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Tony Hawk Interview

BK: We'll start with a real standard interview question; how old are you and how long have you been skateboarding?   Tony: 29, skating for 19(20?) years.   BK: Going WAY back, what made you decide to quit Powell and start Birdhouse?   Tony: Powell was trying to keep up an image that they had created by following other companies that were becoming successful at that time. Besides, I thought that my career as a skater was finished (vert was dead), so I took the next step. It was my way of staying in the skateboard industry while still getting the opportunity to skate. It was a big risk, but I knew I had to take it.

BK: What's up with Birdhouse lately? Who's on the team?   Tony: Birdhouse is going full force. We have officially started a video (to be out next year) which will include Willy, Andrew, Jeremy, Heath, Steve, Bucky, Brian Sumner, Ali Cairns, Tim vonWerne and myself. It's being shot in 16mm film and the stuff we already have is amazing.   BK: That full-pipe that you did, I heard rumors that there was going to be a big production video or commercial or something about it. What's up with that?   Tony: Actually, I did it again for a Gillette/Schick razors commercial, but the director was jacked. He gave me five tries (I hadn't done it in months, and it takes a while to get that rhythm), and when I didn't pull it, he shut me down. The ramp alone must have cost them $20,000, and they said that it was costing too much to keep the production going - to give me time to make it. On the last try, I went 3/4 of the way around and kneeslid out. They ended up using that shot and cutting to another angle of me coming down in the finished commercial. CHEESY.

BK: How come you didn't enter Slam City Jam this year? I saw you skating in practice but not in the actual contest, what happened?       Tony: I was just burned out on contests at the time. There were so many in 96, and some controversy over judging, and I just got jaded on the whole scene. I knew that if I entered, I wasn't going to have fun. I've always promised myself to only do it because I enjoy it. However, I did have fun just skating that ramp (in the practice sessions). The ramp was sick.

BK: How does it feel being the center of attention at the X-Games? Do you feel resentment from the other pro's because of it?   Tony: I've told them that they've got to concentrate on other guys. So much gnarly stuff goes down at the X-Games that no-one even sees because they only have so much airtime devoted to skating. I don't think there's resentment from other guys - most of them know how I feel. When ESPN asks you for an interview, they're hard to refuse. They claim that the "street" course will include real street elements next year, which will be a nice change. We might finally see some street guys in the ranks.   BK: Who/what are your inspirations?   Tony: Erin & Riley [Tony's wife and son]. Anything new that happens in the skating world gets me fired up.

BK: Anything else you'd like to say?       Tony: I just want to thank everyone for all of the support we've received, especially on tour. To all of the skaters that bothered to show up at one of our stops: you rule! There are bigger plans for next year, and definitely more locations will be lined up.  I also want to congratulate Danny Way on his amazing feat.  Thanks.     [if you'd like to see more of Tony Hawk, click here to go to Birdhouse's website]