Thrasher Logo PNG
The emblem seems to highlight and encircle an area for skateboarders. The Thrasher logo invites everyone into the world of this exciting hobby. The sign conveys the joy and pleasure of skating.
Thrasher: Brand overview
Thrasher began with Eric Swenson and Fausto Vitello, who met in the US Army Reserve in the 1960s and shared an interest in motorcycles. Vitello, born in 1946 in Buenos Aires, moved to San Francisco and learned English by listening to the radio.
In 1978, they co-founded Independent Truck Company with Richard Novak and Jay Shurman. In January 1981, Thrasher magazine launched as a promotional tool. Kevin Thatcher became the first editor, with Mofo handling photography and design.
The magazine used raw black-and-white visuals and the slogan “Skate and Destroy”. It stood apart from Transworld Skateboarding, launched in 1983 with a more polished approach.
In 1983, Thrasher introduced Skate Rock compilations and named Tony Hawk as the first Skater of the Year. The award became a key marker in skateboarding. In 1989, Cara-Beth Burnside appeared as the first woman on the cover.
In 1993, Jake Phelps became editor and reshaped the magazine’s role. In 1999, Thrasher: Skate and Destroy was released on PlayStation. In 2003, King of the Road began as a cross-country competition.
In 2006, Fausto Vitello died, and his son Tony took control. In 2011, Eric Swenson died after long-term injuries.
In the mid-2010s, the logo entered mainstream fashion, worn by Rihanna and Justin Bieber. The brand challenged H&M and Forever 21 and collaborated with Supreme and Vans.
In 2017, Thrasher entered the Skateboarding Hall of Fame. In 2019, Jake Phelps died, and Michael Burnett became editor.
Meaning and History
The iconic logo transformed Thrasher into a trendy brand. But it also has a flip side associated with the Banco font. This font became mainstream in 1974 when it appeared on the Natty Dread album, dedicated to Bob Marley’s musical compositions. Over time, it became associated with the Rastafarian movement and reggae, and, in the 1970s, its use was limited.
Thrasher magazine breathed new life into Banco. Initially, it linked skateboarding and reggae cultures with marijuana as a source of inspiration. Later, the font was reinterpreted and came to be exclusively perceived as a symbol of skateboarders.
What is Thrasher?
Thrasher is a monthly print publication about skateboarding, published since 1981. Fausto Vitello and Eric Swenson founded the magazine. It features content related to the world of this extreme sport: interviews, music stories, skatepark reviews, photographs, and more. The publication also has an online version: a website and a YouTube channel. The company also owns an online store, a forum, a radio show, the Double Rock venue, and a skate shop in San Francisco.
Font and Colors
The magazine’s logo is used on the cover instead of a title. The stylized “THRASHER” inscription forms an arch, as the outer letters are longer than the central ones. It exists in several versions, with the most popular being the fiery one. This fiery word adorned the publication’s first page and was also emblazoned on T-shirts and other souvenirs.
When the Thrasher emblem became mainstream, it lost its original connection to the skateboarder subculture. Many celebrities and people who never skateboarded made it part of their image. The magazine’s creators confronted fashion victims, harshly criticized Vogue, and drew caricatures of those mindlessly following the Thrasher style. But they had to admit defeat, as the logo ceased to be associated with authentic skate culture and became a status symbol.
THRASHER is set in the Banco font, developed in 1951 by typographer, graphic designer, and illustrator Roger Excoffon. The Fonderie Olive foundry used this font to produce metal letters for bookstores, butcher shops, and other “unfashionable” establishments. Then musician Bob Marley made Banco part of the reggae style until Thrasher magazine took over the baton and briefly claimed the front for itself.
The classic emblem is presented in a yellow-and-black palette. The fiery version contains many more colors: in addition to yellow and black, it also includes shades of red and orange.