SteelSmash BMX Crew

Ever since I started riding, one of those guys i looked for the most was Dan Lacey! His style was something I had never seen before, with such a smooth and incomparable style of riding, some of the most stylish 360 and crazy Nose Manuals, he’s certainly someone I’ve been looking forward to have an interview with! We’ve got the chance to make a little interview with him, so we ask him a few questions…

Name: Dan Lacey
Age: 22
Hometown: Rye, East Sussex
Sponsors: Federal Bikes, Primo, Vans UK, Seventies, DUB BMX, The Trip, Quintin and Chain Reaction
Likes: Girls, BMX, Friends, Austin, Cali.
Dislikes: Men, BMX, Rye, Hastings.
Years Riding: 10

SteelSmash: How and when did you start Riding?
Dan Lacey: My mum bought me a Ruption TX5, way back when cause she thought it looked cool… it was bright orange and chrome…. I guess it just went from there hoppin off curbs and shit. Then a bunch of older kids round my way gave me a bunch of old Props videos. Thats when I 1st saw Doyle riding trails. Ridiculous!!

SS: Insane street lines, the most stylish tuck no hander and 360′s in the sport, such a smooth and incomparable style of riding, you got it all. Who were your biggest influences in BMX?
DL: Chris Doyle, Mike Aitken, Chase Hawk, Baz Keep, Mark Love, Ben Hennon, Sean Sexton, Ty Morrow, Bruno Hoffman, Garrett Reynolds, Van Homan, the list could go on for days…

SS: How did you become part of the Federal team?
DL: I guess it was right place right time sort of thing. I was working for Seventies Distro packing orders at the time and they had ramps etc. id known Edd Allen and Baz for some time too and i think they had a lot to do with it. I’ve never looked back.

SS: After all these years, how are things going with Federal?
DL: Things at Federal have always been amazing. Everybody is so easy to work with, the team is amazing, Bossman is the raddest dude in the world. I couldnt ask for anything more. Legit as fuck.

SS: What was the very first trick you’ve learned? What about the last trick?
DL: First trick i ever learnt was a turndown, last trick was… urm a over crook i think…

SS: Do you still remember of your first BMX Bike? What about your first BMX Sponsor?
DL: My 1st bike was a piece of shit. Cracked, snapped in the space of weeks. My 1st sponsor was Seventies Distro. Win.

SS: Last year on Simpel Session 2010, you’ve made history with the first Toothpick Hangover 360. This year, you take the same dose, and did history with a 360 Over Icepick, that was just insane! Where do you go get such an inspiration for things like this?
DL: hahaha I dunno i guess. I hadnt ever tried Hanger 3′s. But that rail seemed to make it work pretty good i was syked on that for sure. 3 over Ice is weird i ended up doin it a couple times on the Mezz at Seventies. Then thought id try it at Simpel.

SS: Have you ever tried that 360 Over Icepick or Toothpick Hangover to 360 before the Simpel Session? How long have you been trying that?
DL: Like i said the Hanger 3 was pretty much a spur of the moment thing hahaha, and the 3 over ice happened to work out a few times. haha sweet.

SS: You’ve been touring a lot these past years… What was the most memorable/ the best trip so far? Why?
DL: I dont honestly know. I mean ive hung out with so many fuckin rad people and been to loads of cool places. But i definately think that being in Austin Texas or California have to be the best times i have. I mean chilling with Dakota and Alex Kennedy for a month in HB was amazin. then jus bein in Austin with all my friends. its the company you keep to i suppose.

SS: How was the fell getting to build up your own signature frame and bar? (Federal Lacey)
DL: Its a feeling i dont think i could ever put into words. i still get it everyday, like i get so hyped on seeing kids riding round with it too. mad buzzing!!

SS: Back in 2008 you seem a little bit nervous and angry when you fall or just can’t land something, is that a thing from the past, or you sometimes still scream and spit on your bike when something just doesn’t work out?
DL: hahahahaha, na that was something that happened a while back, it was my situation at the time that was stresssin me out. but its jus how shit is. People hav bad days, i dont give a shit what anyone says everyone that rides BMX has got livid at some point. Take it. But these days i guess im jus calmer coz im real happy with where i am in my life right now.

SS: Who are your favorite people to ride with?
DL: Baz, Mag, TY, Bruno, Chase, Hyper J, Hennon. loads of people…

SS: What are some of the things you would like to accomplish in the next 5 years?
DL: Still Ride my bike, Hopefully get out of the UK for good, chill with friends. Be happy

SS: What does your average daily routine consist of these days?
DL: Wake up as early as i can, go eat somethin good, ide all day chill in the sun a bit, go swimming. Then have a beer with friends and a woman later in the evening.

SS: Everyone has that trick that they just can’t figure out or land. Anything you can’t do for the life of you?
DL: Whip Bunnyhops and trucks. fuck both those tricks.

SS: Other things besides BMX? Tell us something people might not know about you.
DL: I honestly don’t have a lot goin on outside of BMX these days. i used to do Karate and Thai Boxing and did do for around 12 years but BMX was somethin i had to give my full attention so here i am.

SS: What plans do you have for 2011? Where should we be expecting to see you pop up?
DL: Im gonna be spending alot of time travelling and filming for stuff i got goin on right now. So im tryna to be everywhere haha.

SS: Thank you for this opportunity, anything you wished to add before we wrap this?
DL: Just wanna say thanks to you guys for asking me to do this interview, Everyone at Federal, Seventies, Vans, Chain Reaction, Quintin, DUB crew, The Trip Homies, everyone back home, Baz, Aaron Ross, Devon, Chase, Colt, my boy austin for hookin me up a place to stay. And Austin Texas for being fuckin amazin!

In name of SteelSmash, i would to like thank Dan Lacey for making this Interview possible, all the support he gave us!

Stay tunned for the next “SteelSmash’s Exclusive Interview”!