1. What is your full name and age?
My full name is Brian Michael Perry and even though my Myspace page says that I am 28 years old, I am actually 29. It’s like that new Jay-Z song says “30 is the new 20” haha. But, I still feel like I am 18 since I take care of my mind, body and soul.
2. How old were you when you first started skating?
I fell upon skating at a late age when compared to the kids just starting out now. I was 17 when I first started, but I took it seriously shortly after once the addiction to rolling kicked in.
3. What got you into it?
A few things got me into it actually. The first is the fact that I am lazy so I started rolling just so I can get to the store and back much faster than walking. As I skated to further distances I jumped over sewer caps, 180’ed off of curbs and my interest in how much I can progress sparked an undying love for rolling. The deal was sealed when my good friend showed me “Hoax 2”. After that it was skate all day, everyday.
4. What is the worst injury you’ve had in rolling?
The time when I was going for a Fakie 360 off of a launch ramp and I over rotated which resulted in me landing on my foot, bending it awkward. Luckily, I didn’t break my ankle BUT I did sprain it badly and I needed a cane to walk around for about 3 weeks. I couldn’t skate for about a month afterwards so I just practiced my tricks switch until my ankle healed and I was able to put pressure on my foot again.
5. What do you think the best music to roll to is?
I prefer to roll to instrumentals such as those by RJD2 since I can just flow to whatever I am skating without worrying much about losing my concentration while trying to listen to lyrics. My only exception is MF DOOM.
6. What does skating mean to you?
Skating means LIVING to me since it has changed my life so much and helped mold me into the person that I am today. When I put my skates on my feet I feel invincible.
7. What were the best pair of skates that you’ve had?
The best pair of skates that I have ever had are the pair that I am rolling on now and those are my VALO’s.
8. What’s your best trick landed?
Well, I personally feel that every trick that I don’t fall on is a best trick since I am able to roll away from it haha. But, one of my personal favorite tricks that I landed was Front Torque to Top Acid 180 Off on a mini ramp. Pretty simple switch up but I liked it.
9. What’s your favorite skate park?
My favorite skate park will always be |B| Unique’s “Underground”. I used to sleep there and skate all night. I learned so much there and the sessions there were amazing. I am definitely saddened that the park is now closed but we are working on a resurrection at a new location ; )
10. Where’s your favorite skate spot in the world?
I still have many spots to skate but one of my favorites is Korean Rail which is located in Brooklyn, New York. For those of you that may not be familiar with that rail, that is the rail that I was skating in Freestyle Rolling. It is a great rail to session and it is NOT a kick out spot which is always good in my eyes.
11. Who most inspires you in the industry right now?
I am inspired by a great skater who is also a great friend as well and his name is Jon Julio. He is part of the 25 & up club and he is one of the skaters that I looked up to when I was first beginning to roll. Whenever I am feeling like I am too old to roll, I pop in We Are Valo 1 & 2 and I get inspired to keep on going. His involvement in many aspects of the industry is inspiring to me as well.
12. What teams have you been with?
Throughout my many years of rolling I have been a part of many teams. I used to get hook-ups and product flows from Rollerblade, K2, FR, Triple Eight, Oxygen & Osbee. But now I am a part of and represent |B| Unique, Valo, Spoil’d Bratt Skateshop, iDentity Clothing & Rockstar Bearings. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am in good hands and taken care of very well.
13. What is your own personal skating motto?
“Only think about falling when it happens”.
14. Roughly, how many hours a week do you spend skating?
I just moved out to Long Beach, California and there is a concrete park a block away from where I am staying at so I am skating more often these days. So, recently I have been skating about 25-30 hours a week.
15. To you, what is the biggest enemy the industry has at the moment?
There are many hurdles to overcome but the first one that comes to mind is separation. If a lot of skaters / companies worked together instead of bashing each other than we can all reach our goals much faster. United, we can be a force to be reckoned with and give skateboarding, bmx’ing or whoever a run for its’ money.
16. What is the first memory you have of skating?
My first memory of skating is the joy and freedom that I felt course through my body as I rolled around in the concrete jungle of New York City. I still have those feelings today.
17. Do you have any lucky accessories, clothes?
There is 1 thing that I ALWAYS skate with no matter where I am in the globe at that moment and that is my |B| Unique dogtags. They represent loyalty and commitment which is needed when skating at your best.
18. ( Only if you expect to ) When do you intend to come to the skatepark?
Honestly, I have no idea. But, I would love to check it out as soon as possible.
19. Would you be willing to help in a “What The Pros’ Are Up To” section of the skatepark’s podcast by sending some new material in every week of just a few skate spots or maybe even a video clip detailing every week?
I am not a PRO when compared to Chris Haffey or Brian Aragon but I will definitely like to help out in anyway that I can. I know a lot of them personally so maybe I can get some exclusives for the website. I live near Rachard Johnson now so I can make that happen as well.
20. What messages do you have for all the people out there who want to start skating or are just beginning? As well as those more experienced?
For those that want to start skating I would highly suggest for you to do some research online to make sure that you get a good pair of affordable skates to start off with. There are many good sites that will answer your questions such as www.rollerwarehouse.com or www.sk8-spoiledbrat.com Call them up and they will hook you up! For the beginners, just have patience and progress at your own pace. Don’t rush yourself. Don’t worry about anybody else but yourself. With enough heart and effort you will get to the level that you want to be. And for the more experienced, stay in school, get that job and always keep progressing yourself everytime you strap on those skates!
Thanks for the interview Brian! A lot of the interviews on this site aswell as other things would not have been possible without him :). - Rudy.
