Sean Mullendore's skating stood out for many reasons, not the least of which being his amazing pop. His low-key personal style was contrasted by his consistent finesse and keen abilty to control his board. His accomplishments as an am were outshined by flashy tricks and extroverted personalities, but that's fine by him. Too few recall that he took 2nd in Tampa Am, switch tre flipped white stairs in D.C. long before people were flinging those down gaps, and could flip into a grind or tailslide on tall ledges that most would use a kicker to skate. Having skated with the man a handful of times, what stood out to me most about Sean was his personable disposition, grounded perspective, and his sincere appreciation for the act of skateboarding. A solo parking lot flatground session was no less appealing to him than a full-on session at Pulaski with filmers and photographers in tow. Now a master mechanic responsible for fine tuning some of the world's most sophisticated vehicles, Sean still skates for himself and recently offered his perspectives on skating's past, present, and future. - Dustin Umberger

Dustin: Since the Pit Crew video Where I'm From, we haven't seen much of you in videos or magazines. You had also maintained a pretty low profile in the skate scene even during the Capital/Silverstar and New Deal eras. What have you been up to, and do you still skate on a regular basis?

Sean: I skateboarded mostly for my own personal satisfaction. Sponsorship alloted me free product, travel, and many good times. The 'high-school' mentality of popularity, fashion trends, gossip and other negative aspects killed it for me. I woke up one day and decided I didn't want to do 'it' anymore. I currently work for Maserati of Baltimore. I work on Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, Maserati's and soon, Alfa Romeo. I am an ASE certified Master Mechanic, I have worked for dealerships, performance shops, race machine shops, race teams, and many varieties of performance related businesses. I have personally road raced my own cars, but have grown away from it. The cost far exceeds the enjoyment. I still skate, maybe once or twice a week. Time is a rare commodity.

Dustin: You were known to have massive pop, and your video part in Static definitely showed off that side of your skating. However, you also had your flatground and ledge tricks on lock, and I always felt that your technical skating was somewhat overlooked. How would you describe your own approach to skating? Have your tastes in terrain changed much over the years?

Sean: I enjoyed street skating most. That's what I grew up doing. Parks bored me to tears. It's a baseball diamond or football field, confinement. It produces robot skaters. I am afraid there will never be another Jason Lee, just all-over prints and reality shows. Now mini ramps were a different story. I got a late start with transition, but thanks to Pat Smith I got up to speed quickly. Jumping off buildings is just a band-aid for lack of skill and/or style.

Dustin: When you reflect on the experience skating for Capital during the 90s, are there any special memories that come to mind about that era?

Sean: Pulaski, with a handful of friends, no camera's, no peanut gallery.

Dustin: After Capital, there was Illuminati and then Silverstar. Those companies always seemed very mysterious to me. What was going on at that time, and how did you end upeventually riding for New Deal?

Sean: Mike Agnew was trying to establish an East Coast industry. He failed somehow. Illuminati could have done it, given the proper funding. It had the team and the propermarketing, the rest were just cheesy, IMO. Even Silverstar. New Deal presented a better offer, they were established, and surely had the funding. Seemed like a no-brainer.

Dustin: You had footage consistently in the Progression videos, and I know that Mark Nickels had a lot to do with those productions. Is your part in Where I'm From a fairly complete sample of footage from that era, or did you have other footage that never got used?

Sean: That footage was a montage of old, new and unused. I haven't filmed a trick in almost 8 years.

Dustin: You and Greg Harris both rode for New Deal at the same time. Was there ever talk of either of you going pro? It almost seems as if you both left the company when youwere fairly hot and getting significant coverage.

Sean: It was talked about, I was fascinated at first, then realized it wasn't for me. I'm not interested in popularity contests and making someone else rich.

Dustin: Pit Crew has remained a quiet but significant supporter of the east coast scene. Do you still communicate with Malcom and those guys? What's new over there?

Sean: Pit Crew (Tim and Malcolm) is hands down the best shop on the East Coast, maybe the world. They've kept to their core values, supported the local scene and haven't forgot their roots. They are more my family than my "real" one. You ride for Pit Crew because you want to, not because they pay you to. If you need a paycheck to be loyal you are a whore, period. I go to the shop at least once a week, read some magazines, then grab a beer with someone there. It's a Masonic lodge for skateboarders.

Dustin: Do you feel that you've "settled down" in Maryland? I know that you grew up in Fredrick, so do you feel most at home there? What's your daily ops in Fredrick?

Sean: Maryland is a great place. I enjoy the manic weather, the people and the diversity of terrain. You can enjoy the beach, drive 3 hours to a city (Baltimore or DC), then 2 hours to the mountains. Cities to sticks on 2 hours, any direction. Lately I have been working the normal 40 hour week, then going out with friends on weekends. I ocassionally help friendswith their race cars, prepping them, maybe crewing for them on race day. Oh, repairing Maserati's and Ferrari's, and test driving them.

Dustin: There were a lot of skaters from Maryland that seemed on the verge of getting really big, but then they disappeared from the radar. Do you still hang out or stay in touch withany of the original Pit Crew guys?

Sean: I rarely see any of the original Pit Crew team. People grow in different directions, some get married, some have kids, careers, move. Some stumble, disappear, it's all part of growing older. I've adopted a gypsy lifestyle, no house, no wife, no kids, no attachments. It doesn't much appeal to me.

Dustin: What do you consider to be your most satisfying accomplishments or experiences on a skateboard?

Sean: The simple fact that I have come this far amazes me. I was born in a mediocre mountain town in western Maryland. I had no plans to be anyone or anything in skateboarding. I enjoyed the act of skateboarding, it was my meditation. I needed no one to do it, and frankly prefer it that way. I was lured by the attraction of free product via sponsorship. I strongly suggest thinking twice about getting sponsored if you enjoy skateboarding for yourself. If you want to be the next prom queen, grab the video camera, the freshest gear, hand out with the dope crew, and you can have your own TV show, complete with body guards and eyeliner.