'The Needle and the Damage' done is a tattoo series produced by Loudwire and presented by the Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival. Each episode was shot on site at the festival's location in Mansfield, Ohio, at the Ohio State Reformatory, which is also where scenes from the 'Shawshank Redemption' were filmed. Here, artists reflect on the artwork scrawled into their flesh, recollecting their first tattoos, the most painful ones, deeper meanings and, of course, the stories behind them all. Enjoy while you anxiously await the announcement of next year's lineup. Keep an eye out because tickets go on sale in December!

Episode 14 of The Needle and the Damage Done features Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin. He's the second member of the veteran rock group to be featured this season after Sully Erna told us all about his tattoos (video below). Larkin is covered in the work of an array of artists, including Amsterdam legend Hanky Panky.

The Hanky Panky tattoo was quite a tale and one that Larkin counts as his best tattoo story. The two met by happenstance when the drummer was at an MTV event in Holland back when he was a member of Ugly Kid Joe. The tattoo artist didn't have a ticket to the event, so Larkin escorted him in after meeting in a beer line without knowing who he was. He eventually learned he was in the presence of a master later on, but to see what he got done and for the full story, you'll have to watch the video at the top.

Larkin also singled out some of the occult-themed pieces on his body, including a recently done neck tattoo along with pentacles and pentagrams, among other symbols, that decorate his hands and arms.

We also get a look at his first and second tattoos and his favorite one, which was a replica of the mermaid his father had tattooed while in the Navy. "The only difference I did was I made the rack better," Larkin said laughing.

Thanks to Shannon Larkin for the interview. Godsmack's latest album, When Legends Rise, is out now and can be purchased here. Follow the band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with everything they're doing.

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