Jeff Kocsis Interview

Photo: Greg Pallante

Jeff Kocsis is one of those guys who has always been a rider I get stoked on seeing fresh footage of. Over the years, he’s definitely progressed into an amazing rider and managed to keep that low-key kind of image that I think has always been something that a lot of riders respect. Over the last few months he’s been given the bump to the Macneil and Almond Footwear pro teams along with his long time sponsor, Animal which has allowed him to really focus more on riding. I figured with that and all of the traveling he has been doing lately, he was over due for an interview. I got ahold of him the other day to get to know this guy who not only kills it on a bike, but appreciates a hard days work. Let’s see what he had to say…

Name: Jeffrey Richard Kocsis Jr

Location: Clifton, New Jersey

Sponsors: Animal, Almond, Macneil

Years riding: 10

What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
Everyday after school I would go to a baseball field in my town and a few older guys would be jumping garbage cans and piled up skateboards. Luckily I grew up in the industrial area of my town so I had basically any ideal set up to learn on.

You were recently added to the Macneil team. How are things going with them so far? Do you have any team trips, signature products or videos in the works with them?
Things with Macneil are great. We don’t have any plans for trips or signature products at the moment. I’m working on a edit for them right now actually. I’m pretty excited about that.

Photo: Macneil

How are things going with Animal these days? I know they’re always working on something rad. Anything in particular you’re looking forward to with them?
Yeah things with Animal are going great, and you’re right they always have rad things popping up. I’m working on a signature product actually, I cant say exactly what it is yet but it’s going to be a limited run and hopefully have a ton of personal input from me involved. I’d like to help create something that will gain value as the BMX days go on and hopefully a product that kids will want to hang up on the wall once they are done beating the hell out it.

You’re pretty fresh off a team trip to Miami with the Almond team. How was that trip for you? Based on the video it looked like you weren’t having too rough of a time.
Thanks, before that trip I was strictly riding Shields indoor skatepark in Flemmington once a week for 3 hours a night. The second day of the Almond Miami trip I was sore as I could ever be. However, after a day or two I felt back on it and just tried to keep up with those dudes. Jared was feeling it too we looked out of shape haha!

What does Almond have cooking for you for the rest of the year? Any trips or anything you’re planning on doing?
Almond and I are just taking things day by day. I talk to Paul Robinson (TM) a lot and we try to play things by ear. He’s very supportive and since that Miami trip I feel very much apart of the family/team. I think everyone on the team does now that Miami went so well. We all clicked instantly and I smile just reminding myself the times we had. I would really like to go over the pond this summer. I guess I’ll have to be extra nice to Paul and the Almond squad.

Any other sponsor news you can tell us about?
Nope, my dream would be Carhartt though, Doing a rail in the snow with a huge jacket on.

So it seems like the past year or so has been pretty crazy for you with a lot of traveling and everything. Did you ever really expect for things to go the way they have for you?
No, not at all. I expected to work everyday with my father, coming home covered in tile glue or cement and bad knees. I still don’t see myself as a pro. I’ll always treat kids, elders, products, and a company all the same way. Pro or not. Seldom do I get messy these days, but I do enjoy working honestly and I still help my father when I’m home. It has been a eye opening last year and a half and I’m just trying keep up with myself and what I know I’m capable of.

Photo: Animal

I know the winter here in the Midwest has been hell, and it sounds like New Jersey has been getting pounded with one shit storm after another from the hurricane to some crazy snow storms. What did you do over the winter to keep things going? Didn’t you find a way to head south for a bit?
Yeah, New Jersey got hit pretty bad this winter. I was luckily enough to hop in a friends work truck and just help him on small animal control jobs. It was a learning experience and I was able to stay warm mostly. I got to head down to Orlando in December and stay with Dave Mcdormott for a few days for that Banned thing. Directly after Miami I met Scerbo in Austin and we went on a month long trip up to San Fran and drove the northern route back east. It was probably the best trip I’ve ever been on so far.

You have had the chance to visit a bunch of places thanks to BMX. What would you say your top 5 places you have been are?
El Paso, Slab city, Toronto, Miami, and Atx. No exact order.

Where are a few places you haven’t been, but would really like to get to at some point?
I’m trying to get to anything outside of America to be honest. I’ve never been and Canada doesn’t count because I didn’t even get a stamp in my passport!

I know you’re always busy stacking clips for different projects. I know I saw a photo you posted on Instagram the other day of your bike and a camera so I know you have something cooking. Care to share some of the stuff we will be able to see here in the near future? Any video parts in the works?
Yeah, I just came home from a month long filming trip with Bob so all of that footage should be in the newest QSS soon. I think. Anyway, yeah, since I returned home from that trip I tried to keep that filming / riding thing going and so far its going well. I’m working on a Macneil edit now which should be done by end of the month. I’m editing it myself and having a few friends and a tripod film it. It’s going to be all black and white street stuff. I have been learning how to mess with the camera and final cut so its something I want to accomplish.

How do you feel about filming? I know you aren’t the kind of guy that pumps out an edit every other week.
Even if I could I wouldn’t. My feelings toward filming is that I take it pretty seriously. I don’t want to just pump stuff out because a sponsor is asking me. I’m only going to film what excites me enough to film. If I can picture how it will look in my head that makes me motivated to film a clip, you won’t really see a “web edit Jeff” part and a “fullv video part” Jeff, I’m only on one level of riding I won’t dumb it down or juice it up for anyone.

Having sponsors tends to add a little pressure with having expectations. Do you ever feel like you have to be out riding, shooting photos and filming, or is it just something you aren’t too worried about and it will happen if it happens?
If it happens it happens, It’s a job itself to just get me and all my friends to a decent spot and actually riding. So once we get that far pretty much anything can happen. Most times I’ll go out just to mess around and I end up filming something scary or that took a while. I like that. I can’t wake up knowing I’m going in that day, it freaks me out. even rolling up to something scary I tell myself I’m not going to do it, then last minute I’ll take a crank and just try it.

I know your style has always been one of the things I’ve liked about your riding. Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? Did you race or ride trails at all?
Thanks, I honestly never rode trails or raced in my younger life but I really wish I did. I’m playing catch up now to that life of being in the air. I’m not a good rider, I can’t trick a jump box, I get nervous in the air. The last few years I have been trying to learn how to air quarters and take my hands and feet of more often. When I’m older I know my body and mind will want dirt jumps, so I’m working at that.

What’s one trick that you couldn’t do for the life of you?
Barspins, but I’m working on it, man.

Let’s say you were given a huge budget to do a one week trip anywhere in the world with 5 riders. Who do you bring, where do you go and why?
Oh man, this is like Garrets life. I havent been to enough places to say, but I could imagine myself in Barcelona with Ratkid, Chris Reyes, Mike Rose, Scerbo, and Vinnie. That would just be lots of riding and laughing all day. It seems like a solid crew of goons.

Do you ever get burned out on riding at all? What do you do to keep things fresh for yourself?
Yea I do. I don’t ride every day. It keeps me really psyched on riding when I realize it has been a few days and I’m itching. I bought a SonyVX2k and a big cheap Ford Explorer and that was enough to make me feel like a big kid. I’m able to grab 3 of my friends and a camera and just go anywhere. If the weather is nice though, I’m riding mostly. With the shitty winters here, the kids and myself go nuts for the nice days. It’s like a drug. The local skatepark will have 20 BMXers easy on a nice day. All those kids get me so hyped.

What are you usually getting into when you aren’t riding? Do you have anything else you’re damn good at?
Lately I’ve been helping out my family owned bike shop business that has been booming. We moved into a bigger spot and we remodeled the whole joint. I also install Tile. Put the radio on and go to work! It’s great. Like I said earlier, I’ve been just learning how to film and edit. Capturing footage with music on could be my new favorite pass time.

Have you ever though about what you would like to do further down the road for a career or is that something you’re going to take as the time comes?
Ill be doing construction still and eventually me and my brother will take this damm shop over. The same thing I’m doing now pretty much but with more responsibly

Photo: Greg Pallante

What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
I was born in Riverside, California and I hate onions.

Are you much of a partier? What makes for a good night out for you?
I’ll go to the local bar if friends are around. We make fires often and just drink beer and listen to music. The occasional night in Brooklyn or Jersey City. I try to make my days count so I can realax at night without feeling guilty.

How are you with the ladies? Any tips for the younger guys out there that are looking to step their game up in that department?
Ha, I was dating a girl for 6 years and it ended last year, right before all the sponsors and traveling. A word to the wise boys, be a gentlemen, girls like maturity, and read more books!!!

What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched and website you visited?
All Along the Watchtower by Dylan (today at work), Snow on tha Bluff (Netflix it and keep it on repeat), and I visited DOTHETON.com. It’s a motorcycle forum.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Good question, I honestly dont know and that makes me happy. A big part of me will always be in Clifton but I don’t want to stay.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Ralph and Bob at Animal have given every single ounce of love and support since day 1. I wouldn’t be talking to you right now if it wasnt for them. It’s a blessing to grow under such a rad group of guys. Thanks to Teague, Reyes, Mike Rose, Osso especially, Paul at Almond, Darcy and Harley at Macneil, My family for the constant support and love. My brother Kyle for being capable of doing anything. Manny fresh, and my ex for breaking up with me!

Anything else you want to say?
Yeah, these questions were fun to answer. Thank you for being interested in my small world. RIPJB