Tattoo Talk: Moonshine Bandits (Bird and Tex) Talk First, Fave, Upcoming, and Even Fan Ink!

California’s country meets hip-hop rebels, Moonshine Bandits, released their latest album, the 15-track Blacked Out, on July 17th, 2015. We like to have fun here and do things off the beaten path and thankfully, so do the Moonshine Bandits! As such, instead of your run-of-the-mill Q&A, we talked tattoos with the band. Check it out!

When, where and what was your first tattoo?
Tex: Modesto, California at a popular Tattoo Shop called “End of the Trail”, it was a Cross with some text in Italian for my Catholic Faith. My Mom cried when I went to get it.

Bird: My first tattoo was in Modesto, CA as well.

Do any of your tattoos have a particularly special meaning behind them? If so, do share man!
Tex: All my tattoos have special meaning and memories behind them. I have patriotic tattoos as a tribute to our Country. I have a portrait of Johnny Cash. I have many tattoos dedicated to my family.

Bird: My forearm has a big “Freedom” tattoo that is a tribute to my Grandfather that fought in World War II.

Do you have a specific shop or artist that you frequent (insert shameless plug time!)?
Tex: We frequent Dos Changos Locos in Modesto, CA. They have sponsored us for many years and have been very good to us! Also, California Corey comes over to my house and inks me every once and a while, he also starred in our “Lady Luck” music video.

Bird: Also, a shout out to Ryan Eternal at Hart & Huntington.

Do you have any new tattoos planned or underway? Give us the dirt dude!
Tex: I plan to take my Mom to get her first tattoo some day soon! She’s finally worked up enough courage. I also plan to get my sleeves touched up and a few other spots blasted.

Bird: A Cadillac and an old-school Juke Box.

Have you seen any fans with a band tattoo, anything crazy memorable?
Tex: We have thousands of Shiners with tattoos. We’ve seen girls get our autographs tattooed on them, whether it’s their boobs or their ass, we’ve seen it all! A 52 year old man had Moonshine Bandits and Shiner Nation tattooed across his forehead. Our Shiner Family of fans is very loyal!

We know you have one… tell us about that stoned/drunken joke-tattoo you once got.
Bird: My first 5 tattoos were when I was drunk and I regret all 5. Moral of the story, don’t let your tattoo artist drink with you when he’s got the gun in his hand.

Check out the song “Outback (Extended Remix)” here.