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Walking up
52nd street one could not help but notice the long lines at the Roseland
Ballroom and across the street, at the Music Man. Limos, SUVs, BMWs and
every type of motorcycle available were parked in long lines and even on the
sidewalks. People from every walk of life were milling about, discussing
bikes, greeting old friends and enjoying the weather. This was a very cool
scene. Soon I was in the trenches. People were packed elbow to elbow, I was
glad to be behind some tables. Behind me, the buzzing of the tattoo guns, in
front, t-shirts, portfolios, business cards and flash. Flash are pictures
for you to get ideas from or go directly to your skin. Daryl Gnau was
drawing flash (nice stuff) and appeared to be handling that aspect of the
venture. To my side was the first artist I would talk with, an up and comer
(in my opinion) on the circuit.
His name is Todd Noble Holloway aka Toddzilla. Much of the work Todd did was
on a group of young Latino men and women. All the tats had a heavy Christian
theme and were beautiful. They had gotten tats from Todd last year and I
could see why they would come back again. (I heard them mention would be
back next year also) Todd, how long you been tattooing? Todd: "Approx 1
week, no, no A little over four and a half years". What got you into it? "
Matthew Amey forced me to tattoo out of lack of a better job and I didn't
want to bust tables any more. I always liked new art forms and media and
Matt offered to teach me". You think he saw any talent? I joked." We went to
high school together and always hung out. We would bounce ideas off each
other and stuff like that" Your style has a traditional Japanese flavor but
at the same time a radical edge: Todd. " I went to collage for graphic and
computer arts. One thing I learned was keep it simple yet bold, almost all
the Japanese culture is that way. Look at the architecture, the way they
decorate a room, simple yet classy and elegant. This is good for tattooing
also, simple so you can see it across the room yet bold, not subjective or
vague or like a muddy blotch. So that's what I stick to but I still got a
long way to go." Have you seen any thing trendy? Todd: "No, the only thing
is tribal and that's been around since the eighties. Mostly its pop icons or
dolphins, rainbows and such, who am I to judge. Some Star Wars stuff and
Star Trek." Any advice for some one just starting out? "Yea Good luck. Don't
take it upon your self to learn, find some one to show you how to do it
right".
Next I went to talk to Linda Tobin From Kari Barber's Outer Limits tattoo in
California. Any trends on the West Coast that you don't see on the East
Coast? Linda: "I can't say exactly what's happening on the east coast, but
on the west coast you have a return of classic American style. Now this is
not all that's happening tattooing is everything from A to Z, but for the
most part it's a return to classic American style kind of like Sailor Jerry.
Lets say that refers to tattoos you might see on your father or grand
father. Consisting of anchors, ships, flags, hula girls and other such
nautical imagery." Thanks to Linda, she was a busy girl.
Hello, what's your name? "Jim Sheret" and you work where? "I work for Phil
Gerard at Sin on Skin in Rhode Island." Do you do a lot of motorcycle
riders? "We get a large cross section of people, but we also do a lot of
bikers and club affiliates." What type of tattoos do they get? "Mostly
skulls and dragons. We also do a lot of standard Harley Davidson stuff.
There seems to be a trend toward Native American tattoos. Women are getting
butterflies and flowers and mixing them with tribal." Any advice for a first
timer? Jim: "Have a good idea in your mind what you want, you might come
back in a year to do a cover up. You're prancing around showing your work,
and then a year later you look at it and its garbage. Its not about price
either, like what can I get for such and such, this is the wrong mentality
for a tattoo. If someone will do a three- hour tattoo in his kitchen sink
for ten bucks, then run away. Show the artist your idea, ask if he can do it
and how he can develop the idea, then talk price. Look for a board of health
certificate and some awards are good also. Look at portfolios, a shop might
have five artists who each have a different style. At our place we switch on
and off. We do doctors, lawyers, nurses, bikers, all kinds. Bikers tend to
be more flexible in their ideas and in working with you. Some clients want a
ten- minute Japanese symbol and that's fine, but for the rest of our
customers we try to get to know them. We are not clock watchers either, if a
tattoo runs over a time frame we just go with it". Jim had a raw throat from
all his talking over these couple of days and his voice was shot, so I
thanked him for his time and went in search for my next victim. (Jim had
mentioned he knew of a group of Star Riders over in Long Island)
This next young man (remember I'm an old guy) stands out in this crowd, can
you believe it? If you walked up to him to you would think by his dress and
demeanor, he is meeting you at the country club for cocktails. He is shy and
unassuming and would not agree with my next statement, but he is a master
tattoo artist and his name is Matthew Amey.
Matthew has been tattooing for ten years now and he and Todd own Independent
Tattoo Studio in West Fenwick Island De. The shop has shelves of trophies
and awards. Some include a prestigious win in Houston Texas (best overall
tattoo trophy, plus a cool ten grand) an award from this event last year
(second place, best color piece) several wins in Richmond Va. for best black
and gray and back piece 96,97,98,99 and a win recently in Berlin Germany
(second place most realistic). I could go on but it would take a while.
Matthews's work has been featured in several magazines (I saw one not to
long ago with six pages solely devoted to his work). A while back, a tattoo
he did was a featured prizewinner and centerfold for Outlaw Biker Magazine.
It was a full back piece of Jimmy Hendrix looking straight at you, with two
profiles, one on either side and a flaming left handed Fender stratacaster
guitar underneath it. This poor description does not do any justice to this
beautiful piece of workmanship, Jimmy looks so real you have to be careful
not to start a conversation with him! Sooo lets talk to Matthew: Me: Matt
where does the word tattoo come from? Matt: "It means to tap, Two sticks
were used, one with needles and one to tap on it." How did you get into
tattooing? Matt: "I was in college studying art, not too focused on it, but
enjoying it though, then I pledged to a fraternity and got my frat letters
tattooed on me, dropped out of school to try tattooing because the guy made
it look so easy. So for about a year I worked out of my mom's house on some
gullible friends. I went to parties and people would see my work and it
spread by word of mouth. I then began working out of a shed in Selbyville
De. in a flea market (it was worse than that). I made a lot of money, so I
quit my side jobs, like cooking and construction. I began tattooing with
another guy for about eight months till I realized he was a real jerk. So I
went back out on my own for about six months. I then hooked up with Eric
Booth (guy with JH tat)." You do a lot of bikers what do they mostly get?
Matt: "Lots of skulls, dark evil things, gothic." How much do you think they
really like it or is it just part of the image? Matt: "It's a little bit
part of the image and because they see them on other people, it's what they
are used to and what they recognize. Any twist on the typical motif helps. A
little different but still the same concept. It's getting more diverse. A
lot more people are beginning to realize not only that the quality of
tattooing has improved, but also the biker tattoos have been changing.
(remember Jim?) It's not about scourge of the world or ruffians like it used
to be. Don't get me wrong here, but now your middle class bikers who aren't
really living it, or aren't into the whole gang scene or club scene are
getting what feels or means most to them. They've got their lives, careers,
and families and go out on weekends. They get tattoos less evil, more of
what they feel or what they do. Its when they get what they want, it works
out right, its when they listen to their friends they can get in trouble. If
you don't know what you want, don't push it, wait till you do know. Look at
portfolios, different peoples work. The most ridicules statement yet I've
heard and I hear this three times a week is: I've wanted a tat for so long
and I'm getting it today but I don't know what I want." Well I don't know,
so how can I help you?" What are some of the things you should look for?
Matt: "Cleanliness, and some one who is going to be nice to you, they're
going to be hurting you, and an artist can get frustrated and just not be
into helping you." You're going to be in a long relationship with them I
said? "Exactly!" said Matt.
Next we talk to Max. Max has put on the last four conventions and had to be
the busiest man in the Big Apple. I saw him wear down a pair of combat boots
right before my very eyes. I was also beginning to wonder if the
walkie-talkie was glued to his head! But then again, he was the man with the
answers. Max you have people from all over the world, the biggest names, is
this a logistical night mare? Max: "No, we have a pretty good crew and we
have it down real good, we do the best we can. It looks like every thing is
running smooth as silk to me. Max:" it looks good, but behind the scenes
it's hectic and crazy" Have you seen any trends? Max: "Absolutely, A big
surgance toward new school, all these young lads who come from fine arts
backgrounds learned to draw first, then tattoo. (I just about dropped my
beer and cigar bursting into laughter) Us old guys tattooed first and
learned to draw later," (both of us are loosing it now!) Well Max: I know
how busy you are and I want to thank you for your time! I have tell you that
in all the time I was there I never saw any type of trouble or bad vibes
except when I was checking out a gang bangers tats, he and his buddies
thought I dissed him with a look, I was only checking out the tats on his
face, this all took place in three seconds and was over.
The police came once on Friday while we were setting up just to see the show
before it was packed. I never saw them again. I was amazed to see how well
everybody got along! Makes you think of Mikes tattoo: You can't judge a book
by its cover!
Sunday rolls up and I'm going to play tourist and check out the show. In the
afternoon there are contests for all types of categories. By early evening
the crowd is thinning, artists are selling their last t-shirts and flash.
Many are saying good-by to friends they will see next year or at other
conventions. I say good- bye to George who has returned to have pictures
taken by Matt. Mike and Corrine ask me if I will be here in September, I am
unsure and they both say we should get together then. It's a good thought.
Except for a pinch of construction the ride home is uneventful, Matthew and
I discuss the success of the trip and what a good time we had. Soon the
ground was a whole lot flatter and the salt air was filling my nostrils, I
was home.
Drum Roll Please: Third place, Best Over All Tattooed Person: Jim Coltellino
and Matthew Amey for Tropical Rain Forrest: Congratulations!! Icing on The
Cake!! What a way to end this exciting and fun trip!
But this is not the end of the story. From my point of view, it only gets
better! But first, in order to go on, I have to unburden my soul and make a
confession.
I am an addict, have been for forty years and will be the rest of my life.
You see, first it starts with small drumsticks, then larger ones, then
mallets, next thing you know your smashing boards and bricks (Phil, Phil,
settle down, sip sip aahhhaaahhh that's better, they get the picture.) You
guessed it, that's right! I'm a Drum Corps Nut! One of those crazy people
who used to practice five hours a day, sleep eight to a room, live on
bologna sandwiches and march so many miles with bleeding hands and feet,
your body and mind would go numb. And for what? Twelve minutes of
perfection! One hundred hearts and souls, breathing and beating as one,
turning forty five degrees off the line, drummers hands pounding, horns that
are polished so bright the players face reflected in the bell appears almost
symbiotic, then its ninety degrees and you turn to face the crowd giving
them all you've got. Ten thousand people jump to their feet screaming your
name amongst the thrill and pageantry. You can see my dilemma! Can you feel
my pain? Thirty-five years later, I still keep a drum pad and sticks in my
living room to keep up my chops on a regular basis.
After WW2, vets coming home and wanting to capture some of the excitement
they had known during the war formed many motorcycle clubs. Well, there were
a lot of musicians in the war who wanted a little excitement also. At this
time, both were still basically men's clubs with similarities like helping
each other and sticking together under pressure.
Many of these musicians formed drum and bugle corps with sponsors like V FW,
American Legion, and the Amvets. Well I was lucky to be a member of one of
the finest corps of the day, the Springfield Marksmen. We used to compete
against a corps called Hawthorne Caballeros. I still have all their records.
The Marksmen cut a couple good ones of also. We never could beat them (no
one did) but we took second behind them at the nationals in Miami one year.
Well Matthew Amey and I were standing in front of The David Letterman Show,
when I noticed trailers outside on a screen for Blast, a drum corps musical
at The Broadway Theater (that's the name of the place) next door. I
explained to Matt how I used to do that stuff. We then meandered down the
street enjoying the sights till Matt split to the show and I for a bite to
eat and more cigars. When I got to the convention, Matt said a guy from the
show would like to meet me and he would be back later. Well in comes George
Milne with Mike, general manger of the Broadway Theater and Chris, a horn
player from the show (all with tats). I mentioned I was with the Marksmen
and George said he had done a short stint with Hawthorne. Even Chris knew
who we were all these years later.
The Marksmen were the first corps to carry the Canadian flag and were
invited to play two concerts by the government in Quebec City. There were
twelve thousand five hundred people at each show. We were first corps to use
a new type of horn called a mellophone. I played in a junior corps that
modeled itself after Hawthorne carrying the first set of timbales on the
field in the state of Ct., winning the state championships that year. The
great drummer Tito Puente made the timbales famous. To say George and I hit
it off would be an understatement. After speaking to them for a while, Mike
and Chris went to check out the show. I told George that I had always been
haunted by something for all these years and I explained it to him (I never
spoke of this to anyone). We all have moments when we should have zigged
when we zagged, but this was more. George replied he understood, "but had
your priorities changed?" Yes, I said, "did you believe in yourself and your
decision at the time?" Yes, I replied, "then good for you, move on" His
candor was compelling. Do you think this is a coincidence we met? George:
"No everything is predestined." I decided to take his advice. "Be out in
front of the theater at 7:15 this evening." Ok I said. Now picture this: I'm
standing in front of this theater with three hundred people all dressed up
in nice threads, I got my jeans, t-shirt and leather vest. Mike the manager
comes up and says "Phil come with me." Mike takes me through the crowd up to
the bar and tells the bartender, I'm his personal guest and to get me any
thing I want. (I thought I was dreaming) Then Mike takes me to the best seat
in the house. Down below I spot jackets from the legendary NY Skyliners. (I
now know for sure, while crossing the street to get to the theater, I had
been run down by a Harley and had made it to Heaven.) A single snare drummer
under a faint spotlight begins the mesmerizing drumbeat of Revels Bolero. As
the crescendo builds with more percussion, in come the kettledrums. I start
to envision Roman Legions in the field, Mongols on the Steppes and the great
Zulu Nation all being driven forward by the power of the drum. Within three
songs and with swelling emotions, I knew that in the hands of these gifted
young musicians, these instruments had rarely been played better. I was
seeing the best! No drum corps had ever done it better. From the first
drumbeats, to the last strains of Malaguena (Bolero and Malaguena were from
Hawthorns repertoire) the place had watched 2 hours of perfection and showed
their approval. I spoke with other members of the cast and even a member of
the Skyliners who remembered a horn player I knew thirty- five years ago. I
walked back to the convention to see Matthew and George grinning like
Cheshire cats, They Knew!!
I would like to thank Mr. Matthew Amey and Mr. Todd Holloway. To my new
friends George, Mike and Chris: (Chris waved at me three times from the
stage during the show, I was totally blown away) thank you for an
unforgettable evening, You Guys Rule! Oh yea, what was my biggest
professional regret hidden all these years? Well I quit the Marksmen to join
a rock and roll band shortly before the Marksmen cut their last album,
disbanded and faded into Drum Corps History. The name of the album? The
Springfield Marksmen: Live From Carnegie Hall.........Ride Safe..........and
keep the sake warm. Phil
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