Most of you guys here will remember a great little band from the early Tooth ‘N Nail days called Joe Christmas. That was back when Tooth ‘N Nail was still an indie label and the roster was a unique calling card of a myriad of genres. It was about 15 years ago that Joe Christmas put out Upstairs, Overlooking, a decade and a half ago and way ahead of it’s time. Ryan Weaver played bass in the group for both of their releases. Their second album was North To The Future – and while it had a slicker sound, they still had that indie, emo (before emo was a bad word) eclectic charm that was unique in all respects.
After the unfortunate demise of Joe Christmas, Ryan played bass in Spudgun which was a great, old-school punk rock outfit that signed to the Bulletproof label. Spudgun was fun, high energy and a definite throwback to the classic days of the white heat punk rock sound. After one album Spudgun called it quits and from their ashes arose World Against World where Ryan also played bass. World Against World is probably my absolute favorite crust-core band of days gone by. There was nothing else that sounded like them, they were also signed to Bulletproof but unfortunately only released the one album. Another band that was ahead of their time and short lived.
Ryan began tattooing right around the same time that World Against World released Until The Day Breaks and The Shadows Flee Away. That is when I met him. He was still apprenticing as a tattoo artist and I proudly sport a piece that he did on my leg 11 years ago which is one of my favorite traditional tattoo designs, the “Man’s Ruin.” While Ryan specializes in traditional styles, he is also an accomplished black and grey artist as well, honing his craft while learning from some of the best. Since knowing Ryan he has done my entire left sleeve, my left hand and knuckles, a couple of pieces on both legs and a huge vintage style pin-up on my ribcage. Ribs are the most painful of all places to have tattooed I think, and after 4 hours of work there, I still haven’t touched that spot (or finished the piece) in over a year.
Here’s a little chat with Ryan about his art, hope you guys enjoy this. Check out the links below to see more of his work, and also check out the August issue of Skin and Ink magazine that features Ryan’s work along with the other artists at Timeless Tattoo. As for me, I have an appointment with him in a couple of hours!
What first drew you to tattooing?
Well, I love most anything that looks tough and has a classic-old style to it and to me, tattoos were the best of both worlds. So, after years of getting covered, and learning about the history and some of the guys that anchored the traditional Americana style that, to this day, is as strong as it ever was, I was drawn into the brotherhood of tattooers.
How long have you been tattooing?
I’ve been tattooing about 11 and a half years
Who are some of your influences in your art and in your life?
Influences as far as art currently are Sailor Jerry, Bob Shaw, Bill Jones, and my friends Sid Stankovits, Rob Knight and Cap Szumski. Influences in my life are THE MOST HIGH and His love, my wife Heather and my son, Billy Jo.
What were some of the more memorable shows that you played?
Probably the most memorable was a show at Cornerstone. It was just about dark and the tent was packed with about 1200 people. As soon as we started playing it looked like lightening in there from all the camera flashes. It was the closest thing to feeling like a rock star.
Who are some of your favorite bands?
I don’t have any favorites really. Mostly old stuff, old country, old punk rock, old rockabilly. You get the idea…
What are you currently listening to?
Currently in my car is this old thing called a “cd”. On this “cd” is the music of The Crucified’s album Pillars of Humanity It’s a great record. Timeless.
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