Thrasher is a monthly skateboarding magazine, founded in January 1981 by Kevin Thatcher, Eric Swenson, and Fausto Vitello, and published by High Speed Productions, Inc. of San Francisco, USA. The publication consists primarily of skateboard- and music-related articles, photography, interviews and skatepark reviews. The magazine also maintains a website, which includes segments with names such as "Firing Line" and "Hall of Meat", an online store, a video collection, a radio show, and a forum for registered users. The company also owns and operates the Double Rock indoor skateboarding facility.
In 1999, the magazine sponsored a PlayStation game called Thrasher: Skate and Destroy.
The magazine's website features regularly updated episodes of segments and hosts a forum in which registered users can engage in online discussion.
"Burnout" (long-term photographic blog, operated by senior staff photographer, Michael Burnett)
"Double Rock"
"Firing Line"
"Hall of Meat"
"Skateline" (hosted by Gary Rogers)
"Bru-Ray" ( some tour edits by Thrasher's filmer P-Stone)
The title of "Skater of the Year" is awarded annually by Thrasher magazine. The tradition was started in 1990, and the accolade remains one of the most respected awards in global skateboarding culture. The title is bestowed to one skater annually, based on a public vote, and announced by thrasher's editor, Jake Phelps. Chris Cole, and Danny Way are the only double recipients.
1990: Tony Hawk
1991: Danny Way
1992: John Cardiel
1993: Salman Agah
1994: Mike Carroll
1995: Chris Senn
1996: Eric Koston
1997: Bob Burnquist
1998: Andrew Reynolds
1999: Brian Anderson
2000: Geoff Rowley
2001: Arto Saari
2002: Tony Trujillo
2003: Mark Appleyard
2004: Danny Way
2005: Chris Cole
2006: Daewon Song
2007: Marc Johnson
2008: Silas Baxter-Neal
2009: Chris Cole
2010: Leo Romero
2011: Grant Taylor
2012: David Gonzalez
2013: Ishod Wair
2014: Wes Kremer
2015: Anthony van Engelen
2016: Kyle Walker
Bake And Destroy (2012)
Prevent This Tragedy (2009)
Brutality (2008)
Beer Slave (2007)
Shotgun (2006)
Keg Killer (2006)
Beer Helmet (2005)
Beers, Bowls & Barneys (2004)
Rocket Science (2004)
S.O.T.Y. Video (2003)
Playing In Traffic (2002)
Jaded (2002)
Go for Broke (2001)
Timebomb (2001)
Firing Squad (2000)
Scorchin' Summer (1999)
Hall of Meat (1999)
Hillbilly Roadkill (1998)
Vidiot (1998)
How to Skateboard Better (1998)
How To Skateboard (1998)
Skate and Destroy (1996)
Raw (1996)
Hitting the Streets (1996)
Donut Duty (1995)
911 Emergency (1995)
Feats (1994)
On The Road (1994)
Sponsor Me (1994)
Need For Speed (1993)
The Truth Hurts (1993)
Savannah Slamma II (1988)
Savannah Slamma (1988)
Thrasher has also released an annual, King of the Road, video since 2003.
In 2003, Thrasher started the King of the Road (KOTR) skateboarding competition. In the KOTR contest, a group of pre-invited teams of professional skaters are each given a booklet containing a series of challenges. Points are awarded at the completion of each challenge. The teams compete at the same time over a two-week period, in which they travel across the U.S. to complete as many challenges as possible.
KOTR has been held annually since its inception, with the exceptions of 2008 and 2009. In 2011, Thrasher and Converse hosted the competition in China, with the participation of the four biggest Chinese skateboard deck companies.
Deluxe (winner)
Tum Yeto
éS Footwear
Volcom
Dannon yogurt
Zero (winner)
Girl Skateboards
Almost
Real
Zero (winner)
Habitat
Flip
Element
Zero (winner)
Darkstar
Baker
Blind (winner)
Foundation
Black Label
Zoo York
Nike (winner)
Circa
Converse
Etnies
Lakai (Winners)
Vans
Nike
Dekline
Leo Romero
Salman Agah
Andrew Reynolds
Arto Saari
Alien Workshop (Winners)
Toy Machine
Creature
Anti Hero
Austyn Gillette
David González
Aaron Homoki
Ryan Decenzo
Birdhouse (Winners)
Real Skateboards
Chocolate
Enjoi
David Gravette
Taylor Smith
TJ Rogers
Adam Taylor
Birdhouse (Winners)
Element
Flip
Peter Smolik
Tyrone Olson
Chad Knight
Birdhouse (Winners)
Toy Machine
Chocolate
Jereme Rogers
Heath Kirchart
Forrest Edwards
Deathwish
Enjoi
Creature
Thrasher released a music compilation series titled "Skate Rock" under the High Speed Productions label. The first release was in 1983, with Volume One, and continued until Volume Seven in 1989. The series started out featuring Californian punk rock bands, including bands fronted by skateboarders, such as Steve Caballero, Tony Alva, and Klaus Grabke under the name Eight Dayz.
Of the seven volumes of Skate Rock, all volumes were produced as a cassette available through Thrasher Magazine. Some volumes were also available as vinyl records.
Label: High Speed Productions
Released: 1983
Format: Cassette
Los Olvidados - "Listen To You"
The Big Boys - "Red/Green"
Riot .303 - "Murder The Prime Minister"
Minus One - "Bored Of It"
The Faction - "A.U.K."
Skoundrelz - "Exterminator"
Drunk Injuns - "Program"
J.F.A. - "Great Equalizer"
Riot .303 - "Skate Punx"
Minus One - "I Remember John"
Los Olvidados - "Don't Cry"
Minus One - "The Kids Don't Skate Here"
Skoundrelz - "Jimmy Closet"
Riot .303 - "Depression Session"
Drunk Injuns - "Your Mama"
Black Athletes - "Die Laughing"
The Faction - "Boredom Awaits"
Los Olvidados - "You're Dull"
Minus One - "Nick of Time"
Riot .303 - "Nightmares of Another Kind"
Drunk Injuns - "Pumpshank"
Volume Two: Blazing Wheels And Barking Trucks
Label: High Speed Productions
Released: 1984
Format: Cassette/LP
McRad - Prevent This Tragedy
T.S.O.L. - Other Side
Big Boys - Lesson
Anvil Chorus - Blue Flames
The Faction - Friends And Enemies
Kingpins - Ready To Flip
Los Olvidados - Something New
Borscht - Bye-Bye
Free Beer - Pigs In Space
J.F.A. - Beach Blanket Bongout
J.F.A. - Johnny D
T.S.O.L. - In Time
Free Beer - Start the Ark
Tales of Terror - Gods from Outer Space
Ancestors: Gods Of Sound - Treasures of Mankind
Big Boys - Assault
McRad - Tomorrow's Headlines
Borscht - Enemy
Drunk Injuns - She Gots a Gun
Label: High Speed Productions
Released: 1985
Format: Cassette/LP
Slam - Wild Riders of Boards
Boneless Ones - The Keg Kept A Flowin
Christ On Parade - Don't Draft Me
Septic Death - Thaw (Cold War)
Slam - Jorden Den Ar Var
No Rules - The Fall
Christ On Parade - My Life
Beyond Possession - Skater's Life
Septic Death - Burial
Corrosion Of Conformity - What?
Accused - Take No Prisoners
Beyond Possession - My Disease
Corrosion Of Conformity - Not For Me
Corrosion Of Conformity - Citizen
Accused - Splatter Rock
Accused - W.C.A.L.T.
Gang Green - Skate To Hell
Label: High Speed Productions
Released: 1986
Format: Cassette/LP
Skate Master Tate - "Skaterock Rap"
Steve Caballero - "You Will Go"
McSHRED - "McShred"
Tupelo Chain Sex - "America"
Skip Engblom - "The Other Side"
Scram - "Fear"
Shredded Steale - "Unsolved Mysteries"
McSHRED - "Taz"
Cargo Cult - "Amusement Park Disasters"
CARGO CULT - "Cargo Cult"
SCREAMIN' SIRENS - "Heartbreak Train"
Label: High Speed Productions
Released: 1987
Format: Cassette/LP
S.N.F.U. - "Visiting The Bad Again"
Racer X-AZ - "Happy Go Happy"
Stupids - "Born To Built To Grind"
Eight Days A Week - "What's So Strange About Me?"
Condemned Attitude? -"Homeless Crew"
No Mercy - "Die Or Be Killed"
Naked Lady Wrestlers - "Scraping The Top Of The Barrel"
J.F.A. "1-10"
Excel - "Insecurity"
Dehumanizers - "Shu Du Vwa"
The D.I.'s - "Pray For Surf"
Condemned Attitude? - "When World's Collide"
Racer X-AZ - "Blarin' In The Chair"
Eight Days A Week - "Different Worlds"
J.F.A. "Turkeys Carved By UFO's"
S.N.F.U. "Time To Buy A Futon"
Stupids - "Wipeout"
Beowulf - "Hussy"
Dehumanizers - "Halfpipe"
Screamin' Lord & His Heavy Friends - "Kings Of Trash"
Label: High Speed Productions
Released: 1988
Format: Cassette/LP
Thee Forgiven - "I Want My Own Highway"
Skatemaster Tate - "Jolt Skate Mix"
Ungh! - "Funky Joe" and "Falling Tinker Bell"
Iveys Vine - "Coming On Down"
House Of Wheels - "No Matter"
Odd Man Out - "Trial By Fire"
Hells Kitchen - "Ain't No Beer"
Hells Kitchen - "Bloody Knees"
Fratricide - "Dangerous Class"
Septic Death - "Disinfect"
Six Feet Under - "Unearthly Fate"
Six Feet Under -"Love And Hisses"
Drunk Injuns - "Not Forever Yours"
Label: High Speed Productions
Released: 1989
Format: Cassette/LP
Mass Appeal - "Fun Again"
Instead - "Tell Me"
Instead - "Be Someone"
SNFU - "Appraise the Lord"
Subvert - "Atrocities"
Subvert - "A Turn Away"
Exit Condition - "Blood from a Stone"
Exit Condition - "Fear for Tomorrow"
Unity - "Roses For You"
Unity - "Blood Days"
Brotherhood - "Breaking the Ice"
Brotherhood - "Get Involved"
Half-off "On Your Own"
Underdog - "Frontside Grind"
Underdog - "Reach Out"
Hellmenn - "So Bad"
Wrecking Crew - "Confusion"
Wrecking Crew - "My Mind's Diseased"
Uniform Choice - "Indian Eyes"
Uniform Choice - "Cut of a Different Cause"
Ghoul Squad - "Chamber Of Horrors"
Head First - "We Have Changed"
Head First - "When It's Over"
Malicious Grind - "Polyester Paranoia"
