Appetite For Destruction: Catching Up with the Converse Skate Team at Coastal Carnage

One week ago, Nice Kicks touched down on Huntington Beach to see Converse Coastal Carnage 2012 live and in action. Riding by the motto ?Engineered for Destruction?, the Converse skaters and their sneakers proved built tough, grinding with a respect for the brand and the sport?s rich history. From veteran Kenny Anderson to young gun Kalani David, the brand of brother ranges in experience but is deep in talent.

More guns than roses, the loaded lineup relies on artillery from the past, skating in battle tested takes on the Chuck Taylor and other classics from the Converse vault. With no need for smoke and mirrors, it?s the on-board endorsement from the team that provides firepower and flash.

We caught up with the Converse Skate Ambassadors Rune Glifberg, Tom Remillard, Kenny Anderson, Nick Trapasso, and Kalani David to talk skate, style, and sneakers. Read on to find out what they?re rocking, who has the best kicks of the crew, and what they think of the ever-growing skateboard scene.

Nice Kicks: So, who has the best signature on the Converse Skate team?

Rune Glifberg: I do of course [Laughs]! That?s my opinion [Laughs], that?s my shoe so that?s what I?m going to go with. But Nick?s first shoe was really good; I really liked the look and feel of that shoe. His second one?s great too. There?s so many great shoes that you can?t really go wrong.

Kalani David: That one?s pretty hard. I love everybody?s shoe.

Tom Remillard: Nick T. for life! Kenny Anderson for life! I don?t know, I?m not into looking at people?s feet…

Kenny Anderson: Well, I can?t say myself [Laughs]. Nick?s shoe is looking pretty sick. I saw some updated colors and some stuff they?re doing and they touch on his personality. Those are my favorite right now.

Nice Kicks: With that said, what will you all be rocking for Coastal Carnage?

Rune Glifberg: I?m going be rocking my signature shoe, the Ballard.

Tom Remillard: I just got these from him (points to Complex writer Russ Bengtson). I traded him my shoes.

Kalani David: I?m skating in the Trapasso?s.

Kenny Anderson: The KA-One Vulc.

Converse KA-One Vulc

Nice Kicks: Now Kenny, you’ve had a signature for a while. Growing up, did you ever see yourself getting your own shoe?

Kenny Anderson: That wasn?t even a possibility. Even back when I had my first one with Converse I actually said “no” for a while because I didn?t think I deserved it. Then I went, ?Converse is offering me my own shoe? What am I doing? Yes, yes.? So to me it?s a dream. I don?t take anything for granted in life. I love it and I?m very fortunate.

Nice Kicks: This team has a lot of range. How do your signatures reflect each of your styles and personality?

Kenny Anderson: We keep it basic and mellow, that?s me.

Rune Glifberg: The Ballard has a real basic upper. It’s a low top and the front of the shoe doesn?t have any stitching on it which is great for skateboarding because there?s not really a lot of panels to get messed up by contact with the grip tape. It?s got a nice heel clip that gives support in the back, and then it?s on the classic Chuck Taylor bottom, which is amazing for skateboarding. It?s probably one of the best gripping soles ever.

Nick Trapasso: I just like shoes with a vulcanized sole, basic, and it?s got a cactus on there…I guess that represents me!

Converse Trapasso Pro II

Nice Kicks: Any new makeups or colorways we should look out for?

Nick Trapasso: They?re gonna do a couple crazy things. Like a tie-dye colorway and a makeup where it scrapes away when you skate and you seen crazy designs underneath like bandana print and palm trees.

Kenny Anderson: We?re doing some premium stuff; I always like the premium stuff. We?re going to touch on some earth tones.