Interview by Jeff Halleran
Photos by Shigeo
PHOTO: SHIGEO
How old are you now James, and how long have you ridden for Fallen?
I'm 21 years old and have ridden for Fallen since I was 16. But I guess I officially got on whenever the Fallen video came out.
Did you get to pick the Pixies song for your Faith Skate Supply 'Reason to Believe' part?
I can't take full credit for that one. I wanted a Pixies song but Joel, the dude who put the video together, was the one who suggested that one. I thought it was weird at first but I loved it when it came together. Joel was and is smarter than me at that stuff.
What's life like in your home town of Huntsville, Alabama compared to your stay in Carlsbad, California?
Huntsville life is laid back. I think I act a little different back home than I do in California. My apartment is on the mountain and I go hiking almost every other day. I just eat a lot of BBQ, hang with family and be lazy. It depends on how long I'm home for though. If I'm only home for 2 weeks before I head back out to San Diego, then I will not do a single productive thing. Because when I'm in California I am usually trying to go out every single day and get something so I can go back home and justify my laziness. But right now I've been home for a little longer than normal and I've been going to Atlanta, Nashville, and Bham alot trying to handle some things. California is usually never relaxing. I'm always stressing there. I'm pretty sure I come acrosss a little too business-like when I'm in California, but it's just because I want to go home! I'm alot more relaxed in Alabama.
Who are some young rippers on an Alabamian rampage right now that you're backing?
Man its hard for kids here. There are kids that are good, but they see all the trends and whatever else is cool in the industry and start getting way too into that stuff and fall off. Maybe its just an Alabama curse, but every good kid that had a chance at doing something got way into whatever trend is in skateboarding and blew it. I think the trends of skateboarding is a sore subject for me right now. And I had better just leave it at that.
SMITH - PHOTO: SHIGEO
What do you think about when you're riding your motorcycle?
'Free Bird' and 'Tuesday's Gone' are usually on loop in my brain.
Can you elaborate on the ideology behind your shaved head/eyebrow status? It's an honorable homage of sorts to a homey of yours, right?
Yeah! My buddy Ryan Ezell got diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer back in August. When he first started chemo, I told him that if he ever lost his eyebrows because of it that I would shave both my head and eyebrows. And thats pretty much where it came from. He lost his eyebrows around the new year and I peaced out my long hair and eyebrows. I've known Ryan for years and he's one of the best people I know, so it really hit home when he told me. It's funny how cancer has always been around in life, and I never paid too much attention to it. But once Ryan got it, it opened up my eyes to how hard it is for people to go through that stuff. And how lame I am for griping and complaining day to day about the simplest of things! I'm a stinkin' child!
Who's going to be your new wingman on the next Fallen trip you go on?
Probably Garrett. I cannot stop laughing at that dude and his whole kit. His life is seriously awesome. Trips are going to be easier with that dude for sure. The things that dude says are nothing short of classic.
Without giving away any spoilers, can you tell us some insider info about your part in the upcoming Real video?
Oh man, you don't want to talk to me about my part. I think my part is going to suck. No one can give me a harder time about my part than me. Jim is probably so sick of me stressing this video part. I come down so hard on myself about my stuff. I'm my biggest enemy when it comes to filming video parts. I don't think there is ever one thing I'm 100% psyched on that I've done. I can be okay with a trick until we get back in the car, and then my mind starts with, "Well, maybe I could do that trick on a better spot? Or maybe I could do it in a line? Did my foot come off weird and maybe I didn't notice? Is the filmer just saying that its fine so that he doesn't have to spend another hour with me trying it?" I'm a head case with that kind of stuff. I'll just take this time to thank the filmers I film with for dealing with my mental issues.
What's your memory from filming for your Ride The Sky part sticks out the most in your mind?
Probably when I first went to Barcelona with everyone. I wasn't on or guaranteed on the team at all when they took me, so I was extra stoked. I had just quit working in the warehouse just a couple of months before then, so it was monumental for me. I just remember thinking traveling overseas to skate was the craziest thing ever. After that I was obsessed about getting a part together so that I could keep traveling to places that I wouldn't end up in otherwise.
How's your dog Vader doing? Did he ever snatch some Chick-fil-A of your plate when you weren't looking?
Vader is ruling it. He is actually 7 pounds overweight right now. So he'll be doing some laps if he dares to take any food off my plate.
