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Kill Brand Interview W/ Tee Hunter
Kill Brand apparel is a really cool, friendly, unified brand built sspecifically for the passionate, creative youth of today. It is truly clothing made by the very people that are going to be wearing it and that is why I dig Kill Brand so much. Whether you are a graffiti artists, in a band, skater, surfer, whatever…Kill Brand answers your call and pushes the limits of expression, unifying the realms of art, music, and beyond.
In 2001, Kill Brand was created by musician, Jonathan Smith. While on tour in the band Tokyo Rose (SideCho Records), Jonny ran into a problem — no clean t-shirts. With a hot pink T-shirt and black spray paint in hand, Jonny randomly graffitied K-I-L-L across the front of the T, and took the stage. This fresh trend took punk rock fans by storm. Before long, Jonny was designing, spray-painting, and selling his T’s out of the back of the tour van. As demand grew, Jonny invested in a screen printing machine to keep up with supply. Jonny personally screen-printed every item by hand with his signature, KILL. Kill Brand’s notoriety grew as Jonny left Tokyo Rose and pursued promoting the apparel at music festivals across the U.S.
Killbrand.com
Kill Brand designs are requested by stylists from GQ Magazine, featured in Alternative Press and Wonka Vision Magazine, and worn by celebrities. Seth Green, Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump and more all wear Kill Brand. Bands like Fall Out Boy, The Used, My Chemical Romance, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and countless others all are fans.
I spoke to the awesome Jonny about the clothing line he has put so much passion and energy into! The following words, my loyal readers, are the result…
TH: What is your background and how did it lead you into starting Kill Brand?
Jonathan (Kill Brand): I come from a music background so I like to think that creation has always been in my blood. I have been living the “Do It Yourself” lifestyle for as long as I remember. I have always been into “fashion” and it was only a matter of time before I got bored with the clothing that I saw on a daily basis in stores around New Jersey. That is when I decided to take matters into my own hands and create my own clothing in 2003 and named it Kill Brand Apparel.
Jonny's Favourite Shirt Of All Time!
TH: What is your favourite tshirt of all time (that you own) and why? (Picture at least 540 px wide would be awesome)
Jonathan (Kill Brand): I love this shirt by OBEY (pictured above); This limited edition cotton tee (above) is the result of a partnership between OBEY mastermind Shepard Fairey and the Global Grassroots HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) campaign, which works to empower people, encouraging involvement with humanitarian issues through music, art and action. Featuring artwork by Fairey and based on the Brian Steidle photograph “Girl and Brother,” this garment is designed to raise both money and awareness in an effort to stop genocide in Darfur.
TH: What have been the highest and lowest points on the road to Kill Brand circa 2009?
Jonathan (Kill Brand): Lowest and highest points go hand in hand, they both really exist as one. I remember a few years back when I was on the Vans Warp Tour, we had a tent and would sell our shirts in the scorching summer heat. One morning, as I was pulling dozens of brand new shirts on a dolly to try to get to our tent, the dolly broke and every single shirts fell into the biggest mud pile imaginable. That was a low point because we obviously could not sell those shirts but it was also a high point because I look back at times like that and I cannot help but laugh. I learned to invest in a more dependable dolly, we live and learn, that is all we can do.
TH: What is the best selling Kill Brand design to date and why do you think that is? (again a picture pls)
Jonathan (Kill Brand): Our “Kiss of Death” logo is, to date, our best selling design.
Best Selling Kill Brand Tee "Kiss of Death"
Not only is it our most popular, but it is also my favorite. I think it is because of it simplicity, it really says a lot without really spelling out too much. It is really in your face, and at the same time, extremely quite.
TH: If you had to tell us one stand out interesting story/anecdote about Kill Brand, what would it be?
Jonathan (Kill Brand): This one time, I got an email from a 4th grader (I think it was a 4th grader) and he sent me a picture of him wearing a Kill Brand shirt in his school class picture. It was so awesome to see such a young kiddo enjoying a Kill Brand tee. Here is the picture Jonny is speaking about:
4th Grader in Kill Brand Tshirt
TH: What are you currently listening to music-wise?
Jonathan (Kill Brand):
Runner Runner
Minus the Bear
Between the Buried and Me
Does it Offend You Yeah
and Data Select Party
All those bands are awesome, please search for them on Google.
TH: Do you sponsor bands and what do you like about this avenue of promotion?
Jonathan (Kill Brand): We don’t sponsor bands, per-se, but we do have friends who are in bands that choose to wear our clothing out while they are on tour. So it is a win/win situation for them and us; they get clean shirts and we get some promotion. Pretty cool!
TH: What can we expect from Kill Brand this year, in other words; what are you most excited about for the future?
Jonathan (Kill Brand): We have so much planned right now for the summer time. Awesome contests, great giveaways, etc. For all things Kill Brand related, please continue to check out www.killbrand.com
Kill Brand is currently also available in Tilly’s, Hot Topic, Zumiez, and over 200 retail stores worldwide.
Psssst! Want to win some Kill Brand gear?
Tee Hunter's Kill Brand Competition! (click to enter)
Click here for competition details!
