Categories: Interview

Darryl Tocco Interview

Darryl is a dude who has blown up pretty big lately. This coming from his part in Insight and his riding in general. After I saw Insight I had no doubt that I wanted to interview the guy! So we got it done for you kids to enjoy!

Name:
Darryl Tocco


Photo Credit: Keith Terra


Location:
Audubon, NJ

Sponsors:
Kink bikes, TwobyFour store

Years Riding:
13 roughly

Insight has been released finally, your part was my personal favorite so this had to be done. How did you feel about that part and video in general?
Thanks man! I was super psyched to see the video finished up, there was a lot of bullshit and set backs that delayed the video so it was a relief to see it come together the way it did. There was a couple things I wanted to get done for the part that didnt work out, but i am still really happy with the ride part, it was an awesome opportunity, shouts to navaz, and all the dudes in the vid.

How many times did you have to try that wall ride to 180 to fakie barspin down the stairs from the part take you? That was nuts!
I guess we spent an hour or two trying to get that one right, it was hard to keep the speed off the wall, and even harder to line myself up to the stairs right, im real happy that it worked out.

Actually in general how in the world did you get your barspins and toboggans so good! what’s the trick to them?
When you only do a couple tricks i guess you have to dial them in haha. I always liked doing toboggans at the trails when i was younger, its fun to push your seat down as far as you can, its an awesome feeling trick when you catch a nice dipped one. Barspins just always felt rad to me, theres still that second when you arent sure if your going to catch or not, and when they come around it feels awesome.

What other video projects do you have going on right now? Isn’t Kink filming for a video? What can you tell us about that video?
Right now Im filming for the Kink Video, Safety First. We have been filming since December and its due out in November of 08. Everyone has awesome stuff under their belts already, we have a couple more filming trips left, and then we will be ready to put it out. A couple of the flow guys will have full parts that are already amazing, and Doyle and Sexton will be a treat, I promise. Also have to mention the twobyfour video which we are putting out at the mid/end of summer, which is going to be a good watch for sure. The team is on it while Van is in Brazil haha.

Will you be filming and editing? What can we expect from your part in it?
I managed to get the filming / editing gig for the kink video, its been an amazing process so far getting to know the flow dudes, and just chilling with my boys on the team. Those guys are awesome, I couldnt ask for a better squad to work with. As far as my part, hopefully it will be a step up from my last part, and will be something i can be proud of.

Speaking on Kink, how do you feel things are going over there? It seems like they have turned around a lot in the last year or two.
Man, I love it there. I can’t believe that I ride for a company in general, but im super psyched that I am where I am. Jay Roe is our TM, and basically himself and Matt turned the whole thing around and revamped the entire program. Now the team is awesome, we go on trips all the time, and its just a blast to be on.

Speaking of filming, now that you have been doing more filming projects for companies, what will happen to the Bad Timing stuff you had?
I want to do another BT vid, it was and still is just an awesome excuse to kick it with my best friends in the world, and go ride our bikes. Hopefully sometime next year i can start filming around here, its weird but i can call 6 or 7 unreal bike riders that live within 20 minutes of me and go watch crazy shit go down. I love it around here.

What kind of gear do you use to film and edit? How do you feel about HD and web videos?
I film with a sony vx2100 and edit on Final Cut Pro. I feel like properly dialed Sony footage looks amazing,and always will. HD is awesome, but its a huge project to go on a riding mission with, and just isn’tpractical to me for cruising the city with my friends.All Sony for me. Web vids are cool, but as many people say, nothing is like watching a video you’ve been anxious to see with your friends in the living room. I don’t think i’ve ever once said, “man I cant wait for that web vid to drop.”


Photo Credit: Keith Terra

Back to riding, you kill it on street is that all you ride now days or are you one to ride whatever is in front of you?
Ive always ridden whatever, I grew up riding trails and street and then parks. Some of my friends faded a bit from riding a couple years back,and I started riding street a bunch again with Randy and Chase. Basically you look at things different now, and its obvious that there is a lot of room for creativity in street. I still ride the cement park 3 or 4 days a week when im home, a good quarter is the best.

What are some things you have been working on trick wise? Anything your saving for the Kink video?
I dont think so really, id like to learn whips at some point haha.

Do you have any trips planned to film, ride, vacation coming up at all?
Im heading to Brighton, England with Sean on May 1, which I cant wait for. First time overseas and I am super psyched. After that a Philly to Montreal trip with Kink to film for the vid.

If you could ride like any other pro, who would it be and why? (style, tricks, dedication whatever you want to make of this)
Wow, Not to jock my team mate, but Sean is a good example of how I would ride if i could do every trick in the world.

Who are some of the guys you ride with on a more daily basis?
My roommates Chris and John, Slattery, Randy, Chase,Van. Those are the guys I keep up with on the regular.

What trick gets you frustrated the most but can’t help but keep trying?
Whips I have a huge problem with haha. I kick with my front foot, and just cant figure out how to stomp it. I can land one footed but I have a this block about putting the other one down. Hopefully it works outsomeday haha.

Have you ever had a line or trick at a certain spot that you tried a bunch, then gave up? Does it bother you? Do you even plan on getting back to it?
Yea theres been a bunch of those, it sucks for sure, but you get over it and keep your eyes open for similar setups.


Photo Credit: Keith Terra

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years, riding and non riding wise?
I just want to keep the fun going man. Keep meeting new people, going on trips, filming with my friends.It doesnt really get much better than that. As far as riding just keep doing my thing and have a good time,get a few clips im psyched on and have fun cruising a city that Ive never been to.

If you could change anything about BMX, what would it be and why?
As far as changing bmx,it seems to me that a lot of people think that they own bmx for some reason or another, that they have the final say on what is cool and how you should do things, and its pretty much bull shit. Im happy with the way things are, kids should do whatever makes them happy.

Outside of riding and filming/editing, what are some things you are into?
Going to the ball park for a Phillies game is probably my favorite non riding activity. I dont get to go as much as i want, but going over there with a bunch of friends and getting faded is the best time ever.

What are some non riding movies you are into?
No Country for Old Men was awesome, The Big Lebowski of course, Dazed and Confused.

Hear any good songs lately?
Brothers gonna work it out- Willie Hutch.

Who or what are some of your biggest influences on your life?
My parents for sure. Couldnt ask for better people behind me, they’ve always supported riding 100% and love every second of it. Also Van is an awesome guy to go to for advice on random stuff, he’s been through it all, and he still has the best head on his shoulders.

If you could be sponsored by any NON-BMX related company, who would you pick and why?
Probably a mortgage company or a realtor so i could move myself and my friends into a house and not worry about shit.

Word on the street is one time you were at a party in Arizona and you punched a dude in the face! What is the story behind that one?
Man word gets around huh? Im no tough guy, the dude dissed some girl i was feeling at a party, then made fun of my first name and asked me if my mother actually named me Darryl. He hugged me when he was leaving and wouldnt let go so i punched him in the eye. Im glad it got broken up quick, the dude had about 70 pounds on me. Shouts to that dude, and Arizona in general. Im not tough.


Photo Credit: Jeff Allen

What is your best story of a time you had a run in with the law?
Last year i watched philly cops slam Tom White against a wall and go crazy for riding some spot. Like 5 cop cars and the street closed down to bust our balls. They called us losers and told us to get jobs. They accused Tom of being at the spot last week and he tried telling them that he was in Barcelona last week. They laughed at him.

Where are some places you have never traveled to that you would like to go to someday?>
Asia would be rad, of course Barcelona just to say Ive been there.

What do you think you would be doing if you never picked up a bike or camera?
Playing Baseball in college, putting gel in my hair or something ridiculous.

Before BMX and stuff helped you pay bills, what kinds of jobs did you have growing up?
I worked at a restaurant not far from here for 5 years. It was a good gig, they let me take off for trips and were pretty good to me. Thanks go out to them.

If you could meet anybody in the world, who would it be and why?
Ghostface, dude is too wild.

How do you feel about politics? Do you plan on> voting? Hillary, Obama, or Other?
Im not touching that one.

What are some things you can’t leave home without?
My cell, and my bike.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Do what makes me happy, from my mom and dad.

What kind of advice do you have for kids getting into BMX?
Keep having fun, save up some money and go on a roadtrip ASAP.

What kind of advice do you have for people getting into filming and editing?
Watch Left/Right or Insight. Watch Transworld skatevids. Take notes.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Most definitely, First to my parents and my brother for being so supportive. Jay, Zach, Reez, and Matt at kink for taking care of me, Van at TwobyFour, everyone that rides for kink and 2×4, Chris and John at the crib, all my friends, Slattery for always being down to get wasted, Navaz for making all this stuff happen, and Kurt for the interview, thanks!

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Published by
Kurt

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