Ashbury Eyewear

I like pretty much everyone. It’s not my fault, I just do. But that doesn’t mean I back them. I back Java. Java knows snowboarding the way someone in his situation should know snowboarding. In an industry where most of the moves people make are questionable at best, Java makes respectable decisions his forte. And to top it all off, he’s go listed.

Java, did you know it’s Halloween?

Java: Yeah. I live in Portland so I’ve seen all kinds of freaks in costume all day. I saw a transvestite Santa Claus at a bus stop this morning.

A transvestite Santa Claus, you’d probably see that year round there. What about you? What are you gonna dress up as?

Java: My chick is out getting me a costume at the thrift store right now. She just called and told me that she found me a sombrero and a drug rug. I have a full beard and haven’t showered in several days, so I should play the part well. That’s not racist.

You’re going to be me.. that’s flattering! Any big parties tonight? Or just trick or treating?

Java: I’m headed to Nemo for their annual Halloween blowout. Free booze. Those guys are always throwing parties here. They are go-listed for sure.

The Go List is a Skeleton Crew thing, are you ready to drop some bangers this year?

Java: I might drop a few crow’s nests or a Javi-air this season. I’ve got to step up my life; Skeleton Crew is the real heavy shit.

We won’t get into the Javi-air yet, kids are gonna have to wait for the video to see that. But could you tell the people reading this about Skeleton Crew and the Go List as well as the No List?

Java: Well, Skeleton Crew is Evan’s (LeFebvre) deal and is basically going to be the ultimate homie video. I’m just gonna work with him on it every chance I get. I’m down for Evan like that. There are probably going to be some full parts and lots of friends, but definitely no shit. Skeleton Crew is gonna come with that heat. Molten iron style. The no list has been growing lately, but there are mad homies on that go list.

I feel very sorry for the no listers. So you’re the Team Manager for Salomon, how is that going?

Java: It’s cool. I got Bonfire on my books too, so there are times that it kicks my ass a little. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s mellow.

Photo: Evan LeFebvre

How does Portland compare to Colorado? Do you still find time to snowboard much?

Java: Yeah, I’m usually out of here most of the winter so I usually get to snowboard a lot. I spent a lot of time on rail trips last season standing behind a camera so I didn’t ride as much as I normally do, but I’m gonna get mine this season. I’m gonna head north and hook up with Lucas Debari and Matt Edgars, they’re gonna give me the grand tour up at Baker. That should be fun. I wanna car danchi up there. I saw that Japanese movie and am down to danchi that zone.

Oh man, that sounds scary. Following Lucas and Matt around. I saw a teaser for that (Car Danchi), but I didn’t understand what they were saying. So I didn’t know what it was about.

Java: Yeah, I don’t get it. It looked like a bunch of guys living in cars and riding powder a lot. I’m down.

I’m down. So I was talking to a reliable source and was told to ask you about shooting NFL videos. What’s the deal with that?

Java: Haha! I used to work for a marketing group in Chicago called Birdsong 3. We worked mostly in skateboarding, but somehow the parent company of Birdsong, which was called CSMG Sports, dropped some NFL shit on us. I was the lucky one that ended up editing a bunch of videos for their website and a TV commercial I think. It was interesting. I would put stuff together in 30 minutes for those guys and they would think it was the best shit they’d ever seen. Working for mega-brands like that is weird. It’s crazy how clueless they can be.

Clueless is a common trait these days. Do you plan on shooting a bunch this year?

Java: Yeah, I’ve done a lot of that in the past and I’m going to work with a few movies I’m sponsoring this season to get that D angle. I’m gonna go on a few trips and backup Carlino for the Transworld movie and Justin Meyer for Videograss. I’m sure I’ll hookup with the People crew also. I’m sure at some point I’ll hook up with every crew that I sponsor, and probably a few that I don’t, and help however I can. I think that is part of the gig for a team manager these days. It’s not just one job.

Yeah I pull out the trusty Elph here and there, get those F angles. So do you have any ams on Salomon or Bonfire who are bringing the heat? Young guys you’re hyped on?

Java: It’s a little early for me to start droppin names, but my am program is gonna be heavy, at both brands. The focus actually. I’ll get back to you on that. Snowboarding is ready to see some ams come up.

Yes snowboarding is. Louie Paradise was a heavy am, he was one of those dudes who you either have never heard of or you thought he was the best. What do you think of his These Days part?

Java: It’s one of my favorite video parts ever. I watch it quite a bit. It’s my job to hype him, but even if I didn’t like him, I couldn’t argue against the fact that (with due respect to a lot of other riders) he is the best handrail rider out there. His trick selection is crazy. He is legit. You must be hyped to have him on Ashbury, he is good for snowboarding. Not to mention, Joe knows how to edit a video part. I think that 90% of his tricks in his part could have ended 90% of the video parts I saw last season.

Louie Paradise, Photo: Evan LeFebvre

Oh man, I can think of like 7 tricks for sure that could have ended people’s parts this year. I’ll let you get ready for Halloween instead, but two last questions: Favorite video part of all time and favorite video of all time?

Java: Yeah, maybe not 90%, but a lot. Favorite video part… can I do a top 3?

Top three is good

Java: In no particular order: JP Walker -True Life. At the time, that shit was so heavy. Travis Parker – Lame. And the last one, I’ll get shit for this but fuck it, it’s a tie between Lucas Debari and Louie (Paradis) with both of their parts in These Days. In Five years time, a lot of people will say the same thing. They are pretty much exact opposites. But both so good. Louif’s part is crazy and I am ready to bite someone’s head off every time I see Lucas’ part. These 2 have big futures.