How tough do you find balancing skate trips, playing in a band and having kids? Does having more responsibilities affect your mindset toward skateboarding at all?

I mean not really. But just as far as being away from the family goes, I know how hard it is just to have the two guys and just yourself. I know how hard it is for Trixie [Trujillo, Tony’s wife] to be at home with the kids alone. I mean she does it solid but I know how tough it is so I try and stay in contact and just be there.

Now that you’re a father, is the influence pros can have on younger skateboarders something you consider more?

No, not at all: everyone can do whatever they want. Kids are kids, you know? I was, like you said, growing up from fourteen in vans with Andy, Mic-E and Ethan Fowler and those dudes would be going nuts. I just sat back and took it in, I took in what I wanted and I blocked out what I didn’t. Kids have got to make up their own mind because there’s no hiding. I live in San Francisco, there’s no hiding fucking insane people, they’re walking around the streets yelling shit all the time and you can’t shelter the kids from that. So why do it with skateboarding?

Just a few favourites before we round this off: favourite KOTR year and why?

The first two were good, the one we won and then the next one just because they went from coast to coast. West, East, East to West.

Favourite Skate Rock tour destination?

I really liked when we went from Detroit to New Orleans, that one was fucking solid because it was through the Bible belt, which was pretty entertaining.

Best thing about having Andy Roy back in the van?

He gets everyone pumped when you need it.

How would you say Vans has stayed true to their roots over the years?

Just by sticking to the classics and sticking to what they know how to do: Even though they’re producing new skate shoes, they stick to what’s been working for them for so long. They can sell to the skater and sell to the guy that doesn’t skate, he just wants to wear skate shoes and so it works all around.

Are you involved in anything else Vans have got coming up like the Pro Skate Park Series?

Just the Park Series. They called and asked if I wanted to do it and I was like, “Erm, maybe a couple…” and they’re like, “Well you kind of have to.” Called to ask me and tell me at the same time, (laughs). But no it’s cool, I’m not going to go to Brazil but I’ll do the rest of them. It’s over the summer too so I’ll be travelling with the family so I’m going to have to fly out from wherever I am to the contests and then back. It will be fine man: I’m stoked.