The Berrics - Clinical Research

Who are the people who influence you now?

Kids like Mike Mo & Malto influence me. But it's people my age, like Koston who can hang with the kids that inspire me to keep going.

Did you ever want to skate vert?

I do skate vert. When I started skating it wasn't separated as much as it is now. Before I got on Powell, Stacy Peralta came to watch me skate vert first and then we went street skating after. We recently did a Fourstar shoot at the Pink Motel and I enjoyed skating the pool.

You were actually the one who got me a legit sponsor back in the day. Do you remember?

Yes I do. I got your video and took it to World Industries and said this is a guy that needs to be sponsored. You had a great street & vert part. 360 ollies down big stairs, 540's on vert and almost a 720 to fakie. Natas got you on 101 and the Berra's history was in the books. Steve if you have the video you should put it on the site!

I do have that video. I can't believe you kept it all those years and was able to give it back to me. Thank you. I'll put it up, however embarrassing it might be. Okay, next question... What trick would you give up for a trick you can't do?

I would give up my switch crook because I spend a lot of time on that back truck and trade it for a perfect regular 360 kickflip. But it's gotta look like Mike Mo's or Justin Eldridge's and I have to be able to do it down El Toro.

What is progressive skating? New tricks? Bigger handrails? More stairs? Faster? Or can it be defined?

All of the above. With all the skateparks and plazas, it's progressing at a fast rate. The only thing that's stopping it is how illegal skateboarding has become.