What made you start skateboarding?: The movie back to the future made me wanna learn how to shred.
What guys did you look up to when you were starting skating? Eric Koston, Mike Carrol, Pat Duffy and Rick Howard.
How did you getting sponsored or start coming up in skateboarding?: Skated with Bam in the early 90's and got sponsored by a small wheel
company called wheelie co. Went on a east coast tour with Bam and Maldonado and Bam told me to quit my job and come stay in West Chester
and film and get sponsored. So i did and it went from there.
Thanks bam and mike
In a regular week, how often do you get out and skate?: I use to skate
everyday, now it's so hard cause of cops and people hating on
skateboarding. I'm 33 now and hate getting chased like a 15 year old.
Who do you normally skate with?: Pete Eldrigde, Mark Brandstetter, Bam, Kevin Taylor, Kyle Nicholson, my homies in West Chester. Alex, Justin, Angel and Casey.
I know you had said that you and Mark Brandstetter are trying to get a
Nocturnal brand going, what kind of stuff are you guys going to be
making and where can people pick up the new goods? We are making custom painted one off serious decks and starting to push the nocturnal clothes. You can go on our website nocturnalskateshop.com and we are in the works of a new separate site for the new product.
Keep your eye out on our site for updates.
What's the inspiration behind starting a new brand?: The inspiration is to keep the name nocturnal alive forever and make it
bigger in the skating world. nocturnal is a dope name and should huge.
Being a businessman, how do you feel that the economy in this day and age will effect skateboarding?: The economy sucks and it's effecting everyone
man. I just wish it could go back to what it was like in the 90's.
Money is everything in this world and they just keep making it harder
and harder to make it. It's a shame how this worlds falling to pieces.
Who did you vote for in the last election, and what's the reason?: I didn't vote. I was to busy remodeling my
store. But if i was to vote it would have been obama. Reason is cause i
feel he will do good for the people that are strugglin to make it.
People with millions don't need the help. They are set for life.
What is your dream session as far as skateboarding goes, who would be there, and where would it be?: I just want the old days at the habitat TF to
come back. Kalis, pete, kev, mark, gee and all the locals. Those were
the best times man. Miss them bigtime...
Top Five Video Parts?:
1. Mike Carrol, Questionable
2. Pat Duffy, Questionable
3. Rick Howard, Questionable
4. Every Daewon Song part
5. Mike Carrol's Lakai part
Top Five Favorite Skaters?
1. Mike Carroll
2. Rick Howard
3. Daewon Song
4. Brian Anderson
5. Guy Mariano
Are you currently working on any video parts that the kids should be looking for?:
I've been filming a lot at the berrics. I love the whole idea of the site. Brilliant beerska!
Would you rather be out traveling or at home?: I like traveling but get burned out after 7 days. Rather chill with my girl kristin.
Word Association:
The Berrics: Rules!
Ryan Sheckler: contest killer
Philadelphia: needs a berrics
Love Park: alive
Habitat: best company
Myspace: facebook
In the next five to ten years, where do you see skateboarding going?: I see skating going more towards plaza's and in door parks. Just getting harder and harder to skate street.
Which is the better coast, East or West?: There both great and built great skaters. But i'm a bigger fan of the east.
What are your plans after the good old knees can't quite handle skateboarding anymore?: Hopefully nocturnal just stays alive and keeps me busy.
Do you do exercises to help your body take the abuse that skateboarding puts it through?: No i don't. I wish i could get in that groove cause i'm sure i would feel so much better everyday.
Nocturnal Skateshop has been open for awhile now, how did the ban on skateboarding in Love Park effect business?: Nocturnals been there for 8 years now. Took a big
hit cause the kids don't have a good skate spot to meet and shred all
day without getting hasseled.
Do you think that Skateboarders can re-claim Love Park, or do you think it's pretty much gone forever?: kids have been skating it again. mad local rippers have been destroying the love gap like it's 10 stairs. Unreal.
I shot my first photo in 3 years there a few weeks ago.
You've been in the game for awhile, and are by all means a legend in
the skateboarding world, how do you deal with the responsibility of all
that?: Thanks for saying i'm a legend. I appreciate that a lot. The
pressure is so much gnarlier then it was cause there is no where for me
to shred and get my shit on lock. Now i'm always nervous to skate
around people cause how they judge everyone on the internet. Youtube
can destroy people..
Do you have any skateboard related superstitions?: I belive slick bottoms will make a come back.
Is there anything you would like to say to the little groms out there?: Be
real, don't judge people and try to take people out. Just skate for
yourself and respect all skaters and what they do or have done.
Anyone you would like to thank?: Would like to thank My parents, Mark Brandstetter, Brax, Jeremy Miller, Brian Brindley, The Eagles Club Chris Carter, Tim Gavin, Gabe Clement and everyone else at DVS, Rudy Johnson, Mob grip Brennon Conroy and buddy Bill for
introducing me to Kristin..
