Tattoo Traditions

By Tattoo TraditionsArts

Tattoo Traditions episodes

December 23, 2025 Episode 025 - Henry Goldfield
We are back after an extended break speaking to the mighty Henry Goldfield

Henry started tattooing in the late 50’s, he got his first tattoo from a carnival tattooist tattooing in a basement in Minnesota.

He is a huge part of San Franciscos tattoo history and is a true legend within tattooing!

His story is fantastic and we can’t wait for you to hear it.

Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

1 hr 45 min
December 01, 2024 Episode 024 - Sean Hobden
We are back after a break with a super interesting episode with english tattooist Sean Hobden.

Sean was born on a traveler site in Kent, England in the 1960's. He remembers his grandad having a tattoo which was done in a tent in WW2. His story is absolutely amazing, we talked about his tattoo career, his book, fairground sign painting, old time legends like Jeff Baker and much more.

We want to say thank you to his son Josh for helping set this one up. Check out Josh's work here
https://www.tattooistinkent.com/

To buy Seans amazing book visit this link below
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-School-Tattooing-Sean-Hobden/dp/1479393576/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WidVk4snGVD9Aimmk7fDBJtafkmO8LwYA9EI6ARDl40ObTBqWd7K0yIHHxorRAXhUpjDhQpfhtQdNK6Vy6CbhQ.6ISV6uYT2sANm1BdA7-1mXhuSq1ym2JUx1rMz0NBHrc&qid=1733028211&sr=8-1

Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

1 hr 40 min
June 01, 2024 Episode 023 - Jonathan Shaw
This month we got to talk to one of tattooing's true originals Jonathan Shaw,
Born in New York but raised in Los Angeles Jonathan had a huge range of artistic influences from very early on.
He began writing as his self expression and it was only when he found himself at a dock yard in Mexico that his journey into tattooing really begun.
Jonathan’s career has seen him open Fun City in New York, publish books, travel the world and influence famous movie characters!
The documentary about his life ‘Scab Vendor Confessions of a Tattoo Artist’ is officially released in theatres in June, check his social media for more details.
Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

1 hr 16 min
February 29, 2024 Episode 022 - Eddy Fretwell
This month we got the opportunity to talk to another british tattoo legend, Eddy Fretwell.
Eddy started tattooing in 1963. He bought his first machine from Bill Wesby a tattooist and coal miner for £3.50.
He traveled all over England tattooing and also had his own supply company Panther Products.
We have wanted to talk to Eddy for a while now so it was really amazing to record his story to share with you!
Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.
1 hr
October 31, 2023 Episode 021 - Pat Nunziata
After a summer break we are back with a bang talking to New York legend Pat Nunziata.

Pat started tattooing in the 60's in the basement of his mums house in New York.
He bought his first machines from Walter Moskowitz after passing his shop on one of his lorry routes.
He's tattooed Hells Angels, done house visits and has some brilliant stories.
Tattooists like Pat are the reason we do this podcast to keep their names as a part of tattoo history. We hope you enjoy it!

Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

1 hr 1 min
May 31, 2023 Episode 020 - Brian Angel
This months episode is with the brilliant Brian Angel.
Brian got his first tattoo in 1965 from the legendary King Arthur Bishop. Shortly after Brian began tattooing himself working on his squadie mates. He has traveled and tattooed all over england and europe and has a very interesting and unique story!
We hope you enjoy it.
Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

55 min
February 28, 2023 Episode 019 - Bill Loika
This month we called the great Bill Loika at his home in Amsterdam.

Bill, originally from America, started tattooing in the 70's. He's worked alongside incredible historical figures like Tattoo Peter and Jack Armstrong.
In this episode we talked about the paranormal, Jack Dracula and carnival tattooing. Bill now works at Rose Tattoo in Amsterdam and also takes on commissions for his wonderful paintings.

We hope you enjoy his story.
Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.
58 min
January 31, 2023 Episode 018 - Jeff Jaguer
We are back this month with the brilliant rascal Jeff Jaguer.

Jeff was born in Newport South Wales in the 40's. He later joined the merchant navy and travelled all around the world getting his first tattoo in a doorway in India. When he returned to England he started tattooing using machines he had bought from Milton Zeis. In the 80's Jeff released a book 'The Tattoo - A Pictorial History' which is a collectors item today. No one embodies the idea of a true character more than Jeff Jaguer, we really hope you enjoy his amazing story.
Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

1 hr 7 min
August 31, 2022 Episode 017 - Harry Potter
When we first started the podcast there was one name at the top of our list, Harry Potter.

Harry started tattooing in 1952 hand poking tattoos aboard a navy ship. Once back on dry land he bought his first machines from the legendary George Burchett.

At 90 he is Englands oldest tattooist, he's a wealth of knowledge and experience and it was an absolute honor to record his story.

This Episode is sponsored by BUTTER UP Tattoo aftercare, visit www.butterup.co for more information.
Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

1 hr 2 min
July 24, 2022 Episode 016 - Rick Harnowski
We are back this month after a break with a new episode featuring the great Rick Harnowski

Rick has been tattooing since the late 60's, after moving to America from Poland his tattoo career really took off.
He's tattooed at the opening of the Harley Davidson Museum, ran his own convention and created tattoos that truly help people.
Rick was an absolute pleasure to talk to and we can't wait for you guys to hear his tattoo story.

This Episode is sponsored by BUTTER UP Tattoo aftercare, visit www.butterup.co for more information.
Audio edited and mixed by Simon Short.
Theme music - "The Smallest House on the Street" by Yannik.

1 hr 1 min

About Tattoo Traditions

From the publisher's feed

Tattoo Traditions Is a series of interviews and discussions with people that are an integral part of tattooing and its history. The series will be ongoing as we dive deeper into these rich back…