Blacktooth is unlike all of the other t-shirt companies you see on the market today. While they are around to make people rich, Blacktooth comes at it in a different approach. Originally started in 2002 by Portland based artist Carey Haider; it was a name for the medium of cut and paste collage D.I.Y. art that Carey branded himself as. A zine and stickers were the first items designed under the name. As time went on t-shirts became the main medium and the revenue created was always re-invested into making more designs or buying art supplies to spread the message “art is war” which Carey explains as “You only have one life to live so take the weapon you were born with and make the most of it, your art is your war with the world, whatever medium it may be.” Over the years the line has been spotted on the likes of underground icons such as Rancid/Bastards frontmman Lars Frederiksen and pro skater Jason Adams. For the winter 07 line Carey has created pieces that walk the line of taboo pop culture. The shirts glorify things that aren’t necessarily positive, but do it in such a way that makes you think oh thats rad. Carey explains this as “I’ve always took interest in the idea of contradictions and the glorification of bad habits and things that normal people feel threatened by.” All Blacktooth garments are still hand printed in Portland, OR on premium garments. Check them out online at www.blacktooth.org

Arize: Lovin the scarfs you got…I’ve seen these quite a lot in the media these days from rappers to rockers…how has the popularity of these rose in the last few months?
I first noticed these becoming popular again since The Clash in the 1980’s when Pete Doherty (Libertines/Babyshambles) started wearing them a few years back. These shemengahs have always been popular not only in the middle east but in the punk and indie scenes. If you’ve read the book the tipping point it talks about how a few people have something and other people start too see it and it spreads and then to your general public. I guess you can relate it to styles and trends and how when a celebrity is seen wearing something it spreads like wild fire. Its really cool to see rappers taking it back to the early days. For a while rap and rock were like America vs. the middle east. The unity of not only styles but people coming together is really cool. When you think about it they are both fighting a struggle and trying to come up. A lot of people don’t realize that rap in the early 1980’s involved studded gauntlets, thriller jackets, and tight pants.

Arize: haha…East Coast Pussy! Lol classic! Next one should be with a down south ass! Lol
The funny thing about that shirt was I was designing my newest line and around 2am I was sitting in my room and “East Coast Pussy With A West Coast Ass” randomly popped into my head. I called my friend and said hey I’m going to make this. He said don’t make that, that’s never going to sell. Since I don’t like to listen to peoples advice and I make what I want, I made it. Turns out its been one of my hottest sellers. I’ve been thinking about doing something even lewder I just need to sit down and really think about it.

Arize: Why do you think consumers purchase your shirts over those other guys?
I think people realize that they are spending money on garments that are made in sweat-shop free environments in the USA on quality products that are printed with non toxic inks. Also the prices are less then a lot of the competitor’s that are making stuff on cheap sweatshop garments. Blacktooth started as a art project that was an outlet for me to put anything I ever wanted too on a t shirt. I’ve stuck true to how I started. I do what I want how I want and if people don’t like it that’s fine. In a world full of cookie cutter products I think people can appreciate the fact that I’ve taken my own path and stay true. Some people still appreciate soul.

Arize: Cool, where exactly are you guys located?
We are located up here in the Northwest outside of Portland, Oregon on the outskirts of a town called Gresham which borders a town called Boring. I enjoy being outside the city due to I can work all day on art and keep to myself.

“Its really cool to see rappers taking it back to the early days. For a while rap and rock were like America vs. the middle east.”

Arize: Pirates huh? Lol…You guys promote the individual, which is cool…Is that were your styles and looks come from?
Pirates are all about giving light to friends and family who are great at what they do. We aren’t trying to pay people to sale product. These people are down through friendship. The styles come from so many places. D.I.Y. punk flyers and pop art have always been my main influence for looks.

Arize: Thanks for sitting down with us…Appreciate the love…What can we look forward to from you guys this year?
To tell you the truth I don’t really know what’s coming up. Ive had some major offers come my way recently for exclusive releases, colabs, etc. That stuff may work out, may not. Also I am working on 2 side labels. One with my artist sister which will be a shirt line. You can see her art at www.nubbytwiglet.com, and the other project is a eyewear company with some of the craziest sunglasses you’ve ever seen. We are going to release a few things this year then hit it hard the year after. Making eyewear is such a tedious process. Also, in the next year Blacktooth shall be releasing some super limited cut n sew stuff that’s hand made here in Portland, Oregon. Links:
www.blacktooth.org