🛹 Brand-X Skateboards: A Legacy of Loud Graphics and Skate Culture

Brand-X Skateboards isn’t just a name—it’s a vibrant slice of skateboarding history, a brand that helped define the visual and cultural edge of the sport in the 1980s and continues to inspire skaters today. Let’s dive into the story of this iconic company, from its wild beginnings to its current revival.

🌟 Origins: Art Meets Asphalt

Brand-X Skateboards was founded in 1983 by Bernie Tostenson, a visionary artist known for his bold, psychedelic graphics that exploded off the decks and into skateboarding lore. Based in the United States, Bernie’s designs were unlike anything else on the market—loud, chaotic, and unforgettable. His work gave Brand-X a rebellious identity that resonated with skaters who wanted to stand out.

In 1986, Bernie sold the company to Dorsey Truitt, a pioneer in the skateboarding industry who had already made waves with Atlantic Skates, the world’s first skateboard distribution company. Dorsey expanded Brand-X’s reach globally and later launched Toxic Skates in 1988, further cementing the Truitt family’s influence in skateboarding.

🎨 What Made Brand-X Notable?

Brand-X wasn’t just another deck company—it was a movement. Here’s what set it apart:

• Groundbreaking Graphics: Bernie Tostenson’s artwork was the soul of Brand-X. Boards like the “Weirdo” and “Knucklehead” featured up to 11 hand-screened colors, a feat nearly unheard of in the 80s.

• Handcrafted Quality: Unlike mass-produced boards, Brand-X decks were made with meticulous care, often hand-screened at Watson Laminates in California.

• Cultural Impact: Brand-X helped shape skateboarding’s visual identity, pushing the boundaries of what a skateboard could look like and represent.

🧢 Sponsorships and Community

Brand-X was deeply embedded in skate culture. They sponsored skaters and demo teams, most notably Team Toxic, which became a staple of East Coast skateboarding in the late 80s. The brand also supported events, fundraisers, and giveaways, fostering a sense of community and giving back to the scene that supported them.

Today, Brand-X continues to sponsor events like the Mid-Atlantic Skateboard Hall of Fame and collaborates with artists and skaters to keep the spirit alive.

🔄 The Revival: Back and Bolder Than Ever

After a hiatus in the 90s, Brand-X was resurrected in 2015 by Patrick Truitt (Dorsey’s son) and his partner Amy. They brought back Brand-X, Toxic, and High Energy Skateboards under the Brand-X-Toxic Distribution umbrella.

Here’s what they’re up to now:

• Limited Edition Reissues: Classic decks like the “Weirdo” and “Knucklehead” are being re-released in ultra-limited runs, each hand-screened and laser-etched.

• New Collaborations: Brand-X partners with artists like Dan Falconer for intricate new designs like “The Master Manipulator,” a 14-color screen-printed masterpiece.

• Expanding the Family: They now produce other legendary brands including Sims, BBC, American Nomad, and Kryptonics.

• Events & Fundraisers: From “Chicken & Waffles” giveaways to charity auctions, Brand-X is active in supporting skateboarding culture and history.

Coffee Talk with Brand-X-Toxic Skateboards

Brand-X Toxic Denny Riordon skateboard history