interview by Ian Berry
PORTRAIT: SHIGEO
What is more nerve racking, the 'Battle Of The Berrics' or a big contest like Maloof or Xgames?
'Battle Of The Berrics' is 5 tricks that can just take you out. It is really tense in there.
How does it feel to be on national TV for contests like big time professional athletes?
It's awesome....kinda. It's cool to represent our sport to the world. Unfortunately it comes with a lot of movie quality cameras in the way, and a ton of PR.
Do you think that is good for skateboarding or destroying it?
It's good. The old guard would disagree but to have these people put skating on the main page allows us to use their money to fund rad skater generated stuff like shops, mags, demos, contests, and companies.
What is 'Reign'?
'Reign' is my skateshop in Langhorne PA. I am so psyched on it. I own it with some awesome dudes, Ian and Justin Berry and Skip Mallard. Come by if your in the Philly area.
How did 'Reign' come about?
I rode for a shop called G-Spot since I was twelve years old. G-Spot unfortunately just went out of business, but we used that as the chance for us to do something we always wanted to do but never wanted to step on their toes. It is just what I wanted, a skateshop by skaters for skate rats, in a middle class area, literally two minutes away from where I grew up.
FS NOSEGRIND 180 TRANSFER - PHOTO: SHIGEO
What is up with 'Strange World'? Are you having a part?
Yes I am, it will be a surprise. You'll have to wait and see, but I am very excited on what's going down.
So is it true you got a second baby on the way?
It is true, we have a bay girl coming. Very exited about the challenge of raising a girl. I can't have her riding her bike down the double set at Black Box like Wyatt, now can I?
What's your story about BMXing? How did you get into it?
Found out how light new BMX bikes are, and I couldn't stop wanting to get one. Robbie Morales helped me find a perfect set up, I owe it all to Robbie. Meeting all the dudes from Fit and the BMX world is sick though. They are super skate fans and are all psyched when they meet skaters, like..."Is that Gilbert Crockett?"!!!!
What are the comparisons of biking and skating?
We have a similar goal, a sport that is challenging, exiting, creative, and physically hard to do.
Also certain tricks seem like the same move:
barspin / kick flip
tailwhip / 3-flip
truckdriver / backside 360 flip
icepick / five -0
hangover tooth / overcrook
Also certain tricks seem like the same move:
barspin / kick flip
tailwhip / 3-flip
truckdriver / backside 360 flip
icepick / five -0
hangover tooth / overcrook
You have an extensive knowledge of movie quotes, what are your top 3 movie quotes?
Which movie? Only three?
"She gave me a bunch of crap about not listening to her, I don't know, I wasn't paying attention."
"It's about drawing a line in the sand dude! Across this line YOU DO NOT!!!"
"I'm your Huckleberry."
"She gave me a bunch of crap about not listening to her, I don't know, I wasn't paying attention."
"It's about drawing a line in the sand dude! Across this line YOU DO NOT!!!"
"I'm your Huckleberry."
