
Show Notes
Mike recalls memories from the last half of 1994. Topics discussed include: Black and grey fineline tattoos in Albuquerque in 1980, weekend flea market, Catholic and prison imagery, tattoo magazines, Guy Aitchison, biomechanical style, first tattoo, Mr. Went, jail rigs, Sharpie backpieces, Joker IHU, graffiti armband, issues with visible tattoos, Gator, stretching skin, Mom cried, symbolic intensity, Everlasting Tattoo, bottle rocket battles, Mike Davis, Ed Hardy, simple vs painterly coloring, George Campise, Aaron Cain, robotic vs visceral biomech, tribal style, Borneo, Greg Kulz, Nalla Smith, shitty upper leg tattoos, Greg Carroll, Tattoo City, second armband, professional confidence, graffiti humility, how apprenticeships worked, cautious entry into the trade, shop styles, Chris Conn, Colin Stevens, what time of day to get tattooed, Think tattoo on E, MDMA therapy, Igor, Primal Urge, Marcus Pacheco, anti-cop tattoos, second level shop, Tim Lehi, Jeff Rassier, almost getting impaled, learning from tattooers, Adrenalin Skateboards, Sam Flores, Jaya Bonderov and bold tattoos.
More from Mike Giant Podcast
A conversation between Mike Giant and Rime. Recorded in Rime's RV in the parking lot of Mike Giant's studio in Dayton, Ohio on September 11, 2026.
A conversation between Jason Revok and Mike Giant. Recorded live on Saturday May 9, 2026 at The Contemporary Dayton in Dayton, Ohio (the second museum talk during his exhibition at the museum). The museum director, Heather Jones, is speaking at the beginning and a Q&A with the audience at the end. Topics discussed include:
Mike Giant interviews Nalla Smith at his home in upstate New York. Recorded April 26, 2026.
Mike Giant in conversation with Morning Breath, the graphic design/fine art studio of Doug Cunningham and Jason Noto based in Brooklyn, New York.