The Hawkman Cometh

If you skated in the '80s or saw the recent film Stoked, then it should be apparent that Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam is basically the Swatch Impact Tour on angel dust and without the sporty plastic watches. The BBHJ has top professional skateboarders blasting even bigger airs (compare the HuckJam's million-dollar thirteen-foot vert ramp to the puny ten-foot-or-so Impact ramp), more pro BMXers (compared to the lone BMXer the Impact Tour had), even more questionable music -- and motocross dudes rocketing airs over the ramp that the BMXers and skaters are shredding. While it's nearly impossible nowadays to keep lame corporate sponsors from creeping into these events, at least the HuckJam doesn't have Blink 182 or freestyle Rollerbladers.

Top-name skaters compose the -- ahem -- roster of talent. Of course Tony'll be there (with a Pizza Bite in one hand, a milk mustache on his mug and the storied "900" lurking in his bag of tricks), and joining him are fellow skateboarders Andy MacDonald, Lincoln Ueda, Sergie Ventura and the amazing Bob Burnquist. Dave Mirra, Kevin Robinson, John Parker, Simon Tabron and Matt Hoffman will handle BMX duties, while Carey Hart, Clifford Adoptante, Ronnie Faisst and Dustin Mill-er kick dirt around on their motorbikes.

It was simply the bee's knees when Devo appeared on some of last year's stops; unfortunately, nobody even remotely as cool will be providing this year's soundtrack. That duty goes to the Anarchy Ensemble, who will be performing "extended instrumental versions of classic punk and alternative tunes," and DJ Aero, who has worked with such artists as Snoop Dogg and Korn. Legendary BMXer Rick Thorne will be emceeing the event, so maybe he'll get sick of yappin' and start pedalin' instead -- either way, he'll put on a good show.