Words: Eric Witmer
Photos: AJ Italiano
You know, it’s not everyday that you come across a 16 year old kid that can skate like grown man. He’s the type of kid that makes you stop skating, sit down, and watch him shred because he’s just so good. In between winning contests, and filming for upcoming parts, Kevin remains grateful and keeps a positive attitude with whatever comes his way. It’s an honor for me to be the first to interview him because he has plenty more to come.
So give me the rundown. What’s your full name, who do you ride for, how old are you and how long have you been skating?
My name is Kevin Liedtke. I ride for Birdhouse (flow), DC (flow), Silver (flow), and Ambler Skate Shop. I’m sixteen and have been skating for five years.
How often do people butcher the pronunciation of your last name?
All the time! I don’t think I have heard anybody get it right the first time. It doesn’t look anything like it is pronounced. When I first started skating competitions the announcers would always slaughter it. My mom started registering me with the phonetic spelling to make it easier for everybody. I’m the worst one though, I don’t even pronounce it right any more. I got tired of correcting people all the time. I know that sounds crazy; it is my name and all, but I just let it go.
I hear that there is a good story behind that orange beanie that you always use to wear. What happened to it?
Haha well, this kid that hunts from my school gave me it cause I wanted one for some odd reason. Once I started wearing it skating, Jake Todd kept giving me crap for it. After it got all stretched out I got a new beanie. Like a month later Jake asked me for a beanie. So I gave him the orange one because he was the one that would always make fun of me for it hahahaha.
So I also heard you’re filming for Jake Todd’s video, “Fully Flacid.” How’s the filming been going and do you know when the video will be done?
The filming has been going awesome. Everyone’s getting a lot of footage. It’s gonna be really sick when it’s done cause all my homies are in it. I have no idea when it’s going to be done.
Where have you guys gone to film? Just staying on the East coast?
Most of the filming has been in and around Philly, like city hall, love, and a lot of colleges. Jake and some of my friends have been doing some filming in New York too. I’ve missed the last couple trips, but I am going up there this week to film. It’s gonna be tight!
Speaking of Jake Todd, can you explain his obsession over cats?
Ever since I met Jake he’s always had this weird obsession with cats. I never knew why, and to this day I don’t know why hahaha. He’s weird, but he is the man!
What’s the key to winning contests? You’re always placing top three in the Philly Am, you won that one Element contest in West Chester and you won the Free Flow at Skaters Edge. At this point, is Tampa Am on your list of things to do?
I don’t know. There is no key really; you just have to skate consistently well. I would definitely like to go to Tampa Am this year. It would be a really fun experience because I’ve never been to a contest like that.
On a typical day, who do you go out and skate with?
When I’m at my Mom’s, I go skate with a whole bunch of people like Matt Militano, Giorgio Villone, Anthony Parisi, Ian Hawkinz, and Nick Veres. When I’m at my Dad’s, I usually skate with Brian Panebianco and sometimes Tore Bevivino, and anyone that’s in the city.
How’d you get hooked up with Birdhouse and how has it been?
I asked. At the time, Plan B had split from Syndrome. Once I heard that Birdhouse was joining Syndrome I asked the Silver team manager for somebody to talk to at Birdhouse. I sent my footy over and the Birdhouse Team Manager was hyped on it. I’ve been skating for Birdhouse ever since. It has been awesome! They’re a great company and their decks are amazing.
What happened to your thing at Kayo?
I don’t really know. The old skate shop I used to skate for got me on shop flow with them. I would email the Kayo guys footage and they would tell me that they were waiting for a package order from the skate shop so they could send me boards. The guy that owned the skate shop would always say he ordered a box but I never got a package. I guess he would just say that so I would stop asking haha.
How was it filming for Brian Panebianco’s “Sabotage 2″? Are you gonna be filming for the third one too?
I met Penny at the end of the filming for Sabotage 2, so I only got to film a couple clips. We’re filming the third one now and everything’s coming out really good. It’s been so much fun filming for it.
Looking back on your old footage, you never skated like a child, always like a man. You’ve got good pop and you always skate fast. Who’s inspired you throughout skating?
Thanks! I appreciate that. It would change all the time, but I mostly looked up to Chris Cole, Eric Koston and Guy Mariano.
How about we wrap things up. Any last shout outs?
I would like to give a huge shout out to my family for all their support with my skateboarding. Thanks to you for making this interview happen and everyone at Ambler Skate Shop, Silver, DC, and Birdhouse for taking me on. Shout outs to Jake Todd, Brian Panebianco, Ryan Higgins, Matt Militano, Giorgio Villone, Anthony Parisi, Michael McGuire, Aj Italiano for shooting the photos, and all my friends who kill it every day!
Here’s some old footage of Kevin, be on the look out for his new part!