Text Box: Michael’s Bio “You know Mike, there is a cheaper way to get your tattoos finished” That’s what Tyson had to say when we started building this shop. And there certainly is, so how and why did I get myself into this? I guess it started back in high school. A combination of a love for heavy metal music and art led to a fascination in tattoos starting at about the age of 15. At 15, I knew exactly what I wanted and where I wanted to get it as I am sure we all did. Funny thing is of those five tattoos I wanted at 15, I never got any of them. I went to NAU to study graphic design. Unfortunately, school did not agree with me and graphic design was way to constrictive. After just a year, I dropped out and moved back to Phoenix. At the age of 18, I met someone who I considered to be a Tattoo Artist. This was one of those guys that I preach against now. He’d come to your house and tattoo you on your kitchen floor. Real sanitary right?.I apprenticed for him for the summer, if you could call it that. I drew pictures for him, drove him around.... I even did a few bad tattoos. During this time, however, I received four tattoos. This guy ended up in jail and I ended up getting a job installing carpet. I met my ex-wife about this time and real life kicked in. I very quickly had a new daughter, forgot about tattooing and art, and threw myself completely at what became my career, installing floors. I had realized that the tattoos I had were pretty bad, so for Christmas 1993 my ex-wife paid for me to have the biggest one, a dragon that runs from my belt to arm pit, redone. This is where I met Tyson. Tyson and I quickly became good friends. He eventually redid all of my tattoos and many, many more. We have raised our children together, been the best man in each other’s weddings and stood by each other in the worst of times. So when the opportunity arose to be partners with Tyson in After Dark, I jumped on it. Even my beautiful wife, who thinks art looks better hung in picture frames on walls, helps with After Dark. I am very excited that this is something that, in the future, our children will own together. I now have an opportunity to learn how to tattoo, even if I never do it for money. I will be able to say I can. I have an opportunity to regain my artistic side that has been dormant for so long. I am doing something positive for myself, my family, and my friend. So yeah, there are cheaper ways to get tattooed but no better ways..