Danny Jones Portsmouth, OH

CHRIS “SUICIDE” SANCHEZ

LOVE, FAMILY, AND RESPECT.

I am from Mexico City and came to Los Angeles 20 years ago. As an immigrant, I didn’t know or speak English. I enrolled in a music institute in Hollywood for three months and had the opportunity to audition for a band as a vocalist. We were the first Hispanic ska band (Chencha Berrinches) to get signed by a record label. We recorded our second album and started touring. We toured the US, but I knew we hit it big when we toured Europe.

After long tours and new albums, I decided to start my tattoo career. I’ve always had the support of my mom and my three brothers. I am now married and have two beautiful children. They have supported me in every aspect of my life, and my wife is my goddess, my muse that keeps me grounded. Now I have been a professional tattooer for 12 yrs. and a business owner for seven ⸺ Tell us about your career; what can you share with the community? I try to put my own personal touch on my art by incorporating my Mexican culture into each design. I do traditional American style, solid colors, and bright and bold designs, and I’ve always tried to follow in the footsteps of the artists who paved the road for us tattooers. I’ve had ups and downs, but I always stay positive ⸺ How did you start Old Tradition Tattoo on Hollywood Boulevard? Old Tradition Tattoo started in March of 2015 in a small space behind a smoke shop. I knew that to have a name as an artist, especially in Hollywood, I needed to start somewhere. I have always let my work speak for itself, and I believe that my name is now recognized in one of the most relevant places in the world.

Thanks to my family, my clients, my co-workers, the lessons, and the experiences, that I have gone through, Old Tradition Tattoo now has a total of seven artists ⸺ How do you manage your business in tattoos with your career as a musician? The good thing about being the owner is that I do not ask anyone for permission. When I have a tour, our manager lets us know in advance.

I have a great support system with my family and the people who work with me, and when I am not in the shop, they make sure that the shop flows and works as if I were there. I am extremely grateful for them. ✕