Stats: Name, Age, Sponsors, Years riding… the usual routine.
Chad Johnston. Lost track of age. Reppin’ S&M, Revenge, Primo, Lotek and Neighborhood BMX. I got my first BMX in 1980.
Okay, an easy one first… What is your earliest memory of BMX? How did it make you feel?
Earliest memory of BMX is a Boy’s Life magazine that I saw in the library of my elementary school. There was an article about BMX racing. Earliest BMX Freestyle memory is watching Bob Haro on some TV show in the early 80’s. It was awesome. I lived in Canada at the time and to see this guy riding, doing cool things on his bike in California made me want to live there/here.
When did you realise that you were a pro rider?
I don’t know exactly. I turned pro during the end of the AFA days. The first pro comp for me was at a NAFA comp in Oregon. When we got there I didn’t even ride, the ground sucked and I wasn’t feelin’ it. I stopped competing after that, until the late 90’s. I was into riding but not really competing, I’d go to hang with other riders and sometimes film. Eventually I would ride in a comp here and there, mostly to test myself. Riding with that many hi-caliber guys at one spot and in one day can humble and motivate you at the same time.
Some folks might not know how Intrikat came about… Where did the name come from, and when did it all start? Was it just an identity for your video work?
Our local crew started doing demos at schools and they’d ask what we were called. Intrikat came to mind and we stuck with it. After awhile we weren’t doing many demos, we were filming ourselves with a borrowed camera. Later on after we had a bunch of footage I started editing it and used the name Intrikat. So it came from a team that turned into a production company and now a parts line. It’s many things and nothing also. I guess it’s a lifestyle really.
How does Intrikat becoming part of S&M make you feel? Given that S&M are probably the most respected brand in BMX, this must be one hell of a compliment?
Man, it feels unbelievable. Working with S&M is beyond a dream, especially at this point in my life. I’m motivated to continue forward.
Did you and Ed have a ‘long talk’ before you left Sick Child for S&M, and are you still on good terms? It must have been tough going from one highly respected brand to another?
We’ve been through a lot, we travelled Europe for 30 days together and through smooth times and rough times we’re friends.
Ed and I used to ride together daily until the spot became a bust and we had to go separate ways as far as sessions. We talked pretty much daily and we still keep in touch. He and Dana came to the S&M video premiere party. There are no hard feelings between us. The original deal we worked out was a trial basis. Our visions are slightly different. I represented as hard as possible for a year and Ed thanked me. A seed was planted by McKinney with S&M years prior to Sick Child and had been growing. The Bad Brains web edit and the Primo video premiere party got the attention of Moeller, now that seed is a plant and we’re going to nurture it into a healthy tree.
Do you realise how you influence others within BMX? I personally think that your riding style is quite unique, and very influential and inspiring. Do you think about your riding and filming influencing others whilst you’re doing it?
Thanks for that. I’m stoked I’m able to contribute that way. I don’t think about it much, but it has been a topic before. It’s made me try and get another perspective, like if I were someone else and I just heard of Intrikat for the first time. I’m pretty critical of myself and sometimes I think what the fuck is this shit? Sometimes I feel stupid showing people my work because it’s always a learning experiment, sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t. As long as I’m able to see a small amount of progress I can live with it.
Okay, from your influence on others, what influences you when you’re riding? Amy seems to plays a big part in filming your personal edits… is she a big influence on you? How big a role does music have on your riding and mood?
Yeah man, Amy and music are two huge influences. Long Beach is another influence. The culture is so diverse here. I enjoy being a minority. Architecture, weather, photography, graphics, colors, lines and lots of images motivate me. The energy that the city has is awesome. Motocross racing and BMX grab my attention. Modern street is so sick, the progression reminds me where flat was ten to fifteen years ago.
You have a great image when riding, and seem to rep you sponsors big time. Is this a conscious decision, or something that comes naturally?
Cool, thanks for that. I’ve been lucky to work with great photographers that know what’s up. I like collaborating with them rather than just takin’ care of business. I’m pretty conscious of it, like if the photographer asks my opinion on a certain shot I’ll analyze and respond honestly. It works best when there’s communication before the shoot, share ideas and marinate on them, then when you go to shoot it’s not a rush or waste of time. I’ve been on both sides of the camera and have a good idea of what it takes. I’m always down to do it again and again and again until we’re both cool with it. I’ve gone back for re-shoots a few times. I’m really proud to rep the companies that support me, I’d run the stuff even if they weren’t hooking me up.
Bringing your relationship with Aaron up, how does setting up Neighborhood with him feel? Is this a long held dream for your both, being able to give something directly back to BMX? Have you guys known each other for a long time, and how does running a business with a friend affect your relationship?
It feels great. It’s almost surreal. We saw an opportunity and jumped on it. It’s kinda a roller coaster but in a good way, anxious and nervous at the same time. The gratitude of dialing in a bike makes the work worthwhile. Aaron and I have been friends for years and both brought up the fact that we were interested in doing a local shop. We would ride together occasionally and bring up ideas that we had. Four months ago I got a text from him saying that we need to get together and make the shop happen as soon as possible. Even though I had planned to do it at a later time in life, his urgency convinced me that the time was now. It’s affected our relationship because we went from chillin’ and ridin’ together to workin’ together, so it’s not all fun and games. We understand riding is the focus and won’t forget it’s the reason we’re in this position.
What plans do you and Aaron have for Neighborhood? I seem to remember you saying you were trying to ‘keep it local’, but with the way the web shrinks everything, what impact do you think this might have on the business?
Local is our priority, but we’re open-minded to growth. We’re working on a site now.
(NEIGHBORHOOD OPENING GALLERY, cheers to FIT BIKE CO:)
http://fitbikeco.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2064:neighborhood-shop-opening-party-gallery&catid=1:fbc-daily&Itemid=1
Have you got any last words or thoughts before we wrap this up? Would you like to thank anyone
Thanks to Amy and my family, Moeller, McKinney and everyone at S&M. Joel, Fano, Barney, Nate, JW and the Tip-Plus crew. Ed Nussbaum. Aaron Bostrom and everyone that supports Neighborhood BMX. Thanks to all riders rollin’ around, ride on.
Video links extravaganza...
S&M Customer appreciation party, Oakland, Ca.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VSd_z8A5-Y
Flatmatters at Studio City:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBSTYQiOhx4
S&M Bad Brains Edit:
http://vimeo.com/5852702
Sick Child Edit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbkQEBfoQU&NR=1&feature=fvwp
S&M Q.P.3 video premiere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ftWOz0soXE&feature=player_embedded