These are the Landshark wheels made with their ‘Hardcore’ urethane. They are actually guaranteed not to flat spot.

American Nomad Skates Team Rider Justin Harter took first place in the Gaylord Mi. Go Skateboarding day mini ramp contest. He also took 3rd in bowl and 4th in advanced mini at the MI. amateur series..

The 13 questions section is probably my favorite part of the blog! It is great to do a little research on peeps that I am “interviewing” and try to ask them so questions that may not have been asked before. This month I got to pick the brain of Jay Kelly, partner in crime with Bill Danforth of American Nomad skateboards! Knowing a little about Jay, I decided to split this up between skating and tattooing! In addition to some kick ass skateboards, Jay is slinging so kick ass ink! After you finish this little Q&A, make sure you head over to www.americannomadskates.com and www.shamrockcustoms.com and show some love!!! Without further ado… JAY KELLY

Name, Rank, and Social Security Number…
My proper name is Thomas Jason Kelly but I go by my stage name of Jay Kelly. Rank here at American Nomad….I would have to say Army mom. My social….7

How, when, where, and why did American Nomad start?
We started getting the ball rolling in the fall of 2003 but didnt have boards in hand until Memorial day. So pretty much almost 6 years ago to the day that we had the first 2 models in. I say 2 models but it really was just 2 different graphics on the same shape. Bill had the shape already to go at this woodshop so we saved money on set up charges for a custom shape. That fall Bill flew out here to CT. with Bart Saric, Tom Allen and Kevin Wirth to film Skinned Alive. We were driving out to Fred Smiths tattoo shop to do some filming and we just started talking and bouncing some ideas back and forth. I dont think we ever had any idea that we were going to start a company..Hell I never thought of it and it just happened.

The team is stacked… Fred Smith, Danforth, Monty Nolder, Ward Cramer, Bill Tocco and Schultes!!!… You guys have a hell of a line up there! I am amazed! What’s it like working with these guys?
It couldn’t be better.. Pretty much the entire team are good friends of ours. These are the guys that we would want to go and skate with.

It is just mind blowing that every shop doesn’t have an American Nomad deck on its wall with a team like you have!!! It’s a sacrilege! WTF is wrong with kids these days?… How do you get them to look past the MTV/X Games bullshit and realize what skateboarding is all about… Do you even bother targeting today’s youth or do you strictly target “our” generation?
We don’t really push our product on that type of skater. I would love to sell 7.5 popsicles to handrail kids. Hell we would sell a lot more decks. We did some smaller stuff but we sat on it. We are going to start doing 8.25 popsicles again and Nick Bratko is getting a board out that is a 8.5 popsicle. I dont really want to do any smaller than that..OHHH I special order Abe Towerys decks because they are a bit smaller. So if somebody is really looking more than likely I have something with a random graphic tossed on it.

AN has been putting out some great stuff this year! The Danforth fades were great! It’s great to see some really cool shit being put out by the smaller skater owned companies. What’s on the horizon for this summer?
We have some really great stuff coming out this summer. We will be doing a Eric Dressen guest model in the next few months. We will be adding a Nick Bratko model into the line up. Nick has been with us from the start and is a hell of a amazing skater. We have a bunch of early 90s type stuff coming out soon and the one that I am excited about the most is the STIMULUS PACKAGE. You will have a choice of a 8.25 popsicle or something larger with a bit of shape to it…and it will come with a tee shirt and maybe some other little extras. The killer part will be that it will retail around $36.95 to $39.95. On top of that its all American made. No china or mexico junk..

Tell us about the Svitak connection? He has an AN deck, Bill is on his wheels… Do you guys go back? Any future collaboration?
Bill and Kristian have been friends for a really long time. You know its sort of a tough question for me to answer on both sides. For me..I always like Kristians skating and happened to catch his Firsthand on fuel tv and I was really stoked on what he was doing with 1031. I was talking with Bill about it and he suggested doing a guest model for him. You should ask Bill when you interview him next month…Im sure he will have some great insight and probably a great story of them travelling somewhere.

Svitak’s young gun Raybourn absolutely kills it! I would kill to have a Ben Raybourn clone riding for me! That kid is sick and has a great style of old and new! Any young guns riding for AN?
Ben is amazing….He might be one of my favorite new skaters out there. As far as young guns…not really. Our youngest gun is probably 21 by now. I have my eye on a couple guys this year but nothing concrete yet.

So how is life as a tattooist? According to Discovery channel it is all parties and fun and glorious??? Is that true? How long have you been in the tattoo business?
the discovery channel can make cleaning toilets look exciting. For me tattooing is great. I have great customers that are pretty open to what I want to do. I guess it helps that I have been in the same shop since 1999(I started my apprenticeship in 1995) so I have built up a good amount of trust. I dont know about this party lifestyle you speak of…Hell, I dont even tell anyone that I am a tattooer when I am out in public.

I am pretty much an Traditional American and Japanese style guy myself… You have some great stuff on http://shamrockcustoms.com ! Who were your influences and mentors?
My first influence would have to be Fred Smith and indirectly Mark Mahoney. When I was a kid I used to go to Freds skatepark in R.I. I always was blown away by this tattoo of Einstein that Mark did on his elbow. Just insane.. Shortly after that I started buying tattoo magazines and got to see the stuff that Eddie Deutsche, Dann Higgs and Ed Hardy were doing and I was just floored

Any other art outlets other then tattooing?
I really wish I had the time. I do get to huff a bit of spray paint every now and then out in the garage. I have been doing some stencil work over the last year or so. I do want to start finding time to start painting soon.

What’s on the radio at the shop? Slayer seems to be common at the shops I visit…? Anything coming out of the North that I should be listening too?
Dinosaur Jr./J Mascis and the Fog/Nick Cave and the bad seeds album Murder Ballads. Probably 95 percent of the time it will be one of those 3. I do toss in some King Diamond to wake me up on those early saturday mornings. Actually a great listen for the shop is a box set out from Rhino records called NO THANKS for the 70s. It over 100 songs on 4 discs of great old punk.. Everything from the Buzzcocks to Blondie

Second to last question is for you… Anything you want to tell the masses? Speak up now!!
Support smaller dog shelters or my favorite which is actually a pig shelter called Ironwood pig sanctuary. They are out in Tuscon AZ. and you can check them out at www.ironwoodpigs.org I really dig what these guys are doing.

Next time I am in Bethlehem Pa, I may have to drive a few hours north for some ink/skating/eating/drinking… my right leg is a collaboration of PA Dutch style work… have to have you add to it! or maybe a nice Shipyard piece on my ribs…(that’ll never happen… I am a pussy now when it comes to terribly painful tattoos)… While I am up there, where is the one place I have to eat/grab a drink at? (I think I am going to start my own skating/eating tour on youtube and call it “the thirteenth question”)
Hank anytime you want to head up this way lets do it. Come up the week after Labor day for the 6th Annual American Nomad cookout. Skating/food/and a ton of beer. It started out as a sunday deal but every year has grown a bit longer. I pretty much take the whole week off as we have guys coming in from all over the country. Hands down you have to eat at Plan B. Its a burger place by the tattoo shop that makes the best mac and cheese you will ever have. We are talking about a $16 dollar mac and cheese with BBQ pulled pork or chicken over the top of it. It must be tried at least once in a lifetime.

Thanks again man! Super stoked to be carrying American Nomad and just amazed at what you and Bill have put together! Great company, great team, and most importantly high quality products made with integrity in the USA!

PROFESSIONAL SKATEBOARDING LEGEND MIKE VALLELY ANNOUNCES “MIKE V’s GLORY BOUND SKATEPARK TOUR 2010”

POP CULTURE ICON TO LAUNCH ONE OF A KIND SKATE COMPETITION / ENTERTAINMENT & FAN PARTICIPATION EVENT IN SUMMER, 2010

World renowned skateboarding hero MIKE VALLELY (pronounced VAL-ə-lee; also known as MIKE V) has announced the launch of the inaugural “GLORY BOUND SKATEPARK TOUR”, which will hit 24 U.S. cities this summer. The month-long traveling festival, which will feature “a unique mix of skate competition, entertainment, and fan participation like no other event of its kind,” is set to kick off on July 18 in Mesa, Arizona and conclude in Simi Valley, California on August 18.

“This summer I’m returning to doing what it is I do best: annihilate skateparks. It’s been five years since my last truly focused skatepark tour but the distance and time has been good,” said MIKE V. “I feel totally reenergized and intensified and look forward to getting down to ripping it up. Joining me on the road is The Landshark Wheels Team and I couldn’t ask for better guys or more ripping skaters to hit the road with. From the legendary Bill Danforth to the high flying Ben Raybourn, this tour is certain to be the best one yet and is not to be missed.” The official “GLORY BOUND SKATEPARK TOUR 2010” admat can be viewed now at this location.

Presented by Good Fight Entertainment and brought to you by Landshark Wheels, ShredorDie.com and FUEL TV, “MIKE V’s GLORY BOUND SKATEPARK TOUR” will kick off in each market with a “premium ticketing mentoring session” that will allow a limited number of fans to join MIKE V on his tour bus and gain access to the skating legend for a half hour of bonding and Q&A. Anyone who witnessed MIKE V on his recent Zumiez promotional tour (which averaged over 1,500 attendees per market) knows that the athlete‟s exceptional physical abilities on a skateboard can only be outdone by his unique and deep-seated ability to inspire today‟s youth.

After the completion of the mentoring sessions at every stop on the tour, local skate competitions — billed as “The Best Trick Expression Session” – will begin. Finalists from each competition will be rewarded with the opportunity to skate with MIKE V later in the day and will also be featured on MIKE V’s video blog and his massively popular website (www.mikevallely.com).

Grand prize winners in each city will win coveted sponsor prize packages and one national grand prize winner from the tour will be flown into Los Angeles along with a guest / guardian for MIKE V’s to-be-announced “Skate Rock” festival which will take place in October, 2010.

“The MIKE V Show” will culminate each day‟s activities on the “GLORY BOUND SKATEPARK TOUR 2010”. Joining MIKE V on every stop of the traveling festival will be street skating legend “The Nomad” Bill Danforth plus Kristian Svitak, Ben Raybourn and Cyril Jackson. All throughout the day‟s events a professional DJ / Emcee will be on hand to provide a soundtrack of hardcore punk, heavy metal and hard rock “to keep the skaters on fire, the fans energized, and the atmosphere electric.” Three quarters of the way through the pro skaters‟ performance, the local winners will have the opportunity join MIKE V and skate side by side with him and the other pros. Each stop on the tour will wrap with an autograph session involving all the participants and the fans in attendance. To access pre-sale packages, receive news alerts, special content and much more, please visit this location.

About MIKE V:

MIKE VALLELY is a self-made, internationally recognized, multi-talented star. One of the most recognizable pro skateboarders on the planet today, MIKE V has earned a cross-cultural fan base and generated his own style of creative and aggressive skating that has set him apart, both as an athlete and as a personality. In addition to his two decade plus career as a professional skateboarder, MIKE V is also a musician, actor, television personality and professional stuntman. MIKE V’s acting talents and stunt work were featured in the hit movie “Paul Blart: Mall Cop‟ and the record-breaking film “The Hangover,‟ which included a song written and performed by MIKE V on its soundtrack. A modern day Renaissance man, MIKE V has fronted and toured with many successful musical projects, including his band Revolution Mother, which has played internationally with Danzig, Social Distortion and Bad Religion. MIKE V’s critically-acclaimed TV series “Drive” — now in its third season on the FUEL TV network — both stars and is executive produced by MIKE V himself and chronicles “the world through Vallely’s eyes” as he “travels across the U.S. and around the world exploring the people, places and issues defining skateboarding and youth culture today.”

MIKE VALLELY is available to speak with interested media now. To chat with MIKE V, simply contact Carl Schultz @ ACTION! PR via any of the means listed below. Updated MIKE V news and tour information will be made available via the athlete’s online domain: www.mikevallely.com and the ACTION! PR online domains: www.action-pr.com, www.twitter.com/action_pr and www.facebook.com/actionpr.

“A hundred years from now, Mike Vallely will be viewed as one of skateboarding’s pioneers. He’ll be remembered as a burly, glue-footed, hella-pop artist. An ATV ruler, a poet, and a fighter’s fighter. An iconoclast among icons.” – TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING

“a force in skateboarding for two decades” – THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Mike Vallely has always been a man of strong opinions and also a man of action. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Vallely will tell you how he feels on just about any subject and he’ll be heartfelt about his answer…What some of you may not know is that Vallely is also a genuine and open person. He takes the time to acknowledge every one of his fans and, year after year, he puts his body through the ringer to give skaters great demo appearances.” – ESPN.com

MIKE V’s “GLORY BOUND SKATEPARK TOUR 2010” dates:

Good Fight Entertainment Presents
“MIKE V’s “GLORY BOUND SKATEPARK TOUR 2010”
Also featuring street skating legend The Nomad Bill Danforth Plus Kristian Svitak, Ben Raybourn, & Cyril Jackson Brought to you by Landshark Wheels, ShredorDie.com, & FUEL TV
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July 18, 2010

Kids That Rip Skateboard School
1927 North Gilbert Road
Mesa, AZ 85203-2851
www.ktrskateboardschool.com
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July 20, 2010

Woodward SP
3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy #519
Grapevine, TX 75061
www.woodwardskateparks.net
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July 21, 2010

Doc 36 Skatepark
931 Highway 80 W
Jackson, MS 39204-3912
www.doc36skatepark.com
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July 24, 2010

Woodward SP
5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy NW #325
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
www.woodwardskateparks.net
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July 25, 2010

No Name Skatepark
1524 Roper Mountain Road
Greenville, SC 29615
www.nonamesk8.com
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July 26, 2010

Anti Gravity Skatepark
371 Chatham Drive
Newport News, VA 23602-4382
www.skateantigravity.com
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July 27, 2010

Charm City Skatepark
4301 Odonnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224-5237
www.charmcity.tv
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July 28, 2010

Woodward SP
1943 Franklin Mills Circle
Philadelphia, PA 19154
www.woodwardskateparks.net
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July 29, 2010

Rye Airfield
170 Lafayette Road
Rye, NH 03870
www.ryeairfield.com
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July 30, 2010

Garden SK8
321 Changebridge Road
Pine Brook, NJ 07058
www.gardensk8.com
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July 31, 2010

Subliminal
590 Lake Street
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
www.subliminalskatepark.homestead.com
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August 1, 2010

Vertigo Skatepark
105 Grays Bridge Road
Brookfield, CT 06804-2612
www.vertigoct.com
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August 2, 2010

Edison Skatepark
100 Municipal Blvd
Edison, NJ 08817
www.cjskate.com
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August 5, 2010

Evolution Skatepark
216 Navarre Road Southwest
Canton, OH 44707-4047
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August 6, 2010

The Flow Skatepark
4252 Groves Road
Columbus, OH 43232-4103
www.ridetheflow.com
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August 7, 2010

Ollie’s Skatepark
8171 Dixie Highway
Florence, KY 41042-3233
www.skateollies.com
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August 8, 2010

4 Seasons Skatepark
3226 Progress Road
Madison, WI 53716-3345
www.4seasonssk8park.com
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August 9, 2010

4 Seasons Skatepark
200 North 25th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233-2559
www.4seasonssk8park.com
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August 12, 2010

Warp Skatepark
9244 Trinity Drive
Lake In The Hills, IL 60156
www.warpskatepark.com
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August 13, 2010

Ramp Riders Skatepark
2324 Salena Street
St. Louis, MO 63104-2890
www.rampriders.net
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August 15, 2010

Woodward SP
14500 W. Colfax Ave
Lakewood, CO 80401
www.woodwardskateparks.net
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August 17, 2010

Skate City Skatepark
4915 Steptoe Street
Las Vegas, NV 89122-1925
www.skatecity.info
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August 18, 2010

Skatelab
4226 Valley Fair Street
Simi Valley, CA 93063
www.skatelab.com

Click on this link and check out Bill and the guys on the Glory Bound Tour 2010.

MORE PROTOTYPES IN A FEW WEEKS WITH A MELLOWER CONCAVE…NICK BRATKO MODEL COMING SOON..

Check it out.

http://thesolitarylifeof.blogspot.com/2010/04/danforth-review-here.html

http://thesolitarylifeof.blogspot.com/2010/04/american-nomad-product-review-will-be.html