biography:
Interview 2007
Who were you skating with when you started?
A couple of my friends around the ‘hood.
Do you still skate with any of them anymore?
Nope. Most of them started biking or just doing drugs. Riverside sucks!
Did you start out riding skateparks, or was there a lucky local curb you used to session?
There was a curb in my front yard, so I would skate there a lot, or I would just skate street spots. I’m not a big fan of parks, but I do like Steve Berra’s.
Just so you know, it’s also Koston’s park. How often do you get to skate there?
I was going there, like, two or three times a week.
Do you enjoy skating in contests?
No!
How could contests be improved?
Stop having them.
What’s the best thing about being a professional skateboarder?
Um, I guess just becoming more involved with the companies. Just helping with designs and graphics and getting to do my own colorways kinda helps for the future if a shoe ever comes my way.
Has life changed at all since you officially became a professional skater?
Yeah, it’s a lot of work and responsibilities.
I know it’s not as easy as it seems–especially when you care about it so much. What would you like to accomplish in your skate career?
Put out some decent video parts and find that feeling I had when I first started skating.
Yeah, it seems like skating can definitely lose some of its fun. What do you do to keep it fun?
Skate flat bars or skate with a fun crew.
What skate video did you grow up watching–the one you would watch over and over?
Girl’s Mouse was the one I would watch over and over. I mean, I liked other videos, too, but I would only like one or two parts. Then, when Photosynthesis came out, I was hyped all over again–I got the same feeling when I first watched Mouse.
That’s the same one I grew up watching. Do you think it influenced your style and trick selection?
Yeah, it was very influential for me, watching all those guys. It influenced me one way or another.
Do you skate small stuff like curbs and parking bumps?
It depends on the day.
What’s up with the tranny skills–where did those come from?
I don’t really have them, but I can do some tricks, for sure.
What do you think of public concrete skateparks?
I don’t really care for them.
How could they improve the design?
I’m not sure.
Should skateparks copy real street spots like Love Park and EMB?
No, just go and skate street.
Boxes is for sittin’. Photo by foxxyz
How did you get on éS?
I’m not really sure.
What’s your favorite part of riding for eS?
Skating the Square One and filming with Steve–even though it’s been a while.
Well, I can say we’re hyped to have you on the program. What’s in the works this year for you?
Lots of torture and suffering.
I take it that means you’ve got a couple of video parts in the works. How’s that coming along?
Let’s do it!
Who do you skate with now?
Some of the Habitat guys or my friend Imran.
Who are your favorite skaters of all time?
I have, like, five dudes that I like. There’s no point in throwing out names.
What have been the highlights of your skateboarding career?
Getting the chance to answer these bio questions.
Where is your favorite place to travel to in the United States?
San Francisco, Houston, New York and Miami.
Wow! You really narrowed that one down! Ha-ha. What about internationally?
Barcelona and Eastern Europe.
What do you enjoy besides skating?
Music and friends.
What music, art, books have you been enjoying lately?
I pretty much keep it the same–John Lennon and Elliott Smith.
Nice! So, who is a better guitarist, you or Danny?
Danny. I hate that guy!
I know you’re really into photography. How long have you been taking photos?
Not long, I just got into it. I’m going through a huge Polaroid phase. I love vintage Polaroid cameras and the instant gratification that comes with them. I started using 35mm, but I’m all about Polaroids!
I notice you’re always wearing a Pittsburgh hat. What’s your obsession with the steel city?
I like those colors. I’m not a sports guy.
What’s your favorite food?
Pho, Indian, Thai, sushi and Hector’s Sandwiches in Long Beach.
What are your future goals?
To try and figure out what I’m gonna do for the rest of my life.
Stats
Date of Birth: June 9, 1983.
Hometown: Riverside, California.
Present home: Riverside.
Occupation: Skateboarder.
Sponsors: éS, Habitat, Royal, RVCA, Furnace skate shop.
Marital Status: Single.
Children: Zero.
Video Coverage
Habitat Regal Road
16 Below
Toebock
Magazine Coverage
TransWorld Skateboarding July 2004: four-page interview.
Skateboarder October 2006: eight-page interview.
The Skateboard Mag issue 38: 10-page interview.
Internet Coverage
Habitat
Royal Trucks
Skatepark of Tampa
TransWorld Skateboarding
YouTube