No-Fi "Magazine"
visits with
Eric Nakamura of


I've sorta known Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong since shortly after we started No-Fi "Magazine" back in 1996 from Zine Conventions we would both have booths at (mostly the ones put together by Golden Apple Comics in Hollywood). They are both really nice and have a great magazine you should all check out if you haven't already called Giant Robot Magazine. It's an entertaining way to see what is going on in popular and underground Asian culture (and what easier way can I get in touch with my 1/8th Asian roots? Yep, it's true. Your ol' pal Chris Beyond's grandmother was born in the Philippines and her pet chicken was blown up during the WWII occupation too.)

Anyway, taking their magazine a step further, Eric and company have opened up a new store in West L.A. appropriately called the Giant Robot Store (but they don't sell real giant robots, you jokesters out there, so don't ask!). I was originally going to interview Martin, but he had to run and Eric took his place at the register. It had been getting busier and busier at the store so we kept it short so they could still deal with all the customers floating in.
CB=Chris Beyond EN=Eric Nakamura

CB: So what's it like running the Giant Robot Store?
EN: It's fun, I guess. It's easy. It's kinda like buying a bunch of stuff that I'd buy for my own house and I just buy a little extra and put `em here. It's kinda like that.
CB: Um, what is your biggest selling item so far?
EN: I guess our own magazine. It kinda keeps going out, but, you know... I don't know. Your typical... All magazine tee-shirts and uh... (smiling) I guess that's really it. There.
CB: Are you getting along with the neighborhood?
EN: Oh, yeah for sure. I grew up around here. I grew up in this area so this is like an old neighborhood to me. So I know this area really well and the people and all that stuff. That was one reason why we got this space. It's like... Y'know It was like... I'm a local so I know everybody so it's easy.
CB: Have you had any crazy customers or rude customers yet?
EN: Uh, nah, just some drunks and stuff. The typical... It's ok. Wait, I gotta...
(We take a break from the interview as Eric handles some customers who are NOT drunk at all, but are buying a shirt and some books.)
CB: Why should people come to your store?
EN: Why? If you like Giant Robot stuff. It's like kinda like an extension of our magazine. I mean there's all kind of stuff here that's like...kind of goes with our magazine so...I think that's why. I thinks it's pretty fun too. There's a lot of things that you can't get elsewhere so I think that's what makes it good.
CB: That's it! Thank you very much.

Eric goes right back into ringing up some more customers as I pack up my camera and recorder and leave. If you live in Southern California or are just passing through, it's definitely worth checking out. They got some cool tee-shirt designs (DJ Bruce Lee must be their biggest seller since I've seen it in places from small clubs to Disneyland), they have a nice collection of zines for sale and sometimes free, books by "should-be" well known artists like Yoshitomo Nara, James Kochalka, Aya Takano, and much much more. (I especially dig their weird "stuffed" animal-things. Each one is an original and (unfortunately for me) go for a hefty price, but are still neat to look at.) I'm sure you'll find something you like and you can see it all by going to: 2015 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (or call them at: 310-478-1819).


Interview conducted by Chris Beyond
Photography by Chris Beyond ©2002 No-Fi "Magazine"