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From: Danny Spyra Jul 15, 2010 |
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Photo: Metal Mulisha
Metal Mulisha team rider / Marketing Rep, Ryan HagyFounded in 1998 by Brian Deegan and Larry Linkogle, Metal Mulisha has a passion for Freestyle Motocross and a habit of merchandising. Over the span of a decade +, Metal Mulisha has grown to produce mens', womens' and kids' clothing, sunglasses, footwear and more.
The Mulisha has been called many things, but I'd say they're r-cubed: rough, rugged and well-respected. To quote Jay-Z, "You can't knock the hustle." I wanted to learn more about one of action sports' best-known groups, so I hit up team rider/marketer Ryan Hagy. Enjoy!
- Danny Spyra
Photo: Metal Mulisha
The Fall 2010 Metal Mulisha line features black, and
a lot of it
BNQT - WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE FALL 2010 METAL MULISHA CLOTHING LINE?
Ryan - The basic formula is still black -- and lots of it. As is the case for our apparel, we are focusing on the importance of artwork. From custom hand-drawn designs to the inclusion of our big signature logo, everything we do has that stamp. On the Juniors side, more specifically, we're also following the trends that designer brands set, and putting our own unique Mulisha twist on them.
BNQT - A NUMBER OF MULISHA ATHLETES ARE ENTERED IN X-GAMES 16 EVENTS LIKE BEST TRICK, FREESTYLE AND STEP UP. IF THE MULISHA COULD SWEEP THE PODIUM IN ONE EVENT, WHICH WOULD YOU WANT IT TO BE?
Ryan - We don't want to sweep one event, we want to sweep ALL of them. Our goal at competitions is to always dominate.
Photo: Metal Mulisha
Metal Mulisha team rider Ronnie Faisst with MM
eyewear
BNQT - IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING MEN'S, WOMEN'S AND JUNIOR'S CLOTHING, METAL MULISHA RECENTLY STARTED A LINE OF EYEWEAR. HOW HAS THIS NEW VENTURE BEEN RECEIVED?
Ryan - Many retailers have been willing to take a chance on our eyewear, mainly with respect to sales channels. The Moto-specific dealers and clothing retailers are seeing the success of our brand in their shops and, consequently, willing to take a risk on different categories like eyewear.
Much of our business is still first and foremost on the West Coast and in warm weather climates (California, Puerto Rico, Florida, Hawaii), which gives us an opportunity to sell eyewear year round. Since we are still new in the eyewear game, there's no place to go but up. With that said, stay tuned for more styles coming soon.
Photo: Metal Mulisha
Brian Deegan, aka The General, has recently ventured
into NASCAR
BNQT - BRIAN DEEGAN, AKA "THE GENERAL," CO-FOUNDED METAL MULISHA AS A FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS BRAND. HOW DID HE MAKE THE JUMP TO COMPETITIVE OFF-ROAD RACING AND EVEN NASCAR?
Ryan - NASCAR has been a passion of Brian's for quite a while. His transition from off-road and freestyle to NASCAR was the next big thing - why not dominate in every motorsport and let the masses know that Metal Mulisha is here to stay?
Photo: Metal Mulisha
Backflipping, probably at the AFMXA training
facility
BNQT - THE AMERICAN FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR THE SPORT OF FMX. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE NEW AFMXA PALA RACEWAY TRAINING FACILITY?
Ryan - The new AFMXA training facility allows riders who do not have access to our Compound to practice and perfect their tricks that may lead them to riding freestyle as a profession, rather than as a hobby. The facility is also a great way for riders to learn about safety and become better athletes. Pala Raceway has really helped out in bringing both motocross and freestyle into one solid facility.
Photo: Metal Mulisha
The Mulisha throws down the best FMX demos around
BNQT - ONE OF THE RAD THINGS ABOUT THE MULISHA IS HOW OFTEN YOU GUYS THROW DOWN FOR THE PUBLIC. HOW MANY DEMOS DO YOU TAKE PART IN PER YEAR?
Ryan - It's really hard to put into numbers how many demos we do per year. We are heavily involved with the Rockstar Mayhem Tour, the Nuclear Cowboys, Lucas Oil off-road races, not to mention our Poaching Ads, which take freestyle riding to a different level.
Whether it's roosting the sand trap on a golf course or setting up a ramp-to-ramp jump on a bridge that's 600 feet above a highway, we always try and think outside the box so that our fans look forward to poaching their city and getting a taste of what the Metal Mulisha is all about.
Photo: Metal Mulisha
A Mulisha Maiden modeling the womens line - try
saying that 5x fast
BNQT - FINALLY, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MULISHA MAIDEN?
Ryan - Hmmm, well first off, you have to pass a rigorous test that involves jumping thru hoops that are lit on fire, and making sure that you can drink 15 jager-bombs without puking your brains out. Just kidding, we are always looking for new maidens. So ladies, if you think you have what it takes, log into http://www.metalmulisha.com/maidens and show us why you deserve to be the next Metal Mulisha Maiden!
Street Beat Archive:
Dustin & Dylan Odbert with ambsn
John Harbin with West Wetsuits
Nicole Hanriot with TAVIK Swimwear
Matt Gleason with Liquid Force
Jonathan Paskowitz with Lightning Bolt
I agree, more maidens!!