We'd like to give Demon a huge welcome to the Custom Kicks Series.
Demon is a hugely talented Illustrator, Tattooist and Street Artist and he's bought a nostalgic swerve to the world of Custom Kicks!

Demon.....why?

Almost everything original thing I draw tends to have a dark twist to it. It's not something I can really control and it's always been the case for as long as I remember. When I was young I questioned this one day and came to the conclusion that a demon must live in my head. I can only really compare it to a nasty MC or Rapper who uses the darker side of his personality in order to vent anger or tension or a fighter who occasionally just needs hit or hurt something. I have always been a fan of the 'baddies' (Decepticons Rule!) therefore demon was naturally most the most fitting pseudonym or alter-ego. Oh, and I simply like the feel of word itself of course.

Are you a Street artist or an Illustrator?

I'd say predominantly an illustrator but as it happens I've been doing a lot more street art than illustration as of late so I'm not actually sure myself? I've been influenced by, and a fan of graf for a long time but could never be bothered with climbing over fences at two in the morning whilst being chased by the BTP. A lot of my friends are accomplished highly skilled and respected graf artists so I consider myself very lucky to be surrounded by that type of influence, experience and tuition.

Where your creative skill born out of a sketch book as a kid?

As a kid, and very much still to this day, I'm heavily influenced by cartoons and comics. Some of my earliest fond memories are of the book 'Where The Wild Things Are'. As a kid I could easily get lost for hours in a Batman graphic novel or whilst watching anything from Star Wars through to Tom & Jerry cartoons or a Ray Harryhausen movie. I almost always have a sketchpad and pencil/pen to hand and can't help doodling to the point where it's almost a subconscious reaction.

What got you into Tattooing?

I got into tattooing because of my uncle and a couple of my cousins who are tattooists. I've always been an illustration orientated artist and started designing tattoos for my uncle at about the age of 14. I think that becoming a tattoo artist was almost a natural progression for me considering that it is something that I've grown up around.

What came first Tattoo's or Custom Sneakers?

Good question! Well designing tattoos was where I started originally but at about the age of 18/19 I almost accidently noticed some customised kicks on an American website for approx. $200.00, they were really, really badly done so in true "I can do better than that!" fashion I decided that I would give it a go and I've never looked back since.

Tell us about Trackside, is it just Tattoo's?

Trackside is a multi/faceted organisation with more sides than a dodecahedron! We organise local Hip Hop jams, Breakdance workshops, Graffiti workshops, DJ and MC workshops whilst also selling customised clothing & kicks, spray paint, collectible toys and collectable trainers in association with that awesome website, what's it called again?, ah yeah,... Sole Heaven.

Is Trackside prominent in the urban scene of Newcastle?

Trackside is a prominent and valuable asset to the urban subcultures within the city. We provide clothing, painting materials, collectibles and tattoos to people of a similar understanding and mindset. We invest in the youth of the North East via Graffiti, Music, Art and Breakdance workshops. It's something we're incredibly proud of.

Tell us a Secret?

Come here then,... nah, a bit closer, yeah that's it, that's it. Well, don't tell anyone but Trackside itself is Newcastle's best kept secret. Fact.