I recently stumble across Chris Yeoh’s Amnesia site, and noticed he had a "the zine" on there complete with interviews with some of yesteryear's sideways rolling legends as well as some of the luminaries of today. I was kind of amazed that something of this caliber had gone under the radar and have been meaning to interview him about it for a little while now. This morning I got on the blower to Chris, and we orchestrated this online chat that covers everything from being stuck in lifts, to Amnesia, to disappearing sculptors.

Morgan: Ah so there he is!

Chris: Hey mate.

M: How’s it going... back at the brain sucking machine now eh?

C: Yep, ha ha.

M: Cool to go through some questions?

C: Sure, shoot.

M: First off just wondering where and when you first ignited the Amnesia
project?

C: Amnesia started off as a photocopied ‘zine back in '92. I had been bitten by the photography bug and made a ‘zine to show photos and interviews with people in the Newcastle skate scene. It progressed to a tee shirt company …and then a skateboard company in '94.

M: Oh that’s so dope, do you have any of the ‘zines online on the site?

C: No, but will scan them soon. It's on my list of things to do

M: (sighs) oh the list!!! Who were the original team riders?

C: Ben Cox, Darren Kaehne, Shane Wallace and Peter Schiffmann

M: Shane Wallace... oh that’s amazing. Such a ripper. Where is that man these days? He is like a skateboarding Robin Williams, hairy nugget!

C: Yeah, such a funny person who lives life to the fullest. Last I heard he was in Adelaide.

M: So back to the Amnesia, ah, it disappeared for a while, what were you up to then?

C: We all went our separate ways. Amnesia folded as we ran into problems dealing with woodshops overseas. I was partying a lot and doing various jobs such as working in a call centre talking to people trapped in lifts. That was an entertaining job!

M: No way! What is the first thing you say to someone trapped in a lift? “What floor are you on?”

C: The first thing is to find out the address of the building they are in. Those lift phones cut out after 3 minutes. Lift no, floor, stay calm.

M: “Ok, so to get out of there mate, you will need to get to the 7 1/2 floor and exit via John Malkovich's portal?”

C: That's right.

M: I knew it would be simple.

C: Once there was a guy stuck in a lift in a Sydney shopping centre. He was
too proud to press the alarm so he stayed in there all night.

M: No way dude... must have been toking the wowie! Like too timid to hit the button.

C: When the technicians went there the next day to fix the lift, they opened the doors and he ran out and down the street.

M: Bwaaaa ha ha ha.

C: They looked in the lift and he had left them a present. Not sure if you want to include that story. Funny though.

M: Man you should seriously do a "stuck in the lift" board series.

C: That's a good idea, thanks

M: I want to include it: it is gold.

C: Cool, classic.

M: Has the ‘zine been something that you have wanted to do for a while?

C: yeah, I always looked back on when I did the photocopied 'zine and had
good memories of putting it together. I love interviews: they are a great way to find out about the different people in our world.

M: Same here, love interviews, and biographies...so interesting. So you think blogs are the new ‘zines?

C: Definitely, you don't have the tactile feel of a piece of paper but it's all about the speed of information these days. I think the internet has changed a lot of how we communicate for sure. Seems like the world is a lot smaller
Definitely. I’m interviewing you now on a live chat, then I’ll have it up on the net within an hour or so. Crazy huh?

C: So crazy, its instant gratification, attention spans are shrinking.

M: I know... which suits me fine, coz I got a short one too!

C: Remember when you would wait 2 years for a video to be released in Australia? Now it's filmed and online so fast!

M: What direction do you want to take the 'zine in, and if it had an ethos or a mission statement, what would it be?

C: The main purpose of the ‘zine is to feature the personalities of the skateboarding world. What happens behind the scenes and also catching up with people from the 90's skateboarding era in Australia.

M: I know... so many people must wonder what happened to certain cats. I personally would love to see a Dom Gonzales interview. Dave Rocks?

C: That would be epic!

M: Dave would be great to track down. I have photos and video of him. Thanks for the suggestions

M: I met Dave in Tokyo in 2004.

C: Where is he these days?

M: Not sure. One of his favourite sculptors is the guy who made that white and black marble bank spine thing in Perth. He was asking me if I’d damaged it when I skated it!

C: He's getting conservative in his older years :):)

M: He was so stoked when I said I hadn't damaged it. Who is next on the ‘zine? Goozef? Goosef? Guzeff? Hmm... cant spell it, but what a shredder!!

C: Yes, the next Retrospective will be with Nowra legend Cam Goozeff. Also I just did an interview with Todd Webster about a new Australian Truck Company.

M: Cool as.

C: Would love to do one with Wade Burkitt and will be one with Ben Cox soon.

M: What else do you get up to apart from amnesia? What does the Yeoh survival equation consist of?

C: I work for an IT Company during the day and work on Amnesia after hours. There’s a balance. Amnesia keeps me busy, it's a good life.

M: Sweet man, sounds nice and balanced. That is the key. Bit of creative, a bit of $. Is there anything else you would like to mention? I think we have enough material. Defo let me know when you get those ‘zines up, or if u need any ideas for barnacles to feature. I’m a skate nerd from way back. Plenty of cob webbed names in my brain.

C: Exactly. Amnesia isn't what puts food on the table so the pressure isn't there. It's a pleasure to do. Would definitely be stoked to have you contribute writing or do some interviews. I'm just grateful that I picked up a skateboard all those years ago. The journey it has taken me has been amazing so far.

M: I’d love to help out, my platter is pretty chocas but always down to be a part of a good movement. And interview questions are so fun to write.

C: Much appreciated. If you have any ideas please let me know.

M: "I'm just grateful that I picked up a skateboard all those years ago. The journey it has taken me has been amazing so far." My thoughts exactly. I may have nearly died several times from that foolish plankery, but I would not swap it for anything. Especially to have skated during the progressive decades that we have. The 90s were pretty epic.

C: The 90's were pure

M: Ok mate... I’m going to work on this and try get it up today. can you do me a favour and sent me through two images you would like me to use with the post? or should I just sample the site?

C: as were your f/s heelflip chink chinks at Manly

M: I did fside heelflip chinks?

C: ok, what image would you prefer?

M: tech dog!

C: yeah, like a 180 heelflip reverse nosegrind revert… no revert 2 fakie.

M: I remember Ben Cox doing a back tail down the rail that day. Hey, what obstacle did I do that on?

C: On the 1/4

M: Stoked. Thanks for reminding me. Ha: “Amnesia founder gives back geriatric skater the gift of memory.”

C: Ha ha

M: Take care buddy.

C: Much appreciated. Cheers and take care also.