FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

wetter would have been to jump into a pool and urinate on myself. By the time early afternoon had come around, my hat no longer kept the sweat out of my eyes. I ended up taking an old t-shirt out of my backpack and laying it on my head so that I could use the sleeves to wipe the sweat out of my eyes. About an hour after I laid the shirt on my head Rick Thorne’s group, Good Guys in Black, performed. After the set, I walked to the back stage area, shirt hanging down from my head, and asked if he wanted to do another interview. It has been a couple of years since I last saw Rick Thorne, so I was interested to see what he had been up to in the last couple of years. When I approached him to do the interview, the first thing that he asked is if I brought a voice recorder. In the past he has encouraged me to bring one and this time it was no different. Even though I did not bring one, he agreed to do an interview. As we were talking, a few fans had also found their way to the same spot. I walked a few feet away to give the band some room to visit with fans, broke out my note book, and found a large tractor tire to lay my things on so that I could start to right my impromptu questions for our interview. As I wrote down a few questions, I kept one eye on the fans and the band. It was during this period that a fan wanted his shoe signed by the band.

By the time that I had gotten half way through with thinking up questions, one of his band mates stated that the cafeteria was going to close soon. I packed up my things and head back stage with everyone so that Rick and his band could get a bite and I could think up the rest of my questions that I was going to ask. As he ate, I looked around for ideas and saw a hill of rocks that a tree was growing out of…. bang one of my questions that I would later ask popped into my head, “have you ever gone over your handle bars and slid in gravel?...”

Once he was done eating, I chilled with the band, kept wiping sweat from my face, had a few beers, and conducted this interview.

The first part of the interview was horrible. Since we were in the cafeteria backstage at a festival, a number of bands were walking back and forth, chairs were screeching across the floor, we had to yell at each other to hear the conversation, Rick had to keep repeating himself, and it was just overall frustrating. As the people cleared out, it got down to less than five people, we could finally hear each other and did not have to yell over other people talking.

It is great to see you again… What have you been up to since the last time I saw you?
Music/bikes, recording, shooting photos, promotion for Monster “we all ride”, another movie “White-T”

What is the next movie we can expect to see you in?
White-T. In this movie, I play a red-neck. This role is something new and I enjoy it. It is not a biker role and as an actor it is good to take on different roles. What a lot of people do not know is that I went to acting school for 3 years. BMX has nothing to do with acting, so I need to take on new roles and new challenges. I do not want to be seen as all that I am going to ever be is a biker, so I need something different help to my career. With every new role, it is a new challenge. As an actor, I need to take on different roles. With each new role, it helps to advance my career. It is fun to play different roles.

You are starting to become popular. How soon is it until we get to see you have Hollywood star?
If it ever happens, I will shit my pants. Probably, all the haters will piss on it.

What are some of the things that are going to happen in the next year?
Mmmmm…. In the next year I want to complete some goals. I want to be touring with my band and recording. I have a tv show that I am pitching for my new company lomavista productions. It is a tv zizzle and it is done, it is a game show. It is going to get bought.

I was tired of not getting any work, so I decided to take thing into my own hands and create my own production company. I just like being creative, I like using my experience, and I like to own my own property. (He went on to explain that property refers to owning his own ideas or anything that is tangible or intangible). I just want to go for it all the way around. I want to show that I capable of anything I want to do.

Are there any secrete projects in the works?
None

You are getting older, how have things changed in the last few years?
Age is a number. Do not let a number determine or tell you what to do. My attitude has stayed the same, just go for it. I am as aggressive as ever. I start a punk band at 38. I am a rocker that has created his own world… I am smarter, more experienced about life, and have learned a lot of lessons.

You are from the Midwest; do you think that you will ever have your own signature farm equipment?
No, I think that I will have a signature hammer that will be offered at the Home Depot, the Thorne Hammer. This is going to be used to pound some shit in.

(In past interviews Rick had mentioned that people ask him all the time if he still rides, and for the last few years he would tell them “every day”.)

Do you still ride?
I do not ride any more. I have graduated from riding. After 30 years, I have graduated to the rip class…cause I rip.

What else is going on?
This is my 14th year at Warped Tour, I rode of 13 years. I am now playing in it. I am never going to give up.

Is there a project that you have dragged your feet on or not started?
There is nothing. If I want to do something, I just do it.

What planets do you want to conquer in the future?
Planet X, because we are from the extreme generation. (He says this as he is chuckling.)

Do you like my interview style/why?
You give me a chance to express my words and not twist things.

What is some place you are looking to go?
I want to go back to Australia. I went there for the “Big day out tour” in 2006 with Tony Hawk. It was the first time I did a show around music and it changed my life.

Have you ever fallen over your handle bars and slid in gravel?
What BMXer has not? You are not a BMXer if you have never done it.

Who is your biggest rival?
Myself

Something you are looking forward to in retirement?
I am never going to retire.

You are in a band, Good Guys in Black. Do you take this serious or is this for fun?
What Good Guys in Black is about is turning things that are negative into positive. I think all the hate in BMX drove me to start a band that I love so much. Yes… I take it serious

Are you going to enter any contests or hang out at any contests in the future?
One day I plan to compete and it will be for me. After 20 years straight of competing, I need a break. Competing in contests is not my only value.

You are losing your hair, are we going to see you in a Rogaine commercial?
Possibly…mmm… if the price is right… hell ya

You are a small guy. If there was a role available for a sequel to RAD the movie, would you be willing to be the stunt double of a chick?
Once again, if the price is right

What is the secrete hand shake of the Good Guys in Black fan club?
Fira-Farta-Nicta-Meetcha-Daughta (the names of the different hand positions)

What is your favorite park to ride?
Jeff Phillip skate park back in 1992, Dallas Texas

What is your favorite place to ride dirt?
I do not ride dirt, but I respect it.

What is one thing that you will not promote?
Anything…. Do not…. Hard to say… (as he sits back in his chair and thinks)… anything that is not genuine. As long as it is not cheesy, give me a chance, I will jump on it. You have to do that because things do not last. (After rolling the thought in his mind for a moment)….. Products that are tested on animals, I love animals.

What are your opinions about doing shows at fairs?
They were great when I was younger. I did over 500 a year from 1990 to 1996. At this point I am done with them. I have graduated from fairs, I no longer enjoy them. It is a good place for people getting started.

What is your view on riding today?
It is awesome to be here today to see where it is at.

Are there any problems on this tour?
No problems, it has been awesome. It is a good time, no negative energy, just a good time.

Any last comments?
Go for it. Thank you God. Rock on.

Rick’s Sponsors are:
-Monster Energy
-We All Ride Clothing
-Anarchy Sunglasses
-Pro Skins
-Sirius/XM Radio
-Boost Mobile