Dave Glass

What is your background in art, and how did you get to where you are today?

I have been scribbling all of my life, mostly self taught. When I was a kid I had a few art classes drawing gun toting guys with fire in their eyes and enormous heads, burning buildings with explosions, funny cars, space ships, aliens, rockets and shit. I was a weird kid into burning things and watching the drips form interesting shapes. My immediate family consisted of a journalist, musician, photographers, a theater actor, model, and engineer so I would like to believe some of the creativity spawned from blood. More of what I'm doing today stems from spray paint, Xerox art, and punk cartoons I drew back in the '80s. I graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia but all I learned is how to turn on a computer and gained some business knowledge. I don't feel any school can teach you how to be an artist. Past 20 years, I've played drums for many punk bands all and all designing the logos flyers art and promotional stuff. That experience has taught me the majority of what I know and givin' me the drive to get on with it.

How would you describe your style?

Punk pinup art.

What is your source of inspiration?

Rock poster art, B-movie posters, classic ‘50s pinup artists, city living, extraordinary women, son and lovely wife, bombed-out street life, chaos, alcohol, the damned church I live across from with the blaring gospel band and crazy preacher man. Testify! Inspiration is just all around me especially the beautiful girls when they know how to swagger.

What is your favorite medium?

Ink and brush.

Who/what are your influences?

I'm a bastard child of Keith Moon. Rat Scabies, Frank Miller, Stainboy, Coop, '50s pinup art, Richard Kern, Eric Kroll, Pushead, Wendy O' Williams, Stiv Bators, Jamie Reid, Johnny Rotten, Shawn Kerri, Niagara, too many too list...

What do you like to do when you're not creating art?

Play with my son, ride my bike around the city, play drums, hate the world, build things, listen to records, drink, bark at dogs.

Do you have any advice for budding artists?

Patience. Don't believe the media hype, who cares about the next big rock star/art star it's a load of shit. Drink piss if you're thirty be an artist because you're passionate. Stay true to your roots. Learn the barter system.

What's your deepest darkest secret?

I was an altar boy.

What's your favorite food?

Crab legs, beer, sirloin tip charred rare.

You've done roller derby artwork in the past, how did you get into it?

Originally, Arizona Roller Derby contacted me about a poster in 2002 along with Texas Roller derby the same year. A few other Roller Derby art gigs came about with AZ Derby Dames illustrating the lovely Suzi Homewrecker for their logo, and the Penn Jersey She Devils logo design. Other opportunities arose thereafter but I didn't have the time to meet deadlines. I also made a few posters for Red Eyed Rats, a punk cover band I played drums for that featured two Philly Roller Girls, Jersey Diabla, and Kitty Capgun and a coach. We played a few shows including rollergirl benefits and an insane gig with The Murder Junkies.

What is your favorite part of the sport?

Call me sexist, but girls in fishnets and bondage skirts on roller skates had something to do with it. But I digress, the personas the girls take on like wrestling is fun. And I respect the whole DIY ethic behind the sport.

Can you skate?

Not roller skate but I used to rip it up on a skateboard back in the day until I kept breaking my ankles and couldn't play drums so I stopped. Recently I have been entertaining the thought of skateboarding again since I pulled out my old Zorlac for my son to play with. Skate tough or go home!

Any future plans?

Getting back into the art world. Since I started a family a few years ago I have had to spend most of my time screen-printing T-shirts as an independent contractor for steady income. As a freelance artist with random clients you never know when you'll have work or when you'll get paid. Labor of love is a gamble. Unfortunately art has been taking a back seat. Hopefully things will turn around and I can get my own business, Ink Runs Cold (screen-printing and design business), in full swing and afford our own home get out of this Philly apartment tour. I also have a book I'm working on, Seduce and Destroy, coming out from Villain Arts publishing in Philly whenever I can make time to get it together.