For the sake of those who don’t know, when and why did you start Animal?
Animal was first conceived of in 1999 and I had it incorporated on January 1st 2000. At the time everyone rode mostly Primo or Odyssey parts and there really weren’t rider owned parts companies—only rider owned frame companies that made some parts. I wanted to make a rider owned parts company, and I wanted it to be focused specifically on street riding, since that is what me and my friends rode. Being out and being a part of the energy on the streets, dodging cars, hanging with friends and sessioning spots is what I wanted to do more than anything else, and that's the niche I wanted Animal to serve.
When I first decided to create Animal, the first thing I wrote down on a piece of paper was “no bullshit”. There always was, and still is, a lot of bullshit in BMX, from marketing to products, and I wanted Animal to be different. My goal was to create a good product that would last and stand the abuse of street riding, without any gimmicks. All of these years later, this is still my goal. Animal is about making quality products for street riding – nothing more and nothing less. No gimmicks, just great parts. All our products are still made at the same top manufactures that we started with and have been with all these years.
Back when Animal started in 2000, there weren’t any street specific BMX brands in BMX—and especially nothing like that coming out of the east coast. Animal had their own niche back then, where as today, street is the most popular form of riding and pretty much every brand is pushing it.
Do you think the fact that street riding has become 'mainstream' BMX has watered down the uniqueness Animal once had?
I really don’t think so. Even though other brands have started to focus on street now also, I still don’t think people view these other brands as street brands. They still push contests and other types of riding also, which we don't do. Animal is from the NYC area, and that makes us unique because we embody the vibe and flow of the New York City area streets. No other brand is doing that. On top of the street riding, Animal embodies the whole culture of the streets here. This doesn't get watered down, because it is so pure to begin with.
Outside of these other parts companies trying to focus on street, many of these other street “brands” aren't really taking away from the uniqueness of Animal because they aren't actual businesses. They don't have teams or product lines getting out there into shops around the world. Most of them are essentially just hobbyists starting small brands for their own pleasure. Animal is an 18 year old international company so it continues to stand out against the competition.
This may be too hard to answer, but can you name one rider from Animal’s entire history who you feel most embodies what Animal is about?
Right away I would say everyone on our OG team. All these people have been with the company for many years. They all got on the team for a reason and are still listed on our site for a reason. However, the one person who still receives the most recognition for his style, tricks, and influence in the whole history of the company is Edwin Delarosa. He was in our VR Video that Glenn PP Milligan did last year and people still go crazy just to see him do the most basic tricks. Edwin’s grips are still a top selling staple product that are loved by the masses. I think Steven Hamilton is another timeless rider who also embodies Animal Bikes. He is our most productive og rider and still rides every day. He has transformed into being his own media through his Instagram and has a huge following of loyal fans. Hamilton's pedals are a classic product also that have stood the test of time. Butcher is another contender. He is the OG of OGs of street riding. He was already a pro rider before animal even started and wrote the book of many tricks that are both common and even thought of as cutting edge still today. His pegs are the first street plastic sleeve pegs ever. We are now producing the Benny pegs also. Benny is definitely the newer generation that embodies what Animal is about. They are basically a progression of the Butcher pegs that are lighter and last longer. Tyrone is another who comes to mind. He is the main staple of BMX in NYC and has been since he opened Dah Shop almost 10 years ago. He holds it down like no other and keeps so many kids bikes running right and gets out riding with most of them. Finally the Philly OGs Tom White and Dave Belcher. They might not ride often anymore, but when they do it is always a show. These guys raised the next generation of Philly riders of what is now the Chocolate Truck crew. This BMX lineage is also something I think is very rare to have represent a BMX company as most turn over their riders every few years. Even our new Germany rider Sebastian Anton was put on the team by our OG German pro Max Gaertig. I could not be happier how things like this always grow the company into a bigger family of riders.
I can’t finish this part without mentioning Joe Tiseo. Joe passed away on a motorcycle in 2001, when the company hadn’t even been around for 2 years. However, he was a big part of what shaped me as a rider and the spirit of BMX as I saw it. He was one with his bicycle and I know still would be if he was around. He would ride with anyone, even if it was their first time on a BMX bike. He pushed every rider to their limits. I still consider most of my sessions with him to be the best in my lifetime.
Then in 2006 we tragically lost Jeremy Barcik, also to a motorcycle accident. Jeremy was also a huge part of Animal and he and Joe were two of the best riders to ever come out of New Jersey. They will both forever be a part of what Animal is all about.