Skull Skates was originally started as Great North Country Skateboards by Brothers Peter and Rick Ducommun in April 1978. When the brand was still called GNC Skates PD hand carves a Skull into the top of his griptape, his brother Rick sees this and says this should be the logo, After a while, the logo becomes so popular and recognizable, that customers just start referring to the brand as 'Skull Skates'. In 1979.

Over the years the skull team reads like a Skateboarding Hall of Fame, including skaters and celebrities alike, some notable team riders are Dave Hackett, Steve Olson, Hosoi, Duane Peters, Deer Man Of Dark Woods, Chris Haslam, Moses Itkonen, Barrier Cult, Kevin Harris, Sluggo, Barker Barrett, Bucky Lasek, Andy Anderson, Tom Green, and many more.