TattooSnob.com

The last year has seen a pushback within the tattoo community; with tattoo artists uploading their own tattoo videos to the internet as an antidote to cable network programmed tattoo “reality shows” that are anything but real.

But you know the old saying- “there’s nothing new under the sun”. Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s a number of tattooists took the bull by the horns and produced their own tattoo films. Royboy, Crazy Ace, tattoo fan Michael O. Stearns- folks who documented tattooing for a niche market of worldwide devotees who at the time had no outlet for tattoo programming.

I’ve been collecting these tapes (have you held a VHS tape lately? They’re comically huge) since they originally came out and, fearing that these glimpses of our history may end up forgotten, digitizing them for my ‘Occult Vibrations’ blog. The idea is that if folks all over the world have access to them, they can never disappear.

Instead of talking about the specific tape (dude… you should see the outtakes. Debra dancing butt naked in a snow cemetery, rolling around naked with tigers and a baby… so fucking weird) I figured a little blurb about where the video came from would be more fitting.

–Guest post by Shawn Porter of Occult Vibrations

We’re looking for quality guest blogs from tattooers & enthusiasts–shoot us an email.

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I was watching the 2012 Hell City promo earlier when I heard Durb Morrison say next year is the ten year anniversary. Wow, where has the time gone?

If you’ve never been to a Hell City before, you really need to go. Talk to any tattoo artist and regular tattoo convention attendee, and they’ll all say the Hell City shows are really one of the best shows of the year.

If you’ve ever needed inspiration to head over to Europe and check out a tattoo convention, watch this video below.

Thanks to Tuff Fighter for making this video, and sending it our way!

Let’s ignore the fact that this video from Hell City Phoenix is over eight months old. Instead, I think everyone should focus on the video, and enjoy it. In all seriousness, if you’ve never been to Hell City Phoenix, you really are missing out. Watch the video below and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

It’s not too late to book your rooms for Hell City Phoenix 2011, August 26th – 28th. How many other opportunities will you have to attend a tattoo convention at a world famous resort for $100 a night?

TattooSnob.com: Hell City Phoenix 2010 from Tattoo Snob on Vimeo.

Hell City Phoenix is less than thirty days away–I don’t know about you, but I desperately need a vacation.

I’ll be there representing Tattoo Snob (Julene’s missing out, pansy), and loafing around by the pool. No contests planned this time around – but we’re open to suggestions if you guys have any.

I almost forgot how much fun I had in Columbus, but Alissa Brunelli did a great job reminding me by uploading all of her pictures from the event.

Apparently Hell City is making a documentary this year at the conventions? The image below was posted to their Facebook page last night.

This is the first I’ve heard about it, and I don’t know any details right now. I think it’s same to assume that filming will take place in both Columbus and Phoenix this year. Knowing Durb, I’m sure he has old footage from previous years as well.

If you’re interested in seeing this first hand – remember our Win a trip to Hell contest is going strong. For $10 you could win a trip to Phoenix, and basically have the entire weekend covered.

Continuing their attempt at word domination to centralize tattoo enthusiasts and artists, Hell City has expanded to offer a community-social-networking site: Hell City Tattoo Community.

The site currently contains all of the details of the Hell City Tattoo Conventions, as well as user forums, groups, blogs, and picture galleries. While this most likely won’t replace your Facebook, it seems like a logical place to gather to discuss plans specific to Hell City and related events.

As most of you probably know, this past weekend was the Detroit Motor City Tattoo Expo. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the show, and despite the bad weather – the turnout was great. The artist turn out was nothing short than stellar, and the floor was packed all weekend.

As always, I brought out my camera and tried to capture some of the quality work that surrounded me. I snapped entirely too many pictures to post on here, so I’m just going to post the cream of the crop. Please remember, my photography skills are amateur at best.

If you’re interested in seeing all of the mediocre pictures I took, become a fan of Tattoo Snob on Facebook. All of the pictures from this past weekend are posted in the albums.

Could this be the best tattoo contest category ever?

Having a “worst tattoo” contest is nothing new, but the winning entry’s prize involving a bucket of rocks and a gift certificate toward have it removed is genius. This is just one of the many events going on at the Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention this weekend. If you’re interested in entering, or just looking for a laugh, details of the contest can be found here.

I just booked my room for the Detroit Motor City Tattoo Expo. The convention is always a good time, and the parties afterwards are always a better time.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that cee-lo will be the game of choice again this year – papa needs a new pair of shoes tattoo.