STAN WANKOWSKI'S DEVO TATTOO STORY - MARCH 2011:

So we heard DEVO was coming to town again. I looked and there were still tickets for the meet and greet after the show (first ten rows came with the meet and greet). Had to have them, got 'em (score!) and set plans to go to the show.

Leah had said she thought tattoos were sexy and thought I should get one, but I was reluctant as I'd made it my fourty-something years without one just fine. Between the two of us, I agreed to get a tat if Mark Mothersbaugh would draw it. That was all the fuel that Leah needed. She contacted the DEVO facebook account and set her intent, much to my surprise the moderator seemed willing to help.
So I called up my buddy, Fat Sean of Tattoo Technique here in Bremerton and set an appointment for the day after the show. He was willing to do the tat, but advised me to get it drawn on paper for a better outcome.

We went to the show, which was incredible and sent me into a frenzy. I was even lucky enough to catch an energy dome thrown into the crowd by MM! After dancing until we couldn't stand-up and shaking our heads 'til our backs hurt, Leah and I headed to the after party. We met DEVO for the second time, getting autographs and shaking hands, but Mark was being mobbed. We took a seat and waited, but luckily enough sat next to Michael Pilmer, the moderator for the DEVO FB and biggest DEVO fan ever. I had all but given up on getting Mark to draw the tat, as time was running short when we connected with Michael who was insistent that the tat would be drawn.

He talked to Mark and we were introduced, which seemed to fluster my hero. Mark decided that he needed more time to think about the image and asked us to meet him at a secret location. We were beyond joy, all ready wowed by the awesome performance and the pleasant demeanor of the band, we were getting an extra meeting with the Man!

We went to the specified location where Mark and Michael were waiting. Mark had a concept for the art, rather an inspiration forged from SMART Patrol and my job as an electrician. He set right to work with fire! I sat there with a huge smile on my face, I couldn't believe it was happening. Here I was getting drawn on by the lead singer for my favorite band (and artist from my daughter's favorite show), a man I have looked up to since I was a kid. Then Mark took the time to design a DEVO tat for Leah, which he drew on paper for a better outcome (at least one of us has some wisdom). We thanked Mark and Michael for their gracious efforts and left them to head back to Bremerton. After their outpouring of energy on stage, it was surprising that they took this kind of time for a couple of Devotees, and we were honored.

Leah and I took the ferry back, not wanting to risk the drive around in our elation, we couldn't stop talking about the meeting and how well we were treated by the band and especially Mark and Michael. It was beyond belief and beyond anything we had hoped for.

Wednesday finally arrived, I went down to Tattoo Technique and Fat Sean reverently transferred the tattoo, cleaned up the area, and etched the drawing permanently into my arm. He did a perfect job and the tat is now lovingly a part of me. I'm still giddy. I don't think my smile will fade until the tattoo does. - Stan Wankowski, DEVO for life!

-Stan Wankowski