Lb is proud to bring you this month's interview and mag photo feature with combat vet and OG skater, Soulex?. We are glad to have him back, no doubt. Please enjoy the interview below. Photos by BladderBoy.

Wassup stranger! How are you Soulex??

Doing pretty good man. How are things on your end?

Real good. Real busy. Thankful I have the opportunity to sit down and chat with a true OG. You and some of your homies been gone for a minute - showin up a little late to the party in Port Carverton. Where you been?

I decided to take a break you know? Lots of drama came with the move to New San Van. It went from how everyone skated, and the love for it - to personal issues and conflict. A lot of us got caught up in it, and peaced. Pulled something like a Tom Penny. Just disappeared man.

I remember those days very well. Sometimes you need time to reevaluate, think about what youre doing, and why you are doing it.

Yeah, exactly. So many people get lost on the way. Worried about that fame in place of the thrill of landing something you've been trying for days.

It's great to see you come back swinging with a new solo. You digging your new home in PC?

PC is pretty chill. Not nearly as many monster gaps as I'd like, but the lack of security guards makes everything a little more pleasant when trying to get that trick in.

What's your favorite area of PC so far?

I've been finding lots of roof gaps down by the docks that I like. And of course Danny Way's place and the Sanatorium are pretty sick.

Yeah you got some spots on lock at the Sanatorium. So your return begs the question - is Stay Down coming back?

It never left.

Who is on the team now? Crypt making a comeback too?

A lot of OG's. Damien, Plastic Malice, Senner, Vicious and of course Crypt. Crypt's made a comeback. He already released a short little vid of the Black Box when it first opened. He killed it.

Dang that flew under Lb's radar. Who do I fire for that eff-up?! Great to know Crypt is still floating around - I assume we will be seeing a lot of his deck designs and artwork in the future? The guy is a very talented designer and illustrator.

Haha, the video wasn't a huge thing. Anyone who wants to see it can check it out at http://www.staydown.org A lot of his decks are out too. Crypt was a huge reason why I joined SD. I remember asking him to get on, and he gave me this trick list. I did it, and the end result was horrible on my part. But he worked with me. I started the Neoteric Design series to show him what I was working on over the course of a few months. By the finale he was convinced to let me on the team. He's a great friend as well as a mentor.

He really put you to the test. Crypt don't eff around, apparently. Who else was on Stay Down back then, when you first joined?

Man, I miss that line up. Alot of great skaters. BigRedTakeover, Crzboarder, Damien... There was a massive amount of talent.

Great lineup. I'd love to see another full length with those guys. Only The Strong was a legendary SD OG vid. Anything on that scale brewing already?

Haha. You never know what's coming next from us. I'm not one to spread rumors but you might see something from us soon.

Cant wait to see what happens. So are you mainly going to be skating for SD, or are you editing and designing as well? What role will you be playing?

I'm just skating right now. The Angrycake solo was my first attempt at using Vegas. Once I get better, I'm sure I'll try to step up and be an editor.

Is Stay Down going to actively recruit new team members in PC? Or are you gonna stick with the proven formula?

I'm not too sure to be honest. Everyone on the roster had an OG release or something close to it. I'm sure we would not be opposed to recruiting, but it's a different team than it used to be.

What's different?

It's more about the love for skating than anything else. Back then we were pumping out videos left and right. Now it's more about good times with friends. It's relaxing to say the least. Damien, Crypt and myself have had more than a few good nights skating some random park together.

Yeah I noticed a bunch of OGs are taking that approach now - many of them just going solo, relieving themselves of the pressure that comes with deadlines and expectations. What do think the advantage is to coming back as Stay Down, rather than kicking it solo?

Home is where your heart is. My heart was in this team since I was an upcoming kid on Magik. It's brought out the best in me. Back then Stay Down was a standard. It's a happy reminder that I've met and surpassed that standard, and others have too.

What teams or skaters outside of SD do you think are pushing the boundaries, and surpassing that standard?

I've always been a fan of DP. They look at the world through such different eyes that sometimes I think "I would have never seen that as a spot." Reign, before it collapsed, was a great team. Lots of skaters are a complete joy to watch. Eflixx, Slammoh, BeRT, Crzboarder, Tnofilms, Midnight, Stevland, Giant Kanen, Skh88. As far as pushing, or surpassing the OG SD standard, it's subjective really. We aren't trying to make it look like we're the best there ever was. Everyone likes different skating. Though the common denominator is that most everyone I mentioned above was either on DP or SD at some point in their career.

Tell us about Magik. Was that the first team you were on?

Haha yeah it was. It was different. Wurk had me try out, liked what I did and was put on the team. We dropped a few team vids, and I dropped a solo or two under the Magik name. Then I think everyone started to leave, and that was the time I was approaching Crypt to get on SD. So I left and went solo for a while.

Yeah a bunch of teams came and went back then. Only the strong survive, and keep pushing. What are the future plans for SD? Should we be looking out for an Stay Down park or label?

There are a few parks out there for SD. Nothing official yet. It's something that's being worked on.

What SD video are you most proud to be associated with?

The Lost Tapes was hands down the best video I've done. It was a mix of footy from videos that never left the edit bay. Even though it was dropped recently, looking back the skating was some of the best I have ever done.

How would you describe your skating style? Is there an Stay Down mantra that guides you when skating and filming?

I skate big gaps, huge sets, and long rails. I've always been the "Go big or go home" type of skater. I can be a little tech sometimes. Depends on the spot. But there isn't a mantra or guideline for skating and filming. We all continually push ourselves to be better

Any specific personal goals you'd like to achieve with your skating career?

To never forget why I started skating in the first place.

Why is that?

Like I mentioned earlier, a lot of people lose track on why they began to skate. They get caught up in the skate hate and just spiral out of control. It almost happened to me. One of my favorite SD decks is "No Love". Because that's exactly what some people have left.

I agree that it should be fun and positive - at the least. So what do you do when your NOT skating? How do you pay the rent?

I'm actually in the military. I've been deployed in Iraq and in Haiti. I skate in what little free time I have.

Well I can speak for everyone at Lb, we appreciate the hard work you do for our country, and others around the world. Have you gotten more injuries in combat or while skating?

Skating definitely. I've gotten a 5 compound fracture in my left forearm from skating. So far all I've gotten from the military is a snapped ligament.

How did that happen?

Let's just say that you can get hurt doing combatives. Even if you are instructing.

I bet you could teach Coach Frank a thing or two. See any kids skating in Iraq or Haiti? Is there a scene over there?

I know when I was over in Iraq, there was a project to get Baghdad it's first skate park. I never got to see it. And Haiti was in too much disarray. The streets were crowded with people. There was no way anyone was skating. Not to mention the rubble.

I'd love to see a military issue Soulex deck. What do you think?

It's a possibility. Im sure there are some other military skaters out there that'd rock it.

What's your rank, soldier?

Specialist.

What do you specialize in? What are your responsibilities?

Right now it's Ammunition. When I was in Iraq I was responsible for keeping track of every round in theater. I recently re-enlisted though to get a new job. I'm going to be a radio broadcast journalist as soon as my ankle heals.

You plan on a lifelong career in the military, or would you like to apply your skills to a civilian job?

I'm going to make this a career. I love my country, I love wearing the uniform and what it represents. Not to mention, you can't beat the benefits.

Good luck with that man. We wish you the best. You seem to be an extremely busy guy, but do you think SD will ever make time to revisit San Van for a video in the future?

You never quite know with us.

What do you miss most about San Vanelona? Favorite Spot?

I spent countless hours at DIY. I never really had a spot that I stayed at a lot. I roamed around a lot. Looking for that next big gap. That untouched stairset.

Favorite trick?

Switch Hardflip or FS/BS flips.

Favorite obstacle?

Stairsets.

Most challenging trick?

Inward Heels. It takes me one or two extra tries to land those.

What brands do you rep? What's your board setup?

SD Splatter Deck with Indys and Autobahn wheels. I've always been a big supporter of Indy, Volcom, and DVS.

What 3 things could you NOT live without?

Music, good food, and my family.

What's your favorite song to skate to?

I listen to mostly chill music when skating. Stuff like Deftones, Atmosphere, Blockhead, and others. I listen to everything.

So you love Lady Gaga, got it. Finish this sentence: 10 years from now I will be....

Remembering the good 'ol days, doing what I can to get that last ride in.

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

A walrus, and I'd make sure that Rhekaan was in front of me.

Hall of Walrus Meat. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with Lb. Look forward to seeing more of you and Stay Down in the future. Stay safe!

Thanks man. It's been a pleasure.