jordan pundik frank carter tattoo artists
[Photos by: Jordan Pundik/Hopeless Records, Frank Carter/Daniel Alexander Harris]

11 musicians who are also tattoo artists

Most band members don’t earn six figures. Music is their passion, but more likely than not, it’s not their sole source of income. Old Wounds vocalist Kevin Iavaroni is also a barber, for instance; so is END bassist Jay Pepito.

A handful of musicians are also tattoo artists. Of course, it’s not just the need for money that puts the tattoo machine in their hands, but the need for another outlet of artistic expression. So which of your favorite artists can you get inked by?

Read more: Halsey, YUNGBLUD talk growing up with rock music

Patrick Sheridan, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY

Originally a New Jersey native, Fit For An Autopsy guitarist Patrick Sheridan now tattoos out of the Southern state of Georgia. When he’s not recording the latest FFAA record (keep your eye out for a new one this year) or shredding onstage, he works as a tattoo artist at 1920 Tattoo. True to his hardcore roots, Sheridan favors the American traditional style.

Alex Varkatzas, ATREYU

Touring in a band may be hectic, but what most people don’t realize is that there’s actually a lot of downtime. That’s why Atreyu vocalist Alex Varkatzas takes his love for tattooing on the road with him. Working primarily in American traditional, Varkatzas often tattoos as a guest artist at shops along his travels.  

Jimmy Wizard, HIGHER POWER

Higher Power are a hardcore-meets-noise punk band from the U.K. who are quickly catching fire here in the states. In fact, they’re set to tour with Knocked Loose, the Acacia Strain, Harm’s Way and Sanction this spring. But music isn’t the only creative outlet for vocalist Jimmy Wizard, who’s also a professional tattoo artist who has worked out of shops such as Sacred Electric Tattoo and Old Habits Tattoo.

Chris Bishop,  CROBOT

Into Wolfmother or Queens Of The Stone Age? Then you’ll dig Crobot, a four-piece rock outfit out of Pennsylvania. The band will be playing Epicenter Festival in North Carolina this May. When they’re not onstage, though, guitarist Chris Bishop can be found tattooing out of Abaddon Studio in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania.

Human Furnace, RINGWORM

Human Furnace (born James Bulloch) doesn’t just handle vocal duties for the Ohio thrash band Ringworm; he’s also deft at handling a tattoo machine at 252 Tattoo. Bulloch is skilled in a variety of styles, from black and gray realism to neo-traditional.

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Frank Carter, FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES

https://www.instagram.com/p/BskdGd5lAnw/

The Rattlesnakes frontman has a lot going on, what with the recent release of the band’s single “Crowbar,” their record End Of Suffering coming out May 3 and a European spring tour lined up. Add to the list a second career as a tattooer working mainly out of Sang Bleu London.

Dan Smith, SHARP/SHOCK

The Rancid-esque band Sharp/Shock struck gold when they were able to release their debut record while on tour with the titans in Alkaline Trio. That’s not the only place bassist Dan Smith makes a name for himself, though. Find him and his beautiful artwork at Captured Tattoo in Old Town Tustin, California.

Vinnie Stigma,  AGNOSTIC FRONT) and Jimmy Gestapo, ( MURPHY’S LAW

The New York hardcore pioneers in Agnostic Front and Murphy’s Law helped lay the groundwork for much of the scene and its culture back in the ’80s and ’90s. While they’re known for their music, Vinnie Stigma and Jimmy Gestapo also left an important mark on New York’s tattoo community. Though they admit to being novice tattooers themselves, they founded New York Hardcore Tattoos. NYHC Tattoos is now under the ownership of Mark Harada.

Daniel Weyandt,  ZAO

Zao have been putting out scathing hardcore since the ’90s). Though many people have known Daniel Weyandt for years as the band’s vocalist, they might not know that he’s also an avid tattooer at Unique Ink Tattoo in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Jordan Pundik,  NEW FOUND GLORY

A straight line can be drawn between Jordan Pundik’s tattoo style and New Found Glory’s music. Pundik generally tattoos simple, cartoonish punk-themed pieces, which evoke the same kind of feeling as the band’s beloved pop-punk jams. Pundik was in the middle of construction of his own tattoo shop in 2016 when the process was halted for “reasons outside our control.” Pundik can still be contacted for appointments, however, via [email protected]. Black line work is his specialty.