Welcome to this week’s Comacan Question Interview, we’ve been really stoked to share the stories of other skateboarders and other brands alike. People that we may be friends with or brands we might be fans of, sometimes both! This week’s interview lands on the side of being a fan. Our guest today started this company on top of an already successful career in music. Reflected in this interview you will see the passion and love that our guest puts into his business, we are delighted to share this week’s interview with Treadwell Clothing.
What was the Inspiration behind starting Treadwell clothing?
I was really into motorcycling and the whole scene that was happening around 2012 lots of people getting into bikes and stuff but I found everything was so serious and harsh. All the images were heavy and vibey and I really wanted to show a different side of things that felt more aligned with the more positive fun vibes that me and my friends had around riding and hanging out. I started making fun shirts with Cats on them and it just kept going from there.
Why did you choose the name Treadwell clothing?
That was the only one I could find that wasn’t taken hahaha. I can’t even remember some of the other names I tried, but I was basically trying to think of posi things I could relate to bikes.
Where can people view available products?
I have a webstore at www.treadwellclothing.com
How does your music tie into your clothing business?
Originally, I was doing it as an alternative to music stuff but there’s lots of cross over because Cancer Bats fans are also into motorcycles haha. Its fun now I talk to lots of people about bikes at shows which is great.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your band?
I sing in a hardcore band called Cancer Bats that’s been around for about 15 years and we just put out our 7th album called Psychic Jail Break.
Who are your musical influences?
Everyone in the band grew up listening to heavy music in the 90s so I would say were a mix of Melvins, Rage Against The Machine, Snapcase, Entombed, Hatebreed, Sepultura and all that kind of fun stuff haha.
What inspired you to get into skateboarding?
I got into skateboarding in the early 90s with friends in high school who were all into punk and snowboarding, skating was the other thing you did if you liked those things haha.
What does skateboarding mean to you?
Skateboarding has been the gateway to all of the amazing creative things in my life. I learned about so much music from skate videos from punk and hardcore to hip hop and jazz. Also being exposed to so many different styles of art and eventually learning how to screen print. I owe it all to skateboarding.
With all your travels for music have you skateboarded any spots around the world that you’ve liked?
I remember playing a skatepark in Sweden with While She Sleeps and there was a vert ramp that must have been 20 feet tall. It was the biggest thing I’ve seen in my life haha. None of us wanted to drop in but we were pumping back and forth trying to get as high up as we could. Even at 12 feet we were so far from the coping haha it was such a blast.
Anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d like to thank all the people that are going to take me to their fun mini ramps and diy spots in their town after they read this interview and come hang at a Cancer Bats show. And thanks to you Will for reaching out for this interview 🙂
