My Newest Tattoo

I got a new tattoo this weekend. Not only is it new it was also done by the rather talented Mr. Frank Carter. We all know I'm a Gallows fan but Frank's not only a great singer and lyricist he's an even better artist and tattooer.

I let him do whatever he wanted pretty much. I said I wanted a rose bud and bloom and that I wanted them red but that was it. The tattooer always knows best and Frank has a very distinctive style, he certainly didn't disappoint.

For some reason I was under the impression he was a heavy handed tattoo artist and I went in a bit nervous but turns out he's very gentle and I was almost drifting off to sleep at one point. My arm did fall asleep and there was an unfortunate misplaced hand incident but the less said about that the better I think.

Out of all of my tattoos this one has the least meaning. It was more about the artist than the design however I think I've changed quite a lot over the last 6 months and I guess the bud and bloom represent that to some extent.

So here it is. This photo was taken straight after it was done so it's not looking its best. Since this photo was taken my arm doubled in size, went yellow and purple (so fantastically that Frank took a photo) and is now scabbing and peeling. All perfectly normal but I'll be glad when it's finally heeled.

I recommend you get a tattoo from Frank if you get the chance, he's at Frith Street over the Summer. I'm all booked in for my next one with him on Monday so there'll be another update very soon.

The Darling Buds Twice!

I got to see The Darling Buds twice in just over a week this month. The first gig was at The Macbeth in Hoxton and the second was at The Gallery Cafe in Bethnal Green. Two completely different types of gig but both were so much fun.

First was the Hoxton gig. I got there really early but nobody was there so I walked for miles just to find a Wagamama (because I'm addicted), managed to find one but the girl from the Camden branch was working there so I still had the embarrassment of being recognised by the staff even in the middle of the East End. When I got back to the venue there were a handful of people queueing so I joined them and actually got to spend some time with some very sweet girls. The band arrived and we watched them unload and then waited and waited until we could go in.

The gig was hot and sweaty and so much fun. Dan did the whole show dressed in a rabbit costume (not the PlayBoy type), and must have been so hot. I managed to get my hands on one of their very limited, hand-drawn, cd's so I was pretty happy and then I did the whole fangirl thing and got a photo with the lovely Dan himself.

Next up was the show in Bethnal Green. What a difference. It was put on by http://www.whatstheruckus.com/ and the venue was a quaint little vegan/veggie cafe so I was in my element straight away. Although my dad grew up in Bethnal Green back in the late 30's and 40's I'd never actually been and I must say I fell in love with it a bit. I plan to have a wander around there soon and it's definitely the only place I've been since Camden that I thought "hmmm I could live here". The sun was out so we just sat around all day drinking coffee and eating vegan cupcakes. Om nom nom.

Eventually we got in and watched the really cool Henry Brill (he had a dirty sense of humour which I loved) perform and Dan and Jamie joined him for one song. Then we had to stand through the really shite Dufflefolks before The Darling Buds (minus Jordan) did a little acoustic set. It would have been perfect if it wasn't for the incredibly drunk girls in front of me who insisted on drinking wine from the bottle, falling all over the place, singing really loudly and out of tune, and generally being in everyone's way. I made my elbows quite pointy in the hope of catching one of them in the kidney but it didn't work. Shame. I think I'm getting old or I've been sober for too long but it really did make me thankful for not being that age any more.

Apparently the guys filmed a music video recently which I can't wait to see but in the mean time I'll have to make do with the few minutes of footage I managed to catch myself.

I Want One!!!

This is such a beautiful tattoo. I'd love something like this but I'm not brave enough to get my ribs done again...not yet anyway.

Sea Legs

Never heard the song but I love this.

You Will Become Whoever You Want To Be....