Animal dropped a bomb on the street-riding world with the release of their debut video in 2002 featuring a crew of upcoming East coast riders who helped set the course for street riding for years to follow. Almost ten years later, with two more banger videos to their credit, Animal continues to churn out their raw and no-frills brand of street riding. The team has been hard at work on their fourth video, set to drop in early 2010 to coincide with Animal’s 10-year anniversary.
Anonymous footage peep. Photo: Zielinski
Lino Gonzalez
Lino, double peg grind to pop into the wall… yeah, just wait until you see the video. Photo: Zielinski
Where have you traveled to for filming?
Most of my stuff is filmed in the Worcester/Boston area of Massachusetts. But I did get some stuff filmed in Miami, Florida and Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Which was your favorite trip, and why?
There is really no answer to that, every animal trip is dope. Just chillin’ and riding when we find something.
Worst trip?
Any bad trip I’ve been on has nothing to do with Animal.
I’ve seen some footage of yours and I keep hearing that your part is going to be amazing. Even though you seem to get pretty stressed while filming, you still excel at it. How does that work?
I don’t know how any of this works [laughs], it just does sometimes.
Who’s section are you looking forward to the most?
That’s tough, I really can’t single anyone out. Everyone brings something a little different so I’m hyped just to see the video as a whole.
The whole Animal team gets along so well together. Can you describe the vibe on an Animal trip?
Like I was sayin’ before it’s pretty mellow, everyone gets along and just hangs out and rides when the time is right.
Do you think the team’s good chemistry helps when filming?
Yeah for sure, like if you see your boy do something he’s hyped on then you get excited and want to ride too, its like a chain reaction sometimes.
How much messing around versus actual riding goes down on a typical day?
That varies a lot. Whether or not there’s riding, there’s always jokes present. When the squad is together jokes and riding go hand in hand.
When was the last time you OD’d?
Anytime I’m in the presence of Mike Brennan. I get so hyped watching him ride. I swear just being around him makes me wanna do something wild.
Dave Belchar
This spot is in a sketchy area in Philly. While Dave wanted to do a double peg-to-manual on this rail, he had to settle for the double-to-ice because not only was there a kid doing wheelies on a mountain bike with a gun under his shirt, but we had some other suspicious looking guy casing our gear, as well. Photo: Zielinski
Where have you traveled to for filming?
Well, thanks to Ralph I have traveled to quite a few places to clock in some footage for this video. Including, Israel, Italy, Germany, Amsterdam, Paris, Jersey… [Laughs].
Which was your favorite trip, and why?
My favorite trip has to be the one to Germany and Amsterdam-you can only imagine. Israel-OMG!
Worst trip?
To be honest, I’ve never really had a bad trip, but we did have some bad luck in Rotterdam when the van got broken into, but other than that, so far so good.
Who’s section are you looking forward to the most?
Tom motherf-ckin’ White!
You always have new spots around Philly, how do you find the time to explore that much?
I grew up in the Northeast section of Philly and rode around everywhere aimlessly so that opened up a wide variety and also when I have free time I tend to wonder off to places I’ve never been to and just search. A lot has to do with working all over different areas of Philly, too.
According to Ryan Navazio, you always film way more on trips, why is that?
I tend to film more on trips because it’s more motivating to be somewhere new, and the fact that I possibly won’t ever go back to some of these spots puts me in a “have to do” mood.
The whole Animal team gets along so well together. Can you describe the vibe on an Animal trip?
Chill, chill, chill, ride, chill, chill, ride. [Laughs]
Do you think the team’s good chemistry helps when filming?
Yeah, I think so because everyone always has jokes so it’s better to get the job done right the first time-no flaws or else you here about it. [Laughs]
How much messing around versus actual riding goes down on a typical day?
75% messing around the rest riding. [Laughs]
When was the last time you OD’d?
Well of course, with riding, I OD every time I go out. [Laughs]
Brian Wizmerski
While the spot was cool and I was psyched to shoot there, Wiz really wasn’t feeling the wallride, but he squeezed out a few quick tables for me anyway. There was a drive-by shooting across the street while we were riding this spot, luckily nobody was hit, but some of the crew were about to walk to the corner deli when it popped off. Photo: Zielinski
You just got back on Animal half way through the filming for the new video, how are you looking on footage?
I somehow have like 15 clips I think so far [Editors note: This interview is slightly dated, so Wiz probably has more clips now]. I had to put it on hold and finish up my Eastern part, but that’s done now and it’s back to work on the Animal one.
Where have you traveled to for filming?
Did a few little trips up to Bob’s [Scerbo's area], and we went on that Rust Belt trip, too.
Which was your favorite trip, and why?
Life’s a trip man.
Worst trip?
No such thing in the Animal van.
Who’s section are you looking forward to the most?
Garrett [Hoogerhyde] and Mike [Brennen], those two are OD.
The whole Animal team gets along so well together. Can you describe the vibe on an Animal trip?
Being real lazy and talking mad sh-t while somehow still getting sh-t done.
Do you think the team’s good chemistry helps when filming?
Yeah for sure, no one likes filming with weirdoes.
How much messing around versus actual riding goes down on a typical day?
You never know, it depends on how people are feeling and the spots.
When was the last time you OD’d?
Never have, never will.
Mike Brennan
Mike clears some grass and a fence with a barspin during a quick stint in LA. Photo: Zielinski
Where have you traveled to for filming?
We mostly did a lot of local stuff. We did the Rust Belt trip and I went out to California for a week. I’d like to go on a couple more before we finish filming.
Which was your favorite trip, and why?
The Rust Belt trip was pretty fun. I got to ride with some guys that I don’t get to ride with a lot. It was a good trip.
Worst trip?
No such thing. If I’m ridin’ my bike and not working or doin’ other stuff it’s a good trip.
Who’s section are you looking forward to the most?
Probably Ralph [Sinisi]. Since he hasn’t had a video part in a while. Ralph’s crazy.
The whole Animal team gets along so well together. Can you describe the vibe on an Animal trip?
A bunch of friends out riding.
Do you think the team’s good chemistry helps when filming?
Definitely, when I see someone else do something it gets me psyched and makes me wanna do something too.
How much messing around versus actual riding goes down on a typical day?
It’s not really one or the other. It’s the same thing. Everyone is just chillin’ and havin’ fun. And that’s when stuff gets done
I know Bob is trying to keep all the footage strictly East coast spots and you just did a bunch of good stuff out in Cali, did you think those clips will make the cut?
I don’t know. It’s up to Bob and depends on what other stuff I have when we’re done filmin’ I guess. I’m not concerned. Bob will use ‘em for something.
When was the last time you OD’d?
ALL DAY TODAY
Wiz, quick wallride to pop out over the steps. Photo: Zielinski
Garrett Hoogerhyde, bump-to-barspin in Allentown, PA. Photo: Zielinski
Vinnie Sammon has been on a spot searchin’ mission, this opposite double peg is one of the many gems he’s found. Photo: Zielinski
TAGS: Animal, Brian Wizmerski, Dave Belchar, Garrett Hoogerhyde, Lino Gonzalez, Mike Brennen, Vinnie Sammon
