What do you write?
Bem, Bem one, Bem 125, Bem KTC
Tell us a little about yourself… How long you’ve been painting and who you’re down with etc.
I’ve been writing since 1981. I picked up a marker a few years before that but it wasn’t until 81 that I truely started bombin’.
I was never a King or a Mad Burner. I did my thing nothing crazy. Hell I didn’t start piecing until 2000 when a French writer named Skew (whatyouwrite.com), brought me out of retirement. We smashed some freights and started doing walls. As far as Crews, KTC and I try to get down with people whos work I admire. I’ve been blessed enough to get down with a lot of really interesting writers.
What brands of paint did you use most frequently in the early years?
Back in the early years we used whatever we could get our hands on, usually Krylon. My favorites were Krylon, ‘Baby Blue’ and ‘Ultra Flat Black’.
Are you a can collector?
Yes I am! I picked up the habit a few years ago kinda by accident. One of my childhood friends Acept is a school teacher and while visiting him at work I raided the janitors closet and found an old Krlyon, ‘Bright Silver. I racked it and thus I was on the path of collecting. I have about 120 cans, most of them Krylon, (Bordens, Barcodes, & Name labels, sorry, just not into Notch Tops or Paper Labels). I also have some American Accents and Painters Touch.
Can you still find old paint stock in your area?
To be 100% honest I haven’t really looked.
Any good racking stories?
Not Really. I mean I did my fair share but never any shopping cart racks like some of my boys.
Any favorite old paint stores?
I trade for most of my old paint. I’ve bought a few on ebay too. I’ve never really found a store that has old paint. I keep my eye out but nothing yet.
Best discontinued paint, and why?
American Accents, ‘Indian Spice’, I just love the color, goes with any other colors really well and just comes out super heavy when you use a Rusto fatcap.
Ever found some racked caps work good with certain paints?
Back in the day we used to raid the supermarket on my block for the ‘Tile & Grout’ tips. They were the same company who did the ‘Panel Magic’ tips but I think instead of being orange like the Rusto fats these were baby blue… they work exactly the same.
What are some of your best painting experiences?
Nothing will ever compare to painting an NYC subway train as a teenager. I mean those were truely the GLORY DAYS. I can remember going to Esplande on the 5 line on a Sunday afternoon and just acting like we lived there, or going to the Baychester lay up and having to ride the last car back ’cause they only opened the center car that late at night. I’m still having some of the best painting experiences of my life.
How do you feel about the brands of Euro paint and their impact on the scene?
The new paint out now is crazy. It’s the steriods of today’s graff game. There is a lot of graff out there that really sucks but because it’s done with that Euro paint it actually looks good. I often wonder what a guy like Dondi could have done with it.
If you could choose a few cans to have on your shelf, what would they be?
‘Baby Blue’ Krylon and ‘Ultra Flat Black’ Krylon. Brings back fond memories… Nothing smells like ‘Ultra Flat Black’ Krylon.
Any current/future projects?
I’m always getting into something. Right now I’m in the very infant stages of putting together a show. Well it’s really more of and expo’ but that isn’t slated ’till Spring of 2012. Stay tuned though ’cause its gonna be CRAZY!
What do you think of CMC documenting paint history?
I love and applaude what you guys @ CMC are doing! I once ran a website and know all the hard work that goes into putting one together. Mostly I love seeing the flix of other people’s collections and reading the interviews. Keep up the GREAT work and thank you!
