Real Bad Man can be found in the alternate perspective of a surreal, apocalyptic and bizarre version of Los Angeles. Conceived while Adam Weissman and Noah Butkus were making bootleg band merch for bands that didn’t have any; using the Neighborhood Watch man and turning him into a caricature of their subversive designs. Real Bad Man is an off-beat outlook on life, intertwining unlikely genres and visuals from music and design. Releasing a Vinyl 7” Promo with Maryland native – Edan, a flip of a CAN track, represented by the German electronic music references - each season’s designs will reflect the seasonal record release.

Below Adam Weissman answers our questions about the background to Real Bad Man and has created a playlist for its inauguration at SUPPLY below...

Can you please tell us about Real Bad Man and how it was conceived?

Real Bad Man started as an idea a little over a year ago with me and Noah Butkus. We wanted to do some bootleg band merch for bands that didn’t have merch. We designed some stuff then, came up with our logo, thought the logo was fresh and decided this could be more than just a one off thing. I had always not wanted to do my own brand, but something just clicked. I still want to have fun with it and make stuff I’d want to wear.

The logo itself seems subversive and has the sensibility of the counterculture movement of an era gone by, is this a feeling you try to convey?

Yes, the logo was inspired by the neighborhood watch criminal that has been used before in this world. We fleshed him out a little more, gave him some stolen watches.. I imagine he’s some street criminal from New York City running little scams and selling stolen items. We looked at the watches as the art we are lifting, then flipping for designs.

 
With the release of the first season, you’ve made a 7” record with Maryland native - Edan. It seems like the perfect match, how did this come about?

I have been a fan of Edan’s for a long time, and he doesn’t put out a lot of music. When he does, I’m psyched. We talked about flipping a CAN song, and it all worked out. I’m honored to have him on the first season 7”. With the records we’ll be putting out, they are directly related to the seasonal designs, so it gives the songs a little bit of direction and curation. I was very excited to hear what Edan would do with CAN.

There's a sense of humour within the brand, like the high-school class photo promo images; is this an important aspect of Real Bad Man?

Streetwear should be fun, and most of it in it’s current state is not. There is definitely humor in the line, i mean our logo is a criminal in a trench coat trying to sell stolen watches! When we were launching season 1, there were other photos we shot, but the class portrait thing really represented the tone of the brand. It was for New Order Magazine shoot. You can see all the portraits in the next issue.

You studied film at Art Centre College of Design, and have made films for clients such as Nike, Levi’s, Stüssy and Vans. Do you find importance in having different outlets for certain ideas?

Yes, but I think that’s why it took me a long time to start my own brand. I do a lot of this for other brands and never had the desire to express myself through clothing. It wasn’t until recently that I thought “I should do something for myself…”

Music seems to have a large influence in your life, being a founding member of LA based music group - Pollyn. What have been your top 3 favourite live performances you have seen?

Prince at The Forum (May 2011)
LCD Soundsystem at The EL REY (May 2005)
Bjork at The Hollywood Bowl (Aug 2003)

If you were to throw a block party, who would be on that roster?

Damn, that’s a hard one. This isn’t happening, so my list includes deceased musicians.

Talking Heads
Prince
Fela Kuti
LCD Soundsystem
Liquid Liquid
Portishead
Frank Ocean
Public Enemy performing Fear of a Black Planet
Broadcast
Outkast
Beasties doing Paul’s Boutique
and of course CAN w/ Damo

Thanks Adam!

Real Bad Man playlist for SUPPLY Store by Adam Weissman

Images: Real Bad Man