Hey Clay, hows it goin?

Pretty good pretty good

Thanks for stopping by Lb. It's swell having you here. Been skating today? Taking a day off?

Haven't got a chance to. Been a bit sore after filming for a new vid.

Solo or collab? What's it for?

New Vice full. Should be a doozy.

Looking forward to that. Hate to break it to you, but Megamyth is gonna be a tough act to follow.

God you have no idea Those guys always raise the bar too high. Why can't they be mediocre like the rest of us?

I feel ya. Anything in particular inspire you from that video?

I really dug how well rounded it was. I think this was their most well-rounded video from a skating perspective. There were lines and tranny and rails. I also really liked how they really showcased their styles. It's a very impressive video.

Yeah the variety of styles really kept it interesting. Never knew what to expect next. Is the Vice full gonna feature well-rounded skating, or is there a distinct style that will define the overall piece?

Well the team is pretty well versed, if i may sound arrogant... But yeah, hopefully we touch the full spectrum. I'm actually really excited for this vid. I was kinda dissapointed in my part in the last one. This time I'm gonna eat my Wheaties.

I can picture your face on that orange cereal box. What do you feel was lacking in your last part? What in particular did you try to improve?

I just felt trumped by all the tech wizards on the team. My part had a few really "wow" tricks, but I want to have a "wow" part. I have good parts. I never have "wow" parts. But that shall change! Ha!

Good to hear. It's great to see that you still find skateboarding new and challenging. You are the man one day, and the next day some kid drops a bomb outta nowhere. That's what i love about the skate community right now. Just when you think everything has been killed...

Yeah it's like "How the hell did they do that?" There was alot of that in Megamyth. I'm really enjoying skating again because of it.

Megamyth made my ears bleed with a barrage of rock and metal. Is the Vice full gonna take a different approach with the soundtrack?

Yes probably. I like having diverse music in vids. It brings more groups together. This vid should have some fancy music, and lots of shockers. But then again our music usually catches people off guard, so it's more of the same.

Well Lb will be looking out for the drop. Good to see healthy competition amongst the Hoodlum Family inspiring new innovations and techniques. You guys talkin shit around the Fam?

It's one big dick measuring contest here. I can say measuring in the mag right?

You know I don't judge. I may roll my eyes and shake my head, but I certainly don't judge. So Magic was the first guy Lb interviewed back in April. He gave an interesting account of the birth of Hoodlum. I'd love to get your perspective since you were there from the beginning as well.

Well my good sir Hoodlum was about 9 lbs 8 ouces and grew to be a gawky teenager hahahaha. No um well it started pretty funny. I was on a team before called Death Mob. Man that was the worse name ever. But anyways I met Magic and we started to chill with each other. And then one day he asked me if I wanted to start a team with him. It was funny because at first I felt bad about leaving Death Mob. But then I was like "were not doing anything" so i jumped in head-first. The rest is what we in the medical industry say was "history". It's weird telling that story because I'm always telling the shorter version of it.

Magic credits you with coming up with the name Hoodlum. Is that true? I heard his suggestions were... um... not that impressive.

Haha yeah we always have that back and forth when it comes to naming things. He would always be like "na i dont know about that " and then say something like "what about the blue baracudas?" But yeah I just said Hoodlum and he said "yeah" after the second time I said it. It's always been that relationship between me and him.

What's surprising to me is that you two ended up on two different Hoodlum branches? Why is that?

Well as he told you we were getting too big, so me and Adopted thought of making a sister team to ease the load, and i would run that. And Magic thought he should have one too haha so then Hostile formed. It works though cause we kind of need that dynamic. We have very different view points in skating sometimes, and Vice and Hostile allow us to express them.

Plus you like pizza and he likes burritos.

Exactly. What's with that guy?

Bangin taco trucks out there in LA.

I only eat tacos at home. I'm a very picky eater. God this whole interview i sound like a woman. Haha.

So I've noticed some roster changes on Hoodlum recently. Heard rumors of new branches forming. Is there a new generation of Hoodies rising?

Yeah theres some new guys coming to the evil empire. I guess were gonna have to call in for a new order at the woodshop.

That shit gets expensive when you run a big team. Found any long tees yet?

Dude I was so bummed when i got to PC and found out the warehouse messed up the shirt orders. I'm a grown ass man! What am I gonna do with all these "free t-shirt" sized tees?

Yeah. Some effed up vendors in PC. I'm looking for a new photo developer too. Can't seem to find one that can give me a crisp image. I'm gonna run for PC city manager next year. Need some stimulus up in here.

When I got to PC, I could barley find a place to live. Had to sleep on the couch at the fluckit house for a month.

Yeah I been there for a party once. I learned the hard way not to step in the vomit bombs.

Words to live by if you wanna stay there.

Indeed. So as far as new talent in PC is concerned, what impresses you these days? You have a reputation for being picky about skating style (and now food), so what does it take to "wow" Clayfighter these days?

Style. I have been and always will be a style whore. You don't have to do the craziest tricks. I just want to see good style. I'm getting tired of alot of the new crop of kids these days - they're all so similar, or trying too hard to look like the older guys. But I do like seeing nice tech tricks too. But there has to be style.

Do you think its all in the skating, or is filming equally important?

It's a crazy balance of both needed, but truthfully I feel skating should come first. Because when your solid with your skating you can learn to film around your style. I mean remeber when we were using those old cameras back in SV? And we all had to be on our game skating wise, then we get all this fancy shit, and alot of people forgot that. I dont wanna see your filmer's abilities with the camera. I wanna see you skate. I dont know I've just gotten tired of the picture frame vids. Where the skating is like the stock family in the picture frame when you buy it, just there to showcase the frame.

If I was a noob with no clue how to skate or film, who should I watch for inspiration?

Hoodlum of course hahah. No but it's kind of hard for me to say right now. I dont wanna sound rude but i havent been watching alot of newer guys' videos unless soemone tells me too, and who ever I think is good we tend to pick up. But yeah watch some DP vids or Psychonat vids, or really just mess around with a spot to be truthful. You learn alot of your style and likes from just doing things.

Any other advice for a new kid looking to get on a team, or looking to start a team? Do's? Don'ts?

Don't be a dick like me hahaha. Be yourself don't try to be like any of us because I don't wanna see another version of a skater. Find your niche.

So now that you've been in PC for several months, do you regret the move from San Van?

PC is ok. I do miss many things from San Van but I've gotten more comfortable in PC.

What do you miss most from San Van? Have a favorite spot you are jonesing to hit again?

You know I really cant think of one. Okay yes I can. I'm a liar. I miss oliver elmentary. Also miss downtown there were so many good things downtown. But we've been taking a few trips back to SV so I've been getting to skate at Zen Plaza and the art gallery, it's dope

Well every kid with a hammer and tape measure has been flooding the scene with new spots to skate. Anything impress you so far?

NO! hahahahaha just kidding. Um I've been seeing a few cool spots poping up like the old cineplex. That place is awesome. I've been hearing about a really cool McDonalds parking lot but I haven't gotten directions to it.

Yeah i been there. Dope spot. Horrible food

Yeah Mickey Ds is not my friend.

I'll admit had a sausage McGriddles today.

Well you sir need prayer and a bath cause thats just terrible.

Well if BK would bring back the cheesy-tots, i wouldnt have to go McD's.

I'm like the only person who doesn't like cheese on everything. But yeah BK is lightyears better than McD. Damn it now I want a croissatwich.

Oh fuck yes - interview over... Shit, wait it's after 10:30.

DAMN TIME RESTRAINTS

You have been a very vocal member of the skate community for many years. Often with that comes beef, and hurtsy feelings. What misconceptions do you think the community has of you?

Well I feel people have kind of pegged me as a jerk.

Why is that?

I think its because I'm kind of blunt. I mean in comparison to Magic I'm more of the hammer when it comes to dealing with people. But also I'm just used to dealing with more adult people, who don't need to be coddled.

Yeah i understand. Some of the younger guys don't handle criticism well. You really gotta know how to take the shit and become better bacause of it. Personally, I've never gotten better at something by hearing compliments. I need to know what's WRONG with my work.

Exactly! I mean you hang out with us, we just "tell it like it is" because utimately we can take it and we have respect for each other.

We all learn the hard way. Even the OG's. Hoodlum had been around since the first 4 wheels hit pavement in SV, and it's remained strong since them. You don't get to the top without making a few enemies along the way. Any lingering beef?

I feel like a Mark Zukerberg, only I'm not a billionaire, and nothing like him.

Haha!

Actually beef seems to have cooled since the move. Alot of companies went under when we all moved. It's been for the best.

Any point in rehashing it? Or you wanna just move on? Water under the bridge?

It's water. I guess I still have my feelings towards "that fastfood guy" but other than that I'm kind of over it. And hell were still here and that just proves our point.

The high road seems to often be the one less taken, so props to you for that.

Also FUCK ALL MY ENEMIES! DIE SLOW!

Haha! So what's in the future for Vice and HF?

Well I hope Vice continues to be liked by the press and the fans, and HF will continue to distribute top products to the kids. "We pass the slavings on to you"

As long as you guys keep dropping heavy vids, I dont think that will be a problem. You think the Vice full will drop before Hostile's?

Ahhaha um I don't know maybe. Hostile's been working on theres for a while so they've got a head start.

The race is on. What's your favorite trick?

Her name is Missy and I dont think she would like to be called that hahaha.

Ha!

No um I like varial heels alot. They just look so damn good. That and tre flips. Also fell in love with switch feebles.

Favorite obstacle?

I like doing lines so mirrors hahah. Jeeze put the rainbow suspenders and rolled up blazer on me and im a 80's comedian. I like ledges alot and flat bars I'm nuts about like little parking lot flatbars. I need more of them.

The last trick you learned?

Switch tail to crooks. I feel pretty damn happy about that.

Been trying that for a while? Or did you just have a recent obsession with that trick?

I was trying to learn switch fs lip to crook and I learned that instead. I always learn tricks by accident.

What trick is most challenging for you?

Most double grinds like feeble to tail or 5-0 to sw crook. I can do some to make me look like I know what I'm doing, but im a novice in comparison to people like bullet or southie. Also Robley because he's vain and likes to read his name. We are going to be living together and have a sitcom too.

What's the sitcom premise? Zombie skaters?

No its the tv version of "The thing with two heads." I'm Rosie Grier and hes Ray Milland.

Jeezis.

There will be no cameras though.

I can see you and Robley writing some stoopidly good comedy.

I can too. We have a good back and forth, that and we are tied by our murders of b-list celebs.

I was wondering where John Crier went.

To cbs where self esteem goes to die.

Indeed. Forgot he actually had a show. John always be Duckie to me.

Haha Duckie. He'll always be Wash-Out from Hot Shots to me

What's your kit setup?

7.8 Vice board, indys, spitfire and Nike Sbs. I have the weirdest kit cause I'm a big dude and have size 14 feet and ride what some would call a popsicle stick.

Do you ever ride any decks besides HF models?

DP boards sometimes. Whatever I can find when I dont have a package in.

And finally, if you could make any object fall from the sky and safely land in front of you, what would it be?

Rosario Dawson. God I love her. And JENIFER TILLY CAUSE I KNOW YOU WANNA HEAR THAT! hahahaha. Also, sorry for calling women objects. Except for Jennifer - she's not a real person.

Johnny Be Good Tilly or Seed of Chucky Tilly?

Bounce Tilly where she had that sex scene with Gina Gershon. That and she's been looking good on celebrity poker. But Rosairo beats her hands down.

Haha alright Clay. Thanks for dropping by Lb today. Look forward to skating with you again soon.

I love you and in no way does that make you gay. Good talkin.