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  #11  
Old 10-02-2010, 06:46 AM
UFC_fan UFC_fan is offline
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Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

wow that is a long ass interview...they must like you haha!

awesome! when will this be published?
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  #12  
Old 10-03-2010, 03:27 AM
THRASH THRASH is offline
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Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

Wow that was cool. Took me almost my entire shift to read. Interesting to say the least.
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  #13  
Old 10-03-2010, 06:33 PM
Meat Meat is offline
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Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

That was a cool read. It was good how they asked about all the stuff outwith tattooing too, it's an interview that anyone can get into, whether they're into tattoos or not.

P.s. Thanks for the 'supercool kid' reference! hahaha
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  #14  
Old 10-04-2010, 03:40 PM
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BRANDON BOND BRANDON BOND is offline
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Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

- What did you do before you became a tattooist? School, job, uni, prison…? ;-)

BB - I was a musician. I played in bands from the age of 14-21. I gave up music entirely to tattoo, because there is no half ass way to be a tattoo artist. I had to decide. In
tattooing you are not relying on 3-5 other weirdos for your success,
it is 100% completely internally driven, and that spoke volumes to me.
I miss it every single day however. When I finally do throw my
machines into a Volcano (which is coming), I plan to retire to New
Orleans LA, (the place I most feel like I'm home) and play guitar in
blues bands until I die, for no money at all. I just had to do this
tattoo thing first. Like something that had to get out of me almost.
The more frustrated I got with the studios I worked in, the more
focused I became on "one day in MY studio it won't be like this sh*t".

I do not regret this decision (music vs. tattooing), but it is the
only one I have second guessed.



- How did your interest in tattoos develop? What was your first contact, when did you get your first one, how was the decision to become a tattooist made? What did your family think about it?


BB - I was always fascinated by tattoos. I used to draw all over myself and my little sister, and in fact got in trouble for that in school and with my parents. Little did anyone know I was actually practicing! I got tattooed in a shop for the first time when I was 16 and the first tattoo I ever did was on myself with my dad's pocket knife (FTW meaning F*ck The World). My family hated tattoos, and still to this day does not have a single tattoo. I am the only one.


- Did you enter a formal apprenticeship? In hindsight, was this decision/opportunity the best way for you? Or would you wish for yourself to have gone any other way?

BB - I did an apprenticeship yes, two of them in fact. 3 total years, studying all aspects of the industry I still work in. This is the only way to get involved in tattooing as far as I'm concerned, if for no other reason, just for the safety of the public and so years of wasted experiments don't make us all look bad. The traditional aspect of this whole thing is my favorite part of it. To deny yourself an apprenticeship is to negate your involvement in our rich history. And to take shortcuts has never been the path of success. The only place success comes before work (in English anyways) is in the dictionary.

- What are your thoughts on young people now entering tattooing? What to do and what not to do…

BB - Do an apprenticeship, and don't be one of those retards with no tattoos, it's like a dentist with no f*cking teeth. Do this because it is what you love and do it as best you can every time, or go do something else. Do NOT do it because you like Kat Von D, and your parents told you to get a god damned job.

- How did your own career develop? On your own? Shops? Where did you work and how did that influence your career?

BB - I worked in over 50 studios in America. Everything was VERY different 20 years ago. We lived in a bubble.
No Internet, no cell phones, hell that was even before beepers
existed. If I wanted to see an artists work, I had to actually
physically drive, or fly, to where that artist lived and look at the
actual physical book. Influence did not come easy, and many artists
never left their bubble. I travelled as often as I could afford to. I
spent all my money going all over America, meeting artists, getting
tattooed, asking questions, and looking at portfolios, investing in my
future. Now these kids coming up have it EASY, the Internet allows me
to see a tattoo done in Poland TODAY in real time for example. Artists
were extremely guarded about their secrets. So "influence" was a
different term then.

When I was coming up, what few magazines we could get always had Paul
Booth, Joe Capobianco, Jack Rudy, and Aaron Bell in them. I was
initially attracted only to color, so I got tattooed by Joe a lot
(about 3/5s of my body!) and eventually went to Seattle to work for
Aaron.

My first influence was Jim Wolfe, Tattoo Zoo, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. My
teacher, mentor and later my friend. We still text each other
techniques and tricks to this day. (Congrats on the Grandbaby bro!)
His shop was/is a street shop, because that was really the ONLY kind
of shop back then. I learned to work harder, longer, faster, and with
more efficiency than the others I was working with. I made a lot of
money for that guy for sure! (laughter). I learned how to be a
"tattooist" by definition, a workhorse. It was later that the term
"tattoo artist" began to mean something and shape what I was doing.

I moved to Austin, Texas in search of the great Chris Trevino, and I
got tattooed a lot by him. I worked at a shop up the street from him
(because I was not good enough to work with him) and then I would take
all the money I made over to him, next door, and learn. Learning by
watching him tattoo me. that was the only way in those days.

As I spread my wings and travelled more, I discovered shops like 222
Tattoo in San Fransisco, Primal Urge, Everlast, Darkside Tattoo, Last
Rites. These studios obviously had a HUGE influence in the studio I
would later create, but so would Tattoo Zoo. We still to this day have
someone available for walk-ins every single day regardless of what's
going on with tours, guest artists and chaos. A combination of all
that I saw that was good in the tattoo universe, is what I built here
in Atlanta, GA. I learned a lot of what NOT to do, but I took what I
liked and made ALL OR NOTHING. It worked out pretty awesome.

- Can you tell me more about All or Nothing? How did it come about and how did it develop into what it is now?

BB - Over the coarse of my career, I always knew I was working
towards a goal, a studio that would be something larger and more
fantastic than anything I had ever heard of. That was my focus the
whole time. I worked in over 50 tattoo studios in 20 cities, and any
cool studios where I did not work, I hung out and soaked it in. I was
a stalker. I got tattooed a LOT as well. I had a plan, I was waiting,
for the right timing, the right city, the right magic to align.

I got tired of people constantly saying "when are you going to open
your own shop", even my parents were hitting me with that at Christmas
a few years in a row, but the right things needed to be in place. And
my own tattooing was not what I wanted it to be. I knew that in order
to accomplish this almost unrealistic goal of creating a utopia, that
I would have to lead by EXAMPLE, that I had to tattoo in a way that
would attract young artists who wanted to grow, to learn from me, in
the way that I was attracted to studios with a badass artists/owners.
I had to become better, more versatile, able to tattoo any style, on
command. Once I felt I was there, I started doing articles in tattoo
magazines, talking about what was coming. These articles were smoke
signals to the other tattoo guys of the world, guiding them into the
light.

There was also an issue of money. I knew that I wanted to NOT have a
partner or an investor... ever. I had seen the devastation of having
multiple leaders. And don't even get me f*cking started about shop
owners who do NOT tattoo! They are a cancer! So I had to scrape and
work and save enough money to open the studio, 100% independently,
with our first day open being 100% debt free. The time came, the stars
aligned and I found myself in the local licencing office, sweaty and
nervous, about to get my first business licence after many months of
arguing and jumping through hoops. We were to be the first studio in
the history of the City of Smyrna, GA, so I was focusing on everything
I had to do to appease the city and convince them we weren't bikers
selling drugs or whatever.

The only thing I didn't have together was A NAME for this entity I was
creating. I knew that my whole career, life, future, reputation, and
financial situation rode on this, that it was everything I had worked
towards for so long. I remember thinking to myself, "here we go, I
guess it's all or nothing now" and ALL OR NOTHING was born. I still
try and remember to celebrate every single year, the anniversary of
that signature.

- What is the structure of ALL OR NOTHING? How many people work for you in total, how many artists, what do the other people do?

BB - First of all, I work WITH our staff, they do NOT work FOR ME.
Technically yes, I sign their checks, and have to yell at them when
they act like children so I am the leader yes, but I lead by example.
My staff will tell you, whether they call me, 4 in the afternoon, or 4
in the morning, they will get me, and my undivided attention. I spend
more hours to this day, working on everything shop related than all of
them put together. This is key to what we are doing. We work TOGETHER.
We create together, we promote together, we drink together, we grow
together, and we live together. You can not kill us all.

When it is time for "good cop/bad cop" yeah I always end up being the
bad cop, which sucks by the way. But we live and die as a family. I
may be the Dad in the family, but we are all related nonetheless. I
hate when I hear a studio owner bragging about how many artists he has
working FOR HIM. I just wanna stab someone with a fork when I hear
that because I worked FOR so many people. All the way up to my very
last job, just before ALL OR NOTHING I was working FOR someone, who
did not appreciate me. I vowed to never be that type of shop owner.

So our artists work together not for each other. Extraneous staff
includes graphics folks, my assistant, web guys,
sticker/print/tshirt/merch type folks, shipping people, video editors,
apprentices, accountants, attorneys, street teams, photographers,
bookeepers, etc. This is entirely different. I still struggle with the
proper management of these on a daily basis. The least favorite part
of my job. Always an issue somewhere that is no fun to even think
about for me or for them. It's hard to keep everyone moving foreword,
but that is my role, so that I what I do. Out of necessity, not my own
personal motivations.

To answer your question though, our family is 72 people strong as of
today. That number will change and grow and shrink as we have to go
through a pile of folks to find the diamonds. My current staff, is my
favorite of all time at ALL OR NOTHING. We are kicking ass.



- How did it happen that ALL OR NOTHING has become such a huge business? Would you see it as a model company that others should follow?

BB - Not unless they are absolutely INSANE (laughter). No mine is not a template, but it's own unique sculpture, and no one I know would be into putting in the hours I did to get all of this stuff to actually materialize. At least without the use of heavy drugs. (laughter).

- Where do business and art clash? For you personally, but also for the entire business?

BB - They clash constantly, a war inside my head, a battle I lose. The two have not one time worked together, only against each other. Business and art are opposites in every way. And it is damn near impossible to do artwork at this level after a huge bad day of bullsh*t dealing with logistics. I am constantly frustrated, and my artwork has suffered. Because my role as a leader is more important. I have mouths to feed. It sucks though.


- Doesn‘t running such a huge business keep you from doing any actual artistic work? It must be strenuous enough, just to keep everything together and running...

BB - YES, I have not done one piece of art (not on skin) since ALL OR NOTHING's birth. The entire family and all that we do is my artwork at this point, but my personal art withers. This is temporary I believe.


- How do you keep your own artistic integrity, for example, make sure that you are still doing artistic work, instead of leaning back and enjoying the benefits of your success?

BB - I think that my continuing to tattoo is vital to the motivation and growth of our artists. I try to lead by example. I worked for a lot of folks who either never tattooed or had retired to simply running a shop, I don't believe this will ever happen, I will tattoo longer than I will be a boss. Because I love to tattoo, and I hate being a boss.

- About your own personality... I guess you have an idea that you are not the average guy in general, and even for the tattoo scene come across as quite, let‘s say, "open" and even a bit eccentric. What is your opinion about that?


BB - It is HARD to stand out in a sea of freaks, debauchery, and artistic innovation without going completely off the deep end. Most people do not make it to the top of this bizarre mountain with their flag to plant, and the life expectancy of a tattoo artist has to be about 48 instead of 78 (U.S. National Average).

I know what you are referring to. This strange morph of lunacy,
unpredictability, gun brandishing, profane, booze swilling guy who
does tattoos. This sells magazines, and makes people watch things on
TV. This attracts a certain demographic of client yes, and of fans.
But it has nothing to do with me.

The way I have been portrayed on magazine covers, and on TV, has
always leaned towards this shock value, attention grabbing,
whore thing.

The worlds first view of this came with my first book "WHORE"
www.strangleholdmerch.com and was followed shortly thereafter by
"VICKtory to the Underdog" www.vickdogmovie.com.

I believe this is when all of that really began to change. It showed
more of who I am, and who we are, in real life. I'm not a rockstar, I'm
just a street shop hustler who worked my ass off and loves those
around me... oh yeah, and dogs. Yeah, I love dogs. now stop talking to
me about them (laughter).

- How do you think is it to work with you or for you?

BB - Definitely WITH me not FOR me. That is rule # 1, well that and don't F*CK with my Money (laughter). I'm just kidding. Our studio and way of life is not for the lazy, nor is it for the weak hearted, thin skinned pussies that seem to be popping up all over these days. We are a tattoo studio first, and there is no crying in tattoos.

I have seen the growth of our generations of artists and I think that speaks more to what it's like to work here than anything. Their continued success as they move on and grow as artists and people. It's hard work, but it pays off, every single time. We have birthed some of the worlds foremost contemporary tattoo artists, and continue to.


- Do you think you have a character that tends to addiction or compulsive behaviour?

BB - YES. I am a compulsive workaholic yes. I do not do drugs, so the addiction part is different entirely. I drink a LOT, but actual drugs are far stronger than I am, I realized that at a young age and avoid them like the plague. I respect drugs because I have seen what they have done to peoples lives around me. I have been to a LOT of funerals... too many. So yeah I don't f@#k with drugs. But, I work way too much and have a hard time sitting down for prolonged periods. I got it from my father. So, yes I am a compulsive psychopath kinda.

- You do quite a bit of charity work. This might surprise some people, who have met you, but don‘t really know you. Can you elaborate what causes you support and how?

BB - We have done extensive work with abused animals (www.AtlantaPitBullRescue.com is my charity company), Disabled War Veterans, Feed the Homeless, Haiti reconstruction, fallen police officers, Mosquito Nets in Malaysia, Special Olympics, Childhood Cancer, Toys for Tots, and lately I have been very interested in www.Standown.org

Charity is very important to me, and all of us here at ALL OR NOTHING. We have to give something back to the community to actively participate in its growth. That, and its the RIGHT thing to do. People are looking at what we are doing now more than ever, and I want to encourage others to be a positive light shining in this dark world. Even crazy tattoo guys can do some good, but we have to work together to make a difference.

- There seems to be a group (at least that’s our impression in Europe from far) of you guys doing this hyper (almost sur-) realistic color portrait work (Mike de Vries, Vince Villalvazo, Nikko, Carson Hill, you, etc. etc.) What is your connection to them, if there is one?

BB - Yes there is an amazing level of tattooing happening all over the world, and the Americans involved are pushing each other. And yes, I have been tattooed by Mike Demassi and Mike Devries. Actually that is featured in the charity documentary "VICKtory to the Underdog" (I get a collaborative tattoo of my first Pit Bull who was rescued from a dogfighting operation by them in my private studio www.AntiArtElite.com).

A lot of that style of tattooing started years ago when Josh Carlton, Albie Rock, Sean Herman, and I all worked at ALL OR NOTHING. Sean was pretty much an apprentice back then it was so long ago now. It is amazing to see how it has evolved and grown. I am in NO WAY taking credit for any of that, just saying that we were definately involved in it, and its evolution. This is a very exciting time to be a tattooer. Those west coast guys are amazing for sure. But there are artists all over the world doing that same type of stylized portrait based surrealism. (Which is what I have been calling it lately)?


- How do you find creativity in portrait work, rather than just copying reality…?

BB - To make a portrait look stylized (in other words recognizable as in "I know who did that piece") is one of the most difficult aspects of accomplishing a unique tattooable image from a photo. Elements of what makes that person who they are or were is key, illustrative tattoo based applications and drawings on top of the photo, behind it, and creative color selection is how that is achieved. I am constantly striving to do more of this and less actual realism. We all are. It is also way more fun that way.

- How do you like working together with other artists? I noticed that you do quite a bit of it (with Dave Tedder, Paul Booth, etc.) What do you gain from it? Do you think collaborative work can advance tattooing in general?

BB - The single best way to learn how to tattoo is to tattoo with people you respect. I have learned more from collaborative tattooing than anything else. It is key to everything we do at ALL OR NOTHING.

- How do you use the Internet to advance your business, but also your artistic scope?

BB - The single most important innovation in modern tattooing is the Internet. I hate the fact that I have to sit in front of my laptop so much now. And a lot of artists will argue this point, but now you can see everything everyone is doing same day, same time, and before we had to actually fly to go look at the damn black book on the counter. Nothing will ever be the same again. Also the reference material at our disposal is f*cking ENDLESS now. The sky is the limit.

- What kind of technical equipment do you personally use? Machines, colors, needles, etc. Do you encourage or even require your co-workers to do the same?

BB - My staff uses whatever they want to, I don't care. We all have different styles and tastes. I use predominately Pulse machines, Tat-Soul furniture, Waverly Ink, Envy Needles, and H20cean for healing.

- Do you do a lot of conventions? What do you like/dislike about them?

BB - Nope, I did conventions for 15 years CONSTANTLY, I quit 4 years ago. Now I just go to the ones in cities I want to go see. I actually have only been to two in the last 4 years. And I saw YOU at both of them! I like seeing all of my friends from the last 20 years and meeting new friends (like you), but I hate just about everything else about it. I like to tattoo in my studio, it's pretty relaxing and amazing. No distractions. The opposite of a convention in every way.

It is also a distraction for me to be there. In other words my staff is amazing, they do a LOT of shows without me, and when I am there, my presence distracts everyone from them. The focus should not be on me, I'm already "there". My guys deserve the credit, awards, articles etc. They are better than me anyways. Damn kids.

- Which conventions in Europe will you visit? I saw you in Amsterdam and Doncaster, two events totally different in nature. How do you choose the conventions you go to?

BB - By the size of the check the convention sends me to appear (laughter) Just kidding.

I went to TattooJam because I was invited and was given a pretty amazing offer, along with a "Lifetime achievement Award", it would have been rude to say no, and I wanted to see London. Amsterdam was solely because I wanted to see Amsterdam, which is AMAZING by the way. I definitely will return to Amsterdam often. Those are the only two shows i have attended in 4 years.

- Do you have lots of European clients?

BB - Actually yes I do. Our studio provides transportation to and from the airport, hotel accommodations, food, booze, whatever anyone asks for within reason and we do NOT charge for all the transportation and stuff at all. We have a LOT of EU/UK folks flying in and getting HUGE work! With the $US dollar not being worth much in EU, they are getting a great supercheap deal for them as well (laughter). We are always flattered. I have completed full sleeves and full backpieces in one single trip before. Actually we do that kind of stuff all the time.

- Can you see a difference in what styles/type of work Europeans choose to get from you as opposed to Americans?

BB - Not in my studio, but while I was in EU I noticed a lot of black and grey and those dots they do. I've never done a tattoo in dots yet. Fascinating, but too technical for my brain to pay attention to for that long.

- How and when did your particular style develop? Are you influenced by any art outside tattooing? What does appeal to you about it?

BB - That period I mentioned earlier when Joshua, Albie, Dave, Nate, Sean etc worked together, I believe we all were pushing eachother so much that art was forced out of all of us. That was when it happened for me.

We were doing a LOT of experimentation and collaboration then. As far as influence, I am influenced by everything my eyes see. Any artist that denies that is f*cking lying.

- What other art forms/media do you work in? What do you like about it?

BB - Like I said earlier, nothing but tattooing really. My days are consumed with business related frustrations nowadays. I did do a lot of work in film though, the "VICKtory to the Underdog" movie was a good example of that. It is a HARD medium to work with but I loved it. That is definitely a difficult artistic medium.

- How do you use graphic design and photoshop software to work on the photographs of your work? You know that too much manipulation might work well for publicity, but also raises unrealistic expectations in clients.

BB - We only add a black background behind the bodypart so all the photos look cohesive, and yes, people that cheat on a computer are douchebags. That is a large misconception about our art. Our tattoos are as bright in person as they are online. My wife just got tattooed while I was visiting you in EU by Short Parker and Vince Villalvazo (both are ALL OR NOTHING artists) and her legs are WAY brighter in person than the photos. I am blown away every time I look at them. People think we are messing with the images, we aren't. Come check out my wife's legs (laughter).

- Do you normally like to work in color? Please elaborate…

BB - Nope, my favorite medium in tattooing is black and grey, it is way easier and more fun. People seek me out for color though, it's weird.

- Do you do a full-scale drawing of a custom design before you tattoo it?

BB - Never. Who has time for that? (laughter) Spontaneity is the spice of life, and the fuel for art that fits the body properly. Something laid out months in advance will no doubt nofit the body part perfectly. I like to create it while they are sitting next to me. The flow of the art on the body is as important as the design itself in this level of tattooing.

- How do you go about creating a unique piece for your client? Do they usually point out some of your pieces they like and want to have something similar?

BB - Most of my clients just want something that looks like I did it. And yeah, they pick out a couple of their favorites, then I simply hook them up with what I pull out of my secret files of awesomeness. I'm spoiled rotten because my clients give me free reign to do what I think will look best.

- How do the topics come up?

BB - Sometimes they bring it up, but most times I just show them a piece or two that I am planning on doing on someone and BAM - here we go.

- Are there styles/topics you would like to work on more than before? Which way do you want to go artistically?

BB - More Black and Grey and more artistic freedom. I have some amazing stuff cooking for 2011! I still love color don't get me wrong, but you asked!

- How should potential clients contact you? Contact info for the article?

www.AllOrNothingTattoo.com is our main site out of the 11 or so we have live right now, and nicole@allornothingtattoo.com is how you get an appointment and arrange flights, hotel, transportation etc. Other key sites are www.AtlantaTattooTV.com for all our online videos (30 pages of them!)

- How do you see the relation between European and American tattoo artists developing?

BB - It is very different over there. But we are all cut from the same cloth. I have a lot of new friends over there now.

- What could be done among tattooists to improve the situation/understanding between those two cultures?

- It would really help if it wasn't such a monumental pain in the ass to exchange artists in a guest spot capacity, legally. Ever since 9-11-01 it has been a b1tc4! America is a c*ck about letting people over for tattooing purposes legally, so it happens illegally a lot, which is just bad for all of us.

- What do you like doing that has nothing to do with tattooing? What do you do when you want to switch off? Do you ever? ;-)

BB - I wish I had more time to do anything but work on the zillion pages of sh*t to get done on my lists everyday. When I'm not tattooing or typing, or on the phone or doing an interview like this one (laughter) I enjoy spending time with my dogs, my wife, my parents, my family of artists, swimming, riding quad bikes, shooting guns, drinking beer, not in that order (laughter).

- Again, I am grateful, you are taking the time to do this!

BB - Thank you! I have been a fan of your writing for many many years, it was an honor to finally meet you in person and I look foreword greatly to having dinner with you at Surf and ink in AU 2011! See you at the tattoo seminar!

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Family as defined by Brandon Bond CEO and "El Presidente" ALL OR NOTHING INC:

www.Merriam-Webster.com: "FAMILY" fam·i·ly noun \ˈfam-lē, ˈfa-mə-\ : A
group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head
of household. A people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a
common stock and united by certain convictions or a common
affiliation. Any of various social units differing from but regarded
as equivalent to the traditional family. A unit of a crime syndicate
(as the Mafia) operating within a geographic area.

My family is the single most important thing in my life. This is how I
was raised. My parents (who just celebrated their 42nd wedding
anniversary) always taught me to put family first, to protect and cherish
those that are closest to me. This is an extremely American concept
in many ways; living, bleeding and dying for what we hold dear.
Selflessness, focus on the whole, sacrifice, loyalty against all that
would stand to do harm to the unit or any individual affiliated with
that unit, these are the core values that have been beaten into me
since I was old enough to walk. I am a direct product of that specific
environment, as is our studio.

My father always did, and still does, put his family first. We are his
#1 priority no matter what. He is the head of our household in every
way, a intense force, that doesn't take sh*t from anyone. He is
driven, efficient, insanely successful, always on the move, always 10
steps ahead of everyone around him, and he always keeps the best
interest of the family in mind. The single most influential person in
my life is my dad, Mr. Bond. He was the "best man" at my own wedding.
Which, ironically, occurred shortly after opening ALL OR NOTHING. This
was the same exact time that the word "Family" started to take on a
larger, broader, and newer meaning to me.

I have learned over the last decade that family is not solely defined
by blood. I have based ALL OR NOTHING and our family of clients and
artists entirely on what I saw growing up in my own household. I
worked in slews of studios and never felt like I was where I belonged.
Tattoo studios are generally never based on anything like this, at
least in my 20 years of experience. But in our case it just happened,
not by design, but naturally. It has been beautiful to watch. A work
of art developing in front of my eyes.

We are open to the public a minimum of 12 hours a day, 364 days a year.
Our staff generally sees each other more than we see our own wives,
parents, pets, and kids. The name of our studio has evolved into a
mantra, a way of life, and become a conveyor belt of success. We are
an assembly line of personal and career development. I have watched as
people have come, grown, developed, changed, and in many cases, moved
on forever and changed into an entirely different person. Hundreds of
talented and motivated warriors have come and changed. An almost
magical growth has occurred in so many lives; web guys, graphics guys,
film editors, hell, even some marriages happened as a result of folks
meeting in our lobby originally. Car wrecks have happened too, lots of
sleepless nights in hospitals. I once lived in a hospital, on a chair,
for 23 days with one of our apprentices, who was here from Canada, and
had no "immediate" family in the U.S. However, she had us, her family
then, and now. I have spent more time in hospitals since we opened,
than the rest of my life put together. Baby births are always a party,
we have had so many I can't count 'em!

Our home is our studio. We are most comfortable there, and it is there
that feeds all of the family in one way or another. Pushing us to do
more and be more than we think we can. Headquarters.

Other businesses have been birthed, careers having nothing to do with
tattooing have relentlessly grown as a result of some level of
involvement in our leviathan of perseverance. Our film guy was a
janitor, now he owns his own production company for example. (I'm
proud of you Scott!) He wanted to work in video, and now does
countless music videos for amazing bands, and produced a film
(VICKtory to the Underdog) that has been a featured film fest
selection in 6 countries and won countless awards. He is just one
example in a pile of hundreds.

Josh Carlton's child took her first steps here in Atlanta during his
move to our studio.

Dave Tedder was homeless and smelly when we found him, now he is a
famous artist who teaches international seminars on advanced tattooing
and is a proud papa of a gorgeous young daughter. I was present (we
all were) for the birth of his child, and I was the best man at his
wedding.

Sean Herman will be the first to tell you that he used to eat out of
dumpsters. Now he is one of the most influential artists in the world.
I'm proud of you Sean.

As one of our own hardworking apprentices grew into a tattoo artist,
he also tied the knot, with one of Tony Mancia's Clients! And he made
us wear pink ties! Thanks Jarvis! We drank moonshine and got wasted. I
think Dave fell asleep in the bean dip.

Two of our best clients, and closest family members, Caysee and Corey
Hamilton met at a convention, winning a bunch of awards for us. Fell
in love, and got married in a midget wrestling ring, where I made out
with a hot little person in front of 2000+ people. There was free
beer.

Tim Orth had a gorgeous baby boy with his lovely wife right smack dab
in the middle of all of us. I brought whiskey, champagne, and cigars to
the hospital and we all stayed for hours.

My own loyal assistant Nicole honored me by asking me to give her away
at her wedding. I was present for the birth of her daughter, Emma, and
was honored to help her through a rough patch involving some
complications that later turned out fine. I am "Uncle Brandon" to her
children, and to all of the ALL OR NOTHING children. I love her son Julian as though
he were my own.

And car wrecks, holy sh*t we have been through some car wrecks.
Surgeries, treatments, physical therapy, stitches, injuries, broken
bones, alcohol poisoning, illnesses, death and sadness are ALL just
part of being a family.

Last year we even suffered the worst possible loss of all. A child. We
were all brought together by a courageous young man, Madison
Vennekamp, Chris's eldest son. When he was originally diagnosed, we
immediately began to raise funds, gifts, and love from all corners of
the world, and our family of clients and fans exploded with support.
It was beautiful. We saw him fight relentlessly, fearlessly,
and struggle to not surrender. We grew to know and love Madison as a man,
not a child. Cancer has a way of maturing someone and he was no
exception. I learned from him more than I can write here, and I still
tear up when I think about the end of that journey. I still personally
have not been able to come to terms with that. But we were all in
attendance at the funeral, even though Chris no longer works with us.
It was one of the most powerful afternoons of my entire life. I will
be forever changed. We all were changed forever, as a family.

Our clients, friends, and fans have ALWAYS been equally regarded as
family. When someone comes to our studio to get tattooed, they are
welcomed with open arms. We have always been very conscious of the
fact that without the loyal support of our client corner of the
family, we would have nothing going on at all. Period.

Those that wait patiently for their appointments, tirelessly heal
gigantic sessions, and endure hours of intense tattooing at the
highest level. The dedicated hardcore ALL OR NOTHING army that flies to
us from all corners of the globe is one that cannot be f*cked with.
These are the same relatives that you see in every magazine, anytime
our family is mentioned. They are our representatives, going forth
worldwide and telling stories of a place where tattoos exceed all
expectations, a place where hotel and transportation is handled, and
courtesy, respect, and love flow throughout. These are the warriors who
attend conventions with us and for us. The collectors that end up with
more awards than tattoos. They, themselves, in many cases, become well
known, and receive their own articles and interviews. Terms like
"YOU'RE the DARTH VADER GUY!" permeate the background of many rooms
they enter. They are our bloodline, flowing in every direction and
bringing life to all of us.

I am the backbone, refusing to give in, pushing everything in an
upward direction, and consistently focused on supporting the whole.
However, I am useless without those around me, and I am only as
successful as the whole.

Relationships blossom, marriages happen, babies are born, portfolios
develop, projects are completed, awards are won, waiting lists and
income grow, girlfriends become fiance's, babies take their first
steps, first homes are purchased, and for much of this we actually
have to wear a tie. I still, to this day, have to get someone to tie my
damn tie for me, but I wear it proudly as I look on and watch lives
develop.

Our Familia grows everyday in every way. I am honored to be a part of
it. I love you all. I am proud of you all. Thank you.

Love - BB



--
Brandon Bond

2569 South Cobb Dr.

Smyrna, GA 30080

(770) 435-9966
www.allornothingtattoo.com
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www.myspace.com/brandonbond
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www.twitter.com/brandonbond

Last edited by BRANDON BOND; 10-05-2010 at 08:14 AM..
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  #15  
Old 10-04-2010, 03:40 PM
BRANDON BOND's Avatar
BRANDON BOND BRANDON BOND is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 7,876
Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

typing is BAD for my arm

I have never typed so f*cking much

thanks for reading all of this.
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  #16  
Old 10-04-2010, 03:44 PM
Shauna Smith's Avatar
Shauna Smith Shauna Smith is offline
Assistant to Brandon Bond
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Join Date: Sep 2010
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Posts: 195
Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

great read!
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  #17  
Old 10-05-2010, 06:55 AM
UFC_fan UFC_fan is offline
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Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

Great stuff Brandon...it's a good feeling to be apart of your army of inked warriors
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  #18  
Old 10-06-2010, 11:26 AM
THRASH THRASH is offline
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Default Re: 10-10-10 New Interview with BOND!!!!

I am saving what I haven't read so far for my midnight shift. haha! Keeps me entertained.
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