Nick sits down with Australian tattooer Will Brown and they shoot the shit for a good long while. He's been tattooing at some of the greatest shops all over our country, along with his wife who also appears on this episode. Check this out and you'll hear some excellent tales about a lot of people you already know. 

There's not a Shop Talk this time but it won't be long before the boys are back at it and lookin' at killer tats in order to pass the word on to you. Thanks for listenin'.

The Thirty Year Reaper himself, Chris "Big Tats" Porter has a hell of a hangout session with Nick with a whole ton o' stories and memories from over the years of Alley Cat Tattoo. Richie stops by for the last hour and receives much love and listens to some wild tales up close and personal with the perpetrators themselves.

It's a Nick and Porter duo Shop Talk to wrap things up, but the tattoos are still incredible and the banter is hilarious. Enjoy!

If you missed the first one a couple weeks ago, check it out. Mark Bell of Main St. Tattoo in Salem, VA is back to talk a whole lotta shit with Nick about their time working together in Roanoke and so much more. The Alley Cat crew comes back in off and on throughout just like last time. Mark is a long time friend of everyone involved in the shop and the podcast so the conversation comes naturally. 

Shop Talk follows with Andrew and Porter joining Nick to talk about some serious tattoos that you need to be lookin' at. Hell yeah.

As things slowly wind down and back to normal and folks begin to do a bit of traveling once again, guests will often arrive at Alley Cat Tattoo in Harrisonburg, VA to see for themselves the legendary collection of art and artists and they are never disappointed. Often times, as is the case here, those travelers are great friends both new and old. This was Wrath's first visit to Rocktown, but Scott Sterling and JD Crowe are past guests of NLJBS and great friends of the shop and the show. You're gonna love this short but sweet bit of tattoo history, storytellin' and bullshittin'. Several other voices can be heard throughout, but these guys bring the heat. 

Stick around for that Shop Talk. We're super stoked to have it back in the rotation and we know you love it, too. Join Porter & Andrew as they talk killer tats with Nick and share it all with you.

After a bit of a hiatus, Mary Jane returns to the show. And whenever that happens, you know there's gonna be some storytellin' about the old days and whatever these two decide to talk about. Well, in this episode, it's a lot of Mary Jane asking Nick all kinds of questions about some of the characters that populate Nick's years growin' up in Clifton Forge. All that and more.

Shop Talk continues with Andrew and Porter and some deep discussion of some excellent tattoos. Y'all enjoy now, ya hear?

The founders of Key City Tattoo in Frederick, MD have a bullshit session with Nick for this episode and it's a great one. John Rippey and Gary Gerhardt are both MD natives who worked at local Frederick shops and other regional shops with a lot of history before opening Key City together. Now they have a yearly mini-convention and are regular Shop Talk mentions and friends of your favorite podcast on the planet.

Speakin' of Shop Talk: it's the triumphant return this episode! Nick will let you know what took so long in the intro, but we're all just glad the boys are back. And yes we get both Andrew and Porter for this one, so strap in and get wild and enjoy all your favorite bullshit artists.

Southern Legend Rodney Raines of Ace Custom Tattoo in Charlotte, NC and the excellent Darcey Nutt of Chalice Tattoo in Boise, ID were up above VA and Nick was on the road, so they met up and discussed tons of kickass tattoo past as well as pondered the future of conventions and shops moving forward past these fucked up times. It's a killer conversation that fans of the show will definitely enjoy. 

Though these crazy times appear to be winding down, it's still not a simple task to create full episodes every week. We're all figuring it out and soldiering on. So we're not quite at the point of getting the new Shop Talks out, but hold on and hang in and we'll get the boys together once again to discuss killer work.

It has been a while since Joey Knuckles was on the show, and this time he comes to the NLJBS studios to hang out with Nick and the Alley Cat crew. He's got a book about Stoney St. Clair that showcases much of Joey's collection of Stoney's stuff back at his shop High Street Tattoo in Columbus, OH. There's a ton of tattoo history talk and some never before heard Stoney stories on this episode and just an all around good time. So check out this episode and get yourself a copy of the book if you are at all into tattoo history and information.

Roanoke, V-A, late nineties... early 2000's. This is where a bunch of folks in the history of Alley Cat and now NLJBS came up. Mark Bell was at the center of it all and has been friends with Nick from the moment your loyal host arrived on the scene. The tales woven throughout this episode go back to the beginning of the renowned Time Machine & Ancient Art getting deep into the game and all of the shenanigans that led to in Roanoke, Blacksburg, Harrisonburg. These are the stories we love to share and never get tired of hearing.

There's a bit of a hi-jacking about 3/4's through when the Alley Cat killers get done with a day's worth of customers and start rollin' in. Add to that a bit of a celebration of our very own Thirty-Year Reaper, Master P - Chrissy "Big Tats" - the recently absent host of our beloved Shop Talks himself: Mr. Chris Porter, and there's a bit of a train wreck that I kindly chopped down as it got out of control. So you'll hear a few transitions as our host falls further and further into the warm embrace of inebriation, so hold on tight but get comfortable since it's another long one.

Almost twenty years ago, Nick helped put Alley Cat Tattoo together for the owners Troy & Griz. Ever since the podcast began, Nick has been trying to get these guys on an episode. Well NLJBS veteran Dustin Golden flew in to Roanoke, down the road from Alley Cat, and got his dad Mike "Griz" Golden to join in on a bullshit session. Multi-episode veteran Nate Hall of Old Heavy Hands and Legacy Irons Tattoo fame was around as well, in addition to girlfriends, wives, apprentices and dogs all packed in to The Golden Building which is home to Skin Thrills Tattoo in Roanoke, VA. It's a long, wild ride and it has been a long time comin'. Stick around for the entire thing to make sure you hear all the wild tales told by Griz and everyone else involved. Yeah, there's some talkin' over each other, and some background noise, but most importantly there's some kickass storytelling. You're gonna dig it.

Roger LaDuceur has been tattooing in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia since before the millenium. Nick met Roger around the time of both of them working at Skin Thrills, a shop you've definitely heard stories from if you're a fan of the show. Now Roger runs Star City Tattoos in Roanoke and has several excellent artists working for him as well. 

Roger is an amazing illustrator and all around artist. You'll hear some fascinating tales of how he got there and why, as well as a whole cast of characters he has met on the way.

Shop Talk is still on Hiatus for now, but we miss it just as much as you and look forward to it as well. Enjoy.

This week we've got a Richmond original from Heroes and Ghosts tattoo down in Carytown: Mr. Nick Barnett. He traveled up the road a ways to come and see Alley Cat in Rocktown V-A and check out how it has evolved since his last visit. While there, Nick Swartz, your weekly wizard of hosting the bullshit, laid down a great podcast full of great tattoo stories and industry talk. It's a real fun conversation and the first in a barrage of excellent tattoo heavy podcast we have lined up for the next few weeks. No Shop Talk yet, but you'll enjoy the hell out of this one.

What we do have is a little surprise in the form of thirty intensely interesting, oddly curious and unsuspectingly kickass minutes of the one and only Shane Enholm. That's right, an NLJBS legend calls in and crams an hour's worth of words about his new book coming out in under 30 minutes and it's entertaining as hell and good to hear from him again and you're gonna want to buy this book. As a matter of fact, head over to tribalbooks.net to order yours right fuckin' now.

Well, it's cold and it's bleak and it's still the middle of this thing we've been in for a while now, but sometimes a ray of light breaks through the branches and a warm whistles on outta the woods and strolls in to your castle with camaraderie, beverages and stories. That's what we've got here this week as these two legends of Rock Town V A have a chat and there ain't no interruptin' them once they get started. You'll be sittin' there with 'em and just enjoying the conversation and sometimes you just don't even know why. These two are just easy to hear. It'll all make sense in the episode, so enjoy this one and we'll keep bringing you bullshit weekly and keep mixing it up as best we can. You know we won't let ya down. Shop Talks are on a bit of a hiatus, but they'll return as soon as we can do it!

Alley Cat & Rocktown's very own asskickers Chris "30-year Reaper" Porter and Jake "Hockmanistan" Hockman swoop in and sling some killer stories and vibe on Nick's legendary tales for a quick fan pleaser of a three-hour awesome episode. That's right, you've heard 'em all before, but never together like this, so just sit back and pick up on all the new weird shit you'll hear woven in to these classic tales of tattooing and partying in and around the Harrisonburg, VA area and revel in the historic moments that came together to make Alley Cat Tattoo what it is today. There's not a Shop Talk on this one, but they'll be back before you know it. Hell yeah. Keep on bullshittin'.

It has only been a few episodes since we've heard from David, but Nick made a trip down to Richmond after having visited Northern VA, so we get the privilege of having him back on to spin some more tales for us. It's always a good time when these two start dishing out some memories for us about the good old days. Whether it's small town stories or punk rock reminiscing, there's never a quiet moment. As a matter of fact, this one goes so long that there's not a Shop Talk on the end. Look for the return of Porter and Andrew next week. Enjoy, y'all.

If ya haven't heard Kenny Brown's earlier NLJBS episode, do ya'self a favor and go check it out. Nick did a bit o' travelling for tha show this past week to get y'all that good content and ended meeting up with Kenny Brown again, this time with the homie Chance Kenyon. Both dude's from Jack Brown's Tattoo Revival of Fredericksburg, now with a new location in Fairfax. This is some Grade A bullshit right here. Kenny and Nick go way back from the days of the Richmond Tattoo convention. If you know, you know there's some crazy tales to come outta there for sure. It's a good ol hangout with some other folks dropping in and out, socially distant styles of course and everybody has a good old storytellin' time. No Shop Talk on this one as the times take their toll on the boys. Expect Porter & Andrew to return soon.

Y'all wanna hang out with Nick, right? You want to hang with Porter. Whether you're a long time listener who's done this a bunch o' times, or new to the show, but know the characters; you know you want to be listeinin' when it's Nick & Porter hanging out, cuz you're gonna hear some crazy stories, some kickass memories and some of the best musical, movie & life advice you'll find anywhere right now. Just sit back and take it in. You know you want it.

Stick around afterward for Shop Talk and some very important musings from the boys & Andrew and you're going to absorb some insight into excellent tattooing like you've never absorbed before. Bet.

The tattoo shop is a cultural hub in Harrisonburg and whether it be painters, musicians, dancers, photographers, models, chefs, whatever - you can be sure that everyone involved in Alley Cat either knows these folks directly or knows someone who does. Pat Jarrett is no exception. He's worked with Sara multiple times for some of her killer photo shoots (check her instagram - you have to see this stuff) and yet Nick came across Pat's work entirely unrelated. Well, hell - just have a listen and you'll hear that and a ton of other cool stuff as these two bullshit for a while.

Stick around as Porter & Andrew pick up the Shop Talks with Nick and tell you a few tales while shining light on some of the best tattoos you can treat your eyes to on the internet. Do it.

It has been a while, but not too long, since Mary Jane was on the podcast. Well Nick takes advantage of the time we've got left with her to kick around some excellent stories for y'all. This one is all over the place and a great time, so have fun listenin' in on these rowdy tales. Porter is back in the saddle for an excellent episode of Shop Talk with Andrew and Nick. This is what it's all about.

It's been a while since we've heard from Schuyler, appearing previously on episodes with Diablo Dimes and Uncle Benny (rest in peace) and past time for him to rock out his own episode. Well, here he is and you get the full Nick / Schuyler hangout great time on this one, folks. You'll be priveleged to damn near a dozen fun tunes and several spectacular stories from both 'Ler & Nick. It doesn't get any better than this for all of your weekly bullshit requirements. So take it all in and wash it down with a brilliant episode of Shop Talk, still only with Nick & Andrew at the moment. Porter will return as soon as we can nail him down for a minute. Hell yeah.

Dave  Boisineau, formerly of Absolute Art in Richmond, VA and multiple episode podcast guest is back for a new episode to check in and see what's been up. After leaving Richmond and hitting the road, the global pandemic kept him from settling back down, so now he's here with a bunch of stories from living out and about in his van. There's tons for Nick to discuss with Dave and it's all great. If you haven't heard any of Dave's former episodes, they're definitely worth checkin' out, but it's not necessary to enjoy listenin' to this one. Enjoy.

It's the Nick & Andrew show again for Shop Talk, but they do have a pick for y'all from Porter. So there's that. Listen up and learn about great tattoos and the people who make them.

Back on the show after a good long while is local Rocktown legend Andy Sherman, back to hang out with Nick and talk about all kinds o' paintin' and tattoos and music and movies and just all around general good for ya homemade bullshit. There's never a lull in the mouth runnin' with these two and just to keep it interesting, Alley Cat Tattoo's very own Richie Stutler stops by around the second half to kick things up a notch and join in on all the talk. It's a great time and a good listen, especially when you throw in a world-famous segment of the NLJBS Shop Talk. Porter ain't around this time, so listen as Nick and Andrew discuss some very well done tattoos. Stop lookin' at the bad ones!

Thad Hockman lives up north a ways from Alley Cat Tattoo and is known by many from miles around as Coach Hockman and is the father of strapping young Alley Cat rookie (of several years) the kickass Jake Hockman. Nick's got 'em both in the NLJBS studios this time for some great story sharin' and just a great conversation about all kinds o' things you didn't know you wanted to know. It's a good one, so crack a brew and check it out. Porter & Andrew join Nick in the latter half for another excellent edition of Shop Talk. You're learnin' something, whether you like it or not. Enjoy.

Brian French, known in the tattoo industry as "Frenchy" has been tattooing quite a long while. And it turns out he ain't too far away from Alley Cat, so he finally stopped in for a visit and sat down with Nick to connect some stories and share some information and get into some roots in the Shenandoah Valley with some great tattoo tales along the way. It's a long one, and it's great to hear about parts of the lifestyle that have changed so much but got us to where things are today. Andrew and Porter join Nick for another great segment of Shop Talk this week as well. Thanks for listenin'.

Alley Cat's own veterans of the game Chris "Big Tats" Porter and Sara "Sindi-Ray Boustier" Pennington imbibe and get right with Nick for a wild episode full of stories you may or may not have heard before, but you've never heard anything like. If there's every been a need for some education in your life on the ways of the strip club and all that goes down around 'em, this is the one for you. Strap in and strap on and listen to the antics from these old hands of the glitter empire. Shop Talk wraps things up in the usual educational fashion as Andrew joins Nick & Porter for some good analysis of great tattooing. This is where you wanna be.