Another month, another MOTM. This month’s winner is krudcoisraw88!
So give us the basic stuff. Name, age, location, shoe size, birthday, social security number. Disclose what you want, obviously haha.
Haha alright. Justin Booker, 21, Burbank, California, shoe size 9 umm I think thats a good start.
Cool. You’re about 2 hours outside of where I live. So what is the story behind your SBC name?
Well my local skateshop when I was living in upstate New York was called Krudco. They were some of the raddest guys and they did so much to give back to us. They have 3 videos which are all sick. So yeah thats kind of the inspiration. I just threw an 88 at the end because of the year I was born.
Ah that’s sick. I figured it was like a really cool nickname or something haha. When did you move from New York to Cali and why?
Moved out here in October 2008. It was because of family essentially. My mom is a travel nurse out here and my dad managed to find a job out here for FedEx Office. I was pretty stoked we’d be coming to the skate mecca!
Haha that’s sick. So would you rather live here or there?
Well, I came out here with the idea that Southern California would be some kind of paradise, but it’s been a bit stressful for me. The town back in New York I’m from was so mellow and quiet. I experienced some culture shock coming here at first. I think I want to go back or at least visit.
Yeah, I can understand that. California is far from the paradise that most people seem to think it is. So on a completely different note, how do you think people view you on SBC?
Hmm I wonder if people even notice me sometimes haha. I guess they might think I’m pretty down to earth. I don’t really crave attention so I suppose I don’t stand out too much.
Haha do you remember when you first posted a photo of yourself and people were like “damn Krudco, I thought you were like a white thrasher skater looking dude.” and you were all stoked.
Haha yes I do! I guess I was more like krudcoisblack88 rather than krudcoisraw88. I thought it was funny.
Hahahaha. Before we continue, I’ve always wondered this and have felt sort of an obligation to ask black people. KFC or Popeyes?
I’d say Popeyes, man. I haven’t had alot of KFC in my lifetime because the ones in New York used to be real shitty and get shut down because of roaches and stuff. There’s a place out here called Louisiana Fried Chicken that’s real good. We get it in Carson normally.
Definitely. Their biscuits are the shiiiit. But anyway, how long have you been skating for and what got you into it?
I’ve been skating seriously since about the 7th grade. I’d say around 8 or 9 years. It’s crazy it’ll be almost a decade soon. I got into it after I quit baseball. The THPS video games were instrumental in sucking me into it. Also any form of skating in the media like Rocket Power, commercials with skating… Stuff like that.
Dude, I hated Rocket Power so much haha. But the THPS games were a big reason as to why I started too haha. What’s something sick/crazy that’s happened to you while skating?
Well, I’ve had some incredible experiences. A big one was tearing my ACL in my left knee trying to skate some skatepark rail. That was back in about 2006 and I was out for like 6 months after surgery. I guess most people would have quit after something like that but I just couldn’t. My philosphy has kind of been that I’ve been skating for so long, why stop now?
Word, it’s funny how people think you’re crazy and shit for continuing after something like that but they just don’t understand. Who do you look up to, skateboarding wise and otherwise?
Skateboarding wise I look up to guys who aren’t afraid to skate how they want to skate. I tend to like people who skate unconventially and creative. I’m a big fan of Gou Miyagi and Mark Gonzales. Those are probably my two all time favorites. Otherwise I’d say my parents of course. They’re the reason I’m not crazy.
Yeah, same here. I don’t really like to see dudes like robots just doing the same tricks down the same shit. What about music and shit? What are your favorite genres and bands/artists?
Haha this one’s always a a toughie for me. I didn’t grow up listening to a whole lot of CD’s and albums. Pretty much 3/4’s of the music on my computer is from some form of skatevideo. I really like some Hendrix, Pink Floyd and really cool out there stuff. I like most types of music except hip-hop really. It has to be a good song for me to enjoy it. Weird coming from a black person huh?
Not at all haha. I had a best friend that was black as night and when we’d go to metal shows, he’d be moshing and headbanging and shit haha. Everyone thought he was like the sickest dude there. So we’re going to switch it up a bit and maybe get somewhat more personal. Do you have a girlfriend?
No, I don’t. Believe it or not I’ve been single all my life pretty much.
Any girl that you have your eye on/been talking to or anything at least?
Not really. The place where I work has some cool girls that are easy to talk to. I guess that’s really what I want in a girlfriend. I’ve just never really pursued a relationship or tried. I used to be extremely shy and I would kind of just isolate myself and go skateboard alone. Kind of sad I guess but I don’t regret it. I think I’ve gotten better at opening up.
Well there’s nothing wrong with that, dude. Working and shit definitely helps open one up. Are you more of a family oriented kind of person?
Sort of. I’m quite close to my 18 year old sister. We’re kind of on the same wavelength and have weird imaginations. I wouldn’t say I’m the life of the party at big family gatherings though.
Oh, I see. You’ve always stricken me as the type of dude that’d be straightedge. Is that pretty accurate?
You could say that. I’ve never smoked, done drugs or an ounce of alcohol in my life. Once again I think skating distracted me from all that stuff throughout high school. I don’t go around saying I’m straightedge or anything. I want to keep my body in the best shape I can.
Damn, dude. That’s a lot for anyone in this generation to say. Props for that. How do you spend your free time when you’re not skating or lurking SBC?
I’m into anime and a bit of manga. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of a show called “Bleach” but it’s something I watch and read on a regular basis. I’m also trying to learn some Japanese right now haha.
Yeah, I’ve heard of it. I might have seen a couple episodes way back while waiting for Fullmetal Alchemist when I was younger haha. What other movies/TV shows do you watch?
I actually like Animal Planet quite a bit. I like some of the documentaries they have. That one called Planet Earth was incredible. I like that show “Everybody Hates Chris.” That one will make me genuinely laugh because some of the stuff on there is so true. Last movie I remember watching was Good Hair I think haha. About black people and their quest for that straight hair.
Yeah, Animal Planet has cool shit sometimes. And that show is sick. Hahahaha I’m going to have to check that movie out. So do you have any tattoos? Or does that go back to keeping your body in shape?
Nah, no tattoos. I don’t want to mark up my body like that. I thought about getting some small Thrasher tattoo on my arm somewhere but, I decided not too. Tattoo’s are pretty much permanent and I don’t want to hate looking at something I regret.
Ah, see I feel the opposite haha. So who are some of your favorite and least favorite members on SBC?
Eh, I don’t really like to pick out favorites and whatnot. I like members who contribute to the site, I like guys like gsosa, dtj16, MRCK, popwar isn’t war, skaterbrit, Scoffman and lots more. I like people who are all about skating and love talking about it. People who you can have a good conversation with, who really know what they’re talking about.
Yeah, it seems like the number of skaters on here is slowly kind of dwindling. How about some obligatory top 5’s? I know some readers enjoy these haha.
Sure, go for it.
Skate videos
1. Lenz
2. Overground Broadcasting
3. Habitat Mosaic
4. Static 3
5. Mind Field
Skate shoes
I haven’t skate many shoes other than Vans haha.
1. Vans Chukka Lows
2. Vans Estillo 1
3. Vans Rowley Square One’s I think?
4. Vans Slip On’s
5. Vans Classics
YES! I wear nothing but Vans haha. What about board companies?
1. Krooked
2. Toy Machine
3. Alien Workshop
4. Habitat
5. Cliche’
Tricks
1. Ollie
2. No-Comply
3. Half-Cab
4. Boneless
5. Powerslides/reverts
Video games
1. Legend of Zelda OoT
2. Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask
3. Soul Caliber III
4. Star Fox 64
5. Super Mario 64
Albums
1. Any Hendrix
2. Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon ehh sorry I don’t think I can think up 3 more haha.
Songs
Ah ok thats a bit easier.
1. Pink Floyd “Echo’s”
2. Elliott Smith “Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity”
3. Jimi Hendrix “Third Stone From The Sun”
4. Jimi Hendrix “Burning of the Midnight Lamp
5. Pink Floyd “Time”
Cars
Hmm 1. My awesome 98 Chevy Cavalier that I can call my own.
2. 98 Dodge Stratus
3. Jeep Cherokee Sport
4. The Batmobile, eh I dunno. The first 3 are the only cars I’ve driven. You can see why I never post in the music or car forums haha.
Hahaha GoT is better anyway. So any closing notes, shoutouts, comments, questions, or complaints?
I first of all want to thank SBC and whoever was responsible for making me MOTM. I was
seriously shocked to find out that I’d be it. I don’t feel worthy haha. Thanks so much
for that. Thank you Korn Cakes for conducting this fine interview! (Hope your enjoying
that Pokemon Stadium game I sent ya). Thanks all of SBC. Peace and keep on skating guys!
