RGV’s ONLY SOURCE FOR TATTOO & ART CULTURE
Magazine
Jul‘10 Issue 04
Pin-up Calendar INSIdE
Peggi Hurley & Shanghai Kate:
Tattoo ofthe Issue + Local Tatts
Tattoo Etiquette
mUSIC iNK:
Desperation Bends
A league of their own
South Texas Tattoo Fiesta
Do’s & Don’ts
Austin R.O.T. Rally
Advisory
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1ST Place
Think you have what it takes to win? Prove it by sending us your best tattoo pictures. 1st place gets a Slingin Ink T-Shirt Email us at Slingininkmag@aol.com
>
Submitted by Joshya Couchenour
3rd Place
2nd Place
Submitted by Ben Benavidez
Submitted by Chris de Leon
>
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Ink of the Issue
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p
Next Issue’s contest will be for best Black and Grey Tattoos
Issue 4
Articles
Ink of the Issue...................pg.3 Editor’s Words...................pg.6 Austin R.O.T. Rally ......................................pg. 8
Contents
pg8
Austin R.O.t. RAlly
Peggi Hurly & Shanghai Kate A league of their own...... pg. 12 South Texas Tattoo Fiesta .............................pg.20 Music Ink: desperation Bends...................pg.24
pg18
Tattoo Etiquette 101 .................pg28
Calendar
Ink of the Issue
July ................................................pg 14
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3rd Place Submitted by Ben Benavidez >
2nd Place Submitted by Chris De Leon >
MySpace: /slingininkmag
>
August .........................................pg. pg. 16
Visit us at slingininkmagazine.com
1ST Place Submitted by Joshya Couchenour
Think you have what it takes to win? Prove it by sending us your best tattoo pictures. 1st place gets a Slingin Ink T-Shirt Email us at Slingininkmag@aol.com
Cover moDel: Claire Garza PhoTograPhy: Exclusive Images makeuP & hair: Bel Ange WArdroBE By: TZ Fashion Accessories By: Starlight Boutique
Next Issue’s contest will be for best Black and Grey Tattoos
www.slingininkmagazine.com Distributed by South Texas Distribution
pg03
Peggi Hurley & Shangihai Kate
Contributors Jesse Alvarado
pg12
Editor Slingininkmag@aol.com /Jessejaymz
Desperation Bends
Rick Benavides
Publisher rgvbenavides@yahoo.com /rgvbenavides
Mark Del Bosque
Design Redstarmail@gmail.com /omnicononline
Nina Llamas
A League of Their Own
Writer/ Sales /thismausoleum
Jayme Black
pg24
Lead Writer /jaymewicked
Patrick Garcia
Writer/ Editor
Tattoo Fiesta
South Texas
/goodbarlovesyou
Asia Witherington Boyett
Writer / asia.boyett
pg20
all letters sent to Slingin’ink will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and as such are subject to edit and comment editorially. Please ensure that all photos and slides have credits attached. Please send copies not originals as we can not return any unsolicited photographs. No responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. The views expressed in this magazine by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. While every effort is made in compiling Slingin’ink, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any effects therefrom. reproduction of any matter contained in Slingin’ink is prohibited without prior permission. adverts and advertisers appearing in Slingin’ink carry no implied recommendation from the magazines or from the publishers.
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Editor’s Words D
ear Readers, I would personally like to thank all of you for your support of our magazine. I am pleased to announce that Slingin’ Ink Magazine is going through an overhaul of sorts, that will allow us to give you guys a better magazine with more awesome content. We are expanding through the rest of south and central Texas. We are now offering subscriptions for you our readers to receive Slingin’ Ink Magazine delivered straight to your door. Unfortunately this will be the last FREE issue of Slingin’ Ink Magazine, but don’t worry it will be dirt cheap so don’t go dumping out your penny jars just yet. This change will allow us to provide you with more articles, photos, and everything you love about Slingin’ Ink Magazine! After discussing it as a team, we here at Slingin’ Ink have decided to judge our tattoo contests based on categories. We feel that this is the fairest way to judge the contest because there is too many different styles of good art out in the tattoo community. This issue
will focus on traditional/ neotraditional tattoos. Our next issue will focus on best black and grey pieces. Submit your tattoos on our website to enter our contest. Enjoy the new issue and give us your feedback via MySpace, Facebook, or our website slingininkmagazine.com. Cheers, Jesse Alvarado
www.slingininkmagazine.com Email: Slinginginkmag@aol.com
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The Republic of Texas By 1835, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna had established himself as a dictator in Mexico. Among Anglo-American colonists and Tejanos alike, the call for Texas independence grew louder. On March 2, 1836, a delegation at Washington-on-the-Brazos adopted the Texas declaration of Independence, and thus was born the Republic of Texas. Santa Anna had brought his army to Texas to put down the rebellion, and events followed in quick succession. At the time the declaration was issued, many Texans were fleeing their homes eastward ahead of Santa Anna’s army, in what became known as the Runaway Scrape. The Alamo fell to Santa Anna on March 6, and over 300 unarmed Texan prisoners were massacred at Goliad on March 27. Sam Houston’s revolutionary army was also retreating eastward as Santa Anna drove for the coast to capture Texas seaports. On April 21, the Texan army took a stand in the bayou country near present-day Houston at a site called San Jacinto. They attacked Santa Anna’s army while it was sleeping, and, in a battle lasting only 18 minutes, routed the Mexican army and captured Santa Anna. Many Texans favored immediate annexation by the United States. However, the proposals went nowhere, because of the risk of continued war with Mexico and Texas’ shaky financial status. Even after San Jacinto, Mexico refused to recognize Texas’s independence and continued to raid the Texas border. The new government had neither money nor credit, and
2010
no governmental structures were in place. Rebuffed by the United States, Texans went about the business of slowly forming a stable government and nation. despite many difficulties and continued fighting both with Mexico and with Indian tribes, the Texas frontier continued to attract thousands of settlers each year. In 1841, Santa Anna again became president of Mexico and renewed hostilities with Texas. By this time, sympathy for the Texan cause had grown in the United States, and in 1845, annexation was at last approved. Hostilities with Mexico and the Indians reached a settlement, and Texas was admitted as a state on december 29, 1845. The Republic of Texas, after nine years, eleven months, and seventeen days, was no more. Texas State Library & Archives commission Austin is truly a beautiful city. It is the capitol of Texas and also known for music, art, and food, from the famous 6th Street, to the ROT Bike Rally which is where I’m going to bring you for the 1st ever tattoo convention! There were over 70,000 people in attendance, parades of motorcycles, and girls…beautiful girls, everywhere! There was a
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constant sound of buzzing tattoo machines, the sounds of Adler’s old dermal, which was done poorly, and fixed it for me after we had Appetite (Steven Adler) and dee Snider’s music in the background, finally shut things down and had time.) and a show by Gallagher every night…SLEdGEOMATIC! Monster Tattoo from San Marcos, Tx. was there with Anthony and Sarah Zamora (owners), the beautiful and very talented Hilary Keeney, and cool cat dart. Prick tattoo of San Antonio, Tx. was also there with david de La O (aka Butter) and Joshua Couchenour. Nina Llamas came all the way from Brownsville to pierce in my booth (A Touch of Asia Tattoo) just to name a few. These guys worked all day, non-stop! There was truly some great work done and they left with trophies to prove it! We had a really fun tattoo competition every day. Thank you to my judging panel, including Gallagher who was our celebrity judge on Saturday. 3 days of tattoos, motorcycles and rock and roll…what more could you ask for? House of Pain of El Paso, Tx. was there with artists daniel Santi, Pete Baglio, and Chris Hernandez. (Chris was kind enough to remove my
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Peggi Hurly & Shanghai Kate P
eggi Hurley and Kate Hellenbrand both fought their way into the boys’ only club during a time when it was practically absurd to apprentice a woman. Yet both of these women did not give up and stood up to any prejudice that was thrown at them and made lifelong careers in tattooing. They broke through barriers to pave the way for women to become a rising force in a male dominated industry. I had the pleasure of meeting both of these extraordinary women recently.
Peggi Hurley came to the Rio Grande Valley to speak at the University of Texas-Pan American for their lecture series. In her presentation she explained how tattoos were not considered an art form and the stereotype that only “some” people would have tattoos, such as prisoners, gang members, bikers, and of course, people in the armed services. In Peggi’s eyes, tattoos were an art form, and the body was a living, walking canvas. Peggi discussed her love for tattoos and her friendship with don Nolan and how he tattooed her beautiful body suit in which she won the National Tattoo Association’s Best Tattooed Female competition at its 1986 convention in New
e Orleans. She talked about how tattoo artists made their own tattoo equipment, needles, and ink. The ink was made from a powder that was special ordered and mixed with water. Every artist had their own technique for making their ink. Peggi learned to tattoo from don Nolan, Gill Montie, and Bill Hannong before they became well known for their talent and were just starting out in the industry themselves. Shanghai Kate fell in love with tattoos when she was eight years old when she saw her uncle, who was a trucker, wear his tattoos proudly as if they were badges of honor. Kate Hellenbrand is the founder and owner of Shanghai Kate’s Tattoos. She started tattooing in 1972 and has managed or owned shops in California, Hawaii, Utah, Philadelphia, and New York City. She has worked with the most distinguished names in the tattoo industry, including Sailor Jerry Collins, Ed Hardy, and Jack Rudy. She helped produce the contemporary section of the Museum of American Folk Art’s “Tattoo!” exhibition in New York City. In 1979, Kate became the first female American tattoo artist to travel and work solo in Europe. Kate has been to conventions all over the world and it was great to have such a notable woman in our midst at the South Texas Tattoo Fiesta in Pharr, Texas. Both of these women of have paid their dues in the tattoo industry and earned the respect of their male counterparts. These women are advocates of producing
tattoos that people will proudly wear. Peggi and Kate have helped their state health departments by making new laws and making sure they are being enforced. They are women in a league of their own.
July 2010
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Photography By: Pixel Play Wardrobe provided by: TZ Fashion Hair and Make up: Pixel Play
Anthony Zamora
T E X A S
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Anthony Zamora
By: Jarr Ramon
Chris De Leon
Joshua Couchenour
Submitted By: Becky Cantu
Anthony Zamora
T A T S
Joshua Couchenour
Anthony Zamora
Ben Benividas
Ceci
Anthony Zamora
Anthony Zamora
Joshua Couchenour
Bigman
By:Jayme Black
S
outh Texas Tattoo Fiesta was in full swing at the Pharr International Convention Center during Mother’s day Weekend. Tattoo artists working away, vendors selling shirts, and the sweetest lady selling yummy nuts and gummy bears were next to the Slingin’ Ink Booth. People were looking through artist’s portfolios and making arrangements to get tattooed. Some people just wanted to see the work being done. Others were there to give support to friends who were getting tattooed or pierced. Of course you had the curious few who wanted to see what goes on at a tattoo convention, or those anxiously waiting to see the suspension show. There were tattoo artists from across the United States talking to each other, networking, and exchanging ideas, and some were old friends catching up. Some exchanged cards or just traded flash drawings. Gabe Vasquez of Calaveras Tattoos in San Antonio, Texas shared with me that he was there to meet people from different areas of the country. He said he could be driving somewhere and have his car break down and need to make some money; it would be cool if he knew someone to help him out whom he met at this convention. Honestly, I would have never thought of that, but he made a good point. My buddy Chris de Leon was there to work and get some work done. He was itching for some new ink for himself and since his friends were down for the convention, he decided to get some work since his busy schedule doesn’t allow him much time to get away and get
tattooed. Larry Szablewski of Brownsville, Texas came to the convention in hopes of finally getting his dream tattoo. For fifteen years this tattoo virgin searched for an artist who would be able to do a Polish eagle tattoo and thought he might get lucky at a convention filled with tattoo artists. He did. He checked every portfolio and showed his picture reference to artists and found Gabe Vasquez, who has happy to help Larry put an end to his long journey of getting inked. Larry left the convention happy and satisfied with his new tattoo. Then there was the suspension show. There was silence and awe amongst the crowd. Tattoo machines stopped buzzing so people could get a glimpse of what was going to happen and see what kind of person would purposely put large hooks into their skin and get pulled. Camera flashes went off everywhere to capture the show. I am just glad that John Perez was sitting next to me to let me hide my face behind his shirt for a second or two until I could finally look. All I can say is OUCH! One young lady who was a mere spectator decided to get suspended, even as she screamed with the first tugs of her skin. She had more guts than most of us. It was sad when the 3 day show ended. It was fun to be among friends and to make new ones as well. If you didn’t go, you missed out on meeting a great group of people. Personally, I got to see some old friends and make some new ones and best of all, I got a new tattoo and my septum pierced. Thank you El Loco Tattoos and John Perez for putting together a great convention. Can’t wait till next year!
South Texas Tattoo Fiesta
South Texas Tattoo Fiesta
“I see myself dead in 5 years. Just being honest. Live fast; die punk.” – Eric Lopeza This month the spotlight has been placed on desperation Bends, a 4-piece punk band based out of McAllen, TX. Literal spotlights aren’t their thing, though. And I say this because throughout their year-long history as a band they’ve probably played more dirty living rooms and house shows than big, fog-choked stages with fancy lighting. No stages, no masters. They also add a strong element to their performance the valley scene hasn’t witnessed or heard in a while: the ‘every member sings’ aspect, which compliments their fast, aggressive jumble of power-chord driven punk. Regardless of whether or not you like the sort of music or band you think it’s shaping out to be, read the interview. Each member has an awesome experience, story, or strong opinion worth reading. Enjoy.
out of The Hills Have Eyes. I guess you can say I like that guitar. JP: My favorite piece of equipment would have to be the 1970’s Zildjan ride cymbal I use. My dad handed it down to me when I started playing. He used it throughout his drumming career and now I get to keep it going. The damn thing feels like it could never crack (now that I said this, it probably will crack). It’s so loud and articulate, really cuts through all of the big sound that the other instruments are producing.
I once likened the instrumentation of desperation Bends to Leatherface – and was immediately corrected / scolded for the comparison. Is there a specific sound you guys are aiming for? Eric: It’s easy to compare us to Leatherface because they’re a melodic punk band. We all love that band but we don’t sound like ‘em. Leatherface ‘Sup, bros. do you guys have a favorite piece of musical equipment? does not have 3 dudes singing. None of us have a whiskey voice. We’re Javi: Definitely my Gibson SG. I jumped into a burning van to save it once. just a punk band. That’s it. We were on our way back from a winter west coast tour with BSA Jaime - We do kinda sound like Leatherface... when our van caught fire in the middle of the desert on highway 10 in New Mexico. Iron Maiden was on the stereo. We lost everything except And why did you choose the name desperation Bends? Is it a reference the clothes on our backs. during the inferno I got this crazy impulse to to anything? jump back in and save my guitar, pretty stupid I know. Eric was only Javi: It’s the title of a Jones Very song. The song makes me think of wearing a Kegcharge shirt and some cut off shorts and it was freezing things I would or wouldn’t do when times get rough. I guess I like the so we all had to huddle around him to keep him warm because it was idea of exploring how much people will bend their principles when about 14 degrees outside. No one stopped to help us. The border patrol they’re in a pinch. I used to be really against stealing, but somehow I came and picked us up after the van burned to the ground and took us to found myself in the middle of Kansas with all my funds tied up in getting a hotel in a town outside Las Cruces. That town looked like something the tour van fixed so there was no money for food. I ate a whole bag of chips while walking around a grocery store and left without paying. That’s a really un-extreme example, I know. What influences you to write? Eric: It’s always fun to write songs about girlfriends/ex girlfriends. It just sucks down the line when you’re not with that person and you regret ever writing that song. Every songwriter feels that way. I like to write songs about real shit like death and crappy life, too. Are there any records / albums that shaped you as musicians or people? Javi: That’s the desert island question. I’d say Fugazi’s Repeater LP, The dirty Three’s Ocean Songs, and the Operation Ivy discography all hit me
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“Nah, F’ people that are all about downloading music. That’s not punk.” – Eric Lopez pretty hard. I won’t elaborate much more than I think that those records f*cking rock. Jaime: discordance Axis; all of ‘em, Merle Haggard; drinking, and Samiam; Soar.
How do you feel the band is received within the context of a market with a high demand for Tejano and country artists? Javi: I’ve yet to see a Tejano or country band down here! I know you’re supposed to have one fall on your head every five minutes but that doesn’t seem to be the case with the shows I’ve been to. I think the majority of the people we play for are our friends, which is the case with most punk bands down here. I guess this bleeds into the next question… The scene down here is kind of close knit. We all kind of do Some dude told me you our own thing as far as hanging out but the scene isn’t segregated as guys collect records or much as other parts of the country as far as I can see. something. Eric: I love records Is the punk scene in the valley “healthy?” more than anything. I’ve Eric: It was healthy ‘til all the posers left the valley - even though I do been collecting since 18. hope some of them never come back. Good riddance, sheep. I’ll be here I hate Cd’s and mp3s. keeping this scene alive. I love tapes, though. I hate all that stupid desperation Bends don’t have songs up on the internet. See Eric’s rant downloading. It’s just ‘cause I don’t have a stupid computer, that’s why on mp3s in the interview for possible reasons as to why. But no worries. I’m talking crap. Nah, F’ people that are all about downloading music. You can catch desperation Bends at their next show on Tuesday, August That’s not punk. 10th at Simon Sez with Off With Their Heads and White Night. On that note, what medium would you choose to produce an EP or LP in, if that ever happens? Eric: I would love a tape demo. If somebody else is willing to put out our demo to vinyl that would be rad. Too many bands are recording stupid lp’s. Ok, I get it. We need more records cluttering the already cluttered punk vinyl market, more records for the landfill and the bargain bin. Where do you see yourselves, as a band, in 5 years? Jaime: Same place, homeboy... broke and ripping shit up. Eric: I see myself dead in 5 years. Just being honest. Live fast; die punk. Does the band have a preference to play on the floor of a venue versus the stage? Eric: I’ll play anywhere. It doesn’t matter when you’re already wasted.
Eric Lopez – vocals / bass Javi Guerra – vocals / guitar Jaime Martinez – vocals / guitar JP Chapa – drums / vocals
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TATTOO ETIQUETTE 101 R
ecently, we’ve become more and more aware of how little people know when selecting an artist and a tattoo. Regardless of whether or not they’ve been tattooed in the past, someone who isn’t immersed in the tattoo industry and/or art scene usuallvy doesn’t know what to look for. Here are a few basic tips that may help some of our blooming tattoo enthusiasts. 1. What to Look for in a Portfolio: When you walk into a shop, don’t dive right into asking for prices on a tattoo. The first thing you’re going to want to do is take a look at the artists’ portfolios. If they aren’t set out on the counter, don’t hesitate to ask for them. Leaf through the portfolio slowly and take note of the different styles in which the artist is adept. You want to look for clean lines, evenly packed, solid color, and shading styles. 2. How to Choose Your Artist: decide what kind of style you’re looking for and try to find an artist who enjoys that tattoo style and can do it well. Word of mouth, websites, and tattoo magazines can help you find someone whose work you like and can feel comfortable with. Once you’ve decided on an artist, go into his or her shop and
talk to them. Having good chemistry with your artist is imperative. Your tattoo session should be a pleasant one with someone who’s not only talented but amiable. 3. deciding on a Tattoo: Much like choosing your artist, browsing through magazines and websites is a good way to get ideas and inspiration for art. You should have an idea of what you would like and where you would like it. You don’t necessarily have to know exactly what you want but at least an idea of what you’re looking for. The artist will tell you what will and won’t look good on skin and what shape will compliment your body best. Going into a shop and talking to an artist without a concept is like going to the grocery store hungry with no shopping list. You end up getting a bunch of stuff you don’t really want or need and forget all the important items. Whatever you decide on, whether it has a deep meaning behind it or it’s just because you think it’s beautiful art, you need to be sure that it’s something you can look at everyday of your life and be just as happy to see it as you were the first time you saw it. 4. Prices: do NOT attempt to negotiate prices! Telling an artist that his work is not worth the price he quoted you is a slap in the face and a kick in the pants. When an artist gives you his hourly rate, which can range anywhere from $50-$200 an hour, or a price per piece, do not try to bargain with him. It is what it is and if you don’t like it then go somewhere else. That’s better than insulting the artist by trying to bring the price down. Just remember, for
the most part, you get what you pay for. If a shop or artist can afford to charge that much, it’s for a reason. If another shop down the street is charging you considerably less and price is all you’re concerned about then go ahead and go over there. More often than not, you’ll end up spending more money getting your cheap tattoo fixed later on. Another important concern is TIPS! TIPS! TIPS! Too many people aren’t tipping their artists. Yes, you’re paying for the tattoo, however, you still need to tip your artist for all his/her hard work. It’s like going out to eat and running your waitress around for hours and not tipping her because you’ve paid for the meal. The average tip is usually about $20-$30 per hour worked. Of course, tipping is completely optional but highly appreciated! 5. Aftercare: Last but not least, aftercare! It’s very disheartening to see a well done tattoo go to shit because the customer didn’t take care of it. After a tattoo, your body’s natural response is to form a scab to heal the wound. Applying an ointment, such as Aquaphor or A&d, to the tattooed skin will keep the area moist while allowing it to heal without forming a scab. don’t use an ointment with antibiotics, like Neosporin, because it will fade your tattoo. When you do use the ointment, make sure you only use enough to keep the tattoo moist. You
don’t want to slather on a thick layer, the tattoo needs to breathe in order to heal. When you wash it use unscented, antibacterial soap and warm water. don’t over wash it either. Stay out of the pool, ocean, hot tubs, etc. After about 3 or 4 days, the tattoo will be begin to peel (Note: peel like a sunburn NOT scab!). When it does, switch to regular unscented lotion and apply throughout the day. The tattoo will become itchy, it sucks. Trust me, it takes a lot of will power not to scratch but you HAVE to resist! Now, usually after all this aftercare for the first week or two, people think they’re done. Sorry, but nope! Aftercare doesn’t end; it’s forever. Anytime you’re in the sun you need to apply sun block. It doesn’t matter if you’re only going out to mow the lawn or wash the car, sun block is necessary. The sun is your worst enemy. It’ll fade your tattoo faster than anything else. Also, apply a thin layer of lotion on your tattoo after getting out of the shower. do this after every shower. It takes only a second and it makes a world of difference. With time, as your skin gets older, the tattoos will begin to fade. Keeping your skin moisturized and healthy will help the ink stay in the skin. Hopefully this article will help our readers next time they’re in the market for some new art.
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