Here’s a quick little Q&A checking in with Adam Banton. Enjoy!
Jason Eichhorst pic
ADAM, HOW ARE THINGS?
Things are moving along with me. To sum it up, “Life Happens”. But I’ve been riding my bike a ton, doing some shows in Ohio and riding Chenga 57 a lot. Trying to get ready to film for the Eastern film and what ever else comes my way.
YOU RECENTLY MOVED TO UTAH, HOW HAS IT BEEN GOING?
I had made trips out to Matt’s in the past and always said Utah seemed like a place I could live, and I had reached a point in my life where I was ready to give it a try. Utah is exactly how I thought it’d be. Lots of good riders, bike friendly parks, street and of course Matt’s house and the mountains.
HOW IS UTAH COMPARED TO CALIFORNIA?
Way less traffic, smaller, cheaper living, closer mountains and more snow, way bigger and better bike friendly parks.
HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING A BUNCH, AND WHO HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING WITH?
I have been riding a lot. Rob Wise lives a block away. We ride together when were both home, which lately isn’t much, but I call Matt all the time to ride the yard and help him work on it. Tate Roskelley and all the other 50/50 team guys. I’ll show up at the shop and usually see someone there who is down to ride. Aitken and skier Jay are in the mix too.
DOES BERINGER KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED?
Ahhh, they broke the mold when they made Matt.
ANY FUNNY STORIES?
I hear Elf has all the good stories.
ANY MIKE AITKEN SIGHTINGS?
Sure, rode with him the last week. I was in town for about 3 days while Stew Johnson was filming for his new vid. It was just Mike and myself riding parks and was a blast, watching him ride is motivating.
IS 50/50 YOUR NEW LOCAL SHOP?
Eddie and everyone over there have taken me in like family. I love those guys! I’m there a lot, so It’s the perfect spot to meet up with people. The Layton skatepark is just down the road. I see 50/50 as a main contributor as to why Utah has a such a strong BMX scene, everyone there rules. Thanks Eddie and Fuzzy.
HOW IS YOUR CURRENT RIG?
I’m running on a Eastern Grim Reaper, it’s actually my first one. I like it alot. Everything else is ODSY on it and running nice. I couldn’t ask for a better bike for me.
HAVE YOU TAKEN UP ANY NON-RIDING ACTIVITIES BEING IN UTAH?
It’s not new for me, but I’ve been snowboarding for 11yrs, so I’m really excited to see if Utah snow is as good as people say. There are some really good hiking trails right at the bottom of the mountains about a mile from my house. It’ll kick your ass with the elevation, I actually haven’t even finished the trail yet, hahah.
HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING GUITAR MUCH? DO YOU HAVE ANYONE TO JAM WITH OUT THERE?
I’ve been back playing on a regular basis, re-writing and writing new material. I had wanted to release a new album over a year ago, but like I said early, “Life happens” so things got postponed. I can focus on music more in Utah. I have a little studio/jam room set up, I had wanted a room like that for years. Now that my electric guitars are in my possession I want to play with Eddie from 50/50BMX. He’s played drums for years and keeps wanting to get together. Get ready Eddie!
WHAT WAS THE LAST TRIP YOU WENT ON?
It was to Lake Powell to do a show with the 50/50 guys. It was awesome, this rider named Jonas works at one of the docks and showed us Indian ruins you could walk and check out up close he basically gave us a private tour of the lake. Jonas rode in the demos too. Thanks again Jonas!
