Most people know graphic artist Mark Drew from his signature artworks that pay homage to rap iconography. His latest release is a little different however, and is an entertaining insight as to how his obsession for the culture began. ‘USA 92 – A West Coast Family Memoir’, is a 40-page book containing entries from the travel journals of a teenage Mark and his sister, which were written during a three week trip across the West Coast of the USA – you guessed it – in 1992. “In many ways it cemented the path I am on now, not only in music taste and aesthetics, but also note taking,” says Mark Drew of the project. The result is a hilarious and intimate look at teenage angst through a personal lense, complete with family photos.

First of all, love the book! What prompted you to make it?

Well it’s mine and my sister’s actual diaries from the family holiday (I was 14, and she was 12). It was the first writing I had done for myself and not for school or whatever, and while it was initially forced upon me to do it, I really began to get into it – you can see that when you read my entries. Nearly everything I make now is basically about nostalgia in some way, so this was something that fit into my body of work as a whole. The difference being that it was being written at the time, rather than created in hindsight.

What prompted the trip generally?

Dad: I suppose we hadn’t done an overseas trip yet, mostly just Sunshine Coast and Melbourne in those days.
Mum: The travel agent called it the “Western Wonderland Trip”.

I instantly thought of National Lampoon when I read the book – your parents so optimistic and you so full of angst. Despite all the negativity, do you look back on the trip fondly?

Yeah, of course. ­­­­Everything is a drama to a 14-year-old. You don’t want to be hanging around your family… but it was America! Regardless of what I wrote at the time, being there was a big deal to me. And yes, there are several parallels between us and the Griswolds.

I found ‘USA 92’ interesting in terms of getting an insight into why you love rap music so much. Did this trip spark the love affair or just solidify your love for rap?

I was well into it already (as much as you could be at that age and time in Australia). As I mention in the intro, the trip more cemented the path I am on now. Not just the music, but keeping notes and diaries etc. My diaries are mostly visual now though.

It’s almost scary to think how much of your tastes were formed at such a young age. Was rap an escape for you on this trip? And do you think it would have been such an influence in your work if this trip had never happened?

I wouldn’t say rap was an escape (more of a soundtrack), but the diary keeping definitely was. I was down to be involved from the first time I heard Run DMC and the Beastie Boys, so I doubt much would have changed if the trip didn’t happen. I probably wouldn’t have a K-Mart grade Raiders jacket though.

What did rap mean to you then, compared to now?

Rap to me then was a secret club. As far as I knew, only one other guy at school liked it (and we started a hip-hop zine together a year or two after, called ‘Damn Kids’). I don’t feel that way about it any more, but love it the same way. I have as much time for Public Enemy’s ‘Greatest Misses’ now as I had when I bought it on the trip.

I think at 14 you really start to figure out who you want to be. Do you think the trip informed who you are today?

Yeah, in a way. I mean I already was into the things I found on the trip, but getting compilation tapes showed me what was slightly outside the then sphere of availability, which was mostly West Coast rap. And no internet, just Encyclopedia Britannica or Smash Hits mag. I began to see there was a whole lot more to it and realised the East Coast had a totally different thing going on, so there began the digging.

The romance which takes place between you and Alison, the girl from the other family, is pretty hilarious. I fancied this English boy I met when we went to the States in the 90s but he was 14 and had no interest in me, the 12 year old, and only had eyes for my 16-year-old sister. Why is young love such a huge deal? You were kinda obsessed with the chick right?

All love is a huge deal, right? But to a kid, it’s the first time you are feeling that way, with no idea what’s going to happen. I focused on Alison in the diary, but it’s pretty clear the one I was obsessed with was my ex, Diane.

Are you scared/intrigued as to if she ever finds this book? You should do a follow up.

No comment!

My favourite part of the book is when you describe your trip as “sexcellent”. You also describe your sister as QB (Queen Bitch) for the duration of the diaries. Do you guys get along now?

We were playing Nintendo together about three days after the trip. Me and QB are tight. My two older brothers that weren’t invited on the trip didn’t speak to either of us for a while though.

What do your parents think of the book?

They said it was very interesting and they learnt a few things about me. Mind you, the info is over 20 years old.

Is there anything you left out?

It’s word-for-word for the duration of the trip, but the diary continues for a few months after I got back. Shit heats up that summer!

Revisiting your past can be an awkward activity. Was it fun putting the book together, or did looking back make you feel like you had to regress emotionally a little?

Yeah, definitely it was fun! Looking back is not really a new thing to me. With everything I have been making the last few years, I wanted to pin a starting point and give the things I often reference some personal context. Where possible I like to include a sense of humour in my works, so rather than this being awkward, it was a chance to laugh at myself, and offer up something that others can easily relate to – i.e. being a disgruntled teen.

And lastly, how can anyone look so miserable about being on the teacup ride?!

SHUT UP.

You can purchase USA 92 for $25 (free worldwide airmail) from here.