WINTER 2010 Issue
damienmatter.com [visual thinker.]
CONTENTS
CONTRIBUTORS / 5 / ED’S LETTER / 6 / ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS / TIKA 8 - 10 / GRAFFITI 11 - 21 / PROFILE EWOK 22 - 25 / PROFILE ELANA MULLALY 26 - 27 / ANDY HARWOOD 28 - 29 / LOVE CALLED CRIME 30 - 31 / FASHION / M.I.S.S 32 - 33 / KEITH HARING X HOUSE OF FIELD 34 / JEEPNEY 35 / MOST OFFICIAL BITCHES 36 - 37 / MISS WAX 38 - 39 / MONT LA ROC 40 / YOURS TRULY 41 / KEEP THE STREETS EMPTY FOR ME 48 - 53 / CHILDS PLAY 54 - 59 / A WOMANS WORK 60 - 65 / BUBBLE P.O.P ELECTRIC 66 - 69 / BROOKLYN BATTLES 70 - 71 / AROUND THE WAY GIRL 72 -73 / SOUNDS / I SURVIVED AN 80S AGGRO BAND 74 - 77 / FUNKSHONE 78 -79 / PRIZED POSSESSIONS 82 -83 / COMMENTARY / WHO IS JASON BERMAS? 84 - 85 / STRESSAHOLICS ANONYMOUS 86 /
STAFF Founder / Editor-In-Chief: Natasha Dunstan / info@hellyeahmag.com Graphic Designer: Damien Matter / damienmatter.com Features Editor: Natasha Dunstan Staff Photographers / Hell Yeah launch photos: Vicki Craddock, Luke Shirlaw, Callie Marshall Fashion Stylists: irena, Kelly B, Sarah Birchley, Natasha Dunstan, Liz Baca Hell Yeah BFFs/ bloggers: irena, Elzee, Chanel, Callie, Cheyenne, Tash, AC, Eve Columnists: Reks, Tabatha McGurr, Suzy Lou, Michael King Staff Writers: Felicite Pryor-Kang, Sharline Spice, Lady Venz, DJ NoMc, Raman Groom, Mark Wong, Paul Murphy, Madboots Morgan, DJ Skeme Richards, Byron Campbell, Rogan, Amala Groom, Emma Jane Contributors: Conan Whitehouse, M.I.S.S., DTS, Mike Schreiber, Rosy One, Berman Fenelus, Mick La Rock / Guest Layout: Tika Proof consultant: Alicia Coleman Advertising Co-ordinator: Eve Sousa [+ 61 416723475] Publisher: Dr. Byron Campbell Website: Christian Alfieri Logos: Rogan Rules, Ewok For advertising enquiries, please contact: info@hellyeahmag.com or call: + 61 405914305 + 61 416723475 HELL YEAH MAGAZINE PO BOX 1330 Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006 Australia
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contributors
Callie Marshall is a
Damien Matter is the sole
With an A/D in Fashion Design
Kelly B. is the founder and
photographer who hails from
graphic designer and artistic
still pretty fresh up her sleeve and
creative director of ladies fashion the things she loves: creative
Byron Bay but now works and
director of Hell Yeah Magazine.
skills & experience in many ar-
label “Princess of the Posse”
expression and people’s old
studies out of Brisbane. She is
He’s also a fine artist who has
eas of the industry, this individual
and a freelance fashion stylist.
clothes. If she isn’t fussing over
currently in her fourth year of
exhibited his work throughout
creative will (and very excusably)
Residing in Harlem NY, she is the tying the perfect bow, she’s
a Bachelor of Photography at
the East Coast of Australia and
have her cake and eat it too! With
Mami of Kimani Dior with baby
the Queensland College of Arts
has been writing graffiti since the her heart and head to back up her
#2 on the way. We love that Kelly Goods! (aka vintage clothing).
majoring in Photojournalism.
late 90s. Cooking shows, burning
madness it only makes sense let-
is also a strong believer in staying She’s the co-founder of the on-
Three things that make Callie
incense & Wu Tang 36 chambers
ting those thoughts translate onto
true to her artistic vision!
costume and one-off couture! Keep
Mi familia, skin care products and (missomnimedia.com) and her
go hell yeah: Nudity, surfing and make Damien go Hell Yeah!
Liz Baca has made a life of
hunting and gathering The
line women’s fashion site M.I.S.S.
honest people.
Keep up to date with his artistic
up to date on the Hell Yeah blog
Wu-tang [again] make her go
vintage booty can be seen on
www.calliemarshall.com
endeavours at
or at www.irena.com.au. Things
Hell Yeah!
www.gottagetthegoods.com
www.damienmatter.com
that literally make her scream Hell
www.princessoftheposse.com Really BIG earrings, thrift stores
Yeah are “..my bitches, brains and
and dancing with her man make
beers!”.
Liz go Hell Yeah!
Luke Shirlaw likes to shoot first Mike Schreiber is a self-taught Meet Rogan, Hell Yeah logo and ask questions later – and then New York photographer with
creator and cartoonist. Rogan
shoot some more. His subjects,
a degree in anthropology from
lives in Brisbane and likes to
stricken with the terminal illness
the University of Connecticut.
drink apple juice. Rogan eats
of real life, would prefer to be shot His humanistic approach to life
oranges every morning with
and transformed into something
said juice.
is reflected in mostly black and
else. For this issue he put a bunch white photographs, providing an Rogan makes doodles and of people against a wall and stole
unparalleled aesthetic viewpoint. occasionally gets money for
their souls, and he’s not giving
His photos capture the true
them. Rogan would like to
them back, sorry. Fried chicken,
essence of cultural life and
meet YOU someday.Sex, Drugs
Pepsi Max and Frank Sinatra
perspective with an end result
& Rock’n’Roll make Rogan go
make Luke go Hell Yeah!
that is refined yet undeniably
Hell Yeah.
www.yoblooddiamonds.
honest in its raw and gritty tone. www.roganrules.com
blogspot.com
He’s currently working on a show of photos he shot in Ghana and has a new book titled ‘True Hip Hop’ scheduled for release this August. Puppies, coffee and big bootys make Mike go Hell Yeah!
Raman Groom has blessed pretty much every decent Australian hip hop release for the last ten years or so with his super fresh delivery and intelligent lyrics. When he’s not skating or researching the New World Order, you can catch him on facebook with his hilarious social commentary. This issue, Raman interviewed the Info-warrior, Jason Bermas about alternative media. The new Pharaohe Monch LP, seeing Kobe kill Lebron’s championship dreams and the bank heist scene in Michael Mann’s ‘Heat’ make Raman go Hell Yeah!
Cheyenne Sarfati is the dopest makeup artist ever! She did the makeup for the Around the Way Girl and the Child’s Play shoots. I know we featured her in last issue’s contributors page but fuck it, we’re going to miss her when she goes back to the states next year, so we featured her again! Coffee, sweet dreams and swinging in the park on an Autumn day make Chy go Hell Yeah. www.readtheselips.net
www.mikeschreiber.com
.5.
ED’S LETTER
Yo, yo yo, It’s the Pop art Issue! Hell Yeah Magazine lives, breathes and loves all that is pop culture and when I think of Pop art, I think of artists like Keith Haring and the use of primary colours, black outlines, spots, stars and stripes as seen in Lichtenstein and Warhol’s work- a massive influence on early graffiti and graffiti today. Pop art, along with graffiti, is the art movement of the twentieth century, characterised by themes and techniques drawn from popular, mass culture such as advertising, comics and mundane cultural objects. Pop art, aimed to employ images of popular as opposed to elitist culture in art, emphasising the banal or kitschy elements of any given culture, most often through the use of irony. So what could be a better theme for our second issue? Thanks to Rogan and Love Called Crime for blessing us with their comics, staying true to the theme, and I’m stoked the stylists had so
much fun also running with the theme in the fashion pages as they did such an amazing job! We had great feedback on last issue’s street fashion shoots so we have given you more of what you want this issue, including three of them shot in New York City as well as some shot locally of course. Everyone loves and rocks the humble t-shirt so we asked a bunch of our most intriguing and creative friends to be photographed in their favourite tees, all the while drinking copious amounts of alcohol, resulting in a super-fun day. This issue we also profile some fresh, underground visual artists like Tika, Andrew Harwood and Hell Yeah’s own Elana Mullaly as well as more dope graffiti from around the globe, including an exclusive spotlight on Australia’s most notorious crew, Def Threats and an in-depth interview with New York’s Ewok. Plus the music interviews, label spotlights, Hell Yeah BFFs, some kick-ass photography
.6.
and social commentary you would expect from us, if you’ve been following the blog, which we update daily. Okaaaaay, so I know It’s no longer a free magazine, (and this issue’s a lil’ late) but we hope you understand, continue to support us and enjoy the ride! Make sure you add us on Facebook to keep updated with Hell Yeah and feel free to send in your contributions and ideas for Issue 3. Oh, and if you don’’t see Hell Yeah stocked at your local gallery, record, fashion, paint or sneaker stores, hit them up to get in contact with us! Or, you can always get your hands on copies through our mail-order at www.hellyeamag.com Cheers and beers, TASH
.7.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
TIKA IS HELVETIKA, TOURISTIKA, CHAOTIKA, EKLEKTIKA, BOOMBASSTIKA, ELASTIKA, NEUROTIKA, AKUSTIKA, BATIKA, VATIKAN, AUTOMATIKA, OPTIKA, ROMANTIKA, ANARCHISTIKA, EROTIKA, PRAKTIKA, ANIMALISTIKA, ENERGETIKA, FRUTIKA, ATLANTIKA, FANATIKA, AUTISTIKA, OPTIMISTIKA, RIOTIKA, EXOTIKA, SYMPATIKA, ANTIBIOTIKA... Swiss born street artist Tika offers the world a slew of characters. They are the beautiful offspring of native art mixed with permanent marker. With open eyes you can meet TIKA in the streets of various cities over the world. Painted in black and white, sometimes brown or yellow, fluorescent red, gold, mint, lilac or what ever colours emerge when the top layer of a surface gets scratched away. Painted and sprayed on walls, doors, wood boards, as well as on floors, ceilings and around corners. Always interacting with the space and communicating with the architecture, integrated with lots of textures and materials found on the street but also drawn on thin paper, cut out and collaged with other materials, pasted carefully on the place where it’s made for....
.8.
TASH TIKA.
speaks to the artist behind the world that is
Where did you grow up and what was your early impressions of graffiti? I grew up in Zürich, Cologne, Cairo and Brussels. Since I was a child I was very impressed by all wall paintings, advertising, graffiti and store lettering. I still have a drawing of when I was about 4 or 5 where I copied the fonts of the cigar box I had my pencils in. Is your name derived from TIKI? identify with island culture?
Do you
No. It’s from «Antibiotika», antibiotics in german. I was sick alot. Fuckin’ angina! Naive, native arts in general I find super interesting. Tika is also the red spot people from India paint on their forehead mostly called tikal. The third eye. My characters are influenced by the aztecs, from when I was working in Mexico City for some time. When and where did you start writing? My first graffiti influenced stickers i put up in 1998 and the first bombing i did in 2002. The first self drawn circus posters I glued on the streets of my village was when I was about 8. The fat-nosed faces I do since 2003 and TIKA since 2004. Most of my things are in Berlin but my family and close friends are in Zürich. At the same time in the same place every year I spend time in Rio de Janeiro.
Have you had any formal training in the arts? I have done one year of fine arts. After that a year of basic studies and then visual communication. All very computer/print based which was cool cause I produced alot of flyers for the squats where I was living the last few years. Most of the techniques I use nowadays I learned by doing. This is the Pop Art issue....what are your thoughts on Pop Art and how did this movement influence you? As a teenager Pop Art was my favourite art. It made me go to the museum alot. I was living in Cologne and the Museum Ludwig had a special exposition about Pop Art. It’s renowned for a large collection of Warhol and Lichtenstein. Warhol had a great personality but it took me some time to understand and like his work and him as a public figure. In the past ten years I’ve lived in huge spaces with my friends where we have our studios and our illegal bars and clubs. When i saw the movie Factory Girl, seeing all the spaces where he lived made me understand him more. Keith Haring I liked as a kid but now I find it a bit too comic and simple although he’s the master of merchandise which i find impressive! Basquiat i adore, as a person as well as his works. Arrows, clouds, spots, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck jump in my mind but also graffiti and Hello Kitty. For me these are symbols for comics and graphic design which is a base of Pop Art.
What else do you like to do for fun? Deejaying, digging for music, dancing, riding & building bikes, swimming, surfing, jumping from high bridges, snowboarding, interneting, cooking, eating, talking intresting things, drinking, sleeping and loving... Do you get permission for your work or go out and paint wherever, whenever you like? Mostly wherever whenever but with permission usually I get asked. It’s super rare that I go ask and when I think of the times I got permission by asking, I ended up not painting the spot. What inspires you? Showering, riding my bike or the train, sitting somewhere staring at a hole in the sky, drawing on the bus, beautiful views, my realistic movie-like dreams, life, people, conversations, markets, one dollar stores, cleaning supplies, hardware stores, workspaces of mechanics, old people who are in their own world but also books, google and other artists. What countries have you travelled to paint? Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, United States, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Tchekoslovakia, Bulgaria, Turky, China and Thailand. Tell us about your best painting experience? There are so many bests, all definately connected to nice experiences with people. Something special was to paint an abandoned football
.9.
Tell us 3 things that make you go hell yeah! -When you’re in a crowd that is going crazy, feeling the bass of a really good track so strong that it even vibrates in your nose! -When you open the first beer after a successful adrenaline kicking painting session. -When you do your first tour on a new/rebuilt bike you were working on for some days/weeks without anything to change anymore.
stadium that we had occupied for some days in Zurich or last winter with minus degrees on a scaffold 20m high next to train tracks in Hamburg or when I went painting the canalisation of Sao Paulo or the first day of the squat patio maravilhoso in Madrid! My first train, which was in pouring rain and with one of my best friends... My worst was when corrupt brazilian cops kept on driving around Rio with me for hours at night when I was just walking around with cans not even painting. They made alot of very scary jokes and made me pay quite some cash. I also frequent abandoned rotten buildings. Once I did not see a hole in the floor because there were so many bushes and I nearly impaled myself on a tree. I went to see the doctor that night because I was thinking of internal bleeding but it’s ok. I just have a half moon scar on my stomach now. What are your plans for your art in the future? Keeping on like I did the last few years probably getting to show in places where I haven’t been yet. Trying out different stuff and trying to stay true to myself but keep an open mind and stay flexible and start over from zero if necessary. Still painting when my teeth are already in a glass next to me and my legs in a wheelchair and my head dizzy from being old!
.10.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
GRAFFITI CANT BE STOPPED!
.11.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
BATES - DENMARK
.12.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
BLONDE - FRANCE
.13.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
.14.
.15.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
.16.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
MOTEL 7 - SOUTH AFRICA
.17.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
SMART - MEXICO
.18.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
SKARY 13 - AUSTRALIA
.19.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
.20.
.21.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
INTERVIEW: DJ SKEME RICHARDS
a youth [throughout the 90’s]: the calibre of writer; a
level that made a lot of the earlier writers jealous, and
certain look of the graffiti I wanted to do. The masses
[they were] quick to call people out as the token “art
It couldn’t have been a worse Saturday to drive
in 2010 are no longer relevant. What I mean is, the
school writers” because they weren’t old enough to
to New York. Snow was pounding the roads,
type of graffiti I looked up to is no longer a style that
be around to paint trains in the 80’s and then weren’t
and the highway was definitely borderline scary.
the younger generation, or even the older generation
able to execute a lot of the things being done at the
However, I braved the trip because I knew that
revisiting the can, seem to care about anymore. Now
time. Something should be said, though, of the earlier
a conversation with the legendary Ewok was
they’re too concerned with doing the skinniest lines,
generation writers that still had the love to evolve and
guaranteed gold. Below includes our talk in
or Photoshop-like rendering techniques, with no focus
stay up. That’s commendable.
its entirety, complete with honesty, gems, and
on any real lettering structure. And if you mention the
advice. Dare I say it, even I was impressed with
idea of style, there’s a misusage and complete loss of
What are the differences and/or
the man’s insights. And if you know me at all, you
understanding. A ton of arrogance is involved in the
similarities between the Ewok5mh that
know that means listen up!
rebuttal, but the overall common ground of what is real
designs canvases and toys, versus the
“style”, and what is just trendy bells and whistles is
Ewok5mh that goes out and bombs?
What inspired Mr. Ewok to become who you
more present. Ahhh, that’s good question my friend. I was hoping
are today and what inspires you now to
I looked up to what the 80’s writers would consider
this interview wouldn’t be boring questions.... The
the new jacks of the 90’s. Of course I looked up to
Ewok5mh designer/ artist is very much the daytime,
Well strangely, something I notice more and more
80’s writers as well, but I think by the time the 90’s
Peter Parker type who pays close attention to how
these days are the things that I always aspired to as
rolled around, the quality and bar had been raised to a
things are done, and who is meticulously mathematical
move forward?
.22.
about execution, and has spent years honing his craft
rock band. Graffiti writers identities should be invisible,
paint all these weird faces of old people doing strange
to be as savvy and create a product as top notch as
a mystic allowing their work to speak for them.
things?” and most recently, “My father would never buy
possible....The bombing side is something actually
How easy was the transition from street
art like that, you should paint pretty girls or something
rarely described because I choose not to promote
artist to people actually wanting to own
happier”. I have to admit, through my 20’s this battle
that side and with todays media, anyone can come
a piece of your work? Did you have to “dumb
inside my head was hard to decide what direction to go,
out and bomb for a month and promote themselves
down” your work to be accepted?
but I keep getting pulled back to doing the weird shit
as the almighty street killer for the next 6 years, with
that I like. These days I feel it’s a delicate balance of
their 20 photos on constant message board rotation,
Man, you’re hittin’ me with heat Skeme, good shit! Well
making me happy and still giving something that can be
with a persona of dangerously living the thug life,
I’m still playing tug of war within myself at times as to
digested. It’s enough to drive me crazy....
going out every single night, dissing someone with a
what kind of art I do even today. If I do something that
history for some quick attention - you know the routine.
I feel is 100% me, it can easily fly over most viewers
I recently saw the Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA,
But someone like myself will be pigeonholed into a
heads, or just be too much to digest. Along the way
and thought “Wow, this guy’s been doing his own weird
category of a colourful “piecer guy” when the truth is,
I realised that if I want to be successful, I must find
shit for years, and people love it! I bet no one told him,
I have a strong love of getting up, and do it wherever I
a middle ground where two things happen, One, I’m
“hey Tim, your stuff is too dark; why don’t you draw
go. I can execute anything street level probably better
content with what I’m creating, and I don’t feel like I’m
unicorns and butterflies?” I just felt like his audience
than the majority of “street bombers” who couldn’t do
dumbing things out too much just for some acceptance
just gets him. And he’s successful at what he does.
a decent piece if their life depended on it. I do what I
and two, I realised that I prefer doing more complicated
And I think you could relate it to Jay-Z when he said,
do at my own pace, when I want to, and where I wanted
things than the average art viewer would comprehend,
“I wanna rhyme like Common Sense, but I did 5 Mill,
for almost 20 years straight. I’m not doing what I do to
so I need to feed them something their brain can digest.
I haven’t rhymed like Common since.” His audience
impress anyone with it; I do it ‘cuz I enjoy seeing it up.
I must do that, or the viewer will just walk past it and
would drop him and go listen to Lil’ Wayne if he was the
attach themselves to the next artist who they can relate
same rapper he was when he was when he was rapping
The “piecer” title I get [is a classification] I’m not
to. So on top of all it, you have to realise there are some
with Big L.
even mad at; it’s something a writer should aspire to.
people who just have bad taste; no matter if I meet
It allows me to stay below the radar and not get the
them halfway, they still just won’t get it. I’ve exhibited
You’ve worked with various companies
cops pissed off to come after me. This also allows me
at gallery venues where I’ve sat and anonymously
producing toys, clothing etc.... How do
to be at my walls sometimes 3 days straight and not
watched people try to understand my work. Some
you choose which ones are right for
be harassed by authorities. I tell this to any of my
get it right away and look deep into it, while others
collaborating with?
associates that I paint with: “you can’t live both lives,
have sat there talking to me, trying so hard to think of
you gotta pick a side”. If you wanna be a bomber, do it,
something or another artist they can compare my work
I try to see whether or not the company is really about
but you can’t expect to hang out in the summer at walls
to. In their mind I see their need to feel like they can
creating one-of-a-kind creations with the art in mind not
and not expect to get grabbed up, and you will also have
relate it to something prior. I think this is how the brain
just the idea of making something and cashing back
to keep your identity anonymous, and your affiliation to
works, by comparing things. A successful anything
in. I’ve worked with a few different toy companies, and
other people private. On the flip side, if you want to be
only happens when it comes along but is able to be tied
although I have created a few really amazing figures
Joe piecer guy, you can’t go out and wreck everything
back to something else the brain is already familiar
over the years, I have still yet to find a company that
and basically shit where you eat, and be posting the
to. That’s when the light bulb goes off and they say
fully gets me and is willing to get behind me and give
pictures all over the web or going to all the gallery
“Ahh, I get it”. Also I believe people fear what they can’t
me creative freedom to do the kind of figures that
shows taking pictures with people.
understand.
would open up new realms in the industry. I still feel
Leave that shit for the retirees. If you have a need to fill some narcissistic desire, go act in movies, or start a
like Volkswagon is hiring Mercedes Benz to come and I’ve also had people ask me things like “Why do you
design a paint job on their VW body. I also feel that
.23.
I’VE ALSO HAD PEOPLE ASK ME THINGS LIKE “WHY DO YOU PAINT ALL THESE WEIRD FACES OF OLD PEOPLE DOING STRANGE THINGS?” unless a new company looks at my work and says “Yo
which was first made for a T-shirt graphic and a custom
shit. But as for an interior design firm? Nah, but if the
we get it, let’s do THAT stuff”, then unfortunately I
skateboard painting.
job is right I will do the work... as long as the project is
think my time in that industry may have run its course.
a timeless work of art when I walk out the door.
I don’t like to make lateral moves. If it’s not forward,
YOU’VE TOURED THE GLOBE NOT ONLY TO PAINT
then I rather not repeat things, [as] it becomes too
BUT TO HAVE YOUR WORKS SHOWN IN GALLERIES.
YOUR STYLE IS VERY UNIQUELY YOU, AND SOME
predictable. Same goes for any industry I work with.
WHAT CITY OR COUNTRY WAS THE MOST EXCITING
SAY THAT BITING IS A SIGN OF FLATTERY, BUT I’VE
AND HAD THE MOST ENERGY?
SEEN VARIOUS WORKS WITH YOUR STYLE THAT
YOUR HORSLINGTON FIGURE MADE ITS DEBUT AT
OBVIOUSLY YOU HAD NOT DONE. HOW DO YOU
COMIC-CON AND SOLD OUT PRETTY QUICK, WHAT
I loved Japan, and how my senses were on overload
FEEL ABOUT THE BOOTLEG ARTISTRY THAT’S GOING
WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND DESIGNING THIS
for about three days straight. It was a complete
ON WITH YOUR WORK?
FIGURE?
culture shock, but I also felt like I went back in time to the 70’s when going to Indonesia, [because of] the
Ah yes, the inevitable situation about biting vs.
Comic-Cons are really fun, with a lot going on at once.
advertisements on billboards and the design elements
flattery.... I believe in doing things out of homage, to
But [they are] really a strong tool for anyone in that
in the store windows, etc. Every time I travel, it’s very
where I think there is no hidden motive to what you’re
industry where people really appreciate artists, be it
energising to me, I really couldn’t say one trip being
doing. You are obviously showing respect to someone.
in comics, painters, toy designers. Even actors and
better then any other. They are all different for different
But I think when people bite something from myself
directors, can go and have Q&A sessions with fans.
reasons. I love to travel everywhere. I love to not have
or anyone even, their intentions are to not get caught,
It’s a great thing. I mean, probably close to a hundred
my cell phone work when I go; just peace and quiet,
and reap all the reward. In my opinion, that is where
thousand people! I’ve had great revelations just seeing
and soaking up the culture wherever I am. And taking
the problem lies. Today, there are no checks and
what happens at some of these events!
pictures, I take tons of pictures.
balances when it comes to biting. When I was coming
I don’t know if I’ve ever told anyone this, but two things
I CAUGHT SOME PICS OF YOUR WORK AT THE
originality was praised in high regards. These days
that resulted in that figure are watching two interesting
LIBRARY BAR IN TIMES SQUARE, CAN WE EXPECT
you have people who think they deserve a high praise
movies back to back: Terry Gilliam’s TIME BANDITS
YOU TO BRANCH OUT AND HAVE AN EWOK
yet they haven’t done what it takes to be praised in
and then Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR. In both movies
INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM IN THE FUTURE?
such a manner. They also give off an attitude, because
up, it was an embarrassment to be caught biting. And
they believe their acts of biting are hidden enough so
there are these warriors that seem to have dead animals heads made into helmets. Instead of being functionally
Ha ha! I don’t think so. I did that gig with an old friend
that noone notices, and they put on the facade that
relevant, they just seemed demonic and creepy, most
of mine, FACT INC. DF has his own design firm, and
they’ve reached a plateau where they didn’t bite. Every
likely to scare off any opposition. So I began to draw
from time to time he’ll pull me in to execute some
month there are new trends that the herd flocks to. I
my own warrior with a decomposing horse head as a
powerful jobs where my input and art style can lend
think this is a perfect opportunity to pull a quote from
helmet; while doing that I also remembered a painting
to the outcome. That was a fun gig at the legendary
a great prophet of our time: “My mind sees through
Simon Bisley once did for a comic book cover where
Paramount Hotel on 46th St. a super fun job to do. We
your design like blind fury” - The great Nasir Jones of
I think he painted a decomposed horse head stuck
ended up snooping around underground, and found a
Queens Bridge, New York.
in a barb wire fence, so from memory I was trying to
whole section of the hotel abandoned under the street
capture that distinctly offensive look of a dead horse as
level. It felt like we were wandering into the 1930’s
I look at people’s graffiti now like the guy in the
a warriors helmet. Hence my own warrior was born,
during prohibition, with entire performance halls and
Matrix looking at all the jibberish flying by on the
the HORSELINGTON (horse-ling-ton) character,
architecture of yesteryear. Really cool underground
computer screen. At a glance I can see where people
.24.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURTS
are chomping from and I can also tell what is and isn’t
paint for me first, it’s something I think I need to do
that anyone who sees me in my studio would either
fitting in with his own personal style. That’s another
for me. It makes me feel good; it’s my escape from
think Im a schitzo or I got a broken Ipod that plays
huge issue: the chemistry of two non-complimenting
painful things I deal with inside me. Some people go on
genres out of order. But yeah, I really love music, and
styles. It’s the worst when you have someone biting
drinking binges, I go on working binges, be it painting
don’t know how I would survive without it.
something that doesn’t match that person’s identity.
or my other work in general. Keeping busy keeps me
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?
You have people who go through their whole career
alive and sane.
emulating a style of graffiti, and not being that kind
I have a respect for some Fututra 2000 items I’ve
of writer in real life. For example, I met these writers
That said, I can only create so much given the hours
acquired over the years. I’ve collected Wayne Scott and
from California who did these great renditions of
in the day, so it isn’t the easiest thing to acquire an
Coronet Mock Necks, Cazals. These days I find myself
what I would call a NYC style of lettering, with B-Boy
actual painting from me, although money talks and
acquiring art to hang in my home. I especially enjoy
characters next to their pieces and all that, but when
bullshit walks. At least until I win the lottery.... I do
drawings on paper from other artists. My father would
I met them and picked them up at their house one
however have lower price point things to offer, like my
say “I collect sea shells, but I keep them on display
morning to go paint during one of my visits to L.A it
screen print releases, or figures, or the occasional shirt
scattered on all the beaches around the world”.
would turn out that these same writers were these laid
design. These are things one can own if they enjoy
back surfer dudes who would have been eaten alive if
my art, but can’t necessarily buy an original piece of
dropped in the South Bronx. There’s nothing wrong
artwork. Not everyone is meant to own original art.
with being a Venice type surfer by any means, but I
Only people who truly appreciate my work should be
Personally I’m all about the proof, but the way the
think your lettering style should be a self portrait of
able to own something. I’m very possessive about my
media world is today, you have to manipulate hype in
your personality, so this was obviously weird to me.
paintings because of how much work I put into each
your favour at times. Complete ignorance to this will
On the other side of the country you have New York
piece and I will in a heart beat turn down a sale if I feel
leave you stressed and starving. It’s a survival tool.
writers who only seem to do Cali style pieces. That
the persons interests are in just stock piling art to resell
shit just doesn’t make any sense. It’s like, anyone can
a year later...
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A 9 TO 5?
resort to your native tongue in your mind when you’re
I’VE KNOWN YOU FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND KNOW
Sshh.... 2001? Ha ha..... In some ways, you could say I
thinking to yourself. But what do I know? Not everyone
THAT MUSIC IS A MAJOR PART OF YOUR LIFE.
got a 9-5 now, but now it’s more a 9am - 5am.
is as dedicated as I am about this shit, and a lot of
WHAT’S IN YOUR DAILY ROTATION?
HYPE, OR THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING?
learn another language, but you will and should always
people only do it once in a while just to have fun. So for
WHAT DOES A PERFECT DAY CONSIST OF?
that I can’t knock them, but I just think it would make
I’m probably most publically known to be a “Hip Hop
more sense if people’s styles were more appropriate to
Guy” because of my B-Boy background. I was raised on
Selfishly, a good day for me could be getting things
people’s personalities.
Run Dmc, Whodini, The Beastie Boys etc., on through
done, and making good things happen with not much
the 90’s into Public Enemy and all the good shit on
interruption. But overall, a good day is any day where
HOW ACCESSIBLE IS IT FOR ONE TO OWN YOUR
up to today. But the truth is, I was also a skater in the
we’re all humbly enjoying the things we have and not
WORKS? DO YOU DO CUSTOM PIECES OR DO YOU
80’s and 90’s so I was also into a lot of rock. That, and
taking anything for granted. I think people take a lot
WORK AT YOUR LEISURE AND SELL WHAT YOU’VE
the fact that my pops is a bass guitarist since the 60’s
of things for granted. A day where we’re free and
RECENTLY DESIGNED?
means that I’m very familiar with all types of music,
not forced to stop living the ways we do. A day when
from the Stones, The Beatles, Jim Morrison, Zepplin,
we have our health and everyone in our life has their
I like to work at my own leisure, and hang and enjoy
up to Jane’s Addiction, Living Colour, Circle Jerks,
health. Nothing lasts forever; realise what you have
a piece I’ve done before letting it go to a new home. I
Operation Ivy, The Cure, Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai,
now, before it’s gone....
often say, if I won the lottery tomorrow, noone would
K-Os, and all the golden 90’s Hip Hop I don’t even need
ever see my art again, unless they came to visit me,
to mention because you just know what I’m talking
because I would no longer have to sell it to survive. I
about. But my daily Ipod rotation is so scrambled up
.25.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
“The themes originate impulsively and take on a feminine and ethereal nature.” Intro by Chris West, Interview by Hell Yeah Magazine
Elana Mullaly was never that bored as a kid growing up in the North Queensland town of Tully. Not that Tully had much to do with it-or maybe it had everything to do with it. Wishing herself away from the humdrum and hard work of rural life, Elana used art as her escape and, even today, her work shows us that she hasn’t given up hope for something more, forever on the rabbit’s heels like Alice in Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland. From ethereal, glassy-eyed girls with lustrous locks to miscellaneous animalia, Elana’s work is, as she puts it, “a visual response to what I find beautiful. It is something that happens organically and in the moment... The way I drew when I was young; dreams, animals and nature.” What were your first impressions of art?
My first memory is of drawing with a big red industrial crayon on white cardboard and my momentum for creating only intensified. This being said, I had no access to galleries or any kind of art culture. It surprises me that I have always had this passionate artistic instinct with out any form of external exposure to fine art. I guess I was born ingrained with it. I got my inspiration from things like little golden books, Disney and encyclopedias from which I would replicate the animals. My mum got a set of acrylics to paint landscapes when I was eight. .26.
It soon became apparent who the artist in the family was and that her paint supply would never be safe again. Who were your influences?
Funnily enough I think my first artistic influence was Ken Done, it was the only art book I had accumulated from my sister who failed to return it to the library. The bold colours and the sharp outlines really inspired me & this lead to a fascination to Picasso and Reg Mombassa through my teens. I am now very influenced by artists such as Audrey Kawasaki, Fuco Ueda, Miss Van, Caitlin Shearer, Fafi and Yoshitomo Nara amongst so many. I am also very influenced by fashion and makeup art. A feminine theme resonates through all my current inspirations listed so I guess that would make femininity my largest influence. How would you describe your art?
A conglomerate of the beauty and satire I perceive in my life. The themes originate impulsively and take on a feminine and ethereal nature. What mediums do you paint with?
I more so use colour pencil than any other medium. I enjoy the control and the attention I can give to detail. In saying this, I love the unpredictability of water colour, there’s no way to predict what’s going to happen when the pigments mix, beautiful accidents.
Have you ever been involved with street art or graffiti?
I have an interest and appreciation for the art form, some could say I have dabbled. I like the idea of a stark grey wall coming to life and the sentimentality behind well thought out pieces. Bold outlined colour has always captivated me. I am also fascinated by the idea of graffiti being such a primitive instinct- making a mark on a wall and telling a story is evident through the history of so many cultures, it’s probably why graffiti is done by almost every kind of person imaginable. This is the Pop Art issue.....what are your thoughts on Pop Art and how has it influenced you?
I was introduced to Lichtenstein and Warhol in high school, and was instantly compelled. Mass advertising mimicked through repetitive artworks such as the Campbells soup cans of which Warhol’s sensibility had grown, spoke volumes about our consumerist generation. I completed an oil painting last year featuring a Mad Hatter’s tea party, polystyrene Starbucks cups with iconic Disney logo mugs were stacked alongside the porcelain. I guess these are subconscious parallels to artists such as Warhol. I like to toy with irony and I think this is what I appreciate about Warhol’s work. You feature references to dreams and the mind in your paintings in a sort of
whimsical way...Why are dreams important references to you?
My subconscious conjures up the most interesting, vivid and colourful things, I can create things in my dreams and I think it’s pretty neat to then be able to put it onto paper. It’s important to dream and imagine. My grade one teacher wrote on my report card ‘Elana is a daydreamer, she will go on to become a musician or an artist’. She also made me sit next to the boy who ate his Clag glue, but I would never want it to be any other way.
to date?
My recent collaboration with Billabong on the Elana Mullaly ‘New York On My Mind’ designer closet range is up there. The magnitude is mind blowing. I think finally settling into my style and growing as an artist has been my most fulfilling achievement thus far. You are also phenomenal at makeup and
So many, I’m dreaming when I say this but I think it would be amazing to do a high end fabric print for Jeremy Scott, Chanel or Romance Was Born. I am very interested in textile prints and would love to see my designs adorning some high end garments. Keep an eye out for a leggings collaboration with designer Irena Jusufovic.
styling. Tell us about these loves outside of painting?
Where have you traveled and how does traveling influence your style?
You seem to paint a lot of girly characters and the female form...infact you paint a lot of titties! What’s with your titty obsession and how does your art differ from other underground girly, cute female art like those seen in Juxtapoz magazine etc. ?
When I think about it, I don’t think I have ever illustrated a male by choice and I am not completely aware of why this is. I guess I am just drawn to femininity and ‘cute’ things, I could be described as a very ‘girly girl’ and this is evident throughout my pieces. Who doesn’t like boobs? I wouldn’t call it an obsession but I like to illustrate the female form, especially pouted lips and boobs. Juxtapoz contains such an amazing standard of art, I am yet to grace the pages, but I hope that when I do, it’s viewers are left with a feeling, the same feeling I get when I find one of my favourite artists amongst the others. What’s your biggest artistic achievement
I have such a need to create constantly and I tend to follow it down most avenues of my life. Makeup and fashion to me is a medium. I have been doing makeup art regularly for about a year now and I enjoy it immensely. It’s not something I have been trained in- I most likely do it very differently to others and for that reason, I would rather just keep having fun with it and see where it goes than learn the boundaries and rules. Having fun and pushing boundaries is what being an artist is all about. Styling is something I would love to do more often. Through the coming years I would like to extend this love further. What else do you do for fun?
Some would call me an avid festival attendee, I love sewing and designing my own clothes and I love a boozy night out on the dance floor with my ladies. If I didn’t love these things so much I would be a rich girl.
I loved Japan so much the first time I went there that I went back again last year. It is the only place I have travelled outside of Australia. You can’t help be energised by Japan. It more so inspired me to want to live there and exhibit. It’s so beautiful. The travel bug is nibbling at my heels so who knows what the next few years may hold. Hopefully some shows in Tokyo sponsored by Asahi. What’s pumping on your iPod lately?
It’s eclectic and varies but Peaches gets a regular work out. Fleetwood Mac, Grizzly Bear and Radiohead are also on high rotation. Tell us 3 things that make you go HELL YEAH!!!
Japan, dancing with a beer in my hand and colour pencils.
Do you have any dream collabs?
Left to right: Chinese Medicine / Dreams of higher places / Whos the fairest of them all / Cranes.
.27.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
.28.
“I am trying to create an anxious feel from my point of view” Interview by Byron Campbell
Andy, over the last 8 years we have seen most of your works created with spray & stencils as your medium. However, recently your work has become abstract and more complex, as displayed in your most recent solo exhibition, “drunk: struggling to focus”. What are your thoughts
This is the “pop art” issue of hell yeah! What
the new top of the food chain species. giant
does pop art mean to you? Who are your pop art
killer green ants have wiped out the rest of the
influences?
human race.
To me, Pop art doesn’t particularly trigger deep thought. You see the image initially with some wow factor then you see it again… and then you move on. Pop places material into another context, which Duchamp did 50 years earlier. I like the boldness of it.
behind this progression, are you ‘over’ stencil
onslaught of the killer ants?
Your upcoming solo exhibition ‘Fragmented
Some of your early stencils made fun of ‘consumer society’ and the ‘working man’. How were you feeling at that time and do you see a need to bring more power and political satire to
Anxiety’ is a collection of work that seems to
There is a fair bit of political satire etc within modern art. I think it’s a good thing. If a certain element saturates too much you get over it, like listening to the same album all the time. If artists continue to think of innovative ideas, politically related or not, which they will, then great.
I dressed up as a giant echidna.
create Anxiety in the mind of the observer. Is this your intention for this collection? If not please summarise and tell us what Anxiety
Young struggling artists certainly live a
means to you. Do you suffer from anxiety and
different life to your average 9 to 5 careers
are these portraits of your thoughts, or are you
person! Please give me an insight into your life.
trying to spark a reaction from the observer?
How about an itinerary for an average day, in
I am trying to create an anxious feel from my point of view, which as a result would cross over for some viewing the works. There is far more depth, geometric shapes and heads exploding in this series. In a way these are portraits of my thoughts, more about the feeling though. The works don’t look like anyone, nor are they anyone unless my anxiety is a person.
stencil/modern art?
I was probably feeling at the time that I didn’t want to work for some chump telling me what to do so he could get a raise from his boss and have more money for his wife to spend on some trinket bought from the markets to put on a brand new ikea coffee table.
George – he knows where the Time Machine is. _Q. What is your secret to surviving the
art? And if so, for what reason?
I wouldn’t say I am particularly over stencil art, yet one needs to move on from doing similar shit otherwise progression is going to suffer. In regards to other works I felt from previous paintings there was too much emphasis on line structure which at times made the work a little characterish, so I decided to use loose brush strokes for the drunk series. My new works for the next show will be heaps different again, more geometric, yet you can still tell I have painted them… even without the signature in the corner.
–Q .who would you bring back to live along side you?
Tell me about your studio / gallery space “love love”. What’s the story behind the name? How does it operate?
the life of Andy Harwood?
I wake up when I want, maybe a cheeky double espresso, a poached egg, maybe some baby spinach, tomato and avocado on the side. When I am hungry again maybe some beef mince with kidney beans, chick peas, carrot, cumin and chilli, then maybe a steak or bit of fish for dinner with some beers, perhaps a red wine ranging from goon to ok quality, or a scotch on ice. If one wants to be technical maybe an Irish Whisky. Then I go to bed when I want. In between these times are trivial matters.
A friend, Sarge Johnson, found the space and as far as I know he came up with the name. The space consists of a few art studios, a dance studio and gallery space which we did up. The old house was a shit box when we moved in and we are still doing it up more and more. Sarge and I paint when we want and host exhibitions every month or two.
Tell us 3 things that make you go Hell Yeah!
Shellac, Clinic, Triple Cream Brie.
ROLE PLAY: you are the last human on earth and
Left to right: Post drunk anxiety , Drunk struggling to focus , Fragmented green anxiety.
.29.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
Sex, drugs, and street-life. Most of the best things in life are called crime, and this is how the whole ‘Love called Crime’ concept was born. “All my work is inspired by the streets, seaside, Tarantino movies, suicides, Diane Arbusphotography and the creepy thrills of life; all based on a true story.
.30.
I try to keep things simple. Any additional philosophy kills it all! Being a 100% death proof bandit queen makes me feel positive about everything around me. I am a visionnaire, not an artist and have no ambiton to be considered as one.
Warsaw (Poland) and this ain’t ever gonna change. I just stay a kid for life and am always on the run......”says artist, Emilia Julia. Things that make Love called Crime’s Emilia Julia go hell yeah:
I have so many ideas I have to write them on top of my hands because if not, they are gone. Although I am hardly ever there, my city is
The city at night, cherry vodka, the smell of Montana 94 ‘erika’ paint.
.31.
FASHION
Interview by Natasha Dunstan that movie inspire you?
an online magazine.
is the co-founder and Editor-In-Chief of M.I.S.S. She
How did it NOT inspire me? I fell in love with that movie from
I think it’s really important to surround yourself with people
is also the founder and creative director of Mama, an
the moment I saw it. There are lots of movies that depict
whose work you respect. We all have something to learn from
internationally recognised ladies street-wear label. Much
Chicano culture but Mi Vida Loca is special because it’s from
each other and it’s inspiring working with talented and creative
more than a clothing line, Mama has worked with the
a woman’s perspective. I love chola style and it inspired some
women.
likes of adidas, New Era Cap, Montana Colors, Juicy
of my earliest Mama collections. When I did the Mi Vida Loca
Cosmetics and Bijules NYC on product design and brand
collection I wanted to revisit my design “roots” so to speak. My
development.
production capabilities were a lot better and I wanted to have
San Francisco’s super stylin’ Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee
another shot at doing things right. Whats up Gabriella? Where did you grow up? What was your I just wrapped up a gig doing PR and marketing for Upper Playground and I’ve been putting a lot of my efforts into growing M.I.S.S., the women’s online lifestyle magazine I co-founded with Liz Baca. I recently started a blog devoted to all things Chanel called La Chanelphile and I’m taking on more freelance writing and creative direction projects. That and growing a baby!
upbringing like? I grew up on Long Island, New York, aka Strong Island, home of Amy Fisher (the Long Island Lolita), De La Soul, Public Enemy and the infamous accent. My parents are Sicilian immigrants – my dad was a car mechanic and my mom stayed at home with my two sisters and me. I had a pretty normal childhood – went
You are like a nurturing ‘Mama’ to our
to public school, took dancing lessons through high school, and
generation of ladies who love hip hop....
hung out with friends.
What’s happening with ‘Mama’ these days? You have your own editorial blog, Chanel
From working with adidas, having your own clothing label to having your own company of creative women you don’t stop! How do you find the time and when did your hobby turn into a fulltime job? I always had an interest in fashion, but it wasn’t until after I graduated from Law School that I started to pursue my interest. While I was working I started my first t-shirt line, Cybelle, with a friend from college. My partner didn’t want to continue with Cybelle so I started fresh with Mama. While I was working on Mama, I realized that there was no one bringing the ladies in the creative industry together and that’s when I approached Liz about starting M.I.S.S. I wanted to create a group that brought women together and helped dispel stereotypes of women not being able to work together. “Eyes to the sky, ears to the
Aww, that’s sweet, especially since it was always one of my goals
homage site and the crew’s M.I.S.S. site. How
street.....” When Liz and I were coming up with a tag line for
to be a positive role model. As far as Mama goes, I stopped
important it is for you to work with a
M.I.S.S., we wanted something that would evoke the fact that
bunch of creative women?
we would be giving ladies the latest news (ears to the street),
working on the brand last year. I stopped it while it was at it’s peak because I didn’t find the work fulfilling anymore. Mama was a one-woman show and as the business grew, I had less time for design and marketing and I was dealing with a lot of other stuff that wasn’t interesting to me. I started Mama because I wanted to design, but at the end, the design was becoming an afterthought and Mama wasn’t making me happy anymore. It was difficult to decide to stop because I felt like Mama was a big part of my identity but I got over it – and I’m still here!
and always dream and keep things positive (eyes to the sky). M.I.S.S. started in 2006 while I was working on Mama (it stands for Mama’s International Secret Society). I was going to tradeshows and saw lots of women involved in streetwear (designers, stylists, media, etc.) but not getting much shine
We’ve expanded the meaning of these phrases and adopted them for trend forecasting posts we do on the site. “Eyes to the sky” focuses on trends a season ahead and “ears to the street” focuses on trends that are hot right now.
on the big boys’ blogs like Hypebeast and Highsnobiety. I wanted to form a group that would bring women together – to
And Montana colors...Is that as in the
network and support each other – a power in numbers type of
spraypaint brand?
thing. I also wanted to create an outlet to feature women and their achievements. I knew that I would need help with such a
Yep, the original Montana colors from Spain. Jason Maggio
large undertaking so I approached my friend Liz Baca to see if
from Vapors Magazine introduced me to some of the guys from
that was inspired by the underground cult
she was interested in starting it with me, and she was. M.I.S.S.
Montana when he heard I was going to Barcelona for the first
movie Mi Vida Loca /My crazy life...How did
started out as an invitation only organisation and has grown to
Bread & Butter Barcelona. When I got to Barci, I stopped by
I saw an old lookbook recently from ‘Mama’
.32.
the shop and everyone was super cool and hospitable. When
lot about Chanel on M.I.S.S. and I thought it would be cool
was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which changed
I got back from Barcelona I thought it would be cool to do
to just have a site devoted to my favourite brand. I definitely
the former law to make it easier for those suing because of pay
a clever take on the ubiquitous “hello my name is” sticker.
think high-end brands are relevant to street culture – look at
discrimination. Within a month of taking office he signed an
Mama created tees with big blank “stickers” printed on them
any t-shirt brand and they’re hijacking some high-end logo or
Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women
and Montana provided the ink pens to write on the tees. The
imagery. Especially for ladies, girls like to mix things up a bit so
and Girls, whose focus is to ensure that federal agencies pay
tees and pens were sold together in a pack and came packaged
they’ll wear a Made Me t-shirt and pair it with a Chanel bag.
extreme attention to the way their policies impact women and
in a plastic container similar to the plastic packaging that the
I’m not sure if Chanel is aware of the site – I hope so! They’re
families. He’s the first president in 8 years that’s given a damn
stickers come in.
pretty hard to get in touch with but if anyone out there wants to
about women and I am willing to give him the time he needs to
spread the word…. LaChanelphile.com!
meet his goals.
to talk about the old school, the good old
You collect L.A gear and Chanel....What
Do you believe romance exists? Or was just
days or the golden era of hip hop....What
other shit do you collect?
invented by Hallmark Cards to celebrate
Everyone over the age of 30 in hip hop seems
inspires you nowadays? I am one of those people. I don’t really listen to hip hop anymore, and when I do, it’s nothing that’s come out within the past few years. Most of it is way older! My latest hip hop purchase was Cypress Hill’s first album – I only had it in cassette form so I needed to upgrade. Music still inspires me, it just happens to be older music. And, that’s the beauty of music – it doesn’t get old. There’s so much out there just waiting to be discovered or re-discovered. Those who have grown up with the internet it seems no longer perceive value in paying for magazines but lucky for underground street culture, in a world of high speed media there is still one place consumers
made-up holidays and occasions? It all started with stickers in grade school (I still have my sticker collection by the way) – and come to think of it, I guess I still
Hell Yeah, romance exists! (ha, sorry, couldn’t help it!). You
collect stickers. I never throw stickers out – and I’ve been
just have to be with the right person. I find that lots of women
to so many tradeshows, I have stickers for days! I have more
settle when it comes to guys (or girls). They know what they
Nike than anyone ever needs and I have a little Louis Vuitton
want in a mate, and they will date someone who is clearly not
collection starting but those additions are few and far between.
meeting their expectations or treating them as well as they
I also have a thing for Hello Kitty – it’s a good thing I’m having
should be treated. How would you expect to find romance in a
a girl because now I have more of an excuse to buy Hello Kitty
situation like that? Romance exists when you both respect and
stuff!
love each other. As far as Hallmark goes, yes, I think they go a bit far in their holiday zealousness but I wouldn’t credit them
In the cut-throat, biting, egotistical,
so positive and professional? And find time for your friends, being a wife, sexy time, relaxing and hustling all at once without
turn to in order to chew more slowly over
getting burnt out and bitter or turning to
stimuli- magazines. Do you think magazines
cocaine addiction and prozac??
have much more of a lifespan and has M.I.S.S.
with making up romance! Romance is as old as humankind.
skinny obsessed industry, how do you stay Issue 2 of Hell Yeah is the Pop Art Issue..... What Pop Art do you dig and how has Pop Art influenced you? I love Pop Art. It definitely influenced me in one of my collections for Mama when I did a collection that was inspired by the late 50s, early 60s. When I based a collection around Hahaha, well thanks for thinking that but we all have our
a time period I used to immerse myself in what was going on
moments – I just keep them to myself and don’t air them out
culturally at the time – music, art – it was all fair game. I did a
on Twitter. That said, I try to live my life by a motto “Always I love magazines and I have a hard time parting with them –
Lichtenstein and Warhol inspired tee that season. I also did a
A Lady” – I try to keep the higher ground. What is being an
my library is running out of space! My work is based on the
Mondrian tee – though not from the 60s. YSL did a Mondrian
asshole going to get you? Besides being treated like an asshole?
internet but I love to hold a magazine in my hands and thumb
dress in the 60s and I thought it worked with the rest of the
I also try to keep a sense of humour about things – it’s not that
through the pages. I think magazines have a lifespan but they
collection.
serious people – it’s fashion! When I start getting caught up
are going to have to adjust. For one thing, the type of content
in stupid stuff I think about the people in the world that have
will need to change to an extent – it’s not exciting to read about
real problems – people that are hungry, being persecuted, are
a “new release” when I saw the same thing on a blog 2 months
homeless – and then the issues I’m dealing with seem silly in
ago. I think magazines should do what they do best – editorials,
comparison. I don’t have much down time – but I love what I
features, columns and interviews. When we started M.I.S.S. we
do so I guess I don’t need that much. As far as friends and the
always played with the idea of going “tangible.” Though I’m
man, you gotta make time for that stuff to live a happy, balanced
really focusing on growing our online presence, I still think of
life.
ever considered going ‘tangible’?
print from time to time. If we do it, it’s going to be something special and more of a collectible annual/book type thing. You have a website dedicated to all things Chanel. How do you see high-end brands
Tell us about your shoot for Hell Yeah and how yall came up with the concept.... I looked at what was happening trend-wise and I wanted to focus on work wear. There’s been a ton of stuff focusing on men’s product but I wanted to give the women’s perspective. When we found out the theme of the issue was pop art we decided on a “Rosie the Riveter meets Lichtenstein” theme for the shoot. We
What do you really think of Obama? Do you
thought we could really play into the pop art theme by including
think he’s lived up to his promises?
graphical elements onto the photographs.
I heart Obama. I think I cry every time I hear him speak. I think
Name 3 things that make you go Hell Yeah!
relevant to street culture? Is Chanel aware
people need to remember that he hasn’t been in office for that
Chocolate, Chanel and my man.
of this site?
long. Many of his promises will take time – they’re not going
I started La Chanelphile because I found myself posting a
to happen the first year. The first law President Obama signed
www.gdkisthenewblack.com / www.missomnimedia.com
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FASHION
Article by Natasha Dunstan
Anyone child of the 80s recognises Keith Haring’s squiggly drawings and day-glo colours as quintessential Pop Art along with other NYC pop art / new wave contemporaries of the early 1980s, like Futura 2000, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol.
become a widely recognized visual language of the 20th century. Haring sadly died in 1990 of AIDS-related complications.
the world! The collection is available at: www.patriciafield.com
Haring achieved his first public attention in the late 70s with chalk and marker drawings in the subways of New York. Through his mastery of merchandise, expressing concepts of birth, death, love, sex and war, Haring’s imagery has
With February 16th marking the 20th anniversary of Haring’s death, the Keith Haring By House of Field collection is a timely tribute to a man who committed his all too brief career to making socially aware and accessible art. In an effort to “keep his name alive among the young who most understand him,” Field is just the person to spearhead that revival of his playful images that once brought beauty and awareness to the gritty streets and subways of
Cool Keith
dictator encapsulated in a dying arsehole.
needs to learn the art of free trade and barter.
Written by Amala Groom
Thank fuck for the library where I got to read
And every girl needs an older girl to show them
about shit I was actually interested in!
getting the girls out isn’t so scary after all..
Haring’s work communicated to me in a way
In the 12 weeks after school finished I eagerly
Everything I touch turns to cool....
that enabled me to begin to think about the
*Patricia Field is a native New Yorker and one of fashion’s greatest visionaries. Patricia received critical praise and raised the standards for the world of television glamour when she costumed Sex and the City, the most fashionable show in television series history.
anticipated my first dole cheque. I spent the
So naturally, I wasn’t surprised when I came to
relationships spanning in between art, pain,
find Patricia Field rocked out a rather respectful
expression, passion, sacrifice and reward. It’s a
collab with Keith Haring.
model theory I have applied to almost every ele-
I find it ironic writing a mini tribute to Keith
ment of my life and I guess Keith inspired it. I’m
when it was only yesterday that us girls were
happy and it works for me so fuck you!
lying on the beach talking about him. This Ger-
And it wasn’t just his work either. Haring was an
man looking kid walked past us wearing the dog
artist from the street who achieved great fame
with money and status. His frustration and suf-
djing shirt so of course I said I hello. The girls
and commercial success and didn’t sell out. You
fering were a catalyst for me to want to get out
looked at me as if to say ‘Why would you say hi
can’t say that about everybody.
there in the world and wreck some shit. It took
to a guy just because of his t shirt?’ so I was like
first $70 on a train fare to Sydney to catch the Haring show at the MCA and after, I was like ‘I’m only going back to Vegas to get my sneakers and records’. The show featured some of Keith’s darker works and expressed his angst
a while but after 14 years on the dole Keith, I’m
‘Girls, Keith is the reason why I moved back
Keith’s enormous body of work is a testament to
at school doing what I love and loving it.
here in the first place’.
his tenacious desire to flex his creative expres-
You were a sweet relief teacher.
sion which he did right up until his death. He
Keith Haring 1958-1990. Rest in Peace.
My love affair with the radiant baby maker was
was in total harmony in his application of his tal-
sparked spending my weekdays in Brisbane’s
ent, which inspired me to tattoo his radiant love
Cultural Centre (art gallery/museum/library)
heart on my leg. Its pretty obvious, but if you do
instead of going to school. Although my occa-
what you love then you have better chance of
sional attendance at Indro (Brisbane’s Hip Hop
being happy than busting your arse at some shit
Finishing High School) did rub off on me in the
job just to pay the rent.
way of beats, boys, weed, airmax, boys in air-
Props where props are due, it was my girl Kasia
max, sin, goon, parks and more sin. I think if it
who in ‘94 in the middle of Queen St Mall bared
wasn’t for finding shit I was into I wouldn’t have
all to score this Japanese boy’s Haring shirt. I
made it through my teens. School for me was a
thought she had so much balls taking her shirt
butt fucking boring pro-colonial anti-progressive
off in front of everyone. I guess every teenager
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FASHION
Established in 2004, Jeepney Clothing is a lifestyle streetwear brand based in Seattle, WA. The Jeepney is a mobile assemblage of signs and decorative motifs found along the streets of Metro Manila. After World War II, surplus American G.I. Jeeps were converted into public utility vehicles and decorated with lavish art and color with each owner’s individual, distinct look. Today, Jeepney Clothing has carried this same concept of artistic expression into the apparel world.
Tell us about the American GI Jeeps leftover
Apart from the Black Eyed Peas are there
in the Philippines after World War 2.....
any Filipinos actually representing cool
somehow turned into Urban Art?
shit creatively and/or in the media?
Yeah, crazy right? Filipinos are some crafty people! Naturally, I think that the Filipino culture emphasises art, music, dancing and so it was a natural progression. Jeepney drivers wanted a way to make their particular ride stand out to get more attention for their Jeepney which was their way of livelihood.
Hmmm? Let me think. There’s Chad Hugo with the Neptunes, tons of DJ’s: Neil Armstrong, Q-bert and everyone on America’s Best Dance Crew. I think a chick from the Pussy Cat Dolls is half, I’m sure there’s tons more I’m forgetting.
In today’s street culture movement, it’s difficult to know which brands are relevant when it comes to the concept and meaning behind each one of them. Jeepney is well known for it’s bold graphics and edgy concepts in the streetwear market. However, most people don’t realise that the concept behind the brand has deep rooted artistic (Jeepney Trucks) and cultural (Filipino) relevance which inspires its designs and overall brand strategy mixed with references to popular culture. At first glance, it’s not easy to make the connection between a Jeepney and fashion. That’s why Karlo Reyes, Creative Director and Co-founder, wants people to know why he chose the name and why it’s relevant to everyone from the artists that design for the company to the consumers that wear the product.
I heard through a lady I work with there’s
you guys did. What is it about Tribe that
no gender in the Philippines....Man and
have got you guys so obsessed?
woman are referred to as the same...What’s
Man, Tribe is the shit! They represent when HipHop was pure and meant something. The music was from the soul and not so Auto-tuned. We have always been deep rooted in the DJ culture since so many of our friends and networks are in the DJing business. Also, we have been making mixed CDs since 2004.
up with that?
Yeah everyone is born with no genitals there. Just kidding! Actually, what I think she meant to say was that instead of saying “he or she”, the word would be “that person.” The reason being is that it is an equalitarian society so men and women are seen as equals when it comes to social structures (employment, government, etc. That’s why my fianceé gets to beat me! Tell us a quick, easy recipe that is authentic Filipino cuisine, preferably something
I love the ‘Bonita Excursions’ promo Jeepney mix-tape and the ‘Can I Kick It?’ homage tee
Things that make you go Hell Yeah!
Dope Design and Art, French Bulldogs, Eva Longoria
handed down from your moms!
The easiest is Chicken Adobo: 1. Take 1 onion / 1 clove of garlic & sauté in a pan 2. Add ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup of soy sauce and start boiling 3. Add some chicken and black pepper 4. Add 2 or 3 Bay leaves 5. Eat with some rice. Poof!
.35.
FASHION
Head honcho TASH grills MOB CEO Leah McSweeney. I picture your childhood as a scene from
Have you had any formal training in
the film KIDS- not the part where Chloe
fashion/graphic design/hustling/kicking
Other bitches front in many ways. Some smile to
gets AIDS but filled with cute Jewish
ass?
your face and talk shit the second you walk away. Some pretend to be someone they aren’t. Some are so
skaters, nickel bags, bombing, 90s classic hip hop, chillin’ on your block, running
I have no formal education in anything which I’m
unhappy with their own lives that they hate on you for
amok and strict Italian parents. Where
not proud to say. I didn’t go to college. I bought
no other reason. And some just pop shit but when it
did you grow up?
two classes at FIT with my first credit card in 2001
comes down to it only have a bark and no bite.
(also bought the Jadore Dior tank with it ..haha).
Stereotypes in general are just negative. And yeah
Haha! That’s funny. I grew up on 24th St and 8th
Photography and advertising. I think I went to about 3
there are some really demeaning ones of women that
avenue in Manhattan. My mom is Irish/Italian and my
classes. I got my foot in the door when Adrian gave me
I really don’t agree with. Mainly pertaining to women
dad is Irish and they weren’t so strict. I had my mind
the opportunity to intern with the fashion editor of his
being put down for being “sexual”. You can tell by my
made up of what I was going to do and they had a hard
magazine Mass Appeal. I think that was also in 2001.
ads and the sayings I put on my tees that MOB has
time stopping me. When ‘Kids’ came out I was 12. I
He was so hesitant because he knew how wild I was
a lot to do with sexuality. To me women using their
was just starting to rebel. But by the time I was 14 I
at the time but I’m a hard worker and that’s when my
sexuality as an advantage and to have power is fucking
had gotten into so much trouble with all the nick bags,
path to having a career in fashion started. I just never
awesome. Sex is what makes the world go round. Not
stealing, skater boys and all the other references you
knew I’d end up having a clothing line. Hustling I’m
money. And sex sells. Not slutty-ness. I see a slut as a
made that I got thrown out of school and my parents
pretty good at. When I’m passionate about something
girl who would fuck her best friends man. There is a
moved my whole family to the suburbs. It was one of
I’m like an animal.
major difference.
actually! I still managed to find trouble in the suburbs
Have you ever beatdown a bitch and
What fashion faux pas do you see on the
and I came back to the city all the time to see my girls.
gotten into a punch-up?
streets of NY that just make you wanna
the saddest and most traumatising events in my life
But yes that whole movement was a major influence
puke?
on me. Not sure if it was good or bad though. Harold
Yeah of course I have been in physical fights. I’ve
Hunter RIP.
given black eyes and had them. Plus lots of broken
I really hate the dirty hipster look. Some of these
nails. Ouch! I was a shit talking teenage delinquent
bitches are hot too. They just don’t brush their hair
When did you decide to start your own
and it trickled into my early 20’s. But now that doesn’t
and look like they’ve been through the ringer. It’s
label?
happen. I would only use physical force if I was
never a good look when it looks like you don’t take
defending myself. I mean sometimes you gotta do
care of yourself.
In summer of 2004 it just kind of happened. Married
what you gotta do. But I have a daughter. I need to be
to the Mob was started for fun. Just a few tees for the
a role model for her. So things are a lot different now.
‘Well behaved bitches seldom make
girls in the hood to rock since the dudes had all their
Actually an hour ago I had an altercation on the street
history’ quote features on your swing
tee companies. And it turned into something kinda
in broad daylight with some bitch talking shit and I
tags. You’re known to tell it like it is in
big. I always put my personality and beliefs into it from
walked away. I would never have done that in the past.
an open and honest steez. Do you get much
the beginning though. I think girls really gravitated
backlash?
towards the whole “Most Official Bitches” attitude and
How do ‘other bitches’ front? What
lifestyle that made the company grow so fast
stereotypes of women are you sick of
I think the people in the industry that I respect and
seeing?
like, respect and like me back. The only bad thing is
.36.
people that don’t know me have weird ideas of who I
smoke billowing out. The day was warm and beautiful.
“I AM somebody!” When and where the hell
am or how to treat me and sometimes when I first meet
I still have it all in my head like it happened last week.
did you get that?
someone they will come off hard as if they have to cus.
I had a cousin who escaped the first bombing in the
They think I’m some super bitch. But I’m really not. Or
90’s and again she lived through 9-11. Most of her
I got it 4 years ago I think? I was at Red Lobster with
I’ll be introduced to someone and they are so rude to
co-workers died. She ran down the stairs when they
Rob, Tabatha and my sister. I was probly tipsy off bad
me and I’m like wtf? But maybe they read something I
stayed put. Not many days go by where I don’t think
white wine. I was like fuck it I want a Chanel logo
said and didn’t like it but that’s not my problem.
about it even all these years later.
tatted on my hand. All my tats are impulse. I don’t
I mean no-one wants to have shit talked about them but
Your independant hustle and militant
think about it too much. I just go for it. at the same time I’m not here to please anyone. That
post feminist slogans on your tees are
is MOB.
dope. You prove we can look fly, tough
Who does the graphic design for MOB?
and street still with a sexy edge, red lippy
Graphic design is my chick Danielle Mastrion. But in
MEN ARE THE NEW WOMEN. What’s your take
and hair free armpits. Do you realise what
terms of staff I got Lourdes Castro who’s been with
on metrosexuals and dudes who wax their
a role model you are worldwide?
me since way back. Lisa Pomeroy does sales. Maru Aldea on deisgn. Tabatha does the blog along with any
eyebrows? Redman, Grand Puba please stand up!
I think you are giving me more credit then I deserve!
website related stuff and deal with the stylists. She’s a
But thank you. It’s true though. You can be a female
busy 19 year old!!!
I have no problem with a man that is into up keep. Who
with a voice, a hustle, a quick and witty mind and be
wants a slob? But if a guy is spending more time then
a hot bitch. I mean that’s a whole package right there
me picking out his outfit then we have a problem.
in my opinion. It’s really all about being who you want
How did you meet Tabatha?
to be. I think I’m just extra sensitive to really staying
I met Tabatha through her father Lenny (Futura 2000).
Who were your inspirations/crew/mentors
true to yourself because of my experience at my all
I think she was 12 or 13. She was so freakin’ cute. I fell
growing up?
girls catholic school where we had to curtsey to the
in love with her. Her and my sis are much closer in age
head nun, and it was all about being prissy and wearing
and became really tight. Tabatha became family to me
Ah that’s a good question. Growing up I loved
these fucking uniforms and I felt pretty restricted.
and Sarah and vice versa. I see Tabatha as my second
Madonna. I still do. Such a bad ass. Always causing
It’s funny yesterday someone told me I’m like a dude
little sister which she probably finds annoying cuz I’m
controversy. Howard Stern also. I used to
an overbearing older sister sometimes. She’s a
sneak out of my room to watch his show while
very special and talented young woman.
my parents slept. Lil Kim for her liberated views on sex and feminism. Lady Miss Kier
‘When worst comes to worst my
always inspired me to be myself and that’s
bitches come first’. Tell us about your
why I named my daughter after her. In terms
gaggle of girls...
of mentors Rob, Kiers father, was probably the most influential. He really helped me with
Ah, they are so great! I have a lot of great women
MOB and gave me the gift of being a mom. It’s
in my life. My crew that I have been friends
very challenging juggling MOB and Kier. I’m
with for 10-23 years though are my solid crew.
down for challenges though.
They are who I based MOB on. They are all on the same shit I’m on. Grinding and being themselves. Nire I have known since I was 10.
What’s your drink of choice?
She makes fly rings and dope beats. Jackie and Emily who have their own swimwear line, ‘House
Actually I’m really into water right now. I know that sounds weird but I’ve been making a point to drink
with a pussy. I guess this person was referring to my
of Jackie Brown’. Vanessa the Molesta is missed since
2 litres a day. It’s really hard! I have to keep a giant
attitude in general. I think like a man? I don’t know
she moved to Miami. Abby Koocher might be the
bottle of water on my desk and try to finish it before
what that means exactly. I think a woman can be
craziest of all. You have seen her on Silent Library on
I leave work. I’ve been on some obsessive health shit
about business and making money, rotate a few dudes
MTV as the evil nurse. Of course my sister Sarah is
lately.
around, speak their minds, go after what they want
a major part of my crew. We are all so busy it’s rare
with a vengance, command respect and at the same
we are all in the same place at the same time these
time be feminine.
days but those girls are like my sisters. And then I
Living in America must be full on. You
have newer friends I have made that are also really
know in Australia some people refer to Americans as ‘Seppos’ -Septic tanks, full of
For such a witty brand you must be a funny
important to me. Like my father told me it’s the people
shit. What do you think of the conspiracy
bitch... Were you always the class clown?
in your life that make life good. It’s important.
theories about the U.S government?
Do you have any aspirations for stand-up comedy?
Tell us about your latest collection....
might be fucked up but everyone wants to live here.
Ha!When someone tells me I’m funny that is the best
We just released Spring 2. Every season we grow, we
So figure that one out. In terms of 9-11 I went through
compliment I can get! I was def always the class clown.
expand and it changes a little. It’s like an evolution.
a time where I was watching all the conspiracy
I remember in religion class 6th grade we would have
Spring 2 is really girly and sexy. Mini dresses and
documentaries and I’d drive myself crazy. I don’t know.
to meditate and I’d stand up while the teachers eyes
short shorts. We have really been playing around with
I think if anything we got serious warnings that some
were closed and dance around and try to get the whole
our denim. One pair had a floral pattern printed on
shit was going down vbut the government didn’t take
class laughing. I don’t have any plans for stand up but I
them. We make product we want to wear.
proper action. In the end how the fuck could anyone
entertain all day long.
Full of shit!? Damn. I’m proud to be American. We
have been prepared for that shit? All I do know is that
Tell us 3 things that make you go Hell Yeah!
it was one of the saddest days of my life. I was there
I love your ghetto/jail-style Chanel tatt
when it happened. I saw the gaping hole and the
on your hand...It’s almost the attitude of
Tropical Islands. Kiki’s Smile, Big Orders
.37.
FASHION
Interview with Kylie Fauss by Natasha Dunstan
Since the doorknockers and bamboo hoops of the 1980s we haven’t had a jewellery brand that resonates with us as much as Cubannie Links [as featured in Issue 1] and Miss Wax, so first of all thankyou so much for filling this niche market and taking costume jewelry to a quality, new level!! The first time I spotted some Miss Wax earrings was in a Ricky Powell ad in a
Vegas. It was all hand-painted back then. The most recent collab we did with Hellz was our fall/winter 2009 Brawlin’ two-finger ring and Clashin’ earrings! We’ve got mad love for the whole Hellz crew. They fam. You live in Cali but clearly have a NY state of mind....Where did you grow up?
I’m born and raised in San Diego, California, but have always been really into hip hop, art and street culture. I will definitely make it to a bigger city in due time...most likely LA, and maybe someday NY! I love the city life.
U.S magazine. I noticed he has done some testimonials for you too.... We love The
Oh, the Rickster! I met him through a friend of mine who thought I would love to pick his brains a little when I was visiting NY back in 2006. We linked up to go to a J-Dilla tribute & I, not knowing he’s a huge PETA advocate was rocking a fur jacket! Not the best first impression, but he was mad cool, and we were able to mash it up a bit. We’ve had a few interesting encounters since ...late night falafels at Mamoun’s in east village & a Hollywood sleepover a while back. (Purely innocent, of course!) He’s a classic New York cat. Tell us about your collabs with Hellz Bellz...Is this an ongoing collaboration?
We have had the honor of working with Hellz Bellz pretty closely since the beginning of Miss Wax. In 2007, we featured our first collaboration with the brand at Magic Trade Show in Las
.38.
Pop art has always been a huge influence and some may say an overall theme for the line. In the beginning, when every piece was handmade we would use everyday objects as inspiration for our designs. Just as Andy Warhol turned a can of Campbell Soup into a work of art, we’ve incorporated sewing machines, wrist watches and polaroid cameras. These designs have evolved tremendously over the years, but we always stay true to our backbone that is Pop Art. And it’s all handmade? How do you meet supply with demand?
How has hip hop influenced you?
Rickster! How do you know this NYC goofball?
designs...
Growing up, my house was the place to be. Having an older brother, all the cute skater boys would roll through, hang out, and listen to loads of hip hop. Since my young, tom-boy days I’ve been surrounded by that culture. The love of the music grew, and I’m still rolling to Hip Hop shows almost weekly. My earliest memories of hip hop consist of Run DMC, 2Pac, and Gang Starr. Do you think of yourself as a role model?
Role model is not quite the word that I would use, but I wouldn’t deny that some younger artists might follow me in such a way, which is extremely flattering! I have made my share of mistakes though, but at the end of the day I’m handling my business & creating & selling a product I love. Clearly some of your creations are inspired by Pop Art. Tell us how pop art has influenced you and what else inspires your
We started out with all hand-painted, oneof-a-kind pieces and have evolved into a manufactured line. The prints and laser cuts are clean and precise every time, in comparison to the old way of hand-cutting. With that being said though, you best believe my hands are never idle! There’s always plenty of work to be done and a good bit of it still takes that human touch. Who is it made for?
Miss Wax is made for any and all fashion forward females that aren’t afraid to rock something out of the ordinary. We just want all the fly ladies from coast to coast to wear it with pride. We don’t discriminate. How do you promote Miss Wax?
Trade-shows, events, & a lot of cross-promoting with our friend’s brands have helped us gain recognition in our industry. We are also very blessed to have some amazing admirers that blog about our work. The internet has been the
“Pop art has always been a huge influence and some may say an overall theme for the line” key source to the recognition we received along with print press including amazing publications like Hell Yeah Magazine! Wax is in your brand name.....does this refer
the deals. My three favourite finds would have to be: 1960’s Japanese gold metallic gloves 2. Floral print vest with fur collar 3. Vintage snake skin Italian leather pumps
to vinyl records? Do you spin? What’s it like living amongst the world of
I’ve loved collecting vinyl for as long as I can remember, and the brand came to fruition when I cut up my first scrap record - it was Barbara Streisand. From there on out I continued to cut and paste on vinyl almost with a paper mache effect. My lady friends around San Diego got turned onto the jewelry and I started doing a lot of one-of-a-kind pieces for them. And so the story goes....I don’t deejay, but I have lots of love for those that do.
‘celebrity’ and reality shows?
Honestly, I never even turn on the television, nor do I pay much attention to who’s on the cover of what. Living in San DIego it’s much different then being surrounded by it on a daily basis like L.A. It’s a nice two hour drive into the city on a good day, where you’ll find real life reality tv drama right on the streets. What’s pumping on your ipod lately?
You love thrift hoppin’....what’s your top thrift shop finds ever?
Ohhh yes I do! I’m always on the hunt for that diamond in the rough. I frequent local swap meets almost weekly to come up on the rarities that you can’t find elsewhere. You won’t find me shopping at any of the over-stocked trendy thrift stores in this city, and best believe I get
Lately, Little Dragon, The xx, and Sa-ra have basically taken over my cd player. I’ve also been bumpin’ the new Miss Wax mix-tape produced my boyfriend, Dj Cleancut. Keep your eyes peeled for this free download!
In the last 6 months our international business has grown greatly, with stores popping up all over Japan and The Netherlands. You’ll find lots of the Wax for sale throughout the states as well, especially in Los Angeles. Shouts to: Joyrich Tokyo, Special Sauce in New York, Guerrili Concept Store in Rotterdam and 5&ADIME in San Diego!!! Don’t forget to buy your goods online as well at: Misswax. com, Karmaloop.com, Freshcotton.com, and 80spurple.com. What’s next for Miss Wax? Sneakers? Handbags?
The 2010 line comes well equipped with leg accessories, handbags, and a few note-worthy collaborations. Speaking of sneakers, we’ve paired up with the Boston based footwear line, HeyDay for their first ever female collaboration. This also marks their first season of ladies footwear which is beyond exciting, not to mention these bad boys are dope as hell.
Where’s your stuff sold?
.39.
FASHION
I FIRST MET YOU A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AT YOUR BOUTIQUE IN THAT LITTLE BOMBED LANE IN MELBOURNE. WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT OF THAT STORE AND WHY DID IT DIE?
Ah Rancho Notorious! Yeah, that store was down underground. Yeah the lane was a stinkin’ bin lane behind Swanston Street that we would we hang in and enjoy the view. Writers from all over the world had a crack at the walls in that lane. Hell they ended up doing daily tours down the lane for street art fans. As for the store, it stocked the early stages of Mont La Roc and a bunch of other stuff like Shadow Label which was dope.
Breakers, Hip Hop cats and a few local celebs. That’s
My fave hip hop records are E.P.M.D Strictly Business
who I’m targeting but I’m not fussy with who ends up
& Business as usual equally but I am into heaps of new
with it as long as they know what’s up.
stuff too. Hard ass question.
it coz they owned the building it was a part of and they
STREETWEAR IS SO HARD TO MARKET AND GET THE
WHAT POP ART INSPIRES YOU?
wanted all of the stores to piss off so they could sit on it
BILLS PAID FROM THE UNDERGROUND STORES IN
and be all Myer like. Wahhhhhh!!!!
AUSTRALIA. MONT LA ROC HAS BEEN AROUND FOR
Pop art is an inspiration for a lot of what I’m on about.
I HEARD MONT LA ROC IS GOING GLOBAL! WELL AT
A FEW YEARS. WHAT’S YOUR TIPS ON SURVIVAL?
It’s meaning is in the eye of the beholder but to me it is
Twoone, Phibs, Reka, Sync, Yok and Kab101 did prints for it. I was very street specific but Myer put a stop to
a mirror of the times and what you think of them.
LEAST AN OFFICE IN NORTH AMERICA. CONGRATS! HOW’S YOUR WORLD DOMINATION COMING ALONG?
In Australia it is unrealistic to just target a subculture. It is obviously cooler but not real. We are too small as
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MONT LA ROC?
Yeah Mont La Roc is going places maaaaan. We hooked
a nation to have cash support from the underground. It
up with a Canadian crew who are currently pushing the
is crucial to be flexible in your outlook. Pigeonholing
Just keeping on keeping on. I’ve got alot of new art
radness around the east and west coast so it is good
your label is deadly in Oz.
to get out there and we’re getting into some jackets,
times.The truth is I am just super lucky to have a great friend who is from Canadahhook me up.
raglans and slacks in the near future so that’s cool. WE LOVE THE NAME MONT LA ROC! TELL US THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT...SCOTT LA ROCK? T LA
IT’S GREAT GENERAL PANTS HAVE SUPPORTED YOU
Beers , BBQs, Bob Marley
FOR A WHILE...HOW DID YOU HOOKUP THAT?
Bang on Tash! (Scott La Rock.) Yeah I was a graffiti The G.P. account is just because they dug the tees and
punk rollin’ with a crew called Grand Damage in a
ordered it. They have been supporting us solid for years
suburb called Mont Albert in the early 90s. We listened
now. We are very grateful there are stockists like G.P in
to alot of b.d.p and called our hood (Mont La Rock)
Australia coz it’s a tough part of the world to push sub
and did mean murals in a dead end lane. We ran a few
culture wears because we are a very surf-style nation at
couches in there and maxed out for years. Good times!
large. YOU OBVIOUSLY LOVE 80S HIP HOP WITH SHANTE, HOW DO YOU MARKET THE BRAND?
JUICE CREW, BIZ MARKIE ETC IMAGERY....WHY ARE THEY YOUR FAVOURITES?
I am terrible at marketing. I have never wanted to do much, a few ads and a small staunch run of street poster
Shit yeah I wish we were back there some days. The
paste ups.
fashion was killer then.
WHO WEARS YOUR CLOTHES?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HIP HOP RECORDS OF ALL TIME?
It varies a fair bit but a lot of design peeps, Dj’s,
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TELL US 3 THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HELL YEAH!
ROCK?
FASHION
Yours Truly Brand was conceptualised in 2007. New York City is the perfect breeding ground for Yours Truly’s refreshing ideas - from the music and street culture to the relationships and creative characters. This is the lifestyle that’s reflected onto the clothes and resurrected back out on the streets. Clothing and fashion can be a statement of how you choose to live your life and a perfect outlet for showing the world what you’re truly about. Finding clothes that you love to wear, while setting trends, are not always easy. This is why we give you Yours Truly Brand. TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST COLLECTION AND THE ‘FUCK THE ECONOMY’ CONCEPT? HOW ARE YOU AND THE PEOPLE GETTING BY IN NYC SINCE THE COLLAPSE?
The ‘Fuck the Economy’ collection is my sorta crooked and controversial approach in retaliation to the economic crisis. The checkered Craigslist pattern was created using scandalous New York City Craigslist ads. I think that people are probably turning to some extremes in order to make ends meet, so I put this brutal reality onto the clothes. Ever since things have slowed down, I’ve definitely cut back on dinners out and some partying. I do a lot of my own graphics and come up with the concepts. I’ve worked with some graphic designers and I’m still looking to working with
new people. The company is me for the most part, but I have a lot of people helping and supporting me, for example my intern, Nadine. YOURS TRULY BRAND NYC MAY OR MAY NOT COMPREHEND WITH THE STANDARDS FOR WHAT IS NORMAL IN TODAY’S SOCIETY. HOW DO YOU FEEL NOT ‘NORMAL’ IN TODAY’S SOCIETY?
I’m not even sure what is normal anymore. It’s pretty subjective. It seems like a lot of people are changing their state of mind. I guess normal is what the mass population does, what is common, and what society veers us to do. Yours Truly sometimes goes against what is expected, usually seen, heard, or spoken about. Yours Truly questions what’s surrounding us. For example, the Summer 2010 collection is eco-friendly using 100% organic Peruvian pima cotton and is produced at a family owned and operated facility. Normal in the clothing biz is producing in China.
WHAT’S YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF STREETWEAR/HIP HOP AND WHERE DID YOU GROW-UP?
I grew up in Crofton, Maryland right in between of Baltimore and Washington DC. At the time it was the Drug Capital and the Murder Capital. Starter jackets and kicks. I think athletic wear was the main source for those genres. I had a Lakers and a Raiders Starter. I use to wear a lot of athletic gear and sneakers, but always switched it up and rocked my dresses and changed my look daily. I really don’t look to anyone in particular. I’m into looking at Japanese Fashion Mags. I really like the modern pop Japanese style, it’s colorful and inspiring me to be bright and powefrul. WHAT’S NEXT?
I’m planning to open up a women’s boutique at my location in Bushwick, Brooklyn. I’m still building the brand up at an organic pace, each collection doing something new.
US GIRLS WHO DON’T LIVE IN NYC WONDER IF GALS LIKE YOURSELF REALLY DO LIVE A ‘SEX AND THE
OH,AND WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE IN BUSHWICK TO
CITY’ LIFESTYLE....WHAT’S THE DATING SCENE LIKE
GET A DOPE, CHEAP FEED?
IN NYC?
Yeah, if you have the money and the right attitude it is. It’s pretty real. The dating scene, I guess it depends on the person, but it’s kinda like an adult playground. There’s so many people, different kinds of people. If you are looking for a date you got it, just choose wisely.
I live on Mr. Kiwi right now, it’s the best thing to ever open up in my hood so far. TELL US 3 THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HELL YEAH!
Truth, Parties, Praise
GRAFFITI / BLONDE
GRAFFITI / BATES
GRAFFITI / BLONDE
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‘Keep the Streets Empty For Me’ Photography: Conan Whitehouse Makeup and Hair: Elana Mullaly Styling: Sarah Birchley Models: Kiri Crocker, Lucy Thompson and Chanel Vrbanjac.
Page 1 and 2: Kiri wears – Leggings – P.Cox Vintage bodysuit and jacket – Stylist’s own Vintage glassbead neckpiece and Nike pumps – Boxvintage Vintage gold chain – Stylist’s own Page 3 Lucy wears- Digital print dress – Stretsis at Chasing Bow Hooded bodysuit – P. Cox Headpiece – Elana Mullaly Vintage leather neckpiece and earring – Stylist’s own Leopard print creepers – Model’s own Chanel wears – ‘Bitch with the Most Cake’ T shirt – Married to the Mob Gold foil jacket – Boxvintage Vintage aloha skirt and sequined baker boy hat – Stylist’s own PAGE 4: Lucy wears - same as page 3
Page 5 Chanel wears –Logo singlet – Dimepiece Vintage floral bandeau – Bang Doll Vintage Leggings – Rufus Green Vintage hoodie – Boxvintage Vintage tribal necklaces – Stylist’s own Airforce One Nikes Page 6 Kiri wears – Decollage Vintage Bodysuit – Stylist’s own Spray Jacket – Married to the Mob Vintage gold chain – Stylist’s own Gold Doc Martens Lucy wears –Vintage dress and Cue print tux jacket – Stylist’s own Baseball cap – Married to the Mob Vans Chukka boots - Boxvintage Chanel wears –Same as page 5. .51.
photography CALLIE MARSHALL styling IRENA. makeup CHEYENNE SARFATI hair VIOLET BOYSON models SARA | KAT | VIOLET thanks to SEIKO from Brisbane (Australia) for painted toys and HEADS UP FILM SERVICES for all other props.
lace corset belt & tiered skirt (worn on top) from KITTEN D’AMOUR. CAMPER boots from HYPE DC. model’s own bra.
GRAFFITI / BATES
TIGER LILY shirt & HAUTY COUTURE suspenders from CHEEKS. cardigan, gloves & parasol from KITTEN D’AMOUR. skirt by ROCK CITY from THREAD N BONE. stylist’s own; custom docs, stockings & tie (worn as belt).
GRAFFITI / BLONDE
(on left) corset by CYAN REIGN from THREAD N BONE. frilly knickers by KITTEN D’AMOUR. FAFI x ADIDAS shoes from HYPE DC. stylist’s own; head-scarf & stockings. (middle & right outfits shown on previous pages).
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corset, skirt by CYAN REIGN from THREAD N BONE. cardigan by KITTEN D’AMOUR.
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IRON FIST top from THREAD N BONE. tutu & head piece by KITTEN D’AMOUR. CONVERSE shoes from HYPE DC.
Dress (tucked up) & suspenders by KITTEN D’AMOUR. CONVERSE shoes from HYPE DC. stylist’s own; corset, gloves, tutu, stockings & vintage belt.
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Hoodie - Closet Romantic Tshirt - Princess of the Posse Necklace - Danika Shorts - NY Couture Tights - Stylist’s own Kicks - Nike [courtesy of DJ Amore]
Button down - Lira Denim corset - PiÊce de Resistance vintage Gloves - Miss Numa Pants and scarf - stylist’s own
Earrings - Edge of Urge Tank - Princess of the Posse Blouse - Pepper and Pistol Leggings - NY Couture Boots - Polo Ralph Lauren [courtesy of DJ Amore]
Shades - a-morir by Kerin Rose Blouse - Pepper and Pistol Overalls - Piéce de Résistance vintage Leggings - Princess of the Posse Boots - Polo Ralph Lauren
LE TEAM: Photography: Kevin Link Hair: Yasutaké Makeup: Rika Shimada Stylist: Kelly B. Model: Leigh @ APM Model Management
FASHION
Photographer: Berman Fenelus Styling & Clothes: Coup D’etat Models: Doud, Rasu, Suhail, Shotta, Rob Fokused Brooklyn NYC
Berman Fenelus is a photographer, director and all round visionary. Raised in Brooklyn, New York he has embraced his diverse upbringing always finding a way
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to reflect it in his work. Whether shooting fashion, celebrities, editorials, commercials, or music videos for emerging artists, Berman Fenelus WILL MAKE
YOU LOOK GOOD! The sun, the earth and the people make Berman go Hell Yeah!
GRAFFITI / BATES
GRAFFITI / BLONDE
FASHION
THIS PAGE: (right) t-shirt by Mont La Roc, earrings by Miss Wax, jacket, necklace and tights stylists own. (bottom) jacket by Le Coq Sportif, t-shirt by Die Constant, necklace by Miss Wax, earrings/ bandana stylists own. OPPOSITE:(left) t-shirt by Jeepney, bikepants by Supre, tights by Target, Air Max sneakers by Nike. (right) t-shirt by MOB, button-up by Grand Scheme, tights by Chica Booti, sneakers by Kustom, belt by Nike SB, bandana by Sun State Rollergirls. (below) t-shirt by MOB, dress (underneath) and tights by Yours Truly, earrings by Miss Wax, scarf and bangles stylists own. PHOTO CREDITS Model: Safa Make-up: Cheyenne Sarfati using MAC & Slap Cosmetics Stylist: Natasha Dunstan Photos: Big Brother
SOUNDS
By Paul Murphy It all started innocently enough... One day in May 1992 a couple
knew it and other bands knew it. Word got around the local
for a while whilst they screamed at each other.
of brothers I had recently met dropped into my work with a
Metal community quickly so by my first show with the band
I was concerned about the arguments but the band was just so
demo tape of their band, KILSWITCH and asked me to give it a
some five weeks later we were able to set a new house record
good I could really see us making a serious impact. I was three
listen. If I liked it, they wanted me to come down and rehearse
for live music at the venue. The guys had tons of friends and
years older than the next eldest member of the band (a couple
with them as they were planning on recording a CD in eight
lots of leftovers from my old glam days turned up as well. The
of the guys were only 18-19) so I guessed they would mellow
weeks and found themselves without a vocalist. They had heard
place was packed to the rafters and we destroyed it. The second
out as they got older and as soon as the band started getting
about me from friends and in all honesty I think they were
we finished the place emptied out and the next band literally
somewhere they would unite together as one. Oh how very
impressed that my hair was so long and I had been in gigging
played to six people. I don’t want to sound up myself but on a
wrong I would turn out to be...
bands before. To tell you the truth, I had little or no interest at
good night we were close to untouchable as a live act. People
first. I had not been in a band for over two years and was pretty
would just freak out at the power and the passion that we would
I instantly struck up a stronger than usual friendship with
much over the idea of ever joining one again... Then I heard
put into the shows and the dedication of our fans in those early
Ruben, one of the guitarists and at that point kind of the band
the tape.
months was just amazing! We were on roll.
leader. He was a great dude and had come up through the Hip
Hop scene and was not only a fine guitarist but a mad break
I loved the direction the band were heading in, mixing elements
At that first jam I also noticed a couple of personality clashes
dancer, total street style with outrageous head spins and ball
of Thrash Metal (dig those Anthrax-esque riffs!) with a Punk
within the band that I put down to boys being boys and just kind
rocks that would often end with him jumping back on his feet
attitude stolen directly from Suicidal Tendencies (we all LOVED
of ignored. The two guitarists in particular seemed to always
and head banging. He and I shared an energy that everyone
Suicidal) and then throwing in some Skid Row, Megadeth
be in competition with each other on every level. They were
around us lacked. We never stopped working on the band;
and early Pantera styled chorus’. The five songs that would
both very passionate and talented guys but they never really
writing tunes, building drum risers, artwork, pasting pole
make up our debut CD EP were all but finished. These blokes
gave each other the respect they both deserved. Guitarists are a
posters all over the suburbs, printing flyers, booking shows,
seemed ready to take on the world and that is the only way to
weird mob. They are usually amazing at playing their instrument
designing merchandise, chasing payments- whatever it took we
approach it because if you don’t you are doomed to be the first
and hopeless at just about every other aspect of being in a band
were there to make sure it got done. We were totally the big
band on at a six band night for the rest of your lives.
whether it is turning up on time, lugging gear, getting on with
brothers in the band. It drove us both crazy but we loved it.
We got into the studio and from my very first jam with the
band mates, paying for rehearsal etc. I’m sure the two of them
boys it just sounded AWESOME. We were onto something
were at each other’s throats at one point at that first jam. I
Our debut release FREESTYLE: THE KILSWITCH DEMO
here. We knew it, the guys at the studio knew it, our friends
remember the drummer, bass player and myself sitting outside
was recorded and mixed in 29 hours which was the same
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amount of time it took BLACK SABBATH to record and mix
better by the week wasn’t helping the big fella’s cause at all. But
Over the next year we would play with every major Australian
the legendary first album in 1970 (not that I’m comparing our
he was just the best guy ever to be in a band with, a giant of a
Metal, Punk and Hard Rock band as well as playing ‘Official
EP to one of the greatest and heaviest records of all time). That
man, funny, down to earth and a heart of pure gold. In the end
Tour Parties’ for everyone from Guns ‘N’ Roses, Skid Row and
is pretty fast by any standards but we had fuck all money and
that would be his downfall.
Metallica to Ugly Kid Joe ( their guitarist was overheard saying
releasing a CD entirely independently in those days was rare,
“these guys shit all over us” whilst he was watching our set from
especially for Metal bands. In fact we were one of the first to do
One balmy night at Party Pig studios in the luxurious
the balcony). We played with German Thrash legends Kreator
it. Cassette demo tapes were still all the rage back then. One
Toongabbie area of the ‘Greater West’, the first of many line up
and their main man Mille came up to me after our set and told
of the songs ‘ALL RISE’ I actually sang in full for the first time
changes occurred and I’m still pretty sure we made the wrong
me he thought we were awesome and really doing something
as I was recording it. Reading lyrics off a sheet of paper in a
decision. Somewhere towards the end of our jam some words
quite original. We were legit, Kreator liked us!
darkened room is not the easiest thing to do! The whole band
were exchanged between Daniel (one of our fiery guitarists)
had an absolute blast recording. I remember those couple of
and Adam. It got out of hand REAL quick as drums were thrown
Although there were problems within the band we always
days amongst the best we ever had together- nothing like five
across the room, threats were made and a hell of a lot of hard
presented a united visage when anyone else was around. We
headstrong, arrogant dudes joining forces for a common goal!
work was about to be washed down the drain. Adam was furious
were all fearless and really didn’t give a flying fuck who we
We then asked legendary Aussie mastering guru Don Bartley
and sick of being the last one considered when decisions were
upset, pissed off or crushed along the way. There was another
to work his magic. He told us he thought we were one of the
made and this was the night that he was going to get it off his
local band starting up around the same time and they were
best bands he had ever mastered. Don wondered if Australia
chest. He was a mountain of a man and probably could have
awful beyond all comprehension. They were acting all Metal and
was ready for our hybrid blend of Thrash, Glam, Punk and
beaten the rest of us to a pulp if he got angry enough. Daniel
hard but they were softer than baby’s shit. The singer was this
Rap (which we christened FREESTYLE) and suggested we
wanted us to kick Adam out, Adam wanted us to kick Daniel out
chubby fucker that was actually from my primary school and
head straight to America or Europe. The two guitarists shared
and I just wanted to go home and watch Letterman.
used to play the lead roll in fruity kiddie theatre nights when we
the cover art, one doing the front, one doing the back (more
were seven years old. Seeing him with a leather jacket on acting
competition, more arguments, more bullshit...) and then we took
Daniel went home and we listened to Adam scream his guts out
like Rob Halford was so funny because I would just remember
some quick photos at a local park including a killer shot of us
about how it was him or Daniel, simple as that. We then drove
him from singing ‘There’s A Hole In My Bucket’ with some little
looking down from on top of some cricket nets that everybody
to Daniel’s house and listened to him scream his guts out about
snobby girl with ponytails and a lisp. Some of our friends told us
still loves. We pressed up several thousand copies of the EP and
how it was him or Adam, simple as that. Five months into my
their guitarist was constantly slagging our band and calling us
it sold out in less than six weeks. Why we never pressed more I
tenure with the band and we had already reached Catch 22.
pussies so Daniel and myself went to his work one day armed
will never know. If you are really lucky you might find one at a
Adam was the best guy ever but a below average drummer and
only with our arrogance and an Ibanez which we put down in
Cash Converters somewhere for $5 but more often than not they
not getting any better. Daniel was out of control, unreliable,
front of him with his co-workers and friends looking on and
end up on EBay where they sell for up to $150.
volatile and controlling but a great songwriter, musician and
ordered him to try to play one of our songs. He was nearly in
performer. We did what seemed best for the future of the band
tears as he admitted he couldn’t play our songs and was close to
not the future of our friendships. Adam was out.
shitting himself in fear by the time we left the store laughing our
In the early nineties Metal was massive and bands such as Metallica, Faith No More, Motley Crue, Pantera, Skid Row,
guts out at him right in front of his entire posse. I heard down
Soundgarden, Megadeth and Slayer were well represented in
Our next drummer Arnold only lasted about eight months
the track that he actually turned out to be a pretty good bloke
the streets with kids in Metal shirts on nearly every corner. The
in the band and was actually thrown out just a few days after
so I feel like Daniel and I actually did set him on the right path.
styles within Metal just kept expanding, you had Heavy Metal,
completing drum tracks for our second CD. Once again he was
Whatever, he was a fuckwit.
Thrash Metal, Glam Metal, Speed Metal, Funk Metal, Rap
an awesome dude but good old personality clashes would lead
Metal, Progressive Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal,
to him being thrown out in the bluntest of ways. I was different
We never took shit from anyone and were constantly getting
Stoner Metal and Black Metal, as well as Grindcore, Hardcore,
enough to the other guys with my annoying Vegan shit but
into fights with the dick-headed security that venues insisted
Metalcore and Post Hardcore coming from the punkier side
Arnold was just too different to be able to co-exist with these
on having whenever we played shows. People were terrified of
of the tracks. It was like reading a menu and Kilswitch fitted
drugged out, pissed up, aggressive maniacs. The fact that
us which was funny to me as we were all actually pretty nice
right in at this time as we were mixing up a few of the styles
he liked to chat at length to the other guy’s girlfriends was
people. After about a year of us playing live the cops would show
without being locked into any one sub-genre. Once again with
probably the real reason he was booted. I thought he was a
up at every show and lurk around just in case anything went
mainstream acceptance came mainstream people, lots and lots
great guy and we became close friends but two of the guys just
wrong. One show at an infamous venue called the ‘Cobra Club’
of yobbos and bogans jumped onto a bandwagon that, in reality,
fucking hated the sight of him after only a few weeks of him
ended with us having the power cut mid set after I ordered the
they never really had anything to do with previously. Shirts
being in the band. I don’t think he even knows about any of
crowd to turn on the security who were heavy handed to say the
were off and down the front they headed not caring for anyone’s
this even now some 15 years later. Young fucked up alpha male
least and were always being really sleazy towards our girlfriends
safety or well being. Mosh pits became the violent domain of
guys with gorgeous girlfriends quite often get very Peacock
and female fans. We made big news in Drum Media and On
bulky idiots and that sense of brotherhood that once existed in
like, flapping their wings around and warning off any potential
The Street and even the Telegraph with cries of ‘Thrash Metal
the scene was becoming lost. And it wasn’t just Metal that was
competition by kicking up some dirt and marking their territory.
Band Starts Riot’. I actually had to do several radio interviews
affected, the exact same thing happened with Punk. But money
It fell apart spectacularly one night on stage in front of more
explaining what happened. Another time at a fucking dive of a
was being made, merchandise was being sold, Metallica were
than 800 people when at the end of our set Rick casually walked
venue in Rockdale (a good place to go if you want some dirty
selling 10 million albums a year and late night music shows
towards the drum riser, lifted his bass over his head and started
smack or a stolen TV) a big local imbecile walked up to Rick
on TV were forced to put hour long blocks of Metal videos in
destroying the drum kit with Arnold still sitting behind it! It was
all confrontational and threatening and asked “why do you
amongst the Kylie Minogue and New Order clips. It was a good
horrifying but pretty entertaining at the same time. No wonder
wear your hair so long?”. Rick slowly looked up to this meat
time to be in a band as the local scene was flourishing unlike
The Dillinger Escape Plan became my favourite band years
head from under his sunglasses and casually uttered the best
today where it seems bands are lucky if they get 100 people to
later. I missed seeing shit get destroyed!
comeback ever- “because I’ve got the fucking balls to”.
a show. We would have cried if only 100 people came to one of
All this fearlessness and bravado was about to catch up on the
our shows!
Arnold was devastated as you can imagine but was in other
band in what I like to refer to as the ‘Introduction Of The Dark
bands within a few months and was about to make a life change
Cloud That Would Forever Hover Just Above Our Heads’.
It soon became obvious that the musicianship of the band was
as drastic as the other three remaining guys besides myself
improving out of sight at an alarming rate; the one exception
would eventually make, but more of that later.
It was a 21st Birthday party held for one of our friends in
was our lovable drummer Adam who was not only the bass
Enter one Steven Pell, a great guy and an absolute motherfucker
Parramatta one Saturday night. I had this feeling bad shit was
player’s very best friend but one of the nicest human beings I
of a drummer who was wasting his time up to that point in a
going to go down so I just stayed at home. There are several
have ever had the pleasure to know. He just wasn’t cutting it
cover band who used to jam at the same time we did. He showed
different versions of events that happened that night but the end
and the fact that Rick our bassist was so damn good and getting
such balls to leave a band he was in with his wife to join us.
result the next morning was some guy beaten up real bad with
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SOUNDS
“I have never studied psychology but being in this band I learnt more about human nature than I ever wanted to know” his eye out of it’s socket and a couple of our guys up on assault
course I am a true gentleman and never brag about sexual
meeting would walk up to me with a bunch of people in tow and
charges. The guy was messed up pretty bad, we were in deep
conquests- I find it kinda pissweak! So anyway, one night I
boldly introduce me as “..my good buddy Paul”. What the fuck
shit and it was only going to get deeper.
held a bit of a mini-party at my house with a few of the crew,
is wrong with people?
Who held who down? Who started it? Who kicked him in the
some random buddies and a couple of girls they knew. We just
head? Who told the Police what? Where the fuck were you?
listened to some music and chilled out in my backyard. It starts
Six months or so after Steve joined we were asked to come
Why are you changing the story? Our lawyer says plead guilty
getting late and people leave, our crew guys crashed in my
down to Victoria to play four shows in and around Melbourne
to a lesser charge! I’m not pleading guilty to anything because
lounge room and I headed off to bed. What awaited me in my
where we quite popular without ever playing a single show
I didn’t do anything! But if you don’t plead guilty I’m going to
room is an image that is etched into my retinas for life and still
there. We were getting ready to go to rehearsal two days before
fucking jail! These became the new topics of conversation over
haunts me to this day. I opened up the door and switched on the
the tour only to turn up at Daniel’s house for him to tell us he
the next few months as we were told the police were intending
light, there spread eagle on my bed was a fuller figured lass I’d
was leaving the band, he was out of his mind on something
on making an example out of this. Random violence was getting
met for the first time earlier that evening pleasuring herself with
and his paranoia towards the rest of the band was at an all time
out of hand in the suburbs at that time so I guess they figured
a huge orange dildo at about 80km/hr in an over sized Pantera
high. I believe he was also worried he would not be able to
seeing as we were really well known it would send a message
t-shirt with a huge picture of Phil’s head on it (the shirt that is).
get whatever it was he was on in Melbourne and was timid to
out to many others. I still don’t know what actually happened
Where she got that dildo from I’ll never know. Did she bring it
leave his safety zone for an entire week. KILSWITCH didn’t
but I do know it wasn’t good at all and it was also going to lead
with her? I was horrified because I had just bought a new quilt
cancel gigs so we headed down to Victoria as a four piece and
to the slow death of a band that just months before seemed to
cover and she was ruining it! She started talking dirty but she
basically re-wrote and jammed the songs out in the van on the
have an unstoppable momentum with two sold out EPs released,
was drunk and kept slurring her words and it was just the most
trip down. Those four initial shows without Daniel were some of
several thousand t-shirts, baseball caps and shorts sold (we had
unattractive thing ever. I asked her nicely to get the fuck out of
the best if not the best the band ever played. We were pissed as
our own logo shorts for fucks sake!) and four house attendance
my room, went outside, put my brand new $450 quilt cover in
hell at Daniel because we had put so much effort into getting the
records held in Sydney alone.
the bin and went to bed...
band to where it was and now the guy that in my opinion caused
a whole bunch of the problems was taking the easy way out. It
Speaking of having two EPs, our second CD UPPERCUT had
I have never studied psychology but being in this band I learnt
was a relief to do those four shows without all the worry and
been out for a while and got a KKKK review in KERRANG
more about human nature than I ever wanted to know. Girls
drama, the fact that they were awesome was icing on a Vegan
magazine as well as four skulls out of five review in the
who had not spoken to me since the day my previous band split
cake so to speak. On the way back to Sydney we talked about
Australian magazine Hot Metal. We could easily get 500 people
started calling me again and just coincidentally wanted to catch
how we were going to go back home, write awesome tunes
to a show any night of the week and we would make 50 shirts
up. We would be out and girls who were paying no attention
and basically take over the fucking world! Our confidence was
for each major gig we did and we sold every single one of them.
to us at all would basically fall to the ground and assume the
through the roof, we were KILSWITCH, it was our destiny!
We were the only band to have a 24 hour hotline (an idea I’d
position as soon as they knew we were in ‘that’ band. If they
picked up in Los Angeles) which let people know when our
were such big fans wouldn’t they have recognised us anyway? I
It never happened. Once back in Sydney we hunted for a
next gigs were or if we were doing in stores anywhere. Some of
understand girls wanting to fuck Axl Rose or that fuckwit from
guitarist and in hindsight ended up making a very bad decision
the messages girls left on that machine were out of control, is
Nickleback (WORST BAND EVER!) but fucking guys in local
for two reasons. Firstly we just flat out picked the wrong guy, a
there such a thing as XXXX porn? I still see some of these girls
bands for an injection of self esteem is equivalent to racing after
nice guy, a good guitarist but not the right guy for this band in
and they are married and mums now. It’s frightening!
the garbage truck to fuck the council workers in my opinion. We
any way. And this decision was basically my fault. I picked this
had no money, were not famous and really had nothing to offer.
guy over our dear friend and roadie Craig who I just thought
And the girls, being in this band was ridiculous. Totally
And it wasn’t just the ladies. Dudes would act all stand-offish
was a little young for the band. He ended up playing on the
ridiculous! There were girls everywhere girls would fight over
and up themselves until they found out who we were then two
highly regarded Mortality album Structure before ending up
us in the toilets! I’ve never had a fight in a toilet in my life! At
seconds later they would be begging us to let their band support
in Three Point Tilt for a number of years. He should’ve been
times we all had serious girlfriends but when we didn’t, get out
us or race out to their car to grab a demo for us to hear. I always
in Kilswitch and I fucked him over I guess. He is still a great
of the fucking way because we were fucking everybody ! Of
used to love it when some dude who I didn’t even remember
mate, has a heart the size of the Opera House and is a shit hot
.76.
guitarist as well. We really tried with this new guitarist and then
distance now. Sorry Steve, my bad WILDLY!
went on to join Mortality and then Three Point Tilt with Craig
another after him who’s name I can’t even remember for the
our roadie. Last I heard he was doing the whole psychobilliy,
life of me.
The day I knew it was over and nothing would save it was the
punkabilly thing but he always loved that stuff. The later
But without Daniel it was just never the same again and I think
day I went over to Rick’s house and he showed me some lyrics
guitarists I don’t even know about.
everyone else in the band would admit it now that many years of
he wanted me to put to some killer riffs he had written. I looked
I never joined another band although I have gotten lots of offers
dust has settled. He was crazy, he was selfish, at times he was
them over, blinked, took a deep breath and read them again. It
over the years. I felt like we nearly made it and I didn’t want
unbearable, and he and Ruben were never meant to be in the
was Christian rock... OH! MY! FUCKING! GOD! STAB! ME!
to go backwards or play covers to disinterested piss heads
same room as each other but he was a beyond gifted musician
IN! THE! NUTS! WITH! AN! ICEPICK! I mean I loved Stryper
three night a week. I did a lot of travelling and got into more
and an excellent songwriter. In many ways he WAS the band.
as much as the next guy but you want me to sing that? And it
peaceful pastimes like yoga and body surfing.
Without him we were basically a big scary Doberman with it’s
wasn’t just Christian rock it was goody two shoes Christian
nuts cut off. We were about to fall apart and it wasn’t going to be
rock with anti-Madonna lyrics because she promotes same sex
Now here’s where it gets interesting! Rick and Ruben (who are
fun. The shit, as they say, had hit the fan.
relationships and also anti-Pantera lyrics banging on about how
brothers) married two sisters (who were lingerie waitresses)
it’s wrong to smoke weed, this coming from a guy that was
and they all became hardcore born again Christians. Seriously.
To make things worse I was in a horrid relationship by this time
blasting red liquid speed just two years earlier! What made it
No, I AM serious, really... Daniel, from what people tell me, fell
and I had lost almost all confidence in both myself and the band.
even worse is that Rick was the Rock Of Gibraltar up to this
into a very deep hole involving needles that he has struggled
New songs were just not coming and any snippets that did were
point, he never gave in and he was always positive about the
with for years. Fuck I hope he gets it together! And what about
ordinary as fuck and lacked any of the band’s initial greatness.
band’s future. If even Rick had lost vision we were dead in the
good old Arnold the second drummer? Well he went from
Coming up with lyrics for music that didn’t inspire me in any
water.
hanging out with a army of wasted metal heads to being an
way was totally impossible for me and my torturous girlfriend
undercover cop who specialised in computer crime (in other
was doing her best to destroy me with her every waking
Sometimes I think it was actually our crew who held it all
words busting kiddie fiddlers) and got a lot of sick people
moment. She would disappear on weekends with a variety of
together. They were the best guys on the planet and would
locked up for a very long time before moving on to forensics
fuckwits and then return only to be horrible and grumpy as fuck
basically die for us. Our guitar roadie Craig was technically
where he is now pretty much at the top of the tree. I have a
all week. Down the track I found out this was due to excessive
a better guitarist than both of our guys but he was happy as
half written song about those days called Junkies, Cops and
Ecstasy and Cocaine use whenever I wasn’t around, that, along
a pig in shit to play second banana and treat these guys like
Christians which pretty much wraps up what became of a band
with her nasty habit of fucking people behind my back really
rock stars. The other two main crew members were my closest
that had unlimited potential that got pissed up a wall with petty
started taking it’s toll on me. My vocal performances by this
companions during the entire time I was in the band. We
squabbles, wasted opportunities, a court case or two, a lack of
time were pretty dreadful to be blunt and nowhere near as good
went to shows together, drove to rehearsal together, hung out
focus and a crazy hell bitch thrown in just for the fuck of it.
as I was just two years earlier. I was smoking way too much
together, ate pizza together, we were never apart. We were the
hydroponic pot by this time and was not at my healthiest. The
oddest trio ever. Toonie our drum roadie looked like a cross
Our second to last gig was at the Metro Theatre in Sydney
band was going down the toilet fast and I was going down with
between Mike Muir and Krusty The Clown. I had four foot long
playing to 900 people, followed by our final show on Jan 29th
it...
hair and looked like a Death Metal Hippy and Chris Vaz was the
1995 at a place called D Joint in Liverpool, Sydney. We were
straightest looking dude you have ever seen who came from a
actually pretty awesome at these last two shows and it was good
There is nothing more peaceful and calming than waking up
well mannered upper middle class Indian family. Chris had a
to go out on kind of a high note. My best friend Mark from the
slowly in the quiet section of Layla by Derek & The Domino’s.
old Toyota Crown that we drove around in and I swear some
USA had come out to visit me. He was a killer guitarist and a
You yawn, you scratch your tummy, you smile and you say to
of the greatest laughs I’ve ever had were inside that car. We all
real tough NYC kinda looking dude so we got him up to play a
yourself “Y’know, life really is awesome”. The mood quickly
shared the same sense of humour and a unrelenting love for
KISS cover, Strange Ways with us and I introduce him as the
changes as you look up to see a row of trees approaching at 95
both music and marijuana. People would try and hang out with
original guitarist from Biohazard. The crowd were pretty into
km/hr as you head down an embankment in a hire van full of
us but we had a whole level of conversation going on that no one
it already as it was our last gig but add in the excitement of a
gear 200km from Melbourne! How I eased that van back onto
else could even get a handle on. One night on stage I had to spit
“surprise special guest from an American band” and the place
the shoulder of the freeway I will never know but I’m guessing
so bad that I just turned my head and let go to stage left with
went totally apeshit for our last three songs. After the show
that myself and Steve our drummer were about two seconds
ferocity. I looked over to see Chris’ face covered in what was in
people were coming up to him, getting photos and asking for
away from certain death. I can only imagine what was going on
my mouth two seconds earlier, we both hesitated for one second
his autograph. He even signed a breast! I could see this all
in the Tarago behind us with the rest of the band and Steve’s
and then cracked up laughing so hard that the band finished
unfolding from out of the corner of my eye as we were packing
wife looking on in horror. They said at first they thought I was
the song as an instrumental. I felt so sorry for him. I’m like the
up our amps for the very last time and I thought to myself, what
kidding around but soon worked out we were both asleep. I
world champion spitter so it was far from pleasant and would’ve
better way to end it all than with one last piece of pure bullshit?
always hated long drives but that was enough for me. That’s the
hit him pretty hard. Go spit directly in your best mate’s face and
nearest I have ever come to killing another person (as well as
if you are still talking afterwards you have a friend for life.
Good times...
myself) and I still get the shakes if I stop and think about how
So what the fuck happened to this motley crew? Adam got
close we were. I take a plane whenever travelling any serious
married and disappeared into the suburbs forever & Steve
.77.
SOUNDS
.78.
Interview conducted by DJ Skeme Edited by Mark Wong
Funkshone is a 7 piece funk band, was funk always the primary focus of the players or were members trained in other areas of
It’s not often when I travel that I get a break in between gigs where I can relax, shop, and check out the local sights. However, during a recent trip to the UK, I decided to make some time to link up with one of my favorite bands, Funkshone. I’ve been riding with these guys since their 2006 debut and made sure they became a household name within the B-Boy community, and they haven’t let me down yet! This band represents Breaksville, Funkshire and London to the fullest! Funkshone formed in 2006, but you guys have a really seasoned sound as if you’ve been recording together for years. How does a track begin and who comes up with the idea to set the tone?
Well, when we first started, I played all the instruments and wrote everything. It started out as an experiment to see if [Nino & I] could make an old sounding, obscure funk 45. I think we did that with records like Purification parts 1 and 2 and Stop The Bus. These days, I still come with ideas that are fully formed and the band rewrites things. I had the original idea and the lyrics for our latest 45 ‘Soul Survivor, but the bass player took it into a whole different league with the bass line you hear on that record. Then keys, guitar, percussion and of course horns continued the process. With the new material, everyone is writing. Sometimes the horn players come with an arrangement and we add to that. Other times I record drum tracks and the guys do their thing with that. In the last 10 years there has been a resurgence of funk bands coming out. What separates Funkshone from the rest of the pack?
I suppose we are trying to keep it old sounding. Although we record digitally [on Hard Disk] we use old microphones, where possible, and authentic recording techniques to redress that analogue to digital balance. The other thing is of course we gotta have a drum break on most of the tunes because it’s records that have breaks that originally inspired me. I got into this whole thing through growing up with Hip Hop records and scratch Djing. And I still DJ too! I’ve noticed that most of your tracks are drum heavy, yet not overpowering, and always have a “break” in it. Is this a conscious descision to have DJ’s cut doubles or are you flexing your drumsticks to show drummers how good you are?
There will always be better drummers than me, so it’s never been about showing off as such, or for [boosting] my ego. It is indeed a conscious decision as a lot of the funk records I like were used in seminal Hip Hop records. I hope one day that the next Jay Z might be spittin’ a rhyme or two to a Funkshone Break. And of course scratch DJ’s will always find it if it’s got a break in it! We’ve always been keen to “make ‘em like they used to”.
music before joining?
Funk has always been the primary focus of the band. Seeing Breakestra in the late 90’s made me realise that people still want to hear that kind of music, so I saw nothing wrong in starting a funk-centred project. However, all the players have differing backgrounds. Danny Huckridge is a funk player but also works with Jazz Fusion, Broken Beat, House, Neo Soul and Reggae and is a master at them all! Phil Brookes the Guitarist is from a Rock/Blues background and has recently upped his funk listening hours! Nino is originally an Electronic Music head and a trained Sound Engineer; he got into Funk through working with me and taking part in some Funk/Breaks radio shows I used to do at The University where we both work. The Brass Section are Funk/Jazz players and young too, so the older heads in the band have been sharing their collections in order for everyone to get a handle on what we are trying to achieve. The Percussionist Andy Sedman (DJ Prone) is an old school Hip-Hop head and DJ like me. He is probably the biggest collector of rare Funk and Soul 45’s in the band; he could talk you to sleep with that shit! With this kind of sharing going on, we have a hell of a lot of inspiration going on!
I’ve followed Funkshone since its’ initial 7” release of Purification on the Skyline label,
Rhythm, Breakestra, The Heliocentrics, and The Dapkings. Daptone records generally. Stonesthrow, Strut and Now and Again records are also killing it. There is a great deal of good Funk out there at the moment and I hope it continues. Lets talk about the recording process. Where do you guys record and what equipment are you using? Is your setup analog or digital?
The recording process is all about clarity. Nino brings a professional input into the recording techniques that we use in terms of microphone choice and placement. You can follow the Gabriel Roth route to a funk 45 or you can try to do your own thing. Both of which will result in a good record if the players are any good. We record digitally (Pro Tools/Logic) in a variety of locations. The Funkshone HQ is the Bottom Dollar Lounge studios in SE England. We record most of the drum tracks there and tend to add to those recordings at the Bass players’ studio, known as ‘The Hideout’. We use traditional valve amps, a real Hammond Organ, a Hohner D6 Clavinet and a whole host of incredible vintage synths and keys that the bass player owns. He and his knowledge and equipment are a big part of what we do. We don’t have any million dollar microphones but then again, that’s really not the most important thing when making a Funk record. As long as the source that’s being recorded is captured with clarity and plays back like you wanted it to sound, you’re on to a winner.
and since then you’ve released several more: a special 12” and an album in 2008. How
You have a new 7” called “Soul Survivor”
much control do you have over what’s
with guest vocals by Chris Wilson,
released versus what the label wants?
someone who is new to me. How did this collaboration come about?
Well, we are quite fortunate in that we are exactly what the label was looking to release. I first met Malachi (Skyline Boss) in the early 2000’s. He collects records and used to be in UK Hip-Hop band ‘The Herbaliser’ and so naturally, he knows his Funk! Malachi will generally pick which tunes he wants for 45’s and the rest goes towards album releases. So, we generally have quite a bit of a say in what gets released. Funkshone is very popular in Japan. How did the exclusive LP on P-Vine Records come about?
Malachi approached them in the knowledge that they represent a lot of good UK funk and soul bands in Japan and asked them if they would be interested in Funkshone. Luckily enough for us, after hearing the material, they were on board. We haven’t looked back since, and are currently working on the 2nd album for P-Vine. The Japanese LP’s are different than the UK ones and we generally do an exclusive deal with them for Japan. What inspires the sound of Funkshone?
That’s a BIIIIIG question! Where to begin…. Old jukebox 45’s, many of which never made a chart position. Heavy film scores by the likes of David Axelrod, Isaac Hayes and David Shire. Library records like KPM/De Wolfe etc., and today, bands such as The Poets of
I’ve known Chris for about 6 years as we used to be in a covers band. He comes from a church background when it comes to singing and so has a good range and a real love of the art. He is also a big soul fan. In the covers band we used to do songs by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Michael Jackson and Donny Hathaway and he can do them all with real class! I still play with that band from time to time. Upon recent times, we were looking for new vocals and I wrote Soul Survivor for his voice as he had never made an original Funk/Soul record before and I had never worked on that kind of a record with him. We are all pleased with the results and plan to feature Chris again on the next album.
If you had to name one band from any era that you could open for, who would that be?
That’s another killer question! It’s gotta be James Brown & the JB’s in my opinion, although I’m sure you would get a whole host of answers from the rest of the band! I’m also a massive Sly and the Family Stone fan, The Meters, Bernard Purdie. This could go on but I’d settle for any one of ‘em. Being born in the mid 1970’s I just wish sometimes that I was born a good 20-30 years earlier than I was, then perhaps I might have opened for some of these guys! .79.
ALL PHOTOS BY MIKE SCHREIBER FROM A NEW BOOK TITLED ‘TRUE HIP HOP’ SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE THIS AUGUST.
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PRIZED POSSESSIONS
SPICE
IF YOU’RE AN AVID COLLECTOR LIKE ME THEN PICKING THE ITEMS AMONGST YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS ISN’T AN EASY TASK! Here I get down to the nitty gritty in picking my own, as well as asking a few known heads what held the most weight in their own collections....
Graffiti Artist, Hip Hop Activist, Bandit Queens, Stick-up Girls, Youth Worker and Prized Possessions columnist for Hell Yeah. In the male dominated culture of Graffiti, there’s one name that is renowned for longevity and passion for representing the Australian Hip Hop Culture since its birth in the 80s. Sydney based writer Spice has stamped her name on every element!
OLD SCHOOL OUTLINES AND ARTICLES
MY OLDSCHOOL LETTERMAN JACKET
LAYER OF PAINT FROM A BRONX WALL
I still have original outlines from some of the first hits in Sydney during the early 1980s. These pieces of paper are priceless! I also have a collection of newspaper clippings documenting the first times hip hop/graffiti was ever in the media in Australia. I hold these tight because, unlike today, many writers, rappers, djs etc have friends working for various magazines.These are from the days when none of our friends were there to help with getting your name in a mag. No-one realizes what a massive accomplishment it was back then. Documentation means more than memories once the alzheimers kicks in!
Lettermans and baseball tops were a big part of my wardrobe. I still own a few old baseball tops but have only one letterman still in my collection. This being the jacket that is signed by Ice T, Darlene, Evil E and the legendary JAM MASTER JAY..may he rest in paradise!
Obviously not something most people would consider a treasure, but when this was sent to me in the post during the early 90s, I always knew it would hold some value. The Bronx being a spot where most graffiti writers would love to paint because of its history, this piece of the wall shows how thick the layers of paint were at that time and I think about all the dope pieces that added to each layer.
MY GHETTO BLASTER A pressie from my mum on my 11th Bday, and has been with me ever since. This baby witnessed the birth of the hip hop scene here in Sydney. It was THE stereo that pumped the tunes for so many bboy battles back in the day.Yep like LL, “I JUST CANT LIVE WITHOUT MY RADIO!!”
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TRIPLE J BLACK MUSIC SHOW MIX TAPES FROM THE 80s Thanks to Andy Glitre and Tim Ritchie, the JJJ Black Music Show on every Saturday night till the early morning hours, was the one night of the week that I NEVER slept. Sometimes dozing off with my finger on the record button of my stereo this show was the only place I got to witness the best in Funk, old school Hip Hop and Electro all at once. I can’t imagine ever getting rid of these mix tapes. They are the shit!
GRAFFITI GUM Chewing gum that was packaged with a series of stickers showcasing graf from around the globe. Not much larger than a matchbox, these stickers were the start of my collection before any book had ever hit our shoes. No sign of the wrapper, but I do still have a few stickers as new. The rest were plastered on my bedroom furniture and school books as a kid.
DMC Daryl McDaniels otherwise known as DMC alongside Run and the late Jam Master Jay, shouldn’t need an introduction unless you’ve been deaf, dumb and blind your whole life. Definately the most influential rap group of all time. RUN DMC were recently inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame.
dominated industry. Having collaborated with artists such as Mary J Blige, Queen Latifah, Mc Lyte, The Beatnuts, and Will Downing, just to name a few her latest release “GODspeed” spits truth and journeys of life’s lessons and reeks of her obvious love for Hip hop and courageous attempt to save its culture.
BACK IN THE DAY PICS OF THE BLACKWATCH MOVEMENT
Continues”. They even did a tribute track to one of Sydney’s fallen graffiti artists Bingo. It’s no wonder why we love them so much! Prior to them forming in 1992, i wonder how the rest of the hip hop world ever did without them. Being a self confessed Bandit Queen (a title to one of their songs) I was lucky enough to have them perform it in honour of my 34th Birthday. It’s a pity I was so drunk and sitting on the bathroom floor of the club when I heard them give me the shout out!
FIRST VINYL RELEASES My home studio and mic as well as my first two vinyl releases from 96 and 97. They really represent my Hip Hop best!
The Blackwatch Movement was a movement that focused on helping Black Youth embrace their history. We were heavily into Egyptian mythology and It was such a learning experience for me. I feel like The Blackwatch Movement was the first step towards my Self-Love.
FEMALE INSPIRATION This photograph was taken on the set of my video “This Is It”. The feminine energy was outrageous! We had alot of fun that day. It was empowering hookin’ up with Mc Lyte and learning the business side of the music industry. She taught me alot.
MY GRAFFITI BLACKBOOK My other most prized possession would have to be my graffiti blackbook. Bless it Up!
THE MIGHTY ZULU NATION LIVE CASSETTE TAPES My most prized possession of Hip Hop is my “live” cassette tapes of The Cold Crush 4 MCs and DJs Charlie Chase and Tony Tone. They are the reason RunDmc worked so hard to become the best live group in Hip Hop. They were the inspiration behind the flows, the energy, the songs and the presence!
The first time I was ever in a professional studio, Afrika Bambaataa was there along with Grand Puba. I was blessed with their grace and humility. I love the Zulu Nation and what they stand for. Much Love and Blessings go out to Afrika Bambaataa and the Mighty Zulu Nation!
LIN QUE Queens NY native Lin Que, also known as ISIS of X Clan, has a lyrical delivery and beauty that most ladies in Hip Hop would envy. Not afraid to talk of her take on the state of Hip Hop, while still preserving its marketable appeal, portrays her struggle of being a strong female in a male
PROMOE One of my all time favourite MCs. Sweden’s truth teller PROMOE and the rest of the Freedom Fighters known as LOOPTROOP, unleash their politically fierce, yet feel good style and honesty into every track produced. Promoe’s solo releases as well as the group’s, have been in heavy rotation on my player since I first witnessed the video to “Fly Away” from their LP, “The Struggle
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COMMENTARY
Interview by Raman Groom
there that aren’t familiar with websites
Internet movie of all time, and it brings 911 truth into the semi
Who the hell is Jason Bermas I hear you say? Well, if
such as Infowars.com, and don’t know who
mainstream. For instance, on the fifth anniversary of 911, the
you’re like most people and get your information via
you are, so tell me a bit about yourself and
History Channel in Australia played Loose Change 2nd edition.
the mainstream media, you’d have no idea whatsoever.
how you got involved in the whole 911 thing?
It was really just a phenomenal success, and we were able to
But if you’re open to getting your news outside the spin
travel the country, and premiere the film.
machine, you’d know Jason is a legend in alternative
Sure, well my name is Jason Bermas, I’m a 30 year old
media , running his own politically based, nationally
documentary filmmaker from NYC that really just fell into it.
Then we made ‘Loose Change Final Cut’. And from there I
syndicated US radio show, “The Infowarrior”, in league
Before 911 I was taking college courses for graphic design, and
made a film called ‘Fabled Enemies’, which deals with more
with Alex Jones, of Infowars.com.
working as a pizza guy. After 911 I had a few questions, about
of the intelligence aspects of 911. Instead of going into the
things that didn’t seem to add up, and I just kinda went along
physical anomalies and things that we did with Loose Change,
Jason is a major force behind the 911 truth movement, and is
with the mainstream media at the time. So about 6 months after
this movie really connects the dots and shows you 911 was
also a acclaimed filmmaker, contributing heavily to the highly
the attack, after we’ve already gone into Afghanistan, I see we
really an international intelligence operation, it shows you the
controversial documentary, “Loose Change”, (2nd edition and
are gearing up for war with Iraq. And even from the mainstream
Saudi Arabian, Pakistani, Israeli, links to the US government,
Final Cut), which openly contested the official version of the
stuff I have been seeing, I know Iraq has nothing to do with this.
and the connections to the attacks. And, I thought the next
September 11 attacks. Jason also personally created his first
evolution, was well, who’s behind this power structure? And
full length documentary, “Fabled Enemies”, further exposing
So I start asking a few questions here and there, and it wasn’t
the big question to me was, the “New World Order”, everybody
the international machinations behind 911. If you haven’t seen
until I went to my old high school, and I’m a pretty young guy
was talking about it, and I’d seen some pretty prominent people
them, drop everything and head down to YouTube, where both
at this point, like eight years ago, when I was like 22. I went to
throughout history discussing this term. For the last five years
are freely available to watch anytime.
see a couple of my friends who had just graduated, who were
on and off I’ve been studying this term, it came to be with the
teaching there. I go to the guy’s locker room, where I used to
culmination of ‘Invisible Empire’.
Bermas is an active and vocal force challenging the
suit up for basketball games, to use the bathroom, and in the
consensus view on society, a young guy, a hip hop fan, who
urinal there is a big picture of Osama Bin Laden and it says,
is a heavyweight in spreading the alternative news angle to
“OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM”. And I thought, this is
So for somebody who hasn’t been exposed
those who will listen. As a matter of fact, tuning into his show,
probably the biggest piece of propaganda that I’ve ever seen in
to this type of information before, and is
you’ll quickly see how intelligent his perspectives are, openly
my life, the kids at my school are literally pissing on Osama Bin
skeptical and generally close minded, how
challenging the propaganda of the mainstream media, and
Laden’s face everyday! And I thought , well, I better start finding
would you describe the New World Order?
deliberately shutting down lies. Jason challenges all who listen
out what the hell really happened.
to think for themselves, and to question those ideas that are fed to the masses as gospel, and for that, the man deserves props.
I called this movie ‘Invisible Empire – A New World Order I knew Bin Laden was a CIA asset in the 80s and I found this
Defined’, because it truly is that, it allows the people that use
website, “911 Timeline.net”, a 40 page, 12am to 12am synopsis
the term to indict themselves, with their own words, their own
According to his Wikipedia entry, “Like Alex Jones, Jason is
of what happened that day. And after looking deeper into it,
actions, and their own documents.
viewed by mainstream media as being extreme right-wing,
all this stuff was not making sense, so right there, I started
anti-democratic, and paranoid. In contrast, Jason sees himself
downloading all this raw news footage, and it became really
At the end of the day, New World Order, is terminology for a
as being pro-human rights, constitutionalist, anti-corruption,
clear to me, after doing my initial investigation, that there was
one world government, global governance, in which the elite
and open to a system of governance that maximises individual
something really wrong with 911.
rule the slave class. And 99.9% of us, are that slave class. And I
freedoms.”
think the people need to wake up to that fact, and understand, I kinda shifted, from caring about other things, to trying to get
that these people have been trying to do this, for not decades,
Well, as far as that comment goes, I’m inclined to agree with
this word out, and no one was listening to me, especially in NY.
but centuries, and incrementally over time, have established
the latter. Take some time out to check out his podcast on
I was ridiculed, and I lost a lot of friends, and eventually I just
different structures of world government and global governance.
‘infowarrior.infowars.com’, (while you can, mandatory ISP
fell into the Loose Change project.
So this movie is really a history lesson on the term, it’s got over
filtering in Australia will probably see invaluable sites like
200 New World Order quotes in the film, it goes through their
Infowars harder and harder to access over time).
The original Loose Change was a 60 min documentary,that
organizations, their modes of control, such as assassinations,
Jason is about to drop his new documentary ‘Invisible Empire: A
didn’t get too many hits online, but got enough of a buzz that the
false flag terror, climate change, and so much other stuff. I
New World Order Defined’, and I was lucky enough to catch the
creators, Dylan Avery and Korey Rowe, started making another
mean, this movie is over two hours long, and is jam packed with
man for a few words…
film. Basically, I got involved with helping create Loose Change
info. I think it’s gonna have people, who are not familiar with
2nd edition.
this information, with their jaw on the floor, and for people who
We released it, and it goes global, becomes the biggest
recognize the content, it’s giving them really, a reason, to start
Jason, basically there are lots of people out
.84.
“New World Order, is terminology for a one world government, global governance, in which the elite rule the slave class” handing out films on the streets again like they did with Loose
of the top 1000 websites right now. We are bigger than porn in
ardent skeptic, and they will just be like, “I didn’t know”.
Change. I believe this movie, graphically, is the most impressive
most cases. It’s huge. The only thing we are not really bigger
It’s such a joke, they promote themselves as the saviours, as
patriot movie, of all time. I literally pray that it wakes up millions
than are the massive social networking sites, which still promote
the hero’s, when they are the cause of the problem and they
of minds, and I really think it’s going to.
us, but it’s tough to be bigger than them, and stuff like CNN.
are demonising the human race, the population as the problem.
com and the big networks. But to be in the top 1000 websites in
They don’t care about us, they want us dead.
Awesome. Lets hope it does. So, what do you
the United States of America, and in the top 3000, consistently,
think of the more intangible elements of
in the world, is huge, we’re global. You wouldn’t believe the
What do you think of fringe conspiracy
the NWO, the overt symbolism, you see all
amount of contacts we now have here, it’s big, people are paying
theories, internet hoaxes?
the time, in the media and corporations,
attention.
and the occult connections?
When Fox news is starting to have Alex Jones on, you know we
I think it’s a tool used by mainstream propagandists to discredit
are over the target. And we knew Loose Change was over the
real researchers as “crazy tin foil hat wearing conspiracy
Well, first of all, I’d like to let people know out there that I’m
target when they were doing two hour hit pieces on the History
theorists”, when there actually are real political developments
a pretty secular guy, I believe in good and evil, and it’s very
Channel. Even in the most marginal of polls, they have to admit
happening every single day, that are disturbing trends, that
disturbing to me, that a lot of the people that pose as Christians,
that 1 in 4 Americans are 911 truthers, and I’d say that 1 in 10
deserve real attention....
they get up in front of churches, they act like this is their base,
Americans are aware of who Alex Jones is.
I go by the facts man, I nail them by their own documents, the
but are in fact, into the occult.
mainstream media’s own reports, by the news that’s openly Yeah well it seems to be getting more
out there, open sourced stuff. I’m not out there jumping on the
Although I don’t go into a ton of the symbolism, I do expose the
popular all the time, I’ve been listening to
bandwagon, talking about underground bases and alien fights.
fact that, these people are members of secret societies, are not
Alex’s show for years, and I thoroughly
It’s total nonsense, you gotta have some real discernment, you
what they seem, and do participate in pagan occult rituals, it’s
enjoy it.
know there is gonna be a ton of disinfo out there. You know that
just a fact.
So tell me your perspective on the global
crazy people are gonna get online and say whatever they want.
warming scam Jason?
I don’t believe in that, I stick to what I can prove, I have real
When you’re a member of the Bohemian Grove and you’re
whistleblowers on my show, I have real architects, I have real
taking part in the Cremation of Care, it’s a mock human sacrifice
It shouldn’t be my perspective, it should be everybody’s
where you worship a giant 40 foot stone Owl as your deity. I
perspective, I’m going off the facts! All of this is in ‘Invisible
engineers, I have real scientists, I don’t play those games.
have their annals, from I believe, 1892-1903, and they admit
Empire’, I covered every single bit of it so people understand
We’re not going up into the cosmos with the grey aliens to
it. It’s a ritual, where they worship the Owl. And I have their
what this is really about. There has been no physical global
worship some weird god in the sky. I think there is a ton of alien
annuals from literally 100 years later, from 1987-1996, where
warming since 1995! And from 1995-2010 we have become
and religious disinformation put into this movement, again,
prominent , “Christian Conservatives”, such as George Bush
more industrialised, with more real pollution out there, cause
to make us all look like new age kooks. We’re not. I’m in the
senior, his son, and Newt Gingrich, are doing these things. And
pollution does exist. But they don’t want to demonise the real
mainline. I may run for office one day. I want to change things. I
the OwI is symbolic of the ancient Babylonian deity, Molech,
pollution, they want to demonise carbon dioxide, gimme a
can’t go a day without getting on the news wire, without a huge
from the Old Testament, who demanded human sacrifice. And
break! There have been trials, in European courts admitting
story out there. There is a ton of stuff going on, every single
these high level political figures, these captains of industry,
that the sea level change is also a scam and a lie! By their own
day. Why are we being distracted by things that have literally no
dress up in robes, worship this thing, and burn a effigy of a
mouths and documents they are damned. This isn’t about global
effect on our lives whatsoever?
human at the altar of a giant Owl, as a way to celebrate every
warming, it’s about global government, and there is no man
year. I don’t think people really know about that, and I think
made global warming from carbon dioxide. There is a bit in the
That is exactly right. The facts should
they do need to understand that as well. It’s very scary.
movie, in an interview with Ted Turner and Charlie Rose, where
speak for themselves, and people like you
Ted admits what it’s about. It’s about killing people. He literally
are showing the information is out there
And that’s just the visible element. Lots of people know about
says the global warming agenda is happening because too many
for those open minded enough to listen.
Bohemian Grove, but there is obviously so much more to it all,
people are using too much stuff, therefore we have to stabilise
Anything else you wanna say to wake people
that we don’t see. It’s crazy.....
the population, or else we’re gonna end up like cannibals, eating
up to the Infowar?
each other, and he then goes on to talk about a 1 or 2 child Ok , let me give you a specific example of overt occult
policy.
I want to be able to get my stuff out there for free. I want
symbolism. When you head to ground zero, at the world trade
That’s not freedom. I don’t want to end up in a slave state
people to be able to download it and share it, cause this is a real
centre stop in the subway, there is literally a floor mosaic of the
where your guilty until proven innocent, where the military are
information war, and I want to see change, and I’m hoping, that I
all seeing eye, on top of the Earth, pulsating throughout the
the police, and where they tell you how many children you’re
can wake up the next patriot.
entire thing. And there are all these all seeing eyes in mosaics,
allowed to have. That is not humanity man.
throughout ground zero, just go ahead and Google it. And it’s
Alex Jones did wake me up to the point where I was going to
incredible to me, that they are so brazen and put it right in your
It’s funny all the overt propaganda they
take action. I watched ‘Road to Tyranny’, (Alex’s first doco
face.
use, like that young guy, who is current
about 911), and I thought to myself, I’m gonna prove him wrong,
fashionable spokesman for the global
and I couldn’t prove him wrong, and I started watching his
Well, it seems to be their religion, and they don’t seem to care
warming movement, David De Meyer
other films and I thought, well, why is there anyone else out
who knows about it.
Rothschild....
there making films and getting big on this information? And it
Can you give me an estimate of how many
Oh I’ve seen it, he is a big rockstar. He is a big bearded hippie
it, and if he doesn’t make films, maybe he gets into politics, who
people out there would watch an Alex Jones
rockstar, he makes my stomach turn man, he is promoting total
knows? All I know is, I aint going down without a fight.
film? Do you think that it’s getting out
lies, on behalf of his family and other elitists, so they can create
there?
global government, and put the population into further slavery,
‘Invisible Empire- A New World Order Defined’, is
and deeper into the control system. Again, people will wake up
available April 15 on DVD, or for direct download from
when they see this film. You can play it to the most frivolous
Infowars.com or Prisonplanet.com
spawned me into it, and I’m hoping to spawn the next guy into
(Laughs) Yeah sure it’s getting out there, in America we are one
.85.
COMMENTARY
a young adult, “Is this my life? Is this what I was meant
leaving alone gave me so much anxiety that I almost
to be doing?” What other explanation could one have
reconsidered. I asked her if we might be able to
for spending their ‘off time’ worrying about ‘non-off
find a better time, when I wasn’t as stressed. Not
time’ than to admit they’re addicted to stress? Some
that my world would be turned upside down by a
I don’t think assigning blame is a good look, but I
people blow it off at the gym or drink green tea to calm
four-day absence, but the other side effect of stress
feel like New York City may be a factor there. This
their nerves, but antioxidants don’t stand a fucking
is over-anticipation, which I’m a fucking queen at.
place is a breeding ground for pressure and worry,
chance against the five boroughs.
Immediately, my mind races to create potentially
WORDS BY: Tabatha McGurr I’ve been fucking stressed out lately!
problematic situations, and the only way I feel I can
everywhere you go it’ll follow you. Sometimes stress wakes you up as early as 7 in the morning, when you
There are times when the levels of stress I deal
deal with them is by clearing my slate entirely and
have to pull yourself out of bed to go move the car
with aren’t even that high, yet I turn them into life
simply waiting for them to occur, prepared. But
from one side of the street to another, as to not get
or death situations. I suppose it’s a reflection of my
this time I went against my extinct stand-by and left
a fine. And that’s if you have a car, lucky bastard,
masochistic and perfectionist personality aspects,
anyway, bringing my concerns in the suit-case with me.
otherwise you’re stressing over the unavoidable perils
which might otherwise be dormant. If I make myself
Almost as soon as we landed, I secretly pulled out my
of commuting via public transportation, namely our
believe that a affair is so important that it’s failure will
blackberry and eyed the emails uneasily as they came,
subway system, overly crammed with douche bags
ensue my own feelings of defeat, then I feel more of a
afraid that one of them might be expressing some
on the regular. Sometimes though, stress keeps you
sense of urgency to complete it. An example: if we’re
urgent disturbance over a matter I might not be able to
from getting sleep altogether, invading your dreams.
in the process of launching a new season at work, I
fix from my remote location. I sound a little neurotic,
In an ideal world, we’d be able to contain our stress
won’t sleep quite as calmly until it’s all finished and
don’t I? This again, I blame reluctantly on NY, which is
to it’s individual problems, but it’s almost
notorious for churning out obsessively anxious
impossible for it not to overlap into your
natives.
personal life, seizing social situations, friendships, relationships, and most
My vacation was lovely by the way, but it was
devastatingly, yourself. What do you do
definitely an adjustment getting used to laying
when your level of stress begins to dictate
in the sun under a palm tree without a looming
who you are? Unfortunately, I think that
errand to run or some brooding problem to
we’ve been so conditioned to accepting it as
tend to. I could see how what I’m saying might
a part of life that now we see it as a necessity,
be misunderstood as being ungrateful, so I’ll
or even worse, we use it to gauge our levels
compare it to how parents feel once their kids
of success. If somebody is really stressed out
leave the nest and they can hit retirement. So
all the time, one might assume that they’ve
many become depressed, they no longer have
got shit going on, because like Spiderman’s
those constant mental reminders, they no
Uncle Ben said: “with great power comes
longer feel the need to be challenged, and they
great responsibility”. The reason I’m
tend to lose the feeling that they’re needed,
writing about this topic is that I’ve noticed
that they contribute. That’s what this ranting
something rather disturbing lately, and it’s
and raving is all about, it’s to explain why
that I have a hard time functioning without
I’m obsessed with stress from time to time,
feeling the pressure or having stress there to
and although it can be a horrible way to live, sometimes it’s the only thing that can drive you
lean on me like a big bully. published. I treat it like a personal project, a child or
to feel alive again.
It starts during my sleep cycle, depending on the
pet if you will. During periods like that, which last
importance of the day to come, my internal clock will
around a month, all of my thoughts will contain some
Bu what would get done in a stress-free world? We
get thrown off as I persistently snap out of sleep in
kind of work involvement. I’m walking the dog in the
can’t constantly be on island time, sometimes we have
a cold sweat to grab my phone, only to realize that
park and suddenly my heart stops when I think “wait,
to put on the emotional armor and push through life
my alarm isn’t set to go off for another 4 hours. Once
did I send the correct sizes to the sylist?” And then
so we can get to the next stage of concern, and then
awake, I spend some time wondering about what I
panic and urgency ensue, and I spread the stress to
eventually, we may be able to smooth out the necessity
should or shouldn’t eat throughout the day, a concern
everyone around me until the gray cloud clears and
to associate trepidation with achievement. Who knows,
that is almost inevitable in any woman’s life, especially
I find a formula to fix my mistake. It’s not like stress
maybe one day we’ll even be able to get to a place
at the tender age of 19. This is followed by commuting,
sleeps on the weekend. Those are things you simply
where we can be completely spontaneous, leaving no
perhaps more infuriating and annoying than stressful,
don’t think about as a kid. When you envision your
trails and taking no precautions. Until then, there will
and then I’m thrown into the work day, which varies.
dream life, you don’t stop to dissect it and weigh the
always be a jar of Sour Diesel waiting for me on the
When it’s all done and I can start back home, I’m met
effects it’s responsibilities will have upon you, but
coffee table when I get home.
with different feelings of anxiousness, which project
that’s being a realist.
more onto my future than my present. You know,
I just got back from a vacation to Puerto Rico with
those typical questions of psychological coming-to for
my Mother, and as silly as I feel admitting this,
.86.