Mike Safo

Joined today, from “R & D Tattoo”, iconic NYC tattoo artist Rich Fie. Rich and I talk all things New York and his obsession with his native borough of Queens. Rich tells us about how he left corporate America to pursue his dream and why traditional tattoos will never go out of style. Rich is also the lead singer of punk rock band “Caught in a Trap”, we talk about his musical influences, CBGB and the role music played in his upbringing. Being a native New Yorker we talk about disappearing NYC, hipsters moving in, problems of gentrification and hanging out on 42nd street and St. Marks. Not only a lover of NYC history, but a known tattoo historian, we hear about the OG, Tony Polito tattooing when it was illegal, praise for Ed Hardy and about his memorabilia collection. I find out  if he’s ever spelled stuff wrong while tattooing, and why athletes have horrible tattoos. From his own podcast “Neighborhood Knucklehead” to getting ejected from Shea Stadium by Donald Trump.Check out Fie’s links here and go get in