I really can’t speculate what Royboy’s motivation was with producing his videos; whether they were intended to document what was going on in Tattoo culture at the time or as an infomercial for his shops I’ll never really know. But you have to appreciate how many times in one video he can fit in his own name. In the flash, in the songs, on tshirts…. It’s all Royboy all the time.
This video, Return to the Badlands, is from 1987. Unlike his later films that feature the work of other tattooists at conventions, Return to the Badlands was shot at Roy’s shop and features he and Debra tattooing. And working out. And playing guitar.
As with most Badlands videos there was a decent amount of random nudity that I had to cut out, but as a whole these are really amazing time capsules of 1980s tattooing.
Since this video features ‘no gloves’ content I’ll throw in my standard “it was a different time” disclaimer.
Speaking of- how long do you think it’ll be before the average tattooer doesn’t know what Speed Stick deodorant has to do with tattooing?
jenniferstell
mypusheadaddiction
Shawn Porter
jesusneededatattooer
/ April 3, 2012Wait….what’s the name of the shop???
frizz ze kraut
/ April 3, 2012Tattoing without gloves but with sunglases – Roy Boy was the man.
Great blog, great vhs-archive. Greets from Germany.
Justin B.
/ April 4, 2012I just can’t help but watch these Roy Boy videos… Some parts make me giggle, while others make me cringe, but all of it has a place in tattoo history. For good or bad. Thanks for sharing as always sir!
Bobby Lane
/ April 20, 2012I think that day is already here Shawn.
Jason Harris
/ April 25, 2012Oddly enough for years Tattooers used speed stick or deodorants like that to apply the stencil for the design. Not really sure why anyone still uses it but it can be purchased in bulk from some tattoo equipment distributers! Most folks these days use surgical lubricant, green soap or specially developed gels but speed stick is still out there in some places.
Shawn Porter
/ April 25, 2012When I first started getting tattooed, they used speed stick. The smell of that and green soap still brings me back.
Jason Harris
/ April 25, 2012And if you watch Miami ink closely you can see speed stick at almost every work station.
Shawn Porter
/ April 25, 2012I can’t bring myself to watch Miami Ink.
yonatan
/ April 29, 2012gotta love the theme song. I should play that all day at the shop