Don Nguyen: "I pirated my way on".

DON'S A MIX between Billy the Kid, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Bruce Leroy all rolled into one. The guy was born into this world fighting, smoking, drinking, and cussing. Don't let his stretchy girl pants fool you. This dude is as gangster as it gets. He's the son of a bookie raised in a pool hall just west of the Mississippi, in a small place only known for being the last place anybody would ever want to go. Oklahoma is such a bad place that they didn't give it to the Native Americans, they forced them into it. A dust bowl full of Baptist and dirt, this is where Don Nguyen was raised. If it was 70 years ago, he'd have an old west gun-slinging kind of nickname. "The Nuge" would mean some whole other shit.

The only difference between Billy the Kid and Nuge is that Don wouldn't have slipped up, got caught and shot. He's capable of biting your ear off like Tyson if you piss him off, and at the same time forgiving you while your ear is still in his mouth. If you happen to find yourself playing pool with him, let him win, because he will anyway. If you're drinking with him, buy him a shot. If you're skating with him, snake him, because whatever you're doing won't matter if Don's up next. At least that's what I have to do. If you ask me, he's one of the last stand-up gunslingers around. If he's on your side, you will always win. So next time you're at the OK Corral, look to your left. He's next to you, cold chilling with a whisky in one hand and a spliff in the other.

If you can catch him, that is. Trying to do his interview was almost harder then getting the photos for the damn thing; it's a hectic read. Don's in Spain at the moment and won't be back for another month. We had to do it over email, which really sucks, because you're unable to have an actual conversation with the person--like if I ask him a question and that answer leads to another question with some relevance to our conversation. In the end, I think it's amusing to say the least.

Where did you grow up skateboarding? Are there any spots that have had some coverage from your hometown?

Oklahoma. There aren't too many blown out spots there,

Daniel Shimizu is from Los Angeles and there are a lot of Asian communities there. He's also noticed that Asians in the United States usually flock to major cities like New York, San Francisco, and LA. He was wondering: how did you end up a good ol' boy from Oklahoma?

My parents met in Portland and that's where I was born. And then a year after my birth we moved to Oklahoma, because that's where my mom's parents were. That's pretty much where I was raised. We have a lot of family there, too.

Who were some of your influences, or some favorite skaters that you respected growing up?

The first video I saw was Questionable. That video tripped me out, so everyone that was on Plan B at the time. And then all the old World videos (20 Shot Sequence, Trilogy).

What took you out of Oklahoma?

I just wanted to be able to skate all year 'round. Gets cold in Oklahoma.

What was your first impression of California?

I thought it was fucking sick. And then it sucked, because I was broke all the time. Traffic sucks, too, but I can't complain.

What happened next in your life?

I sent in videos to a bunch of different companies, and then Charlie Thomas and Ed Templeton started to send me Toy Machine boards. Soon after that, I went on a Tum Yeto am trip. I pirated my way on. I don't even know how I got on the trip, but that's how I met all the homies. Turned out these guys were getting ready to start up Hollywood, and so when I got back I met up with Markovich and that's when I got on Hollywood. I had to call Ed and tell him what was happening, which was pretty rough, but since it was another Tum Yeto company it felt like I was under the same roof.

How did you get nicknamed The Nuge?

It was on that same Tum Yeto am trip. J Roy and Richie Belton couldn't say my last name for some reason. I started to spell it out for them and I got as far as "Ngu--" and that's when they cut me off, and started saying, "The Nuge!"

Describe the three different Hellroses (Fullerton versus Hollywood versus Echo Park).

Fullerton was cool because everyone had their own apartment. Markovich was down the street. And then the Hollywood one, everyone just moved into a pretty big house. Parties every night, it was the after-hours spot everyone would go to after the bars let out. Now we live in Echo Park, which is way more mellow and cozy.

Who backs you now?

Duffs, Hurley, Ruckus trucks, Pig wheels, and Beagle's been helping me out with boards.

Recap your 2005. What did you do and where did you go to skate?

I've been doing some traveling; went to Spain twice, went back to Oklahoma several times, skated all through the southwest. I went on a tour where I played bass for a band through the South. Flew to Florida; got a chance to skate Kona. Went on a Duffs trip to Make-A-Wish, and now I've been in Spain since Thanksgiving.

Any plans for 2006?

More traveling, for sure. Filming for a couple of different goods. Pig video and a 411 profile.

You're in Spain right now. How's life treating you?

Fucking awesome. Skating every day, whether I feel like it or not. Feels good to be on your board everyday.

What was the big protest in Barcelona about?

They are trying to ban skateboarding here after January. And all the skaters got together at the top of this one hill, over 400 people took over the streets, and protested at Uni. It was sick.

Anywhere else you'd like to visit soon?

Anywhere and everywhere, sign me up.

Any regrets about your past?

No regrets.

This is your first Thrasher interview.

Who would you like to thank?

Thrasher! All my sponsors, my family, Hellrose homies, Beagle, Dave, Markovich, anyone who helped in any way, anyone I forgot, and the greenroom.