The Tattooers Podcast: Tattooing/ Art/ Culture/ Lifestyle/ Business (David Meek: Tattooer, Artist)

Its hard not to walk away from a conversation with Joey Knuckles and not want to set the world on fire and tattoo your face off! 

After our conversation it was all I could do to hold still and not try to tattoo anything that moved. 

In his words [tattooing] is "easy to love" and he is so right. He infected me even more than I already was. It was like getting a second zombie bite. 

Tattooing is hard, and getting good is harder, and staying humble when you are good is harder than that. And then being good but still thinking you have a lot to learn... that is tattoo enlightenment.

I see Joey Knuckles as the whole enchilada. Tattoo histoy collector. Tattooer of the people. Roll your sleeves up and tattoo some mother fuckers. Tattoo style that flows and is truly built to last. 

I hope you enjoy my chat with Joey Knuckles!

Follow him 

www.joeyknucklestattoo.com

www.highstreettattoo.com

www.bodylanguagetattoo.com

www.sacredhandtattoo.com

Go get a tattoo from him or any of his rad shops!

Dave

music by www.bensound.com

Bell Bottoms. Led Zeppelin. Shanghai Kate peeing standing up. The 70’s were an amazing time,
especially in the tattoo world. In what may be the funniest Tattooer’s Podcast to date, I shoot the
breeze with the awesome Shanghai Kate and a special guest, Jack Rudy about tattoo trends over
the last few decades, tattoo removal, and their intricate knowledge of how skin and ink react to
each other. From the days of Ed Hardy and Sailor Jerry, to the days of the tramp stamp, and
present-day trends, Kate and Jack take me through the history of tattooing and the influential
changes that they’ve helped implement in the industry, whether it’s single needle tattoos or
sterilization processes. Kate is all spirit and science, Jack is all antics and aliens. I hope you
enjoy this month’s episode as much as I did.

You can find Kate online here or you can check our her facebook or instagram @shanghaikate

You can also follow Jack on Instagram @j_rudy_gtc

or on Facebook

I still cant believe i had the chance to chat with Freddy Negrete. Ive known his work for so long and I yet have known nothing about where he came from or how he got where he is. I read his book Smile Now Cry Later and it grabbed my attention from the beginning. I wanted to hear more of his story or at least share it with other tattooers. His life has been super crazy, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Even staring down deaths door. Only to come out the other side stronger and more focused than ever... If you don't have his book, obviously you should get it. But you can learn alot from just hearing this living legend share what his journey has been like. I hope you guys and gals enjoy this episode as much as I do.

Jeremy Miller may be the most educated tattooer there is. For this podcast, I get to talk to Jeremy about earning his PhD and how his education background is business has affected him as a tattoo artist. We chat about the balance between making art and making money. You many know Jeremy from the first season of Ink Master, and I got the opportunity to learn about the ups and downs of reality TV, especially how it has come into play with the tattoo industry in the past decade or so. Jeremy is a straight talker, telling me all about what he thinks the failings of the tattoo world will be in the years to come, and what we as artists and shop owners can do to fight that.

Be sure to follow jeremy and his shop on social media 

Facebook-

Instagram

I was eager to receive the call from Clint about being on the podcast. I love tattoo history and where it brought us. Im sure you have noticed there is a bit of nostalgia in most every episode with an overtone of distain for the modern process of instagram and hashtags...and this episode is no different. But this time we get to delve into a tattooer that was part of the history we so revere and yet have never heard of him. He quietly slipped into history having done his duty as a tattooer. He worked for the people, he plied his trade, he fed his family and he provided shelter. Far from where we are now with hashtag millionaires and iconic tattooers known for their hairdo more than their work. I submit this chat for you to enjoy not only Clints journey and dedication to our humble beginnings but also Mikes part in it. 

Please follow Clint and check out what hes done for us on Instagram and the his website

IG @clintvaught

IG @royalartbooks

IG @lyletuttlecollection

What a great time talking with Cori. She is so inspiring. Its refreshing to talk to a real tattooer that is working on bettering themselves and their work all at the same time. We chat about life as a tattooer not just tattoing. There are even some cameo conversations with her beloved furry friends! She is ridiculously  funny and I can't wait to get a tattoo from her. You can check her work out on Instagram @corijamestattoo or @colorful_tri_cori Giver her a follow you wont regret it.

Also follow The Tattooers Podcast 

IG @thetattooerspodcast

FB @thetattooerspodcast

Music by www.bensound.com

Eric Perfect is a tattooer of 27 years. Tattooing is his religion and you can tell when you hear him talking about the scam thats heading for our beloved craft... Yup Tattoo Schools. Now even though their concept isnt new, they are becoming increasingly more aggressive in their attempts to distance themselves from the traditions that we all share and practice. Eric along with Chad Knight and Myke Chambers are rallying the Philadelphia tattoo scene to stand up and do something about it. The right way. If you want to know more you can visit www.notattooschool.com and stand with tattooing. also you can follow Eric on Instagram @eric_perfect or on facebook.

Dont forget to follow the show on IG @thetattooerspodcast as well as facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast and leave a comment on any one of our sites or social media pages if you have more questions comments or concerns

thanks for listening! 

dave

www.davidmeektattoos.com

thetattooerspodcast@gmail.com

music by www.bensound.com and intro audio from www.notattooschool.com

On this episode I got a chance to chat with the author and curator of the new book The King and Queen of the Badlands Royboy and Debra the Tattooed Lady... Tim Svetly. Hes gonna take us on his personal journey in collecting the crazy stories of the notorious tattooer Royboy Cooper. From hearing legends of a tattooer who defied all social norms to becoming an important part of collecting tattoo history. 

Enter Royboy

From wrestling bears as a kid, to learning with Cliff Raven, to buying tigers guns boats and cars, to having a hardcore gym in the basement of his tattoo shop. His  life was his own 3 ring circus and he was the ring leader. A life of adventure and the willingness to do any and all things doesnt seem to do Royboy justice. I highly recommend checking out Tims new book on Royboy and his wife Debra to get a taste of what 70s and 80s biker tattooing was like in Gary Indiana. 

You can follow Tim on Instagram @royboybook or you can purchase a copy of the book directly at www.royboybook.com

You can also follow the show in Instagram @thetattooerspodcast or on www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast  and dont forget to follow the show on Itunes or google play and subscribe. It only takes a second and helps the show out so much. 

Thanks for listening

Dave Meek

www.davidmeektattoos.com

music by www.bensounds.com

Chad Knight is a 20+ year tattoo veteran from Philadelphia. He is one of the tattoo artists spear heading the fight against the scam tattoo schools. He is helping to rally tattoo artists to stand up and come together to protect the trade. 

If you'd like to learn more about whats going on and how you can help please go to www.notattooschool.com 

You can also follow Chad on Instagram @mr_nicenasty

Dont forget to subrscribe to the show on itunes or google play if you havent already. It only takes a second and it helps the show so much.

also follow me on instagram @thetattooerspodcast @davidmeektattoos or www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast

Thanks again everyone for listening. Please share the episode and the message!

Dave Meek

www.davidmeektattoos.com 

music by www.bensound.com 

In this episode I take afew minutes to explain my vision and direction for The Tattooers Podcast. I'm really excited about this project and hope it helps the tattoo communtiy from the bottom to the top. Im looking forward to hearing from so many tattooers. 

In this episode, I was able to make a special trip up to Phoenix AZ to interview Alex Empty, owner of Copperstate Tattoo. This was really cool for me, due to the fact that Alex was able to squeeze me in for a tattoo as well as the interview. I jumped at the chance given that Alex has recently been tattooing and learning the tebori style of tattooing, which was done in Japan. Alex is one of the most down to earth tattooers I've met and his outlook and attitude are completely unique to him. I really enjoyed our chat even if we both got lost in whatever we were talking about. Its easy to zone out when you're tattooing and when you're getting tattooed. So please enjoy our rants and tangents as 2 tattooers hang out in the studio.

You can also follow Alex on Instagram @alexempty and his shop @copperstatetattoo as well as the show on IG @thetattooerspodcast or on Facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on Itunes and Google Play. It only takes a moment and it helps the show out so much. 

And be sure to head over to ElectrumSupply.com to recieve the free bottle of stencil primer only for the listeners of the podcast. If you spend $50 bucks at electrum supply and use code PODCAST at checkout they'll gently remove the bottle of stencil primer from its armored, guarded vault. And with white satin gloves they will gently place it on a red satin pillow and lower it into your order. After which the police escort will hurry to the airport where it will board the private jet. Once arriving in your current city, the local package deliverer will take it from there and we have no idea how they operate....

thanks again for all the listens and downloads!

Dave

www.davidmeektattoos.com

In this episode I was able to talk with one of my favorite black and gray realism tattoo artists out there, Ron Meyers. Ron is the owner of Lowlock Tattoo in St. Clairesville Oh. Ive known of Rons work for alot of years and it was really great to finally have a chance to chat with him. You've no doubt seen his work if you've been to any tattoo conventions near or around Ohio. From Hell City ,to Motor City, to Pittsburgh. Or you've seen his Ron Meyers Graywash being used all around the world by some serious bad asses.I've used and loved his greywash system and am blown away by the work that he puts into both his tattoos and his pigment. We touch on many more tangents along the way during our chat so enjoy!

You can follow Ron on Instagram @RonMeyersTattoos or his shop @lowlocktatto or on Facebook.com/lowlocktattoo

You can also follow the show on Instagram @thetattooerspodcast or on Facebook.com/thetattooerspodcastt. If you haven't already please subscribe to the show on iTunes or on google play. It only takes a second and helps the show so much. 

Be sure to visit www.Electrumsupply.com to recieve the free bottle of stencil primer when you spend $50 or more only for the listeners of the podcast. Use the code PODCAST at check out! This isnt an offer for everyone. Which is why its my way of saying thank you for all the comments, downloads and feedback. 

thanks

Dave

www.davidmeektattoos.com

music by www.bensound.com

In this new episode of the Tattooer’s Podcast, I am joined by Deb Yarian of Eagle River Tattoo
in Alaska. This woman is nothing short of incredible. Not only has she been tattooing for 39
years, but she has worked all over the United States building her skills and clientele. Deb tells us
all about the underground world of tattooing in the 70’s and 80’s, describing the risks of being a
tattoo artist, as well as some of the danger that came with working in cities where tattooing was
illegal. Not only did she make it through some tough times in the tattoo world and in her
personal life, she did it all with some thick skin, being one of very few female tattoo artists of her
time. Thanks for joining us to listen to the amazing wisdom of the incredible Deb Yarian.

You can follow Deb on Instagram @debyarian or her shop @eaglerivertattoo or on the web at www.eaglerivertattoo.com

and Dont forget to follow the show on Instagram @thetattooerspodcast or on www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast 

you can also subscribe to the show on Itunes or google play to make sure you get all the future episodes. It only takes a second but it helps the show so much. 

music by www.bensound.com

words by Amber Sipe

Tim has been putting on tattoo expos for 25 years which says a lot about his dedication to tattooing. And thats on top of running his own shop Pinnacle Tattoo in Pittsburgh. His flagship show, The Meeting of the Marked is the second longest running tattoo expo in the country right now. Thats no small feat in a time where there are 4 tattoo shows going on damn near every weekend. Tims shows are like family reunions bringing together artists year after year. And while the venue may have changed a few times over the years, the quality and the caliber remain a constant. It was my pleasure to spend some time chatting with my dear friend and my hope is that after you hear this you'll feel the same way I do about my friend Tim. He is a friend of tattooing and tattooings history.  I could go on and on about the guy but you'll just have to work one of his shows to see what I'm talking about. Congrats on 25 years Tim. heres to 25 more convetions years!

Be sure to follow Tim on Instagram @tattootim or any of the shows hes putting on. @meetingofthemarked  @ladylucktattooexpo @pnwtattooexpo @chchtattooexpo or directly on the web at www.pinnacletattoo.com

and don't forget to follow the show on instagram  @thetattooerspodcast or me @davidmeektattoos or on www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast  and subscribe to the show on itunes and google play. It only takes a second but really helps the show a bunch. I really do appreciate it. 

feel free to leave me any comments you may have about the show on your favorie social media..

thanks everyone.

David Meek

www.davidmeektattoos.com

music by www.bensound.com

In this week’s episode, I take a trip back to the 90’s and the days of “house punk rock tattooing” with Nick Colella, owner of Great Lake  Tattoo in Chicago and the brains behind the Walk Up
Classic. He talks about all the antics of the old-timers, how tattooing used to be, and how things have changed over the years. You can hear the passion in Nick’s voice, and you can tell how true it is when Nick says that tattooing was his first love. You’ll learn about how internet and social media have changed the way customers get tattoos, and how it can be a gift and a curse. Nick’s humility is something to behold, and hearing him say that he’s just a “regular tattoo guy” is hilariously weird for someone who knows what a tattoo hero he truly is.

You can follow Nick and his shop on intragram @NickColella and @Greatlakestattoo or on the web at www.greatlakestattoo.com

Don't forget to follow the show on instagram as well @Thetattooerspodcast or on Facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast and be sure to download and subscribe to the show on Itunes  or on Google play 

Thanks again for all the love and support for the show and for tattooing

Dave

www.davidmeektattoos.com

music by www.bensound.com

words by amber sipe and david meek