Big Frank Harrison - BL'AST! and INK

The mighty BL'AST! break it down

Frank has been in touch with us and is always sending us some cool stuff. We combined a couple things, including a very cool offer on his part. Read on... -DCXX

So the other day I was browsing my local record store and came across a used copy of BL'AST! "It's In My Blood." So I bring it to my tattoo shop and ask the guys if they have ever heard this release. Not only had they not heard it, they had not heard of BL'AST! Mind you, both guys have Sick Of It All tattoos, as do I, but that is a story for another day. So I prepare them by telling them "this is the greatest Black Flag record that Black Flag never recorded," and then I cranked the volume. It is also my favorite BL'AST! record by a landslide. Clifford could match Henry Rollins's intensity anytime they played, and Mike Neider even had a Dan Armstrong guitar like Greg Ginn. Now don't get me wrong, Flag were a great and mighty band in their own right and I have seen both bands at their best, but BL'AST! stands strong on their own. So the cd starts playing and my one commrade says he is reminded of the Co-Mags and Flag, and to be honest I never thought that, but understood where he was coming from. Hell, SST signed them so they knew.


Clifford Dinsmore with BL'AST!

Anyway, this record is solid from start to the finishing track, It's In My Blood, it kills and has stood the test of time, and listening to it again only brings back great memories. There would be shows where you just knew there was gonna be trouble and you were on edge all night. Well, every time I ever did a show with these guys it was a good time, great people all around. One of those bands you always looked foward to seeing and hanging out with. And man could they bring it live. Very comparable to the best live bands of their time, and somewhat under rated or under appreciatted, I don't know which it is. I often would wonder if these guy were from NYC or Detroit, would they have had more street cred? Yeah so Santa Cruz doesn't sound as gritty as some other places...well it spawned these guys and the history of hardcore would be less without them.

I hope Clifford stills surfs, he was a great surfer and a good friend and I am glad I found this gem. I am sure many of you do have it, but for those who don't...seek it out.


Big Frank at Folsom City Ink

Back to tattooing...even before I was into hardcore, there was there a time when I was very little and loved to skateboard, got sponsored, and competed for many years. Fast forward to hardcore in the mid eighties. My way of giving back to skateboarding was by hooking up any pro skaters anytime I was running a show. I hooked up everyone you can imagine: Jay Adams, Jim Muir, Tony Alva, Steve Alba, Tony Hawk, Cab, Grosso, Gonz, Hosoi, and too many others to remember. One time either The Cult or Guns N' Roses played in Santa Cruz and I think I hooked up about 30 skaters, good times.

So now I have been thinking that with all the people who seem to read your site, I think it is time for the updated hookup. As many may or may not know, when I quit working shows I had already started tattooing, and I have been doing this professionally for over 15 years. So, I want to hook up as many people in our scene as possible. Obviously, I cannot do these for free, but if you mention Double Cross and can prove to me serious involvement in the hardcore scene, you will get a great deal. Actually just mentioning Double Cross and being cool will go a long way in getting you a great tattoo from someone who believes in what you believe in and has similar tastes in music and lifestyle. I have always wondered why I don't tattoo more hardcore kids, and I think it's just a matter of exposure and people knowing I am still out here, I'm part of your history, and that I still care deeply.

So anyone out there, old friends from bands, new friends, all are welcome. You gotta be 18 with ID, and I work outside of Sacramento at Folsom City Ink. The number is 916-355-8008. So if you're in the area, call or come by. See you soon. -Big Frank


A sample of Big Frank's work