Meet Robert Thorn | Entrepreneur of Death

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robert Thorn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robert, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind Funeral Classics began in 6th grade.I always wanted Tshirts inspired by old mid century woodcuts,.bold and with only one color hits!.that were’In Honor of The Dead’.I took silkscreening in 9th grade,.first shirt I designed and printed was an ELVIRA T’shirt,red on black.Mind you this was 1982 A.D.,.it wasn’t easy finding Elvira Tshirts back then,so I made my own!..She signed it a few years ago,because Yes,I still have it!.I ran a couple of silkscreen companies after high school,but I never wanted to work for someone else,.I wanted to create my own company,also at the time I was more committed to rehearsal,recording,touring in my L.A.Horror Punk Rock Band which was was perfectly named Damnation..After a very serious accident,which i almost lost my right leg’I did start uP Funeral Classics.Right from the start the line was in Hot Topic nationwide.This was 2005,.I am now celebrating 20 years of Funeral Classics.X

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I design all of my Tshirts with help from Albert Garcia in finalizing the design,type font,etc..I’ve been an artist all my life.By the time I was 5 I was hooked on the television show NightGallery’it was Tom Wrights eerie paintings that inspired me to this day and Night.haha..I actually call Tom my Dad now,..long story,.but yes,.I met Tom and his amazing daughter Chanell and we are now considered Family,.Full Circle.I did get my Art Degree in College,.I started a custom painted Leather Jacket company for a few years in the 80’s.Then by 1996 I began tattooing,going on 30 years now!…I also Paint,acrylic’s mainly.Favorite Subjects?..SKULLS!…haha,.i am skull obsessed.I also work on my 1964 Cadillac Hearse,which is an art project in itself.X

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First we would jump in my Hearse,then head to my pals bar,.Johnnys Saloon for the best Pizza Ever and a Beer!,.after that adventure we would fly to my shop Funeral Classics because if their a friend of mine they would want too!.Besides I’m always gathering new SwAg to put in the Shop.Something new to see every visit.We then would then boogie over to Vinyl Solution,my friend and fiend Drac’s Record Store,Tha Koolest!..After scoring some vinyl,etc..we’ll Cruz the Coffin Cadillac down the Pacific Ghost Highway until it’s time for more grub.Hit Two Brothers Pizza for the best slices in the Country.Then go spook few cemeteries,after that off to H.B.Central Park for a midnight stroll,.and last but not least’The Doughnuttery to get a 3 a.m. souls midnight Doughnuts!!…Hauntington Beach,Fountain’Death’Valley have much to offer.And that’s just the legal activities!.hahaa!.X

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely!.I’m giving a Thunderous SHOUTOUT to my Mom,Lavie,my son Raven and my brother from another mother Albert Garcia,there’s no way I could have done this without their help and support.I Definitely have to SHOUTOUT again to Hot Topic for believing in Funeral Classics from the very beginning,and for coming to Damnation gigs!.Hahaa.X

Website: 64hearse@gmail.com

Instagram: Funeral Classics 13

Facebook: Robert Thorn/Funeral Classics

Image Credits
Please give credit to my gorgeous friend Stevie Raquel for modeling and snapping a few shots of me..Robert Thorn’-took the rest of the photos.X