered a copier or fax machine to his Grandparents in San Marcos or somewhere in San Diego and they asked if I had ever skated, as soon as i said yes they showed me all these pics and magazines with him in them. his grandparents were super proud of him and everything he accomplished. Ive never met Matt but as a skater from the 90's it was cool to get some inside stories from his grandparents. (they were kinda older so im assuming they were his grandparents) Dude held it down in the day.

[@4ward4x4]

I never forgot this time... Matt was the man -The style, the tricks everthing, affected us in the cold Germany. Thanks for that

[@vespworks]

Matt didn't intend to be a pro skater, but he became one. Big time. Then he intended to become a pro musician and he became one. Think about that. This guy has achieved what he didn't intend AND what he did intend. It's a true testament of both his physical and mental skill, as well as his perseverance. Matt is a legend and an inspiration.

[@taylorrivera535]

goals my friend 👍

[@jdmresearch]

1989. I think this was the key year in street skating where the improvement over the previous was the greatest. Hokus Pokus and Natas' section in Streets on Fire, just crazy.

[@BruceschultzAU]

Cheers mate You were my idol when I grew up Put every other person on earth aside. You were it. im nearly 45 now Stoked to see this interview.

[@adrianjabs5752]

Matt is still a paramedic his music saves lives !

[@seventwentythrive]

Matt, your skating inspired me when I was young and I'll never forget skating the same ramp with you once. You were one of the only pros there offering up encouragement to the less experienced. I respected you then and I'm stoked to see you're still changing people's lives. Thanks Matt. Can't wait for part 2.

[@6040crew]

I love his brutal honesty. My favorite skateboarder of all time. One of the best experiences in my life was calling Matt up to order shoes when I was on "flow" for Duffs. The guy is so down to earth.

[@nessmalone]

Matt Hensley RULES!!! he did inspire a complete generation of skaters here in Costa Rica!!! Thank you and blessings!!!

[@NateB1976]

Matt, thanks for all the skateboard inspiration and just being a true skater for the sake of skating and nothing else. I was in 8th-9th grade in 89 when Hocus Pocus came out. Punk tunes in a tape deck by our skate spot every day all day and night after school during school all summer no matter where we were!!!. Party, skate, fuck, jam on guitar, eat, sleep repeat!!!.

[@docsinclair4097]

I used to have the H-street deck with the titanium bone. And yeah, the 411 and Operation Ivy records are the pearls in my collection... and guess what, one of my skate-pals and I started skating again this year; after a break of 20 years. Can't even remember why I ever quit skating

[@joemcbee]

Same here dude I took a 10 year break (parents gave away my board) after I started working a regular job and got married. Bought a new board yesterday and landed a kickflip at speed first try on the bolts. So stoked to learn new tricks. My legs are jello today though.

[@IaMSatanuS]

My 1st deck was H Street Hensley, Gullwing trucks, G&S wheels. I rode that deck until it broke.

[@miamivinc]

he was the true streeter upgrade , forever in my sk8 life

[@Dawood-Mushlam]

This absolute legend walked away from skateboarding way before his prime. That original Plan B line up was the best skateboarding ever was. Nobody can convince me it ever got better after the Questionable video.

[@jonjonlav1]

Man that dude was fun to watch. Was super cool to hear him speak. Grown up ex skaters everywhere will appreciate this.

[@christophergilbert1131]

Which 12 idiots "thumbed-down" this? WHY, What reason? This is uplifting, entertaining, educating, ultra-cool. Why would someone click on the thumb-down thing? Fucking weird & lame.

[@JaimieMuehlhausen]

Matt is one of the nicest, most genuine and giving people you could meet. Can't wait to see part two.

[@suburbia8831]

This puts tears in my eyes I’ve ment matt he’s so down to earth humble & such a living legend.

[@8utt3rs]

This man is one of my hero's! I owe a lot of who I am to him! Love Matt Hensley!

[@martinwittig4739]

Matt was and still is a big influence on me. So happy to see he’s in a good place.

[@seanvolk4202]

I hope people never forget this dudes contribution to skateboarding. I hope it translates through the video he left behind

[@paulhawkins8872]

What a cool and humble dude! big ups!

[@jackrockwell6698]

Wow what a cool guy. I remember when I got into skating when I was like 11 I got a Matt Hensley board from an older kid who lived around the block. Skateboarding in the late 80s and early 90s was awesome.

[@daveunderwood1469]

Awsome dude loved him as I was a young skater now 41. As a kid I remember him as an innovative skater. the Ollie backside grab on the side walk that was edited into slow motion half way through still gives me chills.

[@dlouisbaker]

dave underwood Even now, you watch that and it's so stylish. It's the same in many things, two people can do the same thing but one has such style and grace. Matt Hensley had that in abundance. Such an influence.

[@ninjacatmagic]

I loved my Matt Hensley board....I sure miss that thing.....The tail and concave were just so perfect for me....

[@strobolazer4082]

Matt Hensley blew our minds so hard it isn't even funny. H-Street was the shit back then, i remember seeing him do a backside nosbluntslide on a curb in some TW Magazine (somewhere around 1991) and was so shocked. Or remeber the 360 ollie over the picnic table?

[@brainwashvictim]

We were pretty lucky at that time to have a guy like Matt Hensley come along and be a total inspiration in skateboarding! Now I have to watch all those H street vids on youtube!

[@chillende]

As a kid I remember writing this dude around the Shackle Me Not period. He actually wrote me a brief letter back on H-Street letterhead and I was fucking STOKED. He kept it brief, saying something like "Thanks alot for writing me. Sorry it's so cold where you are." (I lived in the midwest at the time). Yeah, he said very little in his reply but the fact that dude actually did reply meant alot. Legend.

[@bluedragonrob1]

Such a great interview. Matt Hensley kept me alive. He has no idea.

[@Fotosynthesis858]

I idolized Hensley. I had like 3 of his king size boards. He had the best style. And I was lucky enough to see him skating all over San Diego ✌🏾

[@JUST1F1X]

I still have a Matt Hensley King Size with G&S Trucks and SS Radial Wheels. That was the last board i skated back in the late 80's. Its still rides fine too. ;-) :-)

[@francisconavarrete104]

Matt is king. He created street skating culture for us late 80s-early 90s kids.

[@gorandelac]

man, I remember it was summer of '92, my first time visit US (I'm from small country in Europe, Croatia), all I remember is that all these years I thought Matt sold me the Airwalk shoes in small shop in Chicago. And now this video confirms it. I loved your skating, but since it was all VHS tapes, u till they come to my country they look bad on vhs. But, it was you. Everybody laughed at me when I came back and told them this...

[@THISBOYISLIVE]

Matt Hensley is and will always be one of my heros.... what an inspiration - what a skater, he and Danny Way kinda shaped what skating has had to offer to me as a kid - freedom.... Thank you for that.

[@joelkingohio]

The H street era was a great time in skate history... had about every Hensley board from the mini to the king size, his style and tricks were what everybody in my city tried daily... also went to all the demos and watched the videos religiously. In the late 90's when I moved to Cali I got his autograph on a photo in TWS mag cause I was skating at the school the day it was taken. He was just as chill then as in this interview. Amusing how things work out... sure glad he decided to ride for H st! Quality individual! Influenced a generation.

[@plasticvideo]

I went to that same skate camp in Visalia and was late for the Steve Caballero half pipe demo lesson, which I didn't care about because I was a street skater. On my way, just to check it out, I had to cross a courtyard that was completely empty because everyone was at the halfpipe demo a couple blocks away. On my way, some skater guy came through and shredded the courtyard, wall riding, rail slides, kick flips, everything I thought was cool as a street skater. That skater was Matt Hensley. I had no idea who Matt Hensley was but I stopped him for a minute just to compliment him on his talent. I asked his name and to show me how to do some stuff. He was very shy like he said, but a lightning bolt of talent on the concrete, no surface was safe as he turned common areas into an instrument to complete a trick. I never forgot it but also never saw him again after that encounter. At that moment I wanted to do everything Matt did, do all the same tricks, everything. I'd never seen anyone continuously land and pull off tricks with such speed and style in one run. It was always my friends and I practicing one trick either on a curb or a launch ramp, nothing continuous. It was either 87 or 88 at the time and he was all the inspiration I needed to kick skateboarding ass but the skate trend was on it's way out by then and my hormones were really kicking in as well so I moved on. Despite shredding everything in sight, the most noticeable thing about Matt was his style. It was so cool. He just looked cool doing it, didn't matter the trick. I think I learned a no-comply from him. He was the best part of my time at that skate camp. Thanks Matt for being a massive force of inspiration to see what was possible in street skating. I feel super fortunate to have run into him that day with no one else around in a camp that allowed 300 kids. Thank you RIDE channel for showing footage of Visalia skate camp and Matt, brings back these vivid inspirational memories. Skate or Die!

[@nitroburn72]

Some of my best years skating and feeling great progression was '87 to '91 throughout high school. Saw "Shackle Me Not" playing at the Salem, Oregon, Zero Gravity skate shop when we went down to hang out for a few...blew me and my best buds away. House Pokus was even better! Hensley was particularly impressive and he helped push us troubled youth to try who were obsessed with skateboarding to master new tricks. Aside from getting kicked off property for skating and loitering, skating kept us out of greater trouble. Matt Hensley--thanks for having been a part of H-Street and for being someone impressive who we could look up to. Really wish I hadn't gotten a car, a full time job, or been so darn desperate to land me a girl right after high school...I regret not skating longer in my more youthful years. Glad you have been successful in the band and look forward to watching Part2. Nice to see how human you are and a good guy even more.

[@ffrgtm5150]

WHEN I SEEN MATT SKATE IN THE FIRST SCENE OF ''SHACKLE ME NOT'' I KNEW IMMEDIATELY THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO DO.. IT WAS THE BEAMING SUN, THE PALM TREES, THE MUSIC, SKATING ON SMOOTH CONCRETE... EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT FIRST SCENE WAS A DEFINITE, DEFINING MOMENT IN TIME FOR ME AS A SKATEBOARDER. AWE FUCK, I'D GIVE A TESTICLE TO HAVE THOSE TIMES ONCE MORE.... HENSLEY YOU AIN'T FORGOTTEN MAN...

[@markbreaux6613]

***** K,.. i mean k...

[@crazycatman5928]

His stained glass window deck was the best deck I had. Learned so many tricks with that design.

[@archive303]

Matt Hensley. Legend!

[@jamesradski9082]

Matt Hensley is one of my favorite sk8 along with Gonz, Matt we would watch you're vids and try to emulate you and land those tricks. Cheers to MH

[@deanm73]

A legend, so much so that i now have a 3 year old son called Hensley. Thanks Matt and thanks Skateboarding.

[@basehead617]

What I remember most is a Thrasher or some other skateboarding mag pic of him '89 or so, doing the highest fucking ollie i've ever seen in a photo... anybody else remember that?

[@martschmuly7869]

I’m a little to young to have grown up knowing about him but I entirely vibe with what he’s saying

[@bennyshambles]

Legend. My friend’s older brother was the skater that I looked up to as a kid in 1988-1991 and he was a huge Hensley fan. I remember him showing us the Thrasher centerfold photo of Hensley in a cop hat doing a railslide in front of a rollercoaster, which was the epitome of cool. That image was seared in my mind. Years later in 1995, I went to a Plan B demo (Secondhand Smoke era) and got to see Hensley skate (he was team manager at the time). I knew I was very lucky to get to see him skate.

[@yattiyada]

Dude you rock! I broke my dad's VCR cuz I kept rewinding the vid to see your part over and over again.

[@roddymac998]

1998 I was 14 skating around 2 yrs. One day in local skate shop I bought shackle me not. My god I couldn't get enough of it was so raw. I rode h street always until deathbox released boards. 😎

[@EricSmith-fp4gq]

That H Street video was so sick and amazing... Matt was a huge influence. Thank you brother

[@jfncho]

in a perfect world Matt Hensley and Brian Lotti wouldve never withdrew from the spotlight of skateboarding.

[@NotoriousFoxxx]

That world wouldnt have flogging molly the way it is today. That isnt perfect to me murf

[@jeremybr2020]

Was always a huge fan of Matt Hensley. Got to see him at a demo back in like 90 or 91. The trick he does at 2:25 was always one of my favorites. I drew so many pictures of that exact shot back in the day. I was obsessed with wanting to learn it. Yet never could master it though.

[@nodaksickboy3505]

One of the reasons i still skate afer 30 years. Got to meet him last night in minniapols after the floging molly show, nicest guy ive ever met.

[@TheMasterOfNotAlot]

I've met him a few times, and walked the streets of Indy with him and Dennis(guitarist of Flogging Molly) and I must say, this interview doesn't do his personality justice. The entire band are grateful and caring, and will stop doing what they're doing for the fans, but Matt, there's something about him. He's like a brother to everyone

[@tomf4087]

Big influence on skating in Liverpool, England. 88 to 91. Hensley board, cargo shorts, hensley chain. Slight hunch while skating. We all thought we were Hensley. But weren't

[@Hoosierdaddyjones812]

I remember begging my mom to buy me the Hensley street sign board for christmas 😂 Matt, was my favorite skater back then.

[@jaybrown4246]

You were and still are an icon !! Your original video part and that H-Street video changed the skateboarding industry !!

[@AndySo2000]

He is so humble about his status, he is one of the most defining street skaters from the 80's who pushed the sport in it's infancy stages. He is legendary and I like that he down plays that. Had he not quit, he probably would have been on Plan B, and it's a shame because he was on top of his game and would have been sick to see him in that video at the time. That was a defining time in skating and next level, he was totally on the cutting edge of it all at the time. Everyone I know in that era looked up to him in his H Street parts and I totally got into Op Ivy from those parts too. I will always remember skating in the summer of 90 and watching those parts and listening to operation ivy full blast. Really good memories so thanks!

[@thesheathdotcom]

That's a great memory dude! back in the day he was like a God to us

[@AnakronWorkshop]

He Mattt !!! You Change my Life !!!! For Ever !!!

[@danielwilson6529]

Respect to Matt Hensley, a humble genuine talented person

[@fsu3784]

I have the H-street tattoo. I wore a chain wallet. I went for style on my skateboard. All because of this man!

[@jeremytordjman]

YEAH MATT !!

[@Jeremyramone]

he is such a class act and i always thought, based on his skill playing the accordian, that he d been playing since he was young. phenomenal!

[@egrose]

Always wondered why he retired. He was ahead of his time when it came to skating. Can't wait for part 2.

[@pulaskicondoassociation6799]

I left Matt’s house above wriggled Ville tap and Gonzalez nates and Rudy Johnson was at the bottom of stairs blew my mind! Miss those days ! Building the Medusa ramp come back to Chicago Matt we miss you!!

[@gmcallister1976]

Were then and still am my idol. Matt Rocks.

[@californiaboulevard9761]

Matt Hensley, no matter what, Respect! I enjoied every single second of your skate in the H-Street videos. Even given up, I respect you even more after watch this video. Waited 20 years to know what happened. One day I'll visit you at your restaurant. Regards.

[@michaeljohn8905]

Man Matt you where and always will be a reason i kept skating and living....

[@jasielcalixto]

"Can't wait to see part two"

[@jonperkins7433]

I grew up watching Matt. Legend!!

[@1toysoldier15]

love hensley.what a man.awesome.

[@einc70]

Sal Barbier, Brian Sheffey,Brian Lotti, Jeremy Klein, Ron Allen, Danny Way and MATT HENSLEY oh yeah... Am missin the Hocus Hocus days

[@danruef2148]

I remember watching H-Street when I was like 13, blew my mind,, me and my friends watched it every day then got street skating every day. YEAH Matt.!

[@PoorKidOne]

I was a 16 year old skateboarder from Chicago with Matt Hensley posters on my wall. I remember going into sessions for the first time and buying a T-shirt from him. It was a pretty surreal situation.

[@TSmith-rl5vx]

Matt was always my fav skater back in the day! Rock on Matt!! Didn't even know he is in Flogging Molly as well. Damn that's cool too.

[@DanRooster]

THANK YOU! I just listened to Flogging Molly's "Float" for the first time. So happy this channel helped me discover what I've been missing. Looking forward to the Pogues next.

[@LandTricksOrDie]

This is truly inspiring! It sucks he walked away from skating, but you gotta do what feels right for you.

[@christopherm.johnson887]

Matt - you inspired the fuck out of a LOT of skaters. You did your work, made your mark, man. Don't even trip.

[@Lockinsign]

Right on dude

[@gregguthrie7746]

Got to see Matt at a contest with Ron Allen. Fantastic skateboarder...loved his pro model when it came out. Really loved H-Street. Cool to see he’s living his best life.

[@metalmeister3054]

i miss those days when it was about culture and not commercial. Hensley will always keep it real.

[@jptrout235]

This was my hero when I was a young lad.

[@MattViel]

MH...legend. He and Way...hands down all time.

[@jeremyt419]

I watch shackle me Not and hokus pokus once a week just to watch him in awe. I'm 42 and I still sk8 but I was n nvr will be half as good as the king of street Mr Matt Hensley. Glad you done what you wanted to do and not what everyone else wanted you to do. You and I are pretty much on the same level bro.

[@grantjackson9759]

Anyone else spot the crown on Matt's accordion? Looks kinda like the Hensley King Size graphic -I loved that deck!!

[@rogerledwell5776]

Between Matt and Ray love there class and style

[@thehandleiwantedwasntavailable]

I remember watching videos of Matt blunt slide and especially nose blunt. They were some of the biggest influencers to my skateboarding. That and Ray Barbee. To hear Matt say he would change things is sad though. It means he’s living a life that would feel half full. For someone who skated for such a small amount of time but left such a big mark says so much about him though. Legend.

[@rutlandcitybikes9729]

Matt was a huge inspiration to me!! Esp the melon collie to 4 wheel slide! Smooth and obnoxious! I would always think of him while I put down melon collies too! Love that trick!

[@treadtub2]

Thanks. Even half the whole thing is very insightful.

[@drtydawg73]

dude you were a huge influence in my skateboarding back in the day. thanks dude.

[@Pannemat]

So cool to see him having that bridge spread from TWS framed and hanging from the wall. He didn't even get a nice print, he just took it out of the magazine! I did the same thing as a teenager (after I had read that TWS issue to shreds). It is my all-time favorite skate pic.

[@garymccarty6091]

30+ yrs of sk8'n and bmx and now im 43 yrs old still competing in some downhill longboard races and just like right now- I wake up and my back is out my neck hurts, I have a skint up knee and my push foot works more like a duck flipper and the easy way out would be to just show up to events and dj my mix's-BUT THE INSANITY - says keep on skating till you DIE... its a everyday fuked up dilemma for me. sometimes I wish I was a doctor or something normal like a bus driver...but noooo I had to be a sk8'r..

[@ourword3112]

Gary McCarty no way! awesome!!

[@anonymousgoat3669]

I gotta ask if you're still skatin bro...

[@armandoblackhill1355]

understanding is what makes you a real person. you inspired me till i gave it up THANK YOU MATT YOU WERE MY HERO. IM 50 YRS OLD.

[@SPGRAMPA1]

I lived it seen it..Fun times..Matt started alot of great skateboarding!!Nuthin but Respect Matt..I rode your deck couple times..I also owned couple Hstreet Hensley tshirts!!Those kick flip backside grabs were the lick back then!!I learned em the backside 180 kickflip melencholy!!The frontside slappys all smooth on the beach whn the sun goes down..Classic..Hensleys a Skate legend in his own rite!!🏙🌴🌅🌴💦🏄🌊🌴🌁🇺🇸

[@assault_skateboards]

All skateboarders from Vista kill it! Matt Hensley guest model round #2 on the pointer 8.5" with truck graphic art work on stain bottom coming soon.

[@thesly74]

My favorite skater right there and after watching this video one my favorite person outside my close ones.

[@rasquatch]

got to skate with him in 95, in staten island. manual session on some crappy box..best times