This year was really spectacular — better than last year and all years past. The location was perfect. Having the historic building in the middle of town made the event accessible and striking. Amazingly beautiful people, amazing art and amazing music. (Jon James Case from The Body Architects).

Held in the momentous Cape Town City Hall, the contrast between pillars, regal statues and 19th century glamour against a tattoo nation of hipsters, old school bikers, rock bands, Levi jean exhibits and beer was testament to the evolution of humanity and the arts.

Over the last five to seven years there has been this big influx of the type of people getting tattooed. Because of exposure and change in perceptions the acceptability of tattoo has changed from hiding them to showing them off. (Tony Weintraud from Tattoo Tony Creations)

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Tattooing dates back to more than 50,000 years ago, but the talent at this expo could not have been more au courant. Cutting edge technology and skill was showcased during the week with every artist having exclusive style and expertise.

Fine art should really step down. Tattooing is so real and down to earth and at the same time so much harder because the decisions made involve two people and such permanence. Tattoo art is all about quality. You can’t fake a good tattoo.  (Tony Weintraud from Tattoo Tony Creations)

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When asked how Case got involved in tattooing he said that it was the other way around — ‘…tattooing got involved in me’. Artists like Case tattoo because, ‘…there is no room for error. Your marking a body for life, in tattooing such a high level of excellence is striven for as an artist.’

Ranging from religion to rebellion, tattoos have never had universal connotation. French sailors came home with them as proof of exotic travels, ancient Mayans donned them as a sign of courage, showed loyalty in gangs and were a brand of criminality. Today however, getting a tattoo is less about being labelled and more about a decree of internal expression.

chrissaunderssa.blogspot.com

news24.com

The change in tattoo perception was documented in the film Tattoo Nation, shown during the Homeward Bound exhibit which kicked off the weekend. Following the lives of mainstream tattoo pioneers Charlie Cartwright, Jack Rudy and Freddy Negrete, the narrative spoke of their passion and boundary shattering dedication at excelling in the art of tattooing and influencing tattoo culture with each of their unique backgrounds.

@Michael Ellis

If you weren’t getting inked or holding the hand of someone who was, the talent and variety of bands exceeded expectations. Among those bands were local favourites Beach Party Wolftown, Long Time Citizen, The Ratrod Cats and Them Tornados. We spoke to The Ratrod Cats earlier this year, click here for the interview.
All music played complimented the energy driven event and made for a rocking good time.

So great to get back on stage after being cooped up in studio and production for so long. What a night at the Southern Ink Exposure. Thanks to everyone for staying out on a Sunday
(Wolftown)

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Tattoo expo virgin Lauren Ker was impressed by the variety and talent she saw. ‘There was a guy that had only Spiderman villain character tattoos. He was getting this incredibly awesome Doctor Octopus tattoo on his side stomach/hip. It was incredibly cool,’ said Ker.

Those who came to the expo were as diverse as the tattoos showcased. No matter your preference in art and music, it was clear the event was a success. The best part of the week for artist Jon James Case was when he looked up from tattooing a client and saw his dad watching him work. ‘That was pure magic,’ said Case.

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Images via chrissaunderssa.blogspot.com, news24.com, capetowntattooconvention.com, flickr.com, Twitter.com, facebook.com, www.revolution-daily.com ,@Michael Ellis

Photo by: Christelle Duvenage, we-are-awesome.com/

 
The video for ‘Tattoo’ has just come out, what’s the reaction been like? Are you guys stoked?

We are really stoked! It’s rad and super simple and people seem to be enjoying it.

Mnusic is releasing soon, how did the production of the album go in comparison to your first?

Our first album had a kind of low budget, DIY feel to it, so for our second one, we decided to go more high production. We produced it in Greenside with Eric Broucek, who had done a few of our friends’ albums before. It was great.

The Infomercial and current website design, how did this concept take form?

We came along it by chance really, we wanted to rip off one of those pamphlets, but in a funny way. We were going for funny, but it came off weird, I think. We might have rubbed some people up the wrong way but it was never our intention to offend. We just thought it was a humorous take on a certain idea, and had a lot of fun shooting and editing. Shooting especially was super fun.

Is humour an important element for you when it comes to performing?

We’ve developed a personality for our band, if we tried to do something serious it wouldn’t go down well. Like if an emo band tried to be funny. No.

Your Facebook page says your interests are Jiving, where are we likely to find you out and about? Where are your favourite hang outs?

Usually whenever we play a gig, we’ll stay out for a while afterwards. Other than that, we hang out at my brother’s coffee shop a lot. Oh, and we like to go bowling.

Not so much the hedonistic, Rock ’n Roll lifestyle for you guys then?

We keep it pretty clean. In the early days none of us drank. Now we drink a little, but I wouldn’t call us alcoholics or hedonists, but we still like rock ’n roll! It’s pretty hard to play a good gig if you’re drinking, so we keep it clean.

Photo by: Christelle Duvenage, samusicscene.co.za

Which local bands are you supporting at the moment?

Beach party. We only saw them live once but they were great! New Loud Rockets, they’re fantastic. Eat This Horse, we found them on MySpace. Isochronous, dig them live.

What genres are your favourites and who have been your greatest influences?

We all obviously have different influences, but we all like dance music and surf punk.

And then of course, there are those bands that make you remember your late teens and driving in your moms car, like Bloc Party.

In 2010 you toured Japan, tell us a bit more about that. What are your favourite memories from the tour?

It was the best time of our career so far! Three weeks of being in a super foreign place with our best friends, playing every night, getting home super late, then waking up early for sound check.

The Japanese also love to buy memorabilia and scream and shout for you when you’re on stage, and after every show we were brought little gifts backstage. It made you feel like you were in a “real” band. That was REALLY cool!

So for the Mnusic tour – any plans for taking it overseas?

No plans as of yet, but that’s always the best part of releasing a new album: touring, so hopefully! We just have to organize it, I guess!

Finish these sentences:

Mnusic will… make you happy.

Damn all you… fortune cookies.

Make sure you always… pack an extra shirt for a gig. (Courtesy of Mic the bassist)

This little… piggy went to market.

Desmond and the Tutus might not be your typical rock stars, but they’re clearly doing something right.

desmondandthetutus.co.za

Interview by: Jocelyn Richter via phone

Photography: Christelle Duvenage