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SplatterTribe: Introduce and compare yourself to something you sell in your store and tell me why the comparison.
Mike Smallwood:
I'm Mike Smallwood, owner/operator of Sparky's Skateboard Shop in Elizabethtown , KY...I like selling skateboards cause its something that appeals a lot to some people , but most could care less about...kinda like me...haha
SplatterTribe: Your name is Mike. Your store is called Sparky's. Who's Sparky?
Mike Smallwood:
The name Sparky's was taken from a buddy of mine I worked with...he's a super big redneck and told me skating was for fags...so when
I had to give a name the day I was filing the paperwork ,to open the shop, in Frankfort or I couldn't proceed with the task at hand , Sparky was the first name that popped in my head |
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SplatterTribe: How do you define the following words?
Mike Smallwood:
Music:
the soundtrack to my life and a way of recalling great memories and friends from days long gone.
Entertainment:
something that can take you away from the troubles of the day.
Art:
anything that motivates people to look at something through the creators eyes.
Life:
an often painful journey that gets much easier when you figure out what the real priorities are.
SplatterTribe: Tell us a little about how Sparky's came about.
Mike Smallwood:
I was tired of driving to Louisville (KY) to get gear and dealing with the assholes who sold it to me...I figured I could sell stuff and at least break even if those guys were making money...it began as nothing more than a hobby cause I kept my 3rd shift job for the first year and a half till it seemed to actually be working...now I'm sure there's someone else calling me that asshole and planning on opening their own shop...haha
SplatterTribe: How does the economy affect a Mom & Pop Skate Shop?
Mike Smallwood:
The economy is a big factor to all businesses...when you add the fact that so many people will buy online too, its almost impossible to thrive...people will seriously live a few miles away from the shop and pay as much or more and order it from someone they don't know , and expect to KEEP a skate shop open in their town too...its not good to say the least...when I heard Avatar Records (Radcliff, KY) was closing its doors this month, it broke my heart cause Raymond is a super great guy who knows his shit front to back and still cant make any money due to the online music AND the economy...to me Avatar is like a staple in our local scene.....sad!
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SplatterTribe: If you were to start your own Skate Hall Of Fame, who would be your first 5 nominees?
Mike Smallwood:
If it was my picks it would be (in no particular order)
Steve Rocco , Stacy Peralta , Jamie Thomas , Rick Howard , TONY HAWK
SplatterTribe: Make one sentence out of the following words or phrases.
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Mike Smallwood:
Kingpin-My kingpin broke.
Pickled Eggs-Pickled eggs are mandatory at every store in Campbellsville.
Splatter
-SplatterTribe posts pics of hot chicks.
Concert Ticket
-Concert tickets are rarely worth the price anymore.
Sunflower Seeds-I eat jalapeño and cheddar salsa sunflower seeds like a crack head smokes rocks!
S
cissors-
My scissors are always in my back pocket when I can't find them.
SplatterTribe: What's it like to be able to reach up to your store walls and get everything you need free of charge? (ha)
Mike Smallwood:
You know, it's not at all what you'd think...It's kinda like the owner of a strip club doesn't walk in everyday and go. "Wow, Titties!!!"
SplatterTribe: I'm gonna name some random names and you tell me what comes to mind for each.......
Mike Smallwood:
Bam Margera-Super smart dude with less than average ability, who made bank and paid my rent many times.
Rob Dyrdek-I met Rob on his 16th birthday in Louisville (KY). Super nice dude who has made a lot of money the same way as Bam.
(Tribe Note: Wow, you met Rob on his 16th birthday? So you could have very well been 'Medium White'! Awesome!)
Richard Gere- Isn't he gay???
Slash- Has made some of the most memorable riffs in music history...Who can't hear the first 2 seconds of Sweet Child O' Mine and know exactly what it is and be transformed back in time...That's about as powerful as you can be when it comes to music.
Bill Dundee- Awesome entertainer and was an undersized guy too!!!...He put asses in seats everyday for as many years as he wanted to and was also a great booker who put together alot of great teams too...His son is a total goof though...HaHa...But Jamie is entertaining too, so I can't take that away from him.
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SplatterTribe: If Sparky's had a Mascot, what would it be?
Mike Smallwood:
A BULL...If you fuck with the bull, you get the horns
SplatterTribe: If you were to start your own Musicians Hall Of Fame (individuals not bands) who would be your first five nominees?
Mike Smallwood:
ELVIS
John
Lennon
Eric
Clapton
Robert Johnson
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HANK 1
SplatterTribe: What comes to mind when you hear the words Splatter & Tribe combined?
Mike Smallwood:
SEPULTURA...I Don't really know why.
SplatterTribe: I ask everyone I interview for a random question to ask a future interviewee, so this one comes from Drummer Jean-Paul Gaster of Clutch and his random question is......What is your favorite Iron Maiden album.
Mike Smallwood:
I, as unpopular as this answer is, honestly don't listen to them enough to know the answer to this question...but Number Of The Beast is definitely the one I've heard the most and I like it. So I'll pick that one.
SplatterTribe: Do you have a random question I can ask a future interviewee?
Mike Smallwood:
Name 3 albums that remind you of a specific time in your life and explain.
SplatterTribe: Songwriting time I'll write two lines to a verse then you come up with 2 more.
I've broke ever clock in the house
So someone tell me what time it is now
Mike Smallwood:
FULL OF PAIN AND DISGUST FOR YOU
IM NO MORE THAN SWEAT ON YOUR BROW
SplatterTribe: Any closing comments concerning anything you want said, known, printed or shown.
Mike Smallwood:
Everyone try your best to shop with local businesses whenever possible...I'm not asking you to pay more, just at least check with them before you go to Wal-Mart or shop online...Every time someone clicks that mouse to buy online without even looking to shop local, it's about like one more person you know just lost their job here at home, or at the very least they have less groceries and rent money.
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