The Greg Lutzka interview.

SOME SKATERS are constantly trying to prove something, struggling to gain the acceptance and praise of their peers. Most have a vision of how they see themselves and how they would like others to perceive their skating. Some are too conscious of the image they project, which becomes easily apparent. Others are innovators or style kings where every time they step on a board or have a trick in a magazine or video, it's golden and appreciated by all of skateboarding. Then we have Greg Lutzka, who is absolutely oblivious to all of this. He skates tough and continually pushes the limits of his shred for personal accomplishment and the love of the game. He seeks the praise of no one and honestly has no concept of image. As far as seeking acceptance, it's pretty obvious the kid just wants to skate! Lutzka, in perfect style, can throw down a barrage of tricks that span the entire realm of modern skateboarding--he's abnormally talented and constantly progressing. Whether winning another major contest, making another insane video part or banging out another solid interview like the one you are about to read, this kid will stop at nothing to make his selfless contribution to skateboarding. Greg truly lives in his own world. Read on and see what makes this young freak of nature tick.--Al Partanen

You made the move out to Cali?

Yeah, I moved out with two of my ends from Milwaukee. We got an apartment on Warner Avenue.

I heard you guys kept that place really tidy.

We pretty much trashed the place; holes in the walls from throwing skate tools and wheels. Never cleaned it either.

Didn't you guys throw your trash away in the cupboards inside the kitchen?

Machnau came over one time and he was looking for a fork. Then he opened one of the drawers and found a pot full of last week's Mac and Cheese. My roommate Pat was too lazy to do the dishes, so he stashed it in the drawer. I don't think Machnau was too hyped to eat over at my house after that. But now I bought a house so I keep it clean.

Is that where all the contest winnings go?

I guess. It was just the fight timing. I found a cool place, got a good rate on the loan, and decided to put down a down payment. Start putting money towards something good.

Is that why you skate so many contests, to pay your mortgage?

No. I'm always down to skate. My companies like it when I go skate contests. They're fun. I grew up skating skateparks, because in Milwaukee you have to skate indoor parks half of the year. Contests are like a big party.

You really only go for the pro hos, huh?

Yeah. They're great, huh? There's nothing like skating the raw streets though.

Why did you move out here?

Me and my friends just wanted to get out of Milwaukee and experience life without living with our parents. It's good. Just trying to make the skating happen, meeting people, and having fun.

Do you like the OC life, being a Huntington local?

We've been to some good parties and there are a lot of hot girls. But the skating isn't really all it's cracked up to be. We usually spend a lot of time in the car driving north or south, going up to LA or the riverbed.

I hear you're trying to become a big time actor out here.

No. Are you talking about the TV show?

It was the Captain and Casey show, right?

Yeah, one day I got a call from Casey saying there was this kid who wanted to meet his favorite pro and I guess I was it. So I figured I'd come be a part of a comedy show and support the fans out there.

I guess you're down for Hendrix. I've noticed you have a picture of him on every wall in your house.

Oh definitely. I've got the silver single of "All Along the Watch Tower," the gold plated album from smashing hits and all kinds of different art work of Hendrix. I'm a huge fan, that's why I had to use it for the video part.

Is that a CASL trophy on the wall?

CASL, come on; I'm not that Huntington, bro. It's a Tampa trophy.

It seems like you've come a long way with your sponsors.

I started out riding for Beer City skateboards. Then I went to Tampa and got discovered by Al Partanen, he's from my hometown too. Then he hooked up Illenium. I did a 411 Wheels of Fortune, then I turned pro for them. He was the first guy to bring me out to California. Then I met Mike Peterson, and he got me on Globe.

Did you have to send Red Bull a sponsor-me video?

No. Zered and Mike Peterson were riding for it, and it just kind of came up that they wanted me too. I mean, I got the opportunity to ride for a drink and I took it. Why not?

Are there any sponsors you wouldn't skate for?

I definitely wouldn't skate for like a Campbell's soup or something like that. I wouldn't go too far outside of the skating range, like some dudes are getting sponsored by Doritos and stuff. I think people should just do things for the right reasons, not just for money or fame. We just got back from a little Red Bull trip.

Oh, the King of the Road bite?

Yeah, the Seek and Destroy tour. It was all the homies, just something fun. We went to Vegas and I got to drink at the pool and gamble. But I'm stoked on King of the Road.

It seems like Seek and Destroy is a watered-down version of KOTR.

KOTR was insane, I can't even compare it.

All the way across county seeing new spots and new scenery. I was stoked Almost got picked to go since it was a new company. And the Carbondale run, that was amazing. It was like Woodstock--but it was Skatestock. And Pabst sponsored it.

You should send your video to PBR. Now that's a drink sponsor.

Maybe, huh?

What do you do when you're not skating?

Not much, maybe go down to the beach and hang out with friends. Go to parties at night. Sometimes I wish I were back in Milwaukee so I could play some pond hockey, because you can't do that out here.

When you say go down to the beach, does that involve you driving?

Yeah, why?

I've never seen you drive your BMW anywhere.

Well I don't drive it that much. It only has 13,000 miles on it, and 4,000 were from driving out from Milwaukee. Why?

I just don't understand the point of having a car and not using it.

I like to relax in the passenger seat while Hoops is driving and listening to his jungle music.

You call that relaxing?

His breaks are pretty messed up right now. Hoops is your personal filmer, right?

He's a nonstop magic machine; he plays with cards all day. His music is off the hook, his jungle. He's just a fun guy to hang out with, and on top of that he's a good filmer. He's the Globe filmer too.

Aren't you two into making music also?

A little. I spin a little, Hoops does a lot of it. I kind of just play with the turntables. I'm into all different kinds of music. It's fun. Hoops did have like 200 records before we even got a record player.

That's where his per diem goes.

Yeah, he buys them in all different countries and everywhere. My brother has been showing me some stuff on the guitar, like some Nirvana riffs and stuff.

So now that you have health insurance, we can actually go skate?

Yes. Now that I have health insurance that won't be an excuse anymore, Scurich. Remember the day I said we couldn't go to another spot because I didn't have health insurance? I didn't want to break myself too bad; it's no sweat off my back. No health insurance, no skate.

What's your beef with Allie?

We don't have any beef. Everyone says that but we're pretty cool. But in one of his interviews where it said the Muska or the Lutzka, he had to claim the Muska; but I ain't hating. I don't know why everyone thinks that.

Maybe because you're hometown rivals?

Maybe.

When you lived at home, did you get a lot of prank calls?

No, not really, why?

I've heard Ed Templeton called your house, and your room thought it was a prank and didn't believe him.

Right after the Illenium thing went down, Ed Templeton called my house, Tony Hawk called my house, Chad Muska called my house, and Rodney Mullen called my house. At the time my morn did think those were prank calls because she couldn't believe they were calling since we were living in Milwaukee and how could they get our home phone number? I think I made a good move going with Rodney. The outcome of Almost is everything I've looked for in a skate company.

Maybe if you went with Tony Hawk, the Birdman could have gotten you a "Got milk?" ad.

Oh that's a disappointment. Tony's a rad dude, but I just wanted to do something new. I'm so stoked on the Almost team. Everyone skates their own way, skates different stuff, it's amazing.

You like skating with everyone on the team?

Yeah. Little Shecks is a demon. You know about this one Scurich, the other day, the war with cars.

How could I forget?

The milk shakes and the slurpees getting thrown on the cars, it was awesome.

It's always better when it's not your car.

I guess. But you guys ruined us. When you filled that water cup up with ketchup, ice and milk shake, then bombed it on Hoops' windshield ...

Yeah, me and Sheckler fucked you guys up!

Yeah.

You and Sheckler are homies; are you his big brother?

Yeah, Sheckler is a little pimp, making out with 24-year-old chicks we bring back from the bar.

Where was his mom?

I think that was the first tour she didn't come on with us.

The first one and you debaucherized her little child?

Yeah. I don't know if she'll let us have him on the tour again by himself after that one. Next thing you know he'll be coming home with a tattoo. Curren got a sick Highway To Hell tattoo on KOTR.

Why didn't you ever get an Illenium tattoo?

I don't have any tattoos and I don't know why I'd get one.

Have you ever shared a room with Seaholm?

No. He didn't really go on to many tours.

Are you superstitious when you skate?

Not superstitious, but I know when it's fight and when it's wrong. There have been times when I wasn't feeling it and I pushed myself and ended up going to the hospital.

What about your Tiki?

I do skate with a Tiki around my neck, so I guess that's a little superstitious.

Is that from your Hawaii trip? When you became acquainted with Jack Daniels?

Yeah. We went pretty crazy I drank half the bottle of Jack, then started jumping off the balcony, which is like 20-feet high into a five-foot deep pool. Al Partanen was screaming at me. Mike Peterson in the ocean in a little canoe, 10:00 at night with tiger sharks swimming around him. It was wild.

What about your fire?

We had the biggest bonfire. The cops had to come and tell us to mellow out. The Globe tours are always the best.

How are them changes over at Globe?

I'm definitely stoked Mark is a part of the team. I guess it was time for change ... or room for change, or whatever.

What's an example of something important you think about when you're filming for a video part?

To progress. You need to push yourself, and skate everything. I'm working on a part for the new Globe video.

Who's your favorite girl skater?

I'm going to have to go with Ellisa Steamer. She's one of the first and she's legit.

What do you think of kids who come up only skating rails?

Rail nerds. I don't know. To each his own, I guess. There are kids who don't know how to do the basics and they're throwing themselves down 20s. It's crazy.

Are you more hesh or more fresh?

I don't even know. Nowadays skaters are putting on costumes to skate.

What about skate ads that have nothing to do with skating?

Like the Duffs ads with the chicks? I'm feeling those.

The ones with the bloody chicks and chain saws?

Yeah. Those are pretty hot.

What would you do if you didn't skate?

I'd probably be flipping burgers at McDonalds.

Give me some Lutzka wisdom.

Next time you're too drunk to drive, go to the nearest pizza place, order a pizza to your house, and catch a ride home with the driver.