By Static Live Magazine – Because we actually love Tony Hawk, even when the internet loses its collective mind.
Let’s get this out of the way:
We absolutely love Tony Hawk. Full stop.
Not just for landing the 900 or making skating look like art before social media was a thing, but for being that rare legend who’s also a genuinely good human. He’s never stopped repping the sport. Never sold out the roots. Always humble enough to poke fun at himself in those “You’re Tony Hawk?” stories.
So when the gaming internet lost its mind over the new Pro Skater 3+4 soundtrack? We were ready to listen to both sides—but you know we’re going to give Tony the benefit of the doubt.
🎮 The meltdown in question:
The remaster of Pro Skater 3+4 dropped, with reimagined levels, new skaters, slicker gameplay, but… only 10 songs from the original iconic soundtracks survived.
Cue the fan riots.
People who haven’t touched a skateboard in 15 years suddenly remembered they’re music critics. “WHERE’S ALIEN ANT FARM’S WISH?!” they cried into the void, as if they didn’t have Spotify.
And yeah—we get it. Those soundtracks weren’t just background noise. They defined the vibe. They were half the reason you kept replaying that level at 2am. Pro Skater soundtracks turned casuals into punk, hardcore, and hip-hop heads. It was like your friend’s cooler older brother made you a mixtape and then dared you to learn how to ollie.
🛹 Tony Hawk’s response? Classic.
In a BBC interview, Tony didn’t even flinch.
“I wasn’t the only decider,” he said, pointing out this was a group effort.
Because of course it was. Licensing songs in 2025 is like negotiating world peace.
Still, he didn’t just sit back and let the suits pick filler tracks.
“I did manage to throw a couple of bands in that I was stoked on—Fontaines D.C., Idles.”
Hell yes. Because if anyone’s earned the right to curate, it’s Tony freaking Hawk.
He made sure seven artists from the OG soundtracks returned with new songs—KRS-One, Agent Orange, De La Soul, Iron Maiden. That’s continuity and fresh discovery.
“Not everyone agreed,” Tony admitted. But his logic? Keep it fresh. Introduce people to something new. That was always part of the point.
And he’s right. The original games were basically an underground radio show with a controller.
🎵 Alien Ant Farm wasn’t happy.
They told fans they were “disappointed” about “Wish” being left out.
Tony’s diplomatic as ever:
“We’re trying to make room for new acts and new songs. Nothing personal. Fire it up on your streaming service if you’re so inclined.”
Translation: It’s 2025. You have the internet. You can still listen to your faves.
🏁 Bottom Line?
Look, change is hard. Especially for us aging skaters and gamers whose knees are shot and whose favorite soundtracks got us through high school.
But the skating’s still there. That rebellious, inclusive, DIY, screw-your-corporate-rules spirit is still there.
The music? It’ll evolve. That’s what scenes do. Gamers who loved the old tracks will learn to love the new ones. New players will discover old bands. It’s all part of the ride.
Because at the end of the day? It’s not just the soundtrack that made these games legendary. It’s the skating. And that community is still solid.
And Tony Hawk? He’s still the GOAT. No argument.
Want to discover music and see it live instead of just yelling at your TV?
Download the Static Live Music Calendar App—serving Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Flagler Beach and expanding soon.
📱 Find local shows. Support real bands. Mosh in real life. Available on iOS & Android.