BSCI: Can you please tell us a little about your come up. When did you decide to start writing and how did it all happen?
Barnes: My beginnings were somewhat complicated and pretty uninspired actually. I was going to a lot of punk rock and hardcore shows when I was 15 and 16 (mid 90s) and eventually met this cat SAPONE out of Upper Darby, PA. Dude introduced me to the local scene and general mayhem techniques (flared Philly hands and scratch rocks mainly). Anyways, homeboy got me hooked but never really showed me the ropes. I stayed interested, just never schooled by any older writers until much later in my life. After a shitload of ridiculous and played out names (dank, bilt, done, storm…) and little style progression, I finally met some good cats to learn with in Savannah, GA- Stoats, Oysta, Saint and Mock. I was still pretty shit, but a decent artist, so as soon as I focused my efforts onto letterforms, I progressed exponentially over a few years. During that time, Stoats suggested the name Barne and it has stuck to this day.
BSCI: Tell us a bit about your history. I know you are originally from the US and now living in Seoul Korea. How did that come about?
Barnes: I’m actually a fisherman, but since there’s little money in the trade, I’ve opted to go with a teaching career. In 2003, I finished my master’s in Georgia and had little options to earn a sustainable income there, so I moved out to Oregon. After about a year there I made the move to teach out in Korea. I had a few options in Asia, but Korea seemed to have the best living situation and chance to save some loot. Teaching out here provides an incredible lifestyle of minimal worries and quality social life. No complaints.
BSCI: So you are a fisherman. I just ate 3 huge plates of seafood in this dope Peruvian jumpy. Shit was money. What is your favorite fish or seafood dish?
Barnes: Hah! Naw, I’m just an avid fishing junkie when I got time, not a serious commercial fisherman by any stretch. Regardless, the finest tasting fish in my opinion is some freshly caught walleye gobbled right there on the shoreline. No doubt. Also, good old grilled red snapper on the beach usually hits my money spot.
BSCI: You ever got to bomb boats or use boats to go bomb walls in the water?
Barnes: I’ve used canoes and small boats to get to some small river and bayside spots before. Tried throwing some shit up off the side of the boat one night, but there were far too many obstacles to pull it off even kind of well.
BSCI: What are the major differences you noticed between US writers and the writers in Seoul.
Barnes: The biggest difference between a western writer and Korean is the destruction of public property. A lot of cats in the game here are more urban influenced artists than proper writers. I find that some of the better writers here had a quick spat with tagging when they first started up and then quickly moved on to painting sick characters and pieces. I have no problems with that at all, whatever, but from their perspectives, they got little love for us fools going around scribbling our names on everything in our path.
BSCI: How is graffiti seen by the general public in Seoul?
Barnes: Graffiti is still relatively new to Koreans. It got introduced here in the late 90s, so there’s a 25 or so year gap they need to catch up on. I think a lot of the younger generation is cool with it, thinking of it as being “hip hop” and trendy. Older heads around these parts don’t really have a clue. If they happen to catch a glance, they look confused and by the time they realized their shit’s been defaced, I’m gone.
BSCI: Lets talk about style. In my opinion it’s all about style from hands to pieces, you must have it.. Do you agree?
Barnes: No doubt. Gotta have your own take on whatever alphabet you use- usually built on a foundation of simple letters and style. No use jumping into the game without having a handle on the basics.
BSCI: Looks like you have a very sharp modern yet classic graffiti style. Do you have anything to say about the new wave of writers who either never had a solid graff style or who did but still switched to this “naive” hipsteresque style that we see popping up a bit everywhere. You know, the shit that looks like a 12 year old kid did it back in the 70’s?
Barnes: Hah! I know exactly what you’re talking about and I just don’t’ get it. I see it all over the web, with loads of prominent blog sites glorifying this style. I say good for you if you’re going out there writing your name on whatever it is you can find. But regarding this style, it just doesn’t appeal to me. I’m constantly looking into these pieces for something more, like a good scheme, quality lines or some sort of handiwork that will enlighten me as to why this style is so popular. Still haven’t come up with anything.
BSCI: Each writer does graffiti for different reasons. What are yours?
Barnes: Like most writers, I’m a narcissist. I do it for sheer vanity and excitement. Shit turns me on like nothing else in the world.
BSCI: If you had to chose another graff name, what would you write?
Barnes: I dig my name and the letters involved. I honestly don’t know another moniker that I could go with. Everything’s been used again and again. And I’m a firm believer that your name should come to you and fit. This seems to do just that.
BSCI: How far does someone have to fuck with you (graffiti wise) until he receives a proper ass kicking? Also, did you ever get in to a scrap over writing and if yes please share the story.
Barnes: Haha! It’s funny because I’m not a huge guy or nothing, but I take this shit serious enough and get loaded enough to scrap if it comes up. (Fuck you steez and fuck you jino, you cunt fucks) If a cat clips me with a swoop or some shit on their tag, no worries, but if I get deliberately crossed, especially in Korea, I go a little berserk. The way I see it is, if you cap one of my tags, I chrome out everything of yours I see. Again I’m not a ruffian or anything, but I get shitfaced and want to crush some of these pussies out to claim a little undeserved fame.
As for a story, I got a few. This one’s funnier than hardcore, but worth telling. So one night I was drinking Pisco, a Chilean liquor that gets me just right, here in Korea with a friend and decided to hit this elevated rooftop spot in front of copious amounts of onlookers at 9PM- stupid. Got up, got it done, got down and realized mad heads were flicking me. So I got out quick, turned a few corners and was back on it. What I didn’t know was there was a group of 4 western fellas following me and taking pictures the whole time. I hit a quick script and they ran up to me and snapped a pic of my face, so I lost it. I just cracked the first dude in the nose and proceeded to get fucked up by these other twats. They had me pinned and somehow I walked away with only a bleeding lip and a shitload of rage. For some reason I kept provoking them and one dude just walked up to me and cracked me in the face. Fucked me up good but was still left standing and even more enraged. So I did what any normal guy would do. I followed them to their bar, took a few jager shots, called some korean homies, who proptly responded like champs, and went back to their bar. I walked down all badass and called them out to finish the job. They obviously thought I was insane and as did the bar owner. Dude kicked me out of his bar and soon after one of these fools walked outside to meet me and some hard Korean motherfuckers. He went back in and gathered his troops, we met around the corner and they called a truce. Apologized and acted a fool. Ended up buying us loads of drinks and actually being decent guys. Whatever though, fuck em.
BSCI: I’m not big fan of generic graff interviews so lets talk about something else. Korean girls. Whats good with that? Any knowledge for the westerners who might visit?
Barnes: Korea girls are ace. Consistently attractive, but for good reason. Loads of money and vanity means a lot of plastic alterations. I can’t seem to notice or really care. I’m with a beautiful Korean queen at the moment, and loving it. To be honest a lot of Korean girls are pretty difficult, but if you show some flash and decent fashion sense, none of which I possess, you’ll do great. I landed a money Korean broad and am grateful no doubt.
BSCI: If you could shoot one person and get away with it, who would you clap?
Barnes: The top dog in the illuminati or Pauly Shore. Either way, the world benefits.
BSCI: Any regrets in the graff game?
Barnes: Painting trains with a certain unnamed friend, which wound up costing me loads. Still a great friend, so it’s all good, but fuck me. Fuck me.
BSCI: Anything you would like to tell our viewers, graff or non graff related.
Barnes: Yeah, there’s no shame in biting in the beginning. Learn from the greats in the game and slowly develop your own style. Burn one down and get as funky as your wrist can make it. Oh yeah, fuck cigarettes and smoke trees instead.
BSCI: Word up Barnes. Thank you for your time and this great interview!
