Heroes:
BOOK reviews and summary....
NEW book REVIEW!!!!by: Dane StevensonWe recently received the two new books released by STRANGLEHOLD
PUBLICATIONS ( www.strangleholdmerch.com ) which were both created by
the crew of ALL or NOTHING TATTOOS in Atlanta, and were absolutely
blown away. We get "tattoo books" regularly and have never seen
anything like what we found in that press package. These books are
insane in every since of the word.The first of the two books is "WHORE" Created by Brandon Bond who
probably needs no introduction if you are involved in tattooing any
any form. The book itself is incredibly impressive, heavy, and thick.
The 170 pages are relief printed using etched metal plates and
printed on an extremely high quality slick gloss paper. We are
familiar with Brandon, (we featured a photo of him on our cover of the xxxxxxxxxxxxVolume xxxxx issue) and expected this
book to probably have a lot of offensive and lewd material and some
great drawings, but what we found inside was something completely
different in every way The book overflows with art, layered upon art,
layered upon BRUTAL motivational honesty and drive. We did locate some
of that nudity, shock type, chaos that we expected, and definitely
recommend this book for viewers 21 and up ONLY. Surprisingly, the
volatile content is an extremely minimal aspect of an elaborate and
well put together work of art.Every single page of this book is exploding with a meld of photos,
personal stories, inner thoughts, tragedies, triumphs, pain and joy.
Any page in the book I randomly select reveals something new to me
upon each view. I find small subliminal photos layered with hidden
text and writings. Drawings melting into backgrounds of broken
memories and emotion. It is a book I read cover to cover in one long
sitting, and then looked back through repeatedly every day since.The artwork is incredible, the photos take you into an inner circle of
family, love, and shock, but it is the writings that constantly burn
through the reader and bring consistent revelations while beating you
with motivation. The stories and secrets he reveals about his life,
career, success, financial explosions, art, loves, chemical habits,
sex life, family, and past amaze me. I have never read anything like
this. It is obvious that Brandon Bond is a true artist. This piece of
work is incredibly uplifting and touching. He has created something
more powerful than any other tattoo publication that goes FAR beyond
tattooing and allows you a window into an extremely brutal and
uncomfortable reality, while constantly reinforcing hope, and
perseverance.The second Book is entitled "Burning Bridges and Breaking Hearts" is a
sketchbook that also caught us off guard. Most sketchbooks are one
style throughout, displaying an artists talents and creativity in ONE
medium and line weight. This sketchbook is a collection of the ENTIRE
....STAFF of ALL OR NOTHING TATTOO, which is one of the nations most
sought after and award winning studios located in North West Atlanta.
Every piece included is extremely different and every piece is at a
different stage of completion. It is almost an instructional guide on
how these guys create art. Some are actual stencils taken from photos
and portraits that can be cross referenced with the
www.allornothingtattoo.com website. Some are sketches that show you
the creation and evolution of an image that you have already probably
seen the finished product in dozens of tattoo magazines. These guys
are some of the best tattooers around and this book is a highlight
reel of all their favorite pieces.This sketchbook represents 14 different published artists who have 14
different styles of tattooing. Guest artists from three countries are
included along with the full time staff members of this ever
impressive collective studio created by Brandon Bond. This book is on
sale for only 20$ with the purchase of "WHORE" which is priced at 50$.
This is a collection you can not miss, these guys have outdone
themselves again. I got the opportunity to ask Brandon himself a few
questions on the phone after reading his book, here's the
conversation.(DS) I just read WHORE and I gotta tell you it wasn't what we expected
at all was that your intention?(BB) In a way yeah, I think a lot of people formed opinion about us
from all those articles and the photos and the guns and the hats and
the "private gallery" on my old website and all, and anyone that knows
me knows that was all about making loot, we wanted to make something
that was "real" something hard to read from an emotional perspective,
and honest. I think the book is cool, we worked for over two years on
....it every day while building the new studio ( www.antiartelite.com ) it
has been a rough ride for sure. I wanted to reveal a little more of
how I feel about tattooing, retirement, money, love, abortion, sex,
what the f*** ever ya know? I get a different reaction from everyone I
talk to about it, but no one has EVER told me "that was boring" , or
"I got what I figured Id get outta that". I felt we had to take it to
a new level.(DS) You mentioned retiring and without ruining anything from your
book, what can you tell me about that?Well, people work to make money, so I worked hard... real f*****g
hard, for a really long time. 7 days a week 14 hour days for over a
decade, people don't even believe that, hell I don't even believe
that, but we got a LOT done in a short period of time and I think no
one can argue that. The money was good, and so was the ride. I made a
lot of good investments and built a studio that produces a generous
amount of revenue. I no longer HAVE to work so I'm slowing down. It
hasn't worked yet, cause working is all I know. I still work 7 days a
week on something, I still run three businesses, I have a staff of
over 20 people, and I still tattoo every week, so its not like I'm
fishing or sleeping in past 9 am yet... but I'm working towards that.
There is a secret message written backwards at the bottom or every
page in "WHORE" that explains it all in a pretty upsetting and rude
kinda way. The text starts at the last page and ends on the first one,
its pretty unique.As far as tattooing goes I am no longer tattooing at conventions
because I want my guys to get some spotlight, I love them and they are
family to me. Also I personally have never liked tattooing at
conventions and guest spots anyways, I prefer working in solitude
....without a million retards asking me a million stupid questions and
telling me they met me 8 years ago or something. I will still be AT
the conventions supporting my guys and teaching seminars, while
partying it up. Guest spots are not something I'm interested in
anymore either. Packing all that equipment and moving around and
flying and getting cabs and all that f*** IT! Its not fun, and its not
cost effective so why do it, if I want to fly somewhere, its not going
to be to do work, I never flew anywhere without my equipment until I
went to Hawaii THIS YEAR, and it was awesome. To not have to check all
my gear and wake up to go to some strange shop and listen to a bunch
of people I will never see again??? not fun at all, but to fly
somewhere and actually enjoy the food, and do dumb s**t like
snorkeling or cliff diving, now that's f*****g awesome. I still
tattoo because I love tattooing but I never planned on doing that
forever, in fact I did it all saying to myself, "this is not forever,
if you kill yourself now working, you wont have to later" and I hired
a great financial advisor... my father. So now when I tattoo its
because I want to tattoo, not because I need the money or whatever. I
think the current pieces I'm doing reflect that different motive now.(DS) Your book really isn't about tattooing at all, its more of a
"LIFE" book about so many different aspects of your experiences, what
would you say are some of the underlying themes throughout?(BB) Never let anyone tell you that you don't deserve the things you
want. Don't let anything hold you back from achieving your goals, and
if someone opposes you don't ever lay down. Use that resentment,
jealousy, anger, fear to surpass your enemies, and enjoy life more
than them. Love those closest to you as hard as you can, and above all
else, live your life for yourself first because you only get one shot
....and time is running the f*** out for everyone as soon as they are
born.(DS) Thanks Brandon, I know how busy you are and I appreciate your time.(BB) f*** that man I appreciate you reading my book and enjoying it,
the write up you do will be celebrated over here with wild abandon.
Next time you're in Atlanta let us know, we will take care of everything!That was a great (short) interview with the man himself, if you would
like to get a hold of the new books, or any of the cast and crew at
Atlanta's All or Nothing Army check out these great websites.Dane Stevenson
