Words: Jay Riggio
Photo: Alethea Austin
While most are quick to praise others for even the most rudimentary of accomplishments, like staying sober before noon or finding an onion ring in a crowded plate of fries, it helps to remember that there exists a certain caliber of human who actually deserves the accolades hucked in their general direction. Sean Reveron is, without a doubt, one of these people. In addition to being a cultural icon in the NYC, LES scene—he’s also the co-owner and creator of the rising clothing brand RockersNYC and Knights of the Vampire Killers, he’s played in Exodus 77 and the Beta Band and is currently recording with ex-Modest Mouse guitarist Dann Gallucci under the outfit moniker A Gun Called Tension. When not working on his brand, DJing around the globe or recording music, Sean maintains a history-making mentality, with a mindset that’s exploding with drive and utter positivity. Sean’s out to transform whatever he touches into glistening gold, so be on the watch for this renaissance man with a plan.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Venice, California. I was lucky to live there during a great time [the ’70s, and ’80s]. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for what I lived through with the hardcore movement. It taught me not to judge people and gave me a DIY mindset. I didn’t know I was living history, but I was. I got to see Black Flag at the Federal Building. I was at the riots. It wasn’t about being black, it was about being a punk rocker, it was about being into hardcore. It was love, it was rebellion, it was danger, it was fun. It taught me politics. As I got older in the hardcore scene, I became a part of the peace-punk movement, which is about anti-apartheid, anti-sexism, anti-racism. So at an early age, I was questioning authority, question who’s feeding us the information. I lived through this and you can see this in our brand.
So what’s up with your clothing line RockersNYC?
It was started in 2002 by Marcus Burrows, who’s also my cousin and business partner. Marcus is the creative director, I am the cultural engineer. The model/ethos of our brand is the clashing of the ’70s. 1977 is the epitome, in our eyes, of youth culture and rebellion. What was birthed from Jamaican culture in 1977 was Rasta and reggae and out of that, what germinated was the punk rock movement. There is a lot of cross-pollination between the reggae movement and the early punk movement. Then in 1977 you had Kool Herc in the Bronx who brought the early dancehall influence into the South Bronx. Then you have skateboarding in 1977 that surged. Everything is tied together. We connect all the dots of all the youth rebellions and sub-cultures that we have been blessed to live through. They have given us the foundation to where we zoom off and take the kaleidoscope, which is RockersNYC.
Who are the people wearing Rockers?
Our customer is the world, man. People that are themselves, that don’t just buy into something that’s hype. They buy into what they feel. They question what’s going on in the world. They’re a person who lives color and music. Our brand is our life experience and our life experience is our world.
