A behind-the-scenes tour of the fabled tattoo industry on the arm of a swashbuckling insider and natural-born storyteller.
In the eighteen y... read full description
In the eighteen y... read full description
reviews
Jan 10, 2010
Meghan
rated it: 
A fun, behind-the-scenes book about the tattoo industry by someone in the thick of it. Johnson shares some funny, gross, and outrageous anecdotes and random bits of wisdom. Unfortunately, his writing meanders and a cohesive narrative never emerges. I was intrigued by the small bits of Johnson's dysfunctional childhood that he shares (he could give Augusten Burroughs a run for his money AND he's a hell of a lot more likable), but it's clear he keeps a lot of emotional distance between himself a
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Aug 08, 2010
Audra
rated it: 
I have a feeling that there will be numerous uninspired blurbs about the book "Tattoo Machine" hailing it as the tattoo industry’s "Kitchen Confidential." I wouldn’t go so far. Jeff Johnson does invite his readers into some of the seedier and funnier stories about his life as a tattoo artist and offers up some second hand stories that may cause you to laugh and/or cringe. Johnson has a clever and visual way with words and the book is a quick, enjoyable read. I appreciate
More...
Oct 27, 2009
Catherine
rated it:
Johnson outlines every aspect of the tattoo industry, including the artistry, what it takes to run a tattoo store, and all of the colorful characters he’s encountered in his almost two decades of experience. This memoir also features snippets into Johnson’s personal story, growing up in a dysfunctional environment, to say the least, and his meeting and relationship with his wife. The bulk of his narrative, however, focuses on his adventures in tattooing.
This is a work of nonficti More...
This is a work of nonficti More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 10, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
I can now say I know more about tattooing than I ever wanted to. Johnson's wandering personal manifesto about the philosophy and art of skin art is prosy, self-important and occasionally pretentious in tone. The man hasn't met an adjective that he doesn't like, and yet he still feels the need to pepper his writing with profanity, as if to assure readers of his street cred. That being said, he does tell some marvelous stories of irate customers, crazy employees, in-shop pranks and ink jobs gone t
More...
Sep 17, 2009
Tara
rated it: 
I have been tattooed seven times. At none of those seven times did I stop and take a long look at my tattoo artist and ask myself "What is his average day like? What kinds of people does he meet? What crazy things does he see?" The next time I get a tattoo, I will be wondering. This book sure does show the interesting life behind the gun. I found it thoroughly entertaining, educational, and at times, downright funny.
Jeff tells readers about the tattoo world, the arti More...
Jeff tells readers about the tattoo world, the arti More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Nov 04, 2009
Beth
rated it: 
Who knew the same rules applied to tattoo parlors as to restaurants? If the bathroom ain't clean, you don't want to patronize the joint.
Tattooist Jeff Johnson delivers an intelligent, insightful behind the scenes look at the tattoo industry in the United States, covering history, heroes and trends, alongside his own personal journey from night hog (apprentice schlub) to Trojan (master artist and businessman) -- without being a total egotist. Johnson is an excellent storyteller, and a More...
Tattooist Jeff Johnson delivers an intelligent, insightful behind the scenes look at the tattoo industry in the United States, covering history, heroes and trends, alongside his own personal journey from night hog (apprentice schlub) to Trojan (master artist and businessman) -- without being a total egotist. Johnson is an excellent storyteller, and a More...
Nov 15, 2009
Liza
rated it:
I think there is immense appeal for this book. People who want a tattoo will find it fascinating, and people who dislike the idea of tattoos will find it appealing with a taboo-like draw. Johnson doesn't pull any punches, the stories are bloody more often than not, and the discussion of sex and drugs is rampant. It is flat-out highly readable.
That said, I found the work to be very disorganized and badly edited. Rambling. The education Johnson has acquired over the years from patr More...
That said, I found the work to be very disorganized and badly edited. Rambling. The education Johnson has acquired over the years from patr More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2010
Andres
rated it:
Engrossing, informative, and always entertaining, this is the best introduction to the world of tattooing, though in all honesty I haven't read any other. Most tattoo related books are either about the art or the personality of the tattoo artist/celebrity, nothing close to what this is: one artist's memoirs of his breaking into and staying in the tattoo industry.
The author's talented with ink on skin as well as on the page: his writing is honest, reflective, and to me his style is ak More...
The author's talented with ink on skin as well as on the page: his writing is honest, reflective, and to me his style is ak More...
Jul 24, 2009
Djrmel
rated it:
Jeff Johnson gives a rapidfire, episodic look into his career as a tattoo artist and shop owner. He tells the stories of his many employees, customers, fellow artists, and the non-pro members of the shop "army". If that seems like a lot of people to talk about in such a short book, it is, and that's where this book falls below the "I liked it" rating. We are intruduced to these people, Johnson tells how they touched his life or uses them as an example of the types of peopl
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 28, 2011
Jessraquel
rated it:
An autobiography by Jeff Johnson, telling his stories and experiences as a tattoo artist at his shop Sea Tramp Tattoo Company in Oregon.
I got this book on discount at Barnes & Nobles and it seemed right up my alley, something I would really be into. I love biographies and I love tattoos so what's not to like right? Unfortunately I really struggled to get through this book. Some of the stories he told about people's tattoos and crazy experiences he has had in his tattoo shop were pretty More...
I got this book on discount at Barnes & Nobles and it seemed right up my alley, something I would really be into. I love biographies and I love tattoos so what's not to like right? Unfortunately I really struggled to get through this book. Some of the stories he told about people's tattoos and crazy experiences he has had in his tattoo shop were pretty More...
May 24, 2009
Claire
rated it:
Jeff is a natural raconteur. His voice comes through loud and strong in these snippets about tattooing, running a shop, and life in general. I think if would be fun to hear him read or tell these stories.
I enjoyed pretty much all the stories- I could not have imagined that I could be interested in the antics at tattoo shops but Jeff kept the pages turning. I thought everything was pertinent, Jeff's stories of his childhood may be some of the stories that stick with me longest and provided More...
I enjoyed pretty much all the stories- I could not have imagined that I could be interested in the antics at tattoo shops but Jeff kept the pages turning. I thought everything was pertinent, Jeff's stories of his childhood may be some of the stories that stick with me longest and provided More...
Jun 15, 2009
Stephanie
rated it:
I won a copy of Tattoo Machine from GoodReads' First Reads. It is not a book I normally would have picked up at the bookstore - I don't read a lot of memoirs and haven't been much into tattoo culture, but I finished the book wanting to know more about Jeff Johnson and imagining what kind of tattoo I might get! I really enjoyed it. What a great experience. The book is full of every kind of story - It had the rough, hard-partying, sometimes seedy stories I had expected, but it also had really f
More...
Jul 13, 2010
Maul2517
rated it:
The key phrase here is "Tall Tales".
I have no doubt there was some honesty in the stories told here. Certainly Jeff Johnson has spent enough time in the industry to know it inside and out. However, because of the nature of many of the stories, I have a strong suspicion Mr. Johnson passed off some "industry memes" as personal experiences.
For those who would like an example of what I am talking about here is a spoiler:
This pertains to the " More...
I have no doubt there was some honesty in the stories told here. Certainly Jeff Johnson has spent enough time in the industry to know it inside and out. However, because of the nature of many of the stories, I have a strong suspicion Mr. Johnson passed off some "industry memes" as personal experiences.
For those who would like an example of what I am talking about here is a spoiler:
This pertains to the " More...
Jun 12, 2009
Diane
rated it:
Saying that this is the best tattooist memoir I've read may sound like faint praise but this book is entertaining - funny, poignant and disgusting by turns.
Jeff Johnson is an intelligent writer (notable for any author) and except for the occasional overworked sentence this collection of stories about life as a tattoo artist works. Perhaps you have to be tattooed or interested in the incredible range of people that cross through life to enjoy this type of book.
If you've e More...
Jeff Johnson is an intelligent writer (notable for any author) and except for the occasional overworked sentence this collection of stories about life as a tattoo artist works. Perhaps you have to be tattooed or interested in the incredible range of people that cross through life to enjoy this type of book.
If you've e More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 09, 2011
Rachael
rated it:
One day as I was driving through Utah, trying to avert my eyes from the omnipresent distasteful/shocking billboards, I saw an advertisement for laser tattoo removal. Interesting, I thought to myself. I think if I were to ever to anything really rebellious in my life, it would be to get a tattoo.
This kind of book is not the kind that usually ends up on my bookshelf, but I couldn't help but cave to my inner scoundrel and read it. I recommend it to everyone who would secretly like to be a More...
This kind of book is not the kind that usually ends up on my bookshelf, but I couldn't help but cave to my inner scoundrel and read it. I recommend it to everyone who would secretly like to be a More...
Aug 30, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
Some fascinating stories about various people he's worked with or worked on. If you're interested in the progression and changes of the tattoo industry, you'll like it - those "technical" parts I found a little boring. And while the stories of his childhood and meeting his wife were interesting (and sad) it felt irrelevant to the rest of the book. The shop pranks they play on each other are the best - such as mixing up a bag of catfood, booze, etc. with an entire roll of toilet paper a
More...
Nov 18, 2011
Kim
rated it:
6/4/09 So far so good. The intro had me wondering if I would enjoy the book, as normally I would not choose to pick up an autobiography written by a tattoo artist. It was intriguing to see the opposite side of the coin. Book is well written so far - serious at times but the author does a nice job laying on some undertones of humor to situations. I look forward to continuing my read...
6/28/09 I am really enjoying this one. I keep it as my 'light-hearted-need-a-break-from-the-heav More...
6/28/09 I am really enjoying this one. I keep it as my 'light-hearted-need-a-break-from-the-heav More...
Dec 10, 2009
Lila
rated it:
This is a memoir about...surprise, surprise...tattoos. Jeff Johnson is a tattoo artist (or a tattooer) who decided to put his experiences in tattoo world on paper. I wanted to read the book because I have a tattoo and even though it's the only one I ever will have (that's right, getting tattoos is not addictive and a person can live with just one), I am fascinated by them. Jeff Johnson tells a story of what tattoo artists really think of us, peons wanting to have one and how his life revolved ar
More...
Apr 06, 2010
Chris
rated it:
What an incredible book! I DEVOURED it! So much insight into the world of tattoos........there weren't any parts I didn't enjoy reading. I know a LOT of tattooed people who will enjoy this book. For those who've never been inked, you might find yourself glimpsing into MY world, the world of "painted people" (as a dear friend refers to myself, my dear hubby, and others who wear ink)! One thing is for sure....... this book is very entertaining!
Personally, I have an interest in th More...
Personally, I have an interest in th More...
Jun 30, 2011
Boozy
rated it:
Absolutely awesome! I have to say this is a must read for any tattoo artist, tattoo afficianado or anyone interested in the going ons of a fringe subset of society. As someone that was involved in the tattoo industry both as a collector and as a professional all of these stories rang true. I could not stop laughing as Jeff related the events around Grundy and the diabetes! I laughed throughout the book to the point that my sides hurt.
Apr 29, 2011
gabrielle
rated it:
This book is really more a series of short stories, with common characters woven throughout.
The author comes off as kind of a jackass (he points this out himself several times, so it's not like he's unaware of this), but he's totally my hero for the incident with the owner of the corner deli. I've wanted to say something like that to someone *so many times*.
The author comes off as kind of a jackass (he points this out himself several times, so it's not like he's unaware of this), but he's totally my hero for the incident with the owner of the corner deli. I've wanted to say something like that to someone *so many times*.
Feb 11, 2010
Kristin
rated it:
This is a fascinating book. I'm not a girl who would get a tattoo, but I want a tattoo. Just not on my body. Maybe as framed artwork?
More memoir than anything else, there are good anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stuff. Jeff Johnson is a great writer - I would love to see if I could find some of his science fiction stuff, but I'm also kind of lazy.
More memoir than anything else, there are good anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stuff. Jeff Johnson is a great writer - I would love to see if I could find some of his science fiction stuff, but I'm also kind of lazy.
Jan 03, 2010
Jen
rated it:
Having worked for a long time next to a tattoo shop and getting to know the employees, it was always interesting to meet the new artists and hear stories about drama at the shop. This book is an interesting look into that world with super readable stories, bizarre characters and kind of a hard-ass lovable narrator/author. Overall, pretty enjoyable.
Jul 01, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Part crazy interesting storytelling, part boring self promotion. Johnson's book is easily comparable to Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential and gives some inside scoop on a popular street tattoo shop. Big ego wagging aside, Johnson is a good storyteller and the stories he tells are part funny, astonishing and gruesome. These parts make it a quick recommendation for anyone who likes either off beat memoirs, but certainly not for the faint of heart.
Jul 17, 2009
Chris
rated it:
What can I say. I've read this one in manuscript form, helped edit it, and now it's out. Oot. Wondering why my name's not in the book... I'm part of the ambiguous "PSU class".
Still, amazing read funny and true. Well mostly true. Well...
I just hope that the pussy-eating swamp panthers are still there.
Still, amazing read funny and true. Well mostly true. Well...
I just hope that the pussy-eating swamp panthers are still there.
Jan 11, 2010
I got this book at Powell's downtown. . I bought it on a wim because I was interested in getting a book regarding the history of tattooing or at least a sociological aspect.. It was a bonus that this book's stories are all from a Portland studio.. History of PDX, tattoing, and great stories so far
May 29, 2009
I am pleasantly surprised to receive this book that came with another GR's win. The art of tattooing has always fascinated me as well as the stories of what and why people get them. I have a sense I am going to get the nitty gritty on the industry w/this novel. I'm looking forward to reading it!
Jul 28, 2011
Lily
rated it:
I was really excited to read this book, but I found it to be sort of bland ... after 18+ years in tattooing I thought there would be better stories. Plus the stories that were given were kind of "bam - here it is" -- better build up would have built the story better.
Aug 14, 2009
Julie
rated it:
Awesome book. Very interesting in terms of his life as well as a life as a tattoo artist. I was still not sure about the whole tattoo thing before the book but now I am getting one for sure. The last paragraph of the book explains it perfectly on why one would want one.
Dec 01, 2011
Rehana
rated it:
"Tattoo Machine: Tall Tales, True Stories, and My Life in Ink is a memoir by Jeff Johnson and his career as a tattoo artist. This remarkable novel is a "backstage" tour of the tattoo industry. I really enjoyed this novel because of the description. It was so detailed you felt like you were really physically there with Johnson. The best part about this book was the sarcasm that Johnson so eloquently embeds in his memoir. I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone; especially
More...
