Thanks for the opportunity, Let us know what you push and how many years you’re been in the game.

 I write Duels and STV / WH are the crews I push. I’ve been a writer for 25 years (when interview was issued). I started in 1987 writing Bad1 and in 1989 changed it to Duels which I have been ever since. During my early years I pushed crews such as BB, NBS, CBW, CM, TIA, BOM and FA.

How did you get your name/crew?

In the late 80’s I was hanging hard with AIM Crew. It was Mek and Seel6 who gave me the tag Duel, after telling them I wanted to change my name. The other crew members started adding the “S” at the end of their names and for me it was a perfect fit. The Duel tag did not have a good letter balance, adding the “S” helped balance the “D” as well as fill in the void left at the end of the “L”. I became STV (Specialized To Vandalize) in 1989 when it was the unity of many crews such as AIM, FA, RA, WBB, BOM; then in the 90’s started pushing WH.

Who were some of the people who inspired you when you were coming up?

This is endless….Introduction to graffiti: In another country it was marker tagging by OJO (slang for “watch out”), this guy would place dots in the O’s and it looked like two eyes and a nose. He was the first guy that I ever saw up with the intention of having his name recognized. The first spraypainting that I noticed was a Dracula-like character on the playground wall of a nearby park. All I had seen to date was bucket paint, brushed on the walls by civilians expressing their personal feelings towards one-and-other, or political messages. Basic Letters: my sister doing Bubble Letters ..also, Hollywood’s fictional graffiti, such as that shown in Beat Street and the Breaking movies. Real Graffiti/ Local: when I understood what a tag was, it was Icey and Scam, Fun and Wee, CAN, BIC, Smog (NBS) then JFK, TKK, VO5, MOB and DOM. Basic Style Theory: a few kids in 7th grade, which were influenced mainly by CAN Crew. Real Stlyle: Subway Art, without a doubt! I had never been to N.Y and the only graffiti I had been exposed to was limited to Miami. Subway Art blew my mind, it was like what I thought advanced graffiti would look like, I had just not seen it yet. Wildstyle, outlines, characters, colors, composition, fills, 3d; etc. Handstyles: CAN Crew and Demo. I really liked how Demo would conform to the shape of what he tagged and stretched his letters, both horizontal and vertically. Later it was mainly AIM Crew, as well as DFC and WHO. Throwups: Cap, Demo, Foe and AIM Crew. Fearless Illegal Peicing: Dekay. He took me to do my second illegal piece. He was as calm as a pro golfer ready to tee-off. From that day forth, I adopted the same state of mind. Characters: Subway Art’s Skeme, Lee.., Spraycan Art’s Mode2.. and Foe (AIM). Fills: SAB (FBA); this was something that I wasn’t sure about until this interview, then Sab’s train piece in Subway Art came to mind. I tried to not bite from this book but I definitely bit them fills. What I consider a complete piece: Some style, colors, fills, background, readables and characters.. all of Subway Art, mainly the Duster-Lizzie and Spraycan Art’s Sak by Sak & Shame.. …In the later days some of my influences became: G-South and Bash for getting me back out painting, ARE for always instigating and adding fuel to the fire, CUE45 for sharing his style with me and the rest of the crew for one reason or another. The commitment and drive of my fellow crew members inspires me constantly, they work hard at what they do and it shames me when I can’t chip in. I’m also still inspired by many writers and their achievements, it may not seem so because my style is not influenced by theirs. Painting Illegally: all listed above but mainly pieces such as the “Born 2 Burn” by 7up and the “AIM ALL CITY” by AIM. In the mid 90’s it seemed that graffiti was leaning more toward the legal side. I feared that the up-and-coming youth were falling in love with an idea in which I did not share. This made me go out and do the complete opposite (highways and streets) and have been ever since; mainly with my partner-in-crime (ARE).

Checkpoint was one of the main shops back in the 90s, what happened to it? Any chance you
guys bring it back?

A little background first: For me it was a way to get material that I wanted and couldn’t get locally, then it became a testing ground for a concept which I wanted to take to Broward. The Point gave me a way to share Hip-Hop Culture with people that had no means of getting it. I wanted to give what I never had growing up. Unfortunately, this culture is not liked by everyone and that brought a lot of unwanted heat. The Law got involved and it wasn’t worth my freedom. An Illegal arrest to an innocent man made me quit. After I quit, my partner (the owner) was easily persuaded by the ideas and shit-talking of random people. This eventually led The Point to its downfall. When I was part of it, I spent many hours teaching whatever I knew about the culture to anyone willing to listen and that was lost when I left. I don’t believe that It will ever comeback, the original ½ Owner was a hippie with no real understanding of the culture and I don’t have the time to do it anymore. The Internet has it all, gear, markers, tips, mags, videos, mixed tapes, forums;etc. I do believe that we promoted the growth of local Graffiti as well as B-Boying, we didn’t just sell the videos, we sponsored the events which showcased B-Boying as well as helped bring down world renowned B-Boys and Graffiti Artist. We gave a place for people to gather and share.

-Graffiti is such a vast medium with so many different interpretations. When you paint, can you tryand explain what you are trying to get across with your style?

My style is based on a philosophy born in an era where graffiti was placed illegally on trains. I try to transfer that same feel on walls highly visible to the public (major streets and highways). I often forget how available graffiti is now a days (internet..) and how visible graffiti currently is in our city (Art-Basel leftovers..); I still want to feel like there are no other means of seeing it and illegal street/high-way graffiti is a way to showcase it. I want to paint where people don’t want to catch tags or fear to do a throwup, It has to have a certain level of difficulty to interest me. I like working in harsh conditions and under pressure. Painting in low light brings many challenges, colors are unclear in the dark, all you have are tones because hues are almost non-existent. You have to work based on instinct and hope that there is enough light to at least see what color you marked on the can. The next morning is like Christmas for me. I get to see what I was hoping to get, then a smile and some words of joy come out followed by a sigh of relief. Having something on the highway may give the general public a sense of what graffiti really looks like and some structure for a future writer.I would hate a kid to think that graffiti by non-writers is real graffiti and for the hating public give them something other than what they call “chicken scratch”.

-What’s your opinion on what you’re seeing in 2012, related to the craft or not?

I really like what is happening from the legal productions to illegals, trains, streets, all of it…I want to get stuck in traffic while the train passes by because I’m going to enjoy seeing the work in place……Mainly WH.

-Steel Wheels. Co11ective. Seems like you guys are rolling on the art shows. Anything planned for
this year?

Steel Wheels has a large following throughout the country. On the Art Scene tip: SK, DAR and TREK6 are the ones to follow; what they will do next? I have no clue.

-Let switch it up here, are you into anything else besides painting that you’d like to share?

Learning in general. I like spending time learning new computer programs. I also like looking at all sorts of art, photographs, illustrations and comic art on the internet. I like to doodle when I can, here & there, with the hopes that I have my next get-up.

-Miami Question:HEAT, Dolphins, Marlins, the U, or Panthers? Who are you following?

HEAT is a feel-good remedy to my long enduring Dolphin Pains. I’m a Dolphan win or lose. Marlins give me the hope of being able to go back to Bird & 87th celebrating and writing on car windows with a Griffin. I don’t have time to watch sports so can’t follow closely. The U and I have a newly acquired issue, not me with the U but the U with Me… Noles in the Family and I can’t hate on them, sorry!

-Unsolicited [no homo] props: Give us a name of a local writer not affiliated with your crew that
you think is dope. Why?

 SPEN1 (DME) his characters are real nice, always look forward to seeing them. There is that old-feel based on the poses and square finger tips but his style is very unique and has that illustrator look.

-Sometimes I think about the old Miami, when it seemed smaller. Do you miss it or like where we
are heading?

Old Miami: I miss sneaking out and catching tags on intersections, stealing bus benches and returning them with getups, I miss prepping stickers for the Fair, riding the rail to the flea market USA and seeing all the graff off the rail. I miss blackbook sessions, I miss paint racking missions, I miss using designer markers in my books and outlining with technical pens full of Indian ink. I miss Uni-wides and the smell of xylene, I miss being a kid wearing Perro shirts & Bike (“coach”) shorts, listening to Eric B & Rakim or a Felix Zama mix; aside from that I dislike the old fuckers trying to make a big deal about a few years’ worth of writing, they did a lot but there is too much history beyond their short lived juvenile careers. On the NOW tip, I thinks that our local writers are getting good exposure elsewhere and there is more respect from the external graff scene. There are local crews which have branched out beyond Florida to even overseas; that’s positive. There are writers here representing heavy-hitting crews from beyond, which is also positive. On the style note: I think we are caught up in two extremes, where writers are piecing with no style at all or too much like the latest trends. I think that if you make an effort to piece legally then burn that shit. If not, then stick to your medium, we all have ours, legal piecing is NOT mine.

-Any interesting stories you’d like to share?

Got a ton of good ones but not for the internet, sorry T.M.I.

How has STV maintained for so long?

A whole lot of love! STV had its adolescent stage, then it grew up as the writers became more established. Every writer that remained during the mid to late 90’s made it their own. They didn’t want to be in another crew, which helped strengthen what was being built. STV during that time had also become a crew that other writers wanted to be in, so they came, one by one. That is how Infoe, Beet, Inch, Roomer and Zink came to be. On later days, it was Crons, Etch, Helm, Brizo and a few others in between… There is plenty of communication within and that is also a key component for longevity. The main part is that we are a family with the “CREW FIRST” mentality. It would not have lasted if everyone thought they came first. Being unselfish was critical to stay around for this long. My belief is that we are an extremely versatile group with all sorts of talent. Just two crew members at any given time is enough to make this crew shine and maintain its status, everything else is gravy. You have guys who love to bomb but they specialize in different aspects of it. One may love streaking signs, phones, dumpsters and doing barricades + occasionaly everything else, the other loves flat blacks and silvers, there others who kill the freight system but do labels, catch tags, piece and do get-ups. Some others love hand styles, throwups and track-sides, and so on. Then, all that gets complimented by illegal pieces on Roof-tops, streets and highways. We cover EVERY aspect of graffiti. The Specialized To Vandalize name is fully represented 100% of the time, never less than that!

Do you feel you have accomplished what you’re representing?

I do. Today I see more of the type of work that I do; 2000% more than I saw in the mid 90’s. Just look at the highway and you see outlines with colors.  I hope I had some small part to do with that; it is difficult to know who sees your work and know how they were affected. I do know that I have at least influenced people within my crew and that is plenty to satisfy me. I’m still a work in progress and know that I have a long way to go before I get to where I’m headed. In the future my work will be much tighter and a whole lot bigger and then  It will truly represent what I am trying to accomplish; which is growth within my field.

-How about Wynwood as a whole. What do you think of what’s going on over there?

I’m a graffiti aficionado first, then a writer second. Graffiti is something I liked before I wrote and will continue to do so if I ever stop writing. What happens in Wynwood during Basel is something I look forward to seeing yearly. I want to drive by and see the productions as well as the craftsmanship done by individuals and or crews. I have been blown away on many occasions. Sometimes it’s something simple and small but it packs lots of style and genius in design. Other times is the execution of something completely new. For the most part, people bring their “A” game and you see that in their final product. As far was Wynwood year-round, I feel that it is great. Graffiti artists need a safe environment to develop their craft and Wynwood lends itself for that. Some of the world’s finest graffiti artists have gathered and painted here, it is nice to see that work remain locally, it is a street gallery. Wynwood is also an arena for local talent to display their work and have it stand next to some monsters; how it holds up is up to them.

-Last one’s not a question. It’s a chance for you to speak. Say what’s on your mind that you would like to share with South Florida.

Words to the wise:

1. If you don’t bomb year round, don’t do it during Basel, you get no real respect for that.
2. Spot-jocking gets people buffed, please don’t do it. We see you, but make it elsewhere.

If you hear of a good train spot that someone has, stay away from that shit. Train writers are very territorial and take their spots very serious. Don’t try to figure out where they paint… STAY AWAY…FAR, FAR, AWAY.

I would like to encourage the youth to spend their school time on school work. The few that financially benefit from Graffiti are a very, very, small elite few and who knows how long it will last. Leave the writing for your free time and get a career. If they chose to ignore my first advice then I would encourage the following: whether you want to be a piecer/artist, bombers or a well-rounded writer then put in the time
 required to be that good, half-ass efforts get half-ass results. Graffiti is not for everyone, this is not a trend but a way of life, which comes with lots of grief and expenses as well as disappointments. That illegal spot you risked your freedom for may only run for a few hours, that Burner you did may get toyed, that paint you bought aint cheap and may get stolen, legal fees are extremely expensive and public pretenders are just that.

To my fellow crew members: Thank you for always inspiring me to paint and for sharing some wonderful
memories doing so.

To my main painting partners: ARE, DAS, DAR, SOLE, HELM, CUE45 & GSOUTH. It’s been fun!

Peace to our extended family: KBT, EPC, FS, BSK, DADE, DTT, DME, WBB, ODDS, AFD…

For everyone not mentioned: I’m sorry, tried covering as much ground as possible. This things don’t always come out right and you can’t satisfy everyone. I’m no William Shakespeare.

R.I.P: Tommy Kry, 154 Bernie (Dice), Oils, Alot and all other writers we’ve lost through the years.

Free Twice & Brez

badonesterismaticskirocstalove (circa 19ATVII) aka Duelistroc aka Duels STV WH, signing off.

Big ups to Duels and to Bane for helping out with the Questions! – Mr. USVS

USVSTHEBUFF.Com was invited to take part of the biggest sticker show in the world! Big shout out to the team over at Bomit.com for putting this together! I set up about 7 clusters on the Miami wall, swing threw, say what up! The show will be running till Feb 28th!