street talk
"Street Talk" Interviews: Mark Gonzalez/
Natas Kaupas
Street Talk finally caught up with Mark Gon-
zalez at Del Mar and again at The Santa Barbara
Streetstyle event, where he was skating around
with Natas. These 2 guys are at the forefront of
street skating, so in between the skating they
laid some words down on tape, and it went like
(at Del Mar)
ST: Mark, talk to me. So, what do you think?
MG: I think I love life. How about yourself?
ST: Life's O.K.-Tell me about streetskating.
MG: Um, I don't know what to say, what do you
mean?
ST: Streetskating man, tell it like it is.
MG: The street is neat.
ST: Why are you here?
MG: Cuz I wanna be cool like everybody else.
ST: I thought you said you had nowhere else
to go.
MG: I do have somewhere else to go, but I can't
get there 'cuz I don't have a car and I don't have
any money.
ST: Where are you going?
MG: Home, can you give me a ride?
ST: Bye Mark....
(at S.B. Streetstyle)
ST: Tell me something about streetskating I
don't know.
MG: Street skating is a great sport, invented by
a guy named Natas Kaupas, Ollie Master of the
80's. He's insane.
ST: Is he your buddy or arch enemy?
MG: He's my arch enemy. (Laughter) He blows
his hair up too much, that's what I hate about
NK: It's a bitter rivalry.
ST: How do you think you'll do today, Mark?
MG: I don't know. I think I'm gonna lose though.
ST: Whose your pick to win?
MG: Maybe Natas, or there's this really bizarre
Mexican-type-looking guy...what's his name?
NK: Jesse. He'll beat you up if you win.
MG: Did he say that?
NK: He's very capable of it.
MG: Yeah, he might win
ST: What are you working on at the moment?
MG: Well, me and my good friend Natas have
been practicing Olle Flips. See, it's like a
freestyle trick, but we do it on the street
ST: Is it hell?
MG: Oh yeah, it's hell, definitely.
ST: How come you're not sponsored?
MG: I'm in between sponsors right now.
ST: Why did you quit Alva?
MG: 'Cuz Tony cut off his dreads man, just
disappointed me, I lost all respect for him
(laughter).
ST: Do you like these street contests or
what?
MG: I just like the skating the streets wherever it
is, you know what I mean? I like to skate with
one other guy 'cuz you can combine your tricks
and end up better.
NK: And you got aggravated and want to kill
yourself
ST: Is it possible to street skate without
getting dirty?
MG: No! Because the streets are dirty.
ST: What do you have to say to those who
street skate and stay clean?
NK: Get dirty and hurt yourself.
MG: Yeah, just like that.
ST: What's this I hear about your head being
too big? Is there any truth to that rumour?
MG: I don't care what people think man, I just
don't care!
ST: Do you have to cut your shirt collars in
order to fit your head through?
MG: Shut up, man!
ST: Closing comments let's hear 'em.
MG: God loves you and listen to your mother.
Natas Kaupas, up, over and off, carvert at Sacto Streetstyle
Mark Gonzalez
Vert or no vert, the Gonzales-style rages
Natas, Inverted cyclone rebound.