The Dude Abides

Donn, aka The Dude

Buy one Axe of Death and get another FREE!

Hi-Ho, we're off to work you know...phirff phriff phriff-phroo...hope ya'll are getting into the festive holiday spirit cuz' we sure are. While Donn is off spreading terror among Mickey & friends, the shop remains in full effect. And what better way to get a jump on Black Metal Friday than stopping by the shop for all your favorite holiday goodies. Like Tattooagogo gift certificates, our newest shop shirt, and autographed prints by TJ & Ken.   


We're going streaking...our boys Ken and Matt had recent birthdays, and Lard Vader's will be next month. BTW, we may not blog/brag a lot on our shop boy Matt, but he is truly the life of every banana party. Speaking of parties, mark your calendars for the Star of Texas tattoo convention---if us being there isn't enough to get your panties wet & sticky, it's in Austin, Texas, so you can get as weird as you like. So we hope to see you there January 16-18th in 2015, stop by our booth and we'll give you a free spin on the pentagram wheel of fortune. And last but not least, thanks to all our visiting artists recently that filled the shop with glee while Ken was out on his #Nolamacklemoretour.

As for shop news, Donn got a glimpse of a tattoo he did over 10 years ago. And there's one session to go in his amazing geisha sleeve. He recently started Yokai and Gator leg sleeves and got a healed shot on a Day of the Dead half-sleeve (left).

TJ continues to appease all his upscale fanbase, he's no NolaMacklemore, but he still knows how to put the "Rico" back in "Suave."  His recents include a wicked octopus chest piece and a pretty dead lady. And progress is progress with his koi sleeve and a clownfish and sunken ship piece.     


Meanwhile every teenage girl in the metro New Orleans area has replaced their One Direction posters with Flashy Ken straddling a rocket (right). The don't grow smiles like that satsuma trees. Orange you glad #teamacid is still cranking out the hits with crowd pleasers like a Jensen dragon, all healed-up eagle, and Captain Ron? And be on the lookout for more #teamacid creations and #allthewaybeyonce selfies. Rumor mill reports something new on Lard Vader too.

And with that, we'll top our thinking hats to all of you, as we are most thankful for the raddest customers and great friends. Lots more to come, of course, but for the meantime just remember...nobody fucks with the Jesus.

Gobble Gobble Hey,
Lard Vader

It’s a TRAP! WAIT…NOOO…its COFFEE INVASION!!!

First things first, we’d like to give a shout out to all our veterans---AND if you missed all our #legendsofthevoid posts for Veterans Day, surf the intrawebs to our Instagram and Facebook to see a variety of military work done by Donn, TJ, and Ken. Next, be sure to check our website for the latest addition of TJ’s and Ken’s portfolio. Of course, there’s plenty more to come (and, yeah, that’s what she said too…)

So…we mentioned some time back about highlighting local businesses that are favorites among the shop. Like a good neighbor, Lard Vader is there, so I made a visit to Hey! Café to chat with owner and comics extraordinaire, Tommy L., to learn about coffee, comics, and a upcoming alien invasion. So sit right back, pull swigs off your Cup O Joe (hopefully from Hey! Café), and let me tell you Mister Rogers’ style why “It’s such a good feeling…”

Ironically the neighborhood of Magazine Street near Napoleon Avenue was pretty vacant about five years ago. No Mike the Bike Guy or Tattooagogo, just a little coffee place called Magazine Perks beside Ms. Mae’s 24-hour bar. Tommy sort of accidentally fell into managing the café with partner Greg R. Even after taking it over full time, they weren't quite sure on what to call it and had a list of names for customers to comment on. One regular patron, Kenny, thought “Hey! Café” had a good ring to it and Tommy thought it seemed appropriate for a logo of mug with a mouth on it. 5 years later, Kenny is still a regular, he and Tommy often reminisce on the time Kenny earned royalties by naming the place; albeit the only royalty received was a single 20 ounce iced coffee...but then again, it might be the only royalty Kenny receives in his lifetime!  While working one day, Tommy came up with the logo for Hey! Café---created as a stick-pen coffee stained flyer sketch, but was enlarged for the sign and hand painted. The logo for the shop and sign remains the same today. This is D.I.Y. approach is evident within the shop. I asked if anyone has shown up with tattoo of the logo yet, Tommy said not that he's aware of. So...boys & girls step right up and let Tattooagogo make you famous!

The thing that sets Hey! Café apart from other shops in Nola is their No Bullshit approach to business. A simple menu done right, sort of European style, not taking themselves too serious, and all-the-while-offering-the-best-service-possible. As I sat in the front of the shop chatting with Tommy, I felt like I was inside the pages of a comic book. A distinct difference over trendier coffee shops in town. In fact, Tom’s background is in animation and he went to school for drawing and painting. However, you won’t find an abundance over-processed artwork hanging on the walls of Hey! Café. It’s more of paint peeling walls laced with a 80’s feel. It's complete with an old tube TV chest in the front corner that plays one of Tommy’s latest animations on loop--- 

COFFEE INVASION by Hey! Cafe from Tattooagogo New Orleans on Vimeo.

And perhaps the simple approach of a love for coffee and comics is what makes Hey! Café so unique. Small but even sought out by coffee quest visitors across the U.S. Nonetheless, there is a "quiet room" mid-shop and a patio in the back to sit comfortably while caffeinating and reading the Tattooagogo blog. Also, Tommy and crew host novelty events like the recent Horrifying Lattes From Hell (this stuff is so rad you should show all your friends so you’ll be the cool kid again…) And next month they’re hosting COFFEE INVASION on 12/12 which will be held at Hey! Café---you’ll sure not want to miss and even Lard Vader will be there (although I’ll be dressed in a human disguise). Tommy’s given me permission to post page 1 of a comic (left) he’s been working on lately and the rest will be on display/for sale at the Invasion. In addition, unveiled at the event, will be Hey! Café will now be roasting their own coffee---which is a 1^st for any shop in Nola!!! How ‘bout dat, brah?!

So whether you partake in the Hey! Café favorites in Nola summers like an iced coffee or a nice cappuccino for the high pagan holiday season, Hey! Café has you covered. Lard Vader went with a blended mocha and a banana because I was feeling both freezy and fruity. So do yourself a favor and check out Hey! Café and tell them we said so. And if you see a flying coffee mug in the sky, just remember Admiral Ackbar needs reading glasses too.

Tune in next week for Dudeism, Jesus Quintana, and something called Thanksgiving.   

November ya'll, it is. 
Lard Vader