When things were finished up with Garrett Guilliams’ interview, Garrett had mentioned that his brother was a real good dude and I should shoot him some questions. I was told some real good things about him and knew that it was definitely something that had to be done. Adam is a real talented kid on and off a bike, and knows what it takes for a good time. So check out what the younger Ginch Brother has to say, and then leave him some love in the comments!
Name:
Adam Guilliams
Location:
Waterloo, IL
Sponsors:
FBM, Tree Bicycle Co, Sun Ringle, NICE!
Years riding:
About 10-ish
What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
My older brother Zach started riding way back when and it sparked an explosion of like 20 kids in our town that started riding including myself. He built jumps in our backyard which is what I rode for like the first year or so. As for early memories… theres sooo many… hmm, the first time I went to this local trail spot in St. Louis (I was super young and cruisin on my dyno zone) was the first I got to see some actual bmxers shred. That was really awesome just to see some dudes who actually knew what they were doing for the first time.
How are things going with you and FBM? What’s it like being on the same team as your brother? Do you have anything big going on with the like trips, filming, or anything like that?
FBM is everything/anything I could ask for when it comes right down to it. I really don’t think I’d fit in with any other team like I do with FBM. And as you just mentioned, my brother Gary Ginch is on the team which is sooooo awesome. Garrett’s definitely my best friend and traveling companion so I feel right at home any time were traveling together. As far as other things go, I’m leaving for the Gypsy Caravan tour in a few days, which will most likely be the most fun I’ve ever had. Theres a few more trips this summer I’ll be on but I don’t know if I’m supposed to spill the beans yet. I think we’re gonna be filming for a full length some time soon which I’m really excited for.
Do you have any other new sponsor news?
uuuummm, maybe a Sun Ringle Ginch bros web video in the near future.
I’ve always been curious what it’s like to be on a pro team while being in high school. What do your friends think? Is it good for picking up girls?
haha, the 2 friends I have that ride in our school I guess think its pretty awesome. Outside of that I keep pretty quiet about my non acedemic life while I’m in school. I’ve never tried using my status with FBM to pick up the ladies. ha, I’m not much of a mac daddy.
You have been riding since you were 6? Have you always been into the freestyle side of things or did you start out racing?
Yeah, I just started out by jumping things to flat and worked my way to doubles. I raced once a few years into my riding life and it was fun but I never started doing it regularly.
I’d imagine you and your brother Garrett ride together everyday? Do you guys ever get into some heated games of B.I.K.E or something like that? Do you guys ever really not get along when bikes are involved?
Ha, yeah we play an ass load of bike. It’s never serious though, it’s almost always based on stupid stuff on curbs in parking lots and stuff. Me and Gary always get along when it comes to bikes. We’re just always having a good time.
Where are you usually found riding these days?
Somewhere in the small town of Waterloo, my backyard, Ramp Riders skatepark, or Belleville concrete park. We got some trails that are really starting to come together so I’ll probably be riding there a lot in the near future.
Other than the FBM Gypsy Caravan Tour, do you have any trips you know of? Anywhere you would like to go in particular?
Just a few FBM trips. I think maybe a Sun trip along the way too. I just want to travel around the east really. Anywhere is fine with me when you’re with such kick ass dudes.
If you could take a road trip with 5 people. Who would you bring, where would you go, and why?
Garrett, Mickey Marshall, Joel Barnett, Kenny Horton, aaaannnddd, Steve Crandall. My FBM brethren. We would just go anywhere.
Do you feel like you would be where you are with riding without your brother to push you?
Not at all, for a while I kind of stopped riding and got really into skateboarding. I skated every day almost all day and would occasionally pick up my bike. That was about the time Garrett really started progressing and soon got a job at the skatepark. So I started going to the skatepark with him. And every time I saw how much fun he was having and how fast he was progressing I just really wanted to get back into riding. I guess you could say the rest is history.
What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
Ummm, pursuing some other interests I have with art or music. Maybe playing hockey.
What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding?
Playing the guitar, eating, or watching the tube.
So you are pretty good on the guitar, piano, and pretty much any other instrument you want to play. Does that all come pretty naturally to you? What is one instrument you want to try out that you haven’t had the chance?
haha, Well, I think once you learn one musical instrument, the next one will come at least a little more naturally. I would love to be able to shred the drums. I lolly gag on my friend’s occasionally, but it would be awesome to have my own set and practice regularly.
You are playing guitar in your band Eternal Plague, hows that all going for you?
Its going good! We signed to a small record label out of new york and they printed our cd for us and are distributing it and stuff. Right now we’ve been focusing on writing new stuff. It’s just super fun playing and writing music. Especially because everyone in the band I consider to be some of my best friends.
When it comes to music, who or what are your biggest influences?
Just various types of metal. Some bands include Darkest Hour, The Black Dahlia Murder, Woe of Tyrants, Light This City.
If you could see one band live right now, who would you pick and why?
I think this was Garrett’s answer, but definitely Light This City. They broke up recently and put out a new CD right around that time. So I never got to see them perform any of their new stuff which is some of the best music I’ve ever heard.
Why don’t you have a mustache like your brother?
I just can’t quite grow a full blown stache yet. haha. If I could I would have a full blown beard right now.
What is your favorite Steve Crandall memory?
I honestly don’t think I could describe it, but definitely the first time I met him at the last Belmar contest. I can’t really describe exactly what happened, but in a nut shell, he just made feel super dumb and awkward immediately on purpose, and then was just like “Nah, I’m just kidding! …so and so”
I hear you are a “Jack of all trades”… What are some interesting things you have done with this ability?
ha I don’t know. I just try to go for anything that interests me. Art, Music, Skateboarding, Video games.. haha
Did you do that whole Prom thing this year? Was your date smokin hot or what?
Nah, I just went to the skatepark I think. I didnt plan on going, and it was the weekend of Garrett’s birthday, so it was a definite no go.
Who or what are your biggest influences in your life?
Garrett, all of my friends, riders I look up to, musicians I look up to, family. They’ve all kind of molded me into who I am.
Do you have any plans of going to college after high school?
Not really. I’m just wingin it.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still riding for FBM with my brother and just traveling.
What is the best advice you have ever been given or able to give?
As far as advice I’ve heard- “Life’s too short to not do what you really want to.” Advice I’ve given (it’s actually on the topic of college)- “Don’t spend your whole young life preparing for your old life.” haha, that’s probably terrible advice but I’m gonna live by it.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Definitely Garrett, Jon Wells at Sun Ringle, Sam and Andy at Tree, Everyone at FBM and especially Crandall for making me a part of it. Kurt/Bmxunion for the interview! My family and all my friends who I ride with. Hell yeah!
Anything else you want to say?
Life’s short, stunt it!!
