Boodan and Stacy

where the tattoo research began

Professor Endres got interested in researching tattoos following the research and publication of his 2002 book, Sturgis Stories: Celebrating the People of the World’s Largest Motorcycle Rally. As the title suggests, the book is a collection of interviews and photographs of a cross-section of participants at the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, e.g. gang members, sports bike riders, vendors, locals, and more. While giving presentations on his research, the Prof found that audiences were most interested in the interviewees who had tattoos. Thus, a new research line was begun….

Here are two interesting characters from the book.

Boodan – Florida and Everywhere, USA

Danny Ray “Boodan” owns a tow service in Florida. That’s his “day job.” The rest of the time, he works as a recruiter for the Warlocks motorcycle gang. The monogram on his beret, and the rocker panel on his vest, say “Nomad.” Most rocker panels list the city whose chapter an individual belongs to, such as Los Angeles or Chicago. Boodan’s monogram refers to the fact that he doesn’t belong to any particular chapter of the Warlocks; rather, he recruits for them all. He attends motorcycle rallies not only in South Dakota, but across the United States, e.g. California, Texas, Kentucky, Arizona, and his home state of Florida. He is, in his words, “an ambassador-liaison” to the club lifestyle.

Unlike many of today’s rally-goers, who are regular corporate types who like to ride motorcycles on the weekend, Boodan is a 1%-er, i.e. one of the few members of society who lives outside the law. At age thirteen he was out on the streets, eating out of dumpsters. The Warlocks took him in: “Just like you’ve got your family. There’s nothing you won’t do for your family,” he says, “This is my family. Nothing I won’t do for them. It’s my family.” Though he has a lot to say about the biker lifestyle – including the fact that he has been both stabbed and shot – Boodan has little to say about his tattoos. While his full sleeves, extending down to his hands, are a source of pride, they are also a vulnerability. They make him more identifiable to authorities. Boodan explains that he is hassled daily by the local police. “They bang us up against the wall. They take pictures of our tattoos. They want to know where we’re going, what we’re doing, who we’re doing it with. Everything. To protect the corporate guys. And I’m not here after the corporate guys.” Despite the hassle, Boodan still acknowledges that police are necessary. “I don’t hate the cops. I don’t like the s*** they do, but let’s face it, society without someone to police it is a society gone wild.”

You can find out more about Boodan and his recruiting tactics in Sturgis Stories.

Stacy – Absarokee, Montana, USA

If you would like to know more about Boodan and Stacy, or any of the other colorful Sturgis goers, look for the book Sturgis Stories at Barnes & Noble, or follow the link to Amazon.

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