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The Return of El Fatom!
Joey Krebs, who created works for Rage Against The Machine returns for show on March 7-8 at The Basement gallery



By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor

Attencion all fans of thought-provoking street art and politico-rockers Rage Against The Machine.

Former Bakersfield resident artist, also known as “El Fatom,” Joey Krebs, will be the focus of an upcoming art show at The Basement Gallery, 1532 19th St., March 7 and 8, running from 7 to 11 p.m. on both nights.

<Check out video featuring Joey Krebs!

Most popularly known for his work used on the cover of Rage Against The Machine's 1999 CD, “The Battle of Los Angeles,” Krebs remains active on the international art scene, as well as in his current home of Los Angeles.



The March show, titled “Breaking Ground,” will also feature more than 35 different artists with a heavy focus on urban street styles. This will also be Krebs’ first art-associated appearance in Bakersfield since moving away in the late '90s.

“It came together in perfect timing,” said Krebs, 37, of the show. “I developed my style from living in Bakersfield. It's a very progressive community, and I mean that sincerely. I really consider it my hometown.”

Krebs’ local connection doesn’t end with art - he’s also an avid supporter of local wrestling.


Joey Krebs - The "Phantom Street Artist"

Krebs was commissioned by CIF Wrestling Sports Tournament Director, Alan Paradise, to create and design the 5th annual edition David Schultz Champion of Champions Memorial Trophy platter for this year’s “Most Outstanding Wrestler” at the 2009 tournament being held at Rabobank Arena, March 6 and 7.

“It’s great that the wrestling tournament is going on at the same time as the art show,” said Krebs.

Raised by a “strong Catholic” Ecuadorean single mother of six in Southern California, Krebs’ younger years were spent in Bakersfield during the late ‘80s to mid ‘90s.



Also attending CSUB for a short time, Krebs gives credit to his mentor and “adopted grandmother,” the late Ruth Heil Emerson for much of his artistic development. Emerson was also the founder of the Bakersfield Art Association.

“Ruth was a really great person, and she taught me so much,” he said fondly.

Deon Bell, 36, curator at The Basement, looks forward to hosting Krebs’ work as a show of unity and inspiration in the local underground art scene.

“I think “Breaking Ground” will show Bakersfield that The Basement art gallery can get big artists’ like Joey, and put them alongside artists from different skill levels – students to pros,” he said.

When asked about how he landed the gig with Rage Against The Machine, for their ’99 album, also considered to be the band’s signature work - Krebs remembers it well.

“Rage wanted to adopt my work as their identifying logo to represent their ideology, and liked my work,” he said. The logo I painted for the cover embodies the grass roots, every man issue.”

A shadowy, silhouetted figure of dripping black paint standing with a raised fist, the Rage CD cover has become Krebs’ artistic “calling card”.

“It was a great honor to work with the band”, he added.


Rage Against The Machine

Back in LA, Krebs also works to promote cultural and political awareness through the Art Saves Lives organization, of which he is an active member of.

According to an official ASL press release…

“Art Saves Lives, the collective, is an organization committed to social interaction across diverse expressions, cultural differences and ideas through exhibition education and community activities. We foster developmental projects within many inter-disciplines, which cross-diverse mediums, new genre, and creating new delineation of Culture and Art.”

The March show will also feature live music by local rapper Lekshure, and live DJ’s, all in the urban spirit of Krebs work.

“I hope to share interesting social commentary, and it’s also nice to celebrate the great community of Bakersfield,” he said.

“Breaking Ground” Art Show
-The Basement, 1532 19th St.
-Saturday & Sunday, Mar. 7 – 8
-7 p.m. – 1 a.m. both nights
-$10 / All Ages
- 859 1904


Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 48, 2-19-09