Bandsplain The Music of Skateboard Videos with Jerry Hsu
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Jan 29, 2026 
Jerry Hsu, pro skateboarder, photographer, and founder of Sci‑Fi Fantasy, talks about how music shaped skate videos. He recalls formative 411 and Enjoi moments. They trace DIY roots to cinematic productions, debate Dinosaur Jr. and hip‑hop influences, and discuss licensing, mixtape editing, and music discovery through skate culture.
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First Skate Video Spark
- Jerry Hsu’s first skate video was 411 number 3, which he grabbed randomly from a skate shop and watched at age 11.
- That initial exposure immediately convinced him skate videos were transformative and shaped his identity as a skater.
Skateboarding As Cultural Bundling
- Skateboarding became a subculture because it bundled music, clothes, and outsider identity into a single practice.
- That fusion produced disproportionate creativity: many skaters became musicians, photographers, and artists.
Videos Are Marketing And Art
- Company videos function primarily as marketing tools that showcase sponsored skaters and brand identity.
- Because skateboarders make them, the videos evolved into a distinct artistic medium within the culture.