Beneath The Skin

On this week's episode of Beneath the Skin, we're joined by Dr. Ole Wittmann to talk about early German tattooist Christian Warlich, as well as his unique Warlich rum brand Follow Ole Online Ole's Campaign Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by writer, journalist, and all round brilliant person Alice Snape to discuss the shocking Eunuch Maker case, as well as her work in the TattooMeToo movement. Follow Alice on Instagram Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by the wonderful Terry Manton to talk about Scottish tattoo history and his work as a tattoo historian Follow Terry on Instagram Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by Joakim Steyls, the photographer behind the incredible Jobstoppers project to discuss his work and what a jobstopper means in 2025. Follow Jobstoppers on Instagram Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by historian Dr. Claire Aubin to discuss tattooing among the American far right. Dr. Aubin is the host of the newly launched podcast This Guy Sucked, a show where historians and scholars explore guys who sucked throughout history. Follow This Guy Sucked on Spotify Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we spoke to Dr. John Swierk about his recently published research into what really is in tattoo inks.   The paper is Kelli Moseman, Ahshabibi Ahmed, Alexander Ruhren, and John R. Swierk  "What's in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market". Analytical Chemistry 2024 96 (9), 3906-3913. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05687 and is attached below. Beneath the Skin Store Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by returning guest and friend of the pod MJ Forrest to talk about the world famous Cindy Ray (real name Bev Nicholas) Follow MJ on Instagram Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by Paul 'Rambo' Ramsbottom to talk about the legendary British tattooist Cash Cooper. Paul is the owner of Rambo's Tattoo Parlour and Rambo's Tattoo Museum in Manchester's historic Northern Quarter and recently published his phenomenal book on Cash Cooper AVAILABLE HERE Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by Ethan Hill to discuss the famous Tattoo Mike Wilson Ethan is a photographer and filmmaker producing an upcoming documentary about the life of Tattoo Mike Wilson Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about the history of tattoo pricing Bonus Episodes Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about early British tattoist Tom Reilly Bonus Episodes Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by Archaeologist, Researcher, and returning guest, Benoit Robitaille, to discuss his studies of pre-modern tattooing tools, his research on Otzi the Iceman, and his current work uncovering the hidden histories of the tattooed mummies of the central Peruvian coast. Bonus Episodes Follow Benoit on Instagram Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com  

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about the unreleased (officially) video game Tattoo Assassins Bonus Episodes Webshop Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about the history of lettering, it's origins in Chicano graffiti and mural culture, and how it has evolved over time. Webshop Bonus Episodes  Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we cover the life of painter, comics artist, and tattooist Greg Irons Bonus Episodes Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro Music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

  On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we are joined by Dr. Jamie Jelinski to discuss the history of tattooing in Canada and his new book 'Needle Work: A History of Commercial Tattooing In Canada'. Bonus Episodes Buy Jamie's book here Follow Jamie on Instagram Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we bring you Matts preview of his new book from the BMX.net conference in Berlin Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we were honoured to be joined by writer and journalist Margot Mifflin. Margot is the author of the seminal Bodies of Subversion, as well as The Blue Tattoo, and Looking for Miss America. Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at the £5 tier on Patreon  On this weeks episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about the history of tattooing robots, what it means for the practice of tattooing, and the big tech company Black Dot Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin Matt talks about tattooist, sculptor, and psychic Jamie Summers, who's radical approach to tattooing was too far out there for even those on the bleeding edge of the scene. Bonus Episodes Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by friend of the show MJ Forrest to talk about the history of tattooing in Australia. Follow MJ on Instagram Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this week's episode of Beneath the Skin Matt spoke to Danielle Bioardi, custodian of the Lyle Tuttle collection about her upcoming exhibition in New York called Skull Sessions. We discuss the histories of skulls in tattooing and in art more generally, and dive into stories of pirates, submariners and pilgrims, as well as Lyle Tuttle and his remarkable collection. Bonus Episodes Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we answered your questions! Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Webshop Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about the short-lived Tattoo The Earth travelling tattoo and music festival.  Beneath the Skin Store Bonus Episodes If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin Matt discusses tattooing and death. Apologies for the recent delays on episodes, Tom suffered a death in his family at the beginning of the month so we had to pause production for a couple of weeks but we'll be back on schedule next week. Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at the £5 or above tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin Matt discusses some interesting stories from the history of tattooing in Fiji. Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we spoke to Hamburg based artist Caro Ley about her radical approach to tattooing, connection, and art. Follow Caro on Instagram Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at any tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talk about two tattoo history books that never came to be LIVE SHOW TICKETS Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we're discussing copyright, tattooing, and the recent Kat Von D legal battle with copyright and law professor Dr. Melanie Stockton Brown. LIVE SHOW TICKETS Bonus Episodes Get more Tattoo History on Instagram Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we're continuing our series on the history of tattoo conventions. Beneath the Skin Store Bonus Episodes If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we're covering the early history of tattoo conventions. Bonus Episodes Beneath the Skin Store If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we spoke to friend of the show Adam McDade about his research on the inner experience of tattooists. Follow Adam on Instagram  Adam's Website  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at any tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we're talking about several stories of how tattoos have been used in branding, and also discussed the long lost Schiaparelli tattoo inspired bathing suits from the 1920s Beneath the Skin Store If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we're joined by Māori artist Te Rangitu Netana to talk about the history of Tā Moko and it's place within māori culture in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Beneath the Skin Store Follow Te on Instagram  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at the £5 or above tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we're discussing copyright, tattooing, and the recent Kat Von D legal battle with copyright and law professor Dr. Melanie Stockton Brown. If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin for Valentine's Day we discussed the purest expression of love, genital tattooing. We also spoke to artist Adrimetric about his tattoo journey and finding his speciality of penis tattoos. Bonus Episodes Follow Ad on Instagram  Mentioned in this episode:  Mr. Sebastian Interview 1987  Good Time Charlie's Tattoo Man  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we continue our journey into the history of flash. Bonus Episodes If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at the £5 or above tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about the short-lived Tattoo The Earth travelling tattoo and music festival.  Stay tuned for Part 2 in two weeks If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about the history of flash between the late 19th century and the 1960s.  Stay tuned for Part 2 in two weeks  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at any tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about one of the most influential artists of the punk scene, Raymond Pettibon, If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we bring you a special Christmas treat. This is a recording of the legend George Burchett delivering a special Christmas broadcast talking about his life on the BBC in 1943.  Happy Christmas  Matt and Tom xoxo If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at the £5 or above tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talked about British tattooist Charlie Dick and his time tattooing while interned in a Nazi prisoner of war camp in Poland during WW2.  Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear a rare brief interview with Charlie If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

This episode was previously available exclusively on our Patreon. To hear more great episodes like this make sure to check it out here. On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talk about the history of modern tribal tattooing.  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at any tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we bring you a recent talk delivered by Matt at the Royal Horticultural Society about the history of botany and tattooing If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talk to Anton and Nizar Razzouk whose family have been doing pilgrim tattoos in Jerusalem since the 1300s Find the Razzouks on Instagram   If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively at the £5 tier on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we are joined by medieval historian Dr. Eleanor Janega to talk about the history of medieval woodcuts and their influence on tattooing Follow Eleanor online  Listen to We're Not So Different  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we go in depth about the tattooed remains of Ochy-bala Bonus Episodes If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin Tom is once again torturing Matt by forcing him to watch the latest season of Ink Master If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talk about the history of modern tribal tattooing.  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

On this episode of Beneath the Skin we talk about the enigmatic figure of Dr. Samuel Steward, aka Phil Sparrow and his tattoos, the Hell's Angels, and his work with Alfred Kinsey. Bonus Episodes If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro Music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com

Hear the rest of this episode exclusively on Patreon  On this episode of Beneath the Skin Matt and Tom are joined by author, historian, and host of the Lions Led By Donkeys podcast Joe Kassabian to talk about the Mutiny on the Bounty and the history of Pitcairn Island New Shirts Available Here Listen to the Lions Led By Donkeys podcast  If you want to follow us online for more updates CLICK HERE Production by Thomas O'Mahony Artwork by Joe Painter (jcp_art) Intro Music by Dan McKenna If you would like to get in touch you can email the show on beneaththeskinpod@gmail.com