Of tattoos and Motorcycle gangs in Canberra

I know of a guy that does some excellent work but will not work for or open a shop here because of the shit associated with local bike groups. Pity, he has wone trophies and worked overseas at shops in Boston but will not get involved with bike politics. Those that are fortunate enough to have work from him rave but guard his privacy as he only does friends now. So why cant a guy with talent do what he loves without the fear of some harley rider threatening him or his family? It really bites!

Oh..& yes, I waited until I was sure before I got one. I’ve wanted one since I was a teenager (I’m now 33), but glad I waited. I’m sure I’d be unhappy with my choice of tatt at 18. As soon as I knew what I really wanted to get done…I did it.

Just so happens I got a tatt done last Monday…my first one. After asking around, I went to North Lyneham. Not Chris….Patto, who has equally as good a reputation. He did an excellent job I reckon, although the tatt I got hardly stretched his artistic abilities.

Chris Cashmore @ Tattoo Power in Nth Lyneham. Best work in ACT in my opinion. If you can get in to see him it’s worth the wait & the $$$. I have a few tats, and a lot of my friends have them, so I have seen most work available. He’s a tad dearer but what’s a few extra $$ for good work.

Biro @ Forever Art in Fyshwick is sporadic. He can do really really excellent work when wants but he can also do b grade stuff. I was fortunate to get a good one done by him but I probably won’t go back.

Yes X was the best in the ACT, shame she left.

Yeah, I’d heard that one too…

She’s a friend of a friend; really nice lady apparently, but does not tattoo anymore.

(this is hearsay and not my personal experience/opinion) Canberras best tattoist ever left our fine city under such a cloud several years back

several years ago a guy i know with a strong interest in body piercing, branding etc tried to setup a shop in qld. the day it opened he was paid a visit by some heavies from a well known motorcycle ganag. they threatened him with death if he went ahead. he went ahead and was beaten, hospitalised, his shop broken into and all gear stolen.

what did the qld police do ? can you say nothing. basically said it was his fault.

I’ve only met one tattooist who would work on a drunken client.

The fact that he was the one who got me pissed is beside the point…

Diane, Have had a look at the tuggers shop and whilst it is very clean they seem very pricey. That being said the best sign I ever saw in a tattoo/piercing shop was in Cairns where it said;

“Good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good”

My second favourite (In Port Douglas) was;

“Shoplifters will be beaten, stabbed and stomped. Survivors will be prosecuted”

hehehe.

While on the subject of rules/regs. I’d say it’s fairly wise not to have one done whilst drunk.

I also knew a person who had a ‘symbol’ that represented a band, ‘branded’ on the shoulder. Sadly that band did not go down as one of the greats and said person was left a lower case, back the front ‘n’ – doing your research pays!

I heard the Lyneham mob had moved to tuggers..