ROGER SKATE CO.
‘That’s what I’m most proud of the human connections that have been made.’
Michael Sieben
Roger Skate Co.
June 2025
Can you tell us something about Texas that no one knows?
Sure. Despite what you might have “learned” from watching Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, the Alamo actually does have a basement. Pee Wee’s bike isn’t in it, but I think there might be a haunted Peloton down there.
How do you describe the skate scene in Texas?
It’s pretty cool in the winter. In the summer, it’s too hot to handle. You can skate here year round, so that’s good. It really is super hot during the summer, though. It’s best to skate early in the morning or in the evening during the hottest months. You can get heat exhaustion or get dehydrated pretty quickly when it’s 100+ degrees out with heavy humidity. We typically have a pretty mild fall/winter, so that’s when everybody is most hyped to go skate.
What is the local skate community most proud of?
Probably Max Taylor. Max has skated for Roger almost since the brand started, and I think his enthusiasm for skating is contagious. He’s such a great skateboarder and he’s filmed so many great video parts throughout the years. He’s like the heart of Roger—organizing sessions, filming everybody, driving people around, helping with TM stuff. He’s the best.
You started your own board company called ‘Roger Skate Co.’. What triggered the idea?
Roger started in 2007 after Bueno skateboards died. Stacy Lowery and I were running Bueno, but it was owned by Giant Distribution and they went out of business. We tried to get the Bueno name and logo but were denied, so we just started our own company and named it as if we were naming a baby. Starting Roger was just an excuse to keep working together on fun projects. Friends are cool.
In a few years you will be celebrating 20 years. Any proud moments you can share?
Honestly, just all of the cool friendships that have happened because of the brand. That’s what I’m most proud of—the human connections that have been made.
Anything embarrassing or funny along the way?
Kinda embarrassed that we parked Roger for a few years and tried to launch another brand called Program what was based around some haunted puppets. It would have been cool to not have done that.
Which board company inspires you? I only get one?
I’ll go with Small Room.
Why them?
Because they were small (no pun intended) and seemed kinda mysterious. I also liked their Xerox-vibe art direction. They just seemed cool, weird, and artsy.
‘He’s like the heart of Roger.’
If you could pick any skater in the world to ride for Roger Skate Co, who would it be?
Grant Taylor because he’s the best. If he’s not available, probably Bobby Puleo.
You worked remotely from Austin as the Managing Editor of Thrasher for a decade. Did your location affect that position?
Well, I tried to sneak as many ditch references into the mag as possible. But I think being geographically isolated from the industry helped give me a bit of an outsider’s perspective on things.
What are some of the challenges people in Texas face every day?
Right-wing Christian nationalists influencing political decisions.
‘It would have been cool to not have done that.’
You are an artist, writer, founder/owner of a board company and skater. Anything you cannot do?
I’ve never done a backside air. I also can’t do 360 flips anymore, which stings a bit more.
Last question. If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be? You mentioned Matt Hensley in our first interview a couple of years ago. Has that changed?
Nah, I still want to interview Matt at some point. He’s my favorite skateboarder.