Nevada Magazine - February 2010inked
The hot sting of the needle takes me by surprise this isn't my first tattoo, but the initial shock is always the same. After a few minutes, adrenaline numbs my back to a slight warm tingling sensation, almost like a scratchy shirt rubbing against a sunburn. When the needle approaches my spine the pain momentarily returns. Tattoos have been a part of cultures around the globe for more than 10,000 years. While the significance of body markings has historically varied from indications of status and rank to identification of prisoners and slaves, modern Western tattoos are generally cosmetic and denote something of personal significance. While choosing a design is paramount, it is also important to pick the right tattooist and parlor. Some of the top artists in the country practice their craft in upscale studios on the Las Vegas Strip. One of those artists is Joey Hamilton of Club Tattoo in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops. Hamilton has been in the business for 14 years, and his work has been featured on A&E's hit show "Inked." The handful of talented artists who work alongside Hamilton were chosen from more than 100 applicants. Simply put, these people can do for the human body what Rembrandt and Monet did for canvas. "These are some of the best [tattoo] artists in the world," Hamilton says. "We feed off each others' talent." The studio echoes the top-end theme with upscale décor, custom leather tattoo chairs, and five touch-screen monitors with thousands of images for potential customers to peruse. Though other tattoo studios in Las Vegas incorporate similar technology, none do it on such a large scale as Club Tattoo. While prices reflect the top-talent artists and premium Strip location (my tattoo, about nine inches in diameter, would run about $800), the constantly busy studio is a good indication that customers do not suffer from sticker shock. Clientele range from avid tattoo enthusiasts to college students and famous actors and musicians Slash of Guns N' Roses recently visited the Club to get a tattoo of his own design depicting a skull wearing a top hat. During my visit to Club Tattoo, Hamilton offers his insight to help make the compass rose design I want on the middle of my back really stand out. To follow the theme of personal significance, the tattoo is a symbol of the thirst for adventure that has been a driving force throughout my life. Hamilton appreciates a customer who has a clear idea of what he or she wants. "Don't ask us to design your tattoo," he says. "We don't know you and will probably never meet you again this is something you're going to have the rest of your life." Hamilton's true talent (like any tattooist) is turning his customers' visions into art doing things with ink that most of us would never think are possible. The intricate detail, true-to-life shadowing and highlighting, and rich color palate have to be seen to be believed. While Hamilton works on my back, about a dozen potential customers browse the studio Club Tattoo also offers piercing and brand clothing some watch the pro-gress of my tattoo, and others search the seemingly endless database of tattoos. One thing they share in common is they don't fit any inked-up, tough-guy stereotype; they are average people, many considering their first tattoo. This speaks to the goal of co-owners Sean and Thora Dowdell (Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington is also a co-owner) to elevate the image of the tattoo industry. After more than two hours under the needle, my adrenaline is ebbing, and the pain is slowly increasing. I'm relieved when Hamilton tells me he is going to look over it a final time for any spots he's not satisfied with tattooists take their work doubly seriously. It's not only their art, but it will be on their customers' bodies forever. He meticulously bandages my back and goes through a detailed list of instructions to care for the healing tattoo. By the time I am healed and ready to share my new adornment with the world, Hamilton will likely have tattooed dozens more people and may well have all but forgotten my compass rose, but I will always be a canvas for his work, my message, and their artful intersection. Linkin Park frontman to premiere new band in Vegas
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington remembers the day I met him for the first time, on the Strip in 2000. His band's debut had come out a few days before and had shot up the charts. A national music magazine wanted his band somehow in the next issue, and it found the group at a radio convention in Las Vegas. A photographer arranged a shoot of the band pretending to gamble at the Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood). Linkin Park was so not famous then; the casino's floor manager carded the band members even for pretending to gamble. As for me (who got a call that morning to run down and do a quick interview with the unknown band), I mistakenly called them Lincoln Logs the entire conversation. "That was a pretty funny time," Bennington recalls. "There were a whole lot of new experiences happening at that time. It is funny. I remember everything you were saying. And I remember that time when we could not buy an interview with most people. And now we are at a time where it seems we can spend all of our time doing interviews and nothing else. It's been a very interesting ride." As we were speaking by phone Monday, one of his four children was hollering in the background. Bennington will be in Vegas on July 4 offering what he says is the debut performance of his new band, Dead by Sunrise, at Planet Hollywood's Steve Wyrick Theatre in the Miracle Mile Mall. They will be doing an acoustic performance to intentionally thwart the efforts of bootleggers he says, until the final electric versions are ready for release. But his real reason to be here is not so much musical as to promote the opening of Club Tattoo in the mall; he is a co-owner in the tiny chain. As for the difference in playing in a hit-making band and owning a tattoo parlor, Bennington, notes that there isn't much. "In the beginning, being in a band was a lot less about business. It was about having fun, and trying to get enough money to pay for the rent for your rehearsal space. Nowadays, with Linkin Park being what it is, there is a lot of business going on. It is not much different than operating and owning a business like Club Tattoo. The one thing I don't have to do is the daily grind of operating and managing the shop. That is what my partners do. I am the lucky guy who gets to promote the shop and use my celebrity to raise awareness of Club Tattoo." In addition to the concert Saturday night, during the day at Club Tattoo, Bennington and his band will be signing autographs from 2 to 4 p.m. elfman - vegasland, 2009
DOUG ELFMAN: Hope nothing happens to him
Painful things happen to the lead singer of Linkin Park. He's become allergic to his own sweat. He needed plastic surgery for a tennis injury. And years ago, he ripped off one of his nipples accidentally. Chester Bennington -- who sings Saturday at Planet Hollywood after pulling a stunt with illusionist Steve Wyrick -- says the nipple thing sucked. "I was getting in the shower," he says, "and I gave myself just enough room to squeeze in. And as I walked through, the barbell just caught the edge of the sliding glass door and ripped it right out ... which made me feel like I got lit on fire. "I heard this little tinkling on the floor, and I picked up the barbell, and my nipple was still on it," he says. He took every piercing out of his body that day. "I would have preferred a girl ripping it out in some crazy episode." After that, he got bitten by a nasty spider on his belt line, "right above my ass," causing a welt that raised up half-an-inch with a black hole in the center, swelling the glands of his armpits and groin to half the size of golf balls. "Finally, about day five, I had no depth perception, and I was dizzy, and I couldn't think. I couldn't put thoughts together," he says. Antibiotics cured the bite. Then, a few years ago, he hit himself in the face so hard with a tennis racket, while playing in Singapore, the racket "went right through my lip -- all the way through." "I had to have a plastic surgeon sew my lip back together again. He did a great job. You can't even tell. "And that was two weeks after I broke my wrist onstage. "And at one point, I became allergic to my own sweat," he says. "My body was attacking my armpits. I had these huge swollen red hives that were very painful ... for like a month, and it went away." Bennington's got a solution for his brushes with pain: "I need to be in a bubble. Just put me in a bubble." Bennington, 33, goes wild Saturday at Planet Hollywood:
"If he doesn't get out of there, it will be the end of Steve Wyrick," he says. WEEKEND PLANNER Check out today's NEON for the scoop on Jamie Foxx today and Saturday at the Hard Rock (he talks to Jason Bracelin) ... Jay-Z and Ciara today and Saturday at the Palms ... Jeff Dunham today and Saturday at Caesars ... All-American Rejects today at Mandalay Bay Beach ... the new Woody Allen movie ... and naked men at the Onyx theater. QUOTE "All the demographics are moving toward the Democrats -- young people, Hispanics, octuplets." -- Bill Maher tells me in an interview in today's Neon. He performs today-Sunday at The Orleans. 93xrocks.com - club tattoo lv, grand opening
LINKIN PARK's CHESTER BENNINGTON will celebrate the grand opening of his Las Vegas tattoo studio on July 4th with a rare performance by his side project DEAD BY SUNRISE. As previously reported Bennington is expanding his Arizona tattoo parlor, Club Tattoo into the Miracle Mile shopping complex as Las Vegas Planet Hollywood resort. To celebrate he'll play a special 10:30 p.m. set inside the Steve Wyrick Theater which is also located in the Miracle Mile Shops. Examiner.com - June, 2009
Free Concert Tickets and Autographs at Planet Hollywood Make your Fourth of July in Las Vegas extra special by getting an autograph from a famous rock-and-roller and picking up free tickets to his new band. Chester Bennington, front-man for Linkin Park and co-owner of the new Club Tattoo inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, will be signing just about anything you can bring into the store on July 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. While there, you can snag some free tickets to Bennington's new band, Dead by Sunrise, which will be performing that night at the nearby Steve Wyrick Theater at 10:30 p.m. Given that holdiay fireworks in Vegas tend to be in the neighborhoods and parks, why not catch some pyrotechnics of an audible sort, instead? Las Vegas Magazine - June, 2009The Missing Ink
Ink impresarios Sean and Thora Dowdell and Chester Bennington, of Linkin Park fame, opened their flagship store earlier this year, bringing the fleet total up to five. In addition to a huge variety of tattoo designs, all viewable on computers in the store, patrons can also get pierced just about anywhere. And a relatively recent process, microdermal piercing, makes that literally possible. Also featured in the store is the Club Tattoo clothing line, plus plenty of other hip brands. - NINA KING
Los Angeles Times - June, 2009
Join the Club: Club Tattoo marks National Tattoo DayPosted by Aleza Freeman in Las Vegas Hotels
There are many tattoo shops where you can permanently commemorate your Vegas vacation. But today, at Club Tattoo inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, you can get inked for 10 percent off (the price, that is). Club Tattoo is offering 10 percent off everything inside the store all day today in honor of National Tattoo Day. Just mention the special code "NTD" and receive the discount on any tattoo, body piercing or retail item. Owned by Linkin Park front man Chester Bennington and long time friend Sean Dowdell, Club Tattoo also features a full boutique of apparel and jewelry.
Tiziana had no idea she would end up getting a tattoo when she traveled to Las Vegas from London. Above, she spends National Tattoo Day getting inked with a koi fish by tattoo artist Joey Hamilton at Club Tattoo in the Miracle Mile Shops. Photo by Howard Freeman
Club Tattoo features a full boutique of clothing and jewelry. Photo by Howard Freeman Get inked like an A-lister, and get 10% off
Linkin Park front man Chester Bennington and long time friend Sean Dowdell opened their 5th ink shop at the Miracle Mile shops inside Planet Hollywood March 5. The two, with Thora Dowdell, founded the original Club Tattoo in 1995 in Arizona. They have annually won "Best Of" awards for their Arizona shops. Celebs have flocked to the shops to add to their art collection, including Brian Marshall (bassist for Creed and Alter Bridge), UFC Fighter Ritchie Hightower, Blake Shelton, David Boston of the Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers, members of the Wu Tang Clan and Head from Korn. Not in the mood for a pierce or to add more ink? The store also features a full boutique of Club Tattoo brand apparel, fine, funky fashion jewelry and Bennington’s Ve’cel clothing line. To receive the discount, mention code “NTDâ€. The 10 percent discount can be applied to tattoos and piercings as well as body jewelry and retail items. Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Opens Club Tattoo at Planet Hollywood
Cub Tattoo features over 3300 square feet of tattooing, body piercing, jewelry, clothing and accessories. Las Vegas photographer Erik Kabik shot these exclusive photos. For more information, including sample artwork from their tattoo artists in Las Vegas, visit their website at http://www.clubtattoo.com (Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com).
click on a thumbnail to view a larger image
Examiner.com April, 2009
"Society doesn't see this body art as rebellious," says one of the co-owners Thora Dowdell. "It's beautiful." She sports sleeves of flowers and back filled with half-done artwork. Her husband Sean Dowdell is a renowned piercing artist who refined the art of microdermal archors. But this store is more than just a family business. Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park, is part owner in the chain out of Phoenix. He met Sean during his days in Grey Daze, the band Bennington was in before Linkin Park. "There's a lifestyle here", says Bennington, famous for the tattoo flames that shoot up his arms. "It's not just about tattoos and piercings. We have all sorts of things that don't involv pain." Bennington admits that getting tattoos was painful, but still he continues to decorate his body with new works. His first tattoo was Pisces, meant to originally be about the size of a silver dollar that turned into a half-sleeve. He has koi because he likes the story of them swimming upstream and turning into a dragon. He even has a Linkin Park tramp stamp to commemorate 1 million records sold by the band. Over his heart he has the initials of his wife and four boys. In case you decide to try ink, Club Tattoo has touchscreen computers to help you choose a style. The store sports three chairs on the floor and two rooms for tattooing privacy along with seven artists. "Every artist says they're almost done and an hour later, they're still working," Bennington jokingly warns. Robin Leach March 2009 Interview
DailyFiasco.com - 09'
New Trend in Body Piercing All the Rage
KTAR.com 2008 "A micro-dermal piercing, instead of going through two sides of a body part or tissue, it only goes through one part," says Matthew Marter, a piercer at Club Tattoo in Tempe. "The backing is underneath the skin, whereas a backing would be normally be on the other side of the ear or inside the nostril or inside of a lip." Harter says dermal anchoring has revolutionized the industry and over the past year has become incredibly popular. "In the last two weeks I think I've done 50 of them or so." A single micro-dermal piercing will set you back about $50. Chester Bennington of Linkin Park sets sights on fashion world
AZCentral.com 2008
The high-end line has emerged as a power house in upscale retail outlets like Nordstrom's in a fairly short amount of time. But when the first designs hit the racks last year, even Bennington wasn't sure how consumers would react. "We knew we doing some edgier stuff that was really more illustration driven," explained Bennington explained, at the Ve'cel 1 year anniversary party at Tryst Night Club in Las Vegas. Those edgier designs and complex washes are the brainchild of V'ecel designer/president Josh Merrell. "We really try to convey everything that Chester stands for in our clothing" said Merrell. He communicates with Dowdell and Bennington about every other week to come up with new designs and marketing strategies to keep things exciting. "In the future we hope that V'ecel continues to grow organically like it has so far." Bennington plans on finishing his much anticipated solo effort before Linkin Park hits the studio in November to record the follow up to 2007's Minutes to Midnight.
Best Tattoo Parlor, Club Tattoo
AZCentral.com 2008
Runners-up
LINKIN PARK FRONTMAN'S NEW BAND MAKES DEBUTREVOLVER MAGAZINE 2008
Linkin Park fans need not worry, though. Bennington also revealed that Linkin Park has already begun writing for the follow-up to their last release, Minutes to Midnight. Bennington said the band does not plan to release the album this year, but they are "way ahead of the game." Chester Bennington Talks New Band Dead by SunriseNext Linkin Park Album: Rolling Stone - 05/12/2008
Club Tattoo 13th Anniversary Show: FOX Phx - 05/12/2008
Even if your not a big fan of tattoos, you can certainly appreciate the art that goes into creating and designing them. Ask anyone who has a tattoo who their favorite artist is, your bound to get a lot of answers. But ask anyone locally about where they got "inked", and they'll most likely tell you they went to Club Tattoo. The locally owned chain has made a name for itself for over 13 years and this past weekend they celebrated their achievements at the Marquee Theater in Tempe. Hosted by Club Tattoo owners Sean Dowdell and Linkin Park front man (and Phoenician!) Chester Bennington, the show was an all ages event featuring a diverse crowd from every corner of the valley's cultural landscape.
A last minute adjustment to the lineup was made when front man for the group Rabbit in the moon, Bunny, was unable to perform due to injury. So they deejayed for the crowd in between sets. Local rock bank Comfort for Change got the night started by showing the crowd why they are considered one of the valley's hidden gems in hard rock music. Local rock bank Comfort for Change got the night started by showing the crowd why they are considered one of the valley's hidden gems in hard rock music. But most fans were eagerly awaiting the headline acts, featuring Julien-K, a duo comprised of former members of the band Orgy. Alongside bassist Amir Derakh and front man Ryan Shuck, Linkin' Park lead singer and Club Tattoo co-owner Chester Bennington emerged on-stage to give the 400 or so in attendance what they had waited all night for. The debut of their new group, Dead by Sunrise. It marked the first time ever that the new group performed a live set on stage, including several new tracks from their upcoming album... including "Walking In Circles", "The Morning After" and "My Suffering".
For an event meant to celebrate the art of tattoos and Club Tattoo's mark on the artform, it was Bennington's own art that stole the show. Student Insight into the world of ink:The Channels Online - 04/30/08 Setting the record straight with tattoo parlor stereotypes By: Ryan Frank Getting your first tattoo is intimidating when you know nothing about the industry. The negative stereotypes associated with tattooing can become overwhelming. Indeed, I asked myself some questions before getting one. How bad will it hurt? Will people think less of me for having a tattoo? Will I like it when I'm older with kids? What about when I'm older and have wrinkles? Once I overcame my doubts, the problem was finding the right parlor. The first several places I stopped fit my original misconceptions of tattoo parlors: dark and infested with disease, or a grungy hole-in-the wall perfectly located on the corner of a popular spring break destination. With my first step into 'Club Tattoo', on the corner of Rural and University in Tempe, AZ, most of those thoughts disappeared. It was astonishingly well lit, with clean tile floors and two plush sofas in the center of the room. On the walls, magazine covers and articles hung praising the shop along with several artists who worked there. Sammy had a giant tattoo; I could see it faintly through the short hair of his buzzed skull. It sprawled from the top of his head all the way to the back, and around both sides. A chrome loop went through his lip and giant black disks filled both of his ear lobes. When he held out his hand to shake mine, the tattoos stretched all the way down his arm, covering the palm to his fingertips. He must have had a million tattoos. I almost forgot why I was there; I was so drawn to the ink on his body. I thought, "this guy must be insane to do this to himself," but when he talked, he was so down to earth. I found it paradoxical. The only people I had ever seen with this many tattoos were in jail, in a gang, or hooked on drugs. I showed him my 8x11 piece of paper, with a hodgepodge of different symbols and writing. I explained its significance; after my brother died, one of his friends drew the picture for me. Sammy interrupted, his eyes still fixated on the picture: "Holy shit man, this is really good." Despite his appreciation for the drawing, he encouraged me to rethink the inscription "R.I.P." One of his first tattoos was an "R.I.P." that he put on his chest. He had no regrets, except every time he looked at it, it made him sad. "You should go with his initials instead," Sammy suggested, holding out his drawing hand. "You want to be happy when you look at it." He pointed to a name written in cursive on the top of his right thumb. It was his late brother's nickname that the "R.I.P." was also in honor of. I felt an instant connection to Sammy; maybe underneath all of that art, he was just a normal guy. The first day he was available was my 18th birthday. I couldn't believe it, I had an appointment, all I had to do was show up and I would leave a different person a few hours later. When I made my decision to put the tattoo on the inside of my arm; I knew it was supposed to be a tender spot but I didn't care, it was closest to the heart. "Some spots will light your ass up though", Sammy said with a laugh. They did. After a five-minute break midway through, I asked Sammy, "How long ago did your bro pass away?" "Fifteen years ago." That was all he said. The rest of the session continued in a comfortable silence until one of Sammy's friends came in. That was my favorite part of getting the tattoo, pain wasn't a factor anymore; I was so used to it after several hours that it didn't even hurt. Eavesdropping on their conversation, I learned that he used to be in an acid punk band, he was the owner of a large gun collection consisting of a new tech-9 amongst others, and he had his manhood pierced! Maybe a lot of my pre-existing stereotypical ideas about tattoos were right. I didn't know what to think.
He was still a down to earth guy, only now; just like my first impression, I knew he was mad. -Ryan Frank is a Journalism 271 student Club Tattoo Anniversary Party: Phx New Times
Date/Time:Sat., May 10, 8:00pm Thirteen, an unlucky number to many, is actually an impressive figure if you're talking about the life span of a typical indie business in Phoenix. Maybe that's why Arizona's most renowned tattoo/piercing destination is throwing a big-ass party to celebrate its 13th birthday. The Club Tattoo Anniversary Party goes off with live performances by Rabbit in the Moon, Julien-K, and Linkin Park¿s Chester Bennington (one of Tattoo's three owners). There'll also be a DJ set by Shiny Toy Guns' Jeremy Dawson. Luckily for us, Club Tattoo shows no signs of going belly up; in fact, a new shop in Las Vegas is scheduled to open next year. Totally another excuse to let loose. visit www.phoenixnewtimes.com Rockstar Rags: Ve'CelAmid the growing popularity of rock star-inspired threads, there is a fresh, edgy brand that transcends any conventional, run-of-the-mill style. With an artistic design approach and an overall unique vibe, Ve’Cel offers exclusive, high-end fashion for men. Linkin Park’s front man Chester Bennington, who, incidentally, is just as passionate about fashion as he is about his music, unveiled his seemingly au courant line in August to immense reception. Who better to launch the line than a bona fide rock star? Thora and Sean Dowdell with Bennington (owners of Club Tattoo See sep. 07 IMAGE) and Josh Merrell, owner of Liquid Grafics, an Irvine California premium screen printer, collaborated on the vision to create fine cotton and fitted tees retailing between $45-$80 with lightweight fleece and thermals. Perhaps the most unparalleled features of Ve’Cel are the custom graphics that reflect a dark and sexy look, with premium quality and interesting washes. Ve’cel, pronounced “VEE-SELL”, touts the tag line Aeternum Vale, meaning “farewell forever” in Latin, which lends itself to interpretation, and is another nod to the unrivaled individual nature of the brand. In essence, Ve’cel is a portrayal of the fashion and culture of today, which is a blend of their tattoo-and music inspired premium wear. Bennington says tattooing is "viewed as kind of sexy, kind of rebellious, [and] we want to have that same feeling when you put our clothes on." A creative collision of music, art and fashion manifests through the passionate minds of those who bring you Ve’cel, so expect to see cut and sew, denim, and women’s clothing in the future. “It's a reflection of who you are. Typically, whatever style of music you're primarily into is kind of reflected in how you dress and how you live your life. It's interesting how they work together. It's always been that way." available now @ Cool Waves: upper level, Cherry Creek Mall (coming to Nordstrom’s Cherry Creek mall February) visit www.vecelclothing.com etnies Girl Unveils Three Creative Collaborations
Lake Forest, Calif. (September 6, 2007) – etnies Girl, a skate-inspired lifestyle brand, is excited to announce the launch of its new Spring 2008 collection which includes three special collaborations inspired by the environment, art and music. The new spring line, the largest etnies Girl collection to-date, is authentic, fresh and fun. The collection draws inspiration from two sources: late ‘60s and early ‘70s rock and roll music and a sporty, collegiate beach vibe. Pieces in each category easily coordinate for an effortlessly hip style. Graphics include skeleton prints, vintage rock inspired logos, stripes and stars, gingham and a “skateboarding” print. Within the two main themes for the season are three collaborations: the SEED Project, Starving Artist and Club Tattoo. Each collaboration style is carefully co-designed by a talented artist to naturally flow with the spirit of the entire etnies Girl collection based on a shared passion for life and the arts.
The SEED Project For spring, the collaboration includes three shoes, two tee shirts and a hoodie. Each style is carefully designed using sustainable or organic textiles for the shoes and organic cotton and bamboo blends in the apparel. One percent of the proceeds from the sales of all six SEED Project styles will be donated to the Sierra Club through One Percent for the Planet.
Starving Artist Club Tattoo The collaboration includes two popular styles: the Chambosa and Lo-Pro-Baller. Each style features custom artwork including a peacock feather, golden key and roses. Club Tattoo, a tattoo studio co-founded by Bennington, is scheduled to open its latest door in Las Vegas’ newest casino on the strip, the Cosmopolitan, in June 2008. The entire etnies Girl Spring 2008 season will be available for retailers to preview at the Action Sports Retailer trade show in San Diego, Calif. on Sept. 7-9. About etnies Girl Like your makeup? Make it permanent
A Walk Through The Park
"I'm really excited about the collaboration because it gives us a chance to blend our mutual passion for art, body and lifestyle in a unique way,” Bennington said in a statement. “Etnies and Club Tattoo live what we do, love what we do and together we've created a perfect connection between body art and street style.” He then added, “Plus, this way I can make even more money for not having to really work that hard.” The new Linkin Park album, Minutes to Midnight, hits stores on May 15. The band will launch another Projekt Revolution tour this summer in support of the album, with My Chemical Romance rumored to be on board. LINKIN PARK Singer Launching Sneaker Line - Mar. 26, 2007
Bennington and his partners opened Club Tattoo in 1995. There are three shops in the Phoenix area, two in Tempe and one in Mesa. The internationally known business has won an annual "Best of Arizona" award five times. The new LINKIN PARK album, "Minutes to Midnight", arrives in stores on May 15, with the first single, "What I've Done", out at the end of this month. LINKIN PARK will revive its Projekt Revolution tour this summer in support of the album, with MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE rumored to be on board. The two-month trek is expected to kick off in late July. LINKIN PARK will also headline the second day of both New Jersey's Bamboozle event on May 6 and England's prestigious Download Festival on June 9 Best Tattoo Parlor
College affair magazine 05.07
What used to be a culture all in it's own, has moved from the shunned, taboo topic to the hifhly accepted and florified body art. Tattoos and piercings now all the rage. "Some people get them (tattoos) to be cool and think it's aesthetically pleasing," Sean Dowdell, 33, co-owner of Club Tattoo said. "I think of it as art that I get to carry around everyday instead of hanging on the wall." Click Thumbnail for more on the story club tattoo aniversary party has beEn postponed
Chester Bennington & Sean Dowdell Interview on
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Inked, December 09'
Inked, November 09'
Pain Mag. November 09'
Rebel Ink, Nov 2009
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prick magazine, march 2009
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savage february '09
Prick Magazine Jan 09'
Tattoo Fest
inked magazine July '08
revolver magazine July '08
las majer magazine '08
inked magazine '08
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skin & ink '08
arizona republic - may '08
image magazine - jan '08
image magazine - sep '08
cover of pain magazine
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"Does that hurt?" asks Nevada Magazine Editor Matthew B. Brown as he watches the application of my most recent tattoo. It's a difficult question to answer. Although I wouldn't consider it painful, getting a tattoo isn't a comfortable experience. "Well," I respond, "it doesn't feel good." 
Whether you're in the market for ink, jewelry or clothes you'll find some of the most cutting-edge designs anywhere at
Club Tattoo (MIRACLE MILE SHOPS AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT, 702.866.0710).
Tattoos have changed from a sterotype to the type of art just about anyone will sport. Club Tattoo, which opened
last month at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort, likes to think the design of this store helped move
tattoos and piercings into the mainstream. The swanky boutique carries more than just ink; you can find clothing,
jewelry and accessories such as handbags all encompassing the lifestyle.
The salesman behind the counter showing body jewelry and the new line of fashions looks vaguely familiar. The
man with the paintbrush and the laborer on his knees laying tile trigger more recognition. Yes, in fact, the guy
with three job titles at the new Club Tattoo in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile is none other than rock star
Chester Bennington of Linkin Park!
In a day and age where the record industry is plagued by poor record sales, free downloads and shaky
concert attendance, it's become essential for artists to find additional outlets for their creativity.
Chester Bennington. lead singer of multi-platinum-selling rock band Linkin Park, teamed with his Club
Tattoo business partner and former band mate Sean Dowdell and launched Ve'cel clothing last year.
For 13 years, Club Tattoo has been the go-to place for body art in Tempe. Founded by local
musician Sean Dowdell and his friend and former band mate Chester Bennington, now of Linkin Park,
Club Tattoo was originally just a humble tattoo parlor. Over the past four years, however, it has
exploded and is now a nationally recognized and growing chain - with a shop now open on the
Strip in Las Vegas. And it's more than just tattoos and piercings. Club Tattoo offers an array
of jewlery and skate clothing. The chain recently partnered with Etnies skate shoes to produce
a line of custom-shoe designs.
Chester Bennington debuted his new band Dead by Sunrise at the Marquee Theater in Tempe,
Arizona, during an anniversary party for his tattoo parlor chain, Club Tattoo. The Linkin Park
frontman is joined by members of Julien K, which features several former members of Orgy, in the
band.
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington debuted his new band, Dead by Sunrise, during an
anniversary party for his tattoo parlor chain, Club Tattoo, at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe,
Arizona, on Saturday. "I wouldn't call it a side project," Bennington said before the show.
"We're a full, ready-to-go band and so this is something we take very seriously." The band,
which includes Bennington and members of the group Julien-K (which contains several members
of Orgy), is a traditional rock outfit that is more straight-ahead and melodic than Linkin Park.
Speaking of his other band, Bennington revealed that Linkin Park has already begun writing
the follow-up to Minutes to Midnight. He explained the band had "the itch" to start writing
again and headed toward the studio. "We're way ahead of the game," Bennington said. "We're
not planning on releasing a record this year. We don't know when it's going to come out. But
we just started working on stuff in the studio. I never want to get in the way of what Linkin
Park is. That's my baby. That's my band. Those are my best friends. The last thing I want to
do is compromise what we're doing." Bennington also said he hopes to have a Dead by Sunrise
album out by 2009, barring other commitments to other bands. "I want to make sure the record
gets the chance to do what it can do."
Tattoo (tæ'tu/): From the Polynesian word "tatau" or "to tap". It is a method of decorating
the skin by inserting colored substances under the surface. An image made in the skin with ink and a needle.
Having seen only a handful of events at the Marquee over the years, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I arrived.
Bennington and the group haven't set a date for the new album, nor was their any indication of a new album
from Bennington's most notable group, Linkin' Park. But those in attendance could have cared less. While
most waited patiently by the bar at the back of the Marquee all night, that same bar seemed like a barren
wasteland once Bennington and Co. took the stage.
New Collection Available for Preview at Upcoming ASR Trade Show 
The rotary needle sounds like a buzzing bee in the quiet room at Allure Permanent Cosmetics in Tempe.
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington has teamed with Etnies sneakers to launch a new line of shoes called Club Tattoo. The line is named after Bennington's string of Phoenix area tattoo shops which he opened in 1995.
Launch Radio Networks reports: LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington and Etnies sneakers are collaborating on a new line of shoes called Club Tattoo. The line, named after Bennington's string of tattoo shops, will arrive in stores this June in both men's and women's styles. Bennington said in a statement, "I'm really excited about the collaboration because it gives us a chance to blend our mutual passion for art, body and lifestyle in a unique way. Etnies and Club Tattoo live what we do, love what we do and together we've created a perfect connection between body art and street style." The sneakers can be viewed at Etnies.com.
Enties owner Pierre Andre Senizergues and Chester
Club Tattoo Co-founders on the Red Carpet (from left to right): Club Tattoo Model Sarah Birchfield, Thora Dowdell, Sean Dowdell, Chester Bennington and Club Tattoo Model Natilie Ramaceri
Jason Dill lurking behind Sean and Thora Dowdell
It's hard to pin down exactly when it happened, but within the last decade or so the acceptance of body art has undergone a complete turnaround, fans say.
Chester Bennington's house might have been the place to trick-or-treat this year, at least if you had any interest in the Linkin Park singer's top-secret side projects.
Club Tattoo: Chester Bennington of Linkin Park became a partner this year, which also marked the opening of the award-winning shop’s third East Valley location. You know what they say: Go big or not at all. 
You want rock stars? We got so many rock stars, even the owner of this ink joint was once signed to Sony Records. Members of De La Soul, Sevendust, Less Than Jake, L.A. Guns, Tonic, Type-O Negative, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and many others have been tattooed at former rocker Sean Dowdell's parlor...
