Category Archives: Streetwear
Kuala Lumpur (Super Sunday SSCG)
I rocked into town on the back of a tour-of-duty through cities in Japan, China, the vexatious and insidious DPRK, South Korea and, finally Malaysia‘s Kuala Lumpur. However, all was eerily quiet and I found myself wandering the streets alone. A large Police presence began to present itself and I was suddenly asking myself whether the revolution was in my midst.
Rounding a corner, I was faced with a blockade of riot gear-clad Policeman and Military brandishing sophisticated weapons such as clubs, batons, and the obligatory tear gas. I could not see the protesters for the governmental ensemble; except for the few that broke police lines and bolted through the streets, before being cut down by said weaponary. Beatings ensued.
Next, the cops started to warn any on-lookers (the 2 dozen or so of us), to “go back to your hotel rooms, go! go! go!” -and that we did, as the tear gas was let loose. I found myself wondering what fate had led me into the situation; following on from a nightmarish week under 24/7 sureveillance, scrutiny, and fatalistic intimidation back in the DPRK.
By midday the crowds had dispersed in my area (next to Opposition Party headquarters). Next day, I went sight-seeing amongst the graffiti exploits of my Malaysian friends, and topped it off with some discussion about the Secret Wars movement and the graff functions organised by the real heads at Super Sunday. It was my second trip to the store, and if you are ever down at Bukit Bintang, wander around the monorail station and check out the styles on show there!
Also, check some documentation of my time spent about town:
http://thesupersunday.com
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Benny Diar
Benny Diar (AKA Benny Boggs) is a notable street artist that began life as a graffiti supremo; bombing walls and freight trains across the United States.
He started out writing DIAR at the tender age of 11 and went on to lord it up with DTC crew, among San Jose kings SAER, PUZLE, PIER and VEKS. However, Benny became the victim of a severe car crash that left him paralysed from the neck down, in 2008. Henceforth, his bombing and burning career was tragically over. During his recovery, though, DIAR “remained dedicated to art, exploring other mediums” as he learnt how to command the paintbrush regardless of disability. He has since “started to use acrylics [to] paint using my mouth” and specialises in pop-like portraiture that homages aerosol (or graffiti) art forms. Also, just the other day DIAR decided to return to painting railcars for the first time in years. Albeit model railcars (see below). INFX was lucky enough to be granted an audience with DIAR, and thus asked:
MTW: What are your earliest memories of bombing?
BD: I remember really starting to see graffiti and bombing when I was five or six years old When I started walking to school in the morning. I messed around with it ever since but didn‘t get serious with my own name until I was 11 years old.
MTW: How close do you feel you’ve been to death? Did you think you’d die after your accident?
BD: I‘ve been close to death hundreds of times. I never thought I would die after my accident but I was expected to die 10+ times at the hospital in the weeks following my accident.
MTW: What motivation do you find within your thoughts to create art?
BD: After my accident I was just happy to still find a way to create. Now my thoughts about my art are a lot deeper. Although I‘m just being the person I am, hearing from people about how I inspire them has become a cycle because it in turn inspires me to push myself more.
MTW: Will you ever hit up a freight train again?
BD: I doubt it unless they come up with some major medical advances, but even then I don’t know. I guess we‘ll just have to see.
Check DIAR in action last week:
http://bennydiar.com/
“No Time For Regrets“
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Carbon
The absolute in Graff and Street Culture showcase hits town this weekend.
With an outstanding line-up of artists of multiple persuasions turning out en masse for parties & workshops, Carbon also features talks by industry stalwarts including Futura, The Hundreds, Noah Callahan Beaver, and local heavy-weights Tristan Ceddia & Dan Preston. Hosted by Acclaim Magazine, this primo event promises relentless insight and privledge to those that fork out for the rather outlandish ticket prices. However, it is also set to offer unprecedented access to all your favourite street art and associated customary endeavours.
Be sure to catch a glimpse, even just for a day -and we‘ll be there to check some of the action if you cannot.
Check it fo‘reals: This weekend, April 29th ‘til May 1st at Federation Square.
acclaimmag.com/carbon
Secret Wars: Scale vs. Pierre Lloga
Last night brought the noise in the Melbourne Series 2 Semi-Final for Secret Wars.
Pierre Lloga this time went head-to-head with his sometime contemporary nemesis and the Round 1 champion, Scale. Despite the fact that the two share a notional bond with one another; Scale held no fear in depicting Pierre as pathetically imprisoned within his hand-written, pencil-pushing cell: A caricature buffeting itself with cat icons; typical of Lloga‘s work. In the meantime though, Lloga invoked a graveyard-inspired defiance to see to it that Scale in turn was illustrated as the last of the graffer; as encrouched upon by Pierre himself, with the aid of a chainsaw!
In all earnestness: This battle has exhibited the best of art I have witnessed in the series so far.
So without further adieu, please do visit a video of the late evening:
http://secretwars.com.au/melbourne
Graffiti: SE Asia
Recently, your host travelled through a number of cities in South East Asia, documenting the impact of unprecedented economic growth and the impact of globalisation. During the days that I spent boozing up and shooting video, I also took the chance to document the local graffiti scene.
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) provided the best examples of graffiti, with lesser Vietnamese and Singaporean work on show. KOSIK (or KOS) was ruling it as spearhead of RTC Crew. BONK (or BONKERS) was up all over the city, with notable contribution from throwie stalwart DEMS.
Although the rumours of graffers having their hands chopped off in some SE Asian countries are untrue; on the contrary if you are caught writing in Singapore you face, literally, lashings with the cane before you serve a mandatory prison sentence. Not cool; especially so given Singapore is a global city, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with New York, Sydney and Hong Kong etc.
Enjoy this latest video that documents said graffiti in these parts of SE Asia, accompanied by some local music, fresh tunes, and breakdancing.
-TW
Secret Wars: Phibs vs. Pierre Lloga
Wednesday evening hosted the 2nd heat in a glorious round-robin of graffiti battles that featured two of the finest ‘street‘ artists in Australia. Phibs and Pierre Lloga went head-to-head in 90 minutes of madness defined by marker pens and rollers: without aersol paint, pencils or sketches.
The crowd shaped up with plenty of enthusiasm en mass. This turnout eclipsed the first heat; and with Deb vs. Ken Taylor to battle it out on Wednesday, 8th December just before the end of year break, these numbers are set to continue to swell. So be sure to get your tickets from moshtix.com.au and get your arse into gear.
Secret Wars began in Shoreditch, London in 2006 and has since steadily risen to become one of the biggest live art movements on the scene. From these humble beginnings, you may now witness the graff battle showdowns that your parents warned you about.
check: secretwars.com.au
Joshua Wiffen
Drawing upon the graffiti artform, Josh hits his canvas with a depth of colour layers that are quite engrossing. His use of text calligraphy is striking as it brushes up against themes including societal quips, the female form, trashed pop iconoclasts and, perhaps flesh-eating disco zombies from outer space. Extra pursuits to his gallery works include aerosol murals, paste-up’s and the notional tag here or there. However, his creativity rises to the fore using an array of inks and paints on a fixed surface such as canvas or wood.
Wiffen’s visual style marks an awesome creative effort and his works prove themselves worthy of the modest sum that you would hardly expect to pay: that is, they’re a fucken bargain!
Next up, Josh is working on some further mural endeavours (such as that featured below) and he is co-curating major launch/ exhibition It’s Official from the 14th – 21st December 2010 at Gallery: 5 Crown Lane in Wollongong, NSW.
You can contact Josh for wall commissions and artist workshops at: wiffen.com.au
-RTB
Original Mould
This weekend heralds the Original Mould Emerging Artists’ Market. The event will take place at 1000 Pound Bend on Saturday the 6th of November 2010.
This is a truly Melburnian arts feast; featuring the hottest creative minds in a showcase ensemble that is quite simply spectacular.
Original Mould provides a platform for young emerging artists to showcase their designs and the arts community are welcomed through the doors to critique, collect or mingle with the artists. The market begins at 1.00pm with an impressive outlay of contemporary mediums featuring (but not limited to) street art, fashion, design, fine art, printmaking and media arts.
• Saturday the 6th November 2010.
• 1000 Pound Bend located at 361 Little Lonsdale Street.
• Doors will open from 1.00pm to 7.00pm.
• Live Performances from The Adventure Spirit and by DJ Oakley.
1000 Pound Bend is an underground warehouse with a spacious yet cosy interior, accommodating up to 30 stallholders. The venue provides our patronage with a dynamic atmosphere, with room to have a drink and relax whilst celebrating the future of Melbourne’s inspiring artists.
The market features emerging artists and arts enthusiasts. It gives up-and-coming arts talent an opportunity to sell their merchandise, so don’t be shy to splash some cash.
The market provides a creative arena, bustling crowd, plus live performances from successful local band The Adventure Spirit and also a set spinning discs by DJ Oakley.
Don’t miss out on the insight and intrigue in experiencing Melbourne’s freshest new arts!
Witness the future of our newest artists with Original Mould: Emerging Artists Market.
Binkis Recs
Binkis Recs is a vanguard of the true underground hip-hop. The label hails from Atlanta, Georgia in the States. Their websites boasts the label “was created due to a lack of creative and honest Hip-Hop music. The mission is to express original, honest and fun music” and they do it hard and heavy-hitting. I recently scored an interview of epic proportions with one of the founders, the main mang Flux. See this transcript for details…
RTB: Hey Flux, I’m Rock The Boat from INFX
FLUX: What up Champ! That’s a dope long name! HAAAA! I bet the ladies love that!
RTB: Great to meet you too
FLUX: Good to meet you as well. Appreciate you wanting to write up this article on yours truely and the Binkis Fam! FANG, FANGGG! SPRAGGGGGGG!!!!
RTB: Binkis is the real underground hip hop, rockin the crowds down Atlanta -but it wasn’t always that way… Where did it all begin?
FLUX: Well damn… that’s a long trip. HAAAAAA! BINKIS was started in 1997 between Jax and I. He told me he wanted to start a record label. We already was building a T-Shirt company but at the time… I think he made his career change. He was into Business management and I’m a Graphic Artist. We was also part of a crew called NEBLOS from 1994 till the present so our rhyme game been in effect for 4 years at that time. So The label at the time consisted of Jax as a Solo Artist, Me (Fluxwondabat) as a Solo Artist, The Old Souls (Spice the Black Hooded, Mike Self, Dj Drama), Lumbajak, Werd Da A.O.S, Rob Sloe and Vertigo(NEBLOS). We put together a compilation and Got our first show through Dres the Beatnik with 4Kings. Killed that show and it was on ever since. However… that show wasn’t until 1999 so it took us a while to build our sound. HAAAAAA!
RTB: Binkis was formed by yourself and the late Jax -how did Killa Kalm and DJ Mafioso get on board?
FLUX: Binkis the Label was formed by me and Jax but BINKIS RECS the group wasn’t formed until Killa Kalm came aboard. This was after a time where other members of the label went to deal with their lives. HAAAA! Cats was following their dreams so some had other careers to make actual instead of rappin’. My man A.O.S. bounced back to B’More. Killa Kalm was with us before Binkis as well as everybody else in NEBLOS. We were crew. Killa was the only one left out of Vertigo and still wanted to do it. Me and Jax stayed recording and Killa would slide through. Jax had the idea that it was just gonna be us 3 and The Group would be called BINKIS RECS. Naturally he fit. It was nothing different than what we always have been doing. This was like 2002. We was using different Dj’s and one show where we didn’t have one Mafioso was spinning. He filled in for us and dude was FANGTASTIC!!!! He didn’t even know our songs and all the drops was on point and the blends. By the time Me and Jax got to the rest we was like… Maf was dope. Like real on point. He was the Dj for MurdaOne and after they went their separate ways, Jax step to him about being our dj. This was also around the time we was working on “The Reign Begins” Album in which we recorded at his studio. We just clicked and that was it. A Spanish kid and 3 black guys! HAAAAAAA
RTB: A lot of your clips, raps and associated gear is dedicated to the late Jax -I’m sorry hear about his death last year
FLUX: Yeah it was a tuff thing to deal with. This was our brother. I knew Jax since 1990. My best friend. We all watched each other grow and just when we was getting back into a rhythm. He goes. He was about to have his wedding Celebration later that month. Him and his wife didn’t even get to live the married life for a month yet. We did a lot of tributes in 2009 cause it was well deserved. People needed to understand how he effected the community. More than some realized. We still spreading the word in 2010. More to come.
RTB: How does crime and street life relate to your music and what do you think of that way of life?
FLUX: Crime and Street life only relates to my music specifically my music on a level of seen experienced. I’ve seen a few things. Know a few people that did things but for me… I realize the emotions behind it all. Some things are done smart and some are not. People make their own choices and it’s nothing I would suggest. Everybody has their own path to walk. Crime goes way beyond street Life though. This society here in America that began with the European immigrants was found on crime, lies and Death. In some cases continue to be corrupt on levels the average person wouldn’t believe because it’s so deep. They call it conspiracies. HAAAAAA!
RTB: That’s it, man. Who are your biggest influences as far as rapping, producing music and the development of the label go?
FLUX: Of Course the greats had a heavy influence on me as far as an MC but it was always people that I was close to that inspired me. Early around 88/89, it was some brothers aaround my blocks that got me interested in writing. # to be exact. A brother by the name of Billy and two others… Junie and Jermaine. The later 2 was always kicking verses and freestyling and that shit was amazing. Then the dude Billy was writing a rhyme and I inquired about it. Told him that I thought about writing one and he said “Do it!” That’s all it took. I only wrote a couple just to see if I can do it. After a minute… I just put it down. The second time around it was because of another trinity(HAAAA), Jax, Uncanny/Silver Sterling and Paydues(Universal). That was about 93/94 and I just stuck with it. Started to become theropy. HAAA!
Production wise… It was 2 dudes, Nic @Nite and The Crow! The main producers in the Crew called NEBLOS. Both of their styles was way ahead of time. I mean… These cats was incredible. Nic @Nite taught me how to put a beat together and Sample. It was like 95. When Binkis Got our own equipment in 97, Jax Started producing and it was on right there. We started the Binkis Sound. HAAAAAA!
Record label… You gotta say Rawkus and Co Flow(Def Jux). We just wanted to do our own thing. We was both bent on controlling our situation. Plus… before a record label, we had a T-Shirt company so we always wanted to running shit! HAAAAA! This just felt better being that we was in the mist of a lot of musicians.
RTB: Who do you admire most, either as family or in the public sphere?
FLUX: Funny, I admire a lot of people. All for different reasons. Some for their perspectives, Others for strength, compassion, selflessness, and courage. A lot of them are friends and family. I guess because I know them personally.There is never like one person that I admire most.
RTB: Binkis Records (or Recs) states that you aim to please the ‘real fans’ and wake up the public -how has this mission gone?
FLUX: The Mission is going well because it’s contiuous. Whenever we perform somebody is getting BEAT IN THE SKULL CAP! Or hear us on the radio or hears us on someone else’s CD. There is always someone who doesn’t know so the opportunity is there. People recognize what we bring into the field especially stage wise. A lot of energy and fun energy at that. We enjoy ourselves on stage. We Pride Binkis on that. You never know what we gonna do but you know it’s worth seeing. HAAAA! So things are going real well. When we get the new music ready to present, we’ll have more chances to get busy! FANGGGG!
RTB: Can you elaborate on what you want the public to be ‘woken up’ to?
FLUX: Definitely! Wake up to yourself. Find the glory in expressing yourself and enjoy it. That’s what BINKIS has always been about. Celebrating the individual as well as the whole. You don’t have to be a certain way. Make your own way. Have fun. Not all things are serious. Everybody doesn’t have the same path. Be yourself and be proud! Of course you may need to be aware of things but who said you have to go about it like Jay Z. Who said you have to be Huey P or Malcolm X for that matter. Lauryn Hill or Lil’ Kim. Obama or Kobe. You don’t have to do it like none of them. Sure they can be inspiration but look into your own self for some of that. Not all Hip-Hop music is ghetto shit. Not all Mcees are ignorant, players, or thugs drug dealers or whateva people tend to classify it under. It’s that and more. Just because you may entertain… doesn’t mean that you lack intelligence to achieve any thing else. There is so much more but we’ll be here forever. HAAAAAAAA
RTB: Are there any new acts that you’ve signed up or looking at taking in?
FLUX: Not really. I know me and Jax had a plan before he passed but right now it’s about getting the latest music out Then we can take it from there. All this was unexpected! HAAAA!
RTB: Thanks for your time, Yo
FLUX: No doubt boss. I appreciate you taking the time to inquire about the brothers this way. As well as wanting to share your opinions about us with everyone else. Anytime! FANGGGGGGGGGG!
RTB: All the best for the future
FLUX: You do the same. Look out for more BINKIS music later on this year. Videos Interviews etc. SPRAGGGGGGG, BOKAP, BOKAP, FANG< SPRAGGGGGGGGGGGGG! TING!
Check the link among INFX Cohorts to sample some of the goodies…
-Rock The Boat
The Beat Invitational
Braving the storms of a previously excessive foray into the night until morning, I was joined by some outrageous and tender-hearted friends to check the Producers Showcase at Roxanne.
Although arriving after Cinderella got home from the ball, live art was still in effect by the “insanely talented” Otis Chamberlain and the mad bass of hip-hop fused dubstep was on the make. Featured producers included Dizz1, Sean Deans, Cosmo, Mike Kay, and Chopper whom were “showcasing their latest creations and unleashing their unreleased beats …the future sound of Australasia’s beat heads”
Obey, Ableton Live, and Jazz Crimes presented the freshest dope music-makers dribbling beats and boinks in an ensemble of the next musicological greats. Check the art below by the crafty and guilely Otis Chamberlain, complemented by breaks from ITF Champion and X-Ecutioners DJ Total Eclipse on the night:
-Rock The Boat
Crown Heights
Last night we were witness to the opening of the Crown Heights exhibition at Eleven A in Highlander Place.
The gallery upstairs at Eleven A hosted works from the current kings of graffiti in Melbourne. Works featured were from contemporary crews KSA, MR, F1 and MSA (among the lesser-known). Artists themselves included Aeon, Renks, Greco, Tres, Break, Lush, Banos, and more. Although there was at least a dozen pieces that were brilliant; unfortunately most of the gear left a lot to be desired. Albeit creative and varied in form, the disappointment stemmed from the percieved lack of attention to detail (seeing brush-strokes from marker pen can piss you off a bit). I must re-iterate that this was confined to the lesser works; the smaller and apparently more affordable shit on show. Many of these were simply black book pieces; the kind of stuff you’d expect to form a guide to a brilliant piece assembled on one of the lines.
In all, it was an interesting night. The stand-out pieces were somewhat complemented by the tedious. A varied range is always palatable although I must admit that we expected more from the big names around town (and abroad). Another downer was a Kylie Minogue remix pumped on the loudspeakers, while a dj booth in the gallery proper was left idle. If only a bit more care was taken in the execution of the lesser works and some pride in the arrangement of the venue; notably in price lists and said lack of kickin’ tunes; then we would’ve not only stayed longer but also left in a positive state of mind. At the end of the day, though -who am I to judge? The exhibits are up until May 20th so can do so yourself...
-Rock the Boat
The Space Invader
Little is known about the Invader, but his intricate tiles depicting characters from 8-bit video games (i.e. Space Invaders) have found their way onto common surfaces all over the world.
Particularly prevalent in the West; I have seen these works in cities including LA, New York, London, Berlin and Hong Kong. There is also a grab-bag of these characters right here in Melbourne. Below are some examples that I encountered last weekend. Having taken the time to investigate these local instances, I felt I would share this story with you.
The Invader is a French street artist that is around 40 years old. He began working casually during the nineties in his home town of Paris; before his tiled assault went epic in 1998. From trendhunter.com: “The locations chosen for the Space Invaders mosaic are not done at random; in fact, they contain a specific order and plan. In Montpellier, for instance, the artist planned out many different locations for his pieces so that when you look at a map, the points take the form of a giant Space Invader character.“
Henceforth, he began taking the artform abroad, reaching over 35 countries in total, taking in all the cities mentioned above; and more. Recently, he has hit the Hollywood sign twice and has achieved higher notoriety after his cousin Thierry Guetta (AKA Mr. Brainwash) teamed up with Banksy to produce the film Exit Through The Gift Shop, which premiered in San Francisco last week. Below are a few examples drawn from the Invader’s stints in Melbourne and a map from the Space Invader website showing the locations that have been hit...
-Rock The Boat
Element Omahigh
I am certainly a fan of the Hi-Top sneaker. Of which there are many -both good and bad. However, here we are witness to epic brilliance in regard to this particular model shoe.
This favourite is the Element Omahigh. These brilliant boots reflect all that is good for a pair of Hi-Tops; namely comfort, durability and aesthetic appeal. The Omahigh is inspired by Brent Atchley; one of Element’s sponsored pro-skater talents. The shoe comes in a range of colours and styles. Shown below is one of 3 limited edition releases: this being the SM Connect.
Personally, I have a regular pair of Omahighs that I sport on a regular basis. I’ve imported them from the US but they are still available around Melbourne -although the only colours I have spotted are white derivatives and lack the visual appeal of the many others on offer. Another one to avoid is the Kanji model, which is (luckily) one of the aforementioned limited releases that is almost entirely flourescent green -a shoe that will blind both your bank statement as well as your retina cortex.
Check out the SM version:
-Rock The Boat
Buffet 2010
This weekend is host to the Acclaim Magazine / Fashion Exposed Buffet street lifestyle industry showcase. It comprises 3 days of tradeshow, party, public expo and discussion forums. Your host took to the event to get a sneak peek at the latest streetwear and accessories trends and to chat with a few of the freshest up-and-comers in the field.
I caught up with Shelley from Super Special screenprinting -we had a chat about the grand possibilities that were available in regards to creating the freshest tee’s. This company has what I’d regard as the highest quality screenprinting for clothing anywhere in Melbourne. Their gold trimmed and detailed garments were certainly a sight to behold! Super Special of Spotswood (Spottiswoode?) are definitely one to contact if you’re after some custom made tee’s and no doubt they’ll hook you up with a competitive quote. e: info@superspecial.com.au
Next up, I checked out the myriad of international brands featured at Booth #15′s True To Life Clothing -purveyours of such fine goods as those of Diamond, 10Deep, Upper Playground, Zion and Society (among others). These guys know their shit, check: truetolifeclothing.com.au
Continuing on, I perused the New Era stand, rad designs by Sup (Singapore) and some excellent t-shirt prints from locals Quiet Riot (Thornbury). However, after a little longer wandering around I found an outstanding new upstart by Sydneysider Asher in his Sabotage label. Asher is a native of Manly NSW, from the Northern Beaches part of Sydney. His designs mirror that of some of his various tattoo’s in the Mitch O’Connell / classic tatts sense. I got chatting with Asher and he was a great fellow; eager to peruse my own INFX designs and always scouting for contributors. He let it be known that he wants the label to comprise broad tastes and to promote a lot of different styles; So if you have what it takes & are looking for an outlet with your off-the-wall designs, give Asher a holler at Sabotage: sabotage101@live.com
