Occupation and Position.
Creative Director, Fiberops Denim Brand
Creative Director, Alphanumeric
Art Director, Bop N Stomp Records

What neighborhood do you closely identify with? What makes it so unique to you?
Downtown Brooklyn, particularly Bergen between 4th and 5th from 1977 to 1996. The Brooklyn of today is much different than the Brooklyn I grew up in. I guess that’s what happens…

After that, I’ve traveled extensively and lived in Hong Kong. I relate to the neighborhood of Tsim Tsa Tsui. Although I actually resided in Causeway Bay, there is something more gritty about TST that I really like. Perhaps it’s similar to the differences between Manhattan and Brooklyn (TST being more akin to the latter).

What’s the greatest item that you’ve dug up at a local garage sale? How much did it cost?
Item #1: A red booth from Cafe LaMaze Although not from an estate sale, this booth was made in 1946. My friends Torin and Brianna got it from the once-famous LaMaze (where Brianna is a manager.) After the place got remodeled, there was no space for the last booth. Torin and Brianna happened to be renovating their house at the time and thought it would make a great breakfast nook. When they got there, they realized it couldn’t fit through any of the doors in their house. They were kind enough to donate it to me.

Cafe LaMaze was frequented by Marlena Deitrich, Members of The Rat Pack, and Fritz Lang, while en route to holidays in Mexico. Who knows ?…. Any one of them might have sat in this very booth at some point in the past. Of course, the best part about my acquisition is: it’s FREELICIOUS!

Item #2: POGO Rotocast Figurines
Got these at an estate sale. About $60 bucks.
I was labeled “Learning Disabled” as a child and basically had no interest in reading until my therapist told my mom to try showing me comics. Later that day, mom bought me Walt Kelly’s “The Jack Acid Society Black Book” featuring Pogo Possum .

This is how I learned to read. Or, developed an interest in reading. (Also… Prolly why I’m still dyslexic.) The characters included: Albert Alligator, Howland Owl, Pogo Possum.

If you could interview one unsung hero, who would it be? Why?

Le Chevalier de Saint Georges. Why? In short …he was ONE BAD MOTHERFUCKN’ BROTHER. If you don’t know what I mean, check him out by clicking here .

What’s your favorite youtube video?
“FLIP FLOP AND FLY / ROCK & ROLL BEFORE ELVIS”

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Part 4:

Where are your favorite local spots to eat?
Pannikin Coffee (on 7th and G)–the best coffee in town
Valentines (on Market and 9th)
Cafe Chloe
Starlight (on India street)
Cafe LaMaze
Pokez
The Guild
The Corner

What are your favorite local nightlife scenes?
The Rockabilly Shakeout at Tio Lios

Strychnine
Lurkville (LA at Redwood, SD at Tower Bar)

Mike Irons’ Thursday Nights at Bar Dynamite

Mikey Ratts’ “Ratts Revenge “, Tuesday nights at Tower Bar

What songs are at the top of your playlist at this very moment?
“Bloodshot Eyes” by Wynonie Harris
“An Ugly Woman Is Twice As Nice” by Don Covay
“Whipper Snapper” by Laverne Baker
“Dirty Old Man” by Thee Headcoatees
“My Baby Likes To Boo Ga Loo” by Don Gardner
“He Makes Me So Mad” by The Hollywood Jills
“Sinner Not a Saint” by Trini Lopez
“Hit Git and Split” by Young Jesse
“Nothing But a Heartache” by the Flirtations
“I’m Shakin’” by Little Willie John
“Jump Jack Jump” by Wynona Carr
“Portions For Foxes” by Rip Carson
“Wolfman” by Rockin’ Ryan and The Real Goners
“Good Thing” by Fine Young Cannibals
“Gotta Move” by The Kinks
“I Ain’t Mad At You” by Lady Dottie and the Diamonds
“Girl of Matches” by the Headcoats
“She’s the Kind of Girl” by The Milkshakes
“I Can’t stop Thinking About It” by the Dirtbombs
“El Humo Te Hace Mal” by Los Peyotes
“Hanky Panky” by Rita Chao
“Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” by The Hara Kee Rees
“Contract On Love” by Little Stevie Wonder
“Zombi” By Los Sleepers
“Niña” by Wau-Y-Los Arrrghs
“Hold Your Hand” by QueenSeaBigShark
“Tu seras mi baby” by Les Surfs
“Action” by The Lords of Altamont
“Baby Pop” by France Gall
“I Am the Strange Hero Of Hunger” by Billy Childish
“Ne Le Deciois Pas” by Les Terribles
“L’antiquite” by Stone

What new projects you are building on right now?
Nothing really “new,” I haven’t started any new projects due to the fact that I still have a bunch of unfinished works in progress. For instance, my 1954 Huffman (Huffy) Almost done…Slapped a table together for the shop using an old barn door and some sledge hammers.

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Fiberops Denim Brand: http://fiberopsbrand.com
Alphanumeric: http://www.alphanumericbrand.com
Bop N Stomp Records: http://www.myspace.com/bopnstomprecords