Apologies for the crazy length of time since the last blog but been away a lot organising various projects for 2015. More on that later …
Kept in touch via the inescapable Twitter @andieairfix
with #MoodOfTheDay and #AirfixArchives. Twitter feed and follow …
First … The Holidays. I hope you all had a wonderful time …
Secondly … I’d like to thank everyone who had The Inclination and The Taste to buy Airfix Editions over the holiday period.
Thank You all.
Some Prints and Editions are still available of course … METALLICA, BOWIE, MADONNA, ROLLING STONES, DEF LEPPARD, LED ZEPPELIN, JIMI HENDRIX and more. Go on … you know you want to … andieairfix.com
To welcome you into 2015, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank my followers on Twitter and those loyal to my blog with a quote I love from the wonderfully anarchic and irreverent world of one of America’s greatest novelists and comic writers.
“HELLO BABIES. WELCOME TO THE EARTH.
IT’S HOT IN THE SUMMER
AND COLD IN THE WINTER.
IT’S ROUND AND WET AND CROWDED …
AT THE OUTSIDE, BABIES, YOU’VE GOT
ABOUT A HUNDRED YEARS HERE.
THERE’S ONLY ONE RULE
THAT I KNOW OF, BABIES
– GOD DAMN IT,
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIND.”
A Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year to You from Andie Airfix at
I will leave you with an image commenting on the tragedy in Paris yesterday. It is poignant, wonderfully direct and implies hope and defiance in equal measure. Brilliant.
More very soon on Plans for 2015 … including taking a one-man show to Japan (and maybe more places!)
Finally on the road to publishing a novel ‘ I N V A G E N T S ‘
and a design book entitled – yes you guessed it ‘B*B G#LD*F STOLE MY SUNGLASSES’
Thank you – all who were involved with my ‘gig’ at the ‘Moulin Rouge’ Spiegeltent as part of the Brighton Fringe – particularly Richard, Jo, Mandy and the guest keyboard player, Richard Clark-Monks. A very special thanks to Adrian and all those at the Tent who made the performance happen and run so smoothly.
Early on in my chat I was talking about Holly Woodlawn – the Warhol Superstar …
… and major player as part of the Warhol Factory in New York. Lou Reed immortalised Holly …
“Holly came from Miami, F.L.A. Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A. Plucked her eyebrows on the way Shaved her legs and then he was a she She says, “Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side” He said, “Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side“
Halfway through my stories of spending 3 weeks with Holly in London,
(see Blog ’50: LOU REED – ‘Life-Changer’ for details!)
someone unexpectedly walked towards the stage. I did a real double-take. It was the legend HERBIE FLOWERS. Herbie Flowers was a founding member of the group BLUE MINK, featured in a mid-1970s line-up of T-REX and later played bass with many superstars including David Bowie and Paul McCartney. I had NO idea he would be appearing and I sat down on the stage and listened to his wonderful story about how the classic bass line was created in the studio with LOU REED. Watching him play his bass to explain how the riff developed was one of those moments of history for me
Thank You Herbie Flowers – you made my day/week/year …
The talks ‘Graphic Design as an Extreme Sport‘ will continue and who will show up next time I wonder?
Who knows? – not me – not yet.
Make sure you check out the rest of the blog for stories of working with ‘Megastars’!
Preparations are now well under way for fun, drinking and debauchery at the ….
On Friday 16th May 2014 from 6-7 pm …
… I’m very excited and honoured to be asked to talk at the famous ‘Moulin Rouge’ Spiegeltent as part of Brighton Fringe. After the country’s largest music festival ‘The Great Escape‘, I shall be chatting about how iconic designs are created for legendary music stars in the utterly insane world of Pop Music and Rock’n’Roll, and telling stories of what it’s like to work with music’s unpredictable ‘megastars’ …
Starting Out • ‘PYROMANIA‘ and 9/11 • Dealing with ‘difficult’ clients • Creating ‘HYSTERIA‘ • PETE BURNS tells a few home truths to Sony • Pre-computer Techniques • “You’ll never work in the music industry again” • Finding allies in business • With METALLICA honesty always wins • Buttock-clenching embarrassment at opening night of ROLLING STONES tour • Joys of Typography • Working at Clarence House • Get out and about • Designers ultimate nightmare • The pressures working on LIVE AID and LIVE 8 • Axl Rose flips out • Fans and Parties • Lessons from PAUL McCARTNEY • The wonderful Victor • Challenges from LED ZEPPELIN and much more.
The venue is hardly your average tent …
… but this extravagant and colourful venue was erected in less than 5 hours !!! The original Spiegeltents were the ‘domain of night-owls, heartbreakers and dream-chasers’. They were legendary and still are.
Don’t miss out.
Book your tickets now at brighton fringe website
or Box Office on 01273 917272
and so, naturally, you’re out there looking for ideal gifts to shower on your loved ones to celebrate the occasion. And can you find anything that’s cool enough. Of course you can’t – it’s all predictably dull and boring for us music fans.
Well – look no further – problem solved …
Sticking very firmly to the belief of creating … art that DOES NOT match the sofa … Here’s a solution for all you Rock’n’Rollers.
Andie Airfix Limited Editions bring something unique to Christmas. They’re cool, very affordable and ideal for music fans. Here’s a brand NEW edition. available from November 18th 2013 …
Created from original pen and ink/pencil drawing of the logo for the Ballbreaker World Tour in 1995. This is pre-computer and was completely hand-drawn (very tricky to do!)
Don’t forget the recently released ‘Ninja Star 1′ & Ninja Star 2’:2 METALLICA editions created for the AIRFIX LOUNGE last March, editions Lars Ulrich, METALLICA’s drummer described as ‘AWESOME!‘ …
Editions also include: LED ZEPPELIN DAVID BOWIE JIMI HENDRIX
THE ROLLING STONES THE BEATLES MADONNA DEF LEPPARD and LITTLE RICHARD.
Order NOW to guarantee Christmas delivery worldwide.
All Editions are printed on the highest grade, heavyweight art paper by the latest digital technology to ensure the richest colours and to maintain the finest of detail.
Problem is – and I feel obliged to inform you – that many who purchase Andie Airfix Limited Editions, somehow forget (?!) to send them on to the people they bought them for. Shocking behaviour. The solution is obvious of course – buy one for yourself too – and everyone will be happy.
Archiving always throws up some oddball artwork ….
OWN SOME ART THAT DOESN’T MATCH THE SOFA
With literally 1000’s of items to catalogue there are always a few items that don’t really fit into categories: they arrive late or unannounced, are stuffed in some envelope or stuck to the back of something else. They certainly have value but can be released more randomly than through the AIRFIX ARCHIVES (GALLERY ONE opening in September by the way).
To give fans a chance for a real bargain – a few of these Little Rogues have been dropped into e-Bay.
Is it a Bird? Is it a Guitar? Is it Art? Does it Play?
Well – three of those certainly. (I don’t think it flies – yet.) Depends who buys it. I could think of a few people who could help it on its way.
I created this guitar (with more than a little technical help from Zoli) as part of the AIRFIX LOUNGE exhibition at the Brighton Fringe this year. It celebrates many of the artists I have worked with over the years including METALLICA, LED ZEPPELIN, DEF LEPPARD, AC/DC, THOMPSON TWINS, DEAD OR ALIVE & PAUL McCARTNEY.
The Hutchins limited edition (of 250) guitar is a replica of the famous ‘teardrop’ guitar played by Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones. The edition was a sell-out apart from a few retained by Hutchins Guitars. This is one of them – edition number o99. It was kindly donatedby Gary Hutchins – to help support and promote the launch of the ambitious AIRFIX LOUNGE project.
The guitar has escaped to EBAY to help further the expansion of the AIRFIX LOUNGE
The LOUNGE was a huge success (much more on that in another blog soon) and there were so many comments received from the US, via various social media, asking if the exhibition and talks would transfer to America.
In answer to those exhuberantly supportive fans – I’m happy to announce that talks ARE in progress right now to take the AIRFIX LOUNGE to a major US city. Stay tuned.
Here’s the Beast in more detail – the design perfectly replicated on the body of the guitar
So … hang it on your wall,
play it,
fly it,
love it
and also help us get the show further down the road as the AIRFIX LOUNGE expands and begins to tour – bringing a great rock-art show to those fans who have been so positive about the project so far.
It’s crazy here. All hands on deck for the launch
– this weekend! – of the …
Created specifically for the launch, two METALLICA Limited Edition prints are now available – only from the Airfix Lounge EXHIBITION and from andieairfix.com
Metallica have approved the two Editions. THANK YOU Guys.
What better endorsement could I have to kick off what will be an extraordinary event, something I’ve wanted to do for years. Much more detail on the EXHIBITION (showcasing METALLICA original artwork) and the TALKS at andieairfix.com Check it out.
A new Andie Airfix Limited Edition Series (only 50 of each) is launched at BRIFFA this week as part of the London Art Fair, 2011. (BRIFFA: 306 Gallery Level, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH)
Due to numerous requests for larger editions from andieairfix.com, I’m pleased to let you know your 6 most popular images are now available printed on A2 (22 x 16ins) Hahnemuhle Fine Art Paper – paper designed to maximise the vibrant colour and high definition of professional digital printing. Only the best for you guys! The first of each edition (01/50) has been mounted and framed exclusively for the exhibition. Each edition is signed and numbered by me and every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity and mounting and framing suggestions.
The mounted and framed 01/50 Limited Editions are available at BRIFFAuntil January 23rd and unmounted editions are for sale exclusively at andieairfix.com. Visit the site for more details.
Here are your favourite six …
NOTE: The last edition – METALLICA – ‘4 Scary Guys’ is a ‘work in progress’ and will be released to coincide with the next blog-post – 39. METALLICA – Part Two. It will be an awesome addition to your METALLICA collection!
Well, we may as well go straight in with this … not for the faint-hearted …
In 1993 I completed my first major project – a Box Set – for the legend that is METALLICA.
There’s a satisfying coincidence that I’ve just finished another Box Set for them as I begin a series of blogs about arguably the most successful rock band on the planet.
The stories over the next few weeks have never been published so be prepared for fun, insights and a very personal account of events spanning nearly twenty years.
Where do I begin? My admiration and respect for the band is constantly renewed by their adventurous, often anarchic, attitude to who they are and what they do. At the heart of my respect for them is their unswerving loyalty and dedication to their Fans – so let’s start with Victor …
Victor was seventeen and worked on reception at the gym I infrequented in Chelsea Harbour. Mostly I used it as a hi-tech bathroom/sauna/swimming pool conveniently situated between my Chelsea flat and the studio. I often chatted to Victor – a serious Metallica fan – and when he discovered I was involved in their artwork and knew the band personally, he hinted every now and again that maybe if I had a spare ticket to a gig …
I’ve been amazingly privileged over the years to be given tickets to major events and concerts and one thing I have always done when I go to one – is to find random fans to take along and maybe provide an opportunity for them to meet their heroes and heroines. Metallica were playing Wembley Arena in London and I asked Victor to join us for the gig. In those days it made economic and practical sense – if there were 8 or 10 of us – to hire a stretch limo. The car was allowed to drop its occupants right outside the ticket collection office and to pick us up immediately after the gig right outside the main entrance into the venue – avoiding what is often a nightmare journey to and from the Arena which was such a bummer, especially after a night out at a brilliant concert and your spirit was elated. (Also of course we could get wasted on the way there and back!). I’d asked Victor to meet us in Chelsea to head off to the gig and his face when he saw the white stretch Cadillac waiting for him was an indication of how overwhelmed he would be later as the evening developed.
We arrived, tumbled out of the limo, collected our tickets and our ‘Go Anywhere You Fucking Want‘ passes …
A couple of us headed straight for the band’s dressing room with Victor. He was already nervous and his mood rapidly alternated between that of a soldier about to meet his generals after a victorious battle and that of a shy 17-year old terrified he would make a fool of himself in front of his heroes. We met Gio – more of him later – and he escorted us to the dressing room through the labyrinthine corridors beneath the Arena. I knocked on the door. ‘In,’ shouted James Hetfield. Victor froze, his right hand glued to the dressing room door-frame, his feet establishing roots into the concrete floor. Eventually we managed to drag the ashen-faced, open-mouthed, wide-eyed Victor into the room. The band were having their pre-gig dinner. Lars jumped up. ‘Andie, Ricky – great to see you guys. Hey – who’s this?‘
And that’s the thing …
… Bands and artists of quality recognise how important fans are – you’d be amazed how many don’t – and Metallica are particularly brilliant at diffusing any embarrassment or awkwardness fans feel when they meet the band. I introduced Lars to Victor. Lars was in fine form. ‘Hey VIctor – how ya doin’? Cool jacket man – want us to sign it?‘ Victor’s mouth opened and closed several times but words refused to vocalise and his head moved around in a weird circular movement which kind of looked like he was nodding and shaking his head at the same time. ‘James,‘ Lars shouted, ‘grab that thick marker pen and we can all sign Victor’s jacket.‘
The jacket in question was a silver bomber-jacket. It looked brand new and I remember thinking at that point that maybe Victor had bought it specially for the gig. The band gathered round him for the Signing Ceremony. A flurry of flambuoyant marker strokes later and a storm of graffitti, autographs and dedications covered the entire back of the jacket. Victor of course couldn’t see what Lars, James, Kirk and Jason had done. We chatted for a while, left the band to their dinner and headed off to the Arena and our seats. Still not a word had escaped Victor’s lips and he was looking worryingly pale. ‘Look at your jacket,‘ I said. ‘It’s brilliant.‘ Victor stopped, closed his eyes, took off the jacket and opened them again. He stood there – motionless – just staring at it. Finally he managed to get words to connect both to his brain and his mouth at the same time. The reason for his endearing but acutely strange behaviour was suddenly clear. It wasn’t only Metallica that had caused him to be so excrutiatingly shy and freaked out in the dressing room – there was something completely different to add to his alarm and agitation … ‘It’s my older brother’s best jacket,‘ he croaked. ‘He doesn’t know I’ve borrowed it! He’s going to kill me. He’ll fuckin’ kill me.‘
Victor was, thankfully, still alive when I headed to the gym a couple of days after the gig. His brother had burst out laughing when Victor confessed to his hideous crime, enjoying every second of his younger brothers’ deep embarrassment, fear and trepidation. He gave him the jacket obviously. However, when Victor showed his MetalliMates his well-earned prize-jacket, not one of them believed the signatures were real – let alone spontaneously produced for him personally in the band’s dressing room before a gig.
If, by any chance, any of you see a guy wearing a silver bomber-jacket with all the band’s signatures on it, ask him if his name’s Victor. If it is just tell him you know how the jacket was signed and where. It’ll probably blow his head off.
METALLICA blogs will become pretty random over the next few weeks as I’m off to India. Be prepared for the odd Indian experience to infiltrate the METALLICA EXPERIENCE!
.. and in case you thought established bands went out on the road just to regurgitate tired old hits from the past … not this ONE. Check it out. Here’s a track from S&M, performed in 1999, ten years after the song’s original release (featured as their first ever video at the beginning of this blog). THAT’S why METALLICA are brilliant – hardly the same is it? – but without losing the songs sentiment and power in any way.
STAY TUNED … &ie
COMING UP IN METALLICA BLOGS …
… a competition to win an original piece of METALLICA artwork … Berlin … Lollapalooza and Lemmy … dinner with Lars and Marianne Faithful … a trip round Barcelona … mothers and fathers … the Viper Room … Some Kinda Monster … Anton Corbjin … and creating artwork for LOAD, RE-LOAD, GARAGE INC, S&M and much more.
Don’t forget to enter the COMPETITION below to WIN a HENDRIX EDITION PRINT
Secondly … I’d like to thank everyone who had The Inclination and The Taste to buy Airfix Editions over the holiday period.
andie airfix's 'B*b G#ld*f Stole My Sunglasses?' 