A few months ago Steve approached us on myspace and asked for some friends united network tees. Everyone in the office thought it must be some kid pulling a prank trying to mess with us by saying he was Steve and maybe get some free shirts. You never know right? To our surprise it really was him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...I guess he grabbed a few of our tees out of active skate shop in burbank and liked um alot. now that ive been able to sit down and meet him, i can say that he is a really nice guy and he really is a big fan of f.u.n. steve’s new site www.theberrics.com has just launched and with it, he and his partner eric koston hopes to accomplish the same thing that we built f.u.n. and fartminusf for, to give people who are hungry for a place to show their talents. in all honesty, he really doesnt need to do anything to legitimize himself as a skateboarder and im sure he knows it, so in his microscopic amount of free time, he has taken to promoting new up and comers at his skatepark. our buddy bryan lopez came up with some questions to help you get to know steve berra a little better so read below and get acquainted.

photos-jimmy fontaine

interview- bryan lopez

 

 

Where are you at this exact moment in time?

I’m in my room with a big cast on my left foot.

 

 

 

What r you doing?

Answering your questions.

 

 

 

What r u wearing?

My pajamas. A red thong from Victoria’s Secret and nothing else. Wait… umm… no… I’m wearing some black WESC jeans and a FUN shirt. The one with the giraffe and the baby gorilla on it.

 

 

 

Describe the room and everything in it.

Let’s see. I love metal furniture so I have a vintage metal four tier lawyer’s cabinet. Top shelf: all scripts. Second shelf: scripts and reference books. Third shelf: Reference books and true crime books. Bottom shelf: A lot of different dictionaries, thesauruses, almanacs and a few quotes and american proverbs books. I have an old metal dresser drawer. A chair with blankets on it. Two knew high lockers by the side of my bed, one with a small television on top of it to watch movies. I don’t have cable. The walls are white, nothing hanging on them with the exception of a few dozen note cards with tricks on them that I want to do for the Alien Workshop video. A Fightclub lunchbox and a bunch of water because I can’t get up with my cast.

 

 

 

Give me some insight into every one of your senses at the current moment (touch,smell,taste,sight and sound)?

Ankle throbbing. Back and neck sore and hurting. Smell of perfume from the hot naked blonde Austrian woman lying next to me sleeping. Inside Man plays on the television upstairs. Jodie Foster is speaking to Denzel Washington.

 

Would you rather be stuck on a long flight with someone whos real farty, or a guy that talks a lot with chronic bad breath?

Oh man, my two worst fears. Umm… let’s see. I’ll take the talker because I feel confident that I could shut him down. The farty guy, well, he don’t have to talk to ruin your flight.

 

So you have a video part coming out soon, how is that going?

It was going well, then I broke my ankle so now it’s going crappy.

 

What is your preferred cereal of choice?

You know, I love Peanut Butter Bumpers.

 

Would you ever start a band called Tegan and Berra?

I hate this phrase but I’m going to have to say it; been there done that. Where do you think those lesbos go there shit from? Their real names are Joy and Frances. Fucking Canadians. Wait… are they Canadian. I love Canada.

 

Whose part are you most hyped on this year?

Every single person in the Lakai video. I haven’t seen the Habitat video yet so I can’t comment on that.

 

 

What have you been listening to lately?

Believe it or not, I don’t listen to music that much. I was just discussing it in the car with my friends who had the radio playing. I told them I never listen to the radio when I drive because I have so many voices going on in my head that it completely keeps me occupied. Lately I’ve been listening to Band of Horses, The Cloud Room, Nicole Simone, Broken Spindles, The Faint. I’m not a big music guy so I probably sound like a douchebag.

 

Favorite album of the year so far?

I don’t think I bought one album this year. Oh god, I’m a dork aren’t I?

 

The skate park the Berrics; is it yours or Kostons, or both of yours?

It’s both of ours.

 

 

I also heard that it’s a private park. Is this true?

Very private. I’m talking memberships that cost bank, no windows, doorman and valet parking but only with your photo identification.

 

Do you have a preferred skate spot besides the Berrics?

Sadly, no.

 

Whats the premise for the new berrics web site?

To promote awesome skateboarding.

 

 

 

What are you trying to accomplish with it?

If I didn’t know the guys that skated there every single day, I’d dream about knowing them. I know a lot of kids do so I want to bring them a little closer to the dream. Make them feel like they’re a part of something that’s really exclusive.

 

 

You have some great hobbies, can you share some with us?

Well, I was having a conversation with Rob Dyrdek recently and we both came to the conclusion that we actually do not have any hobbies. We don’t do anything that we don’t make money from. Meaning, when we get into something we want to do it well enough to make a living from it because it is something we’re passionate about. It’s the ultimate reward to your interest, knowing you’re good enough to do something and not have to work at a restaurant bussing tables just to do it.

 

Have you ever shaved with those 4 or 5 bladed razors? Are you ever afraid they will tear your face apart?

I haven’t. I don’t shave with anything but clippers. I’ve probably shaved my face with a razor less than fifty times in my life for that very reason. I don’t want my face to rip apart.

 

If you could be anywhere besides this interview, where would you be?

At the park, skateboarding.

 

Are you going to have a new shoe out on DVS anytime soon?

As a matter of fact I am. March 08 baby! Look out!

 

 

Are you looking forward to seeing any movies soon?

There Will Be Blood. Paul Thomas Anderson is a genius. Everyone should go see his movie.

 

Who or what are some of your biggest influences?

Paul Thomas Anderson, David Fincher, Michael Mann, Eric Roth, Eric Koston, Rick Howard, Danny Way, Marc Johnson… oh god, we could be here all day. Too many to name. Really, anyone that does what they’re doing well is an influence on me. From cooking, writing, filmmaking, skateboarding or parenting. Anyone who puts all they got into something is a big influence.

 

So how has your new ankle affected your skating?

My new ankle after my surgery was great. Now, messing it up again, well, it sucks. My skating sucks now because I can’t do it.

 

Your movie “The Good Life” has gotten great reviews, is the general public going to get to see it anytime soon?

Not if the producers have anything to do with it. It’s a shame.

 

 

 

 

Have you ever hired someone to do your grocery shopping for you?

Yes. I actually have. I know. That’s lame, but I was really busy.

 

 

Someone had said that it is the new Donnie Darko but a million times better. How do you feel about that comparison?

I’m really flattered. I can understand how they would say that. Both movies have dynamic actors as their lead. Mine has Mark Webber. Donnie Darko has Jake Gyllenhaal. They both tackle similar subject matter in a way, but are completely different both in their direction and style. I wish people could actually see the movie and decide that for themselves.

 

 

Do you even like Donnie Darko?

I do. I thought it was awesome.

 

What drove you to write and make this film?

I just really needed to express myself as an artist. I love movies and I love writing and I thought it was only a natural progression to the art of skateboarding.

 

Do you have a favorite movie of all time?

I have about 20 favorite movies.

 

How about a book?

Not really, no. Strange right?

 

Ever been to jail?

Yes. I was arrested for punching out this Russian guy who was going to beat up this kid who used to live with Eric and I. He was out front skating in the street and I was inside. I heard a screech of the tires. I looked out and saw a car backing up towards my little friend. I saw it was a full grown man and I heard him say, “I’ll kill you motherfucker.” So I ran out of the house with no shoes on and into the street where he was just getting out of his car. I kicked his car door closed so he couldn’t get out because all I kept thinking was, “I don’t want this dude stepping on my feet because then I can’t skate.” So I kicked it shut and he started punching me in the stomach and ribs as I was standing next to the window. I reached in a popped him twice in the left eye. He drove off screaming he was going to kill me. I went back inside to work on my computer and about 15 minutes later the cops rang the bell. There he was, tough guy with a cold can of Coca-Cola held up to his black eye. The cops asked if I punched him, I said yes but that he punched me first in the ribs and stomach. They had me lift my shirt and saw no marks so they arrested me. Eric had to bail me out of jail.

 

Last time you got a speeding ticket?

Within the last year. The dude recognized me but didn’t let me off, he just dropped it to a not so expensive ticket. Ahhh, the perks of being a professional skateboarder, aren’t they glorious?

 

Favorite animal, (i know we’re reaching)I just saw I Am Legend and that German Shepherd should get an Oscar. So… for now, my favorite animal is the German Shepherd.

Peace/Fart...