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So the other day there was some talk of Keenan Harkin being on the Today show talking about BMX racing in the olympics. I know this site isn’t really directed towards racing at all but I thought it was pretty interesting and we should be stoked because I think it will bring a lot more power to BMX.
It came off a little cheesy due to the track being like 10 feet long but I think it was still decent for what they had to work with.
What do you think?
Adam is the kind of guy that everyone has an opinion on. Some like him, some hate him, but that is up to the person to decide. If it weren’t for him this site would probably have flopped. He helped me out and it worked and I owe him for that. When we talked about an interview we decided on staying away from the come up as much as possible but there is times where it is neccesary. So this is what we got out of it
Name:
Adam John Grandmaison AKA Adam22 AKA The White Truth
Location:
Originally from Nashua, New Hampshire. Currently reside in Woodside NY.
Sponsors:
Zip zero.
Years riding:
11 I think.
Your career choice is uncommon, where would you like to or where are you going to take it from here?
I never dreamed about running a website, that’s not something I’m passionate about. It’s just something I happen to be good at and I like doing it. In terms of what I am going to do in my life once I’m done running websites for a living, that’s a damn good question, I have no fucking clue.
You have a few projects in the works with music and online community going, care to share or is it still on the down low?
There are two projects in the works that I’m involved with that aren’t related to The Come Up. The first is a community/original content site that I’m doing along with Chad Shack and Harrison Boyce. Basically it’s going to be a community site like Myspace for BMXers… That isn’t a new idea, but we’re going to produce a huge amount of original videos, interviews, articles and more. The whole reason we want to start this site is because there are other sites out there making online content, but they aren’t speaking to us. If you ask around, everyone says the same thing, that they aren’t feeling any of the sites producing content ( believe me, we asked pretty much every company at Interbike ). There is a disconnect between what kids want and what those sites are doing. I can appreciate some of the stuff they do, but a lot of it is just boring and bland. With me, Chad and Harrison having to okay everything that goes up on this site, you know everything on there’s going to be dope.
The second project has nothing to do with BMX. Ever since The Come Up really took off, I’ve been thinking about how I could apply the same concept to another type of site. I’ve always been pretty into hardcore music and I really thought that a site like The Come Up but focused on Hardcore content could be huge. But I kind of lack the connections and knowledge in that department, so I put the idea on the back burner until I had the idea to team up with my friend Kris Mission on it. Kris is an older dude from Boston who I’ve known for a few years… He runs a record label, books a lot of the shows in the Boston area, owns a screen printing business and used to own a skate shop. And he has connections with pretty much every band and label in hardcore and commands a lot of respect, so I presented the idea to him and he was unbelievably stoked on it. We’ve been working on it ever since and it should be ready to launch soon.
When you first started doing things on the internet, did you ever expect it to become what it has for you?
No, I just wanted to start a blog posting cool videos that I saw on BMXBoard. I never knew that it was possible to make legit money from advertising or to get the kind of following The Come Up has.
Contrary to what all the anonymous kids think, you are actually a pretty solid rider, why isn’t there more film and photos of you popping up?
Haha, I don’t know about solid, every 16 year old kid I know is better than me these days. I don’t really see the filming/photo side of riding being my lane at this point… It’s fun to film a trick or shoot a photo once in a while but I’m not killing myself trying to learn new things, I’d rather take it easy on my body and hang out. To me, riding isn’t about going to the skatepark and killing myself trying to learn something for a few hours, it’s about chilling and fucking around on a curb for 20 minutes and then eating pizza and sitting around for 3 hours.
What are some of your favorite things to do on your bike?
My favorite thing to do really is just go out with my friends on a Friday night and hang out around the city 20 deep, drink some beers, talk shit, yell at some people, talk to some girls, go to parties and shit… Trick wise, I pretty much like riding ledges more than anything else. Maybe some wedges or a handicapped rail, that’s pretty much it. My dream spot would probably be a 3 stair with a waxed up ledge in the vicinity of it that you could do manual lines on between the two.
What are some things you hate to do on your bike?
I hate riding on grass or dirt. Like there’s a time for everything, but I’d always rather ride on some smooth concrete. I also hate riding indoor skateparks more than pretty much anything. It’s seriously the most insane thing to me how gay the kids that those places churn out are. Actually riding skateparks is fun sometimes if they are outdoors and preferably concrete with good ledge set ups, but the whole indoor park experience is the worst shit on earth, dealing with the lame kids, shitty music, having to wear a helmet, having to pay etc.
How much time do you find to ride?
It varies a lot week to week… I definitely ride every day although sometimes it’s just riding around doing errands, I probably go into the city and ride with everyone at least 3 times a week. Kind of depends on if I’m in good health or not.
You get to ride with a lot of big dogs but there’s also a large number of unknown guys, who do you ride with the most or who are your favorite people to ride with?
My favorite person to ride with is Adam Tardif, this kid I grew up riding with in Nashua. In NYC I usually ride with Muffinman, Scallion, Day Day AKA Cook Crack Crookshank and a few other jerks. In terms of more well known dudes, Chase D is always fun to ride shit with, we’re into riding a lot of the same spots, he’s just 100 times better at riding them. Seth Kimbrough was really fun to ride with last summer.
You have talked about a few spots you have been seen over time but never got around to riding. What are they and when are you going to get on those?
The only one that really stands out in my head is this kinked rail I really want to grind up. It’s not even that crazy, if Tom White went there tomorrow he’d probably do it first try, you just have to go really really fast and that’s always something I have an issue with haha.
If you could remove one person from anything related to BMX who would it be and why?
It’s honestly hard to even think of anyone. Like, I had an issue with Steve-O, and look where he is now. He lost all his sponsors and he’s been in fucking jail for 2 months. I fucked up his whole life til he couldn’t take it anymore and beat up his girl. There are other people in BMX that I don’t like, but none that I dislike so much that I wish they would quit riding. Even with the Borat from Grindstate situation, I don’t have anything serious against that kid, I hope he keeps riding, I hope his website does well, I just wanted to teach him a little lesson about disrespecting me so I felt the need to smack him around a little. With Steve-O it was different, that’s someone that was supposed to be a good friend and he shitted on all of us. He can’t come around anymore.
If you could change anything about BMX, what would it be and why?
Most importantly, I think people need to just get off skateboarding’s dick. The fact that Rich can’t put out a shoe without 100 comments about it looking like a pair of Vans is just lame. Rich can’t do a web video without someone comparing it to some skate video. You can’t use a song for a video without someone pointing out that it was in a skate video 8 years ago. Just shut the fuck up and get their beef out of your mouthes, skating is dope but it doesn’t have anything to do with BMX. I don’t skateboard, I ride a BMX bike and I’m proud of it.
Do you feel that if you lived somewhere else, like Texas, you would be a different person?
Every person is just a product of all of their experiences, so I’d definitely be a different person if I grew up in a different environment. But I grew up around people who were really into trails and I’ve never even hit a dirt jump, so in that way, I think I probably would have ended up a street fag either way.
What are some things bmx and non bmx related you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Just keep running the site, work on the new sites and just get money. Travel, ride some new shit and have a lot of fun, more or less.
It seems like lately you have had the chance to travel more, where are some places you have gone and any reasons in particular?
I really haven’t been too many places recently, I went to Hawaii, all over Europe and to Thailand a few years ago though. I’m going to Mexico for Elevation on the 8th though so that should be fun. I love being home but I’m always looking for a chance to go to different countries.
With your first DVD out that seemed to do real well, do you plan on doing another anytime soon?
Probably not, I just wanted to do a DVD to be able to say I did it and see what it was like. There’s no money in it and I’m already really busy with other shit.
Who are some dudes you have been impressed with lately riding or non riding wise?
Marlon Europe and Joey Piazza come to mind, I’ve seen both of them do some wild shit lately. Oh and I went and rode Philly for a few days recently and Randy Brown impressed me a lot, that guy’s crazy.
Outside of riding and “work” what are some things you are into?
Lifting weights, running, hanging out with my friends, drinking, reading, girls, relaxing. And just trying to figure out how to be happier and more content in general.
You used to play poker and did pretty well for yourself are you done with it, still hustling, or is it just something you do for fun from time to time?
I played poker full time for like 3 years. At first I loved it, by the end I hated it. Poker was the reason I stopped all the criminal activity I had been doing, but once I realized how much money I could possibly make from running websites, I had to quit that shit, it was just so stressful. People call me money hungry and shit, but to me that’s a compliment. They don’t know the shit I’ve been through. I feel grateful every day I’m not in jail for all the shit I did when I was younger.
What are some bands you are into? Any that you would suggest?
You should check out my room mate’s band, Incendiary, they are hard as nails: www.myspace.com/incendiaryhc
Personally I only really listen to Cassidy lately.
It seems like a lot of people who have never had any sort of contact with you have this super bad image of you, care to clear that up for people or maybe share how you feel about all that?
They can all suck my dick, I could give a fuck less whether people like me or not. If you have an issue with me, ask me in person or write me an Email or something and I’ll be happy to explain myself, if not, eat my shit.
Your into tattoos, are they just fun to look at or do they have some meaning? I know you had just gotten a new one.
Most of my tattoos have a sort of cryptic anti-christianity vibe to them. I have a really strong distaste for any and all religions, primarily Christianity since that’s the garbage I grew up being taught to believe. The only reason I really like having that shit tattooed on me is just because I’m attracted to it image wise. All my tattoos definitely have a meaning to them although in some cases it’s not what you think. I have a big tiger tattooed on my neck just because I wanted to get a crazy tattoo that would make it so I could never get a normal job, to make sure that I could never consider that as an option.
Cats, where did this weird trend start and what do you think about all of this?
I never really liked animals at all my whole life until my old girlfriend Katie got a cat about a year ago. Within a week or two of getting it, I had fallen in love and became temporarily obsessed with them. Even though her and I aren’t dating now, I still go see the cats a couple times a week. There’s something about the pointlessness of their lives that I really like.
You’ve written a few things for magazines, is that something you could see yourself doing more seriously in the future?
I wrote that Preconceived Notions article for Ride just because I thought it was a good idea and it seemed like something fun to do. It was very rewarding to see it printed. Keith and I are working on an article right now about underground riders in NYC that I’m stoked on, we already have some amazing photos for it… As for how into it I am, I don’t think I’d want to work full time for a magazine or anything but writing comes really easily to me so it’s fun doing stuff here and there.
If you could go anywhere in the world to ride or visit, where would you go and why?
I really want to go to Australia. There’s this girl I want to get tattooed by out there, and it just seems like a lot of fun. I am going to bring Liam a drive train when I go out there.
Who or what are the biggest influences in your life?
Mike Schueler, Dietrech Washington, Adam Tardif and my parents.
What is BMX to you?
A good excuse to hang out with my friends all day doing stupid shit.
What kind of advice do you have for people getting into BMX?
Buy a can of flat black Krylon and spraypaint whatever gay looking orange frame you buy, stupid colored frames = buns.
What kind of advice do you have for people looking to getting into the website business?
Don’t bother.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Shout outs to Ryan Denehey for helping me get my money up, Greg Rossetti for the same thing, Katie, also my mom, dad, sister and all the young NYC blacks.
Anything else you would like to say?
Quit hating.
Sometimes it is really cool to see how these unknown riders get a lot of hype. In this case Paul is a super laid back kid who rides like a champ. Basically I knew I had to give this kid an interview and I think the kids on Bikeguide will be stoked.
Name:
Paul Aya
Location:
Lancaster, CA
Sponsors:
N/a hahah
Years riding:
about 3 or 4
Your only like 16 but you look like a full grown man! what is up with this?
hahaha! i really dunno man
every one i ever meet thinks im like 25 when I am 17 hahah
maybe its the facial hair?
Do you feel like it has anything to do with the crew of guys you ride with? What do you think of them?
um maybe people think I am their age cuz I am hanging out with them. . .i think they are awesome. theres so many different styles and we never put each other down or anything. its always fun and laughter witch is the best part
I know I have seen plenty of pictures of you on Bikeguide riding street, do you ever ride other stuff or is street just the thing for you?
hmm i ride park once in a while but i always ride the ledges and rails. i try to ride everything but sometimes I am just too scared to air out or to hit a spine. and trails scare the living shit out of me no joke I have tried a couple times but its like mission impossible props to those who can ride trails.
You haven’t been riding for a super long time, do you feel like you progess faster than most people?
I am not too sure on this one. . .all i can say is that all the other kids i used 2 ride with, I pretty much left them all in the dust…..not hating on anyone but its kinda the truth
What is your favorite spot or thing to ride?
nice ledges or a nice round rail
What is your favorite trick?
its a tie between double tires and hangover toothpicks
What is one trick you cannot do for the life of you?
turndowns. thats the hardest trick ever!
What is your worst riding injury and how did you do that?
I am gonna have to go with my tail bone i bruised it. it was this rail down like a 10 stair like bar height kinda steep. the runway was way sketchy but i was way 2 confident and I went at it. . . .. my back peg did not make it and got hung up.
worst pain ever
How often do you ride?
lately every day
If you could ride anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
somewhere out of the country
like somewhere in spain or europe.
Who or what is your biggest influences on your riding?
my buddies, seeing them improve motivates me to throw down some big bangers
If you could ride with any pro for a day who would it be and why?
Davey Watson. after i seen him switch ice that super rail on insight i was like wow.
Outside of riding what are you into?
music, chillin, havin a good time, partying it up
the usual
How do you feel about school since your almost done with high school now?
i take it way serious and i will tell you why.
in my sophmore year i got expelled for being in a fight
i got jumped by 4 guys and i fucked them up but aparantly i was a dangerous weapon and they could not have me at the school no more
so then they sent me to this special school thats like for all the probation kids and all the people coming out of jail and shit. it was horrible. I think thats why I see life the way i see it now. i used to think it was all fun and games till shit got serious. i guess i kinda matured
but anyways i went through the whole process and now I am about to finish my junior year without fucking up. school is one of the most important things you need to succeed in life.
and i cant wait to graduate and move on
How often do you get asked how old you are?
Do you think riding with Chris and them made you more mature?
kinda yes and no at the same time
He kinda makes it so theres no pressure but you gotta get shit done at the same time.
How are the ladies treating you?
ohh boy
my last gf was psycho she was crazy and probably still is
dont get me wrong i fucked up a lot hahaha
but its better blaming it on her
other than that great
except for all the high school drama. its retarded
Do you work at all?
i used 2 clean semi trucks with my pops
man i used 2 get some much bank
but that stopped awhile back.
i want to work so i can get me some nice stuff but my dad wont let me cuz he wants me to focus on school and not get all involved with money
i see his point and its fine with me
What are some bands you are into?
i listen to everything
some of my favorite bands is the black dahlia murder, light this city, blessed by a broken heart, and parkway drive
but I have been listening to allot of atmosphere, biggie, and lil wayne lately.
What about movies? Seen any good ones lately?
the last movie i seen was strange wilderness
omg what a great movie hahah
and you can never forget super troopers and waiting.
What are some of your favorite websites?
lately this is my list:
bmxunion
thecomeup
myspace
ridebmx
bikeguide
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
have a lot more fun and great experiences on and off my bike
but mostly on my bike hahaha
and be successful in anything i try or do.
If you could control your future, where would you want to be someday?
I would wanna be in either the San Fernando valley, l.a or the o.c. have a steady job and have my name out there in the bmx world
What are the biggest influences on your life outside of the riding ones?
my parents
i have never in my life seen a human being work as hard as they do
If you could legally win the lottery, what would you do with the money?
buy like a hotel or something
make the bottom floor like this huge street course
and have all the other floors like a super huge party house
Any good stories with run ins with cops/security/angry people?
i dont know if you consider this good but one night i was out partying and got completely smashed. some dude got me angry at the house so i threw a bottle and just ran off like a crazy kid. next thing you know i wake up in the drunk tank with two cops talking to me
weird stuff. its mostly a blur
If you couldn’t live in California anymore, where would you go and why?
NEW YORK!! they got the spots and amazing riders
What is BMX to you?
my life.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
first of all my parents for putting up with me and making me into who i am. Chris Luton and the whole get low crew for getting my name out there. Charlie for never putting me down and telling every body “fuck your life” hahah. my buddy killa mike for making me into the rider i am today, without this dude i wouldnt be doing half the shit i pull. my friend rob for being a true friend.any one who is in the sport, and anybody that has never put me down.
Any last words?
hmmm. never let anybody tell you what you can or cant do.
cheezy i know
but i go by this
Pauls clips start at about 3:10 in this video.
I met Christian Simmonds a few years ago at a skatepark in Tampa. He had full pads on but no helmet, a pony tail, front and back brakes, 4 pegs and a freecoaster. A few years later it’s still the exact same way. He still listens to all the rock classics from his era like Metallica and Iron Maiden. Even though he has a wife, kids, 2 bike shops, a mailorder and a bike company, He stays true to what he is about and what he has loved since he was a teenager: The heart of bmx. BMX at it’s base, in a more simple time before trends, cliques and all the internet haters… or the internet in general for that matter. – Brett Rohlfing
Name:
CHRISTIAN SIMMONDS
Location:
SAN CLEMENTE CALIFORNIA AND WEEKI WACHEE FL.
Years riding:
SINCE 1976 OR EARLIER AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, IVE BEEN BIKING
Who was the first pro you met?
RL OSBORNE
You used to be a pro back in the day right? Tell us about that.
AFA EXPERT FLATLANDER 84-88 TURNED PRO, DID A PEPSI COMMERCIAL FOR $$ AND THEN ILLNESS STOPPED ME FOR A FEW YEARS. DAD PASSED AWAY, HAD TO GET REAL JOB.
You are the owner of hitman bikes, what is the story behind that, when did it start, what makes it different from all the other companies etc.?
HITMAN BIKES WAS STARTED AFTER 2 YEARS OF BUGGING STANDARD AND THEN S&M TO MAKE ME THE FRAME OF MY DREAMS. SINCE 7TH GRADE IVE BEEN DRAWING FRAMES . THEN OUT OF THE BLUE ROBBO MORALES, AND CHRIS MOlLER GAVE US THE GREEN LIGHT, AND SEAN MCKINNEY CALLED AND SAID THEY HAD 38 FIT FLOW FRAMES FOR ME TO MAKE INTO HITMAN TO SEE IF I COULD SELL THEM OR NOT. THEY INVITED/HOSTED US AT INTERBIKE. HITMAN WERE TO BE USA MADE BUT THE S3 TOOK OFF AND THEY HAVE NO EXTRA SUBCONTACT TIME. HITMAN IS DIFFERENT IN THE FACT THAT WE DONT DO THIS TO MAKE A $ WE DO THIS CAUSE ITS BEEN MY LIFE LONG DREAM TO MAKE THE BEST FRAME POSSIBLE.WE DONT CUT ANY CORNERS TO SAVE COST. COST DONT MATTER , STRONGEST FRAME DOES.
What kind of products do you have available, and where can you get them? Isn’t there talks of a 3.8 lb frame!?
1 WE HAVE OUR 5+ STREET FRAME THE RUBY. MY STRONG DESIGN ,
2 A LIGHT PARK FRAME , ABOUT 4 EVEN WHEN DONE, THE SIR HAN SIR HAN.
3 AND A FLATLAND FRAME ,NEW SCHOOL STYLE THE JUDAS,
4 AND IN THE WORKS IS A DAY SMITH SIGNATURE DESIGNED TRADITIONAL FLATLAND FRAME.
5 A RACE FRAME IS IN THE WORKS ALSO , LOOKS LIKE THE SIRHAN PROTO TYPE BUT LONGER BACK END.
SHIRTS SHIRTS AND MORE SHIRTS WE HAVE ART FOR PARTS CONTEST SO OUR DESIGNS ARE RIDER MADE FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
LIGHT FRAMES ARE POSSIBLE NOW BECAUSE OF THE NEW POST WELD HEAT TREATING.LIKE FORKS , THEY USED TO BE 60.OZ AND BEND EASY.
Hitman bikes and Street Mafia… I sense a theme going on. What is the appeal of the gangster terminology to you and how does it relate to bmx?
I GREW UP IN GANG NEIGHBOR HOODS IS SANTA MONICA WHEN YOUNG NOT SURE IF THAT HAD INFLUENCE, IN FLORIDA WE WERE OUTLAWED IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAD TO BUY A WHOLE BUILDING TO BUILD OUR OWN FREE SK8 PARK AFTER CITY TOOK OUR $ AND THEN DENIED BIKES. WE WERE MADE INTO OUTLAWS BY OVER ZELLOUS CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE WHO DONT UNDERSTAND THAT BMX KEEPS KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE. THEY WANTED TO PUNISH US FOR PROTESTING IT GOT UGLY.
MAFIAS HAVE HITMEN .
HITMAN IS THEY WAY YOU HAVE TO RIDE TO AVOID ARREST, HIT IT AND GO! UNSEEN, SNEAKING INTO CONDEMENED MALLS TO RIDE ECT.
Some people thought you named your company after that movie “Hitman” came out in theatres, and have taken shots at the “lack of originality” that a move like that would equal. Many people do not know that you had the name and plans for your company long before that movie even began filming most likely; want to clear that up?
S&M AND FIT GAVE US A START IN 06 .WE WERE LOOKING FOR FRAME BUILDERS AS EARLY AS 2004-5. ALMOST STARTED THIS UP IN 1997 BUT WIFE MADE BIGGER $$ THAN I COULD EVER SO I WAS A HOUSE HUSBAND, MR MOM.
I DIDNT EVEN KNOW THERE WAS A GAME CALLED HITMAN.
WE DESIGNED A TSHIRT HOODIE WITH THE HITMAN NAME IN 2004 AND THE LOCALS IN FLORIDA BOUGHT THE SHIT OUT THEM. SOME GIRLS WOULDNT TAKE THEIR HITMAN HOODIES OFF.
SO WHEN FIT CALLED , WE VOTED (ME AND MY 5 MAIN RIDER FRIENDS IN FL.) AND DECIDED TO GO WITH THE LOGO EVERYONE WAS LOVING. AND WE HAD ALREADY PASSED OUT 1000+ HITMAN SHIRTS WORLD WIDE IN THE 2004 YEAR WITH STREETMAFIABMX ORDERS AS THE FREE GIFT.
Any other products in the pipeline that you can tell us about?
MORE SHIRTS , MAYBE SOME USA MADE BARS IF S&M CAN FIT US IN. A DAY SMITH FLATLAND FORK AND STREET FORK IDEAS. RACE FRAME. WE WANT TO CONCENTRATE ON BEING A FRAME COMPANY TO MAKE THE BEST FRAMES POSSIBLE.
Who all is on the team?
PRO TEAM: DAVE MAHONEY (FL) , ALEX LEPACK (FL), JESSIE WARMACK (NC), MATT BROWN (RI), PAUL MEEKS (CA), MARQUESE FOSTER (AZ), BRET CLARK (GA), FLAT LAND LEGEND DAY SMITH (NOR CAL), AND BEN SNOWDEN (CA) WHOS CURRENTY AT THE ASIAN X GAMES.
FLOW TEAM IS MILES LONG WORLD WIDE WE SPONSER SOME CONTEST KILLERS , EVEN 1 YOUNG AUSSI!BUT THE FLOW WHO HOLD IT ALL DOWN ARE MARC RAMSEY, ED (GREG) COX, JUSTIN (ZILLA) LYBERGER, MIKE CRUMP, LIL CLAYTON, FLORIDA GUYS
CALI GUYS ARE NICK HANDY, KEITH SAVAGE AND A BUNCH OF KILLER LOCALS!
I go to hitmanbikes.com and it plays “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas. Why?
CAUSE ITS SMOOTH, DOESNT DRIVE YOU CRAZY WHEN STUCK PLAYING BACK IN YOUR HEAD.I ALSO WANNA FIGHT THE FOO!
You recently moved from Florida to California, what sparked such a major move?
TO MAKE HITMAN HAPPEN . WHEN IN FLORIDA ITS ALL BY PHONE, HERE ITS FACE TO FACE.
What can we expect from Hitman as time goes on?
A COMPANY TRUE TO BMX. BMX HAS BEEN MY LIFE, THIS WILL BE MY LIFES WORK. WE WILL NEVER EVER MAKE A DECISION BASED ON COST. ALL WILL BE MADE ON FUNCTION AND DURABILITY
Is there any road trips/ web videos/ dvds in the works?
MAN I CANT GET THESE YAHOOS TO GET ME A PICTURE EVEN! EXCEPT DAVE MAHONEY, HE GETS BRETT TO SHOOT HIM EVERY NOW AND THEN.
Where are some of your favorite places to ride?
BURNSIDE WAS MY HOME 1990 TO 2000, SM & VENICE BEACH, 688 SKATE PARK , CHAD DEGROOTS OLD MISSION PARK , AND LASTLY I CAN RIDE ANYWHERE ANY THING SO IM NEVER WHINNING NOTHING TO RIDE. HELL, JUST A 1/2 SHEET OF PLY OR A PALLET IS ALL NEED.
You have a bunch of kids, are they all riders too?
OLDEST BROKE HIS KNEE WHEN HE WAS 8Y/O OVER A SPINE, SO HES OUT
#2 RIDES WITH ME ALWAYS AND SKATES TOO.
#3 SUMMER GOT SCARRED RACING SO PARK IS OUT OF THE QUESTION
#4 IS 2 YEAR OLD RACER XAVIER (RACER X) HES BEING DUCK TAPED TO THE GRIPS AND PEDALS AS WE SPEAK, DONT WORRY, WE UNTAPE HIM AT BED TIME.
Outside of riding and running a business and dealing with your kids, what are you into?
MUSTANGS, COBRAS, REALESTATE, HOTRODS
How do you feel about big contests like dew tour?
GREAT IF RAN BY BIKERS. SOME RIDERS NEED THE CONTEST, IT USE TO BE MY BIGGEST HIGH.
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years personally?
ID LIKE TO GO ONE WEEK END WITH OUT CRAWLING ON MONDAY. HAVE HITMAN GET A BIG FOLLOWING LIKE OLD HUTCH OR JMC. SO 30 YEARS LATER THE STUFF IS STILL WANTED.
What are the biggest influences in your life?
GRANDPA- MY MOM WHO RAISED MY BRO AND I ALONE- JESUS- DAD RIP- RICK MOLENTERNO, CHRIS MOLER (BOTH FOLLOWED THEIR DREAMS AND NEVER SOLDOUT) , RON WILKERSON , MAT HOFFMAN, WIFE
Any shout outs or thanks?
THANKS TO THE ENTIRE S&M FIT REVENGE FAMILY FOR THE START UP AND BIG BIG GIANT THANKS TO MATTHIAS OF DRAGONLY BIKES (GER) FOR MAKING HITMANS FINALY AVAIL BY HELPING TURN CHICKEN SCRATCH DRAWINGS INTO CAD THEN INTO CHROMO. THANKS! I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS MY LIFE.
Team Rider: Dave Mahoney
Sean is on fire. The guy rides with so much talent that it makes me wonder what he isn’t capable of doing. He is all over these days traveling so I was surprised I got a chance to catch up with him and get this interview!
Name:
Sean Sexton
Location:
tempe, az
Sponsors:
kink bikes, empire, mosh, vans, and kronik energy
Years Riding:
14
Your kind of all over right now with traveling, recently in Brazil for their X-games, how did it go for you? Any highlights?
brazil was pretty rad, i had a great time and ended up getting 2nd place so im pumped. as for highlights, id say everything that garret did..haha
The next stop for you is a trip to Europe with some of the Kink guys, what are your plans over there?
im going to england with darryl tocco in may, and were going out there to film and chill with the seventies guys at their place in brighton. should be dope.
After Europe do you have some time to chill or where are you going?
a lil bit, but I go to austrailia on may 20th I believe for a mosh trip, then I come back and meet up with the kink dudes in philly for another kink trip..pretty busy i guess..haha
When you first started riding did you ever imagine going all over the place like this?
not really, but im real appreciative of everything thats come to me, and i just love to ride my bike so it all works out, you know?
You had a whole bunch of really good clips in the new Props 68, what’s your next video appearance? The Kink Video? Mosh web edits?
thanks bud, I basically plan on finishing the kink video, then filming for the empire video, and whatever else is going on after that.
Your flairs are indescribable, what is the weirdest or smallest thing you have flaired?
probably the bank in the props from the kink trip, it was pretty small and weird..
I am sure everyone wants to know what are you NOT able to do on a bike?
a lot man, alot..haha
Where is your favorite spot you have ever had the chance to ride?
probably these cool bunkers in san fran..they were bad ass.
Where are some places you want to go to at some point?
hawaii, sweden, I guess everywhere that I havent been basically.
What is the trick to turndowns?
grip it and rip it.
If you could only ride one spot for a year, where would it be and why?
wow, id say heaths trails in corona..because its the most ballin shit ever. ha
Who are some of your favorite people to ride with?
dirty dan bogard, chase hawk, jason owens, kc badger, jay roe, tony hamlin ,tom dillon, tony cardona, darryl fucking tocco…yeah
How do you feel about contests like the X games street? Where do you hope they go?
its a pretty cool contest, I think they are getting the idea down the more street comps they have so, hopefully summer x games street will be even better. i just hope they keep having them.
Do you have any signature stuff coming out from Kink or any of your sponsors anytime soon?
I plan on putting a frame together pretty soon, and coming up with some ideas for shirts and grips here and there so..im pumped
Any other sponsor news you can tell us about?
not really, haha
How do you feel about so many people being stoked on your riding?
uhh, its pretty cool i guess..i dont know how to answer that??
Outside of riding what are some things you are into?
drift, chill with my buddy’s, listen to music, and keep it real i guess
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
move to austin, and travel my ass off
Did you ever go to college or anything?
nah
What do you think you would be doing if you never picked up a bike?
welding and fabricating shit for race cars
What are some bands you are into? Any you suggest people to check out?
band of horses, lil wayne, mgmt, bob dylan, kylesa, willy hutch, outkast.. check out kylesa, they rip.
Before you started being so busy with riding, what did you do for work?
welded at full race
Do you spend much time on the internet? Any favorite websites?
a lil bit. nah, none..haha
What are some movies you suggest people check out?
kat williams and eddie murphy stand up..
If you could spend the day with anybody, alive, dead, fictional, who would it be and what would you do?
id spend the day with lil wayne…
What is the weirdest/craziest/whatever story you have with the cops or security gaurds?
none really, im a good kid
If you came into a large sum of cash, what would you do with it?
spend it
How do you feel about hookers, drugs, partying, and fireworks?
there tight
What is your favorite quote, or best advice you have ever received?
grip it and rip it, best advice…wrap it up.
Who or what are some of the biggest influences in your life?
music, and friends pretty much
What are some tricks to traveling you have learned?
buy a camera, pack a lot of socks, and have fun
What kind of advice do you have for kids getting into BMX?
grip it, and rip it
Any shout outs or thanks?
big thanks to all my sponsors, you guys rule. jay roe, darryl tocco, heath pinter, jack at kronik, joey g, tina and tom at empire, and anyone else i forgot..
Anything else you would like to add?
safety first
Tristan Thiel is a photographer and rider from Minnesota who is not only super nice and very talented but just an all around interesting guy. I figured I would do a little something to showcase some of his work he has. Click the “read more” and see a whole bunch more photos!
Deljon is a midwest legend! Love it or he will moon you!
Darrin Treanor is amazing on a bike
Now this is only a sample of the photo’s Tristan has. There are 150 photos on his Flickr. So check that out!
Tony is a Minnesota legend, he was full on pro at one point riding for MacNeil and a few other companies but has moved onto other things of sorts. He still rides, he still is one of the few people who have ever made it through the big set at Monkey Village, and he is still an animal when it comes to partying. I think this interview will give you a little view of his perspective.
Name:
Tony Mortenson
Location:
East Hanover New Jersey
Sponsors:
Etnies, Primo?
Years Riding:
About 13 or 14
You have or are in the process of moving to New Jersey, why are you leaving Minnesota?
There is a really long story to this. But it’s pretty private. But I can tell you that I was offered a job out there and since I just finished school this spring I decided on change of scenery, and I was offered a good opportunity to get started on my career.
Do you see a return ever?
Yes I do, I will always call Minnesota home.
Seeing you ride is pretty wild, but it seems like your kind of getting more underground now days, are you starting to settle down a bit?
For the last couple years I have been in school and maintaining a decent job to support that whole end of life. Now that I’m done with school I feel like I can spend more time on my bike. Also, for the first time in about 5 years my body feels 100%. Something I’m not accustomed to. As soon as I get out to Jersey I’m going to find a good spot to dig and I’m looking forward to all the new spots and just riding more in general. Living 20 min from NYC the possibilities are endless.
Your one of the Baco guys, what’s it like to be apart of a historic crew like that?
It’s amazing. I came up watching all the baco videos since I was 14 years old. Chad, Dave, Dave, Brian, Johnny, Jim, and the other guys are legends. Anyone that hasn’t seen style cats can’t even comprehend what I’m trying to express. But it is one of the most honorable things ever to be a part of that crew.
What is your best memory from the baco stuff over the years?
So many good memories I can’t talk about! But a great time happened when Baco did the Florida trip. We drove down from Minneapolis to Orlando and did a week long skatepark tour around Florida. After that Jimmer and myself made our way up to northern Maine. So much good stuff happened on that trip. I remember all the demos; which were insane, so many crazy moves went down at those. Some crazy nights in downtown Orlando. Watching the baco uncut videos. Freimuth’s driving, Jims dirtiness, racist billboards in South Carolina, Campground golf, stealing wood from our neighbors campsite, getting pulled over by the Forest Ranger and having to hide a bottle of wine that we were chuggin on in the woods, and getting reamed by said Forest Ranger. Climbing the tallest mountain on the east coast, laying in a dead mans grave, Jim’s innate ability to walk out onto an empty dance floor and have the thing packed shoulder to shoulder by the end of one song. An insane bachelorette party that got invaded by us, and then getting a ride up a mountain by the same bachelorette party the next day just so we could bomb the mountain again on our bikes, pissing off a whole group of people in a random bar in Augusta Maine, then going outside and pissing off a Hells Angel rider that was seriously the size of a Viking, Jimmer saving my ass (again), and of course puking.
How did you feel about the Baco at Jellystone last spring, that got wild and didn’t you do pretty well in the contest?
Yea any Baco contest is always a good time. An even better time if I’m healthy enough to ride. Doing well was just a bonus. Going to the hospital at the end of finals was not a bonus. Coming back to the aftermath of the greatest party ever at Jellystone in my room and I wasn’t there was definitely not a bonus.
Over the years you have been apart of a few different videos, which one is your favorite and why?
Prolly Baco 10. It was quite an honor to be asked to film a section for that. Aside from my stuff in there the video itself is pretty epic. Brian shuts the shit down in there. Other than that I was very happy to be a part of Grounded, even a small humble part.
Your ramp which has had a lot of filming done is in the process of being taken down, how hard is it to take that down (emotionally I guess?)?
It really sucks to see it go. We got it half torn down right now and are still riding the roller side. So many good sessions went down on that ramp. So many different people have come to ride it. Best memories are by far the evening sessions with friends or the early morning sessions with Jimmer. The ramp is going to benny P’s house, so I know its in good hands. But a lot of work went into building that thing and I thank everyone who came to have a good time over the years.
Who is your typical riding crew these days?
Nick Palmquist, and whoever is around I guess. I try to get out with Eric Holley and his crew whenever possible. Now that I am in Jersey I will mostly ride alone.
Do you plan on doing much riding out in New Jersey?
I plan on actually having the time to ride out there, so I can’t wait.
Over the years you have had the chance to ride some real great spots, where or what are your all time favorites?
Wow, good question. There is this massive reservoir in England that was amazing. Also the ditches in San Antonio were pretty epic. But as dumb as it sounds the best spot to me was the ramp out back. Nothing beats that thing.
Your pretty unstoppable trick wise, but what are some tricks you have the most trouble with?
Whips. Nuff said.
What is the worst crash you have taken on your bike?
Prolly fall of 06 on a gap to rail. I don’t remember it but anyone that was there has said it’s the worst fall they have ever seen. The camera we were filming with when into auto shut off right when I was riding up to the rail so there is no footage of the wreck, that’s prolly for the best though. Other than that One time out at Mickey’s trails I took a bad slam and ruptured my kidney. I thought I was dying. Internal bleeding is the scariest thing ever.
If you could relive any session or time on your bike, when would it be and why?
As far as sessions go, One that pops into my mind for sure is when Josh and myself had a good night at the G-shock. I remember Josh doing some great transfers and Smithing the vertwall. And as for myself I Learned 540’s over spines that night. The energy in that place was unbelievable. So many people doing so much insane stuff. One of those nights where everyone was on point doing whatever they wanted to on their bikes. Another great time was when I went to stay with Markus Wilke in Germany. Nothing major went down or anything we just had a great day cruising around Hamburg and enjoying everything. Just one of those days that probably pictures better in your head long after the fact but still a very memorable day.
What is one trick you will never get sick of?
3’s
Who or what are some of your biggest influences on your riding?
Tom Haugen for sessioning with me day in and day out and showing me what consistency is. Jimmer for showing me that consistency doesn’t matter just the feeling of one amazing trick is all it takes. Dave F. for just showing me a good time. Ruben because of speed. Miron because, well, fuck, he’s Miron. Taj for his shit in mad matt. Chad for showing me that riding means dick unless your having fun with it. And BK for never giving up.
Outside of riding you have an interesting career, what do you do and how did you get into that?
I am a superintendent of a golf course. The story goes like this; About 3 years ago I was sitting home with my 5th or 6th ankle surgery. I thought to myself, “Am I going to do this forever?” you know, be hurt, be healthy, be hurt, and so on. So I decided that I should go back to school. And then I tried to figure out what I would want to do that would make me happy. I could give a fuck less about how much I got paid or anything like that. I didn’t research any of that. I just wanted a career that was going to be fulfilling. So I figured that I like golf and I like to be outside all day and I like to work with my hands. So I decided to go to school to learn how to take care of golf courses. Now that I’m finished, I have a great career and I ended up doing ok with the whole monetary end of things. Only problem is that I don’t really get to work with my hands I just make sure everything is going great. But I do get to cut the new holes every morning which I love to do. Outside of that I mostly spray chemicals and look professional.
So I take it your pretty into golf?
Yea, it’s harder than flatland. So if your any bit like me and you cant give up on anything, then you have spent your life getting pissed over that game too. I like it because it’s the most humbling activity I have ever partaken in.
Outside of work and riding, what are some things you like to do?
Fish on occasion. Of course get in some golf. Chase girls in bars. Sit on the computer too much, all the fun stuff.
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Just get my career rock solid. So I don’t have to worry about money or any of that bullshit anymore. That and pay off some of this massive debt I have accrued in the last 9 years.
Who or what are some of your biggest influences in your life as a whole?
No one.
You like to party, so the question is obviously, what is the best beer?
Too many good ones to pick from. I like to try lots of beers and keep the palette guessing. I don’t really enjoy domestic beers too much. Also not a fan of really dark beer like Guinness. Cervecerias and lagers mostly.
How do you feel about hard alcohol?
Right now or when I wake up in the morning? I only drank hard alcohol for a long time. I have started to enjoy beer over the past few months. But when its time to go out I’ll take a strong island or a Crown on the rocks every time.
What is the funniest thing you have done under the influence?
Last summer the everclear got busted out at a Bachelor party. I took a couple shots and jumped off a friend’s deck (in the dark at night). Little did I know that were basically on the third story and not the 6 feet up my drunken mind was thinking. So after a really, really long free fall I finally met the ground. Tuck and roll
What was the dumbest thing you have done under the influence?
What was her name?
Have you ever been arrested, if yes, for what?
Nah, I have talked my way out of most situations.
If you could hook up with any famous girl in the world, who would it be?
Gwen Stefani for obvious reasons.
How do you feel about the internet, what are some of your favorite sites?
Internet is a big fun waste of time. I love it. Favorite sites: Myspace/facebook, InterBMX, BMXboard, Something awful, Weather.com, craigslist, VWvortex, thecomeup, Etnies, T1, FBM, ebay
If you could spend the day with anybody alive, dead, fictional, who would it be and why?
Jesus, because he embodies all of those things you mentioned.
What are some good bands people should check out?
From Ashes rise, Atmosphere, Classic rock and rockabilly.
What are some good movies people should check out?
I’m a documentary guy so: Into the wild, alone in the wilderness, The extraordinary people episodes, Loose change HAHA, Blue Planet Episodes.
If you won the lottery, how would you spend the money?
Build a utopia on my own ideologies.
Were you aware that there is a dude who plays football with your exact same name? (Even played for the gophers)
C’mon, Who hasn’t googled their own name before!
What kind of life advice do you have for people?
Be true to yourself, no joke. Fuck trying to please others around you, because if you’re doing that you’re denying yourself the same pleasure. This in no way means that you should become selfish or irresponsible, everything is a means to an end and everything ends.
What kind of advice do you have for kids just getting into riding?
Enjoy it.
What kind of advice do you have for people who drink shitty beer?
The best beer you got is the beer you got.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Not really, everyone knows who they are and what they mean to me. But for the record: Davie, Povah, Miron, Joe Rich, Nate Morashan, Ricky Adam, Glenn Milligan, Darcy, Chad, Jimmer, Brian, Josh, Benny, Ben Austin, Erk, Palmquist, all my boys. I know I forgot at least 3 people (sorry)
Anything else you would like to add I missed?
If you see me don’t assume I’m asshole, come say hi.
