Interview by Chris Nieratko
Photos by Elias Parise
Read the printed version of Tony’s interview below, or watch the extended video interview/doc by clicking this link
55 Years old, Eh? You’re fucking old! Good god, and yet, you look so young. What’s your secret, Pearl cream?
Cold water, It retards the aging process.
I don’t think we can say that anymore.
Wrong, that is a proper use of the word, look it up!
There are people that might not know what Coda is, so first off, what is it and why is it so special?
Well, I first met Pat Smith about 20 years ago at lit lounge. He was forcibly removed by security for repeatedly lighting money on fire at the bar. And not for nothing, he’s still lighting money on fire, albeit soberly and for all the right reasons. Coda is his labor of love and I’m so lucky to be a part of it. It encompasses all of the best shit about skating. The traveling and searching and finding and building stuff, giving back to the community, the camaraderie and everyone constantly killing themselves having fun I really think this new Coda video “EP” captures the essence of why we all love skating so damn much!
A lot of people know you as this New York guy, but you’re not?
No, in fact, one of my favorite moments here is Steve R. calling me out on my stoop, “Fuckin’ Farmer, you’re so Cali! I can’t believe you live here!” I was born in Hollywood, but raised in the valley. You know, like THE VAL! so like, fast times at Ridgemont High, and Encino man, and like, Valley girl? Which of course means DogTown and Tony Alva and all the Z-Boys can fuck off! Don’t tell me you invented Skateboarding because you didn’t!
It started in Jersey.
There you have it.
So what got you banned from Thrasher?
I don’t know and now I’ll never know unless Shmitty finally digs up the video where Jake explains it. But, it doesnt really matter. Being in the Top 5 Banned from the mag is my crowning achievement! The thing I always say about this is that Jake just didn’t like the cut of my jib, which is fair enough. So be it. Onwards.
Let’s talk about (another) least favorite, you are a fan of everyone around the globe’s least favorite Black Sabbath singer
Yes! Ronnie James Dio. God, I love him so much. You remember that night at the Tribeca Grand for the Big Brother Documentary when you an I got in that shouting match during the Q&A? That is another of my favorite skateboarding memories. Sorry, Tony Hawk, and don’t mind us, Spike Jonze, Chris and I are arguing about Dio vs. Ozzy, and I’m right and Chris is wrong!
And what’d I say? “Fuck Dio!”
Wrong again, my friend Heaven and Hell is one of the greatest Rock n Roll albums of all time. Period. Next question.
That’s where we differ, but where we align is…
Steven Patrick Francis Morrisey. Yes!
So, have you ever gay’d off with the Mozzer?
Fuck me, I wish! Sadly, the answer is no. But he was just in town and I managed to introduce him to my wife, who I do get to gay off with all the time.
Let’s wrap this up, How do you want to be remembered?
Great question. So I have burdened my wife with memorializing me via a world wide art installation consisting of tombstones being erected in all of my favorite places (Zuma, Beach, Zanesville, Liverpool, Lake Rosseau, etc.) Each bearing one of my numerous epitaphs. For example: You know what’s a good drink? Gin N Tonic.
That’s funny because I’m taking a sandblasting class next week to learn how to do lettering, so I could hook up with your wife on making these tombstones. Not “hook up” like, you know what I mean.
Dude, you definitely should try. I mean it’ll be up to her, of course. But if I’m dead, you should give her a call.
Thank you Farmer .
