What do you write?

-we are the TML STARS


How did the TML crew begin and what year?

-the TML Stars first got together in October 2000 after a chance meeting in Amsterdam searching for cheap paint and halls of fame.

How did you first become involved with writing?

-as there is three of us we all got into writing graffiti in different ways and at different times, one of us started in the heyday of uk graf approx 1986, another started bombing different tags in approx 1997, and the other through painting murals in 1999, but as far as we are concerned all that other stuff doesn’t really exist. as our style, progression and attitude is all combined within TML and that’s all we are now focused on.

As you began graffiti was there any writer in which you looked up to?

-There are so many writers that we looked up to when we started, all of us have different influences and all of us have favourite styles, but Mid '90's Brighton was really dope - there seemed to be so much colour and experimentation on both legal’s and panels. 1980's south London stands out for one of us and we all obviously all grew up on a diet of style wars and subway art.

TML are well known for their wide variety of original style characters, what inspired you to design these characters?

-we have always all painted characters, as we all drew cartoons when we were kids.. We probably just never grew up. Characters are fun to paint, but our Tribal faces are the consistent characters that we paint, they are like our logo or calling card.

During the mid 90’s South London had a real nice scene, DDS, FDC,DBS. what’s your view on South London/London’s scene at the moment?

-The mid 90's were a dope time for the scene, it seemed that everyone was painting everywhere and with everyone... this probably wasn’t the case but as fans of graf it was a great time for style and colour. In London and Brighton seeing crews like PFB, FDC, TBF, DFM and TPG. Recently London has gone through a hard buff, but there’s always good stuff knocking about if you keep your eyes open.

Some mite argue that Illegal graffiti is where it belongs, it’s the foundation of graffiti. What would you say in response to that?

-Graffiti is graffiti whether it’s in a legal park, an abandoned warehouse, a trackside or a train. The art form doesn’t change, but the risk involved does.


Stickers… All around London you can expect to see TML Stars stickers, who came up with this idea?

- Stickering is fun. It started off as little tag stickers- a quick hello when you are out and about. It wasn’t anyone’s idea in particular it just grew until we were putting up tribal stickers and began making an effort to get those hard to buff spots.  It’s like an advertising campaign really. A way for the average joe’s to get a look at our work. Plus it’s always good walking the streets checking out what’s happening in our cities.

What countries have you visited and painted?

-we have got up in, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Spain, USA and Australia. we also have a trip to New York planned for later this year

If you had to choose what was your favourite and why?

-Holland and Belgium are nice chilled out places to paint. Barcelona is also a nice place to visit as a writer, but im sure that most countries are cool cos these days unless you are in Tibet or somewhere like that there is a vibrant painting scene, with dope writers.

What great writers have you had the chance to meet and paint with?

-we enjoy painting with sound people that have a good vibe. And we have painted with some amazing talents, but at the end of the day none of that matters; if you are cool and genuinely love graf then we will paint with you. It aint about the “names” it’s the people behind them and having a good time painting together.

Tell us about one of your worst experiences while writing or maybe one of your most memorable missions?

-The good times always out weigh the bad and we have been lucky enough to paint a variety of places legal and illegal and almost always got good photos of the pieces! Been on a few hellish missions and copped a few chases. But looking back that stuff always seems funny.

You’ve been part of the Sleeping Giants Jam line up on both occasions, what was last years like in comparison to the other?

Last years was fat because of the size and the A-listers. But the first year was special; there was a buzz because it was the first. Either way it was good to be a part of both. And if the big man can get a third one on the go we would love to be part of that one too!

These days you’ve been doing some work on Toys, is that right?

Yeah Vinyl toys. Most stuff we customise ends up in Japan or America where we are starting to get a little rep in the vinyl scene. It’s a strange world with some really crazy, fanatical people.. Like the guy who gave us an all expenses paid trip to Holland to appear at his event.

The vinyl toy scene is a mile away from graf, but somehow both scenes have lots of similarities which is probably why we feel at home decorating these little bits of plastic!!

Who knows, hopefully one day we will have our own piece put into production.

How about canvas work?
-if the price is right. Hahaha.

Anything else you’d like to say while you’re here!?

hello to the good guys...wish, char, rize, upstart, the soopers, nt, d*face, artz, rask and sums, flying fortress, adren, tizer, ebzke, taco, superflie, gorb, goonism, cords and drear.

you can find us on the myspace and a dotcom is coming soon....

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