I am sure most of you will have heard of, or seen tek33’s trident throwup. He has been writing
since 1986 and….. actually just read the interview.
Uncouthyouth: what do you write?
Tek33: ‘Tek 33′ and I smash my pitchfork/Trident Throw ups more than writing ‘Tek33′ in the last ten years
Uncouthyouth: when did you start writing?
Tek33: I started Tagging in 1986 aged 11
Uncouthyouth: what made you pick up a can and start writing on walls?
Tek33: I was a breaker in 1985, through those guys I found out about New York graffiti, in April 1986 i got Subway Art
Uncouthyouth: would you say graffiti is an addiction?
Tek33: Part of my daily routine, Like a smoker smokes every day, i put up habitually.
Uncouthyouth: you seem to be a big fan of the old skool scene what do you think of the current scene in the UK?
Tek33: Londons always good. Bristol and Leeds I visited in 2008. the Writers in Leeds were super cool, nice attitude, Big yo to Migz ,gastro, Phese and the crew
Uncouthyouth: how do you think the internet has changed graffiti culture?
Tek33: It depends on how much you rely on it, the more you bomb, the less you need it.
Uncouthyouth: have you done much travelling through graffiti?
Tek33: i never went abroad any where especially writing. I paint where ever life takes me, where ever i stay or live I bomb. over the years I have bombed Paris,Rome,Sao Paulo,New york,Sweden
Uncouthyouth: got any good stories you can share? was there one about someone falling through a roof, maybe im imaging that actually.
Tek33: No roof incident . The best story is I have not been arrested yet. I made a decade with the Tridents, 10 years across london. i guess soon they will get us, but its been sweet, we didn’t think we could make it this far in the marathon.
Uncouthyouth: whats your opinion on street art?
Tek33: Qualitly stuff no problem if its good, look at :Twister/Barry Mc Gee, Espo/Stephen Powers, Reas/ Tod James, whats the problem if a writers day jobs is working as full-time gallery artist,doing shows, like these three genius Kings.Its only fake people like Pure Evil and D. Face I can’t stand, no soul, no passion, DGA ‘Don’t get around’,getting up is what its all about to be a real street Artist. i respect people who work illegally on the street with paint or ink illegally. Fly posting only or putting up tiles of space ships ain’t going to get you beaten up by a crazed vigilante, or rugby tackled by a policeman.We have to deal with these obstacles,tha’s what gives you the edge, the gamble, the adrenalin.
Uncouthyouth: do you prefer bombing or piecing?
Tek33: Both equally as long as its illegal I love it.
Uncouthyouth: who has influenced your style over the years?
Tek33: Obviously Subwaty Art, that whole book and Style Warz.
My American hero’s are Lee TF5, ‘Seen’ Blade,Dondi, Kase 2, Tack FBA, Cliff 3yb,Twist,Reas. New York City street throw ups since i 1st went in 1998/1999. In London Elk, Diet, Shuto, Sub, Drax. Last 5 years on the streets Oker, he smashed it more than anyone,a way of life always on it all city. This year 2009 10 foot King of da streets across London , all city.
Uncouthyouth: what do you think of the jail sentences being handed out for graffiti these days?
Tek33: Terrible , over the top,ruining lives unessarily.
Uncouthyouth: would you encourage younger generations to go out and paint illegal graffiti?
Tek33: If a young persons attracted to it on there own, im happy to teach them some tricks of the trade, its a good route into art, learning to draw etc, graffiti is a positve thing , it saves lives, it makes life’s, its a very special thing.
Uncouthyouth: what do you think graffiti will be like say 10 or 20 years down the line?
Tek33: 10 years it will be similar to now i guess, carrying on like the RAP industry and UK drum and bass, just on and on…
Uncouthyouth: do you think you will still be painting?
Tek33: Yes
Uncouthyouth: any final words?
Tek33: ‘Keep Living The Graffatarian Life’