Darren Jones – BMX

What were you doing in the 1980s?

Living a split life of debauchery which shifted between Freestyle BMX and heavy metal depending what events were going down at any particular time. BMX riding all the time though during the week. At school and living in Mt Druitt.

What are your strongest impressions of the 1980s?
KISS, BMX and girls with tights on covered with leg warmers just above their kt 26 joggers – haha. I guess realising as I got into my teenage years how lucky I was to be an Australian. I began taking notice of events on the news at this stage for the first time. The happenings in the Middle East did concern me.

What historical event of the 1980s has most resonance for you?

Definitely the first Space Shuttle launch. Without question.

What was an event/party/pub session/nightclub of the 80s that stands out? …. And any memories (fond or foul) of what you were wearing in the 1980s?

Had to have been going to see KISS the first time they toured Australia.

I was in the queue with my school mates for an hour eating a can of tuna I had brought along with me wearing a white KISS T-shirt, tight black jeans with a blue flanny tied around my waist. haha.

What music/movies/TV engaged you in the 1980s (and did you takes sides on VHS versus Betamax), and now?

STAR WARS, Without a doubt.

What were you listening to – and was it on a Walkman?

Haha – it was on my stereo and my walkman. I’ll keep this list short as it could go on forever. MOTLEY CRUE, KISS, DEVO and LED ZEPPELIN.

What did you do for entertainment/leisure then and now?

RIDE BMX. We used to spend most of our time at Five Dock skate park, Emerton BMX Track, North Ryde skate park, the local quarter pipes that were dotted around the neighbourhood and on Friday night hit up Blacktown TIMEZONE.

Oh yeah, and try and avoid getting into too much mischief.

What do you think are the main differences between the 80s and how the world and/or your life is today?

In the 1980s my life was mostly riding and racing bikes, and pushing them and myself to our limits.

These days I still do that but I also have managed to make a business out of my passion, running the shop, Warzone Bikes, in Sutherland, where we do retro BMX rebuilds as well as modern freestyle and modern race BMXs.

What was a prized object you owned then (and do you still have it)?
One of my prized objects was my 1985 S.E. QUADANGLE – and, yes, I still have it (pictured at left) and currently race it in the Retro Race Series.