With subcultures mainly being a boy's game, I've always looked closely to the few females involved as a support group. You would think that with females being about one to every three men (if not less) in subcultures, they would be tight and appreciative to their sisters involved in the game.

Sadly, this is not a reality.

It seems that in the years I've been involved in this subculture, I've seen women become more or so "frienemies" rather than a stable support system to eachother. This deeply saddens me, as I too have seen this first hand. I guess I am perpetually naive to this, or just hopelessly optimistic to find nice women who are looking for sisterhood through music. I am not saying all females are like this, but there are quite a few out there who are.

What causes this? Why does it happen? Who are these females? I'm going to go forward and explain my views and opinions on this subject. These are strictly my opinions based on my own personal experiences so you are more than welcome to disagree.

Although a lot of teens come into a subculture looking to rebel and be non-conformist, they are just joining another form of conformity and rules. These "tribes" have their own sets of rules and dress within themselves. There are usually unspoken rules of how to act, and who holds what seniority. This does vary from subculture to subculture, but they all have the basic skeleton from subculture to subculture.

Those whom have been "in" for the longest usually have the utmost respect, and typically, they feel they have the right to put those younger and less senior "members" in their place. Women have a similar yet very different set of rules. Women cut each other down almost endlessly.

Womens rules in these youth cults are those in the same to men, however, I feel that they are much more harsh. Typically, it all starts out with how you got in. Usually, it's one of the two - you got in on your own will or from your boyfriend. If you got in from your boyfriend, the rest of the local scene usually knows, as you showed up on the arm of Johnny Subculture at a random gig. If this is the case, respect for you is typically next to nothing - even if you truly do become part of the subculture in the long run - guy or not. You'll almost always be known as so-n-so's girlfriend or ex-girlfriend. Men do not have this problem. They do not have to deal with derogatory names such as"oi toy", "scene whore", or something similar to that. This sexism runs rampant from both males and females. This in itself starts vicious cycle of women's roles in youth cults.

Youth cult or not, women tend to run in cliques and groups of friends in which they trust those few friends and hardly anyone else. I often hear young women from every cultural, social, and ethnic background say, "women are such bitches, I can't stand them!"

Although they've made a few friends, what prevents their clique from being "bitches" to each other? Again, youth cult or not - women tear each other down and can be harshly judgmental to each other to their faces or behind their backs. The sport of tearing down other females isn't a pretty one, but it is often played. In my personal opinion, I honestly think women who tear others down for no apparent reason is just a verbal venting of their own short comings and insecurities. To me, those who bash on other people who have not done anything to them are just insecure cowards trying to build themselves up by tearing others down. In the subcultural view, I often think that this happens because some women are not 100% comfortable with themselves and the role they play within a subculture. They often come off as they have the world to prove to others. The "pros" of the bashing game for one whom plays is typically to brag about how many girls they've driven away. This, I think, is a result of the need to be an alpha female.

Socially speaking, a woman with lots of male attention is considered highly desirable - appearances aside. If a female in a niche culture is surrounded mainly by men, logically, she should have plenty of potential mates and attention - boosting her ego, esteem, and popularity amongst males. This makes her an alpha female. Competition gets ripped down without a second thought. Typically, she will do just about anything to keep this status.

This is highly detrimental to the female side of a subculture. Hazing and driving new kids out leaves the scene stagnant and does not allow it to grow or evolve. With the same girls constantly around, this leaves slim options for the males who want to date within the scene. If these girls are single, they will be surrounded mostly by men, and probably have their internal feelings of alpha females pumped up, and will not want new females coming around. Another reason why this can be extremely harmful is that if people within a local scene date amongst each other. With only a few females around dating the men in the subculture, this will typically cause drama. Say, if there were only 6 males and 2 females in a local scene, this would definitely cause trouble. Also, if a female dates amongst the local scene quite often, this can lead her back to being accused of being an "oi toy" or a "scene whore". Even if she didn't get in because of a boyfriend, she can be accused of these things, and her intentions within a subculture can be questioned just because of her dating habits. Most women outside of subcultures don't get called such names when dating around. The dating world for females within subcultural boundries can be dangerous, dramatic, and disheartening. The need to prove that she is genuine and an individual while dating a man in a subculture can cause many issues within herself and her relationship.

I have honestly never understood the "hazing" into a subculture. When I think "hazing", I think of some dumb frat guys putting a new house member through humiliation. What's the point? Isn't that the sort of mentality we wanted to get away from when we chose to stray from the norms of mainstream society? Why do you want to scare away potential new members of a bands, future dj's, or life-long friends? Shame on anyone who participates in these pointless and degrading tactics - male or female.

Having a healthy, thriving subculture relies on having new blood coming in, and often. Driving new people away, believe it or not, has a domino effect within your local town.

First off, driving people away by not accepting them in the local scene or stating that they need to be hazed in makes you come off like a total jerk. Where ever they're from, they'll tell their friend back home (or non subculture friends that are local), "Yeah, I came here and they expected me to do this, that, and the other to hang out with them. Yeah, I know, ridiculous." Honestly, these games make participants look like total childish buffoons and make said person ashamed to be involved in a subculture. Also, this makes you look like an awful example of a subculture. If you're playing these sorts of childish games, you should honestly do some questioning of your personality and how you treat others in general. As harsh as it may sound, I believe it's true. This could also spread around to other places and give your town a poor representation.

Second, the less people you have in your town, the less often bands will come around. Say a fantastic band comes through your town once, but no one shows up. The impression your town will lay on them is that your town is not a money maker. Most bands don't even get guarantees on the road and solely rely on merch sales to keep their tour afloat and stomachs filled with food. If your town has no one going to shows, they'll skip over your town in future tours. Make sense? So, driving fresh blood out of your scene may also eventually drive out touring bands you want to see.

Another thing I've never understood is why older members within a subculture are so demeaning to younger kids. They, too, were once that age. I'm sure they didn't pop outta mama's womb in full subcultural attire with a stellar record collection. They, too had to go through the ins and outs of growing up and discovering who they are, and Im sure they had some embarrassing records in their collection at one point. Being condescending to these kids is downright hypocritical. If they were treated like that when they were younger, they should be empathetic. Treating new kids like they were treated is wrong, and those two wrongs definitely do not make a right. If you truly love a subculture and music, you want it to grow, evolve, and last against the tests of time. Sharing your love of all these things with younger kids who really don't know where to look helps the subculture grow and forms the brotherly and sisterly bond that is so highly idealized. What is the point of hoarding information?

Rarely do you see younger kids coming around these days who are taken in by older members of a subculture with open arms. If just that were to happen, if people could just get off their mighty high horses...they'd see that most slowly dying subcultures would gain new life. Sure, you may think that these kids are dumb and hopeless, but SO WERE YOU! Don't haze them, don't demean them - just be a positive influence. Being an older "brother" or "sister" can be very rewarding!

Younger girls especially need this positive influence to help prevent them falling into all the sexism and gender roles that subcultures dole out. They need to know that it IS okay to be in a subculture and not be sleeping with someone, or constantly causing drama. They need to know that you can be yourself with outside interests from a subculture. Girls in their teens especially need guidance to help their self esteem, identity, and peer pressure issues. I would assume that most of these girls' parents don't quite understand why they are expressing their femininity in a boy's game. My mother thought I was mental. If I had a female to look up to at that age, those years would've been a lot easier.

I hope things change in the future. I would love to see more women reaching out and cultivating a sense of sisterhood amongst themselves instead of breeding jealousy, cattiness, competition, and two-faced behavior. Negative behavior such as the types I've discussed (from males or females) is detrimental to any subculture. Period. It prevents the cultures and scenes from evolving. Why act in such a manner? No one will benefit from it. Acting with class, dignity and grace will never go out of style and will never be looked down upon. Be secure with your place in the sun and don't concern yourself with anyone else's. Honesty, no one has the authority or right to drive someone out of a subculture - seniority or not.

To those whom have a sense of entitlement - think twice first. Your actions will speak louder than your words.

I love red. I'm sure you can tell. I post a lot of red items on this site. I've been known for my signature red lipstick and red nails since I was about 15 years old. However, I get A LOT of people asking me, "How do you pull it off??" Easy. You have to find a good red for you. Easier said than done, right? Well, not so much. Hopefully I can give you ladies out there a good starting point to get some touches of red. First rule of thumb for red lipstick - go for a "blue based" red. Usually, if you talk with a sales associate, they can direct you to a blue-based red. Blue-based reds look good on almost every complexion as they seem a little more adult than orange-reds or pinky-reds. Blue-reds are neutral and don't overwhelm your features. You'll want to find a matte consistancy. Why? Mattes stay put. Reds that have a gloss to them can look great at first, but they may have a potential to fade and feather, which isn't pretty. A little shine is no big deal, but these lipsticks may need a little more maitenence than a pure matte (I'll list one for an example). Finally - lipliner! Lipliner is necessary! Lipliner should be an invisible boundry for you lipstick, keeping it in place and subtely defining your lips. With red lipstick, you need a lipliner that matches or is very slightly darker. The ones I'm listing match the lipstick I use well, but you may decide you need a different shade. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Properly applying lipstick: 1) Take care of your lips! Go to bed every night with lip moisturizer on. 2) "Brush your lips". Take your toothbrush and brush off all excess skin on your lips, so you don't have any weird flakey things going on. 3) Line your lips. This may take some practice! This fences your lipstick in. 4) Apply. I personally apply my lipstick straight from the tube. This'll take practice, too! 5) Blot. Blot off all the excess. You don't want this on your fella or your glass, fork, dog, cat...whatever. Some people puff powder on through a one-ply piece of tissue, as well. 6) Line again. Even out those lips! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This'll take some time to get used to, but once you do, you'll be glad you practiced!

Clinique's "Vintage Red" At Clinique This has been a long stand by for me since I was about 16 years old. When I found out that it had been discontinued, I was devastated! I've bought up a bunch of tubes, but I've also looked into other reds, for when these run out. That's how I fould all these other great reds! This red is a blue red with a slight gloss to it. It does need to be blotted quite a bit, as it can run. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: Pretty bad - comes off pink Feathering Factor: If not blotted and lined properly, mediocre Gloss: Medium Overall?: The color and consistency makes this one a winner!

Benefit's "Bachelor Pad" At Benefit This one isn't as brown as the picture makes it look, but it is great for the office! A little less of a statement than most real reds. Definitely one to have for more casual events. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: Pretty bad - comes off pink Feathering Factor: If not blotted and lined properly, mediocre Gloss: Medium Overall?: The color and consistency makes this one a winner!

Maybelline's 16-hour "Flame" At Drugstore.com I was hesitant when I first tried this, since I had used Max Factor's permanent lipstick when it first came out. That was extremely drying, thick, and felt like paint on my lips. When I first tried this, I loved it! Just make sure you put it on EVENLY or you may get some streaks. The gloss is a bit sticky, but once you get rid of the excess, it's great. Perfect for events where there'll be a lot of kissing, or you won't have time to touch up your lipstick! I do recommend using a light liner to help guide you so you're even (look below), and make sure you get the removal gloss. Try "Wine" if "Flame" is too light for you, or if you have a darker complexion. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: NONE!! Feathering Factor: NONE! Gloss: The gloss to this is really shiny - wipe off excess Overall?: Fantastic - occasionally. kind of a pain for every day wear. Could get expensive since not much is in the tube.

M.A.C's "Russian Red" At MAC A cult classic. I can see why, now! I just got my first tube of this, and this is the perfect blue red. What's even better is that you can return it if it's not for you. How great is that? Also, it's not as pink as the picture makes it seem - check the store for the real thing! Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: light. Feathering Factor: medium - beware of drinking out of glasses to prevent "joker mouth". Gloss: Matte. Overall?: Wonderful - a perfect red.

M.A.C's "Viva Glam" At MAC I got this MAC lipstick originally, but it was much too dark for me. If Russian Red is too light for you, try Viva Glam. It's a tad darker than Russian Red, and better for you girls who aren't as pale as I am. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: light. Feathering Factor: medium - beware of drinking out of glasses to prevent "joker mouth". Gloss: Matte. Overall?: Wonderful - a perfect red, I recommend it for darker skintones.

Lola's "Sweet Love" At Lola Slightly expensive, but the color is great and the packaging with the little flip mirror in the top of the cap is genius. I don't think it's quite worth the money, but this may be your perfect red lipstick! Color: Blue-ish Wine Red Kiss-off Factor: medium Feathering Factor: low Gloss: light gloss Overall?: Great! Except for the price...

Rimmel's Exaggerate Lipliner "Red Diva" At Walgreen's Color: Very versatile blue-red Kiss-off Factor: low Feathering Factor: it's a lipliner. Gloss: light gloss Overall?: My favorite lipliner. I've used it successfully with all the lipsticks listed above. Cheap and long lasting!

CoverGirl Lipslicks "Daring" At Walgreen's Color: sheer red pink Kiss-off Factor: low Feathering Factor: low Gloss: light gloss Overall?: great for a little color, especially if getting ready quickly.

Maybelline Wet Shine Fusion"Very Cherry" At Walgreen's Color: sheer red pink Kiss-off Factor: medium Feathering Factor: low Gloss: medium gloss Overall?: great for a touch of color, and very low maintenence!! Great buy

Having a manicure always makes you seem a little bit more professional, a little bit more put together, and a little bit more feminine. It shows that you care about the details. It shows that you take care of yourself. You don't have to go to the salon and waste $40 on something you can do at home at your own leisure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Take off all old polish. 2) Cut, file, and even out nails. Frito nails are disgusting. (think Tracy Morgan in the "Corn Chip Nail Tips" SNL skit) 3) Get a four sided buffing block or file (Ms. Manicure sells them for 99c each!!) and at least even them out and buff them. The last two steps are optional. 4) Swipe some nail polish remover across nails to get rid of excess oil. 5) Do one coat, let thoroughly dry (this is why manicures can look gross, when the first layer doesn't dry all the way it goes to crap). Do another coat. 6) Top coat. let that dry. 7) Put on some cuticle cream like Lush's Lemony Flutter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now that that's all taken care of, here's some great polishes that are affordable!

Rimmel 60 Seconds Vinyl Shine "Rapid Ruby" (not pictured) At Walgreen's Color: Deep Scarlet Chip Factor: medium Drying Speed: fast Days before chipping: 3 days or so Overall?: Great for a cheap fix or a fast manicure. I do think you should wait more than 60 seconds between coats, though. Decent value.

Rimmel Lycra Wear "Fever" At Walgreen's Color: Blue Red Chip Factor: low Drying Speed: slow Days before chipping: 5 days or so Overall?: Decent for the price - keeps for a couple days before chipping starts creeping up on you..

Sally Hansen No Chip 10-Day Nail Color"Resilient Red" At Walgreen's Color: Red, Red, Red. Chip Factor: very low Drying Speed: slow Days before chipping: 7 days or so Overall?: absolutely fantastic - nearly makes the promise as advertised. I'm very hard on my hands though, so it may make it for you!

I Don't Know Much About History
by Joanna Wallace

I have been in this culture a very long time. Longer than some, not as long as others. One thing I have noticed in the past 6 years or so is the fall of the Rude Boy/Rude Girl culture. This past week, I realized this while going through old zines and whatnot, looking for information while writing the Laurel Aitken article I just put up. What happend to this culture? Was it overtaken by checkers and oversized ties? Did the people just get sick of it? Or did it not even exist as some claim?

When you type in "rude boy" or "rude girl" on Google, or almost any search engine for that matter, what pops up? A lot of awful photos of pre-pubescent teens in large black ties and checkers and sneakers and just all over black-and-white badness. Just awful. This is a far cry from the original pompus Jamaican rude bwoys that ran the streets of kingston in the late 60's and early 70's. So how did this happen? I believe that there are many generations of how this has come to be.

I'm sure most people reading this right now are hardcore Jamaican music fans, like myself. So when people like us think "Rude Boy", we think of the Rocksteady era in which Jamaican Superstars sang songs to either condone or tried to bring their behavior to a hault. These gun and switchblade toting men were angry with how the government did not bring in the goods in which they promised after Jamaica gained its independence in 1962. Most of Jamaica was very poverty stricken, very unsafe, and it was difficult to find food, all in which they thought would be eliminated after their independence was achieved. These Rude Boys became quite a problem in Jamaica, as they'd loot and shoot to get their way, also participating in trafficking drugs and supporting prostitution all the while. They were NOT a good thing for the police or the common people during this time, causing lots of panic and instability in every day life. Where do the "Rude Girls" come into play in this era? Usually the Rude Girls were the girlfriends of said Rude Boys, or prostitutes that helped participate in their unlawful activities. That's something to be proud of.
So how did "Rude Boys" and "Rude Girls" become associated with ska, when they originated in the rocksteady era?
Most of you know that at the dawning of the 2Tone era, founder Jerry Dammers created Walt Jabsco, the symbol synnonymous with 2Tone records and Rude Boys worldwide. Walt Jabsco was based off of an image of Peter Tosh, from The Wailers. Almost overnight, this symbol became a cult icon in which boys and girls based their fashion off of. This started a whole new definition of "Rude Boys" and "Rude Girls", which is just as legitimate as the outlaws of Jamaica post-independence. This new subculture was mainly young adults in the United Kingdom, as well as througout Europe who followed the beliefs and music style of 2Tone and Ska from Jamaica. These people were also known to get rowdy, fight, drink too much, and cause trouble, but over a different reason than just unkept promises. During this whole period, England in particular was going through a lot of political changes, most notably the extreme right wing associations like The National Front and The British Movement. Madness had a very large Skinhead following, and both associations used their shows as recruitment conventions for support. Skinhead violence during this time was looked down upon in the media, but The Young National Front's paper, The Bulldog, was glorifying it as "their" skinheads were fighting for "their" cause, even though most of the time, both skinheads and rudies that were featured weren't associated with either organization. With all these politics going on, the scene was split, and fights were just started over political association...whether about being associated with the NF or the BM, or just stepping on one's loafer, fights were to be had. The 2Tone label, which was known for its multi-racial friendliness was accused of being a racist label, despite the fact that every band signed on at the time was multi-racial. Needless to say, this second generation of rude boys and rude girls also had a reason and cause in their time, and helped bring awareness to their cause by starting a rucous, just like the original rude boys in Jamaica.
During the floating period, between the second definition of the Rude Boy/Girl culture and the third (which we'll get to), let me get to the half way point, which most people don't even think about. The uprising of the US's Rude boy and Rude girl scene. During the mid 80's, right at about the time when the 2Tone movement died the second that The Fun Boy 3 put on their eyeliner, bands started popping up here on American soil in Southern California and New York City. This was the start of the Third Definition, which ended up getting quite ugly. I was very young when this came around, but I was lucky enough to see small glimpses. My neighbor who was also my babysitter was into this music. He dressed full out, and so did his friends. Some of my earliest memories are of him and two of his friends putting records on a portable record player and dancing while I sat and watched. These boys wore small brimmed pork pie hats, very fitted oxford shirts, and pegged pants. They all had sort of cropped hair (about an inch) and wore big sunglases (oh jeeze). When I was young, I wasn't sure what it was all about, but when I was about 12, I found myself dressing in a similar (but feminine) way and hanging out with people that did, too. In my opinion, this was the golden age of the modern Rude boy/Rude girl culture. During this period, it had proven to stick along the same lines of music, the same simplistic but modern fashion, and the same principles. The people had old Jamaican music, and more modern 2Tone, as well as America's answer to 2Tone (acts like The Toasters, Boitovision, The Donkeyshow...). It was still underground, and people were content.
Then came "Definition Three".
The third definition is the one that is still prevelent today. It is the bastardization of a culture that was consistant through time. The ska-boom of the mid 90's. Although many acts worldwide were doing their version of Jamaican styled music or 2Tone, certain bands were mixing horns and pop punk and labeled it ska, despite the fact that compositionally, had very little in common with the true ska. For some reason, these bands were doing the right thing at the right time, and got lots of media attention. Bands like Reel Big Fish, No Doubt, Goldfinger, and Buck-o-Nine all managed to cash in on this "ska craze". Smart on their behalf, as I'm sure they're still getting cash, but they also helped mislabel a whole genre and subculture. Then came "Skaturday" on MTV, hosted by Carson Daly, clad in a wretched black and white suit, a-la Walt Jabsco/Peter Tosh. Sure, this may have helped point some kids that were interested in true ska in the right direction, but I'm sure that Carson Daly stating that rude boys wear black and white suits just helped futher blasphemize this music. During this time, I saw more than my share of wide black ties and ill-fitting suits. I saw more than my share of people in completely checkered outfits. I saw more than my share of people leave because they didn't want to be associated with such people. During this time, "Rude Boy", "Rude Girl", and "Ska" became dirty words. It became opposite of what it was before. Intelligent, sharp-dressed 20-somethings were replaced by goofy, bad tie-wearing young teens.
I remember when people would proudly refer to themselves as Rude Boys and Rude Girls. I don't think I've heard someone call themselves that in well over five years, besides those "checkered weirdos" (as asnis purins referred to them as.) It seems that all the ones I knew became skinheads even though they said they never would, and there is nothing wrong with that....Except the fact that they are helping lay to rest the culture that they were in for years for less hair and a stronger subculture identity.
So here, at the begining of the 21st century, will there be another revival? Will it be for the better or worse? On my recent trip to California, I saw some people that were dressed the part, but since I did not talk to them, I cannot be one to judge. Will there be another culture born of people who appreciate Jamaican music and dress nicely besides modern traditional skinheads? There is a fine line between modern day traditional skinheads and mods, and those are the rude boys and rude girls, the fanatics for Jamaican music. Is that fine line gone for good?

****Photo above is from an old rude boy/rude girl fashion spread in "Rude International"****

HOW TO FIND A GOOD TATTOO ARTIST
By Joanna Wallace

For those of you who are looking to get your first tattoo, or those wanting to change their artist, you know how daunting of a task this can be. Someone that will permanently imbed ink into your skin should be someone you can trust, that you like, and most of all, are comfortable handing over your flesh to. The main reason I'm writing this is because I know how intimidating it is trying to walk into a tattoo parlor and have the artists and their buddies that are hanging there give you the look down. I don't want you to go through that! With a little confidence and research, you'll be able to find a nice and talented tattoo artist that won't freak you out the moment they lay that needle into your skin.

TIP ONE: "LOOKIT THAT GUYS TATTOO!"

When you're out in public, you're bound to see tons of people with tattoos. If you're as picky as I am, you think most of them suck. Yeah, most of them do suck...BUT! Occasionally you will see that piece that is so amazingly done, you'll be burning a hole through the person who calls it his or her own. Don't be a creep and admire from a distance, approach them and ask them, "Do you mind me asking you where you got your tattoo done at?" Usually, they'll be pretty open minded and willing to talk about it. Ask them what shop they went to, where it’s at, who did it, how much it cost, and if they (personally) like their artist and if they'd recommend going to that particular artist. If you decide to pursue that artist, tell them that you got the recommendation from the person you talked to (make sure to get their name, too!) This could result in some sort of discount for you or them. (Maybe!)


TIP TWO: DO NOT SKIP THE PORTFOLIO!

This is very, very, very important! If you have gone into a parlor, and it seems like a kind of atmosphere you like (clean, friendly, informative) flip through all the portfolios (some shops even have their portfolios online, which makes it easier on you). See something you like? ASK! If the artist is there, sit and chat for a while (unless if they're busy with another client). Even if their portfolio doesn't include something that you would get done on yourself, but it shows that the artist has good skill, they are worth talking to. Good things to look for is that they have clean lines, their shading that flows well, and their colors are mature. When I say mature, I mean that they stray from basic colors. This shows that they're good at mixing inks. Another thing that helps is bringing an idea of what you would want. (Your artist is not psychic to what you want) Don't just pick some flash off the walls! When you find an artist you are interested in, ask the them how up to date their portfolio is, what they would charge for your design, what days they are available, and especially if they want to do your tattoo. I know that sounds like a weird thing to ask someone that you would be paying, but if they are willing and like the piece, it will come out better. My artist talks about how sick he gets of doing the same old stuff on people. Also, if they don't answer all your questions about their work or what you want, don't go back. You don't want some prick tattooing you. Another thing I would suggest is don't get tattooed at the first place you visit. Do not rush something like this. It may be exciting and tempting to just go for it, but shop around. You wouldn't make a big purchase without shopping around first, right?



Member of the Yakuza getting tattooed.


TIP THREE: WHERE'S SHOP?

I went on a crusade and called most of the shops in my immediate area from the time I turned 16 until I got my first tattoo. On my "research" I found that most of the shops close to local Universities and downtown hipster areas are a total rip off. Artists at these spots are usually dicks, too. See, I think the thing is that since tourists and students are near these areas, the artists know that they're probably one-timers. And believe it or not, if they think you are a "one-timer", they'll charge you an arm and a leg. My artist told me that himself. Also, these artists in more "hip" areas are used to doing the trendy tattoos.Butterflies, nautical stars, the same sailor jerry-type pin up girls, tribal, simple celtic stuff...So usually, these places aren't really the place you'd want to go for say, an elaborate backpiece. If you want, you can go in with your idea on paper and ask them for an appraisal. Then go to some place NOT near campus or downtown and ask them. I'm sure you'll get totally different prices and attitudes.


Getting my first tattoo as soon as I turned 18.

TIP FOUR: BE COURTEOUS!

Make sure that when you do find your tattoo artist, you have an entire day to yourself (and probably the next day to get over the sting). You do not want to rush these people! I mean, you don't want it to look like Helen Keller did your tattoo. (When I got my second tattoo, I had to leave in the middle of my sitting to go to work. That SUCKED. Then I graduated the next day and I smelled like A&D. Not very smart on my behalf.) When you go in, definitely be clean, fed (low blood sugar is bad while being tattooed!), not sun burnt, and for women, not menstruating. (Some artists say that women who are menstruating while getting tattooed feel more pain due to sensitivity and whatnot. Don't put my word on that! Its only what I've heard!) . Finally, when your artist is done, make sure to thank them a lot and tip them pretty well. (Tip is usually $10-$20 or about 10% of the cost) Usually, the better you tip, the more they like you. A majority of tattoo artists live on commission, so they really need the cash. Also, if you decide to go back and get more (which you probably will) they'll probably remember you better than the dude who stiffed them and ran. Take some cards from the shop before you leave if the artist doesn't give you some. If someone asks you, "where'd you get that done at?" your artist will really appreciate you giving them business. It also helps if you write your name and the artists name on there (so the artist knows that its you that sent them. brownie points, ya know?)
I hope this helped someone out there be a little less intimidated by the world of tattooing. Once you get into it, you'll probably keep going back. Better than spending your cash on utilities, right?

editor's note: Bob Walter is one of my favorite people. When I need an honest opinion about anything, I go to Bob. Bob always has the end-all opinion. Out of all my years of meeting people in the scene, I have to say, Bob is the person I respect most out of anyone. I asked him if he was interested in writing an article for me when I first started Get Up Edina, and here it is. Take every word to heart! This man is one of the few people who I actually care what he thinks of me and my actions, that's how important he is! -Joanna

Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?
by Ska Bob Walter

*A special thanks to the members of the "In a Dancing Mood" Internet Forum, whose comments and critiques gave me the boot to the head I needed to clarify my writing


I've been trying to write this article for several months, now. And, to be honest, I'm not sure if I can properly convey the sense of loss that inspired me to write it. Everyone's experiences are unique to them, personally. What I'm trying to say is, my viewpoint is very narrow, and not necessarily widely appreciable, but so be it.

With the permission of the reader, we will dispense with the true definition of Rude Boy. I realize that this will contradict things I've written in the past (things you've never read, of course), but for the sake of this piece, a Rude Boy is not the underprivileged, hard-assed gangbanger of 1960's Kingston. Instead, we will use the definition popularized in the 1970's and 80's; the hardcore fan who went out of his way to epitomize Ska and all of it's variables.

I was nine years old when my family moved to Utah in 1977. It was 3 or 4 years later before I heard of Ska. Utah is a strange place. Everyone thinks we're all so backward, and they're not completely wrong. But, a lot of people here have relatives from all over the country, including (and particularly) California. If it was popular on the West Coast, it was the best new thing in Utah a year later.

For several years, I suffered in silence. Well, scratch that. For several years, I was silent in ignorance. I had my dalliances with Kool and the Gang, Billy Joel, and even Queen, but it was always 2-Tone and Chrysalis Records that I fell back to. It's not that I didn't have others to guide me. Ron Yrigoyen and Tom Price were the Upper-Class heroes of Provo High School. They were on the cutting-edge of "New Wave" And Tom's younger brother, William Price, had a Vespa by around 1984. Unfortunately, William was more of a Thompson Twins kind of guy, but he taught me a lot about Mods. One of the many girls who broke my heart, Beth Arbizu, tried as hard as she could to make me understand what it was I liked about Ska. Even my older Brothers and Sisters made major contributions to my musical upbringing. My brother, David was a total Anglophile. I remember sitting in his bedroom as a youngster, listening to the original Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy radio broadcasts, and Monty Python records. My sister, Marianne, was a Bob Marley fan. My other sister, Becky was one of those Pre-and-Post New Wave goddesses that is still talked about. My Brother, Walt was one of those guys who was at every Punk show, but stood at the edge of the Mosh Pit and acted as a referee. Today, Walt is a major contributor in the Outdoor Sports world.

Fast-forward a couple of years; I graduated in 1986, still not sure of who I was. Half Preppie, half Punk, half Skater and half Dungeons & Dragons Geek. It wasn't until 1988 that I found my calling. Within a month's time, I saw Quadrophenia, Absolute Beginners, and came across both Moon and Unicorn Records releases at a local Record shop, Reptile Records. In 1989, I made a pilgrimage to London, and attended the London International Ska Festival. This changed my life.


Allow me to pause here, Dear Reader, to remind you that this was before the days of the Internet, before the days of MTV's Skaturday and before real big shit. I bought every piece of Unicorn and Moon vinyl I could find. I was at every Thrift Store buying 3-button suits and inch-wide ties. Doc's were hard to come by, but I was buying Creepers and Monkey Boots at every turn.


And suddenly, I saw the Silent Conspiracy. There were people in my town, about my age, who were diggin' what I was. I started noticing Docs and Monkey Boots and, well... Mini Skirts. I saw Vespas and Lambrettas on the streets. I saw Porkpie hats and Ben Shermans. Mods, Rudies, and Skins. Wow, and I was in Utah! I was part of something that was truly underground, and it felt really cool. I met Deacon and Reese at Checker Auto, and joined English Rose Scooter Club, the only club in existence at the time (and the oldest existing Scooter Club in Utah). I started a Ska show on a local radio station, KRCL, with a good friend, Jack Rude. And, I was asked to manage Stretch Armstrong, one of the local Ska-influenced bands of the era.

The best thing about all of this was that when you were there, people got it. Whether you were at a Ska show, or a Scooter Rally, a bowling ally, or at an ABC Ska Society dance, people got it.

This is my point.

I got married in 1993, and dropped-out. I came back a few years later, and was, to be honest, saddened.

Today, I get asked what Suits have to do with Ska, what Scooters have to do with Ska. Today, I see Scooter Rallies filled with "Kimco" and "People" machines, Scooter clubs filled with people who have never heard of Mods, and "Ska" bands who've never heard of Prince Buster.

Even some of the best bands today don't look like they listen to what they play. And the people on the Internet who know the most about Ska, don't give two shits about the tangents.

OK, so, I'm an elitist. I no longer count that as an insult. I'm tired of going to shows and being the only one with a tie, jacket, Fred or Bennie. I'm tired of looking at Deborah Harry or Gwen Stephanie wannabes.

It's not that I think that to be a "true" Ska fan, you have to dress like this or dance like that, or also have to be into the other. Ska fans have historically been the penultimate example of integration, and not just racially. Every walk of life is typically represented at a Ska show. It seems to be clear, however, that the Iconic Trinity of Rudy, Mod and Skin, while not dead yet, is obviously on life-support. Any day now, someone's going to pull the plug.

The obvious exception to this argument is The Skins. In my experience, Skinheads don't go away. They may tone-down their aura to codify employers as they age, and they may end-up spending more time at home with the wife and kids, and less time at the pub, but there seems to be far fewer "used-to-be" Skinheads as there are "used-to-be" Mods and Rudies. With Skins, it's more about family and finances, and less about fads and fashions. Skinheads don't die, they just get mortgages.

The bottom line, I guess, is that things seem to be so different, today. "Ska" as a subculture is a salt that has lost it's flavor. Pajama pants and Jester Hats have replaced the Suit & Tie. The "look how wacky I am!", Austin Powers look has replaced the quiet, sophisticated James Bond look.

The impact that the entire sphere of the so-called "Ska" subculture had on me is enormous. At 37 years of age, I am still unable to wear pleated or straight-legged pants. I have to peg every pair of trousers that my wife brings home. I cannot wear ties that are more than an inch and a half wide. I just can't do it. It's almost impossible for me to let my hair grow longer than an inch. I don't discount other styles. Not at all. I listen to and enjoy a vast variety of music. I have friends and associates from across the spectrum. But I found my style years ago, and ain't nothin' gonna change it.

Maybe it was small, and the bands didn't get the money they deserved, but, I miss... I really miss... The Scene.