In the realm of unconventional performance art, few acts push boundaries quite like Tat2noisact. This Belgian collective merges the raw energy of noise music with the visceral act of tattooing, creating a spectacle that is as intriguing as it is intense. For Tat2noisact, every performance is a canvas – their bodies becoming living art pieces etched in real-time to the rhythm of their music. This isn’t your typical band merch; this is “Band Tattoo” taken to its most literal and extreme form.
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Just after the holiday season, Tat2noisact set up shop in Schaarbeek, a vibrant area near Brussels, for a residency culminating in an intimate show for friends and onlookers. We caught up with them to delve into the minds behind this unique fusion of music and body modification.
VICE: Hey Tat2noisact, the concept of tattooing yourselves live during shows is wild. How did this “band tattoo” idea originate?
Kostek: It really started brewing around 2005 when I opened my tattoo studio in Brussels. Fyl and I were already jamming together, and we both shared a deep passion for tattoos. It was a simple equation: we love tattoos, we love music – why not bring them together? That was the core idea. The “band tattoo” concept was born from that synergy.
Fyl: Then more people joined the project, and organically, we evolved into a band, or perhaps more accurately, a performance act.
Kostek: Initially, it was almost a joke, something we thought would be a one-off. Our very first performance was in a window display in Brussels’ Red Light District. It was all very impromptu and experimental.
What’s the experience like, being tattooed while performing? Does it change your musicality or vocal delivery?
Fyl: For me, it feels incredibly natural. Singing and being tattooed simultaneously is a powerful combination. The pain becomes almost secondary; it’s channeled into the performance. I actually believe I’m a more engaged vocalist when I’m being inked. The intensity fuels the vocal performance.
David: I definitely had to adjust my drumming technique. Being tattooed while keeping a beat is surprisingly distracting! It requires a different kind of focus and rhythm.
And how does the audience typically react to your “band tattoo” performances? Do they ever get involved themselves?
Joakim: We thrive on playing right in the heart of the crowd. Interestingly, in Paris, audiences tend to keep a respectful distance. But in Brussels, where we’re more known, the energy is much more interactive and people aren’t afraid to get close and immerse themselves in the performance.
Kostek: We sometimes get audience members wanting to be tattooed on the spot, but that’s not really part of our act. There are hygiene and sterilization protocols to consider. However, we did make an exception once for a fan who pre-arranged to get a gold bar tattooed on… a rather sensitive part of his anatomy.
Joakim: You can’t always control the crowd’s enthusiasm though. We had someone once use a broken guitar string to tattoo themselves during a show! People really connect with the raw energy of the “band tattoo” concept.
Are there any personal boundaries when it comes to being tattooed during a performance? Any off-limits body parts?
Kostek: Yes, definitely my left hand. My girlfriend has requested that it remain untouched. It’s the only part of my body that hasn’t been inked yet. My face isn’t really an issue, but the left hand stays clean. It’s a personal preference.
Fyl: Not for me, no restrictions. Sometimes I tattoo my face, sometimes not. Looking in the mirror the day after a show can be… an experience. But it’s not about self-destruction or anything negative. I’m a happy person. Sure, some people stare or think I’m crazy, but I just smile and say hello. This is just who I am, and the “band tattoo” is part of that expression.
When you begin a tattoo during a show, is there a pre-planned design, or is it more spontaneous and driven by the music?
Kostek: It varies. Sometimes I have a general idea in mind, other times it’s completely improvised. It’s heavily influenced by the rhythm and energy of the music in that moment. Joakim actually designed a device that amplifies the sound of the tattoo machines. So, when we’re tattooing live, we’re also creating another layer of sound within the music itself. If my arm wasn’t already so heavily tattooed, it would almost look like we’re writing the music directly onto our skin with these “band tattoos.”
How would you describe Tat2noisact’s musical style to someone unfamiliar with your work?
Fyl: We’re quite eclectic, actually. At times, we lean towards punk rock, and at other times it’s more in the realm of noise, hardcore, or even afrobeat influences. It’s a melting pot of genres.
Joakim: Our sound has become more structured over time. Initially, it was primarily noise-driven – pure energy and the visual spectacle of the tattoos were the focus. But after ten years of performing as Tat2noisact, we’ve developed our songwriting. We rehearse weekly, but we don’t necessarily tattoo every week during practice. The “band tattoo” remains a live performance element.
And what about the tattoos themselves? Have they also evolved in style or become more structured over the years?
Fyl: No, not really. In my case, I have so many layers of tattoos on top of each other now that you can’t really discern individual designs anymore. Take these marks on my stomach – those are from a time I used rose thorns to hand-poke ink. It’s all about adding to the ongoing tapestry of “band tattoo” art.
Kostek: It’s very organic and process-driven. Sometimes I’ll tattoo for five minutes during a song, sometimes for twenty. Sometimes we amplify the tattoo machine sounds, sometimes not. We also do performances where we primarily play our songs and only incorporate tattooing minimally. It depends on the context and the energy of the show.
After a decade of Tat2noisact, does the “band tattoo” performance still feel relevant or impactful? Aren’t your bodies almost entirely covered in ink by now?
Fyl: No, not at all. My back alone has over 200 tattoos, but there’s still plenty of skin left. The canvas is far from full.
Kostek: My arm is getting pretty saturated. But even if you can’t visually see a new tattoo immediately, it’s still there. You always feel the sensation where the needle has marked your skin. The act of tattooing remains significant, visually apparent or not.
Joakim: And when your skin is completely blacked out with ink, you can always go darker. Or explore white ink or colors. There’s really no end to the possibilities of “band tattoo” as a living, evolving art form.
My French is a bit rusty. What themes do you explore in your lyrics?
Fyl: My lyrical inspiration often comes from newspaper articles and literature. I read extensively, and I often incorporate readings into our performances. I typically read excerpts from authors I admire – like Mykola Arkas or Allen Ginsberg. Words and literature are integral to our performances alongside the “band tattoo” element.
Joakim: One of our songs is based on a text by Robert McLiam Wilson, and it explores the irony of humanity’s return to nature. We aim to weave intellectual and literary themes into our noise performances.
You mentioned performing occasionally. What do the members of Tat2noisact do professionally outside of the band?
Kostek: I am a professional tattoo artist, so tattooing is my everyday life as well.
David: I’m a video editor by trade.
Fyl: I have a diverse range of activities. I work as a hairdresser, an actor, and a visual artist.
Joakim: I build guitar pedals and work as a sound engineer. We all have creative pursuits that complement Tat2noisact.
Having performed for ten years, what are Tat2noisact’s future plans? Will the “band tattoo” concept continue to evolve?
Joakim: We haven’t recorded much of our music to date. We have a few tracks online now, and we definitely want to focus on recording more of our material. Capturing the essence of our “band tattoo” performances in recordings is a goal.
Kostek: We want to keep pushing forward, but we’re still exploring the direction. The evolution of “band tattoo” as performance art is ongoing.
Joakim: We’re also interested in incorporating more stage design elements. There’s an artist who wants to weld a metal cage live on stage with us. We could integrate that with literature and our performance act in the future, adding new layers to the “band tattoo” experience.
Kostek: And I know a flutist who might collaborate with us… who knows where Tat2noisact will go next? The possibilities for the “band tattoo” concept are endless.
Explore more images from Tat2noisact’s performance in Schaarbeek below.
