Amy Gunther interview with Max Schaaf

Max Schaaf has been on Vans since day one, and as part of the brand’s ongoing Syndicate project, his new shoe series made up of an Era and a Mountain Edition just released. Both shoes come in black and in red with some very nice leather, and the boxes are sick and come with motorcycle grips. We still have a few pairs left from the weekend, so give us a call if you haven’t come by yet. We can ship them to you if you live too far away.

I’ve been friends with Max for a very long time, and since he had this shoe coming out, I figured I would interview him for the shop. This is my first one, so read it following the jump. Hope you like it! -Amy



STATS

Full name: Max Schaff
Sponsors: Vans, Real, Fourstar, Indy, Spitfire
Stance: Goof
Favorite Vert Trick: Backside Ollie, Backside Smith
Favorite Street Trick: Chinese Ollie
Favorite Color: Light Tan

A: Hi Max, how’s skating going?

M: Um… good. It hurts more now, but I just went on a Fourstar trip to the South and had such a good time.

A: Great. When were you first sponsored by Vans?

M: 1992

A: And how did that come about?

M: Someone hooked me up. Back then you got a pair a shoes a month.

A: Were any of your friends at the time put on the team as well?

M: Yeah, my friends Julien Sranger, Cardiel, and Mike Frazier were all on the team.

A: Do you skate with any of the Vans team now?

M: Yep, still the same guys, but we’re the old guys now. Oh, but Keegan is current. I don’t skate with him, but I’m helping him build his motorcycle.

A: Is this your first pro model shoe?

M: Yes… but it’s not really a pro shoe… It’s for Syndicate so it’s just a flash in the pan.

A: What materials and colors did you choose and why?

M: Red, because I love red. For materials I used a super soft leather, a Carhart type material, and some flame retardant stuff. I did a black shoe as well.

A: I see that, and they are very nice. How much say did you have in the design?

M: Pretty much all of it. The two designers I worked with were the best. They really helped me hook it up.

A: What’s your take on the Syndicate program?

M: It’s amazing.

A: And then what’s with the grips in the box?

M: The box it like an old 70′ harley parts box. The grips have the waffle print on ‘em, just fun things to do because I was able to.

A: And the footbeds?

M: The footbeds have the fishscales like the ones I paint on the motorcycle tanks.

A: So, where do you live and why?

M: Oakland, ‘cause it’s where I’m supposed to be.

A: And what else are you up to these days? What other projects are you working on in and outside of skating?


M: I’m pretty focused on the motorcycle thing, painting and just enjoying life.

A: I guess most importantly, when is your next visit to New York and specifically to KCDC?

M: Summer.

A: Do you have any good New York stories?

M: Yeah, one night we slept on the roof of the Autumn Bowl and woke up and saw the bridges and the sunrise, just being up there with my friends was amazing, and I was blown away by the city of New York. It’s an amazing place.

A: This is my first time interviewing anyone and I’m totally honored you agreed to letting me interview you. Thanks Max!

M: Thanks Amy, miss you.