This is part one of a four part series Life In A Bungalo is producing in celebration of a fantastic series of Circus Punks created in tribute to the greatest New Jersey high-octane punk band–Electric Frankenstein. The Circus Punks are cool as hell, but this is just an excuse to pay homage to a band that’s been rocking the punk and art scenes for nearly 15 years without ever selling out or altering their style.

The first interview is with Jim Koch, one of the two artists behind the EF Circus Punks and all around badass low-brow artist. His work is teeming with imagery of creepy clowns, hot rods, and pin-striped coolness. We cornered the Koch to find out a little more about how he hooked up with the Circus Punk crew and what makes him tick.

You have a pretty intense history on your Web site chronicling your path through art, but it doesn’t really give a sense of Jim Koch the person. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself; your passions, taste in art”¦ Who is Jim Koch?
I am a pretty normal, small town kid who happened to journey through LA and Hollyweird during a peak metal moment and a major art re-birth during the late ’80s and ’90s. I have seen it all and worked with the best (well almost). I now live in the great northwest where I was raised and I enjoy being a bit more domestic. I ride BMX pretty hardcore on the street and skate parks–at 40 mind you. I have traveled the world a few times. I have never been married, nor do I have kids. I enjoy all walks of art. At the moment I love Cam Delion, Colin and Sas Christian. The chaos of Miq Willmott and my hero is Robert Williams.

You mention your work in fetish type rock, but you’ve also done a lot of hot rod work. Where does your music tastes fall? Are you a rocker or a punk?
My music tastes are all screwed up. I love to listen to “˜80’s metal or classic punk, all the stuff I grew up on. In my CD player as we speak is Jane’s Addiction, Gorillas, Blue October, Social D, Sublime and Mother Love Bone. And I have a soft heart for Vintage HonkyTonk.

Some of your most memorable work is your circus clowns. Why did you start painting clowns?
I have been painting clowns all my life. I started when I got a book on clowns when I was real young. I then used to see this comedian named Red Skelton who played hobo-clowns on variety shows. I got some clown toys and I love the circus. It just so happens people are digging my clown doodles, so I keep it up.

Do you see why people are afraid of them, or do you think they’re just crazy?
Unreal, I’ve seen this show on TV where these people were terrified and were all crying because of clowns. I laughed so hard. Then they made the peeps meet the clowns to see that they are real and talk like humans.

One of your best-known pieces isn’t something many people “not in the know” would associate with Jim Koch–The Circus Punks logo. How did that come about and how did you hook up with Paul and the Circus Punks?
The logo is all dirty and gritty because it’s punk. Just some copy machine antics. I met Paul at a truck stop in Idaho and we were fighting over a lot lizard. SDCC 2004 and we have been friends ever since.

I remember you having done some paintings for the Circus Punks NYC show instead or in addition to a custom punk. Why did you go the painting route? It sure made the show look cooler.
Ah, wow thanks man. I didn’t think anyone noticed–I knew the gallery was going to be a bit empty with some bare walls appose to the fantastic custom PUNKS. Me and SEEN painted the place up with the huge mouth and added misc. paintings. Atta boy and a couple others brought some extra things to exploit swell.

What do you think drives you to paint the way you do?
Ex girlfriends!

You mention the major companies you’ve worked for in your bio with a hint of sarcasm. Are you going for the crushing the man from within thing, or am I just reading way too into the punk rock credo?
No, I’m not about crushing the man, because I am the man as well. Working for all “them” companies was my hard knocks and it sucked at times, but I would never change a thing as I think back. Twenty years of tough love, great learning experiences and wild memories.

So we’ve been waiting for over a year for the Electric Frankenstein punks and now we find out that there are going to be two of them, and the designs are absolutely kick ass. How did you get involved with EF? Did you do any of their posters?
I turned Sal onto the Circus Punks and then turned Paul onto the Idea of having some of EF’s artists do some punks. We are all fans or the Electric Frankenstein and Pigors was a good pick for release with mine because we had worked with him before and he’s a good chap, quick turnaround. There’s more in the works and the ART we have so far is freaking killer.

I did a couple posters for EF that are in Sals first book”¦He has another book coming out real soon called “Fist Full of rock” with even more great rock poster art which I am also featured in.

How difficult was it to translate your 2D art to a Circus Punk? Was there any difficulty in adjusting the punk to fit the work?
The image was first a huge painting I did for a tattoo shop in San Diego. Then i took pics of the painting and gave it a new life in the computer. It was then made into a poster for Electric Frankenstein and then into the punk you see today. It fit real well and looked s cool I had to do it. It also has glow in the dark ink.

Has the band seen it? What was their reaction?
The band has seen it and Sal was stoked. They should do well and sell quick considering the two worlds of fans from EF and CP.

As an aside, you also did the first and only Trexi Circus Punks set? How did you manage that? I assume you had to juggle working with CP, PI and maneuver you work on such a small platform?
It was a bit hectic with time and SDCC 2005. Design skins and toys are a blast to work on, but sometimes difficult to wrap art around a round object. I also have a real job as a designer so things are always crazy doing that normal corporate stuff. The Trexi’s were a way-cool gig, I was the first to do a 3 figure-set that went into production. The box printing turned out awesome. Doing the Coke we all speak football Trexi was a blast to do as well. The Trexi peeps are real cool to work with.

What does the future hold for Jim Koch?
Lots happening for holiday and next year with the Circus Punks. More cool products and sick collabs for 2007. I have a good handful of collectable oddities coming so keep your eyes peeled.