to play guitar when I was younger too so I was betterat guitar and as we grew up together and we went todifferent public schools, he took music by the handand then I took skating, so we kind of swapped offand then I meet him back in high school at the orientationfor freshman year and we meet up and now Iknow that his like this really great guitar player andnow he thinks that I’m like some kind of pro.You are pro!Which is your favorite?I like skating, I feel like guitar can seem like kind ofchallenging at times and I don’t feel like I’m reallygood at lead but when it comes to rhythm I’m good.When I’m hanging out with Alex, my best friend, helike kind of takes the lead part and ill just like playthe chords or like solo. But I’d say skateboardingbecause of the creative aspect of it.It’s a good outlet, cause when it’s too cold,or too, too hot, at least you have guitar.Has there been anyone who has helpedguide you through life? Parent, mentor,friend…I’d have to say probably my older sister, she’s probablytaught me like a lot of the most important stuffthat I need to know. Along with my parents and justeveryone who’s along with the ride I guess. I feel likemy friends have a lot of inspiration within me. Theykind of inspire me too…Now do your friends inspire you to do thegood things or the bad things?(laughter)The good things of course, I’m saying in grown upterms. We’re getting older.Do you stay out of trouble?Of course, I have to. My moms always on my case.Have you ever been in trouble?Sometimes, but not in like craziest terms.you got into some trouble when you were a kid?I did!Jared: really?I got into a lot of trouble and again, it’s not myinterview.(laughter)Now a few fun questions. Favorite skater?Street skater is probably like, Dylan Rieder, Austin Gilletteand anywhere with the technical guys like Chrisand Jesse and then I guess like tranny skaters probablylike Grant Taylor, Curren Caples, and Raney Beres.Favorite food?I’m gonna go with pizza,Favorite movie?Happy Gilmore, I don’t know, I have a few but I don’t reallywatch too much TV. Oh! You know what, Pulp Fiction.What’s your board setup?It’s a new company, they’re kind of like low key. Lovesick,it’s an 8.475, practically an 8.5. and then whateverhardware. Spitfire lock ins and I think they are 63mmwith some 149 independent trucks, I think they’re stage11s. These are some… I think they’re Z-flex rails, I putthese on because I started riding rails. I use to have oneand I use to do like the whole Daniel Vargas thing, wherelike, little slide, but a little bit of grab, but I like got usedto this. I put them on and I was like, I fell in love becauseyou could just skate street and slide anything (laughter)that’s what it feels like. And then for the bearings, I triedout some Bronson’s. They feel pretty good, kind of fast.Thank you for allowing us to interview you. Doyou have any last words?No thank you, but if you feel like you’re going through it,everybody is and so you’re not alone and try and makesomeone smile once a day, that always helps.Just wanted to make sure you weren’t likeme!THE END
Photo: Andy Nguyen