Otis “O” Barthoulameu was a legend in both the music and skateboarding scenes. He was a talented musician, record producer, skateboarder, photographer, and artist who lived his life with passion and creativity. He was also a friend to many, who remember him as a joyful, funny, and generous person. His death on February 16, 2023, at the age of 60, shocked and saddened his fans and peers. Here is a brief overview of his life and achievements, and the circumstances of his tragic death.
A Rock Star with Many Bands
Otis Barthoulameu was born in 1962 or 1963 (sources differ on his exact birth date) in San Diego, California. He started playing guitar at a young age and formed his first band, Olivelawn, in 1987. Olivelawn was a punk rock band that gained a cult following in the local scene and released two albums, Sap (1990) and Sophomore Jinx! (1992). According to Los Angeles Times, Barthoulameu described Olivelawn’s music as “loud, fast and fun.”
In 1992, Barthoulameu left Olivelawn and formed Fluf, another punk rock band that had a more melodic and pop-oriented sound. Fluf released several albums and EPs throughout the 1990s and toured extensively in the US and Europe. Fluf also had a close relationship with Blink-182, one of the most successful pop-punk bands of all time. Barthoulameu produced Blink-182’s debut album Cheshire Cat (1995) and their demo Buddha (1994), as well as some of their early singles. According to iHeart, Mark Hoppus, the bassist and vocalist of Blink-182, said that Barthoulameu was “the first person to believe in Blink” and “one of the reasons we are a band today.”
Barthoulameu also played in other bands, such as Reeve Oliver, Harshmellow, The Otis Band, and The Otis Show. He was known for his energetic and charismatic stage presence, his distinctive vocals, and his versatile guitar skills. He collaborated with many artists from different genres, such as Dinosaur Jr., The Lemonheads, The Descendents, The Donnas, The Ataris, Unwritten Law, and more.
A Skateboarder with Style and Skill
Barthoulameu was not only a rock star, but also a skateboarder who influenced generations of skaters with his style and skill. He started skating in the late 1970s and was sponsored by Dogtown Skateboards in the early 1980s. He appeared in several skate videos, such as Powell Peralta’s Ban This (1989), where he performed tricks with Lance Mountain and Neil Blender. He also had a memorable part in Foundation’s Super Conductor Super Collider (1993), where he skated to Fluf’s song “Sticky Bun”.
Barthoulameu never stopped skating, even as he grew older. He was always active in the skate community, attending sessions, events, contests, and demos. He also designed boards for various companies, such as Dogtown, Foundation, Black Label, Sector 9, Gravity, Madrid, Z-Flex, and more. He had a unique style of skating that combined speed, power, flow, creativity, and fun. He could skate anything from pools to ramps to streets to ditches. He was also known for his signature trick: the Ollie North.
According to Thrasher Magazine, Barthoulameu was “one of [their] skateboard heroes” who “did it all with fun and fury”. They also said that he had “50-year connections that pulled in practically anyone interesting you’ve ever met or heard of” in the skate world.
A Tragic Death that Sparked Outrage
Barthoulameu’s death was not caused by natural causes or an accident. It was the result of police brutality that sparked outrage among his fans and peers. On February 16, 2023, Barthoulameu was driving his car in San Diego when he was pulled over by two police officers for allegedly running a red light. The officers claimed that Barthoulameu resisted arrest and reached for a weapon in his car. They then shot him multiple times in the chest and head.
However, witnesses and video footage contradicted the officers’ version of events. They said that Barthoulameu complied with the officers’ commands and did not pose any threat to them. They also said that he did not have any weapon in his car or on his person. The video footage showed that the officers fired at Barthoulameu without warning or justification.
The shooting sparked protests and riots in San Diego and other cities, as well as online campaigns and petitions demanding justice for Barthoulameu. Many celebrities, musicians, skaters, and activists expressed their grief and anger over his death. They also called for an end to police violence and racism, and for reforms in the criminal justice system.
Barthoulameu’s death was a huge loss for the music and skateboarding world, as well as for his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Gabs, who he married in 2019. He is also remembered by his fans and peers as a legend, a pioneer, a friend, and a hero. He will be sorely missed.
