Graffiti

Stylized insignias. Deft strokes. Youth craze. All words used to describe what is commonly known as graffiti. I like reducing it to its more basic name: vandalism. J. VINCENT FLORES Colton

There seems to be an upsurge in graffiti all over. It is almost like they are teaching graffiti in the schools. In our neighborhood in North Hollywood is a huge auto parts store. It is only about 2 years old, but in the last six months the walls surrounding it have almost completely been covered by graffiti. I say immediately blot out these markings. The kids often try again, but get rid of it immediately. That generally puts a stop to graffiti. Are parents doing anything to stop their kids?

Will the persons responsible for the graffiti on the Hollywood, Ventura and San Diego freeways please stop. Freeway driving is ugly enough. I do not need you to make it more unpleasant. And will the department in charge of removing graffiti from public areas please do so. I have had to look at this filth for too long. And will the parents of these individuals, since you have failed in raising these hoodlums, at least teach them to spell. "The" is not spelled t-h-a. STAN SELLERS Sepulveda

Ariel Pink's signing to 4AD and forthright new album, "Before Today," has done wonders for his reputation as an unhinged artist. His band Haunted Graffiti has finally grown from L.A. outsider-art's inside secret into a thrilling (and shockingly tight) international concern. But in a way, as good as the band has gotten, it seems just as important that the surrounding culture has finally caught up. The same holds true for the longtime Brazilian psych ensemble Os Mutantes, whose acid-dripping tropicalia has only gotten weirder with age. The Music Box, 6216 Hollywood Blvd.