Johnny Negri (GR)

Johnny Negri (GR)

Well I know, everytime I introduce a greek artist on the site, I am obliged to say that, contrary to what Standart and Poors or IMF may think, Greece is full of talents and creativity and blah blah blah, always the same story. But what can I do, at a time where the whole (at least financial) world seems to spend its whole time giving Greece bad press, I am proud, and will always be, to highlight talented guys like Johnny ! 

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you? 

You ‘ll probably listen to some post punk, darkwave, indie, garage, r’n’r, punk or similar tunes, if my loudy neighbours’ greek folk rarities won’t 
catch you up.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do? 

Here comes Johnny from Athens, Greece. Sometimes dressed as a self-taught freelance illustrator and graphic designer, other times as a neurotic waiter or as an annoying dj and web radio producer.

When did you start drawing? 

I guess, when I discovered some pencils’ side effects (apart from sticking them up a nose). Using them to rewind cassettes came later as an equally interesting discovery.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

I still take courses in improving my drawings in the margins of my books :P

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

The general situation and mainstream attitude here in Greece, never really helped an artist to live from his/her work, even before all that economic crisis bomb. However, if you work mainly for the underground scene and keep up your punk attitude up, you ‘ve already chosen your way. I care mainly for quality works, establishing some nice communication but of course, being friendly or whatever doesn’t mean that I tolerate exploitation in any aspect (although, I tend to be unsuccessful with that sometimes). I’ve done many jobs in the past but that period, I’m working as a support waiter and sometimes as a dj.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

Fanzines and underground press were in fact the first artistic field to expose my work. I really enjoy self-publishing stuff (so far, it was “Negro” and “Negligent Romantix”), collaborating with other zines and search for some underground goodies.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

It comes from waters… Ok, that happens sometimes, for any other: I am influenced by many artists and suitable-for-my-taste works that I’ve already checked out or lately discovered. I used to be almost dedicated to (let’s say) punk oriented artwork in the past so, the majority of my influences used to come mainly from the artwork of European or American diy punk scenes. I am a huge appreciator of many garage, r’n’r and surf bands gig poster aesthetics as well plus, I find inspiration in high quality works related to the indie rock scene. So, everything seems to come as a combination of sounds and graphics in a dynamic way. Talking about specific artists, I am unable to number my favourite (so many). However, two guys’ works were the first to inspire me the most from the early beginnings and these are William Schaff and Nick Blinko.

What are the principal steps in your work ?

Set up an as-clear-as-you-can communication channel with the people for whom you ‘ll have to work for. Ask, discuss, brainstorm ideas for the project and if you end-up with sth interesting, then you ‘ll probably have to make some strong cups of coffee as an aid to the real action coming up.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

I combine both hand drawn and digital work. I mainly use pencils and pens for my illustrations and then comes scanning, handling, coloring, adding effects, using fonts and further digital treatment. I also use photo manipulation as well as design my own handwritten fonts in some cases.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

It depends. Oh really, it depends.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

That’s sth really interesting to discuss… I have no problem in working on an already set up idea, if that goes according to my style and skills. If not, I will refuse the request politely. I always suggest and give alternatives, prefer fresh ideas, new concepts and feel happy when someone says “I trust you” (and of course, feels completely satisfied with the result).

For which band have you already worked for?

Till now, I ‘ve done gig posters and artwork for bands like: Tragedy, Spectres, Riistetyt, Sotatila, Straight Opposition, Bounze The Ball, Good Old Days, Deus Ex Machina, Chaotiki Diastasi, Hibernation, Grain, The Dark Rags, The Screaming Fly, The Dead Dranks, Syndrome 94, Johnny Carbonaras, Moshpill, Arche Tou Telous, Tug, Pareisaktoi, Slavebreed, Mother Disobedience, Three Way Plane, Vodka Juniors, Rantanplan, Antipoina, Javaspa, Censored Sound, One Hour Before The Trip, Valise and others.

For which band would you love to work?

For any brand new or older band that brings some worthwhile music to our ears!

Do you choose the artists yourself?

I am totally open to work with any band or make a party/event poster, if of course the project needs suit my skills. However, I feel twice happy to collaborate with artists that I appreciate and find quite inspiring.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

Definitely, the time period between setting up a concept and inking a design.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

I’m a damn over-analyzing weirdo, especially when talking about what makes a scene and which should be the particular connections between its members. Especially here in Greece, many times the art scenes lack distinctive boundaries between them (that happens in music as well). So, I’m gonna just say that there are some guys, individuals or creative studios, doing really noticeable work who may deserve even more attention. I don’t know whether they describe themselves as a part of a specific “graphic scene” or not, but if you search the greek underground a bit, you ‘ll discover some art gems for sure! 

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

Of course I’m gonna take advantage of it mate! You may check my work at the following links:

(blog) jnegri.blogspot.com

(facebook) www.facebook.com/johnny.negri.art

(behance) www.behance.net/johnnynegri 

The best praise you received lately?

“How did you scare your older sister?” (actually, I’m older than her) and a runner-up: “Thank you Johnny, it’s even greater than expected”.

What can we wish you for the future?

Just be kind and wish me the best. I will reply kindly and wish you all the best as well! 

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website!!

I really enjoyed this interview! Thank you so much for giving me such a great opportunity! Stay creative ‘n’ support your local music and art heroes -+

Viral Graphics (Greece)

Viral Graphics (Greece)

I have to apologize to all our super politicians and other Standart and Poors self proclaimed rulers of the world, but Greece definitly deserve a AAA rate. His assets are strongs as we already see here or here, and, if it was not already enough to show that we can be perfectly confident for the future of Greece, let me introduce you to Viral Graphics...

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?

Between the two of us in Viral, you'll find us listening to everything from old psych to death metal. Our average setlist can start with the 13th Floor Elevators, move on to Kerasphorus, and end with Black Sabbath. We can brainstorm along to the Melvins as much as we can to German Oak.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

We are Alexandros Pyromallis and Konstantinos Psichas, born in Athens, Greece and seeking to evade this sinking ship. We do analogue illustrations for record covers, gig posters, t-shirts and anything else that might come our way. We hold traditional media and themes in high respect, while always striving to create something unseen and fresh. Currently struggling with tendonitis due to extreme stippling sessions.

When did you start drawing?

Probably from the time we could actually hold a pencil, drawing demons, barbarians and owls. We got 'serious' with it about 5 years ago and still continue to do so, luckily enough.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

Both of us went to art-related courses, but they were mostly useless to us in the long run, as they dealt with more soulless practices. We saw that people were actually still drawing and crafting things to complement our favorite music and that's what  pretty much lead us to hone our skills in order to do the same. The fact that an Austin Osman Spare or Nick Blinko piece inspire us more than anything created with vectors, is absolutely what sparks the fire in us to grab a pen and keep at it till it gets better. 

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

We no longer do other things for a living. Working at mainstream graphic design agencies, is an experience we wouldn't wish upon anyone. But, that doesn't mean we are currently making a living from our art. Ideally, we will be able to do so in the future, helped by a great deal of patience, good work and perseverance.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

Not really, although we are currently in the process of making our own fanzine called Bacteria. It will focus on hand drawn illustration and will be a printed zine. We've managed to include work and interviews from some of our favorite artists including David V D'Andrea, Santos, Simon Fowler, Glyn Smith and more.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

We gather influence from a wide variety of sources. The world around us is one influence. The fauna and flora surrounding us, are something we always love to examine, interpret and transform through our art. We are also affected by the invisible world around us and internally, as much as the visible. Another influence is definitely music, of all types, as mentioned above. Music also accompanies our drawing sessions. The feel, atmosphere and rhythm of certain music is something that finds it's way into our work. Movies have some influence too, mainly older stuff by Fulci, Jodorowsky, Dreyer, Rollin, Lang, Kubrick, Fisher and more. As far as visual artists, there are many, but for the time being we'll mention just a few that inspire us with their craft : Vania Zouravliov, Alan Forbes, David V D'Andrea, Austin Osman Spare, Gustave Dore, Ralph Steadman, Aaron Horkey, Denis Forkas Kostromitin.

What are the principal steps in your work ?

It really depends. The nature of the piece and desired outcome, whether it's commissioned or self-initiated and our mood at the time, all dictate how we will go about producing our work. Generally, we start our rough design in pencil, but not completing all elements of the piece. We then proceed to inking with a variety of pens from .005 to 05 tips, sometimes using brushes and markers as well. Afterwards we either scan into Photoshop and Illustrator for colors and layout, or we color with analogue materials, again depending on the piece.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

Although our work was a mixed bag of techniques when we started off in Viral, we currently do all our artwork by hand, except for in some cases the layout of a record (lyric sheets etc), separations for screen printing etc. Lettering is also done by hand most of the time. 

How long does it take you to do a poster?

This obviously depends on the complexity and size of the piece. Normally, it takes us one to two weeks from the day we get the job, to sending off to the printers. The artwork itself, excluding planning, coloring and layout, usually takes us anytime from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. As there are two of us in Viral, we manage to finish before deadlines, without having to compromise on the time needed to craft something worthwhile.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

Well, that specific oil painting you just mentioned would be out of the question. We're open minded though and we want to constantly evolve our craft. We would do anything different, as long as it feels right to us and to the identity which we have given to Viral. Projects we are not up for, are things like "will you draw me up a free tattoo" or "draw a portrait of me please". Our style will always evolve anyway and it's more the premise and use behind a project that we'd avoid, than the actual execution. 

For which band have you already worked for?

Unearthly Trance, Melvins, Miasmal, Coffins, Moss, Graveyard, Keelhaul, Tombs, The Osedax, Mudhoney, Wolves In the Throne Room, Jucifer, Grief, Nebula, Dephosphorus and more. We've also done work for music festivals like the Amplifier Worship festival in Finland and the awesome Utech Records festival.

For which band would you love to work?

Anything that comes our way as long as it's inspiring. The band also doesn't necessarily have to be something we listen to - the work can still be rewarding artistically. Some random selections though, would be Swans, Earthless, Circle, Bastard Noise, Neurosis, Autopsy and I guess, many more.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

When we first started, we utilized the guerilla tactic of going up to bands and demanding they use our artwork, which kind of worked. Nowadays, we just wait on requests, which we're fortunate enough to have and also be artists that we appreciate. A band that we enjoy sending us an email to ask for artwork, out of the blue, is one of the perks of doing what we do.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

I wouldn't say anything is really 'difficult', in the sense that every single aspect of the poster is a joy for us to create. If anything, the most difficult part is before you put pen to paper. Once the idea comes together in our heads, everything else comes naturally. On the other hand, when creating hand drawn work all elements are very difficult. Setting up the lettering by hand, dot shading almost the whole piece, practicing accurate anatomy are things that although we enjoy doing, are nothing 'easy'.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

We've noticed that our paths have crossed with many artists and that became even more apparent when we started putting together the Bacteria 'zine. These are artists that still put the effort into what they do, that witness and utilize the more esoteric properties of art, that strive to get better with every piece and possibly above all, artists that do this because there never was any other option in the first place. This is what we want to - and have to- do. Artists that view their work as a craft and not a simple light hearted commodity, form what we would consider our 'scene', if any. This scene is definitely not location-based, thanks to the internet and a fixation with traveling. We're proud to be a very small part of a large loose scene of inspiring artists.

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

We still don't have a website, which is something we'll sort out very soon, we promise. You can find us at http://www.facebook.com/viral.graphics , email us at viralgraphics(at)ahoo.com and buy our posters from http://viralgraphics.bigcartel.com/ . In real life, you can see our stuff on dusty vinyls and decrepit walls. Also, a lot of our past year's work will be included in the Bacteria art zine which is soon to be released.

The best praise you received lately?

It wasn't exactly 'praise' , but it was a pleasure to meet some of our favorite artists in our travels over the past couple of years. They were great guys above all, excellent artists, they knew and respected our work and we were more than happy to be viewed by them as peers.

What can we wish you for the future?

To be able to continue doing what we do, until we get sick of everything and go live with the wolves.

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!

Andreas aka ADMC07 (Greece)

Andreas aka ADMC07 (Greece)

Taxes, corruption, debt, bankrupsy, it seems that nowadays everything related to Greece is smelling death and misery...well...according to the medias in fact, because if you are looking closely, you will see that, as usual, Greece is also a fantastic cultural country, full of history, philosophy and arts and this, the IMF will never manage to take it away from the Greeks. Old half naked dudes with a leaf on their dick ? this is the way you see greek art ? So have a look to Andreas wonderful  gigposters and you may change your minds ....

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?


I probably had my ears on the kings of the norwegian vagrancy (aka Darkthrone!) and some raw n' noisy crust/punk stuff maybe, not quite sure... come anyway!

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?
When did you start drawing?

Andreas is my name, 28 years of age, and i live in Patra-Greece. I work as a mechanic in an engineering construction factory, and i have music and graphics as my hobbies. In the last 12 years i've joined various bands in the extreme music undergound of our town (mostly metal and hardcore) mainly behind the mic and the drums. For the time being, i play the drums for stoners "Dala Sun" and for the crusties "Lethe", both DIY bands in Patra. Although i've been drawing as a kid, the last 5 years have been very creative on the field of cover-artworks and live-posters, since i've chosen to take things a bit more serious and contribute to the scene or friendly bands or any other bands or groups of the same selforganized/undergound ethics, by "dressing" music and gigs with images and shapes. I love drawing and i love listening/playing music, it's my biggest get-aways and "remedies" towards society's filth and all the daily problems we face, my mental equilibrium and my physical relief!

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

No course or anything similar, and yes, most schoolbooks were fucked up by inks all the time back then.

Just following my own ways, practising a lot and having my fav-artists work, as reference of taste that i usually develop according to my tastes, subjects and drawing styles.

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

As i said before, i am working as a mechanic, although with greek economy going downwards and unemployment hitting terrible rates, the future looks very fragile and fearfully uncertain over times, but i guess that's another story. I 've chosen to keep my sketching and graphics as hobbies, or sometimes as light income, depending on the amount of work and the recipient's ethics and after-use of my art. The levels of commercialism play some serious criteria on my choices, regarding bands, events, etc. To put it simple, i consider all arts as an expression from the depths, something that could never be restricted or censored or labelled as product with a price, it's just so controversial in my mind. An expression should always be true and authentic, some terms that modern capitalism daily represses and controls, in the name of profit and various interest. So no, i'm not living from my art, nor intend to in the near future.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

As for commercial magazines, i believe that my previous answer covers a big part of this question. As for underground fanzines, no i'm not working regurarly, but there's something interesting cookin' with some friends from Athens, that we plan to work on this winter. I'll keep you posted in my blogsite.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

My main influences: the dominant powers of nature combined with the deathlike element, not necesserilly in a negative aspect as more of a "life cycle" aspect, depecting the supression of daily social matters and situations, anticapitalism, the "back to the primitive" and innocent approach of illustrating, antisocial/misanthropic and against-trends surrealism, and most of all dark and provocative anti-christian/religious topics. I love the aesthetics and social sureallism that Eric Drooker gives to his paintings, as well as sketcher Nesha from "Doomsday Graphics" who i believe is responsible for the biggest wave of dot-sketchers over the last few years and one of my biggest influences. David d'Andrea combines primitivism and nature in an awesome degree, as well as John Baizley's 70's colourfull and awesome psychedelia.

What are the principal steps in your work ?

Since the most difficult and crucial part of an illustration is the starting lines, i firstly do a pencil sketch of the basic lines, using my imagination or real-life photos of shapes/anatomy/objects/etc as referencial guide, that i reform according to my taste and subject. Then i draw the basic lines with thin black-ink pens and do the heavy shading with thicker ones, as to give volume and sense of lighting. At that point i start the dotting work which can take from 4-5 days up to 2 weeks, and is the most painfull and interesting part of my drawing method. Afterwards it's scanning time, and digital process.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

I don't draw on my PC, i use scanner to work on my drawings afterwards, making contrast corrections, adding colours, and digital fonts layout where needed. Most of my sketches are in one-piece A4 paper, but sometimes i use different small sketches from different papers, merging them digitally for the final outcome.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

From 3-4 days up to 1,5-2 weeks time, depending on details and sketching area's size.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

I don't draw things that i ethiclly argue with, and things that i don't find expressive interest in. I don't negotiate styles either. I will draw for everyone who trully wants this style, and does not expect from me to make it look like someone else's work, it sure is going to be unique and "from me".

For which band have you already worked for?

Some of the bands i've done poster-art or artwork for: Fields Of Locust, Hybernation,Ruined Families, Sarabante, Dala Sun, Progress Of Inhumanity, Mass Culture, Bernay's Propaganda, Godsleep, Nightstalker, Now Exploding In Saigon, Chernobyl Attack, Phineas Gage, Waxing Gibbus, Revolting Breed, Terror Detonator, Weathers, Mother Disobedience, Hellstorm, Lucky Funeral, Javaspa, Bohemian Grove, Blacklisted, Go Filth Go, Hazarder, Kvazar, Vitamin X, Korrigan, Divine Element, Electric Funeral, Caterpillar, Slavebreed and many more.

For which band would you love to work?

I'd love to do a poster for some underground show of the blackmetallers, Ash Borer. These guys blow my mind! but apart from them any underground band with noisy, extreme and trippy tunes (regarding black metal, hardcore/crust, sludge and experimental/noisy music) are most welcome!

Do you choose the artists yourself?


Well, of course yes! Meaning i'm open to be contacted by anyone, but i will get to say the last word as when it's drawing time or not. There's no such thing as "we pay, you draw!" here.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

The first few hours i guess. The initial concept and placement of objects and lines when concepting an outcome, is 95% of the final visual success. Then comes the shading part, regarding dimension and softness or roughness.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

Sure, we are too many to be mentioned individually. One thing's common, we all serve rock'n roll! \m/

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

Oh, Goodie! You can see all my music-artwork as well as poster-art on my blogspot http://admczeroseven.blogspot.com/ , there's also contact information there and various links as well. In real life, i plan to do some exhibition anytime soon in cooperation with other artists of the same underground logic/ethics, combined with live events probably in some autonomous recreational place or political squat. I'll keep everything posted on my blogsite.

The best praise you received lately?

There's no descrimination between praises, all praise is good and makes me happy about making people feel things when seeing my stuff. But i preferablly enjoy the critique ones, they always make me better and bring little important details to my view for future improvement.

What can we wish you for the future?

You can wish me all the best with my conceptual creativity and originallity, meaning the artistic freedom of entertainement's expression beyond boring stereotypes, that it's always refreshing to see! Thank you so much for this interview opertiunity, be in peace and don't forget, it's only rock'n roll!

.....but I like it ;) Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!