Born in 1972 Dirk Kruithof spent his salad years immersed in the vibrant inner city creative scene that existed in his hometown of Sydney during the late 1980s and into the early 2000s. Seeing gigs, playing in bands, getting by as a dish-hand, and through social security (aka the dole). Whilst also honing his craft as an artist – Creating vibrant works that are a mash of outsider, pop, and fine art. Often incorporating objects and detritus Dirk finds on the streets.
With all of Dirk’s works stemming from, and bursting with a DIY punk spirit.
These days Dirk continues to create art and music, and has recently released the debut LP from his latest band Rubber Necker. Who mix post punk, country, garage, and indie into a sonic whirlwind. Think Gun Club, The Slits, and the poppier side of New York’s No Wave scene.
Wanting to learn more about the man, his life, and creations we sent Dirk some questions to answer over email.
Dive into his world, below…
Getting Acquainted
Name and date of birth?
Dirk Kruithof
7/3/72
City, state, and country you currently call home?
Sydney, NSW Australia
City, state, and country you’re from?
Sydney, NSW Australia
Please describe some memories – such as art, music, writing, friendships, adventures, study, romance, politics, travel, religion, work, crime… anything really – from the stages of your life noted below:
* Your childhood:
We lived in Darlinghurst first & then Surry Hills. Picture 1970s/80s inner city moderately poor but not hungry. (Not ‘Harp in the South,’ haha !!)
Was kinda anxious, a daydreamer, painfully shy, chewed my nails, loved drawing, sometimes headbutted walls out of frustration when quite young. That was weird.
Had friends and liked school (Darlo Primary) but realised I was somewhat a loner / introvert (it was good to discover those words later to make sense of these feelings). Conflict was the interpersonal stuff – tricky and confusing. It was easier to be a spectator. Fascinated with observing people I perceived to be oddballs and outsiders – interesting characters I’d see on the streets walking home. Admiring rowdy punks on street corners holding court outside pubs, and slightly scary drunks and derelicts!
A hint of danger but not too much was the ideal kick.
(Once saw fully clothed bums climbing atop each other and trying to make out on the footpath, watched from Dad’s car at the red light before we sped off.)
A strange sense formed, imagine if I could be them, or they could be me, anyone can be anyone else really. Humans are somehow potentially interchangeable and what makes me me and not someone else? I was all up in my head, a wallflower, a cipher. A 7 year olds romanticised idea of ‘the other’.
A drunk picked me up in his arms one day on my way home from school, kissed my cheek, then did it again, then tried my mouth with his tongue, ‘Isn’t he beautiful!!’ he repeated over again. Hot rancid wine breath and bristles, I froze in fear and shock, lips clamped shut.
I got away and after walking a while the fear turned to rage, I staggered down the street throwing air punches, kicked bins and cursing how I should’ve punched the shit out of him. Putting on a brave face.
It could’ve been much worse of course.
I also first heard T-Rex, and then Devo’s ‘Duty Now for the Future’, Amazing stuff! Bolan rockstar otherworldly, Devo all mechanical groove and psychotic repetition.
Then I discovered punk (already several years old by this time). Wear your scars and trauma with pride it grimaced. Invent yourself. For better or worse music got it’s hooks in me and never let go!
Mum was (is) an artist too… Dad was 1970s distant, my big brother could be a sadistic bully at times, or terribly generous, and I never knew which would come when. They loved music, bro’ had a cheap electric guitar, and later in my teens I’d sneak a play in on it now and then. (He discovered hip-hop big time and the guitar was put away).
Can’t forget, my litttle sister was born when I was 8. Later we’d play music together occasionally too, so it wasn’t all sturm und angst.
* Your teenage years:
As self absorbed as any good teen or artist could possibly be! I was the cliché.
Still am.
Started playing guitar at 16, got a crappy black Les Paul copy from a Taylor Square hock shop but it was mine all mine motherfuckers! No more borrowing my older brother’s.
An electric Guitar.
It started an amazing journey of perpetual discovery – Jimi to Django to Ribot, Richards, Page, Townshend, Zappa, Robert Johnson, Robert Quine – endless absorption trying to work out what they were doing and what style and uniqueness meant.
Didn’t like high school too much, a selective all boys joint, but discovered Dead Kennedys – that was a life saver, an actual one. Music became THE ONLY thing.
Withdrew more ‘n more to teach myself to play. The other things fell away.
To think it started with a friend Simon showing me the D chord and jamming together.
Lost virginity finally at 19 y.o. to a goth. Picture the soundtrack: Pixies not Barry White. I unimpressed her I think.
Did everything late or not at all; it felt like, a big clumsy mess. But I drew and painted a lot and it was grounding and purposeful.
Then first girlfriend, we met at a social anxiety clinic haha boom tish – This is becoming quite the confessional, ‘a losers tale’ (laugh emoji).
Had first band ‘Flaccid Ashback’, originals with a juvie funk sound.
* Your 20s:
‘Trout Mask Replica!’ Beefheart. Woah.
Everything else was phony! Trivial! This was IT.
Smoked pot for a whole year everyday and worked at supermarket checkout 6 days a week for a year. Good to have money bought fancy amplifier and guitar.
Mentally messy.
Moved outta home to Bondi Junction.
Didn’t get accepted into National Art School, too immature, failed the interview. Couldn’t talk the artspeak. Or speak the arttalk. Who cares, those Trivial Phonies!
The chip on shoulder super sized now.
Some depression and depressing dishpig hospo jobs. Smelling of wet onion soggy shirts.
Many years unemployed and on the dole too wondering wtf else to do.
Always playing guitar though, and seeing bands ALL the time. Hopetoun, Evil Star, Sando, Landsdowne etc. Early 90s LOTS of underground rock. Saw them all. Some got big.
I was hard to impress, Beefheart still my measuring stick. Some didn’t get big but left an impression on me, bands like Monroes Fur. The ‘danger’ the outsidedness returned.
Did first gigs and had my own bands. (Flaccid Ashback then The Hoax) Somehow pushed through the debilitating stagefright. Busked alot.
First long-term girlfriend, moved in together back over to Darlo.
Late 20s (1999) got into TAFE did fine arts. Really loved it. Being immersed in creativity all week was a blessing and where I belonged.
Had long term relationship break up after 7 years, devastated, an artschool affair, went loopy and manic; got medicated. Watched the twin towers collapse on my tiny black ‘n white TV from my sickbed. A crisis of every possible variety played out in my psyche. My personality identity and mind dissolved.
I thought I was somehow everyone that ever existed and simultaneously no-one. Like the childhood sensation of blurred boundaries between me/you but this time quite terrifying.
I did like the Peaches song suggested: F**k the pain away – for a while.
* Your 30s:
It was 2003 I washing dishes and smelling of wet onion at work, when I got the news my brother (35) had died. Accidental drug o.d. Devastating and confusing – he was estranged from the family by now, I rarely saw him, and the countless times I’d wished him dead as a child when the bullying got too much added to the guilt and grief.
Worked as a gardener.
Did heaps of gigs all around Australia with ‘Waiting for Guinness’, I was playing banjo and guitar. Some good times, some not so good, lots of drinking.
More tragedy struck, our drummer Nigel died very young in 2005.
Just a really heavy time.
Hit the bottom…
Did some art shows.
Met my significant other Laura in 2008. She snapped me out of the self pity. Travelled to Europe playing music together in 2010. Corsica, Holland, France, Ireland.
* Your 40s:
Continued to have solo and group art exhibitions, do the occasional art fair, made a mural in Kings Cross, played lotsa gigs, a little guitar teaching, worked as a gardener. My improvised noise band Forenzics was far out, pure sonic freedom.
And a band with Laura singing (called My Sauce Good.) Also played guitar with Liz Martin Band and On The Stoop.
2014 Became a Dad! It’s a boy!
After initial fear and doubting I’d be any good at it, it’s much better now. We have fun.
Went to Czech Republic, Serbia and Austria as a family in 2017.
My current band Rubber Necker began and galloped out of the gates fully formed in 2018, gigs instantly and just about everywhere. Everyone in the band are highly creative people.
We get called an inner west band tho’ I’ve never lived there, but that’s where the gigs are.
* Your 50s so far:
Trying to let go of the baggage of one’s own history and the ossified comfy worn tales and tastes and patterns of the self is a challenge. Facing the dreary sludge of failure.
As is stoically continuing to do the art regardless. Especially as: what’s trending this month?
I’ll tell you what’s not trending, a long term self determined vision not dictated by the fickle winds of fashion…
I’m still scavenging materials from the street and elsewhere to create art.
Still wondering what I’ll do when I grow up.
Still making up stupid imaginary band names: Leaf blower, soft plastics, the glaring emissions, strategically placed tattoo, opening act…
Personal motto(s)?
I’ve never really thought about mottos, but I like these ones:
“These are the good old days.”
“I know that I know fuck all.”
“We’re through with being cool.”
“We have art so that we may not die of reality…”
What role did toys play in your childhood?
… and any favorites you remember?
A big part, I loved playing with toys. Particularly matchbox cars and plastic dinosaurs.
I had a Bionic-Man doll that was a fav, with a telescopic eye to look through and a push button on his back to crank his arm upwards with a creeeaak.
Creativity Questions
When and why did you first become interested in art, music, and everything creative?
… and any pivotal moments or influences?
It’s ongoing and unceasing.
First day of kindergarten onwards I knew drawing and art was a balm! Salvation and distraction! Flippantly drawing monsters that would then terrify me by coming to life at night.
Year 3 teacher played us some Bowie on guitar, it really opened a door in the mind – I’d like to do that.
A trip overseas when I was around 7, gory exhibits of medieval beheadings in English museums and castles.
Seeing Francis Bacon paintings in a book in high school. (‘3 figures…’)
Segue-ing to Alice Cooper.
Anything to shock or disturb or question was greatly appealing…
Later on The Birthday Party, PIL, the Slits, and The Fall – one of my favs.
‘Frankie Teardrop’ by Suicide.
The Australian proto-grunge sounds of Lubricated Goat, Grong Grong, Bloodloss and the like. Hilariously antisocial and transgressive. Nothing like it.
(Have to give a heads up to 2SER FM ‘Alternative Music Show’ with Wayne DZ, got me onto lots of that crazy stuff…)
Later on Coltrane, Shepp, Coleman and free jazz – Powerful art…
Nina Simone.
Visually: Basquiat, bad boy Adam Cullen, Christopher Wool, Jason Phu, Rad Dan.
And on and on and on it goes.
Some live shows I got to see knocked me out, just awe inspiring: Beasts of Bourbon, The Boredoms, Swans, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Feedtime… exhilarating and transcendent moments.
Humans in big cities need that wildness to feel alive and connected.
And check out the current local scene: Shark Arm, Chimers, Hearts and Rockets, LauraPanic, smallways, Los Monaros.
If you had to explain your creative endeavours to some recently crash-landed aliens…
What would you tell them?
Mr and Mrs Alien, welcome, and I hope you’re not too hurt but please listen up:
I make artworks AND I make music. My band is called Rubber Necker and people describe it ‘postpunk’ in style. I play guitar. It has a cathartic energy, abstract lyrics and really rocks.
My visual art practice takes the form of painting and assemblages primarily. I use lots of recycled wood and found materials to build my surfaces. Sometimes street signs or other found objects are used too.
It has a hectic and colourful Pop-Expressionist flavour with written text and gestural elements.
Some paintings are more autobiographical, others take recognisable symbols or icons and mix them up in new ways, cryptically at other times commenting on the world. They have a Rock n Roll attitude, urban and with lots of rhythm.
I’ve made stickers, t-shirts and album covers!
When I’m in the creative flow zone I go to bed as a genius but awaken as an imbecile.
Art feels important to me but its generally not seen that way in the world of money making.
Most artists live and wear that duality so much they don’t even want to talk about it.
Who are some of your favourite writers, filmmakers, artists, and musicians?
…and what is it about their works that so inspire and move you?
I’ve mentioned many musicians and artists above and still fear I’ve forgotten to mention many seminal influences!
I’ve recently read the memoirs of Debbie Harry, John Lurie, and Thurston Moore. All 3 books are simultaneously diaries and histories of New York, of U.S. Punk, a personal take on it. I love the candour, the insight and the opinionated passions they hold of that place and time.
The scars are worn openly and the only option at times is incredulous laughter. That and the dash of noir objective deadpan reportage/storytelling. Killer combo.
See James Ellroy, Irvine Welsh, and ‘The 400 blows’ too.
If people wanted to check out your stuff, work with you, or buy some of your wares – Where should they visit and how should they get in touch?
Check out https://www.dirkkruithof.com/ and https://www.saatchiart.com/Dirkovitz for my visual art, also
https://www.instagram.com/dirkkruithof/ on Instagram, or email dirk.kruithof@yahoo.com to reach me.
All queries and questions invited!
Any news, upcoming projects, or releases to share?
Yeah! Rubber Necker released our new album ‘bad behaviour’ in August. Also check our F.B. page for our new song and video clip ‘Nylon Nights’ made by Miguel Valenzuela and using a smattering of A.I. and live footage.
Odds & Ends
If you could live in any place, during any historical era – When and where would that be?
… and why would you choose that time and place?
I’m going to cheat and say it’d be in the quite distant future, and possibly on Mars.
I want to hear and see where music and art ends up. The vocal sounds of Pop will be something else, maybe like electronic bird croaks and warbles. Totally undecipherable to me from the far past, but full of meaning and reference for the young.
The art will be angry canvasses that just scream and hover and chase you around the gallery. Then naked robots hold you down and cut off just the very tip of your finger and tattoo you with the galleries’ motto in your blood on your forehead.
But you’ll be able to time travel to anywhere anytime by then so no big deal.
What are the top 3 items you own?
… and what is it about each of them that you so love?
My Mexican ‘76 Fender Deluxe Telecaster.
It’s a breeze to play, keeps in tune (always an issue with me) and I don’t break strings like I always do on my Tokai Love Rock guitar. It was the first good quality instrument I bought back in the early 90’s, (the only really good quality instrument I own tbh). I lucked out buying it as I knew nothing about guitars at the time, but it just felt good to play. The blond wood is quite handsome.
My Tokai Love Rock guitar.
It’s snarly and it bites, its gold Les Paul shape makes me think of Mick Ronson or early punk bands. Took me a while to get used to its weight, so I feel a responsibility to my investment in that.
A vinyl record: ‘Palace of Swords Reversed’ by The Fall.
(I can’t remember where I bought it now)…
It’s a compilation album of their early 80’s stuff, the first release on Mark E Smith and the bands ‘Cog Sinister’ label. It’s prob not actually valuable on discogs or anything like that, more a sentimental fave. A great era for them. The back cover artwork is intriguing, black n white band snaps in dour industrial landscapes, and piss-take musical instrument sponsorship slogans.
In a fight between the following iconic Australian musicians: Chad Morgan (country singer) Vs. Red Symons (Skyhooks and solo) – Who would win?
…and why?
I know very little about this topic, maybe one guy could bore the other guy to death in a guitar battle by not playing enough, (or too much) country music!!! ???
Haha
If you had to sum up your hometown of Sydney, Australia in one object – What would it be?
Why did you choose it?
… and how does it represent Sydney to you?
Hmmmm, some kind of sparkly metallic artificial jewel under lights, with a mirror like surface that seems to change texture as you move around it. Kept in a large glass box in a museum that is architecturally unwelcoming, the floors slope upwards whichever way you turn, and you get tasered if you’re not wearing the latest clothing (by obscenely muscled armed sentries with v.r. headsets and the latest facial recognition technology).
Hard, shiny, expensive but without real value, impressive, imposing and impenetrable. Run by fashionista fascist steroid cryptocrats.
It wasn’t always this way.
What does God mean to you?
It’s not really my thing to be honest.
‘God’s away on business’ (Tom Waits).
Of everything you have done so far, what would you most like to be remembered for?
That’s not something most of us have got any control over. Even billionaires don’t have that power and probably just as well!
But it would be nice to think some of the music and art I made still held up I suppose. Gave a future listener or viewer a thrill.
That and being a decent parent to my son.
Links
- Dirk Kruithof – Website
- Dirk Kruithof – Instagram
- Dirk Kruithof – Facebook
- Dirk Kruithof – Discogs
- Dirk Kruithof – IMDB
- Dutch Decay – Bandcamp
- Rubber Necker – Website
- Rubber Necker – Bandcamp
- Rubber Necker – Instagram
- Rubber Necker – Facebook
- Waiting For Guinness – Discogs
All images supplied by Dirk or sourced online.
