Turned 30 and felt like I needed a challenge - something to scare my lazy arsed self - so I got back into BMX. BMX rules and the underground non-corporate scene is where it's at.

The bike company "terrible one" was formed by riders Joe Rich and Taj Mihelich - they look after their sponsored riders and don't expect them to go to the X-Games and other lame bullshit corporate wankfests. They're creative - putting out great art work, t-shirts and a super cool zine. They're also unafraid to be political - when was the last time you heard any yank athlete slag off corporate America? I sent Taj the Sand Pebbles first record as a sign of respect. Was stoked to get back a package of t-shirts (which the band all wore at our first gig) and thus started an email friendship that's lasted a few years. Recently the company has started putting on rock shows.

To me, they represent the ultimate example of doing what you know is right - what deep down inside yourself you know to be your reason for being on the planet. We dedicated a song to them on our 7 inch. Recently I asked Taj a few questions - here's the results.

Name: Taj Mihelich

Age: 29

How did you get into BMX?
It was in my blood. Riding bikes has been fun since I was 3 years old, and its just never gone away.

Why BMX?
I used to jump on my department store road bike, but it just didn't hold up. At one point in my young teens I tossed a coin to see whether I should spend my summer's savings on a scooter or a BMX and luckily BMX one.

Where do you see it taking you?
Right till the very end I think. Its taken me everywhere so far.

How would you explain it to an outsider?
I know its hard to imagine, but riding is everything to me. I can put my creativity and my heart and soul and energy and love and passion and stress and anger and happiness and body and mind into riding. Its one of those great and amazing things that you can put everything you got into.

Music and BMX - any similarities?
For sure. I hear musicians talk about music the way I feel about riding. The energy of being on stage and the feeling of giving your all to something is intense and a high you can't find anywhere else.

Your company (T-1) has a left wing (for want of a better word) slant - how hard is that in America considering the current climate?
We've honestly not received too much flack for it, but sometimes it worries me. There is certainly that air of fear of opening your mouth over here.

Five records that changed your life and why?

* Fugazi 'Repeater'
.... how could it not change your life!

* The Cure 'Disintegration'
... I know this sounds bad, but I grew up in a real small town and was very sheltered from any music other then what they played on the "classic" rock station. I was bored with music and thought it was a waste. Anyway, one night I stumbled upon some late night radio show and they were playing the Cure. It was the first music I had ever heard that didn't sound like everything else. It got me interested in finding different music.

* Shellac 'Uranus' 7"...
first thing I heard from them and it made me fall in love with that guitar.

* The Modern Lovers...
I just ran into this, and it was cool to hear a song that was pretty much about being straight edge almost 10 years prior to Minor Threat.

* The Redneck Manifesto '36 Strings'...
This was the first band that I ever helped pay for a trip to come play at one of our T-1 shows. I helped them come over from Ireland to Austin totally on a whim just because the CD seemed good. It was scary because I didn't know anything about them but I had a spent a bunch of money on them. Anyway, it ended up being really really cool, and they were some of the coolest guys I've met.

The best advice you've ever had?
You can.

¡Tarantula!
the Sand Pebbles' fanzine
'another ghost transmission...'
sandpebbles@brella.org
©2003 Ben Michael X