Photo by Steffen Kornfeld // www.steffenkornfeld.com
This is the second interview with Alex Tank on this website. The first one was an email interview; you know what they say about email interviews, right? They suck. So the plan for our second Alex Tank interview was to make up the whole thing a bit more personally. We didn’t have the chance to talk face to face (he’s a busy bird), but he told me that he does have Skype and so everything was arranged quickly. ‘Perfect,’ I thought. ‘The interview date’s fixed and there’s still a month and a half until the interview is supposed to go live.’ That was the theory, at least. I had to turn down our first Skype date, he had to turn down the second one, then Alex was busy doing his job (like, being awesome and a professional snowboarder), and after thirty-six other deferrals we finally managed to sit down and talk on Skype. We didn’t talk about why his friends call him ‘Klausi’ or why he’s dreaming of Dracula at night or why he always forgets his gloves and sunscreen when he goes shredding, but in return we had a good little chat about things like Atagge, drunken donkeys, magazines, scary musicians, energy drinks and why Ketten-Gido probably isn’t coming back from Helsinki. Read on.
What’s the worst question to start off an interview with Alex Tank, Alex Tank?
Probably this one!
Really?
Nah, I just don’t know. Actually, I haven’t had too many interviews yet, so I can’t even tell.
So how should we start this off?
You could ask me what I did today, that would be pretty damn average, wouldn’t it?
Probably.
Yeah.
Alright. What did you do today, Alex?
Well, I am in Helsinki with most of the Atagge homies right now. We woke up, had a shitty breakfast, tried to find some rideable stuff in a city that’s full of ice right now, picked up Flo [Geiger] from the airport and filmed a rail. That’s about it.
Who’s with you?
Benny [Urban], Flo [Geiger], Gido [Gfoellner].
What’s the plan? Filming for a full-length Atagge film finally?
Oh man, I’d wish but we’re filming for Isenseven and Benny and me took the other two fuckers with us. Good times, even though we have almost no snow.
Photos by Howzee // www.howzee.com
You should really film an Atagge movie.
Who knows. Maybe somewhen in the future we finally get to film a real Atagge movie. I would love to come up with something like that.
Cool. How long will you stay in Helsinki?
We are mid trip now. About another 5 days.
And then?
Then I’ll go home for a couple of days and see if we can find some pow in the alps before we have our Atagge Demo.
Are you also going to film with GIVIN again this year?
I’m not really sure yet, but I’d be really stoked if that happened again. Their movies are always freshening it up.
How was filming with those guys? Is it scary?
I can’t even tell, man. Since I got injured again this year, I wasn’t able to go on a trip with them and just gave them footage I filmed with Isenseven. But just take a look at all the riders. They are killing it so hard. I really think you have to grow some balls when you’re out there with those guys.
Yeah. A couple days ago I watched Too with some buddies again and two of ‘em said Forest Bailey scares the shit out of them.
He’s incredible. I’ve seen him shred in real life. Just looks like in the videos. He’s such cat.
Did you know Wyatt Stasinos came with a friggin’ donkey to the Too world premiere?
Yeah, I’ve seen the pictures. People for sure tried to get the donkey drunk.
What? Did they get him drunk?
Imagine that, a wild donkey at the party. Just like at a Isenseven premiere with our donkey. It would probably look quite similar.
Dude. Imagine the Isenseven donkey and the GIVIN donkey partying and drinking together. They’d have the time of their lives.
At some point they wouldn’t even distinguish from each other any more. Awesome!
Photos by Steffen Kornfeld // www.steffenkornfeld.com
Jesus.
That brings me to the point. I need to hang with Esel again. This homie is such a boss.
Definitely. What’s up with this the Atagge X ForealProject Demo?
Last year, Basti Kuhn and us thought it would be great to get all the homies to ride together for one day. And since everybody is pretty busy the whole season doing his thing we thought it would be a great idea to get all together right before ISPO, because that’s the time of the season where everybody is in or around Munich. Last year we did it for the first time and it was total blast. All the homies were there and everybody had an awesome day full of high fives, burgers and beers. At least, that’s how I felt. And yeah, we are doing it again this year. Come by if you like! You’re officially invited!
Officially officially?
Yep, it’s right before ISPO. Saturday, February the 2nd.
Perfect. What kind of music do you like?
That’s quite a tough question. I can start with what I don’t like and that’s Dubstep, Minimal and most of the other Electronic stuff. Stupid computer music, mostly. For me it depends on what kind of mood I’m in — but to give you an answer: I could always listen to the Stones.
Dubstep isn’t music, man.
Not at all. It more likely sounds like transformers having sex.
That’s a really good comparison. How was the Black Keys concert in Munich?
It was awesome. It’s one of my favorite bands for a really long time now and I never managed to see them live, so, for sure I was hyped. Even though they played in the Olympiahalle which is not really the right venue for my taste.
They’re one of my favorite bands too! Did you know Dan Auerbach once told Jake Orrall from JEFF The Brotherhood he would brake him all the fingers on his hand if he didn’t play right?
Ha ha. Nope, I didn’t know that.
Photos by Steffen Kornfeld // www.steffenkornfeld.com
He’s a man of great anger, and a fucking genius.
Fuck yeah. But that’s probably also the reason why he’s such a genius on that guitar.
Here’s another interesting Black Keys fact: Pat Carney [Black Keys drummer] looks like the black-haired twin brother of Bene Heimstädt [godfather of Pleasure Snowboard Magazin].
True that. Never really thought about that.
Is there a band that you’re really embarrassed about?
Wait, let me check my iTunes…
Yeah.
Ha ha. I just found a song by Ke$ha, think that counts.
What song?
Tik Tok.
God.
Yes, this really is embarrassing. Wonder how that got there? Maybe Ludde [Lejkner] wanted to listen to it. He likes that kinda music.
Next question: Did you know Helsinki is one of the few cities where the population of womenn is greather than that of men?
Ha. That’s why there are sooo many girls in all the bars and restaurants. Thanks for the info.
No problem. Is one of you guys single?
Yeah, Gido is. I should try to hook him up.
It’s like a no-brainer in Helsinki, just tell him he has to wear aftershave.
Is this the thing the finnish girls are into? Gido is more the overmanly man. Our filmer Elmi [Bossard] gave him the nickname ‘Ketten-Gido’ since he was the only one who knew how to chain up the cars in front of the snowed in Arlbergpass.
Photos by Steffen Kornfeld // www.steffenkornfeld.com
Well, screw aftershave, then. ‘Ketten-Gido’ should work even better for Finnish girls.
He should be fine.
What does Alex Schiller do that drives you bananas?
He he. When he always says “Fuck my life” out loud, when something minor happened. Other than that I think Alex never really drove me bananas. He’s my broski.
Come on, Alex. That’s the most annoying thing your broski does?
Okay, maybe when I have to get him home after we partied all night. He can be a pain in the ass then. All drunk and complaining all the time how bad he feels. Hehe. But other than that I like this fool. Not so much annoying shit going down. That’s why we’re broskis, i assume.
What’s your favourite magazine?
Real life or online?
Well, let’s make ‘real life’.
Snowboard?
Whatever stokes you out.
Then I will go with VICE.
You sure?
Yeah. They just do their thing and aren’t afraid to put somebody’s nose out of joint.
Photos by Howzee // www.howzee.com
So just what most snowboard magazines don’t do these days?
Exactly, I would love to see some more edgy magazines or articles. Sometimes, when I look at some magazines it feels like I’m looking at some wanna-be-everybody’s darling. No real opinion or statement. Boring. When it comes to that, I think Method Mag is doing a good job.
Okay. But seriously, where in the world are all these Method issues? I guess the last time I’ve seen one was at last year’s ISPO.
They also reflect the “dark” side of snowboarding — besides Energy Drinks, X Games and million dollar contracts, you know?
Yeah.
You really should check it out.
Do you think Benny Urban has nice eyes?
This question is disturbing. Do you like his eyes?
How do I know? He’s your broski.
I think girls dig his eyes. That must qualify for nice eyes, right?
Right. Last question: I know you really dig all those fancy energy drinks, Alex. What do you think abou them? Should kids stitch a green ‘M’ on their beanies? Tell me what you think about that. The stage is yours.
I just don’t really dig how aggresively energy drink companies are marketing such a product mostly to little kids. Everywhere you look, you see a green ‘M’ here or a Red Bull over there. I grew up in a family that just drinks water. Even without any doctor studies, everybody should use his brain and come to the conclusion that this poison can’t be healthy for kids, especially when I see them drinking 5 cans of whatever energy drink a day. This can’t be good. I don’t need an energy drink that promises to give me wings. Just drink water. That’s what your body needs.
Perfect. That’s it. Thanks for talking to me, Alex.
Alex Tank rides for Head Snowboards, Zimtstern, Arnette, Gnarly, Celtek and Clast. Check out Alex’s blogging skills on atagge.blogspot.com, and while you’re at it, also check out the websites of Steffen Kornfeld and Mr. Howzee. They’re awesome and you know it.
