BXH X THREE TIDES TATTOO X MIKE GIANT!

Though our blog is set up to chronicle and tease the upcoming toypunks film, we have to shout out this slick shirt made by a gang of our favorite creators, all of whom have played some part in the toypunks' world. This shirt is a collaborative effort between Bounty Hunter, Three Tides Tatttoo, and amazing cross-disciplinary artist, Mike Giant, who fully killed it for us on the toypunks logo. Featuring Giant's bold b&w illustration with a BXH logo on the front and an intense cholo logo treatment on the flipside, this shirt rules. On June 23rd, it will be available online at www.threetidestattoo.com. Masa and Ussun from Three Tides mentioned that they're taking paypal for their online sales. The shirt will also be available at Bounty Hunter stores in Japan.

TOY'S RUIN?! WEST COAST STYLE WITH FRANK KOZIK!

When we sat down with Frank Kozik for an interview a few weeks ago, we knew we were in for some serious stories from the veteran artist. Most popular in the toy world for his Smoking Rabbit character, Kozik turns out more toys than any other designer in the business, so it's no surprise that vinyl fans with down-from-day-one attitude get a bit frazzled over his release style. However, for Kozik it's an old story; he's no stranger to creating for subcultures. Before vinyl hit, he ran the independent record label, Man's Ruin, and he was a successful poster artist who cut his teeth in Austin's punk scene in the early '80s. In our interview, he explains how he's created for and sold to the underground for over 25 years and that, though the players and products have changed, the same dynamics exist in the toy, music and art worlds. It was a compelling interview that really shows the cultural connections between underground toys, art and punk from someone who's been hugely successful in all three worlds.

Perched high in the studio, Kozik's Mao Tse Tung with Mickey ears (aka The Bird is the Word) sits next to Bounty Hunter's life-size Skull Kun. Kozik's first figure release, the initial Smoking Rabbit, was produced by Bounty Hunter in the late '90s. Kozik cites Bounty Hunter's Kid Hunter as an early inspiration on his vinyl career!

Next, we're taken through the creative process on camera.














From pencils and graph paper, all the way to computer turnarounds and package design, it's equal parts art and science.














Lifestyle! These fiberglass smoking rabbit chairs are rad.



Whether designing his own toys or hand painting recolors for Japanese micro-brands, Kozik keeps rolling. Here, an army of Real Head figures designed by Mori await the finishing paints.
Near the far wall of his studio, Kozik goes big on canvas! Belzor is the sickness.














Finally, check this small sampling of the man's massive toy collection. Whether you're an artist working in the industry or you're new to vinyl, it's about creativity and excitement for these cool objects!

KHAKI DESIGN WORKS: COSMIC CHANCE!!!

The best surprise and one of the most fascinating interviews of our Japan journey came in the form of our visit with Khaki, owner and designer of +8 Paris Rock. We didn't know Khaki before this trip. We met by chance when he began a casual conversation with toypunks' Chris and Carl outside an antique shop in Meguro-ku. Before Khaki knew anything about the toypunks project he told us he was a fashion designer whose philosophy is inspired by Lou Reed circa '77. An old soul and a gracious guy, Khaki invited the toypunks crew to dinner and to his design studio in Nakameguro. Nakameguro is purportedly becoming one of the cool neighborhoods in Tokyo; "Harajuku is not nearly as interesting these days", he says.
At Khaki's studio we're blown away by his hand-crafted jewelry items that reveal layers of intricacy. Khaki's work is elegant, thoughtful and tough.


A recent Vans collaboration--classic style! Khaki tells us that he never uses computers to design, only raw materials, pencil and paper. Check out these distressed-and-dirtied Vans and Converse collabs. Pretty fresh.

Of course, after hanging out with Khaki and friends for a few beers and home style food at a local restaurant, an interview was a must! toypunks' Chris Nelson sets up the shot inside the studio.
During our chat, we learn that Khaki is a serious collector. A David Cronenberg fan, Khaki first shows us his Medicom typewriter beetle from Naked Lunch. His friend, Oka Narue of Medicom Toy, gave it to him as a gift and only a few of them exist. Toy heads will know Oka's name for a lot of reasons, though he's best known for creating the Kubrick. It's a small world for people who make rad things.



The root of it all! Khaki also collects records. He has roughly 5,000 of them, "all rock" he says. His other collections include teak skateboards from the '70s and pre-NES hand-held games called Gamewatch.

Ultimately, Khaki tells us that he's intentionally kept his brand small so that he can control quality and make whatever he wants. He doesn't care about trends at all and philosophy of design is most important to him. Khaki is the real deal. Here he is with his partner who makes women's items and jewelry. Anthony Keidis is in the middle. Khaki makes clothes for Anthony's band.

GARGAMEL: VINYL ALCHEMY PT 2

Kiyoka progresses nicely on the Hedoran vinyl. Every one of these toys gets hand-painted by the Gargamel staff.

We get a lot of insight into the toy production process at Gargamel. Pictured here are some sculpts in progress, plus a finished sculpt for the mini Smogun figure. As you can see, from clay sculpture to the final toy, shrinkage happens. Kiyoka has to consider this when adding the fine details. A versatile master sculptor, Kiyoka acutally cut his teeth sculpting silver jewelry.

The gang at Gargamel. After the shoot, the fellas brought out some Japanese cakes. We ate and chatted while listening to death metal. Good times and a tremendous bunch of people!

GARGAMEL: VINYL ALCHEMY! PT1

So far we'd hung out with some amazing toy and fashion designers, but it wasn't until we hit up the Gargamel boutique and behind-the-scenes workshop that we got a taste of what it means to hand craft a Japanese vinyl toy!
Insanely talented sculptor and equally nice guy Kiyoka Ikeda sculpted and painted in front of the camera. Our whole crew just sort of stared in awe during the process.
Here's Kiyoka smiling and laughing as he paints the recently sold out run of camo Hedorans.

TRIPLE THREAT: THREE TIDES TATTOO!

Balzac's Hirosuke and Akio, and toypunks' Justin Kovalsky arrive at Three Tides Tattoo where the good times continue...


But first, we spot this amazing Three Tides sign made byTokyo-based sign painter, Nuts. Nuts has mastered the craft of traditional American sign painting and pushed it to the level of fine art.


Inside, we talk with Masa, owner of Three Tides and a genuinely cool guy. The shop is meticulous and overflowing with quality work. It becomes clear in moments that Masa is the soul of the operation. In addition to Three Tides, he also owns Trigger, an upcoming Osaka brand that's putting out sick art decks and clothing from the likes of Mike Giant and Usugrow. Keep your eyes out for a shirt collaboration that Masa has coming with BXH in the near future, too!
















On the first floor, there's a spacious gallery housing dope paintings.
Back upstairs, Three Tides tattooer Mutsuo shows us his own sleeve. Mutsuo is super talented; he's also Akio from Balzac's artist of choice.

Vinyl inspiration! Bounty Hunter toys line the shelves in Mutsuo's work area.





Meanwhile, we talk more with Akio (below) about his history with tattoos and his own clothing sublabel through Balzac called Culture...











Here's a quick video still of Masa's right hand man, Ussun, as he shows off some wild Microman work. Ussun is also good friend of Secret Base's Hiddy and he's got the passion for toys and comedy to prove it!







All in all, Osaka was an eye-opening experience. The city felt a bit more gritty than Tokyo and it boasts a wellspring of killer creativity. Due to a tight filming schedule, we had only a day to spare for Japan's second largest city. We realize that we barely scratched the surface, so next time we're building in more time! Most of all, it was fascinating to uncover the deep connections and distinct differences between the Osaka and Tokyo creators we'd interviewed so far. Osaka is aces. Thanks a lot to everyone from Shocker, Balzac and Three Tides Tattoo!



Masa also hooked up some fresh shop t-shirts illustrated by Chris Garver. Before Miami Ink-ed stardom, Garver spent six months working at Three Tides with Masa and crew.

OSAKA SHOCK: BALZAC!!!

One of the highlights of our Japan journey was a day trip to Osaka from Tokyo. To get the shoot rolling, we took an early bullet train to meet ill punk band Balzac at their boutique, Shocker, located in the heart of Osaka. Balzac is amazing because they're not only wildly prolific musically, they create a host of extraordinary fashion items and toys tied to their evolved horror film-meets-punk aesthetic. Here's a video still from our interview. From left to right, meet the band: Atsushi Nakagawa (guitar), Akio Imai (bass), Hirosuke Nishiyama(vocals) and Takayuki Manabe (drums). Balzac is radness personified and if you have the chance to see them live, don't waste the opportunity! They have a couple of solid releases available from Misfits records in the US, too.










Inside a lit glass case at Shocker, Balzac houses items that are inspirational to them. A sketch for a painting by master artist Suehiro Maruo sits next to a bass guitar given to Balzac by the Misfits.



From clothing to records and a plethora of insane vinyl toys, Balzac has been dropping the fresh goods since 1992 when the band began. Balzac's members all contribute design and product ideas. In the year 2000, Shocker opened its doors catering to fans of the group's music and punk fashion.

The Skullman toys in the picture below are ultra rare and absolutely stunning--from the well-defined sculpt to the pristinely clear Japanese vinyl. Balzac's Skullman mascot was designed by Hirosuke.

These posters were all over Tokyo record stores promoting Balzac's new CD box set...

After the interview, we begin the stroll to Three Tides Tattoo which is only several blocks from Shocker. On the way, toypunks' Carl and Hirosuke talk about music and art in Osaka.
Balzac bassist Akio's super sick sleeves are pictured here--one side in neutral blacks and grays, and the other in full color. Akio gets most of his work done by an Osaka-based artist named Mutsuo who tattoos at Three Tides. Next stop: THREE TIDES TATTOO!

SECRET BASE OFFICE STYLE!

And now for a trio of teaser stills from the interview at Hiddy's office.
Here's the entryway to the headquarters!
We snagged this shot of the shelf above the desk area while setting up. We also listened to the Clash as Hiddy cracked jokes. For real, this man's got skills as a comic. Somebody needs to put out a Hiddy stand-up record. (Ramos, where you at?!)
Hiddy lays it down in interview. We talk about his collecting style, musical taste, design inspiration and his hometown of Osaka. It was a great discussion that reveals much about Hiddy's personality and, in turn, the amazing items that SB puts out. Thank you, Hiddy. As we translate this interview and all of the others, we'll be dropping video snippets on the site.

SECRET BASE IS GONNA FIGHT: PT2!

So sick! A sketch of Marvel's Venom by Usugrow for Secret Base!

Hiddy holds court at the shop before we hit the road for the interview. It's just a short walk to Hiddy's office...