Jason Adams: life of leisure.

JASON ADAMS IS A GROWN-ASS MAN. Serious family man, artist, and damn good skateboarder. The Kid's got moves--he doesn't do the same shit everyone else is doing--100-percent originality. He's been in this game a long time and he's still progressing. Check this shit out, and then go get yours.

Actions speak louder than words. Kid Nasty forever; homie can ride ... --Chet Childress

Jason, let's start off with your new board sponsor, Enjoi. What happened with Label, and what brought about the change?

Well, I had ridden for the Label for seven years. I needed something new, something a little different. I felt that I had done everything I could with them. No bad blood; I still love all those guys.

Are you sure it wasn't Chet's breath that made you change rosters?

Well, I wasn't going to say anything. But homeboy definitely needs to shave those teeth.

Was it difficult parting ways with Lucero?

Oh, for sure. I felt like I was getting divorced in a way. It was hard, but I felt I had to move on.

Most of the Enjoi team lives in San Jose. How does that work out for you, and what's it like traveling with those dudes?

It's like nothing has changed. I just ride Enjoi boards now. As far as hitting the road, skaters are skaters. Not much difference. Little things, though: I've traded in Metallica for Morrisey, which is just fine. I like Morrissey.

What was the first tattoo you got?

Black Flag when I was 18.

Were you sober?

Umm ... I think I was sober.

Speaking of not being sober, there's nothing like a nice cold PBR. Cheap beer or good beer?

I haven't even been drinking lately, but I like both. Highlife would be my cheap beer of choice. I like Guinness in the winter. I like to mix it up. I figured out that PBR gives me the shits, so I stay away now.

I know you listen to a few different types of music. What's been getting a lot of play on the iPod lately?

Always The Clash, the Old 97's get a lot of play these days, Dwight Yoakam. I've been stoked on Public Enemy lately.

What was the first skateboard that you could call your own?

I always had skateboards in the garage growing up. But the first board that I had when I really started getting into skating was a Bullet flip tail.

When you first started getting the skateboard dialed in, which skaters were big influences on you?

I always liked the all-around rippers, starting with Tom Knox. He ripped everything--especially street. Plus he had the whole punk thing going. So he was just all around pretty cool. It's hard to pick. There were so many guys I looked up to; I was really influenced by the local guys in San Jose. I remember thinking how rad Ross Goodman's pivot disasters were. Or how JJ Rodgers made the whole ramp shake when he did a body jar.

You've done your share of demos over the years. Is there one that's really memorable?

We did a Black Label tour in Australia. There were really good turnouts at all the demos, but there was one that really stuck out. It was in Brisbane, or somewhere near there. There were so many kids ... the crowd started cheering when we got out of the van. I think the majority of the crowd was wasted--it felt like being at a soccer game. They were doing chants and cheers, handing us beers. It was awesome.

Is there a video in the works over at Enjoi? And if so when might it be out?

Yes, and who knows. I guess it will be done when it's done. I heard something about a deadline ...

I've consumed some beers in your garage on a few different occasions. What's up with all the spray paint cans and stencils?

I don't know. I just like it. It must be the fumes.

I know you've been talking about it, but have you learned frontside inverts yet?

No. My wrist is messed up. When it's healed, it's on.

What's the best scenario for you to go skateboarding? I know a lot of people who don't even go skating unless they have a filmer and a photo guy.

My attitude is always changing. Lately I've been skating by myself, or meeting Eddie at Sunnyvale at 9:00am. I haven't wanted to have anything to do with a camera of any kind. But any day now I'll probably start feeling like a loser and get motivated to film or try and shoot something. I used to be able to force the whole film and photo thing; these days I'm a lot mellower about it. The best scenario is with my buddies in San Jose.

Being married and a father, which is a large responsibility, how has that changed or contributed to your lifestyle and skateboarding duties?

Hmm, that's a hard one to explain. It's changed my lifestyle in so many ways I don't even know where to start. The biggest change is that my life doesn't revolve around skateboarding anymore. Everything revolves around my family. Skateboarding is still a big part, but it's definitely more like a job now ... an awesome job. Your thinking changes. Before, all you cared about was skating, partying, traveling; you had all the time to do whatever, whenever. Then all of a sudden you have this little creature that you're responsible for, and that puts you on a time schedule. You go from having nothing on your mind, really, to this constant job 24-seven. It's made going on tour weird, 'cause I'm used to getting up and doing things. Then I go on tour. It's just strange; I can't even explain it. It makes you grow up in certain ways.

Does your daughter Hailee--age three, right? Does she have her own skateboard yet?

Oh yeah, she's got one. She's more into painting it than riding it.

Who's her favorite skateboarder/weekend house guest?

You mean you, Rhino? I think she's a little afraid of that mullet you got.

When's the last time you jumped down a balance beam?

I have no idea. It's been a long time.

In the next few years what are we going to be seeing from The Kid in skateboarding? Traveling a lot, or just taking some random trips with friends?

Home with the family. I really enjoy being home and skating around San Jose these days.

I always look forward to seeing the new Enjoi ads in the mags. Were you worried about what Matt Evs was going to come up with for your first one?

No, I like what Matt does. I ain't tripping.

Must be a nice change from the phone call: "Jason, we need a photo by tomorrow. Can you break something off and get it here ASAP?"

I ain't complaining.

Will trucker caps go out of style again, or will heroin make a comeback?

Tattoos and punk rock forever. What?

Who's got your vote for SOTY this year?

The Cold Ones Crew! They're my favorite skaters, actually. They're pretty inspiring. When they Showed up it was awesome. They'd be so sweaty and they skated so hard and they were just drinking beer. It was rad.

If you were on King of the Road, would you get a mohawk to rack up points for your team?

For sure.

What about a Thrasher Skate Goat tattoo?

Nope.

Have you ever shown up at a blown-out pool session with a bunch of 40-year-olds in full pads, rails, only a couple teeth between all of them, bad tattoos, beer guts, and shoes laced up like a football--trying first-run carves over the light and 360 flips up the waterfall?

Nope, but that would be awesome.

What do you think their expressions would be?

Bowl trolls would be steamin' and PBRs would be boiling!

Alright, first thing that come to mind--Southern California:

San Jose.

Merle Haggard:

Hell yeah!

Hot dogs:

Nope.

Bowl trolls:

Rhino.

The UK:

Grey, wet, rough.

BMC:

Old news.

Streets of Fire:

Awesome.

Tight trannies:

When and where?

Style:

Joe Strummer.

Matt Eversole:

Hung over.

Cops:

No thanks.

Cold beers:

Warm beers.

Steak house:

Mmmedium rare.

Comedy:

Hailee.

Favorite quote:

"Daddy, your breath stinks."

Fast as hell:

Silly Eddie.

Sketchy:

Silly Eddie.

Bad breath:

Chet's grill.--Rhino