Adam “Honkey Kong” Hathorn

I was born in NY, raised in Boston – went to college in Savannah (which is where i learned to tattoo), and have been tattooing in SD since. Nine months before I was born the #1 song was, “Tonight’s the Night” by Rod Stewart – so I was definitely conceived to that! I was forced to play sports as a kid and hated it with a passion! I was always staring at the clouds, and catching soccer balls to the head – case in point; the only goal I ever made (real shit), was off the dome while eating an orange… Skateboarding was the only sport I actually cared about, because it wasn’t organized, and I enjoyed breaking things and doing hoodrat shit with my friends. My older brother Aaron skated, so that’s what I was gonna do. I was never as good, but whatever it was fun.

Aaron also drew a bunch, so naturally – I did too. I think his hating my guts forever made me wanna do what he did, but better. Well, you can have that skateboarding shit bro, I’m gettin too old! Skating on the West Coast was cool and accepted, but on the East Coast you were an official “jagoff” at school if you skated. I would wait on the new California Cheap Skates catalogue like it was made by Victoria Secret! I remember thinking, “One day I’ll design a shirt that’ll be in here.” The first graffiti I ever painted was the woodpecker from Newskool skate company, but I wrote Dead Bolt below it cause that was our crew (which consisted of myself and one other cat! Haha!) At that time I was obsessed with stippling Pushead designs on my trapper keeper, and the brown bag covers to my text books. I even painted team logos on some kids jeans, NWA on my shorts. Skateboarding definitely fanned the fire for my love for graffiti. I was way into crazy clean pretty graffiti outta the gate, I really wanted to do it, but that involved skills and patience I never had. So I ended up being more into sloppy throwups, that was my favorite, still is my favorite to look at. There’s more character, confidence, and balls behind that to me. I ended up at art school in Savannah GA where my graffiti career lasted a couple years, yet I ended up on a house raid due to vandalism. It wasn’t a big enough deal to brag about, but enough for my girl at the time to be real pissed. That ended my drive, but I still support it with the occasional boost, and handover of any spray paint I have around. While In Savannah, I was lucky enough to be given an apprenticeship to Tattoo. Tattooing was something completely taboo in my household. I come from two very supportive wonderful parents that are still together to this day. The main shit that was not allowed was tattoos, that and motorcycles, because they go together like chocolate and peanut butter (obviously). My mom loves when I tell her she’s the reason that I’m a tattooer today. Ironically, still never driven a motorcycle… terrified. The ex wife and I moved to Atlanta for a couple years where I tattooed in Riverdale. That’s where I learned to dodge bullets, literally! Now I’m lucky enough to work at the world famous Guru Tattoo in Pacific Beach, just another day in paradise! I’m also part of the Do The Math art Collective, who inspire me daily. That and hot tubs and Mojitos with my girl on Sundays.