10 Spot Interview with Byas FH crew
Photo provided by Byas
INTERVIEW by Nick Gervin
Q1: What is style to you?
Style is a writer's trademark. All elements are important (tags, throws, straights, pieces, etc.), but as a freight writer I love big and readable. I want that little old granny to be able to read it as it rolls by at a crossing while clenching her pocketbook or that stuffy old railfan who hates graffiti to curse at me as I roll by. Color combos are also important to me. I was strictly rusto forever but, since they recently jacked up the prices and my racking days are over, I got a great deal on Yardmaster through Vism bfk hm who had the hookup with Much hm. Thank you. Shit is excellent paint.
Q2: What motivates you to get up?
Family first, my job, and dark roast coffee.
Q:3 Why freight trains?
I was always into graffiti since I was young, but once I started painting freights I became hooked. The whole atmosphere, smell, benching, flicking, streaking, rocking with the homies... It's a subculture within a subculture that I'm glad to be a part of.
Photo provided by Byas
Q4: What does your graffiti say about yourself?
Anyone who runs around doing this shit must be a little bit out of his or her fucking mind.
Q5: Who is a writer you respect and why?
I respect the pioneers, and those who crushed before me: Nace (r.i.p.), Mayhem, Mber, Sien5 and the BFK crew, Tre (r.i.p.), Onorok, my main homie and friend PepeTVS, and many more. Props to those who take the time to learn the freight game and its history, and those who spend an extra few minutes to tape up the numbers and clean up the spots.
Q6: Can you recall your first experience with the rails?
My first experience with the freights was in '96, when I noticed a yard with a long line of boxcars. Back then, it was common to see 20 boxcars with only 2 or 3 hit. I saw a Kahn and took a pic. It wasn't until '98 where I rocked my first car, a hollow. Rocked my first filled-in joint in '99. By 2001, I was rocking on the reg.
Q7: What are some of the harshest lessons you have learned from graff?
That graff has all types that are attracted to it, some real shysty fucks and egomaniacs. In the whole grand scheme of things it's just painting graffiti. Be humble, be chill. I've met some of the nicest people in graffiti and also met some real dirtbags.
Q8: When were the golden years of writing for you and what were things like then?
Early to mid 2000s, especially 2004. My crew (FH) were pumping out about 20 to 30 freights a week, mostly CN flats and extended auto parts boxcars. But we were doing everything, we had spots everywhere. Sadly, most are gone now. When we weren't painting freights we were crushing the highways and tracksides. I miss them days and some of the cats that are long retired from the game. Many of the young local kids writing today will never know how good we had it.....
Photo by Nick Gervin
Q9: Does your graffiti have any political influences or messages?
Politics can really get you pissed off no matter what side you're on. You learn that half of the shit the news tells you isn't even true. Like they purposely try to piss you off or something, lol. With my graffiti, I grab a 6 pack of a random craft beer and head to the spot. As soon as you jump on the tracks, you forget about all the nonsense that goes on. Graffiti is an escape from civilian life and all the bullshit that's thrown at you.
Q10: Can you share some of your crew's history or stories?
We started FH (freight hooligans) in late 2000-early 2001. Me, Savior, and Eye were driving around Newark, NJ looking for spots. We noticed a line of golden west flats rolling, all rocked. We decided to make a crew that would focus on freights but not leave the strong jersey graff roots and scene behind. We ended up with a great balance as I previously explained in the 2004 craziness. I am also down with 3 crews from NYC, SV, TFO, and TSF (The Spanish Five).
Photo provided by Byas
Photo by Nick Gervin