The Stray Cats first made the big time in the early 80s when they left New York City for London. The 3 piece band stood out with their 50s influenced rockabilly sound and poppadom hair styles. The had a string of number 1 hits around the world with songs such as “Stray Cat Strut”, “Rock This Town” & “Runnaway Boys”. They broke up in the early 90s to pursue successful solo careers however they reformed in 2004 for a sell out reunion tour of Europe.

We are extremely privileged to have 2 of the USA’s top custom painters at Beach Hop 07 – Craig Fraser and Steve Vandemon. Our thanks to Iwata and House of Kolor for bringing these 2 talented artists to New Zealand especially for the festival. They’re all set to do some demos at the festival and looking forward to seeing the quality of New Zealand cars. They are both very approachable so make sure you pop by their stand and say hello.

Craig Fraser
Owner & Principal Airbrush Artist for Air Syndicate Studios

Educated in Architecture and Aero Engineering, Craig Fraser started Air Syndicate as an airbrush studio in Firenze, Italy in 1990. Upon Returning to the U.S., Craig hooked up with Dion Giuliano of Kal Koncepts fame in 1992. Craig is now the in-house airbrush artist, pinstriper, and co-designer for Kal Koncepts. For the past decade Kal Koncepts/Air Syndicate has been a driving force in the automotive, and motorcycle custom paint industry. Some of Air Syndicate's previous clients include: "Jesse James" West Coast Choppers, Arlen Ness, House of Kolor, Colorado Custom, Trenz, General Motors, Ford, Daimler Chrysler/Viper, Bones Concepts, Rick Dore, and many others. Craig has been the designer for Kal Koncepts from their first cover feature in 1992, and is in for the duration. "There have been a lot of painters, and workers that have gone through our doors, the benefit of our partnership is that we know the importance of each others contributions. What we have done in the last decade has been a team effort." "I love it when the competition counts us out...that's usually bout the time another cover hits the news stand".

Craig is also a free-lance automotive Photo-Journalist, and has worked for such publications as Autographics Magazine, Hot Rod, Truckin, Lowrider, Minitruckin, Streetrucks, Airbrush Art+Action Magazine, and Airbrush Action. He also pens the advice columns: "Paintbooth" for Streetrucks magazine, and "Paintime" for Autographics. The author of the best selling custom paint book, "Automotive Cheap Tricks, and Special FX”, and the recently released, "Pinstriping Masters": Craig has over a dozen how-to videos currently on the market, with new self-produced DVD's currently being released. Craig created the hands-on automotive workshops that he taught in Airbrush Action's getaway series for over 8 years. Craig is also a certified instructor for Valspar, House of Kolor, and PPG. He currently continues to teach hands-on workshops for Coast Airbrush, House of Kolor, Iwata/ASET, and AIWA, both here, and overseas.

Craig also continually develops new airbrush products through Coast Airbrush, and custom stencil designs through Artool Inc. Craig credits the key to the success of Kal Koncepts/Air Syndicate being three tier: Quality, Innovation, and Diversity. By constantly searching for new aspects, venues, and mediums in the custom paint industry, Craig, and Dion have kept ahead of the competition, and will continue to challenge the boundaries of the custom culture. "This industry is what you make of it. If all you want to do is sit around and hold court, you’ll get what you deserve...ridicule". To make it in custom painting, you have to be constantly pushing the envelope. Don't worry about the competition, just paint, and let them worry about you!

Steve Vandemon
California’s King of Flames

Steve Vandemon started custom painting back in 1992.  Specializing in custom flames, airbrush art and pinstriping, Steve has done in a little over a decade what many painters take a lifetime to accomplish. Known for pioneering the “Negative space flame job”, Steve has had his flamed artwork on more covers for Truckin Magazine then any other artist.   Steve is known for taking current influences in the custom industry, and modifying them into his own unique style.  Steve has worked for, and been the assistant instructor to Craig Fraser with the Airbrush Action Getaway workshops, as well as teaching numerous pinstripe workshops for Coast Airbrush in Anaheim, CA.  Steve is also one of the Team artists for ASET/Iwata, and currently has his own graphics workshop through Airbrush Action magazine. 

Steve’s company ACP, (Absolute Custom Paint) can be found on any day cranking out anything from flamed out trucks, to artistically painted mannequins. Some of ACP’s clients have included Pamela Lee Anderson, Jesse James, and Master Image Customs.  Steve has also appeared on Pimp My Ride, and Monster Garage. 

When Steve is not airbrushing, or spending time with his wife Diana, and son Aiden, he can be found playing bass guitar.  Steve has been in bands, and playing bass longer then airbrushing.  He has headlined at the world famous “Viper Room”, and his previous band Funktion has even opened up for the “Red Hot Chilli Peppers”.  Like his music, Vandemon’s artwork is unique, “in your face”, and definitely here for the duration.