BLADE LIFE: An Interview with Jeph Howard

Starting with the obvious questions, who is Jeph Howard, where does he call home, and what is he doing as we speak? (well, type rather)?
Well, he is a 25-year-old, really awesome dude, who works at a dope pizza shop called Punch Pizza. I currently live in St. Paul, Minnesota with Michael Garlinghouse, and I am waiting in my living room for a box of ONE magazines to arrive for the next “Day with Brett and Jeph” edit. Ha, ha.

You recently toured the midwest with Brett Dasovic, John Bolino and a crew of sorts, filming for “TML 2″; why don’t you tell us a little bit about that whole experience?
Best time of my life, no joke. Other than when the RV broke down, obviously, but we still went out skating and had a blast, no matter what the outcome was because of how good of friends we are, and how much we have fun on a regular basis. We were able to motivate each other so hard when it came to the skating, and when it came to partying… well, we had an RV. It was fucking amazing.

I just finished watching your “TML 2″ section at the shop and I was pretty impressed. When you film for a new video, what do you try to do to make your sections different from previous ones?
As of right now I am trying to find the more crazy creative stuff. Things people are like, “that shit is not possible,” or they don’t even see it because it’s too deadly or scary to them. We have already been looking for stuff for the next video and it’s going to be doppio for sure. Big shit. Hiddin shit. On top of that we have the best crew around, and we can motivate each other to do anything. My friends and crew here in Minnesota are half the reason I do the shit I do. It just feels good to have friends who get as pumped as you do about blading.

Where does Jeph Howard fit into the whole “Death of B Unique” conspiracy?
Hmmm, well… I am not really sure what to say about that. I will always have love for Chris and Courtney, and they helped me through shit that no one else was there for. But I mean, as far as I know… the company is on hold. As far as I know, I still rock their clothes, but I don’t think I ride for the company because I think it’s just done…

Who do you think is doing things right in the blade game right now? Who’s on top of their ish?
Minnesota and Kansas City. I am not motivated by competition skating. Our scene and their scene are the only two crews I see doing things right as far as skating simply because it’s what we love to do. We need to just join forces.

Bagels or donuts? Why?
Bagels for sure. Michael brings home a shit-ton of bagels all the time from his job. We have bagel sandwiches for days. Donuts can be too much. I do love cake donuts though.

What’s better at the end of the day, a cold brew or a hot shower?
A cold brew in a hot shower. Seriously, nothing better. Just stand in the hot shower and enjoy that shit.

You’ve been involved in our industry for a long time, you know all of the hoopla, and what it means to be a pro rollerblader. Knowing what you do now, what keeps you motivated to keep skating?
Like I have said, my friends here in Minnesota. We simply have so much fun skating that it makes me want to just do badass shit because we all get so pumped from each other’s blading. I have almost given up on the whole industry. It’s all a joke to me. Fools acting like they’re exclusive and shit. I just simply love to blade.

How did you look at skating differently at a time, say, back in the days when you were winning comps like IMYTA L.A. and filming for videos like “Thrill” to now in the present day?
I look at it like “I don’t care about competitions no more.” I simply like blading here in Minnesota with my friends. I love going to comps, and hanging out, and having a good time with all my friends from all over. I will compete, but it’s more to just have a good time. I love filming more and more each time. I love seeing how my skating has changed, and I love to see what all the little idiots have to say on Rollernews. Makes me laugh.

Did you know that you share the same name as the guitarist from one of the most talented, sick-gnar bands of all time ;)—The Used?
Yeah, he is faggot. He made some video on YouTube making fun of blading. If I ever meet him or see him, I am going to punch him right in the throat and tell him I am the real Jeph Howard, and that his music fucking sucks.

What sort of sacrifices have you made in order to blade at the level you do? Would you make the same decisions again now, knowing what you do about blading and life?
If anything, I would make worse decisions and harder sacrifices, ha, ha. I still do deadly-ass stuff. I am not worried about it at all. My body is in great shape. I never wake up and am like “Ahhh, my knee hurts” or “My ankle is fucked up.” I wake up and just love life.

Pretend that you’re a rapper winnin’ the SOURCE awards, you know it’s time for some Shout-outs and thank yous…Thanks again for taking the time to answer these questions for ONE.
Jesus and God, all my friends here in Minnesota: Michael Garlinghouse, Brett Dasovic, Blake Cohen, Chris Farmer, Shane McClay, Aaron Peterson, Blake O’Brian, John Haynes and John Bolino, because he is coming back, and my sponsors for sure: Aggressive Mall, Razors Skates, Undercover Wheels, and Kizer Frames.

Questions © 2010 Ben Karris
Photos © 2010 John Haynes