Robert Brink - Writer

JT Aultz

February 25, 2009 | Skip To The Comments (3)

JT Aultz for Real Manifest
By Rob Brink
RealSkateboards.com, March 2009

Why do so many people ask you about San Diego, Mohawks and Blink 182 in interviews? It’s getting old.
Well I live in San Diego and ride for a SF company so I think that’s why. When I was younger I rode for this clothing company that Blink owned.

Give us another musical guilty pleasure.
Musical guilty pleasures... well, do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy… too intellectual.

It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think “Invisible Touch” was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums.

“Christy, take off your robe.”

Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument.

“Sabrina, remove your dress.”

In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism.

“Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little.”

Take the lyrics to “Land of Confusion.” In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. “In Too Deep” is the most moving pop song of the 1980s… about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock.

“Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole.”

Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like “In the Air Tonight” and “Against All Odds.”

“Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it.”

But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group than as a solo artist, and I stress the word “artist.” "Sussudio" is a great, great song—a personal favorite.

What’s the worst thing about interviews?
When people mix your words up.

Everyone also asks about your OCD, but only in relation to skating. I used to have OCD pretty bad and the most embarrassing stuff I would do had nothing to do with skating, like alphabetizing CDs at three in the morning because I felt they were out of order and couldn’t sleep…
Most of mine are with skating. I think it’s when I’m nervous. I do have a few outside of skating though. I have to have the volume on my car stereo at an odd number… that’s pretty weird.

How about a scandalous Mic-E story?
Yeah that one was probably the best but I’ve told it two times already. We need to get Mic back on some trips so I can stock up on stories.

I, like you, believe Morrissey sucks. And all this Morrissey hype in skateboarding is just ridiculous. Give us a few reasons why Morrissey, does indeed, suck.
Okay, I’m not going to lie… Morrissey has grown on me. I can’t explain it. I used to talk all this shit and now here I am. So that’s one of my guilty pleasures.

Tell us about faking an injury to get away from Reda.
First of all, I would never fake an injury. That would be the biggest jinx on yourself. But it is pretty funny that Reda thought that. I rolled my ankle on this trip and had to go home early. I still get random calls from Reda telling me how bad I suck.

I read an older interview that asked you if you were voting for Bush and you said you weren’t going to vote. Did that change for last month’s election?
I DONT VOTE.

What happened with Split? You have a part in that video that never came out so where will the footage go?
Now I have more footage for Real.

Didn’t the same thing happen with 88? Are you cursed?
I get paid to skateboard and travel with my friends. That’s the best thing in the world. I’m not cursed at all.

I heard some shop owner has a man crush on you…
I don’t know anything about that.

Excessive body hair is a topic that seems to come up a lot when I ask people about you. Do you ever manscape… you know, trim it down? Or do you just keep it retro?
I keep it Bigfoot.

If you could do one thing to change the world, what would it be?
Well, we have to end apartheid for one. And slow down the nuclear arms race. Stop terrorism and world hunger. We have to provide food and shelter for the homeless and oppose racial discrimination and promote civil rights, while also promoting equal rights for women. We have to encourage a return to traditional moral values. Most importantly, we have to promote general social concern and less materialism in young people.

What’s the worst trend in skateboarding right now?
Makeup.

I gotta hear this story I was told:
“Once JT powered down a pot cookie by accident and freaked out thought he lost his mind. He asked Bravo to call his mom and take him to the hospital.”
I don’t think I asked him to call my mom, but maybe. I was with Bravo one night—just us two and there was this random pot brownie just sitting there all week. We had just got back from skating and thought “Why not?”

I went to sleep after eating most of it, thinking it wasn’t working. I woke up in the middle of the night freaking out. I thought I was going to swallow my tongue or some shit. I think I even ended up freaking Bravo out too. The next day I woke up and told Bravo not to tell anyone about it… being all embarrassed at the time and shit. But right as I was coming out of the bathroom I hear Phares say "NO WAY!" And he’s laughing. Bravo had to tell everyone he knows and still does. I don’t care anymore. Now I think its pretty funny.

Tell us what it’s like to bone a girl who’s wearing blonde dreads. And why was she wearing them?
No comment.

You are coming off a gnarly leg snap, busted face… everything. How’d it happen? What did you miss about skating most while you were out?
I slipped out skating some hubba in the city. Just started skating a few weeks ago. It sucked so bad. I missed everything. I would just drive around and look for skate spots for when I got better. That’s like torture. But it does feel good to be back skating again.

When you slammed, told Jim “Sorry that it might mess with the video.” Was that the only thing on your mind even though you just wrecked yourself?
I was pretty fucked on morphine at that time. I probably said that because I knew I was going to have to ask him for more time to film.

Who are your favorite skaters to watch in person?
Dennis and Hewitt.

What’s your favorite thing about skateboarding?
Everything.

What’s special to you about Real after all these years?
The team and everyone involved in it.