frank macchio likes pinky and the brain.

Frank is doing well on the back wheel here:

Hurricain Irene: Rider on the Storm (part A)

Frank's back with a wet new edit, loving the vibe. Check the ender for his latest new move!

Frank Macchio - Kings Park Psychiatric Center

This is one of the most unusual riding spots I've seen. Very interesting!

Frank Macchio - Cruxdivision Selectee

Frank just put out this dope street edit with some flat innit. Dude's got bike skills!

Frank Macchio: Fellerose State of Mind

This is an artsy fartsy edit that a dude made of Frank. I don't even care. Frank's a rad motherfucker. Note it.

Frank Macchio: Last Man Standing

Frank is back with his unique blend of flatland and street in this bangin new edit. Loving the flat-grinds!

Frank's War

Frank Macchio travels to Chenga to get tips on the Orb (upside down decade) from Scott Powell. Very rad!

Frank Macchio: FLAT MY WAY

I like where Frank is taking his riding, infusing more of his street skills into flatland. Always good man. Keep killing it!

Open Mic: The Frank Macchio Interview

 

Let's start at the beginning with a little introduction for those that haven't seen your videos; what's your name, where are you from, and how long have you been riding?

I'm Frank Macchio from Queens, Ny and I've been riding for a decade now!

As a rider that started riding street and "converted" to flatland, I've got a big soft spot for guys that can ride both. Have you always ridden both flatland and street?

Nah, I just rode street 'cause that was the only thing around. I never had a chance for someone to show me the way of really riding the bike. Once everyone stopped riding by me I just kept doing it and found flatland. It is just a good retirement plan for when I have kids and flatland has just shown me the way of progression in riding and life as well.

I recently saw a  video of you riding in the tiniest space ever (click to view) during winter I guess. I was really impressed with how much stuff you pulled and learned there. What's your mindset like when you're getting ready to session in an area that small?

Ride the bike. Don't hang out with people and get shitfaced. Progress in something and stop being around all that garbage. Listen to Death Metal and be influenced on gore and blasphemy, and just learn how to ride the bike. It betters myself as a person and rider.

Do you ride with anyone, or mainly alone?

I mostly ride alone but sometimes I ride with my boy Scott and Fernando and Andre when I can. They help with my riding a lot. I would not have any skills without them.

Do you think that Global-Flat is a good thing or a bad thing? I hear a lot of strong opinions on both sides of this question and I'm curious where you stand on it:

I love that site! Anything with flatland is awesome. They help with the whole flat scene; with rider hook ups and videos. I mean what else can you ask for? It's giving flatland a place on the map for flatlanders all over - hate it or love it, to each his own.

Is there any trick that scares you?

No trick scares me. There is nothing to be afraid of 'cause you can take it in steps. It just pisses me off on the many trial and errors there are. Flatland is hard work, not something you can just do like street; just huck yourself.

Of all the tricks you've done, and seen done by others and by pros, is there one trick or link that stands out as a favorite?

Honestly Tim Knoll! Flatland grinds are the next thing. I journey to that side of it with steamroller grinds backwards and forwards, but that's just the beginning. Whatever you can do in flatland you can have some part of the bike grind. That is the next thing - just watch, street riders will get on that soon enough.

You seem like a super motivated guy; have you always been like that? What would you say to someone who had lost all motivation to ride?

Flatland did that to me...I'm just chasing the dragon with that feeling of the hard work to dial something in. If you ride flat, look forward to that because you know that feeling...

A lot of people have noticed that you seem to progress at an amazing rate; how much do you ride?

Shit I fucking put in work. I watch videos in slow-mo, take notes, stand on the bike in mad odd ways just to see what I can come up with. I even ride in every mind state; li'l buzz, even shitfaced so it's harder! Because when you're sober it's going to be easier. I ride every day, at least do one link of something - rain, snow, cold, hot; I don't give a shit. Riding progresses myself in every way.

Top 3 songs to ride to?

Oh geez...All Deicide...Cannible Corpse...At the Gates!!! Those bands make me think hard and want to master the bike; all of their songs.

If you didn't ride, what would you do?

I would have been a shitty person; gone to bars, sold drugs, fight people, go to jail, and do horrible things. That is what I would look forward to because what else would there be? Flatland is a savior!

Any plans for traveling to jams or contests in the future?

Fuck yeah! I will make time, I just need to hop on a bandwagon iff I can get a ride. I need to be around people on the level of flatland. All flatlanders are just real people so if you know me, tell me when you're going somewhere. I got gas money, let's do this.

Do you have any favorite riders?

Anyone who I keep in contact with in some way somehow, but also hummm...too many. How about anyone who is a backwheel killer.

If you could meet and ride with your pick of any 3 riders from the past or present, who would they be?

I can't pick...the dudes in TX and China and wherever there is tons and tons of riders. I just wanna ride with flatters.

What's your favorite snack?

LEMON SNAPPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tell me a little bit about your bikes, what's your setup for flat and street. Anything you'd like to change?

My flat bike is perfect-18", very small to man handle. Too bad that don't mean shit because it's all about the work and skill you learn. My street bike is 19" with huge bars and small pegs. No freecoaster. Makes no sense; it's more of a hoodlum ride.

Finally, I'd like to thank you so much for the opportunity to share your point of view. BMX needs more real talk. Any last words or shout outs?

Thank you Jim for this and getting me to have a reason to make another edit and push my riding- fucking 1st juggler!!! And thank flatland and anyone that I have talked to or is a part of flatland that bothers with me, and anyone I rode with and the people that take the time to read my nonsense. Hopefully we can ride somehow and you can teach me how to ride the bike better please.


This is an edit that Frank did yesterday just for the interview!

A Flatstyle Exclusive!

ABF (All Bout Flat), a really nice edit made by Tom McCarthy:

All Bout Flat: Frank Macchio

ABF from Tom McCarthy on Vimeo.

Frank Macchio: Flat

Frank kills it on street AND flatland: