interview by Greg Robinson
What's your current living situation?
I am living in a house just down the street with my friends Anthony, Jermaine, and Alex. I'm living in the garage but I got a whole set up with carpet and everything.
Is it true that you hear something breathing every night as you drift off to sleep?
Well, I always here mice crawling around doing their thing when the lights go out, but for a while there was something a little bigger that moved into another corner of the garage where there was a bunch of stuff piled up. Instead of scratching and crawling sounds I could here it sniffling, breathing, and moving things around. I think it stole a whole Nutra-Grain bar from me.
What dramatic life changes have occurred as you climbed the ladder from 'flow trash' to 'full am' status on Black Label?
Nothing too dramatic. I wouldn't want anything to change...I'm on a good one with life right now.
Why do they call you "Beaker", and what's your other nickname all about?
Because of the muppet named 'Beaker'...just some warehouse shenanigans. Everyone has a nickname at Black Box, only some are much worse. As far as the second part of the question goes, I've got no comment.
How was the transition from the Northwest to Southern California?
It was mellow. I was so psyched to be down here, I was just having a good time no matter what was happening. Once I made some friends and caught the beach vibe it was a rap.
POLE JAM - PHOTO: SHIGEO
Is it hard to balance a 40-hour a week job and a skateboard schedule?
Not at all. That's what I have to do to be living down here, so I just make it work.
Who's your favorite warehouser?
Probably Neal Mims. He has stories for days about skating and partying. It's interesting cause they're two things that I am into, and since he's sober, we're on opposite ends of both.
What inspired the recent gym sessions?
It was because Anthony started going for an injury and got some free passes. Everyone was just feeling the vibes I guess. We mostly just hit up the steam room, pool, and then the hot tub, but you might find me on some weights getting swoll from time to time.
When you clock out to go skate a twenty-stair rail at lunch break, are you thinking, "oh shit I hope I don't get bucked," or "oh shit I hope I'm not late clocking back in"?
Definitely both of those are running through the head. It can work for you or against you, so it makes things pretty fun.
What are your plans for the summer?
I am about to drive up to Washington with my friend Alex. I'll be up there chilling with my family and skating with my friends for the whole summer.
What's wrong with your feet?
They stink apparently. They've been this way my whole life, so I guess I'm just used to it. Let me know if you catch a wiff, and I'll go change my socks.
