How to produce this AWESOME effect?

I have been seeing this guy's work for a long time, he's just a brilliant artist. And one thing that I find in common in all of his works is a little texture behind the text. This is his website: http://ift.tt/18DaPjw

Like this: http://ift.tt/18DaNZ6 As you can see in this, there are a lot of small black lines behind the text forming a kind of checkers effect. I think it has something to do with drop shadow. I did try the halftone effect but that produces circles not checkers.

You can see that effect in this too: http://ift.tt/1BuYGJ4 It will be a big help if you can teach me how to do this since writing the text is my weakest part. Also if you can teach me some other effects from his work, that would be just amazing. I know there are the best of artists on this help forum. Thank you for your time.