Tony Hamlin interview.

The first time I actually met Tony was at a chenga comp and he was our sober driver. to tell you the truth I thought he was kind of an ass…. but that is because I didn’t know him, I think everyone is an ass before I meet them that way I don’t get let down if they turn out to be one for real. I have had the pleasure of going an a decent sized r0ad trip with Tony Hamlin. In the time we spent on the road I got to know him and turns out he was the exact opposite of what I initially thought. He’s a really funny character and a pretty smart dude. Just don’t call him a fag for cuddling with his girlfriend after a heavy love making session…. he gets livid. So enough of my take on the little guy, here is what he had to say. Enjoy.

Lucky man? I think so. Morphine drip and a smile..

Name?

Tony Hamlin

Age?

Place of residence?

Rochester NY

Years riding stunts?

9 or 10 years

First off, How you been?

Good, just being a couch potato and collecting my reparations (disability)!

You’ve recently gone through shoulder surgery, how long you out for and what do you have planed for the time off your bike?

Doctors are saying 6 months out, I know ill end up pushing it.. I always do… but I figure ill eat some food maybe watch a movie or too… you know live it!

How did you injure your shoulder?

Its just been an on going thing… started with one dislocation and then another.. worst being when only half a tailwhip went around and my shoulder rotated half way around in my socket. I was originally suppose to have my surgery on may 25th but it ended up being November 1st after being dicked around by doctors.

If I remember right you said there was only one stop light in the whole town. What was it like growing up in the town you did?

It sucked! Small towns suck! Small towns, small minds. Luckily my grandparents were nice enough to drive me and twins around.

Million dollar Question is….. What’s up with your sponsors? what made you decide to move on?

Yeah I left FBM and Coalition on good terms. I had been frustrated or stressed with things that I don’t really want to go into details about and in result it was directly effecting my riding and riding little kids bikes isn’t something I wanna stress about. And the last few months leading up to surgery have been some of the best worry free riding ive had in a long time… and idk I guess that doesn’t really clarify much.

You have gotten to travel a lot because of that bike, What are two trips you’ve had that were the most memorable and why?

4 Down trip with the FBM uk trip to berlin/Rebel Jam… holy shit what an experience!.. Road Fools Rock and Roll tour… What the hell was I doing on that trip.. it didn’t make since?!

Bests:

Skatepark?

XDreams skatepark in Rochester NY

City to ride?

Probably Philly

Feeling?

360s

Website?

The Come Up… You can hate on everything… sweet!

Music?

Lately… Aborted Discography

set of trails?

Honda Hills

Tony riding his favorite park, and bending a table at the redbull contest

I’ve lived in a small town once, I know it can get pretty boring. If you never started riding BMX what do you think you would be doing now?

I honestly have no idea… maybe going to school or something worth while like that or smoking Meth!

You have a go big style with a bunch of tech thrown in. Where does your influence for riding come from?

Idk I go through phases with riding… I think it depends how my bikes setup… I rode a gyro for like a year then went brakeless for a couple months and then back to a single cable… and my ridings changed each time… lately ive just liked going fast, and high!

What was going through your bean when you decided to do an 8 foot fufanu out of a 4 foot bowl in Houston, or flipping out of the ditch in San Antonio?

“this is gonna suck or be really fun and funny”… basically what I tell my self!

Are there any special someones that you would like to give thanks to?

Definitely my Family! My Friends for being so real! John Povah at Etnies for being the man.. Chris Rezs at Outlaw/Blackout…The dudes at Hell onEarth And everyone else that has helped me out!

Freestyle/last words?

Fuckin a!

Self captioned photo: Done came up at the red bull contest with Tootsies Roll in my teeth!

PHOTO CREDITS: Kyle Opits