Corey Duffel

Know for jumping off things high enough to make a normal person shudder, Walnut Creek's Corey Duffel is also a huge music aficionado and an avid record collector. We caught up with the now-beardless Duffman - in between him finishing his section for the next Foundation video, playing with his dogs and collectiong speeding tickets on his new motorbike - to see what he's listening to. More than just the Ramones, it seems... 

What are you up to?
Well hello there Neil, I'm on my couch watching The Simpsons, wishing I wasn’t doing this right now, so I could pay more attention to the show. 

What came first, music or skateboarding?
I've been listening to music since I can remember. My parents were really hip and always had great music playing while my brothers and I were growing up. So we were always listening to great music from their generation. I got into skateboarding on my tenth birthday. By that time, I was already listening to the oldies station to fall asleep and buying tapes.

What was the first record you bought with your own money?
The first vinyl I bought was The Ramones self titled original pressing from eBay. That’s the first memorable one. I think I bought a Kiss one from second hand shop as a kid even though my record player was broken.

What was the first skate video where you really noticed the music?
I liked it when Matt Hensley skated to The Jam (in Plan B's Questionable). It seems to me that I've always noticed good music in skateboarding videos. Since I first started I always liked certain tracks. I loved it when Ronnie Creager skated to the Stones (in World Industries' Rodney vs. Daewon). That was killer. Black Label always had a good music selection, so did Tum Yeto videos. It helps when you have guys producing the videos like Tod Swank and John Lucero. They grew up with great music so their videos always had good songs.

How do you go about getting hold of music just now? Do you have a favourite record shop in the world? Do you buy much on tour?
I think eBay is the best place to buy rare records. All the best stuff is in the UK. The UK produced all the best bands. So it's no wonder why all the stuff I buy is easier to find out there. It just costs a packet. My favourite shop is Amoeba Records here in the Bay Area. If I'm lazy and have extra coin I buy stuff on eBay. The last three years I haven’t really bought many new records, I've been listening to tons of stuff that I've had for years and forgotten about. I have so much music, sometimes it's good to just listen to what you have compared to finding some obscure jams. I forget about the classics that I grew up on. I used to love buying records on the road, but they never come home in good shape.

Are there any records you're trying to get hold of just now?
I'd like all the Real People and Inspiral carpets albums and singles.

Where's your favourite place to skate in the world, outwith your home?
My favourite place to travel is the UK. Even though it's only been two times that I've been there. But for skating I really like Oz.

If you lived in Britian in the sixties, would you be a Mod or a Rocker?
I'm guessing a Rocker. I don’t think I could afford to shop at Carnaby St. Actually, I'd be a Mocker! I love the 60s Mod movement and music but I'd want to ride faster. So I'd trade in my Lammy in for a Bonneville. But truthfully I'd rather have been in the USA in the sixties. We had free airwaves and could actually listen to the radio. Plus at the time all the great British acts were over here too.

Do you play in a band?
Nope. I'm a talentless stunt devil.

Quadrophenia or The Great Rock n' Roll Swindle?
That’s a no brainer mate! Quadrophenia has the greatest soundtrack! Pete Townshend is a genius! I love that movie. I like the animation in the Swindle but I'm not much of a Pistols fan. My two favourite songs are the ones in the movie. Where Paul Cook sings his song with the video and Steve Jones sings 'Lonely Boy'. But I do love Quadrophenia. That movie and album touched me growing up and still does every time.

I'm not sure anybody in the UK knows much about Death Beat- tell us a bit about that.
DIY at its finest, haha! Death Beat is a silk screening project I took up. I wanted to print shirts for my fans. Death Beat stands for two strong passions of mine- eeriness and music. I combined the two and came up with Death Beat. www.deathbeatsite.com for more info. If you ever wanted something from me personally, this is how.

Is it fair to say you prefer British music to American stuff?
It's fair to say the UK has the best music scenes to ever happen. The Americans invented Rock'n'Roll but the Brits did it better! The 60s, 70s, the 1977 punk rock movement, 80s darkwave and gothic rock, the Madchester scene, the 90s, Britpop... I'd say 90 percent of my music is from the UK.

So what's your favourite year for music?
1977-1982, the whole uprising of the punk rock, powerpop, Mod revival- and later the darkwave scene. Those five years produced so much good music!

Have you ever bought a record based on the artwork, and it turned out to be amazing?
That I haven’t, I have been let down many times. I think a name and album art looks good and it turns out to be an utterly horrid noise.

What record have you played the most?
Teenage Fanclub's 'Bandwagonesque' gets a lot of play. The most played record I have is... Wow... I really don’t know. 'The Queen Is Dead' has always been a constantly played one. That record doesn’t get old.

Is there any current music you're digging? What was the last album you bought?
The Biters. They are some good friends of mine from Atlanta. They're amazing. One of the best bands I've heard in years. Powerpop at its best. They play an amazing set too. If you're into early glam rock and powerpop, you're going to love these guys. Check 'em out. The Biters. The song 'Melody For Lovers' is my favourite track.

Are there songs you play in your head when you're standing on top of something big to get yourself psyched?
For ten years now I've been singing the same verse- Motorhead, 'Ironfist'... "You know me, evil eye, you know me, prepare to die!"

Do you have a favourite Foundation video?
I really like Art Bars (2001).

How do you come across the music you have in your sections? Ice and the Iced aren't exactly a household name.
From record collecting. Listening to a song over and over and getting stoked on it. Sometimes I hear the meoldy and I'm like "I need to skate to this song!"

In the UK, Iggy Pop sells car insurance.
Trip out! I'm not sure how selling insurance keeps him that buff though.

Do you have a favourite label?
Stiff Records has always had great bands. I think there are some great compilations out there. Killed By Death, Bloodstains, etc.

What's next with Foundation?
'WTF', the new Foundation video. Coming out soon! Its going to be awesome!

What question do you wish people would stop asking you?
"Why do you have a beard?"