The early start to rainy season didn’t hamper the turn out of Le Merde‘s third show at Thrash Out. This show marked the release of Le Merde’s Megalith, the first vinyl figure sculpted by Mike.  All the detail on this guy takes 15 different paint masks, which means the details are super sharp on the standard release figure.  In addition, there were rows of customs done by Mike, as well as a other guest painters.

Lamour Supreme was in Tokyo recently to help celebrate Mishka Tokyo’s first year anniversary (and construct an amazing storefront display).  I met up with him, Don, Kaneko of Nerd One, and friends to talk about upcoming projects.

A: Have you met any Japanese fans?
L: I have, actually. Yesterday at the Gargamel show, basically Greg and I stopped by, there was a kid wearing a Mishka Keep Watch hat, with the Mishka camo, and when he found out who I was, he asked “Oh, can you draw on my hat?” So I started drawing on the hat, and he was really cool.
A: Are Japanese fans as outgoing as US fans?
L: I think they’re more reserved. I think a lot of Japanese fans don’t really know who I am. So I’ll show up to a place, and they think “That’s just another guy.” But then, somebody will point out who I am, and the fans will ask for a sketch or just pretend to know who I am because they’re so polite. Hey I got a full page spread in this month’s FLJ magazine and some photos with the Wavves and Mishka party. I’m still a nobody though.
A: So you have people approach you?
L: Yeah, i’ve had people approach me a few times, actually. Then again, American fans don’t know who I am either. Who really fucking cares anyway?
A: The proper fans do.
L: Hopefully after a couple more photoshoots in Ollie, I will be more recognizable to the fans.
A: You were in Ollie?
L: I was in Ollie a couple times, actually. For a photoshoot we did for the DART line that Mishka did.
A: Is that the one that came with the free socks?
L: Hmm, the latest one has a Mishka camo handkerchief. I think that issue came with a free fleshlight. Just kidding. I don’t know what came with that magazine. If you look in that magazine, I’m showing off a hat from fixed gear bike store in NYC called Chari&Co, which is Japanese based.
A: When did you start becoming interested in Japanese toys?
L: Ever since I was a wee toddler. Always loved the Godzilla toys and desperately wished I could buy a Jet Jaguar toy when I was 7.  Not knowing that I could if only I went to Japan.
A: What was the first Japanese vinyl that you bought?
L: I bought a Gamera made by Bandai a few years ago. I believe it was made in Japan. Are they still making stuff in Japan? Within the last couple of years, when I got back into it, I’d have to say that it was the Astro Zombies’ Pushead. The Skullwing. That was the first one that I bought that got me hooked on Skullbrain.
A: Great way to start.

L: Yeah, a great way to start. It’s funny because Pushead published my stuff in Thrasher magazine over 20 years ago in 1987. So it was weird that it had come full circle. He’s basically been my idol from a kid until now. You know that you have few people that you look up to at that age, and that you still look up to now. He’s definitely ones of those guys. One of my first influences, too.
A: Who else would you say are your influences?
L: Pushead, Jack Kirby, a lot of the classic comic book artists. Right now, I’d say a lot of the artists that did that bootleg-type art. Like if you look at Ninja Arashi, you couldn’t recreate that. It’s a messed up perspective, kind of distorted. It’s off, and yet it’s so good. Those were the artists that influenced me as a kid, and it’s become full circle. Also a lot of the EC Horror style comics.
A: Have you been to any Japanese toy events?
L: I went to Superfest 2 years ago.
A: How did it compare to US events?
L: There aren’t any US events. San Diego Comic Con is really focused on comic books and new films that are coming out. The toys are a secondary thing. When you go to a toy event in Japan, it’s all toys. It’s a comic convention in the states, but no comics, all toys. I’m not disappointed by a lot of things in Japan. You can go to a toy store, even an old toy store, and it’s still amazing. Everything here has to be the best, and there’s a lot of pride in it.
A: Let’s say there’s a fire in your place, you can take one toy.
L: Ugh, there’s a group of toys that I keep on one shelf just in case there is a fire. I can take the whole shelf.
A: What’s on the shelf?
L: A vintage Leafman that the Mishka guys brought back from one of their trips as a thank you. It has the sword. It’s in mint condition. They presented it to me as a surprise, and it’s one of my favorite toys. Also on the shelf are a bunch of Nags Nags, a 2-Headed Bemon, and an original Carlos Enriquez fiberglass piece. That’s why I keep them all on one shelf.
A: It’s all in a bag already by the door.
L: Pretty much. It’s like a tray, actually. All ready to go on the way out the door.
A: When did you and Greg heavily get into toys?
L: We were both into toys. Greg was collecting the same weird toys that I was collecting. He’s like I am, but to the 10th degree. He collects, hoards it, displays it, categorizes it as best a hoarder can. Haha. He’s really into it. He’s got tons of rad shit everywhere and that’s just his office. Where I’ll see something, buy it, and take it out of the bag and play with it.
A: Less OCD.
L: Exactly.

A: What’s your dream project? Budget’s not an issue, you can work with anybody, what do you do?
L: Some kind of collaboration with Terry Richardson. I would direct the photo shoot and maybe paint over the printed photographs. Interview the models too.
A: Is it more of the name, or the aesthetic of Terry Richardson?
L: It’s both, the name and the beautiful photos of naked girls. What’s not to love?
A: When can we see the big bootleg?
L: It’s held in customs right now. In Kentucky. And they’re not giving any reason why. (UPDATE: Since the interview, we have it in our possession. If the Toy Street guys give us a table, you can see it there. Otherwise, probably San Diego.)
A: It’s just the one?
L: Yeah. So we can take orders off of it.
A: What is it, fiberglass?
L: It’s vinyl.
A: Are you serious? It’s all vinyl?
L: Yeah. It’s like a small child.
A: So what else are you working out?
L: There’s the Reckless Toy that’s coming out. He’s the villain version of Mike Giant’s. Mike Giant’s is based off of Ogon Bat. There’s villain called Nazo. My guy is Ozan, the name reversed. Hopefully that comes out when Toy Punks 2 is released. Sculpting my own toy too. Maybe I can get some dudes to put up the money to make it. Haha. Oh, I got a Bearbrick with the Mishka guys, too.

Thanks to Lamour Supreme, and Don for helping to organize the interview.
Photographs were taken by me, an a Canon AE-1, which I am an absolute amateur with.
I will update this page again when I have completed a Japanese transcription of the interview.