New Jersey's Brandon Martinez a.k.a The Sanddog has been a prolific figure of the American hardcore/punk scene from touring with, and selling merch for the band Turnstile for the past 10 years and playing in his own band, Krust. The last few years Brandon has shifted some of his focus to his art practice that comprises of energetic and playful paintings all drawing visual inspiration from the world around him and the themes he finds intriguing.
While Brandon was in town for his solo drawings show "My Dearest, Nancy." we asked him a few questions about hardcore and art.
How did you get into hardcore music? Tell us about your first show?
I think hardcore punk music and the Jersey Shore go hand and hand. First punk show experience was an accident. I was riding my bike around town and just happened to stumble into a backyard that had music and chicks swimming in the pool. Blew my little kid mind that a world like this existed.
What was the New Jersey scene like growing up compared to today?
It’s always been been up and down. There’s a chunk of years where it’s the best place in the world and others where it feels like it’s been years without a good show. It’s a good collection of freak weirdos, surf punks and wild creatures. We’re lucky to have bands like Floorpunch, Underdog, Get Real and Blind Justice to help keep the Shore popping for a while. There’s a good group of kids from a little north of the Jersey Shore that are doing sick things now.
It’s safe to say Baltimore is your second home, how did this come to be?
I’ve been riding with Turnstile for almost 10 years now and that’s been the central hub for the band for the last 5 years. Baltimore is only 2 hours from where I live in New Jersey so I’m there all the time to hang and help with stuff for the band.
Talk us through a bit of your journey into becoming an artist?
I still don’t view myself as a real artist haha. There’s people that can paint you the most beautiful images or make a canvas come alive with really thought provoking stuff. I think I go away from that and try to show people that you don’t need to be the most technically skilled person to make art and that you can create something just for the sake of creating.
How did the trademark ‘googly eyes’ come about and what contributed to making it a reoccurring part of all your works?
I’ve been drawing a ton ever since I was little and I was always very critical at how I was drawing the eyes hahah. This was the easiest way I thought of not having to do that part anymore.
You’ve been all over the world running merch for your friends Turnstile, how has your travels influenced your creative practice?
I think it helped show me that being creative doesn’t come in one shape. I’ve been very fortunate that my friends have let me tag along on a lot of fun trips and that I’ve got to meet a lot of people that definitely showed me there’s more than one way to achieve something. I’ve always felt that Turnstile has always done a great job at brining things to life in a very authentic way and I feel like some of that rubbed off on me for sure.
Congrats on your first solo exhibition ‘Spray Paint the Dog’. Did you take any different approach to preparing works for this?
It was the first time that I started really working with large scale canvases and few different mediums. For a while it was just small paintings and whatever spray paint I could get my hands on. This was the first time that I felt I had to be intentional with how I did everything and not just go off the cuff.
Dream show line-up? bands past and present.
Bad Brains, Sublime and Mental at the Manasquan Women’s hall in New Jersey.
Favourite hardcore release of all time?
The Age of Quarrel is the best hc record of all time. If you say otherwise you’re wrong.
Any exhibitions or exciting stuff we should keep on our radar this year?
Nothing is set right now but I’m working on a new series at the moment. Trying to get that out in the world whenever I can find the time.
Any shout outs?
Jersey Mikes subs for daaaaayzzzz
Interview by Jesse Hoole
Photo's courtesy of Shaun Allen, Brandon and the internet.