Name: Derek Noble
Age: 27
City you were born in: Bellevue, WA
City you were raised in: Bellevue, WA
Shop you're currently working at: Sabbath Tattoo, Bellingham, WA
Shop number: 360-671-2228

Razordolls: Can you tell us a little about you?
Derek: Its all pretty boring.

Razordolls: How long have you been tattooing?
Derek: Four years.

Razordolls: What got you interested in the business?
Derek: I wanted to make a living as an artist, and I was always drawn to tattoo imagery. I liked getting tattooed and I thought it would be a creative way to earn a living.

Razordolls: Where did you learn to tattoo/who did you apprentice under?
Derek: I learned at the same shop I’m at now, but it was called madhoue tattoo at that time. I apprenticed under Brian Tichelaar, a sweet dude that I still work with.

Razordolls: When did you get your first tattoo and who did it?
Derek: I got my first tattoo when I was seventeen. I don’t remember the dudes name or the shop name.

Razordolls: What is your favorite part about being a tattoo artist?
Derek: I think my favorite part about being a tattoo artist is that I get what I put into it. I can bust my ass, push fun custom stuff on clients, paint a lot, and feel like I’m accomplishing something and getting better as an artist, or I can slack ass, do shitty flash, sit on my ass, and accomplish nothing. Its up to me. I try not to slack ass.

Razordolls: How do you like the shop you're currently at?
Derek: I love the shop I’m at, we’ve all been working together for a while and we’re like brothers. No attitudes or any drama. Good dudes, all of em.

Razordolls: What do you think about the tattoo scene in your area?
Derek: It’s alright. I get to talk people into some fun stuff every once in a while. I get to do most of the fun stuff when I travel.

Razordolls: How many shops have you worked at altogether?
Derek: Just one.

Razordolls: Do you do guest spots at other shops?
Derek: Yep. Wherever and when ever I can.

Razordolls: Who are some of your favorite tattoo artists?
Derek: There are a ton of great artists that I like, off the top of my head, Lee Hana, Bert Krak, Jay Cooper, Todd Noble, Uncle Allan, Chris Dettmer, Jacob Redmond. I dont know, theres a bunch I’m forgetting.

Razordolls: Do you feel your work is influenced by any of those artists in particular?
Derek: Yeah, Lee Hana really changed the way I tattoo. After he did a guest spot at our shop a couple of years ago, I got tattooed by him a bunch and picked his brain a little. Also one of the dudes I work with Phil Freytag influenced me a lot and taught me a lot.

Razordolls: Are there any artists, non-tattooists, that have influenced your work?
Derek: Tons! I love Simon Bisley, Brom, Michael Hussar is the absolute shit. I like the classic dudes like Albrecht Durer also.

Razordolls: What do you feel is the biggest misconception about your career? Do you do anything to defy this?
Derek: It's not a party all the time, there are many days I don’t want to go to work.

Razordolls: What is your goal as a tattoo artist?
Derek: To make a comfortable living, have the freedom to do what I like, and be respected by other tattooers and artists.

Razordolls: Are there any artists you REALLY want to get tattooed by? Or name a few of the artists you have work by.
Derek: I want to get tattooed by Uncle Allan, Chris Dettmer, and Jacob Redmond. I’ve been Tattooed by Lee Hana, Jeff Rassier, Jay Cooper, Phil Freytag, Brian Tichelaar, Chris Thompson, Rachi, Darkhammer, Saul, and others I cant remember.

Razordolls: How do you feel about your own tattoos? Have you ever tattooed yourself?
Derek: I like most of em. Yeah, when I was learning.

Razordolls: Do you have any bad or silly tattoos? Which one is the absolute worst/silliest?
Derek: I got one in honor Of "Diamond David Lee Roth" a little diamond that says "class dismissed" around it.

Razordolls: Do you have a favorite tattoo?
Derek: No.

Razordolls: What are your thoughts on flash?
Derek: Some of it is cool, some of it is not.

Razordolls: Would you think about getting an entire arm or leg blacked out because you don't like the work on it anymore?
Derek: That’s pretty drastic.

Razordolls: What about getting tattoos removed by laser?
Derek: Sounds good to me.

Razordolls: What do you think of the "hackers and scratchers" that are out there?
Derek: It’s the people who get tattooed by them that I get pissed at, there are so many tattooers out there, find a good one.

Razordolls: Are you planning on attending any conventions soon?
Derek: I don’t know.

Razordolls: Where do you see yourself in 10 years or more? Still tattooing?
Derek: Hopefully still tattooing and painting.

Razordolls: How are things going for you in the love department?
Derek: I’m keeping my eye out for the right chick, you know anybody?

Razordolls: What's your view on heavily tattooed women?
Derek: It's cool with me.

Razordolls: What do are your feelings regarding porn?
Derek: I love porn with all my penis.

Razordolls: What are your thoughts on Razordolls.com?
Derek: I haven’t been able to really check it out yet, but it looks pretty sweet.

Razordolls: Do you have a favorite Razordoll?
Derek: Mary is pretty damn hot.

Razordolls: Name a couple favorite movies:
Derek: Any Zombie movie I love, The texas chainsaw massacre, the big lebowski, supertroopers, spinal tap, most horror movies.

Razordolls: Bands?
Derek: RWAKE, Yob, Witchcraft, weedeater, Van Halen, Thin lizzy, The Sword, SLAYER, Saviours, Roky Erickson, Pig destroyer, Pentagram, Ministry, The Melvins, Mastodon, High on fire, Faith no more, Danzig, Church of misery.

Razordolls: Books?
Derek: When I read I fall asleep within ten minutes.

Razordolls: Name a few places you'd like to visit:
Derek: I’d like to go to Europe, I don’t know, wherever I’m welcome. :)

Razordolls: Is there anything you would like to add?
Derek: If anybody wants to get a hold of me, just get to me on myspace: www.myspace.com/dereknoble I also have a website: http://www.dereknoble.fatzombie.com