Photo: Jamie Mauri
In a BMX world that has been trending into a lot of jibby grinds and freecoaster riding, there’s still a handful of riders that are out there absolutely sending their selves doing their own thing. One of those dudes, who I’ve always been really stoked on, is Bone Deth‘s Australian connect, Jay Wilson. Over the past few years Jay has had a few video parts and web edits that dropped that were loaded with some really gnarly riding. It has been a little while since I’ve seen something from Jay, so I figured it would be a good time to try and track this guy down and find out what he’s all about and what’s new. This is what he had to say! Enjoy!
Name: Jay Wilson
Location: Mandurah, Western Australia
Sponsors:
Bone Deth and The Shadow Conspiracy through Triplesixx Distribution, OICNT BMX
Years riding: 12-13?
What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
I have a motorcycle dad if you know what I mean, so I’ve always been into bikes and things with wheels. I was like 6 or 7 and my sister was doing horse riding and my dad and I were passing time in the car park waiting for her to finish. I was just doing skids riding around in circles on a 16″ hand me down bike trying to learn wheelies. My dad leaned a piece of checker plate steel onto his tool box and that was my first jump. Not long after that I saw a BMX dirt demo on two chasm type jumps at Bunbury speedway before a demolition derby. iI was fucking crazy I remember day dreaming at school the next day thinking what the fuck could all those crazy stunts be called, my uncle used to race for Redline in the 80’s and told my dad to get me a Redline.. etc. etc. etc.
Photo: Jay Wilson
You have been doing it for Bone Deth for quite a while now. How are things going with them? Do you have any trips planned back to the U.S, signature parts or anything coming up with them?
Nearly 3 years could that be right? Burns and Diamonds, the lords of bonerdeaf, are awesome. They’re both crazy characters. Just a car ride with them is a comedy movie in itself. It’s sick to be able to know, be friends and ride with dudes that own and run the company that I was a massive fan of before I even rode for them. I think that’s getting pretty rare these days. I don’t always have a phone/internet so when I’m not in the states commucation isn’t as often as I would like, or as awesome when I’m pysichally there . I don’t think any trips back are gonna happen anytime soon, I can’t imagine ever saving that much money up again. Later in the year I have a colourway for the “BSTRD” frame coming with a few handmade parts give away promo thingy!
How are things going with Shadow Conspiracy? Do you have anything cooking with that crew for the summer?
I ride for them through their Australian distro so not too much going on.
Any other sponsor news you can tell us about?
OICNT BMX. “It’s about fast skids, and representing the bottom of the barrel, live poor and ride more.”- Kim Bloodson
Photo: Jamie Mauri
I know the Bone Deth guys have been filming for a new DVD. Have you been stacking some clips for that? Are you planning to have a full section in the video?
Definitely trying to have a full section now that the Rotten video is over. I have some clips filmed by Dean Dickenson from 2011, Burns and Diamonds gave me the best present of my a life, a ratty VX1000 from “Surfin’ For the Ugly Broads” so I can finish off a section while I’m here in Aus.
Have you been filming for any web edits at all? I feel like the internet could use some fresh Jay Wilson footage.
I was and I did, but it wasn’t HD enough. It lacked in ledge waxing clips, hi-5s, and general shots of my face as I adjust my beanie. The song wasnt already known by the potentional viewers so the BMX gods decided it would not bring the projected profit margins. I’ll save the footage for a DVD project that Jamie Mauri and I are working on. I feel like the whole reason edits are so big, is so people can show they’re the first to do a certain trick or something, they don’t wanna sit on the clips for a dvd because someone might do that trick after them and release it before them, so everyone just trying to get their shit out asap and then the whole thing just snowballs.
I know you have had a number of video parts over the years. How do you feel about filming? I’ve always had the vibe that you were more about putting int the time for video parts over edits.
I’ve only really had 2 video parts, 2 other parts became web edits when the projects died. Web edits are alright if you have a dialed internet & computer. I don’t and it probably won’t ever be in my prioities. I was raised by BMX DVD’s and I’m sure I’ll always be able to easily MacGyver up a DVD player and a shit tv so I can stick on a vid.
Looking back on different parts and edits you have had, it’s pretty clear that you aren’t afraid to send yourself down some man sized rails or huge gaps. Who were some of your biggest influences growing up that kind of shaped your riding?
I’ve found so many riders fascinating and infulential while growing up like Steven Hamilton, Chase Hawk, Eddie Cleveland, Bob Scerbo, Josh Stricker, Alex Liiv, Albie Bennett, Jimmy Levan, Sean Burns, Jeremy Davis, Lou Rajish, Derek Nelson, Cookie. There also happend to be a epic scene that was in Perth and Mandurah at one time with guys like Kie Ashworth, Brad Kola and everyone in “How Hard Is It”. I literally have watched that thousands of times. Jamie Mauri & the CPL dudes too. Soo many things. That’s a hard question.
Photo: Jamie Marui
What riders really motivate you these days? I can imagine having guys like Sean Burns around makes it pretty easy to push yourself.
I think half of the riders that get me motivated probally don’t ride anymore… Which is kinda of a paradox of motivation pointlessness. It would not matter who is around if it’s Sean Burns, Mat Hoffman or someone I don’t give a shit about. I’m not gonna “push” myself, I’m just gonna do whatevers in my head that I like and am comfortable with.
What are your travel plans looking like for you the rest of the year? Anywhere you really want to get to at some point?
I don’t think im going anywhere soon. I travelled pretty flat out over the last few years, being dead broke and relying and everyones niceness gets old after ahwile. I really want to go to HSC in Ithca, New Zealand or the Mediterranean or something.
I know over the years you have taken some pretty heavy slams. What’s the craziest injury you have ever had from riding?
I’ve been pretty lucky really. The craziest was landing on my arm all weird, front wheel casing a 360 drop in and it shot my elbow into my left kidney and lacertated/ruptured. I pissed pure blood for 8 days, it’s still in there, they said it may or may not funtion again. I haven’t had it checked out since.
It’s pretty much a requirement to get into some weird situations being on the Bone Deth team. Care share a crazy story or two?
On a spontainus trip to Montreal (2011?) there was like a million festivals on and some big soccer thing. There were no hotels anywhere around so Jamie, Sean and I slept in a little display tool shed out the front of a Home Depot.
Photo: Mat Lawton
Let’s say you could load up with any 5 riders and spend a week anywhere in the world filming. Who would you bring, where would you go and why?
Dwayne Saul, Jamie Mauri, Matt Lawton, Ammom Chestworth & Mike Vockenson would be the dream team definitely. No question! It wouldn’t really matter where, but I’d say Perth to Adelaide or something like that. Someone make this trip happen!
What do you think you would be doing today if you never got into BMX?
I’d like to think programming or something but I’d probably just be some Nintendo freak/hoarder.
What are you getting into when you aren’t riding these days?
Stare at the back of my eyelids, hang out with my kitties or play Nintendo 64. My BMX is my main transport, so if I’m not riding, I’m probably riding…. to someones couch to hang out, or welfare payment appointments. I have my life pretty free’d up so I can just go ride whenever.
Do you work or go to school at all?
Neither. My old job at the milk supply didn’t take me back when I got back from my last America trip in December. I’ve been looking ever since but I don’t really have any qualifcations because as soon as I graduated high school I just went riding everyday. Looking for employment is a very judgmental thing, people look at me and assume I’m a crackhead or something.
I can imagine you know how to get down. What makes for a good night out for you? Any choice drinks or other party materials you like to work with?
Latley I just chill. I don’t really drink, burn evidence, etc.
Photo: Culen Nichol
What’s one thing you could use more of in your life and one thing you could use less of?
More money and less lag.
What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
I slamed dunked a full size hoop once. Basketball is gaaay.
What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched and website you checked out?
Pentagram – You’re Lost I’m Free, Falling Down and the /gif/ section of 4chan
How can people keep up with you these days? Are you on Twitter, Instagram or any of that other shit?
I don’t have either. I donut know.
Where do you see yourself in a few years?
In the same mirror, longer hair, more wrinkles.
Photo: Jamie Marui
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Burns and Diamonds @ Bone Deth, Shadow, Triplesixx, Jamie Mauri, Kim Bloodson, OICNT, Party Mangement and Matt Lawton
Anything else you want to say?
Hook me up with a job!
