FRITH STREET TATTOO STUDIO
Posted by James on 21.05.2007, 18:43
Getting a tattoo is nothing particularly new to me as I have several scattered about my body , but myself (James) and Henry went down London’s famous Soho based Frith street tattoo shop to get my latest addition. We got a few snaps whilst getting it done and thought we would share.
I’m not going to try and justify or go into why I got what I did because like anyone’s choice in tattoos no words will ever do justice as to the reason, and for me thats the kind of special thing about tattoos. I find that usually most people never really ask the reasons and meaning behind the tattoo as I guess people know its a deep and personal reason that drives people to do such an act on their body.
I have been thinking about getting my “Painted Black” tattoo for a least the last 4-5 years and as I wanted to give it the right place and design on my body I didn’t rush it and I got other works done in the mean time.
For me, the only negative thing I find with tattoos is once you have one, it makes you view the rest of your body as an empty canvas and you start mentally filling in the gaps between the tattoo’s and almost feel a sense of nakedness unless you fill it with another tattoo.
Anyone that has had a tattoo knows that despite a having needles dragged through your skin 1000’s times a minute isn’t exactly the most pleasant sensation in the world, but what it is, is a very strong sensation, and somewhere between the skin and the mind I think it gets mixed up and some pleasure is drawn from the pain. After enduring the minute or hours or for some well-lined pocketed people, weeks, months and years. The finished work brings a priceless amount of pleasure in its presence on your personage.
I have found that the times I have got my tattoos, even though this time I have not had a job for over a year now and my money spent outweighs my income ten fold, I have no issue with the spending the little money I do have on what is basically a few mililitres of ink, surgical equipment, the highest rate of per hour labor that to my mind I have ever heard, and unlike a another per hour professional the prostitute, it would be fair to assume a certain sense of being fucked over would be felt.. but no way…. what else can you buy that nothing in this world can take away be it stolen, broken, lost, sold in a out court divorce settlement, I would like to see a bailiff try and take a tattoo. So I do see tattoos and the most secure private investment money can buy.
Of the 7 or so tattoos I have had previous to one, they were done locally to where I live, split between 3 tattoo shops, I wont mention names but one was run by “Gypsys” another looks more like a “Barbers” shop and the other is shut down, lol.. as the things I designed where rather simple and I knew exactly how I wanted it, I couldn’t see much going wrong. My 1st tattoo I got was usubg fake ID as I was under age, and I guess thats the type of thing that eventually gets a place shut down. The other was more like a back room piercing place with a mains socket with a tattoo gun plugged in, and lastly the other place has such traffic of people picking boring tattoos out of the book with either tribal, dolphins, or bull dogs with gloves, that they have gotten so arrogant that it makes getting something that you are excited about getting almost a negative experience.
So as mentioned this tattoo had been planned for quite some time and I didn’t want it to be done at some back alley place. I have many friends that ink to blood ratio is a of a more questionable amount so I did some asking about, one name popped up more than the others. This was Frith Street Tattoo. I did some online research saw some of their previous works and was happy with what there quality and standards they laid down. Along with the it being held in high regard, I also heard the concept of 3 months waiting list, with a quick phone call and a bit of luck a free slot, and I was booked for 6pm, SWEET.
Frith street tattoo is situated in between Leicester square and Oxford circus walking distance from both stations. If you didn’t know Soho is bang on in the middle of London so getting there couldn’t have been any easier. I need not mention what the street its on, and why the shop is called what it is.. So moving on to the premises itself, there are stairs that take you from street level to the basement shop. The first thing you see is a bombardment of old Oriental and navel tattoo art works hung from every corner and wall, and in between those art works are tattoo inspired pieces that have been giving to the shop thanking them.
When we came for my appointment we were greeted by the main man Danny, the boss which was very hospitable to every one that came in. While we were waiting we bumped into Jon the man behind Cyclone Cycles and Bicycle Union from over in East London way. Us turning up with our bikes I guess gave it away to be honest. Claudia was going to be the the person doing the tattoo, spoke with me and we discussed what I was looking to get done, after bit of time and alterations the final design was drawn up. Next on the menu was a quick sterilization of my skin and shave, carbon trace applied position confirmed, and away we went. It so weird but in the few hours in my life that me and needles have been intimate in this way I have come to yearn and miss it, and now we were well and truly acquainted again. Before I knew it, the outline on my right arm was done quicker than you could say “P-a-i-n-t-e-d“. Now onto the left, something I didn’t understand, nor liked that much, was that despite being the same type of work and same position, the sensation seemed to be that bit more potent, because it was my internet arm/hand.
Yeah job done and was well happy with, and at a very fair price to boot.
I highly recommend this studio and I can assure the experience has left me wanting to get some more ink in a hurry. Braaaaaaap!
Photography by: Henry Kingston.