photos by Eddie Liddy
interview by Derrick Dykas

I was trying to think of how long I’ve known you, and I can follow it back to when I worked at Meijer Skate Park in probably 2003 or 2004. You weren’t “Swamp” yet, just little Tony. I remember you were really good for your age, and your dad brought everyone pizza a couple of times. How long have you been skating now, and what’s been the funniest thing you’ve seen while out skating?
I’ve been skating since I was eight years old, so for a solid 25 years. There are endless funny things I’ve seen skating but the funniest has to be when Geoff and Dan Pond came to California and I spent the trip trying to convince Dan to bomb any hill. He wouldn’t, so I forced him to try Twin Peaks in S.F. and right when he got out of the car his board shot out into traffic and he didn’t get to bomb the hill, RIP Dan. 

What do you think is more important as a kid, a good place to skate or a good crew to skate with
Good crew, or at least having one best friend like Alex Knox. 

How was your experience at Camp Woodward? Did you do multiple years, or was it just the one time it was featured on the Fuel TV show?
Woodward I did from age 11 to 20. My experience on Fuel TV was a blast, it started when I was 15 so on season one I was legit the oldest cast member, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

Do you think they tried to make you look bad, or were you really just the problem child that could 270 noseblunt the rail?
Definitely a little bit of both.

Did you get kicked off the show? And have you returned?
After age 20, you are not allowed to be a camper, you are fully an adult at 21 so that chapter ended on good terms. 

You left Michigan for a while. Where else have you lived and what’s been the best and worst living situation?
I have lived in Arizona and throughout Cali. The best situation is having homies across the country to visit and the worst situation is parking in SF. 

Is there a special alliance with all the past winners of the Tampa moat race?
No, lol. 

Do you think you’re the only person on earth that ollied off a roof and landed on his little sister? I remember hearing something about that footage ending up on MTV. What happened there?
It was a boneless off a roof and it was used in the intro, and on the show Ridiculousness on MTV. 

You stay hucking in your 30s. Have you had any bad injuries? 
Yes and no. I have hurt my hip pretty bad and some minor injuries. Hip is definitely the worst though. Physical therapy, chiropractor, and stretch bands for the win. 

Do you have an approach to staying healthy and avoiding getting hurt?
Stay in motion. Motion, stretch, and skate. 

I’ve seen you skate some really scary stuff for the fun of it – no video, no photo. What’s been one trick you wish you could have captured because you don’t think you’ll be able to do it again?
Hawaii.

Does it get old when people always want you to skate huge stuff?
Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but sometimes huge tricks are what you need to push yourself and have fun. 

What about the Joe Louis Fist sculpture downtown? Whose idea was that?
Spontaneous excitement after the Red Bull contest. I wanted to do that. 

What’s more important as an adult – a good place to skate or a good crew to skate with?
Good place and having the drive to skate. 

Want to use this opportunity to thank anyone? 
My dad and my mom.

Want to use this opportunity to put anyone on blast?
No, I’m good, it’s all love. 

How can you explain Tony Tartamella to someone who has never met him?
Spunky.

Spots that piss you off?
Bum Banks by old Joe Louis Arena, the new Wig, anywhere Tart and Eddie want to go.

Best and worst part of skating in Detroit?
The best part is that everything including the cops are pretty mellow. The worst part is winter.