Living Proof Radio

Full episode now on our Patreon. GREY PVC is a legendary graffiti writer who has suffered with severe addiction to various substances and today has reached a point of stable sobriety. Through methadone, GREY was able to get off of street-drugs and develop sound and stable routines; today, he is no longer on methadone. He speaks openly about his time spent in Kensington Philadelphia buying and using drugs. As the drugs consumed his entire life, he began aggressively shoplifting to fund his drug habit. For a time, he considered himself a functioning addict. Eventually he was overcome with illness to the point where he could not physically stand up, this weakness in his body became the gateway to the sobriety he has today. Most known for his iconic graffiti painted throughout San Francisco and New York City, GREY placed an emphasis on the traditional aspect of tags and throw-ups. After a 5 year break from painting to focus on tattooing, GREY began painting the New York City transit, which eventually led to his investigation.http://patreon.com/livingproofnewyorkhttp://livingproofnewyork.com

Full episode on Patreon. ZE is a legendary graffiti writer from South Brooklyn, known for his hardcore bombing style and partnership with the late great RUSH ACID. He gained mass appeal in the early 1990s for his aggressive straightforward approach to graffiti, hitting elevated tracks, motions on subway cars, trucks and streets with legible handstyles and classic New York style throw ups using primarily chrome paint.ZE is part of the ACID Crew (Attack Crush Invade, Destroy), a graffiti crew that has made a significant mark in the New York graffiti scene, with members like the late great RUSH, HOJO, DECO, GOUCH and SOBER. ZE's partnership with RUSH is particularly noted for the style and visibility of their work across Brooklyn and other boroughs. The duo's consistency and dedication have cemented their legacy in NYC graffiti history.http://patreon.com/livingproofnewyorkhttp://livingproofnewyork.com

Full episode now on our Patreon. Erik Ellington is an iconic skateboarder who is one of the original members of the Baker Skateboards and Deathwish teams. Ellington, alongside his peers, revolutionized skateboarding with legendary videos like Baker 2G, Baker 3 and The Deathwish Video. These videos presented an unfiltered view of skateboarding at the time with energy that is nearly impossible to replicate. The footage often showed them not just skating, but also fighting, partying, and struggling with the highs and lows of their lives. Ellington has been open about his personal struggles with substance abuse and subsequent sobriety after years of living the lifestyle seen in the videos. His story of positive change and optimism has left deep influence on skateboarders world wide. With involvement in art and design throughout the multiple facets of his life, Ellington was instrumental in developing pro model skate shoes during his time with Emerica and later Supra Footwear. He played a key role in popularizing Baker’s classic aesthetic, and as one of Deathwish’s creative forces, his vision helped Deathwish become one of the legacy companies within skateboarding. As a natural expression to other interests in his life, he has been designing luxury footwear with Human Recreational Services, as well as working on ‘Ellington’, a clothing line which will launch in due time. http://patreon.com/livingproofnewyorkhttp://livingproofnewyork.com

Full episode on Patreon. Todd Francis is a renowned artist, perhaps best known for creating the Anti-Hero Skateboards eagle logo, one of the most recognized symbols in skateboarding. His work often combines humor, social commentary, and a gritty aesthetic, resonating deeply with skaters who embrace skateboarding as a countercultural expression. The Anti-Hero eagle logo, designed by Todd Francis, encapsulates the brand's identity: raw, uncompromising, and steeped in skateboarding’s punk ethos. The design is simple yet powerful, featuring a fierce eagle clutching a ribbon with the brand name. The eagle logo is instantly recognizable, even beyond skateboarding.Anti-Hero was founded by Julien Stranger in 1995 as a response to the corporatization of skateboarding. It was during the early days that Todd Francis began doing art for Anti-Hero. The eagle logo became a badge of honor for skaters who aligned with the brand’s ethos of rejecting the mainstream, instead embracing the rebellious, street-level essence of skateboarding.Anti-Hero's early skate videos, such as Fucktards (1997), Cow (1998), and Cash Money Vagrant (2003), are revered for their cultural impact on skateboarding. These videos embraced a no-frills aesthetic, authentically focusing on the raw realities of skateboarding. Todd Francis’s artwork can be seen in all of Anti-Hero’s videos alongside legends like Julien Stranger, John Cardiel, Tony Trujillo, Frank Gerwer and Peter Hewitt. The artwork of Todd Francis has left a lasting impact on skateboarding culture, inspiring a generation with flashing memories of Todd’s artwork side by side a stylistic approach to street and transition skating.http://patreon.com/livingproofnewyorkhttp://livingproofnewyork.com