Friday, April 12

Hawk Speaks

By El Dedo
EXPN.com

EXPN: What role does music play in your skateboarding?

Tony: It has always been a strong part of our culture, and it helps keep the energy up while skating

Who are some of your favorite bands to get pumped on before a session?

Nine Inch Nails, White Stripes, Guns and Roses, Dr. Dre, Clash, Jane's Addiciton, Pixies, Radiohead, Strokes,

How will the Boom Boom HuckJam be different than the Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour?

The skatepark tour is about visiting existing skateparks, being spontaneous and doing demos in intimate surroundings. The Huckjam is about bringing our own ramps into arenas and putting on a choreographed stunt and music show for thousands of people. The format will be more structured and the riding will be bigger than what is possible at a skatepark. The live band element is also a key part of the new format.

What did you learn from the Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour that made you want to create the Boom Boom HuckJam?

That there is a bigger audience for live professional skatebarding these days than can fit inside a skatepark.

Fakie Stalefish for no one but the camera.

How did the whole concept of arena tour vert skating meets music meets BMX meets MotoX come about?

There has always been synergy between the sports, but I felt like there hasn't been a show that truly had us rjiding TOGETHER. We designed the ramps so that there is more interaction between us all.

How do you decide what athletes get invited on the tour?

The lineup speaks for itself; it is a dream-team of ramp riders.

How did you decide on Social D and The Offspring to be the bands?

We asked and they agreed. They are perfect examples of skate-influenced punk, each spanning their own generation.

Being a skateboarder, why did you want to add MotoX and BMX to the tour?

Because they are so exciting. If someone comes to see a show having only one sport in mind, they will enjoy all of the action.

Do you think Skateboarding needs to be associated with these other sports to hit a broader audience? Or vice versa?

It just makes the show that much better.

Who's paying Carey Hart's medical bills on tour?

We all have excellent insurance.

All the skateboarding athletes on tour are vert specialists, what do see for the future of vert skating?

More tech, more switch, and bigger ramps = bigger airs.

Tweaked you Indy, high above the coping.

Getting stoked by your friends can make you skate better, can you compare the energy of an arena crowd to that of a heated session at a friends ramp?

It would be very similar, but there is more pressure in front of a big crowd.

Kind of like the X Games Vert finals VS Skating at the Encinitas YMCA?

The arena shows will be less spontaneous but more exciting than a practice session.

What are some of your techniques for staying healthy and eating well while your on the road?

Keeping the fast food to minimum, and doing the Sergie workout every day (50 pushups + 50 situps).

Has being a father affected the way you skateboard or see skateboarding?

It has made me realize there are more important things in life than riding a wooden plank (but not many).

Are you bringing the wife and kids on tour?

Yes - on parts of it.

A while back your Biography was on the NY Times best seller list, who do you hope was buying it?

People that have a misguided perception of skating and/or skaters, people that skated in the 80's, and newcomers that don't know any history of our sport.

Your name was mentioned in an Apple Ibook Commercial, what role does technology play in your life? Apple or PC?

APPLE! I couldn't survive the road without my Powerbook and my Ipod. Together, they are the ultimate portable entertainment center, communication tool, graphic processor and editing bay. No, I don't have an Apple endorsement.

Who would win in a tough guy match up - Mike Ness (Singer of Social D) or Dexter Holland (Singer of The Offspring)?

I would go with Mike Ness, only because he's been around longer and seen more damage.

What project (besides this) are you most excited about for the future?

THPS4 - it's gonna be that much better.

What personal goal are looking to achieve next?

Fronstide cab heelflip slob