Q: What made you want to get your first tattoo?
A: I like art, and especially the art of tattoos.
For me they define what a person is. Some people just have random sleeves, or whatever. That’s not me.
All my tattoos, except maybe for a few drunken ones, have meaning.
I’ve actually been patted on the shoulder from a couple tattoo artists, letting me know that they appreciate my outlook on tattoos.
They said that they like that I do a little bit of research into what tattoos I want on my body, the meaning and such, before I get one.
I got my first tattoo because I thought it was cool, and because hot chicks like tattoos.
Q: What was your first tattoo?
A: My first tattoo was a silhouette of a wolf howling at the moon. I got it at a place called the Shamballa in Edmonton, Alberta.
I remember when we were writing the song “Tattoos and Guitars,” my cowriter Amanda was asking me to tell the story about my tattoo art. In true Amanda fashion, right off the bat, she was trying to get at the story.
You’ll notice that we put a few of the images, including “Shamballa” into the song “Tattoos and Guitars.”
Q: What would be your advice to somebody who is thinking about getting their first tattoo?
A: I would say put some thought into the tattoo. Don’t just get a random piece of art on your arm. Especially if you’re drinking, and you’re going to regret it the next day.
If you’re going to put some ink in you, put some thought into it and get something that is meaningful to you or to your life.
Q: Does it hurt to get a tattoo?
A: Hell yeah. But some spots are not as painful as others.
The most painful spot I have gotten a tattoo is my sternum, solar plexus area – where it’s a really bony area.
It’s like the old westerns when I should have been biting on a stick when they were taking the bullet out, that kind of thing.
And the rib cage kind of sucks, too.
Q: What else should I know about getting tattoos?
A: I always remember to check what the tattoo artist is using. If he’s using brand new, sterilized needles.
If it looks sketchy, don’t do it. Go somewhere else.
Cleanliness, and the professionalism of the tattoo artist is something you should really check out.
Q: Do you regret any of your tattoos?
A: Not at all.
Q: Do you ever find yourself in conversations with strangers about tattoos?
A: All the time. Whether it be at the supermarket, or traveling the world.
I always have people asking me about different tattoos.
For instance, the one with the guitar gets commented on a lot. People always comment on the detail of it.
Of course there’s the ones I can’t show everybody because I’d have to take my pants off. (laughs)
