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Skin, Ink and Needles: Seattle Tattoo Expo this Weekend at Seattle Center

August 6, 2008

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, thousands of body art enthusiasts will converge at Seattle Center for the Seattle Tattoo Expo. The annual event has been revamped for 2008 with the addition of an all-day music lineup that by itself should be worth the price of admission ($15 a day, $35 for the weekend). Among the featured acts are local products Vince Mira (aka Juanny Cash) and Duff McKagan's Loaded (yes, Duff McKagan of Guns 'N' Roses and Velvet Revolver fame).

Of course this is a mere side note, as the expo is expected to draw more than 200 of the world's finest tattoo artists, as well as thousands of inked individuals showing off (and adding to) their very portable art collections.

For those looking to refine their needlework there will be plenty of opportunities to exchange techniques and tips with other like-minded enthusiasts, as well as a pair of artist seminars featuring the likes of Shawn Barber and Jeff Gogue (watch out ? these cost extra).

Despite the impressive music lineup and prominent tattoo artists on hand, the highlight of the Seattle Tattoo Expo is always getting a chance to see the ways in which people from around the country have chosen to adorn their bodies. While these works of art can be seen walking around Seattle Center all weekend, they'll really get a bit of the limelight in the expo's contest series. While a "tattoo of the day" will be chosen each evening, the truly can't-miss event is slated for 4 p.m. Saturday ? the worst tattoo contest. That's right, that Indian ink beauty your former friend gave you might just gain you a piece of fame (or at least infamy).

Whether you have been under the needle before, the 2008 Seattle Tattoo Expo promises all-day entertainment and plenty of opportunities for a little skin beautification.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/spi/archives/145464.asp

Edit: according to this, they play on Sunday August 10th

http://www.seattletattooexpo.com/music.html

McKagan, McCready To Rock Seattle Tattoo Expo

August 07, 2008 , 12:35 PM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Velvet Revolver's Duff McKagan and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready will rock out with their side projects in the coming days as part of the seventh annual Seattle Tattoo Expo, which kicks off tomorrow Aug. 8 at the Seattle Center.

Both McKagan's Loaded and McCready's Flight to Mars will play an event after-party tomorrow night at El Corazon. Loaded will also play Sunday at the Expo, which is hosting a concert stage all weekend featuring Nashville Pussy, Nevermore, Tiger Army and many others. For tickets and information, visit SeattleTattooExpo.com.

McKagan fits right in at Tattoo Expo, considering he has 13 of them, the most recent of which he obtained last Friday. "My wife and I have been riding motorcycles a lot lately, and she told me I needed to get a skull tattoo," he tells Billboard.com. "The guy started in on it right in this really sensitive area. I always realize what a sh*tty idea it is. I love the result but the process sucks."

For McKagan, the shows will find him unveiling material from Loaded's debut album, due early next year via Century Media. A five-song EP will precede it in September.

"These are purely my songs. It's probably more derivative of my earlier years of punk rock," he says by way of description. "It's a good rock'n'roll band. It's fun, is what it is. There's no real business and no real drama. I'm really into no drama right now," he adds, noting Scott Weiland's recent rancorous departure from Velvet Revolver.

McKagan formed Loaded while he was taking business classes in Seattle earlier in the decade. "I started my college band in my 30s," he laughs. "At spring break, we'd go play Japan and sh*t. Then Velvet Revolver started, but Loaded kind of kept going. We play charity events every Christmas. More and more people are coming to see us play, so we decided we'd make a record."

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003836390