GUSALEN wkt up htf hits

1:What do you write , how long have you been writing for (year started), and why did you get involved in it ? (GUS) 1. I write GusAlen. Been involved in graffiti since 1990. Although I wasn't doing anything major back then I was in 4th and 5th grade catching tags. What got me interested in graffiti back then was seeing gang graffiti on my side of town. One thing I remember vividly was- and I wish I knew what he wrote, but someone used to draw these sick ass bombs like tnt type bombs that were dope as hell and I remember trying to copy those. Task from lords shared the same story with me, he's more of an OG then me for sure but he mentioned the same story which I thought was dope. Don't recall if he knew the guy or what crews he was involved in. I liked seeing TMC and DEF mobb in those days. I really enjoyed the gang graffiti or "tag banger" handstyles. I used to see lords up in the early 90's a lot also. I honestly was inspired by everyone in San Jose that I saw up. I moved around a lot when I was younger so I was lucky to see everything pretty much around that time. The south side guys were really ahead of their times. (ALEN) I write GUSALEN Ive been writing since 1992/93ish and I got involved when a handful of my childhood friends moved to sacramento for the summer and they came back doing it. They were all older and as soon as I seen them do it I was hooked.

2:How did you get your name? (GUS) I wrote something else previously, a few names and not many know the names and I will not share any of them. But I like the letter G to start with. (ALEN) My name is my name

3: Who were your biggest influences and why? (GUS) I don't believe I ever tried to copy anyone directly but I was definitely inspired by Bay Area graffiti in general. I'm biased of course but I always loved Bay Area Graff the most. (ALEN) I would say my biggest influences when I first started were my buddies that moved to sac, I always loved a writer BOMS MOF growing up. But as time went on and I got to know graffiti a little better Eatfuk for the heavens he hit , Kose for the longevity, Loved to see The San Jose Bus Hoppers and power scribes from Jask and UAC. Now a days I like the little things Scribes Stickers things like that. Fart Barf / Hier/ Plant Tress / Chek always look for their scribes. I would say my Influence over all is the collective of graffiti.

4: Whats your Favorite type of graffiti? (GUS) Favorite type of graffiti? I don't know... I mean graffiti at its core is about destruction I just liked seeing things original or different or funny you know. I like people that paint a lot no matter if the Graff is "good" or not. (ALEN) Scribes hands down , Over the years this has changed many times but right now nothings better than a scribe that you find thats been there for 15 plus years …

5: Do you consider graffiti Hip Hop? and if not where did you pick it up from and what group do you think it falls in? (GUS) Graffiti is definitely an essence of true hip hop. With that said it don't mean you have to like hip hop to do graffiti. Some cats just listen to pure death metal and shit and paint like crazy. But it's for sure one of the 4 arms or legs or whatever you wanna call it to hip hop. (ALEN) I don't at all , I think Hip Hop tried to adopt it as theirs but graffiti is done by all types of people. East coast it was hip hop at first , and West coast it was Gangs that adopted it. Now its a free for all.

6: Whats your favorite type of music?(GUS)Haha. Don't get ME started with music man. I love music. I listen to all types of music. I fuck with foreign stuff heavy. I'm a vinyl cat so I dig tough for new sounds. The only parts I usually stay away from are country and soul like northern soul. I usually never dig in the soul section at music stores. Currently I'm on a Bollywood kick. I really dig Indian music. I will leave off with a few of my personal favorite artists in no particular order: Gil Scott heron. Don Cherry. Horace Tapscott. Sade (of course!) kalyanji anandji. J dilla!!!!!!!!! Also best producer of all time Bob Thiele. (ALEN) Im open to all types except country :)

7: Whats the difference to you between Graffiti and Gang graffiti to you?(GUS)Big difference between the 2 but at the same time a lot of similarities. Both marking their territories although on the graffiti side you shouldn't be doing anything near your home unlike gang graffiti where you need to let people know what hood their on. on the graffiti side you will always have people using cholo letters, I love them personally. I don't condone gang violence or violence in general but I enjoy the graffiti from them. (ALEN) A neighborhood thats all. everything else is the same.

8: Fruity pebbles or coco pebbles?(GUS) Neither. I don't eat that garbage. No need for BHA or BHT or any sort of preservatives or fake food in your body. Health is wealth my friends. Red40- do your own research. (ALEN) this is a hard one um I would have to say FRUITY PEBBLES all day .

9: Are you in your prime as of right now? and if not when do you think your prime was?(GUS)They cut me down in my prime in 2003.

Although my art got better. Haha. I'm focusing on galleries now days and painting an occasional mural or two. (ALEN) My prime is what ever I'm doing at that moment. I always do everything to the fullest of my ability.

10: Whats your favorite city that you have painted and why is it your favorite? (GUS)I had fun painting in San Diego. Love that city. (ALEN) I love painting San Jose everyone hates on it but some of the best writers in the bay area have came out of there. Anyone can paint Oakland even SF but to Stay up in SJ you have to be dedicated to painting .

11: What do you think of people getting jail time for graffiti ? (GUS) It is what it is... You are doing something illegal, I don't believe in privately owned prisons but you should know what's ahead of you when you get involved in graffiti (ALEN) I get it , it sucks that people that beat their wives get less time then some graff writers that I have known . But the city wants to make money and theres no money for them to make off people beating their wives or raping women so go after the graffiti writers. one tag = $400 , you cant put a dollar amount on a punch to the face . lol

12: Do you still drink 40’s and if so whats your favorite brand to drink?(GUS) Haven't drank any sort of 40 in a very long time. Cannabis is better for your body then alcohol. (ALEN) I do not at all if I did I would drink Mickeys all day …..

13: How do you feel about the graffiti trend and as well as being used for everything now a days (clothing,lunch boxes , hats , etc…..) (GUS) I cared more about this subject in the early 2000's. I don't care anymore. (ALEN) If you can make money and give back to the culture some way then Im ok with it , but people that just take from it and don't give back can fuck them selves.

14: Do you have a chase story that people would like to hear one that you almost shit your self during?(GUS)Nah. No comment. (ALEN) So this one time TIMES ,KADY , IFUL, had gotten chased at a train yard and we had to do a Dukes of Hazard to get away lol that was the craziest shit ever. I bet they still think of that day as well.

15: Any last Shout outs? (GUS)No shout outs. Too many to name. Peace to everyone still involved in graffiti even after getting arrested and doing jail time or having kids or having legit jobs..

Actually I will give 1 shout out. Peace to King KOSE1. Peace to everyone active or that's contributed over the course of years I've been interested in graffiti. (ALEN) To my whole Crew thanks for the years of hard work , it shows how much we have put into this, and were just getting started, To my wife thanks for putting up with all the stickers that are all over the house and the hours of time I spend on the phone. To my kids I love you and when Im not here I leave my tags and scribes for you to find :) To my alter ego GUS , thanks for the years of stories and good music. NERVS and MORE WKT for helping me start this and for the new gen keeping it going it wouldn't be anything with out you guys.