The Tattooers Podcast: Tattooing/ Art/ Culture/ Lifestyle/ Business

David Meek: Tattooer, Artist•www.davidmeektattoos.com

The Tattooers Podcast has interviews with leading tattoo artists around the world. Each artist offers, what has inspired them to pursue their tattoo career, what continuest to inspire them, mistakes they are grateful for and all the things that showcase the work that goes into tattooing rather than the social media rockstar.

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Episodes

Ep 15: Clint Vaughts biography on MIke Huff

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 wo...

Aug 01, 2018•1 hr 35 min

Episode 14: Jeremy Miller

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 s...

Apr 30, 2018•1 hr 24 min

Episode 13: Shanghai Kate and Jack Rudy

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...

Apr 30, 2018•2 hr 38 min

Episode 12: Smile Now Cry Later with Freddy Negrete

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 focu...

Mar 06, 2018•1 hr 29 min

Episode 11: Remembering Royboy with Tim Svetly

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 gun...

Feb 08, 2018•2 hr 4 min

Episode 10: Deb Yarian of Eagle River Tattoo

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 o...

Jan 31, 2018•2 hr 2 min

Episode 9: Chicago Tattooer Nick Colella

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 chan...

Dec 27, 2017•1 hr 35 min

Episode 8: Ron Meyers Black and Gray Wizard

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 s...

Nov 03, 2017•1 hr 36 min

Episode 7: Alex Empty tattooing tebori

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 real...

Oct 11, 2017•2 hr 12 min

Episode 6: Tim Azinger The Tattoo Expo Titan

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 ...

Aug 31, 2017•1 hr 45 min

Episode 5: Tattoo School Scam pt2 with Chad Knight

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 s...

Aug 18, 2017•46 min

Episode 4 pt 1:Phillies finest tattooers protect the trade w/ Eric Perfect

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...

Jul 11, 2017•39 min

Episode 3: Joey Knuckles Knows How

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...

Jun 21, 2017•2 hr 10 min

Episode 2: Tattooing and Endurance with Cori James

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 ...

Jun 21, 2017•1 hr 35 min

Episode 1: What to expect from The Tattooers Podcast

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.

May 27, 2017•13 min

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