Name: Jeffrey Blain Grosso
Home: Costa Mesa, Ca.
Sponsors: The Label/Indy/Spitfire/Van Doren Rubber Company
What shoes do you skate: The original midtops, I don't know the proper name. I call them emb's.
What’s your set up: I ride some fat old guy relic. I ride a skateboard. I ride a pony. I'll ride you if the price is right!
You went on a three week Indy tour last summer, what’s your best memory?
Duh! It was SIX weeks. What goes on tour stays on tour. Sammy Baca!
What’s been the best trip you’ve ever been on and why?
An acid trip back in ‘86, I thought I'd figured something out, but then, no, it was gone...
What is the best story you’ve ever heard or been told?
You are a smart, attractive, young man. You can do anything you set your mind to.
Favorite Vans rider and why?
Who's on the team? I'll go with Alex Olson for $100, Chris. I am his life coach after all.
What trick can’t you do that you wish you could?
I wish I could trick myself into believing that anyone cares what I think. Turn off your computer and go, man, go.
What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you?
Taxes, responsibility, age? I don't know, good question.
Worst trend in skateboarding right now?
How would I know? I'm just some old guy clinging to a dying dream.
What are some interests/hobbies outside of skating?
I enjoy smoking, the poetry of my dog Gus, pontificating on life, love, recently I put paint to canvas for the first time. Visceral! I'm writing a memoir with a ghost writer; it's a cautionary tale. I shoot photos, blog, pilates, yoga, run ten miles a day. I'm currently renovating a ‘64 Chevelle, My ‘49 Panhead FL is cherry, I ride on weekends (weather permitting). I work with a local youth outreach program, gotta keep those young minds fertile. My band is working on some "new" material that I think our fans should find off the chain. What else? I'm toying with the idea of starting a new vintage headware company. I don't know just something different.
Last good book you read?
Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love is fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit, and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible.
5 songs that have to be on a mix tape:
Back With a Bang/Skrewdriver
If You Want Me To Stay/Sly & The Family Stone
Oh! Sweet Nothin'/The Velvet Underground
Anything Could Happen/Clean
The Money Will Roll Right In/Fang
Is that five?
Did you ever, you know, gay off with the Bones Brigade?
Funny you should ask, Chris, the outtakes for Future Primitive were, how shall I describe them? Youthful male desire gone wild. Peralta is sitting on a gold mine in child pornography. That Birdman's one enthusiastic pupil.
What do you think of dudes with ponytails?
Their fierce sexuality sends quivers to my most intimate of areas. Carnal.
Did you know Jim Thiebaud when he had that elegant ponytail? Any good stoies about the ponytail?
Yes and No. Real men don’t kiss and tell.
I know you’re a big Bukowski fan. What’s your favorite Buk book? What do you enjoy about him so much?
That one where he wrote about drinking, and screwing chicks. That ones cool. I like horseys too.
Did you know Dustin was a big Buk fan too?
No, I did not. That should take him far.
Do you believe, “If you're losing your soul and you know it, then you've still got a soul left to lose”?
Clap your hands!!
What’s your favorite Buk quote?
“Any time you pay somebody to tell you what to do you are going to be a loser. And this includes your psychiatrist, your psychologist, your broker, your workshop teacher and your etc.”
“There is nothing that teaches you more than regrouping after failure and moving on. Yet most people are stricken with fear. They fear failure so much that they fail. They are too conditioned, too used to being told what to do. It begins with the family, runs through school and goes into the business world.”
Any plans for Baby Grossos?
7 times a day
How long have you been singing?
When I was a wee boy, of 2 or 3 my grandmother introduced me to the church choir and my love for sweet song has bloomed ever since.
What are your favorite songs to sing?
Recently, I’ve been revisiting my roots and delving into the songs of the south, songs of my youth, bluegrass.
When can we expect a CD of your amazing cover songs from you?
As I referenced earlier I’m currently writing “new” material with my band and as soon as that project wraps and we get in the can, I’ll begin the transition to solo artist. It should be amazing.
What’s the secret to life, Jeff?
Whereever you are, there you go.
Home: Costa Mesa, Ca.
Sponsors: The Label/Indy/Spitfire/Van Doren Rubber Company
What shoes do you skate: The original midtops, I don't know the proper name. I call them emb's.
What’s your set up: I ride some fat old guy relic. I ride a skateboard. I ride a pony. I'll ride you if the price is right!
You went on a three week Indy tour last summer, what’s your best memory?
Duh! It was SIX weeks. What goes on tour stays on tour. Sammy Baca!
What’s been the best trip you’ve ever been on and why?
An acid trip back in ‘86, I thought I'd figured something out, but then, no, it was gone...
What is the best story you’ve ever heard or been told?
You are a smart, attractive, young man. You can do anything you set your mind to.
Favorite Vans rider and why?
Who's on the team? I'll go with Alex Olson for $100, Chris. I am his life coach after all.
What trick can’t you do that you wish you could?
I wish I could trick myself into believing that anyone cares what I think. Turn off your computer and go, man, go.
What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you?
Taxes, responsibility, age? I don't know, good question.
Worst trend in skateboarding right now?
How would I know? I'm just some old guy clinging to a dying dream.
What are some interests/hobbies outside of skating?
I enjoy smoking, the poetry of my dog Gus, pontificating on life, love, recently I put paint to canvas for the first time. Visceral! I'm writing a memoir with a ghost writer; it's a cautionary tale. I shoot photos, blog, pilates, yoga, run ten miles a day. I'm currently renovating a ‘64 Chevelle, My ‘49 Panhead FL is cherry, I ride on weekends (weather permitting). I work with a local youth outreach program, gotta keep those young minds fertile. My band is working on some "new" material that I think our fans should find off the chain. What else? I'm toying with the idea of starting a new vintage headware company. I don't know just something different.
Last good book you read?
Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love is fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit, and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible.
5 songs that have to be on a mix tape:
Back With a Bang/Skrewdriver
If You Want Me To Stay/Sly & The Family Stone
Oh! Sweet Nothin'/The Velvet Underground
Anything Could Happen/Clean
The Money Will Roll Right In/Fang
Is that five?
Did you ever, you know, gay off with the Bones Brigade?
Funny you should ask, Chris, the outtakes for Future Primitive were, how shall I describe them? Youthful male desire gone wild. Peralta is sitting on a gold mine in child pornography. That Birdman's one enthusiastic pupil.
What do you think of dudes with ponytails?
Their fierce sexuality sends quivers to my most intimate of areas. Carnal.
Did you know Jim Thiebaud when he had that elegant ponytail? Any good stoies about the ponytail?
Yes and No. Real men don’t kiss and tell.
I know you’re a big Bukowski fan. What’s your favorite Buk book? What do you enjoy about him so much?
That one where he wrote about drinking, and screwing chicks. That ones cool. I like horseys too.
Did you know Dustin was a big Buk fan too?
No, I did not. That should take him far.
Do you believe, “If you're losing your soul and you know it, then you've still got a soul left to lose”?
Clap your hands!!
What’s your favorite Buk quote?
“Any time you pay somebody to tell you what to do you are going to be a loser. And this includes your psychiatrist, your psychologist, your broker, your workshop teacher and your etc.”
“There is nothing that teaches you more than regrouping after failure and moving on. Yet most people are stricken with fear. They fear failure so much that they fail. They are too conditioned, too used to being told what to do. It begins with the family, runs through school and goes into the business world.”
Any plans for Baby Grossos?
7 times a day
How long have you been singing?
When I was a wee boy, of 2 or 3 my grandmother introduced me to the church choir and my love for sweet song has bloomed ever since.
What are your favorite songs to sing?
Recently, I’ve been revisiting my roots and delving into the songs of the south, songs of my youth, bluegrass.
When can we expect a CD of your amazing cover songs from you?
As I referenced earlier I’m currently writing “new” material with my band and as soon as that project wraps and we get in the can, I’ll begin the transition to solo artist. It should be amazing.
What’s the secret to life, Jeff?
Whereever you are, there you go.
