This is a big interview for both Robbie and myself. It’s obvious why it’s big for him. This is his first interview since the cataclysmic split from Fit that left the BMX world reeling. His former boss Chris Moeller has been vocal about his plans to continue on with Fit without Robbie – stopping short of publicly insulting Rob, but certainly being dismissive of Robbie’s contribution to Fit as a brand over the years. Robbie on the other hand, has remained silent about his feelings towards Moeller and has only allowed a trickle of information about his new brand, Cult, to reach the masses.
This is big for The Come Up and myself because Robbie speaking publicly on TCU before any other website or magazine is a clear sign of where the future of the BMX media lies; and you’re looking at it. Haters, rev your engines, fanboys, get your cumsock ready, the Cult trailer drops tomorrow.
So I’ll try to keep the first question simple and we can go from there; after so many years with Fit, what were your reasons for deciding to leave?
No fucking comment.
Okay then! I’m sure you actually have a lot to say on the topic. What’s keeping you from doing so? Moeller’s been interviewed here and there since you left Fit and hasn’t had the best things to say about you.
I don’t care what he says about me, I know my strengths and weaknesses, I don’t need him to tell me shit.
So in your book, is there bad blood between you two?
I hope not, I have not said any bad words about him what so ever, all I ask for is the same respect back.
Why did you wait til now to speak on record about leaving Fit? The rumors definitely swirled and you just kept quiet.
Whats done is done, after I left I had to get busy living and working on CULT, fuck the drama. Things are way better now.
You and the other guys left Fit literally what, 3 days after Interbike? I understand that that wasn’t the plan, and that you were planning to wait longer than that, what caused the shit to go down prematurely?
It’s so hard to explain without going in but Monday after Interbike I was pushed to my breaking point so it was done that quick.
When you left Fit you took Chase Dehart, Dakota, Chase Hawk and a couple flow dudes, Russ Barone and Trey Jones with you. Was there ever discussion of taking anyone else from Fit?
Definitely, but it comes down each riders situation, mortgages, families, bike shops, age… All of these come into play, some of the riders make good money on Fit so they are set… I’m all about the riders needs, that comes first so with that in mind is how the decisions played out. Floyd, Jon Peacy, Joe Vee and Steven Mack also came over and the full team list will be on www.cultcrew.com.
Russ Barrone is on pro right? I have heard rumors, and I’ve even been able to confirm some of them, that you spoke to some other heavy hitters about joining the team.
I think who ever is on CULT will be treated as a pro, regardless if they are am, flow or pro. We started the brand to take care of everyone involved to the best of our ability. You will hear more who gets on soon, it is a exciting time and some big names are definitely interested.
Another interesting departure that the kids out there might not have heard about or understood the relevance of was Neal Wood leaving to work on Cult with you. Neal was with S&M and Fit for a long time, what made him want to leave and what is he going to be doing over there with you?
Neal Wood and myself worked closely together on Fit, we had a good work flow going. Neal believes in CULT and everyone who is involved so he is a huge part of this. His departure from S and M proves what we are doing is real and we respect the hell out of him for coming on board. Basically one of the realest dudes I have ever met in BMX.
Having the Stay Fit DVD come out after you and the other guys left was definitely weird. It must have been strange for you too since you spent a whole year of your life working on it and you weren’t even affiliated with the brand anymore by the time people saw it. Are you still proud of the video?
I’m still proud of the riders that worked hard on it, that’s about it.The original edit that was shown at Interbike was really good and editing that version with Rich was super fun, Rich did a great job with what he had to work with.
There were rumors that Cult was going to be distributed by Greenhouse for a while there, and I know you guys were in talks… but ultimately you decided to start your own distribution, was that a hard decision to make and how come you made it?
Very hard,I respect the Greenhouse guys and like what they do, but I needed 100% of CULT to be in control of me and my team. It’s never easy to go it on your own, but it’s on now. You have to realize I left a brand I worked on for 10 years, it was my baby and leaving it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but to be doing CULT with people I love and feel are my family, and to have them get my back in this crazy time makes it all worth it.
There have been a ton of rumors about Jamie Thomas, Chris Cole and other skaters being involved in Cult, can you confirm or deny any of those claims?
I have known Jamie Thomas for a long time, he has always been a mentor in business for me. He has gone through a similar situation once before so he offered advice and possible wharehouse space. I wound up getting our own spot for CULT and his advice is much appreciated. Chris Cole is a friend and is homies with most of the team. He rides a bunch and we always session when time allows it. He wants to come on some trips so it’s time to get in the van and do the dam thing. We might make him pay for some gas, haha. Their involvement is more on a friendship level.
Are you planning on distributing any other brands through Cult? Can you speak on which ones yet?
Absolutely, I’m working details out with some like minded individuals and there are good things to come.
What products are you planning on dropping Cult with?
We received sample frames from FBM and Solid that are spot on.We also have bars, forks, stem ,sprocket and pegs that are all being ridden and tested by the team. The last couple of months have been busy between designing, sourcing, riding ad setting up the warehouse. Things are in place and we are ready to take orders and start shipping. Another cool aspect of CULT are the softgoods we started out with some cool printables and are receiving samples of a full line soon. Adam Roye did a awesome job on the art/graphics so the gear looks banging.
What made you decide to have the samples made by FBM and Solid? A lot of companies these days go straight to Taiwan for everything in production including samples. Are you considering having some of the actual products for sale be American made?
The orders are in at both FBM and Solid for production frames. I believe strongly in the frame building skills of Big Dave and Aaron Huff. I worked with Big Dave on the T1 PROGRESSION and he did a kickass job then and has only gotten better. I’ve known Huff for ever and always had a ton of respect for Solids craftmanship and products. CULT wanted to get frames done to support these awesome American made shops and offer Neal’s help in sourcing and design.The people at FBM and Solid are lifers and live BMX, we respect them to the fullest. Also the frames are not just the same shit, every single tube is different then what we did at Fit. Neal redid the tubing diameters, butt profile, bends, drops, standover height, bridges,the changes are mostly internal. CULT will release both FBM and Solid made frames in one model the whole team will ride. It is beefier and taller than what we have been riding and it is a welcomed change.
There’s been a bit of controversy about the name already. First some people were bothered because there’s a BMX zine by the same name. Then people were saying it was actually spelled Cvlt. How did you guys come up with the name and was there any truth to that alternate spelling?
The creation story of CULT is awesome, a few years ago myself and Adam Roye planned on doing a clothing company with him being the creative force behind it called CULT. I feel strongly about Adam’s talent and there is respect and loyalty to that. Around that time I got a part time TM job at FOX so I was unable to move forward with CULT and Adam. Adam continued on with CULT as a zine and some tees. Ironically, when Chase Hawk knew it was time for a change, he got us back in touch and now Adam is the creative force behind CULT as we move forward and do more than clothes. We will also keep doing the zine. As for CVLT it was just boring legal stuff, stuff I’m learning about, and are still working on.
Fit put out a lot of classic DVD’s over the years. Is that something you plan to do with Cult? Any other details you can give us about marketing you guys have planned?
CULT will make you think a bit, it will have less rules and be more free. Definitely planning a full length DVD. For starters we have THE COME UP exclusive web vid then we are going to put out a promo for the full length straight away.
To be honest, you seem like you have been in much better spirits since starting Cult. Has leaving Fit and going off on your own had a big effect on you as a person already?
Totally, less stress and I started riding alot more. It all seemed to come together naturally between the people involved and good vibes once I left. I’m not trying to be a pro rider, I love riding. Sessioning with the homies is the best. Without that there is no reason to do a brand ,you have to love it and be a lifer that is not going anywhere, regardless if someone tries to push you out.
You’ve done a million interviews in your years in BMX but this is definitely your first one since you’ve started this new chapter in your life. Thanks for letting us be a part of it… anyone you need to thank?
Real talk, the people that had my back when shit hit the fan, they went above and beyond and did not break when things got tough, for this I owe them everything. It’s cliche but you know who you are. Shouts to THE COME UP, this interview was hard to do without going off the deep end, hopefully it’s a good read.
Previously: Timmy Theus Skatepark Session| Cult Clubhouse Jam: Official Video.| Cult Clubhouse Jam.