An important spot on Tokyo’s hardcore related places is GReeD TOKYO - Clothing store (and much more) in Shibuya.
I said ‘and much more’ for a reason, but let’s start from the start…The place is located in Shibuya, just 2 minutes walking distance from NERDS Record shop and it’s also rooted in the hardcore scene. Not only because you can buy cool stuff there, like for example T-shirts, skateboards etc, but because it is run by an artist, End, who’s closely connected to the scene.
The place is filled with End’s art projects, the album covers he designed, logos, gig flyers and posters
I spent a nice time hanging out in the shop with End before the gig at Shibuya’s The Game (which is also located less than a 5 minute walk from the shop). We had a chat about bands, gigs, art and life in general. End is a super nice guy, very focused and dedicated to his work and working ethos. Being straight edge for over 20 years, he created his own, very cool SxE clothing line, which is available to buy in the store. He is also present in most hardcore shows and festivals, supporting the scene.
End himself also takes part in collaborative projects and exhibitions with other artists.
You can really feel very creative vibes and energy there in his shop. And you can feel there’s a lot of heart, a real love for the scene and tons of passion put into it.
The shop itself is super tidy, even though it is filled with lots and lots of items of all sorts, you don’t have that feeling of being overwhelmed. Everything has its place and it is really very pleasantly displayed, without that hoarded feel to it.
From HC clothes, flyers and books, End’s projects are displayed all over the walls.
The aforementioned 
album covers, artwork and even signed posters. You can as well find some interesting collectibles there, like figurines and tons of badges.
You need to visit this place if you are into Japanese (and not only Japanese) hardcore music, worth every struggle of walking through overcrowded Shibuya.
End kindly agreed to do this mini follow up interview, so he can better explain himself the story behind the shop.
This is what we discuss:
It’s nice to be able to talk again, even if it’s just via e-mail.
Let’s start from the basic question, when was the GREED store opened and are you the only owner? Who do you run the shop with?
E: Long time no see!
Thanks for getting back to me.
This is my 10th year at the current location of GREED TOKYO. But actually, there was another location in Shibuya once in 2010, and NATSUO, the guitarist of NUMB, was working there.
I was helping out at the store while doing my own art activities.
Basically, I run the store by myself now.
Chill monger, the bassist of SAIGAN TERROR, is using part of the store as an office, but I plan to renovate the store in February next year, so from next year I will be completely on my own.
Do you have a lot of foreigners visiting on a daily basis?
E: In the past few years, the number of foreign customers has been increasing.
But more than the general public, we also get a lot of artists who are in bands, fans of bands, TATTOO artists, painters, etc.
The store is usually open with the door closed, so people walking outside don't even know it's there. LOL!
The word spreads through social media and word of mouth, so people who don't know about the store - they don't know about it, and those who do know about it - they enjoy it.
You have your own clothing brand too, is this the reason why the shop started?
E: I started my own brand after the select store started.
It's a private brand, so the products are not only clothes, but also miscellaneous goods and artwork, all of which are necessary elements in my life.
Recently, there are many products designed by my friends who are artists, so I enjoy creating them.
You are an artist yourself, designing album covers, gig flyers and much more. Could you introduce your artwork in a bit more detail, your style and all your connections to the hardcore community?
E: I paint artwork for HC flyers and merch nationally and internationally, mainly for my friends' bands.
I love the classic NYHC style of painting, and I try to adapt that vibe to the current era in my own way.
I've designed logos, flyers, t-shirts, etc. for a variety of bands, but I'd love to draw for cool young bands as well!
I would also like to exhibit my work with other painters like me around the world.
I think hardcore is a cool worldview that is created by artists, bands, music, art, tattoos, clothes, and many other aspects of culture that I am familiar with.
I am very happy to work with bands from other countries that I am connected with through the HC scene, and through these works I am able to connect with people from other countries as well!
But you always have to take care of the local scene in your own country.
If you don't give people a sense of the foundation of your connection, you won't be able to convey your appeal as an artist.
Anyway, I welcome flyer requests!
It's hand-drawn, though, so it takes time. LOL!
What are the other art projects you are involved in at the moment? Any interesting events coming up?
E: I don't think there will be any art exhibitions that I will be participating in this year.
My friend's art will be showing at the store in December, and we also have a poster art show every year in August, which is a project that involves a lot of cool artists.
At the end of this month, I will be hosting my own hardcore show at Antiknock in Shinjuku for two days.
I'm looking forward to it!
If you are ever in Shibuya, Tokyo, please come visit me.
END
@endflyer
GReeD TOKYO
@greedtokyo
OLDX
@oldx_official
I can assure you, you feel good vibes there. And having a chat about Japanese hardcore, with someone who is so involved in the scene is priceless, especially for such a nerd like myself.
You need to visit this place if you are into Japanese (and not only Japanese) hardcore music, worth every struggle of walking through overcrowded Shibuya.
End kindly agreed to do this mini follow up interview, so he can better explain himself the story behind the shop.
This is what we discuss:
It’s nice to be able to talk again, even if it’s just via e-mail.
Let’s start from the basic question, when was the GREED store opened and are you the only owner? Who do you run the shop with?
E: Long time no see!
Thanks for getting back to me.
This is my 10th year at the current location of GREED TOKYO. But actually, there was another location in Shibuya once in 2010, and NATSUO, the guitarist of NUMB, was working there.
I was helping out at the store while doing my own art activities.
Basically, I run the store by myself now.
Chill monger, the bassist of SAIGAN TERROR, is using part of the store as an office, but I plan to renovate the store in February next year, so from next year I will be completely on my own.
Do you have a lot of foreigners visiting on a daily basis?
E: In the past few years, the number of foreign customers has been increasing.
But more than the general public, we also get a lot of artists who are in bands, fans of bands, TATTOO artists, painters, etc.
The store is usually open with the door closed, so people walking outside don't even know it's there. LOL!
The word spreads through social media and word of mouth, so people who don't know about the store - they don't know about it, and those who do know about it - they enjoy it.
You have your own clothing brand too, is this the reason why the shop started?
E: I started my own brand after the select store started.
It's a private brand, so the products are not only clothes, but also miscellaneous goods and artwork, all of which are necessary elements in my life.
Recently, there are many products designed by my friends who are artists, so I enjoy creating them.
You are an artist yourself, designing album covers, gig flyers and much more. Could you introduce your artwork in a bit more detail, your style and all your connections to the hardcore community?
E: I paint artwork for HC flyers and merch nationally and internationally, mainly for my friends' bands.
I love the classic NYHC style of painting, and I try to adapt that vibe to the current era in my own way.
I've designed logos, flyers, t-shirts, etc. for a variety of bands, but I'd love to draw for cool young bands as well!
I would also like to exhibit my work with other painters like me around the world.
I think hardcore is a cool worldview that is created by artists, bands, music, art, tattoos, clothes, and many other aspects of culture that I am familiar with.
I am very happy to work with bands from other countries that I am connected with through the HC scene, and through these works I am able to connect with people from other countries as well!
But you always have to take care of the local scene in your own country.
If you don't give people a sense of the foundation of your connection, you won't be able to convey your appeal as an artist.
Anyway, I welcome flyer requests!
It's hand-drawn, though, so it takes time. LOL!
What are the other art projects you are involved in at the moment? Any interesting events coming up?
E: I don't think there will be any art exhibitions that I will be participating in this year.
My friend's art will be showing at the store in December, and we also have a poster art show every year in August, which is a project that involves a lot of cool artists.
At the end of this month, I will be hosting my own hardcore show at Antiknock in Shinjuku for two days.
I'm looking forward to it!
If you are ever in Shibuya, Tokyo, please come visit me.
END
@endflyer
GReeD TOKYO
@greedtokyo
OLDX
@oldx_official
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment