I met Javi through Ugly and Proud Records a few years ago. He ordered something and when I sent him an email about his order he offered to draw something for the label.
We’ve kept in touch since then and Al Mal Tiempo* made the current U&P logo and a cover for one of the label’s releases. I decided to ask him a few questions about his life and here’s what he shared with me.
Hey Javi, how are you? Can you introduce yourself and maybe share something about you that even your friends don’t know?
Hi everyone! I’m Javi, living in the north of Spain. In my free time, I spend a lot of time listening to music, drawing, and designing.
Something not many people know about me is that I actually feel more comfortable in the water than on land—I love swimming!
When and how did you get into hardcore punk?
It all started during university in the late ’80s. I began trading music with a guy from the classroom next door. We were tired of the mainstream music everyone else was listening to, and at the time, even hearing the word ‘hardcore’ was unusual. It was really hard to come by that kind of music here. Some foreign bands had started playing nearby, but the local scene was more focused on metal and punk, especially since this was an industrial area. In the ’80s, there was a huge punk explosion.
I remember the first time we got hold of some US and German hardcore records—it was incredible! The sound was completely different from the punk we were used to. It was faster, more energetic, and we fell in love with it immediately.
How’s life in Bilbao/Euskadi? Are there any cool spots, bands, or people we should check out?
As I mentioned, Bilbao was an industrial zone, but in the ’90s, industry started to decline, and now the city is trying to reinvent itself through tourism. It’s undergone a 360º transformation. What used to be factories, gray skies, and polluted rivers is now parks, green spaces, and, of course, the Guggenheim Museum, which put Bilbao on the map for tourists. The downside is the weather—it’s colder and rainier compared to the Mediterranean or southern Spain.
As for the music scene, there are still plenty of punk bands that stick to the region’s classic sound. Some bands are leaning more towards the crustier side of hardcore, trying to sound like Tragedy, while others have a heavier, stoner vibe. But if you’re looking for classic hardcore bands, there aren’t too many.
There are always people organizing shows, but the punk explosion happened in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Back then, bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Verbal Assault, Scream, and MDC were all playing in squats—they were new at the time, you know? Now, you rarely see bands like that coming through. When older, well-known bands come, they draw a crowd, but younger bands playing the same style don’t get the same attention. It’s crazy, I know.
It’s rare to see young bands playing hardcore here. It was a trend for a while, but now people who used to attend hardcore shows are into more “mature” music, haha. I guess it’s like that everywhere. But in other parts of Europe, young bands are still managing to play decent gigs.
How DIY is your lifestyle? What are some things you prefer to do yourself rather than buy from big stores?
As I said earlier, I spend a lot of time drawing and listening to music. I prefer to have a drink or catch a show in a squat rather than go to a club or pub. I also walk everywhere and swim a lot. Those are things I value over anything you’d get from a big store.
When did you start drawing, and what inspired you? Are there any artists that you admire or that influence your work?
I can’t even remember when I started—drawing has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I was always painting, but I was a terrible student. I’d spend all day drawing and not paying attention in class.
I definitely admire a lot of artists, although I try not to copy anyone’s style. I want to explore my own. It’s impossible not to be influenced by what you see, but I try to make it unconscious rather than deliberate.
Some artists I really admire are Cameron Stewart, Charles Burns, Gabriel Rodriguez, Erik Kriek, Mignola, and Evan Dorkin, among many others.
What was the first artwork you did for a hardcore/punk band? How did you start creating artwork for bands and labels in that scene?
It was during university for a band that mixed metal and punk. It was a sticker—and honestly, it was terrible, haha. I didn’t consciously decide to make art for the hardcore/punk scene, it just happened that way. Most of the people who ask for my help are from hardcore/punk bands. But I’ve done work for thrash, ska, pop, and even folk bands. I don’t choose based on the music; I help anyone who asks. I’ve met good and bad people in all kinds of scenes and subcultures.
Have you ever charged bands or labels for your artwork? If not, why? Would you ever consider making a living from drawing?
I’ve never asked anyone for money. I’m not rich, but the people who ask for my help—bands, labels—they’re not professionals either. Most of them have regular jobs, and they don’t make a profit from music. They have to cover recording, mixing, mastering, and printing costs. If I can save them the cost of my work, why not?
Living from drawing would be amazing, but Spain isn’t the best place for that.
I know there’s a book collecting some of your artwork. Can you tell us more about it and where we can find it?
Yes, there’s a book called Al mal tiempo, buena arcada, published by Banizu Nizuke. It was a big surprise for me. The publisher puts out books about music and bands, and they had a project featuring show posters, artwork, and similar things. They asked me to compile some of my favorite pieces, and of course, I said yes!
Can you share your favorite vegan meal or recipe with us?
Sure! My favorite is a local dish called purrusalda. It’s made with potatoes, carrots, leeks, pumpkin, salt, and a bit of oil, all boiled slowly in water. Some people add codfish, but I make it without meat. I’m not vegetarian or vegan, but I always keep this dish meat-free.
Any last words, shout outs etc.
Thanks a lot for the interest in my work. Take care and a big hug to everyone!
SEE YOU!
*Al mal tiempo, buena cara” is a Spanish saying equivalent to the English idiom “to put on a brave face”
