Mike Vallely
Encyclopedia
Mike Vallely also known as Mike V, is a professional skateboarder
. Mike is also a musician, actor, television personality, stuntman, professional wrestler and FHL hockey player.
to Art and Mary Vallely. Mike has an older brother, Joe, and a younger sister, Amy. Growing up Mike played little league baseball, but in 1984 at age 14 Vallely discovered skateboarding and punk rock music.
After getting into punk rock
music, Vallely began to borrow a skateboard from a friend and thus began a life of dedication to skateboarding. On Christmas of 1984, Vallely's parents got him a Sims brand Jeff Phillip pro model skateboard. Besides street skating Mike also began vert skating and often skated at Tom Groholski's ramp and The Barn Ramp, both located in New Jersey. He also skated The Brooklyn Banks, a famed skate spot under New York's Brooklyn Bridge.
In 1986, Mike moved with his family to Virginia Beach, Virginia
for a short time and while living there befriended some local skaters. Skating with a local team called "Subculture" in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach, Vallely tested his skills on the streets in local contests, as well as on neighborhood quarter pipes and launch ramps. In the spring of '86 the Virginia Beach Skate park, Mount Trashmore
hosted a professional vert skateboard contest. Vallely and his friend began skating in the car park adjacent to the vert ramp during practice, and drew the attention of professional skateboarder Neil Blender, from atop the ramp. Lance Mountain
and Stacy Peralta
, both of Powell Peralta
and Bones Brigade were impressed with Vallely. Seeing Vallely skate on a busted up board, Lance gave him a brand new skateboard. And following the impromptu demo, Peralta offered Vallely an amateur sponsorship deal with Powell Peralta Skateboards.
took photos of Vallely performing his tricks in the handplant circle, one of which eventually made its way onto the cover of Thrasher's August 1986 issue. It was also at this time that Vallely's new sponsor had him on an airplane for the first time to fly to California to compete at the Oceanside "Street Attack" contest in July in Oceanside, California
. Vallely won the amateur division which got him a full page spread in Transworld Skateboarding's September issue. Also in 1986, Mike was filmed for a part in the third and now classic Powell Peralta video "The Search For Animal Chin
".
In 1987, The Search for Animal Chin was released and Vallely turned pro at a vert contest in Toronto, Canada on May 31.
In 1988, Powell Peralta released his first pro model skateboard. After an attempt to release Vallely's pro model with graphics of a large bug, it was later changed to the now well-known "elephant" graphics. Vallely stated that the idea for the graphics came to him after watching a National Geographic television special about elephants. The graphics on Mike's "Elephant" board were drawn by legendary skateboard artist V. Courtland Johnson.
In 1989, Vallely quit Powell Peralta. At the time Powell Peralta was the biggest skateboarding brand in the world which sponsored the best and most talented skaters. After quitting, Vallely helped form the small skater run company called World Industries
with Steve Rocco
, Jesse Martinez and Rodney Mullen
. While riding for World Industries
he helped create a newly shaped skateboard deck, which eventually became the industry standard. The model included rounding both the tail and nose, rather than rounded nose and straight edged tail.
Valelly would be a part of World Industries until early 1991, when differences with Steve Rocco over his use of company advertising for political purposes became irreconcilable. Vallely then rode for New Deal Skateboards until January 1992, before starting the short lived TV Skateboards with friend Ed Templeton
.
In late 1992 Vallely suffered a health scare, and TV Skateboards was going broke, but Vallely credited the birth of his daughter with giving him a new perspective and ability to move forward. He returned to riding for Powell Skateboards in 1993, and his second period riding for the company would last until 1997.
Vallely then briefly rode for Transit Skateboards, before joining Black Label Skateboards
in 1998, riding for the company until 2003.
From 2003–2010 Valelly rode for Element Skateboards
, before quitting to start his own company called By The Sword with fellow skateboarder Jason Filipow. The company was short lived though, as late in 2010 Valelly joined the roster of Powell Peralta Skateboards for a third time along with Airwalk Footwear and Bones Bearings.
In mid 2011, Vallely joined Iron Fist Clothing. Vallely noticed Tork Trux innovative assembly method and joined them as their first Pro Team Rider.
In 2003, Greg Ginn
invited Mike to sing for Black Flag
at their 2003 reunion shows in Los Angeles
. Mike performed the entire My War
album from cover to cover.
Mike V & The Rats:
Revolution Mother:
Solo Career:
Guest appearances:
The storyline to the fifth game in the series, Tony Hawk's Underground
(THUG), is based on Mike V's skateboard career.
Vallely has his own skateboarding video game for iPhones and the iPod Touch entitled "Mike V: Do or Die – Skateboarding".
, California
. Vallely married his longtime girlfriend Ann in 1992 and in December of that year their daughter Emily was born. Vallely also has a second daughter named Lucy.
Mike Vallely is a trained Professional Wrestler who occasionally wrestles at independent events. He once wrestled TNA
superstar Frankie Kazarian
in a triple threat match, which Vallely won.
Vallely also plays hockey at a professional level for the Danbury Whalers
in the Federal Hockey League
. He signed a contract with the club on June 23, 2010.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
. Mike is also a musician, actor, television personality, stuntman, professional wrestler and FHL hockey player.
Early life
Mike Vallely was born in Edison, New JerseyEdison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
to Art and Mary Vallely. Mike has an older brother, Joe, and a younger sister, Amy. Growing up Mike played little league baseball, but in 1984 at age 14 Vallely discovered skateboarding and punk rock music.
After getting into punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
music, Vallely began to borrow a skateboard from a friend and thus began a life of dedication to skateboarding. On Christmas of 1984, Vallely's parents got him a Sims brand Jeff Phillip pro model skateboard. Besides street skating Mike also began vert skating and often skated at Tom Groholski's ramp and The Barn Ramp, both located in New Jersey. He also skated The Brooklyn Banks, a famed skate spot under New York's Brooklyn Bridge.
In 1986, Mike moved with his family to Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
for a short time and while living there befriended some local skaters. Skating with a local team called "Subculture" in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach, Vallely tested his skills on the streets in local contests, as well as on neighborhood quarter pipes and launch ramps. In the spring of '86 the Virginia Beach Skate park, Mount Trashmore
Mount Trashmore
Mount Trashmore Park, also known simply as Mount Trashmore, is a city park located in Virginia Beach, Virginia which opened in 1974, Mount Trashmore is an example of landfill reuse as its creation consisted of the conversion of an abandoned landfill into a park. The park spans with hills over ...
hosted a professional vert skateboard contest. Vallely and his friend began skating in the car park adjacent to the vert ramp during practice, and drew the attention of professional skateboarder Neil Blender, from atop the ramp. Lance Mountain
Lance Mountain
Robert Lance Mountain was one of the more popular skateboarders throughout much of the 1980s, and one of the five most legendary members of the Bones Brigade, as featured in the 1987 classic The Search For Animal Chin .Mountain was born in Pasadena, California...
and Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
, both of Powell Peralta
Powell Peralta
Powell Peralta is an American skateboard company founded by George Powell and Stacy Peralta in 1978. The company rose to prominence in the 1980s as skateboarding began maturing as a sport. The company featured the Bones Brigade, a team of the era's top competitors...
and Bones Brigade were impressed with Vallely. Seeing Vallely skate on a busted up board, Lance gave him a brand new skateboard. And following the impromptu demo, Peralta offered Vallely an amateur sponsorship deal with Powell Peralta Skateboards.
Skateboarding
Thrasher MagazineThrasher magazine
Thrasher is a monthly skateboarding magazine founded in 1981 by Kevin Thatcher, Eric Swenson, and Fausto Vitello. It regularly publishes articles , skateboard photography, interviews with professional skateboarders, interviews with and reviews of musical groups, skatepark reviews, and miscellaneous...
took photos of Vallely performing his tricks in the handplant circle, one of which eventually made its way onto the cover of Thrasher's August 1986 issue. It was also at this time that Vallely's new sponsor had him on an airplane for the first time to fly to California to compete at the Oceanside "Street Attack" contest in July in Oceanside, California
Oceanside, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Oceanside had a population of 167,086. The population density was 3,961.8 people per square mile...
. Vallely won the amateur division which got him a full page spread in Transworld Skateboarding's September issue. Also in 1986, Mike was filmed for a part in the third and now classic Powell Peralta video "The Search For Animal Chin
The Search for Animal Chin
The Search for Animal Chin is a 1987 skateboarding film featuring the Bones Brigade. It is one of the first skateboarding films to have a "plot".- Cast :Bones Brigade:*Tony Hawk - Himself*Steve Caballero - Himself*Mike McGill - Himself...
".
In 1987, The Search for Animal Chin was released and Vallely turned pro at a vert contest in Toronto, Canada on May 31.
In 1988, Powell Peralta released his first pro model skateboard. After an attempt to release Vallely's pro model with graphics of a large bug, it was later changed to the now well-known "elephant" graphics. Vallely stated that the idea for the graphics came to him after watching a National Geographic television special about elephants. The graphics on Mike's "Elephant" board were drawn by legendary skateboard artist V. Courtland Johnson.
In 1989, Vallely quit Powell Peralta. At the time Powell Peralta was the biggest skateboarding brand in the world which sponsored the best and most talented skaters. After quitting, Vallely helped form the small skater run company called World Industries
World Industries
World Industries is a skateboarding company that offers skateboarding products, accessories and apparel. The company was founded by Steve Rocco in 1987. In 1988, Rocco was joined by skaters Rodney Mullen then Mike Vallely in 1989....
with Steve Rocco
Steve Rocco
Steve Rocco is an American businessperson and skateboarder. He founded World Industries with Rodney Mullen which grew into one of the largest and most influential skateboard companies in the world. He has since sold the company and is currently retired....
, Jesse Martinez and Rodney Mullen
Rodney Mullen
John Rodney Mullen is a professional freestyle and street skateboarder. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative and influential street skaters in the history of skateboarding...
. While riding for World Industries
World Industries
World Industries is a skateboarding company that offers skateboarding products, accessories and apparel. The company was founded by Steve Rocco in 1987. In 1988, Rocco was joined by skaters Rodney Mullen then Mike Vallely in 1989....
he helped create a newly shaped skateboard deck, which eventually became the industry standard. The model included rounding both the tail and nose, rather than rounded nose and straight edged tail.
Valelly would be a part of World Industries until early 1991, when differences with Steve Rocco over his use of company advertising for political purposes became irreconcilable. Vallely then rode for New Deal Skateboards until January 1992, before starting the short lived TV Skateboards with friend Ed Templeton
Ed Templeton
Edward "Ed" Templeton is a professional skateboarder and a contemporary artist who resides in Huntington Beach, California. -Biography:...
.
In late 1992 Vallely suffered a health scare, and TV Skateboards was going broke, but Vallely credited the birth of his daughter with giving him a new perspective and ability to move forward. He returned to riding for Powell Skateboards in 1993, and his second period riding for the company would last until 1997.
Vallely then briefly rode for Transit Skateboards, before joining Black Label Skateboards
Black Label Skateboards
Black Label is a skateboarding company founded and owned by longtime professional skateboarder and skateboard graphic artist John Lucero in 1990. It is based in Costa Mesa, California.-External links:* *...
in 1998, riding for the company until 2003.
From 2003–2010 Valelly rode for Element Skateboards
Element Skateboards
Element Skateboards is a skateboard manufacturer and surfwear retailer based in Irvine, California. It is a subsidiary of Australian clothing giants Billabong International....
, before quitting to start his own company called By The Sword with fellow skateboarder Jason Filipow. The company was short lived though, as late in 2010 Valelly joined the roster of Powell Peralta Skateboards for a third time along with Airwalk Footwear and Bones Bearings.
In mid 2011, Vallely joined Iron Fist Clothing. Vallely noticed Tork Trux innovative assembly method and joined them as their first Pro Team Rider.
Music
Valley first joined a band called Resistance in 1985. He only played one show with the group with 7 Seconds and Aggression. He was kicked out of the band for spending too much time skateboarding.In 2003, Greg Ginn
Greg Ginn
Gregory Regis Ginn is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He is best known for being the leader of and primary songwriter for the hardcore punk band Black Flag, which he founded and led from 1976 to 1986....
invited Mike to sing for Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
at their 2003 reunion shows in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Mike performed the entire My War
My War
My War is the second full length album by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag. It was released in 1984 on SST Records.Black Flag's founder and primary songwriter Greg Ginn played bass guitar in addition to his usual guitar; "Dale Nixon" is a pseudonym.My War was released after a long period...
album from cover to cover.
Mike V & The Rats:
- Fist 3 Songs (2002)
- Mike V & The Rats (2002)
- The Days (2003)
Revolution Mother:
- Glory Bound (2007)
- Rollin' With Tha Mutha (2009)
Solo Career:
- Weekend In Pittsburgh (2002) with Joe GrusheckyJoe GrusheckyJoe Grushecky is an American rock musician known for his work with the Iron City Houserockers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and for his works since the late the 1980s with his act Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers and his solo career...
- California Angel (2006)
- Alone (2006)
Guest appearances:
- HatebreedHatebreed- History :Hatebreed was formed in 1994 in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven. They began by recording a three song demo and selling it to locals. Those three songs would eventually be released on a split seven inch with New York's Neglect in 1995...
frontman Jamey JastaJamey JastaJamey Jasta is an American musician from New Haven, Connecticut, best known as the lead vocalist of the hardcore band Hatebreed and sludge metal band Kingdom of Sorrow...
's "Jasta" (2011) - "Heart Of A Warrior".
Video games
Mike has appeared in the highly successful Tony Hawk Pro Skater skateboarding video game series since the fourth release of the game, in which he appeared as a secret character. From the fifth release of the game he has been a major character in each game.The storyline to the fifth game in the series, Tony Hawk's Underground
Tony Hawk's Underground
Tony Hawk's Underground, abbreviated to THUG, is a skateboarding video game, available for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox platforms released in 2003. A PC version was released exclusively in Australia as a budget release in 2005. This version was ported by Beenox. In 2004,...
(THUG), is based on Mike V's skateboard career.
Vallely has his own skateboarding video game for iPhones and the iPod Touch entitled "Mike V: Do or Die – Skateboarding".
Personal life
Vallely currently resides in Long BeachLong Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Vallely married his longtime girlfriend Ann in 1992 and in December of that year their daughter Emily was born. Vallely also has a second daughter named Lucy.
Mike Vallely is a trained Professional Wrestler who occasionally wrestles at independent events. He once wrestled TNA
TNA
TNA may refer to:*Tamil National Alliance, a political coalition in Sri Lanka*The National Archives, in the United Kingdom*The New Amsterdams, a band*Threose nucleic acid, an analog of the nucleic acid DNA*Tonga Nurses' Association...
superstar Frankie Kazarian
Frankie Kazarian
Frank B. Gerdelman is an Armenian-American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Frankie Kazarian or simply Kazarian. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
in a triple threat match, which Vallely won.
Vallely also plays hockey at a professional level for the Danbury Whalers
Danbury Whalers
The Danbury Whalers are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League that began play in the 2010-11 season. Based in Danbury, Connecticut, the Whalers play at the Danbury Ice Arena, located in CityCenter Danbury...
in the Federal Hockey League
Federal Hockey League
The Federal Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league with teams in the Northeastern United States and Ontario. The FHL began operations in November 2010. Don Kirnan serves as the league's first commissioner....
. He signed a contract with the club on June 23, 2010.
Filmography
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop – Rudolph
- Elementality – Element video part
- Viva La BamViva La BamViva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. The show was a spin-off from MTV's Jackass, in which Margera and most of the main cast had appeared...
– One episode, helping Bam's Uncle get revenge on Bam - This Is My ElementThis Is My ElementThis Is My Element is an Element skateboarding video. It was their 8th video, and was released and premiered on June 21, 2007, Go Skateboarding Day, at 100 locations in the U.S., 34 of them in California alone. It was highly anticipated, and features tricks performed at 350 worldwide locations...
– Small video part - xXxXXXXXX may refer to:* The number 30 in Roman numerals* The year 30 AD* Games of the XXX Olympiad, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England* Super Bowl XXX, held on January 28, 1996* A mark indicating "extra strong"* Alcoholic beverages...
– Vin Diesel's friend - Drive – His show on Fuel TV (2004–2008)
- GrindGrind (2003 film)Grind is a 2003 American adventureassshole movie comedy film about four young aspiring amateur skaters Eric Rivers , Matt Jensen , Dustin Knight , and Sweet Lou Singer who are trying to make it in the world of pro skateboarding by pulling insane stunts in front of pro skater Jimmy Wilson...
– Mike has a small cameo as himself - The TruthThe TruthThe Truth may mean:* The truth in a particular context - a statement that is known to be correct —ie. in accord with reality, as corroborated by evidence or related experience*Supreme reality, holding the ultimate meaning and value of existence...
– Plays a security guard for the evangelist, Evan Jealous in this mocumentary - Jonah HexJonah HexJonah Woodson Hex is a Western comic book antihero created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga and published by DC Comics. Hex is a surly and cynical bounty hunter whose face is horribly scarred on the right side. Despite his poor reputation and personality, Hex is bound by a personal...
– Does stunt work in this Warner Bros./DC Comics film - Red DawnRed DawnRed Dawn is a 1984 American war film directed by John Milius and co-written by Milius and Kevin Reynolds. It stars Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen and Jennifer Grey....
– Plays a weapons dealer and also did stunt work as a Russian Special Forces soldier - Mulberry Park – Danny, the leader of an Irish gang
- 7-Teen Sips – Plays the reclusive rock star Charlie Monroe
- The HangoverThe HangoverThe Hangover is the second solo album by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, released in 1997.-Track listing:All tracks by Clarke unless otherwise stated.# "Wasn't Yesterday Great" – 2:45# "It's Good Enough for Rock N' Roll" – 3:12...
– Plays as Neeco - CKYCKYCKY may refer to:*CKY , a rock band from Pennsylvania; CKY referring to "Camp Kill Yourself".**CKY , a series of videos released by Bam Margera, named after his brother's band...
– As himself - Gold CobraGold CobraGold Cobra is the sixth studio album by American rock band Limp Bizkit, released on June 24 in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, on June 27 in the United Kingdom and on June 28 in the rest of the world in 2011 by Interscope Records...
– Music Video by Limp BizkitLimp BizkitLimp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
- Cameo doing a boneless off a Lamborghini