By John Smythe
The first time I can ever remember talking to Jay was back in '66 at the Ocean Park Pier. His step-father Kent ran the surfboard rental concession there and Adams naturally was in the vortex of the beach scene energy conduit. Now it's 13 or so years later and Jay at 18 is truly one of the sport's seasoned veterans. Having known Adams over the years I really can't say he's changed much. He remains one of the most spontaneous, unpredictable persons I've ever encountered. Jay's always been capable of short circuiting any situation. The man's the stuff legends are made of and everything you've ever heard about him is probably true, or should be anyway.
As a skater he certainly is the "Player's Choice." Adams has won a load of contests, world titles and such, most of which he can't even remember. This lack of concern over past achievements is probably the striking thing about Jay. He truly doesn't care that much about the tokenism of cheap ego trips or about cashing in on his abilities at the box office. (For instance, he passed on doing this interview for over four years.) Jay continues to defy the odds and skates on in his brilliant, consistently innovative manner. If you doubt any of this, just check him out sometime.
How long have you been skating?
About 9 years.
Who are your sponsors now?
Just Tracker Trucks.
What are your favorite Parks?
I'd say Cherry Hill was my favorite, and Marina's my second favorite. I haven't found that many parks that are unreal. These are the only 2 parks that I enjoy skating at. Seems once you ride a perfect pool, you ride something worse and it doesn't seem that fun anymore.
What are your favorite backyard pools?
I guess the Canyon pool, and the real Dogbowl. Those are the two most fun cause we had each of those 2 pools wired. I used to have a lot of fun with Palfreyman going to the Fruit bowls.
What's the most radical thing you've ever done?
(No answer)
What's the most radical thing you've ever seen done?
Maybe Alva going down Marine Hill. . .remember that one? Passing one car, when another one was going up. But then I remember he fell that day, and he cried and said that he'd quit skateboarding forever. Remember that? Shogo ate it that day too. I think I kinda mellowed out that day. Skating seemed a lot different back then. I was almost always on a skateboard. I'd wake up, probably go surfing, then I'd come home, ride my skateboard back from the beach, all over town, then take the bus somewhere to go skating, then I'd ride home from there. Seems like you always had your skateboard with you, were always on it. That was your main way of getting around - either the bus or a skateboard. Plus we did a lot of different things: we did slaloms, we did speed runs, bank-riding. And now it's mostly into pool-riding.
You miss that kind of wide spread of activity? Do you feel confined just by riding parks?
No, I don't feel confined. It feels good, but back then it seemed more a way of life, now it's more of a sport thing to do. Like a business-sport type of thing. Back then it was totally for pleasure.
That's before the magazines got to be such a power too.
The magazine I think controls it a lot. Almost all of it.
Do you think the magazine's accurate?
I think they're about-maneuver-wise-a month or so behind. By the time the magazine comes out a lot of people can do he new tricks, there are plenty more being made. It keeps going. New tricks are coming up all the time.
I think (the magazine) is pretty honest. They judge a lot on competition too, if you do good in a contest, you'll get in a magazine.
What's your life style like now?
My basic day. . .wake up, take a shower, either go to the beach or ride skateboards.
What kinds of things are Important to you in life?
I don't have too many important things. I like to surf a lot. I guess important things are getting fed everyday. . .just surviving.
How long have you lived on your own?
About a year. It's different, you know. Living with my mom was kind of like living on my own. . . I paid her money and stuff, I cooked all my own food, washed my own stuff. We were just kind of like roommates. It was like that for awhile, though I didn't have to pay her money 'til I was about 17. We were living in Hawaii; we had welfare sent to us. . .we've always been pretty poor.
Do you think this was a disadvantage?
Not really. It's a disadvantage in ways. In other ways it's an advantage too. I've got some friends that don't even know what's happening. . .they don't even know how to take care of themselves if they had to. If I got thrown out of my house, I could survive easy. I know some people that couldn't.
What do you think of punk rock?
Punk is bunk! Some punk stuff's pretty cool. I like how Jerry Valdez and them dudes trip around. Those guys make me laugh a lot. They're all freaked out, they just don't care about nothing. You could call them Nazis too. Jerry Valdez has been around a real long time. Pretty good for a "val" boy, huh? I mean they had their whole little Dogtown trip out there, but they were just vals, you know. First time I ever saw them, I went to their Viper bowl, and they totally vibed us. There was about 15 of them, and about 4 of us. They were givin' us problems, and they didn't know who we were, and we didn't know who they were. We thought we were the baddest, and they thought they were. Turned out we got to be pretty good friends after that, even though we were throwing rocks at them from the hill before we left.
Now that you're on the subject of rowdy-ism, what other sort of rowdy things have you done? In some places your exploits are legendary. People want to know if it's true you took an old lady's wig and she was bald, or if you can hit a target with a dirt clod at 200 yards, or if you borrowed a bicycle and rode it off the pier in flames, etc., etc.
I never did that one. Well, livin' around our area, especially when you're young, about 13, you get pretty crazy. And back then it was looser than nowadays. Ocean Park was totally insane. P.O.P. man, that place was unreal. I'm glad I got to be brought up during that time. How many people around here can say they went in there when it was totally happening? Got to go on all the rides for free.
About the Nazi thing - in the past you and other people have been known to adorn your bodies, equipment, as well as private and public property with swastikas. At one time this blew a lot of people out. . .
I know my mom didn't like it. . .Z-Flex didn't like it. I think they look pretty neat. It doesn't really mean Nazi. We meant it as more of a skating trip. Kind of like punk rock, but not the weird kind of music.
Didn't you guys used to call yourselves "Skate Nazis"?
Yeah, I used to call myself a "Skate Nazi" plenty of times.
So there was no political motivation behind the use of the swastika?
None. I see kids in pictures from Texas with Nazi signs all over the place. They're all into it. I don't think they mean the Nazi sign as having anything to do with being against Jews; it's more or less just "go-for-it" skating and not caring about anybody else, except for your friends.
What do you think about roller-skating?
I think Duke and those guys blaze. But the rest of it - I think is a joke. I don't dig it.
What do you mean by the rest of it?
Just all the disco stuff and all the lame styles that they use. It just looks pretty lame. Looks totally non-surfing like to me.
What about the Dogtown scene? Was there ever one?
Maybe, at one time.
Is there one now?
I wouldn't say so.
What happened?
Everyone quit skating.
Everyone?
Almost everyone. Except for like Stacy, Shogo, me, Tony. That's about it. . .Muir's roller-skating at the beach, Constantineau's married in Hollywood, Donny Olham's surfing, Sarlo's surfing. Pratt builds surfboards, Wentzle's got a girlfriend and hangs out at the beach, Biniak's out playing golf somewhere, Flores is out there too. Wes Humpston skates, but he doesn't take it to a professional level, he's more into the design-scene company part.
Would you say that scene is dead?
It's not really dead. Like before, it was kind of like a gang trip. Not really a gang, but just all of us, we stuck together skating-wise. We'd go to other places and we'd give everyone shit. We'd try to take over everywhere and it was pretty strong. Everybody was into it. . .and now nobody's into it.
Would you agree with the statement that the D.T. thing was a "movement"?
Yeah, I'd agree. For awhile it was pretty good during the Dogtown-down-South thing.
Was it commercial or non-commercial?
To the magazine, they just tried to make it a big hype; and to us it was just the things that we did.
What do you remember most about the whole thing?
The team contest trips, when we'd go stay at some motel and everybody'd get . . .well, we'd all party out and have fun in the contest the next day. And uh, the team meetings; I guess were kind of a drag at the time, man, but now they seem like they were pretty cool (laughs). I guess the most fun was stickin' with all the guys on the team and goin' out and finding pools and stuff. If anybody from anyplace would give you a hard time, you'd give it right back. Have all your friends there to back you up. Like I never even go lookin' for pools in backyards anymore. Ever since skateparks came out, I don't know too many people that do now. It's not like it was before.
Do you miss it?
Yeah, pretty much, it was way more casual, you know, when you go skate a backyard pool, instead of coming to a skatepark, seeing the guy at the gate go, "Hey, Joe, how's it goin'?" (Mimicking) You know? Gotta check in and stuff. It's just kind of weird. Plus there's a lot of little jerks around. But that's cool. At backyard sessions I think it was way more intense. Just you and your friends. Just all the locals. That'd be it, you know. It was for sure more localized.
You think it was more progressive; did you advance faster then?
No, I don't think so. I think you learn more things in parks. You can go to a park anytime you want, all day long. At a backyard pool, we'd have certain hours. Plus parks make you wear safety equipment, and I think that's a good idea, 'cause then you don't have that much to worry about.
How bad have you been hurt?
Not that bad, I messed up my back one time. I rolled out on a backside edger, and it slid out, and my foot got caught, and I dove in and just hit the bottom. I think I tore ligaments, or something-something weird.
Is style important to you in skating?
Yeah, I think style is one of the most important things. The difference between a lot of good skaters is some know a lot of hot tricks, but they haven't got style. I think the better skaters are the guys that have style.
How did you develop your style?
I think the guys that influenced us most in the beginning were surfing guys. And then, as we progressed, we copied each other, too. The most important thing was trying to make it look like surfing back then 'cause there weren't as many tricks, there was more just kickturning with frontsides, backsides,, and occasionally, slides, which everyone can do now.
You feel like you guys carried it further than just copying surfing?
For sure, now it's come full circle. I see surfers trying aerials and stuff. I think surfing helped out skateboarding, and I think skateboarding has helped surfing too.
You were active in the contest thing a few years ago, and were real successful. Then you just shined it on and dropped out. Now you seem to be easing back into it. What would you say about that?
Now I ride in 'em but I'm not really into them. Before, it seems like contests were more fun. Now it's all. . .it's more serious, you know, you gotta get your act together more heavily. And if you make one little mistake, you're out of it totally. The first couple of pool contests I think were a joke, totally. They always seem to mess up somewhere, man. Like the judging will be lame, or they'll have it in a shitty pool. It's always something.
What's the best contest you've ever been in?
Probably the '75 World Championships. The one I got two firsts in. that's the one I had the most fun in.
Has your attitude changed through the course of your career?
No, not much at all.
What do you think the key moves in skating are now?
I think aerials are happening. They seem the most fun.
Over the years you've exhibited a highly spontaneous approach to skating, and I think social situations too. Are you trying to be spontaneous. . .are you aware of it?
I don't know, I just try to skate, and the rest of it, the financial stuff, I'd rather have somebody else take care of. Some other jerk tell me what to do and stuff. I'd rather just go out and do the skating part.
But when you're skating, what are you going after? How do you try to do it? Are you conscious about what you're doing when you skate?
Yeah! I just try to have fun and try different things, you know. I don't like to . . .I get bored when I do the same thing over and over.
Think you ever did the same thing more than two times in a row?
Yeah.
Three times?
Yeah.
Four?
Yeah, (laughs) it gets boring after that. Some things you got to try over and over just to learn them. But too much of the same thing gets dead.
Are you conscious of promoting yourself?
Not really, I guess, I kind of screw up. I don't try to get out there and promote myself or anything. I just try to get enough equipment. I like to have good equipment all the time, so I'll have fun, you know. Not really too into the business trip.
Why is this?
I don't know why. I just ain't really that interested.
Have there been times in your career when you were interested in business or did you just not deal with it when you could have?
Yeah, I guess. Like with this interview. . .I just kept kind of putting it off. How long's it been?
It's only been four years. (Laughter)
Of all the people who were in the original skating Dogtown scene, you were undoubtedly one of the most prominent in the beginning; and commercially, at this date, you seem to have cashed in the least. Why?
I don't know. I guess 'cause I'm totally lame - no (laughing).
Do you think that's true?
No. . .not the least. One of the least. I don't know why I get less. I guess 'cause people are always telling me they're going to give me something, and they fall through or something. Like all them guys from Arrow and Freebarin. They promise you a lot of stuff - big stuff, and they ain't got it. Cars, trips, money. . .all flash, no cash.
Do you have any advice for people coming up?
Just stick with something that's gonna stay around. Something good. You know, quality stuff that'll be around for awhile. Instead of just jumping to the first thing that sounds good. . .it may not last a long time.
You feel like you've been exploited in any way?
What's that, exploited?
Used. . .used by others possibly for their commercial gain. Maybe a little bit, but not really though. No more than I use them. What the heck, most of them are trying to rip everybody off.
Have you made money out of skateboarding?
Not too much. Enough to survive. . .barely. A lot of people think they can make a lot of money, but you can't.
What do you spend your money on?
Food and rent. . .and partying.
After that there's nothing left?
Not really.
You got a bank account?
Yeah, now I do (laughing). I just opened one, about 3 days ago, with 500 bucks.
Why?
'Cause I got some money finally and I wanted to save it instead of just spending it.
Who are your favorite skaters to watch?
I like Marty Grimes, Chris Strople, Steve Alba. That whole crowd's unreal. And from around here I like Polar Bear, Cause he's radical. A lot of skaters around here are unreal. It's hard to name them.
Who's the most overrated person in skateboarding today?
I'd say Alva.
Underrated?
There's too many underrated to just say one. Marty Grimes. Pineapple, all those guys. They've ripped for a long time, and they never got much credit.
Is there still any blood between you and the Southers?
Not at all. I have a lot of friends there. I stayed down there one summer, all summer long.
What do you think about clothes? Are you aware of the way you dress?
I only got t-shirts, corduroy or khaki pants. That's all I've got.
Do you think skateboarding is a good life - as a pro?
It's average. I guess it's pretty good. . .I mean, what if I was stuck working in some dirty gas station. . .have grease all over my hands.
What kind of travel experiences have you had?
I've been to Canada, Mexico City, Hawaii, England, Northern California, New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina-maybe it was North Carolina. That's about all the places that I've been. Oh, I went to Chicago too.
Where did you receive the most hospitality?
It's all pretty good when you travel different places. But I guess in England, that was the best. They took care of us really good. We stayed in a house there. The only bummer was that there wasn't anything to do after 11 o'clock. The TV's go out, the place gets dark, and it gets really cold.
How wide are your boards, and what's their construction?
They're about 31" long, anywhere from 10 ½" - 11" wide. I don't know what they're made out of. They're all different.
What do you think about the new light board trend?
It's definitely advanced the sport. It's made more tricks happen. My deck is real light. Try to get the lightest stuff possible.
How long does your average skateboard deck last you?
About 4 days, depends on if I skate hard all day, if it's a normal board that's light, laminated.
What about Trucks?
Tracker Trucks are good, they hold up a long time.
Wheels?
I like to have new wheels all the time. I only use them about a week. They could last longer; I just like to have new equipment all the time.
Do you think you're hard on boards?
Yeah, I'd say so.
What kind of development did you play in the player's choice helmet?
I just talked to Tuzo and we made up the design. I think it's a good trip because it's the first helmet I've seen that was made for skating. It looks good, and feels comfortable. Plus it protects me.
At a certain point in your career I don't think you would've found anyone who thought you would be endorsing helmets.
Really
Do you think of yourself as a star?
No.
Do other people come on to you that way?
Sometimes. I think most of 'em just kid around when they do. To some kids in some other states, we might seem like stars, I'm not really sure. I used to get letters at Z-Flex, these little fan letters and stuff. That kind used to trip me off. So you know something must be going on.
Did you read them?
Yeah, when they came.
Answer them?
No. I guess I'm mean (ha ha). Not one of them cool guys.
Do you think stardom's ruined any of your friends?
A couple.
Think it's hurt you?
Someone else might think, "that guy's a jerk, he's big-headed or something." I, myself, don't think it has. I still feel the same way about all my friends as I ever did. I don't put myself above anybody or anything, unless they're some kook, jerk, or kind of egoed - out a little.
Do you ever think about finishing school?
Maybe later, when I need to. A couple of years ago I was making a lot of money so I didn't really need to go to school. Plus I was skating almost every day. School just kind of got in the way.
Are you health conscious?
I like to stay healthy, but I'm not into it. I eat whatever I can, whatever tastes good. When I eat dinner, I like to have vegetables and meat, you know, the basics.
For your thousands of female fans, what do you look for?
I guess personality's in there. If you want a girlfriend, you've got to find a chick that you can get along with, that ain't going to go out on you with some other skate jerk, some guy that does a higher aerial or something.
What do you think about groupies?
There's some, though not too many around here. I think in different parks there are some, I mean, who would want to be called a groupie? There's a couple though.
If you were a girl, you wouldn't want to be a groupie?
Fuck no! that'd be like being a val if you were a guy. There's a difference between some guy that lives in the Valley that rips and that isn't a jerk, and some kook that comes up to you and acts like the full val.
So being a "val" doesn't necessarily depend on your location?
Exactly. I know vals from Santa Monica or Venice or whatever. A val is more like a kook that doesn't know what's happening, that thinks that he does. But I'll call one of my friends a val, just messin' around.
How long have you been surfing?
As long as I've been skateboarding.
Who started you out?
My step-father, Kent Sherwood, at P.O.P. pier. I used to live in Venice, my dad owned a surfboard rental place under the pier. I used to dig it back then, there was a lot more action around our area. They had all the Southside surfers back then.
Have you always lived around the beach?
Yeah. I'd say right now is the farthest I've ever lived from the beach. It's about a mile away.
Do you think about the future?
I mostly live from day to day.
Do you think about the past?
Yeah, I like the past.
Do you read any magazines?
SkateBoarder and Surfer.
Go to Movies?
Occasionally. I saw "Dawn of the Dead." I like all the violence flicks. All the bloody ones, they're unreal. I don't have a favorite movie, or favorite song, or anything. I kinda like a lot of 'em. There's too many good ones to pick just one.
Do you ever get in fights?
Nah. Not into it. I mean if it happens, it happens.
Do you have any plans?
I want to go back to Hawaii, I like it a lot. I'd like to go back there and surf 'cause I got a lot of good friends over there and dig it. It's a good life. It's much healthier than here. Lot more mellow. I think Hawaii should have a skatepark. There's a lot of potential. We'd do a lot of hanging out and stuff, surf whenever there's waves, but when there's no waves, a skatepark would be perfect, 'cause there's just not that many things to do compared to around here.
What would you like to get out of skateboarding?
To keep skating, make some money so I could put it away and have it for a while. And maybe get into the business trip. If the sport stays I'd like to be into maybe teaching kids. Have a board, something like Peralta's, that kind of trip, where you have a trip going with a company that's going to last. Or maybe something where you could start a little skate coach school. Get it how skiing is.
What's your attitude towards being interviewed?
It's definitely weird. When I'm talking with all my friends I talk real freely. You know, but when you got a tape recorder held to your mouth, and a camera staring at you, you choke up a little. Like I had another interview and I said some things, then they totally changed it around, and I mean heavily. Saying things I never said.
What was that in?
Skateboard world? Anyway, it's hard to answer questions with 50-word answers. I was reading Alva's interview, just tripping out with all those long answers. You can say the same thing in five words.
What haven't we talked about?
All the "good boy" things.
What are the "good boy" things?
(mumbling answer)
Are you proud of your country? What do you think about them reinstating the draft?
It's cool. Let 'em do it.
Would you go in the army if they called you?
Depends on what I was doing at the time. I'm sure a month ago I would have been totally all for it.
What do you think about the gas shortage?
I don't have a car so it doesn't bother me at all. Now, when the food shortage comes along, then I'll be bummed out. That'll happen pretty soon.
[Editor's Note:
At this point we run out of tape and Jay becomes perplexed, deciding that he wants to do the interview "like a white man," he ventures into the pro shop. A short while later he returns with a copy of the Olson interview and a tape marked "Alva Skate Soundz. . .Keep your hands off." We insert the tape in the recorder and forge on. Sorry Tony, but what are friends for? Now some people probably won't like the ending to this interview, so be forewarned this is exactly what happened. We're talking reality, take it or leave it, like or not. . .]
What do you want to do now?
Ask me the questions in this interview.
Alright. Have you come down from the banquet yet?
Oh yeah. Right after.
Do you feel like you need to skate?
Yeah. I need to skate because the more you skate, the better you get.
Is your skating basically a way of expressing yourself?
Next question.
Are you shy or reserved?
[no answer]
A lot of people respect you for your skating, do you feel a responsibility to them to present a certain social image? Since they emulate you, not just your skating, but how you act socially.
I know that too. I just skateboard.
How do you feel about female skaters?
I think it's an okay trip, but if I had a girlfriend, I wouldn't let her skate. Because I wouldn't want no gnarly gashes. In a way it's cool, and in other ways it's kind of lame. Skateboardin' seems more for guys - you know, getting'slammed on the pavement and stuff.
You're normally reserved, but when I saw you pogoing. . .
I don't pogo. . .hey, let me see this.
(Adams studies the Olson Interview)
Man, I can't answer these, shine it, just send them the tape. Let's go check out the waves. . .
BACK TO MAIN PAGE