Area Ink Magazine

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Corey Miller By: Marina Rojas Photos By: Kimmie Chartier Photography

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Area Ink Magazine sat down with Corey Miller at his shop, “Six Feet Under” located in Upland, Ca. As busy as Corey is with his shop and band, he was gracious enough to spend some time with us. We got to know this world-renowned tattoo artist as more than just a celebrity.

Corey and his crew at Six Feet Under put in 10-12 hours per day. On the day Area Ink visited, it was amazing to see the whole crew’s dedication to the art. It was clear that their devotion to inked flesh went way beyond a love of money or fame.

Q: What do you do when you’re not tattooing?

CM: Each week I practice my drumming for my band Powerflex 5. We recently played at The Black Watch Pub in Upland and at The Press in Claremont.

We do about 2-3 hr sets each time. We just recorded for the first time with Hurley, too.

Q: What type of music do you guys play?

CM: We play Old Skool, late 70’s Punk Rawk, TexMex, just a big blend of instrumental

originals with some old flavor covers. You know, a real spaghetti western type of band, which really goes well with anything. I love the instrumentals because you can really let a song take you where it takes you. It’s fun bringing in singers, we’ve done that as well.

Q: Where can we see Powerflex 5 perform?

CM: That’s not a good question because we hardly ever play and when we do, it is a very short notice.

Just follow Powerflex 5 on Facebook to keep up with the shows.

Q: Who else is in the band?

CM: Steve Alba, who is a skateboarding legend, and Tracy Rowbar, who is a tech to the stars

which include Red Hot Chili Peppers and Weezer.

These are my friends and they are the ones talking about “Corey is doing this thing, Corey’s doing that,” it’s funny. We are all just normal buddies. We have known each other since we were kids, doing the same fucking thing. I’ve always played drums.

Drumming is what got me into tattooing. I was in a punk rawk band, hanging out with other kids and tattooing.

Q: We’re you star struck when you met Metallica?

CM: Of course, they are bigger than life! I had met James Hetfield once before at an Ol’ Von Dutch car show and that was really cool. I’m a big fan of Metallica. James called one day and said, “This is James Hetfield, and I’m looking for the dragon master.” I was like, “Well, who’s that?” In my head I thought, who is he talking about? “Well, you!” James said. That was about seven years ago. I thought he wanted me to tattoo him, but he didn’t. He actually wanted me to draw a dragon to put on his Les Paul guitar. That was a huge honor of course. He’s a cool guy on top of it. That was a pleasure.

As the years went by, I’ve tattooed James a few times.

Recently, back in October, I went on tour with them for a few days and had a crazy experience. Man, just fuckin’ hanging out with those guys and flying out to their show, it was really incredible.

Q: When you’re out doing all these cool things, who is in charge of your shop?

CM: Everybody that has a key. It takes a minute

to get a key. God, Henry Powell has been here with me for over 18 years. Larry Garcia has been here for 14 years. Neil Wilson, Will, and Jason, our helper. We have a new artist named Tu. She is from Thailand. You know, just my guys man.

It’s funny I was asked that a lot three years ago when I left and started going to LA every day for months at a time. Simple answer: I wouldn’t have been able to do it if I didn’t have such solid dudes. Granted, I did have to fire a few people when this endeavor started, which is kind of interesting. It does come from that lack of somebody being in charge.

That’s the only thing I can think of that happened.

Other than that, my guys are straight up! I have the most solid dudes. I run the shop very simple. Come to work and create artwork. You’re going to do that.

If you don’t, we’ll figure it out. Squeaky wheels are likely to be changed rather than greased. It’s not like we’re saving lives or nothing. It’s a complete luxury job. If you’re

going to fuck around and not do the right thing, then go home and do it.

Q: Did the T.V. show open any doors for you?

CM: Before the show and since the show, comes notoriety. You get some neat opportunities. I’ve done some stuff with Ludwig and designed a drum set. I’ve done drum skins for REMO. That is one of the strangest parts of my life right now, (since) I’ve always done tattoos. Maybe you see your work again if they visit or want more tattoos done, but to see your work on an actual tangible item like a drum skin, for instance, it’s really cool. I wasn’t that kind of artist before. Again, that and the music have been hand in hand. Drumming and tattooing. It’s the same stuff I’ve been doing since I was 16 years old. I’m still a kid!

Q: A kid?

CM: Yeah, of course! But I have three real kids and I have to raise them. I’m having fun doing it.

Q: Would you teach your kids how to tattoo if they wanted to? Do they show interest?

CM: Yeah, of course. I’d teach them just about anything. Yeah, they are a little fascinated with it. You have to look through their eyes. This is all they have seen me do and their dad with his shirt off looks pretty crazy. It’s not shocking to them because this is all they have seen their entire life.

I love to draw with my kids. I know for a fact that they will be able to do anything better than me. I can already tell, if they just try. I hardly tried anything. I just went to work every day, I never really had a plan. Do I hope they do? Not really. It’s not that I totally hope they don’t, or I aspire for my kids to do that. I’d love for my kids to grow up to be great artists one day.

Q: What is your relationship like with Kat Von D since the drama on the show?

CM: Oh God. Well, I guess I have to wait for them to film some more and watch the show. I can honestly say, for those of you who are reading this and watched the show, there were a couple of pivotal points at the end. One day I walked out on Kat. She asked one of the assistants to give me an apple. I compared it to offering me a ‘poison apple.’ On me, a lot of people think that shit was fake. It’s not. Kat offered me a rotten apple, as I described it, and I walked out. I thought I quit the show.

Now, true to form on the show, I come back and ask to have my job back. I wish they titled the show ‘Corey eats Crow.’ I was put in a ‘we have to vote you in’ situation. The last episode I filmed with Kat, she said, “Sure, we would love to have you back Corey.”

I told her, “You know what, Kat? I’m going to go on my own.”

I went to finish LA Ink at another shop American Electric, which was the English guys shop. Ah, great guy, Benny fucking Hill. I love Craig, he’s fucking hilarious. I had such a good time working with them, the show was fun again.

To answer your question about Kat, I have not talked to her since the day I filmed the last scene

where I said, “I’m going my own way.” Never a phone call, never nothing. There’s no sense in it and I still stand by it. There is nothing really for me to go back to over there. I didn’t want to work for her anymore.

Like I said about my own shop, about how much I respect it and the people working here, if you don’t want to be somewhere, you sure as FUCK shouldn’t be tattooing on somebody creating artwork from your soul. Just like if you’re in a band and don’t want to be in that band, you shouldn’t be playing in it. It’s that simple.

Now Kat, I like Kat. I’ve always liked Kat. I’m just disappointed in her. I’m disappointed with the whole situation and the way it went down. I went on LA Ink and portrayed myself as myself. I tried to be as real as possible. One day, we’ll probably run into each other. It kind of makes me laugh. I guess that was my role, I was there doing my thing. I didn’t really feel I was wanted there, so there is nothing for me to go back to. I don’t want to be so empty about it, but I’m just disappointed about how our relationship ended. I’d love to see Kat sometime and talk to her.

Q: Final words of wisdom?

CM: You know, some people want to grow up and be purists. You are not a purist until you’re an old man and other people around you say, “Wow, that guy is a purist!” So, I’m alright. I have the most pure upbringing in tattooing. I have met some of the best tattoo artists in the world. It reminds me that, if you stick to what you love, like music and art, it’s a great feeling. On top of that, expose it to the world.

I hope Area Ink is a success. These types of things are so inspiring to people. It’s weird, I meet so many people who want to covet this and keep it all down.

They say, “This is mine and nobody else can do this!”

Well, you know what? That is horse shit!

I have never been a hater, but I’m also someone who has never ‘sold it out.’ I don’t sit here and teach people how to tattoo for money. Believe me, been offered tons. It’s not that I want to

hold anyone down, it’s just everyone must pay their dues. I’m just glad that you kids who have talent don’t necessarily have to go into it so hard.

It’s nice to get involved with things that are going to exploit artists, and, that’s not a bad thing. I remember the first time I saw my work in a magazine years ago, it was incredible. I never

sent anything to magazines; maybe it is because I hate reading. All these years later, look at the irony of the whole thing: I’m on fucking television!

With magazines, I say the more, the merrier. The more pictures the better. When you can see or hear something, and it makes your mind work… I don’t know, I guess I’m just an artist.

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Q: Was it a formal apprenticeship?

Henry Powell Q: Did you take any art lessons?

HP: No I didn’t. I pretty much taught myself. I watched my friends tattoo me and watched them paint. That is pretty much how I learned.

Q: Do you prefer Oil, Water, or Acrylic?

HP: I dip my hand into a bit of everything, but mostly oil and water color though.

Q: Do you have a favorite painting?

HP: Actually, some of my favorite paintings I’ve given to Corey for his birthday, the skull in Timeless Art Gallery and, a few in the parlor. I tend not to sell my paintings, I usually give them away.

Q: How does someone go about purchasing one of your amazing paintings?

HP: Eventually they will be for sale on the Six Feet Under website. For now, you can come to the shop or email me. Just tell me what you want and I can paint it. You can also come by the shop and pick some of the ones I have already done.

Q: Did you pick up painting or tattooing first?

HP: I dabbed in painting a little bit first but, I totally sucked. I started tattooing when I was about 15. Corey had tattoed me when I was 16 and started helping me out and my career took off from there. I always wanted to watch him. He said, “get a tattoo from me and watch.” I said, “ Alright.” So I did that and kept bugging and bugging him. Finally he started helping me out.

HP: No. It was just a friend helping a friend out. I guess he saw something in me. This is pretty much the only job I’ve ever had. I’ve been working for him for 18 years. I worked in Hollywood and a few other shops, but most of my time was with Corey. I definately owe my career to him.

Q: Do you prefer clients knowing exactly what they want or giving you the freedom to create?

HP: A little of both. Sometimes people come in with a wacky drawing which I tend not to do because people are going to walk around saying, “ Oh Henry did this?” or “Damn, he draws like that?” So, I like when they throw me an idea and I just go with it.

Q: So you passed on a tattoo because you didn’t want your name behind it?

HP: Definatley. A lot of people get a messed up tattoo and then want me to re-do it. Sorry for the bad choice you’ve made, but I’m not going to try to fix that. I feel I have a reputation to maintain. I like helping people out, but if it’s really bad I can’t do anything for them.

Q: What is the wait to get a tattoo from you?

HP: 3-4 months. It’s been up to six months before. It’s hard to maintain a schedule like that.

Obviously, I have to have some sort of life too. Once you cancel on somebody it turns into a domino effect. People get upset.

I try to keep it 3-4 months . I definitely work my ass off for that.

Q: Is there anything you want our readers to know?

HP: We’re nice, down to earth guys here at Six Feet Under.

A lot of people say the shop is ‘Hollywood now’ or ‘too expensive.’ We are pretty decent guys. Most of the people that say the wait is too long, or it’s too expensive, come back to us. I would say 90% of them tell us, “ I should have waited,” or “Can you fix this?” Make sure you know what you want and have the right person do it. Basically you get what you pay for. Come to the shop and check it out. Anybody is welcome to come and see.