Tommy Lee talks tattoos (and quick)

Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee was on hand Thursday night for the Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth at Mandalay Bay.

By Melissa Arseniuk

Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 | 1:18 p.m.

A collection of tattoo-loving (mostly) stars turned out Thursday night for the “Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth" kick-off party at Rumjumgle (and kick-off party afterparty at Foundation Room).

While some of the expected guests were no-shows (Brandon Boyd of Incubus; recently-retired UFC champ/recent “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Chuck Liddell; and Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains, and Godsmack frontman Sully Erna, among others) a few of those who did show didn’t give interviews (we’re looking at you, too-cool-for-school, aging former Sugar Ray frontman/”Extra” co-host, Mark McGrath).

Luckily, however, a few of the VIPs stopped to talk to reporters for a few minutes while walking last night’s red carpet.

Sure, some talked longer than others: Ever-affable Matt Goss chatted for 10 minutes while Tommy Lee slowed down for a mere 30 seconds (he never truly stopped to chat; the Motley Crue drummer kept walking throughout what turned out to be a drive-by interview of sorts).

Sill, here’s a play-by-play of what Lee and Goss had to say last night, along with thoughts from former Guns ‘n Roses bassist Duff McKagan and Goss’ manager, Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin:

Tommy Lee:

Q: Do you have any blank space left on your body for more tattoos?

A: Oh Yeah, I’m workin’ on the legs now. I’m getting there, I’m getting close.

Q: How many tattoos do you have, anyway?

A: One! One big one.

Q: What are you up to these days, as far as music?

A: I’m doing a new Methods of Mayhem record, it’s almost done. Motley’s (new record will be out in) 2011.

Duff McKagan

Q: How many tattoos do you have?

A: I don’t know, it’s not something I’ve really counted. ... 15 or 18?

Q: How old were you when you got your first one?

A: 20.

Q: What is it about tattoos that appeals to you?

A: I get, like, my band names, my family names, I get, like, random (stuff), you know, like, a skull. … I like the whole tattoo culture and tattoos are something I continue to get.

Q: Of all your tattoos, which ones are your favorite?

A: My family stuff is going to be the nearest and dearest. I’ve got some old school Guns ‘N Roses stuff … (that’s) like, two six-shooters and a rose. It was back before we had a real logo.

Q: Do you plan on going under the needle again?

A: Am I going to get more tattoos? Yeah, yeah. I just got this one (gestures to a tattoo of the Loaded logo on his forearm). That’s my band.

Robin Antin

Q: There’s a lot of people with a lot of tattoos here. How many tattoos do you have?

A: Mine’s easy, I only have one.

Q: What was the inspiration behind your tattoo?

A: It’s roses and my initials. (RLA, which stands for Robin Lee Antin).

Q: Where and when did you get it done?

A: Mark Mahoney at Shamrock (Social Club) in Hollywood. … I got the initials, oh, about six months ago … and the roses just yesterday.

Q: Are you going to get any more tattoos, maybe at the show this weekend?

A: I think I want something on the back of my neck but that will be later. …. I love Mark Mahoney but he’s not here (for the show) and he’d be the one to do it.

Matt Goss

Q: You also have a ton of tattoos. How many do you have?

A: I don’t really know. I think I have about 20.

Q: How old were you when you got your first one, and what was it of?

A: When I was around 20. Unfortunately it was a tribal tattoo (on my shoulder).

Q: Who is your favorite tattoo artist?

A: Mark Mahoney … Mark Mahoney is, like, the the gentleman in the world of tattooing, to me. (Goss said Mahoney has done five or six of his tattoos.)

Q: What’s your tattoo style?

A: I’m not a big fan of getting a sleeve in one go; I like space.

Q: What is your most recent tattoo of?

A: My granddad’s birthday, the First of July, 1916. It commemorates his birth, and the tear in it acknowledges sadness for his loss, he died two years ago. That’s my latest one.

Q: Do you have a tattoo in mind that you’re planning on getting?

A: My next tattoo? I think I would like to get a piece on my back. Something Japanese inspired.

Q: Of all of your tattoos, which one(s) do you like best?

A: The swallows, (which represent) freedom, the sort of things I’ve went through. It’s a very prominent place on your arm, and it’s just beautifully, beautifully, drawn and beautifully executed tattoo. I got them done, again, at Shamrock, (by) a guy named Small Paul. He really specializes in Japanese art and is an incredible artist and did these four years ago.

Melissa Arseniuk writes about Las Vegas entertainment and celebrity events. She can be reached at 702-948-7823 or by e-mail at melissa.arseniuk@lasvegassun.com.