Video Favorites With Jake Seeley
Interview and photos by Jeff Zielinski.
Between waiting out those long Massachusetts winters or killing time while working at Garden BMX, Jake Seeley has watched a lot of BMX videos. After a few years of finding motivation and getting influenced from the countless videos Jake has watched, here are some of his personal favorites that helped shape him into the progressive grind combo machine he is today.
Hop up the ledge-to-barspin-to-540 drop. Photo: Zielinski
What was the first BMX video you saw?
It was Ride Thunder. I won it in a raffle at my local racetrack when I was about 12. It was actually the video that made me quit racing and influenced me to start riding freestyle.
What about the first you owned?
Ride Thunder and Snap Rhythm.
What is your most-watched BMX video of all time?
I might sound weird for saying this, but no homo… I watch [Mutiny's] Let’s Get Mystical almost every night before I go to bed.
What about most watched video section?
I always go through phases of parts I watch over and over, but as of now I’d say the Texas section in Let’s Get Mystical.
“When a video makes you want to ride you know it’s a good one.”
What video part do you think has had the greatest influence on your riding?
The one video part that had the most influence on my riding would be Neil Harrington’s part in Mutiny Subversion. He was who I looked up to when I started riding more street.
In your opinion, what do you think makes a good video part?
I feel music is the most important. Obviously the riding has to be good, but I can’t stand watching a video part with bad music, also the production value has to be well done. Creativity and good use of spots are also key.
What do you hope to see in a BMX video?
Things I hope to see in a video are originality, riders who motivate me to ride, and good music that flows good throughout the video. When a video makes you want to ride you know it’s a good one.
What are your five favorite videos of all time?
I can’t put these in order and of course the list can go on, but I’d say;
etnies Forward, Little Devil Criminal Mischief, Mutiny Subversion, Square One Wide Awake Nightmare, And Animal Can I Eat.
“Van Homan’s part in Criminal Mischief; his video part still to this day can’t be beat in my opinion.”
And five favorite video parts?
Vic Ayala, FBM All Time Low; at the time his riding was above everyone else’s and was such a treat to watch.
Neil Harrington, Mutiny Subversion; it motivated me to riding more street and the song was super good and catchy.
Van Homan’s part in Criminal Mischief; his video part still to this day can’t be beat in my opinion-the riding, music, and editing all went together so good.
Chicago section in Let’s Get Mystical; the section is super fun with the music choices and makes me want to ride, plus all the street clips in it are so innovative.
Aaron Ross, etnies Grounded; it was edited and put together super well and there were so many tricks in that part we have never seen before.
Jake holds on for a bumpy ride on a Salt Lake City playground. Photo: Zielinski
Can you name five bands that you got into after first hearing in a video?
From Autumn To Ashes, I first heard them in Chase Hawk’s part in Manmade Chapter 1. (I can’t say I listen to them anymore, though).
3 Inches Of Blood; the crash section in an old Macneil video.
Witch; Sean Sexton’s part in Kink Safety First .
Blondie; Bob Scerbo’s part in Animal Can I Eat .
Acid Kink; Craig Passero
.
If you could make a video part wish list for an entire video, who would be in it?
Aaron Ross, George Boyd, Danny every trickerson Hickerson, Sean Sexton, Dan Lacey, Tom White, Garret Reeves, and Tony Hamlin.
