Revolution (James): Murder One Urethane - who is behind M1?

Wally (M1): Franky Morales, Myself, and John Smith. Who really is the reason that M1 Truly exists. In the beginning we had a group of investors that were all about the concept and at the last minute due to other issues had to pull out of the project. After that Franky and I could only come up with a portion of the money to keep our concept alive. John then stepped in and made it happen. As a partnership it works out great. Every decision we make is 2 out of 3. Franky and I handle the production and the team. Then John handles the financials.

Revolution (James): With all the wheel companies out there, you came out with some unique products right from the beginning. What is the purpose behind M1?

M1 (Wally): The whole purpose behind M1 has always been to give kids a better product and to use the technology that is available in other industries in ours.

Revolution (James): The wheel colors really stand out. I think the timing was right for M1 - no one was really doing colored wheels. What made you go in that direction for M1?

M1 (Wally): Before Franky and I had even thought to start M1 we were at our local skate park and we looked at the rollerblade case and all we saw were natural and white wheels. Then we looked at the skateboard case you saw every color under the sun and we just said one thing "Someone should make colored wheels”. If there was a moment when the seed was planted for us to start a company that was it, because that was when the conversation proceeded into " We should do it."

Revolution (James): I admire how you keep M1 fresh. You produce limited edition runs of wheels. At times you make a conscious decision to match certain “pro skates” that are on the market. For example, Franky’s black/gold wheel to match his Remz, then Damien’s green wheel to match the latest Xsjado DL Skeleton. What inspired you to do these limited ed. runs of wheels?

M1 (Wally): When everything we were founded on was customization, it only made sense to produce wheels that match the current skates at the time but it actually has to come from the mouth of the rider. All our riders pick their own graphics and color scheme. The biggest thing for me is if they are juiced on there wheels and want to rock.

Revolution (James): You are also very close to your team, and it’s pretty evident that you value their input. Who are those representing M1?

M1 (Wally): The team is the most important asset we have. All of us through out the company feel that the team is responsible for growing this business as fast as we have over the past 2 years. The people that represent M1 are the local riders that believe in what we are trying to do for the sport. Right now the Pro team consists of Franky Morales, Rachard Johnson, Damien Wilson, Dominic Sagona. The Am team is Joey Chase, Jeph Howard and Franco Cammayo. At Bittercold Showdown, we will be announcing a new Pro team rider.

Revolution (James): You’re going to release a “new rider” at the Bittercold Showdown - I know it’s a secret, but what can we expect to see at your booth in Ohio?

M1 (Wally): During the stage time at 12:30 we will announce the new rider and after we will have the official release of their new pro wheel. We will also be debuting the Damien Wilson III Pro wheel. Damien and the new rider will both be signing in the booth during different times and of course Franky along with some of the other will be around there too.

Revolution (James): The M1 Video had a few RFCC nominations for your team rider’s video sections. Are you planning on doing another team video for M1 this year? X-Rated was also out here in Arizona recently, Gretchen and I really like him, would he be your man again to do the video?

M1 (Wally): We have actually started scripting it but right now the honest answer is I don't know!!!! All the riders and X-Rated have sooooo many projects going on it's hard to say. When we do it is going to be next level stuff though and I am excited to do it. The new rider is going to bring a lot to the table, as well as doing a Renegade edit in it, and hopefully doing some traveling oversees for it.

Revolution (James): Moving right along, you created a company that goes hand in hand with wheels - Renegade Bearings. What was the motivation to start Renegade?

M1 (Wally): Last year at Bittercold was when we actually decided that we wanted to add another brand we just weren't sure what it was going to be. Then it was actually a phone conversation that Damien and I had over the lack of quality, price point products in our industry. So that is where we decided bearing made the most sense to go with wheels.

Revolution (James): Alex has been here in Arizona for the past 2 weeks, he’s been promoting Renegade to the skaters here. Kids are feeling the bearings, but it’s still a relatively new company. What makes Renegade different from the rest?

M1 (Wally): The price point is the biggest thing. The aggressive market has never had a bearing of this quality sell for this kind of price and that is what the whole concept was founded on.

Revolution (James): Who are those on the team?

M1 (Wally): Alex Broskow, obviously Franky Morales, Damien Wilson, Julian Bah, and Nick Wood.

Revolution (James): Wally, I’m glad that you’re involved with Rollerblading. We admire all that you do. Revolution is always down to support your companies. What are your plans for 2007 for M1 and Renegade? Last words - ?

M1 (Wally): For M1 there will be a new line of wheels coming out over the next few months with all new compounds that we have been testing over the past 6 months. The wheel will keep all the grip but double the life. The new riders wheel will be the first with the new compound. For Renegade we will have Pro Model Bearings coming out over the course of the year starting with the Broskow and the Morales. The bearings will totally be built to there specifications.

This Year we will also be going heavier in video distribution. We will be distributing the Santee Video "FILTH" which I am really excited about. I could never turn down an opportunity to work with the boys from Santee and to get involved with this project in the beginning. It should be out in April. We will also be doing "Fantastic Puncher" from Hopscotch in Japan. It is a film from Schusei Baba that made "Bloodstained Concrete”. It is amazing and Japans spots amaze me every time I see them. That should be in stores in late March.

Then In June X-Rated's Video will be out I have seen a lot of the footage and it is going to be nothing short of crazy. Joey Chase's section is going to be hammers start to finish.