Tattoo Ideas: Music + Bands

Music themed tattoos come in several different variations: band logos, music notes, lyrics, and musical instruments. I'm going to tell you something right now. Getting a band's logo (like the Hatebreed logo and AFI symbols seen here) is usually only a good idea if their music inspires you or got you through a rough time in your life, if you're in the actual band yourself, or if you really like the image or logo that represents them. I'm not one to judge, and certainly if your heart is screaming at you to tattoo Che Guevara's face on your chest because you love Rage Against the Machine, then go for it. Just keep in mind that bands break up or sell out, their music starts sucking or they turn corporate, they lose singers and gain new ones. Styles change and people grow--you included. I'm a big proponent of never regretting any tattoo that you decide to get, I'm only advising that you choose carefully and wisely unless, of course, it's a legendary group. According to my sister, "I would never get Maroon 5 tattooed down my arm; but Sublime on my neck? That's a different story."

Lyrics are also another story. Words deliver a universal message that never gets old regardless of if the band breaks up or ends up changing their style. The haunting, inspiring lyrics of John Lennon's "Imagine" will never lose their magic even though The Beatles dissolved and John Lennon was assassinated. Some people choose to get the actual music notes on a scale, complete with treble clef, in lieu of the lyrics. A few trends have emerged in popularity regarding music notes over the past few years, such as combining two bass clefs (one regular, the other inverted) to form a heart or two treble clefs to form a butterfly. Another is tattooing the F-holes found on a violin on the lower back, thereby creating a self-made violin out of the contours of the female body.

Images: bmezine.com