Steve "Swervo" Betten is an absolute skate soldier. Hailing from Washington State's capitol, he's fought through local ridicule, poverty, even death. Skateboarding (and punk rock) was/is his sword and armor that empowered him to thrash his way through what you'd call an exceptionally radical life. This interview shares intimate stories of his long journey from Northwest skateboarding's sparse beginnings in the early '70s, to what it all means to him now.

foto: self-portrait 1989