THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

After what seems like forever the book is back from the printers in all its glory. Printed in Italy by specialist art book printers, it really does look (and feel) the business. The foil blocking and pink fifth colour on the cover are just the start. The pages feel nice and thick and the colour throughout is deep and rich. And its heavy, physically speaking. I wouldn't want to get one in the side of the head. All in all well worth the wait. Full consignment should be in Blighty next week, ready to start fulfilling those pre-orders. 

NB: to all you Bristol graffiti writers who have been on my case every day for the last month desperate to get their copies, I'm afraid you're going to have to wait a little bit longer. I've only got two copies myself and they're not leaving the house! Sorry. Soon come.

BARTON HILL BUS STOP CIRCA 1989

'TRIPLE TROUBLE' BY TARZAN

Keeping things really old school for this second post of exclusive book content, this piece was on Station Road, Montpelier, in about 1984, maybe even earlier. A certified contender for 3D's crown at the time, none of us knew anything about Tarzan. Apparently he's still around Bristol today, but he must have stopped painting pretty early on as I only ever remember seeing two pieces by him. The other was on the side of the Beaufort public house, on York Road (again in Montpelier). The influence of the Zoro character from Wild Style is there for all to see, but it doesn't matter, we all thought this was so fresh at the time, and we were all biters back then anyway. 

Big shouts to Mr.Frank Drake for this flick. Like Beezer, he was another early photographer to recognise the beauty of what was appearing on the streets in the early '80s. 

'IT'S NO GREAT CRIME' BY 3D

OK, I've been holding back on the real gems, but with the book expected back from the printers this Friday and the official launch less than a month away, it's time to start pouring out the juice, methinks. 3D was the first graffiti writer in Bristol, before going on to become an MC with the legendary Wild Bunch, and subsequently vocalist with Massive Attack. He still paints and masterminds the band's visual identity to this day.

3D is also the subject of the first chapter of Children Of The Can. He spoke to me candidly and at length about his experiences, covering everything from painting his first piece right up to gaining global recognition as part of Massive Attack.

This nugget comes courtesy of Beezer, who, along with one or two others, religiously documented the growth of hip hop in Bristol in the early '80s. Beezer is also responsible for his own brilliant book on this era, Wild Dayz, which includes loads of flicks of Wild Bunch parties and everything else that was happening at the time.

You can buy it here:
http://www.word-power.co.uk/books/wild-dayz-I9784939102530/

HIP HOP CONNECTION ARTICLE 2 (click on image to enlarge)

HIP HOP CONNECTION ARTICLE (click on image to enlarge)

This month's Hip Hop Connection Magazine features a whopping four pages on Children Of The Can. Here's the first two, which include an extract from the chapter on John Nation, youth leader at the Barton Hill Youth Club in the late 80s and early 90s. Big shouts to Ziml and Kid Acne for the hook-up.

http://www.hhcmagazine.com/

CLEAN SLATE EDITORIAL (click on image to enlarge)

Barton Hill youth centre's own magazine gives its views on the rash of busts that took place as part of Operation Anderson in 1989. Some things never change. 

An extended extract from the chapter that features one-time Barton Hill youth leader John Nation appears in this month's Hip Hop Connection magazine (oddly dated December, with Eminem on the cover) and features a bunch of photos from the book that I've not yet posted.